Multi-plate heat exchanger with flow rings

Abstract

A compact, low-cost and thermally efficient multi-plate heat exchanger includes a plurality of stamped plates that are stacked adjacent one another in a compact configuration. The plates each have a thin, flat body portion and a sidewall. Inlet and outlet passages are provided in the plates to direct first and second fluids through the stack. The plates are mechanically formed to emboss the plates around the passages. The respective passages for the first fluid are embossed on one direction, while the respective passages for the second fluid are embossed in another direction. The embossing alternates between plates, such that ring grooves are formed between the plates where it is desired to fluidly communicate with a respective passage. A high efficiency, extended surface fin structure and a pair of flow rings are located on each plate. The flow rings are located in the ring grooves for directing fluid between the respective plates. Each of the flow rings includes radial flow openings for evenly distributing the fluid between the plates. The plates are stacked with additional fin structure and ring pairs between each pair of plates, to achieve the thermal requirements of the particular application. The plates are then permanently secured together into a integral structure, such as by brazing.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A heat exchanger for two fluids, said heat exchanger comprising: 
 a plurality of stamped plates, each of said plates having a thin, flat body with opposed surfaces, and a unitary sidewall extending around the periphery of the body and projecting outwardly from one surface thereof such that said plates can be stacked in adjacent relation to one another, each plate body having a first inlet and a first outlet passage for a first of the fluids, and a second inlet and a second outlet passage for a second of the fluids, the respective inlet and outlets passages for the respective fluids being aligned with one another, a first set of said plates being identical to one another and being embossed around the inlet and outlet passages such that the portion of the plate surrounding the first inlet and first outlet passages projects outwardly from the one surface of the plate and the portion of the plate surrounding the second inlet and second outlet passages projects outwardly from the opposite surface of the plate, a second set of said plates also being identical to one another and being embossed around the inlet and outlet passages such that the portion of the plate surrounding the first inlet and first outlet passages projects outwardly from the opposite surface of the plate and the portion of the plate surrounding the second inlet and second outlet passages projects outwardly from the one surface of the plate, said plate sets being alternated, with the one surface of a plate of said first set located adjacent the opposite surface of a plate of said second set, such that ring grooves are defined between the adjacent plates;    fin structure disposed between the adjacent plates forming fluid passages; and    a plurality of flow rings as separate components from the plates sized to bound the inlet and outlet passages, said flow rings disposed in the ring grooves formed between the adjacent plates, said flow rings having radial flow openings directing fluid flow between the respective passages and the fin structure between the respective plates.    
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger as in  claim 1 , wherein said plates, said fin structure and said flow rings are secured together.  
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger as in  claim 2 , wherein said plates, said fin structure and said flow rings are brazed together.  
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger as in  claim 1 , wherein each of said flow rings includes a pair of annular body portions separated by support members, the support members being spaced apart from one another to define the radial flow openings in the flow rings.  
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger as in  claim 1 , further including inlet and outlet fittings for the heat exchanger, the inlet and outlet fittings located on one of the plates, such that the fluids are introduced into and received from the plates from one end of the plate stack.  
     
     
         6 . A heat exchanger for two fluids, said heat exchanger comprising: 
 a plurality of plates, each of said plates having a thin, flat body with opposed surfaces, and a sidewall extending around the periphery of the body such that said plates can be stacked in adjacent relation to one another, each plate having inlet and outlet passages, with the plates being embossed around the inlet and outlet passages such that the portion of the plate surrounding the passages projects outwardly away from a surface of the plate, said plate sets being stacked in adjacent relation with ring grooves defined between the adjacent plates in surrounding relation to at least some of the passages,    fin structure disposed between the adjacent plates forming fluid passages; and    a plurality of flow rings as separate components from the plates, sized to bound the inlet and outlet passages, said flow rings disposed in the ring grooves formed between the adjacent plates, said flow rings having flow openings directing fluid flow between the respective passages and the fin structure between the respective plates.    
     
     
         7 . The heat exchanger as in  claim 6 , wherein said plates, said fin structure and said flow rings are secured together.  
     
     
         8 . The heat exchanger as in  claim 7 , wherein said plates, said fin structure and said flow rings are brazed together.  
     
     
         9 . The heat exchanger as in  claim 6 , wherein each of said flow rings includes a pair of annular body portions separated by support members, the support members being spaced apart from one another to define the radial flow openings in the flow rings.  
     
     
         10 . The heat exchanger as in  claim 6 , further including inlet and outlet fittings for the heat exchanger, the inlet and outlet fittings located on one of the plates, such that the fluids are introduced into and received from the plates from one end of the plate stack.  
     
     
         11 . A heat exchanger for two fluids, said heat exchanger comprising: 
 a pair of plates, each of said plates having a thin, flat body with opposed surfaces, and a sidewall extending around the periphery of the body of one of the plates such that said plates can be stacked in adjacent relation to one another, said one plate having inlet and outlet passages, with the plates being embossed in the area around the inlet and outlet passages such ring grooves are defined between the adjacent plates in surrounding relation to at least some of the passages,    fin structure disposed between the adjacent plates forming fluid passages; and    a pair of flow rings sized to bound the inlet and outlet passages, said flow rings disposed in the ring grooves formed between the adjacent plates, said flow rings having radial flow openings directing fluid flow between the respective passages and the fin structure between the plates.    
     
     
         12 . The heat exchanger as in  claim 11 , wherein said plates, said fin structure and said flow rings are secured together.  
     
     
         13 . The heat exchanger as in  claim 12 , wherein said plates, said fin structure and said flow rings are brazed together.  
     
     
         14 . The heat exchanger as in  claim 11 , wherein each of said flow rings includes a pair of annular body portions separated by support members, the support members being spaced apart from one another to define the radial flow openings in the flow rings.  
     
     
         15 . The heat exchanger as in  claim 11 , further including inlet and outlet fittings for the heat exchanger, the inlet and outlet fittings located on one of the plates, such that the fluids are introduced into and received from the plates from one end of the plate stack.  
     
     
         16 . A method for assembling a multi-plate heat exchanger for two fluids, comprising the steps of: 
 locating a plurality of thin, flat plates in adjacent, stacked relation to one another, each of said plates including a first inlet and a first outlet passage for a first of the fluids, and a second inlet and a second outlet passage for a second of the fluids, the respective inlet and outlets passages for the respective fluids being aligned with one another when the plates are stacked together, a first set of said plates being identical to one another and being embossed around the inlet and outlet passages such that the portion of the plate surrounding the first inlet and first outlet passages projects outwardly from the one surface of the plate and the portion of the plate surrounding the second inlet and second outlet passages projects outwardly from the opposite surface of the plate, a second set of said plates also being identical to one another and being embossed around the inlet and outlet passages such that the portion of the plate surrounding the first inlet and first outlet passages projects outwardly from the opposite surface of the plate and the portion of the plate surrounding the second inlet and second outlet passages projects outwardly from the one surface of the plate, said plate sets being alternated, with the one surface of a plate of said first set located adjacent the opposite surface of a plate of said second set, such that ring grooves are defined between the adjacent plates    locating a flow ring in the ring groove between adjacent plates; and    permanently securing the plates together.    
     
     
         17 . The method as in  claim 16 , wherein the step of permanently securing the plates together comprises brazing the plates together.