Multi fluid heat exchanger assembly

Abstract

The present invention relates to coplanar multi fluid heat exchanger assemblies comprising a heat exchange core, end tanks and in tank oil coolers. Oil is preheated by coolant by in tank oil coolers leading to advantages in overall thermal performance.

1 . A heat exchanger assembly comprising: 
 a first end tank;    a second end tank opposite the first end tank;    a plurality of first tubes in fluid communication with the first and second end tanks, the plurality of first tubes adapted to have a first fluid flow therethrough;    a plurality of second tubes in fluid communication with the first and second end tanks, the plurality of second tubes adapted to have a second fluid, flow therethrough;    a plurality of fins disposed between the first and second tubes, with the first and second tubes and the fins being generally co-planar relative to each other;    a heat exchange element adapted to have a third fluid, different from the first or the second fluid, flow therethrough,    wherein at least one of the first fluid or second fluid is a radiator fluid, and wherein the third fluid is an automotive fluid.    
   
   
       2 . A heat exchanger assembly as in  claim 1  wherein the heat exchange element is located in the first or second end tank and the first end tank and the second end tank each include at least one baffle.  
   
   
       3 . A heat exchanger assembly as in  claim 2  having at least two separate heat exchange elements.  
   
   
       4 . A heat exchanger assembly as in  claim 3  wherein the two separate heat exchange elements are located in one or both of the first or second end tanks.  
   
   
       5 . A heat exchanger assembly as in  claim 3  wherein at least one of the separate heat exchange elements is located in the first end tank and at least one of the separate heat exchange elements is located in the second end tank.  
   
   
       6 . A heat exchanger assembly as in  claim 2  wherein the third fluid is an oil.  
   
   
       7 . A heat exchanger assembly comprising: 
 a first end tank;    a second end tank opposite the first end tank;    at least one heat exchange element in at least one of the end tanks;    a plurality of first tubes in fluid communication with the first and second end tanks, the plurality of first tubes adapted to have an automotive fluid flow therethrough;    a plurality of second tubes in fluid communication with the first and second end tanks, the plurality of second tubes adapted to have an automotive fluid, flow therethrough;    a plurality of third tubes in fluid communication with the first and second end tanks, the plurality of third tubes adapted to have an automotive fluid, flow therethrough;    a plurality of fins disposed between the first, second and third tubes, with the majority of fins being generally co-planar relative to each other;    wherein each plurality of tubes and the heat exchange element each form an area or zone of heat exchange of the heat exchange assembly; and,    wherein at least one of the first, second or third tubes has a radiator fluid flowing therethrough.    
   
   
       8 . A heat exchanger assembly as in  claim 7  wherein the at least one heat exchange element has an automotive fluid flowing therethrough.  
   
   
       9 . A heat exchanger assembly as in  claim 8  wherein the automotive fluid of at least one heat exchange element is an oil.  
   
   
       10 . A heat exchanger assembly as in  claim 6  wherein at least one of the first tubes, second tubes or third tubes is of another size than one of the other tubes.  
   
   
       11 . A heat exchanger assembly as in  claim 7  wherein the first or second tubes have an oil flowing therethrough.  
   
   
       12 . A heat exchanger assembly as in  claim 7 , wherein the first or second tubes and the at least one heat exchange element have a radiator fluid flowing therethrough.  
   
   
       13 . A heat exchanger assembly for an automotive vehicle, comprising: 
 a first end tank;    at second end tank;    a least two compartments in the at least one of the end tanks;    a core;    fins;    at least two heat exchange zones in the core each including a plurality of spaced apart tubes with fins between the spaced tubes;    at least one heat exchange element in at least one of the end tanks;    the heat exchange zones being disposed so that their respective tubes and fins are generally co-planar with each other and are connected to the end tank; and the heat exchange zones being selected from the group consisting of an oil heat exchange zone, a condenser zone, a radiator zone or combinations thereof.    
   
   
       14 . A heat exchanger assembly as in  claim 13  wherein at least one of the heat exchange zones functions as a radiator.  
   
   
       15 . A heat exchanger assembly system comprising a heat exchanger assembly as in  claim 1  and at least one other heat exchanger.  
   
   
       16 . A heat exchanger assembly system comprising a heat exchanger assembly as in  claim 7  and at least one other heat exchanger.  
   
   
       17 . A heat exchanger assembly system comprising a heat exchanger assembly as in  claim 13  and at least one other heat exchanger.  
   
   
       18 . A heat exchanger assembly system as in claims  15 , wherein at least one zone of the heat exchanger assembly is adapted to have a fluid selected from the group of radiator coolant and an automotive fluid and at least one other zone the other heat exchanger assembly is adapted to have a fluid selected from the group of automotive fluids.  
   
   
       19 . A heat exchanger assembly system as in  claim 18 , wherein the heat exchange zones are arranged in parallel.  
   
   
       20 . A heat exchanger assembly system as in  claim 18 , wherein the heat exchanger assembly and the at least one other heat exchanger are arranged side by side.  
   
   
       21 . A heat exchanger assembly as in  claim 1  wherein the fluid flow direction is vertical or downflow from top to bottom or bottom to top.  
   
   
       22 . A heat exchanger assembly as in  claim 7  wherein the fluid flow direction is vertical or down flow from top to bottom or bottom to top.  
   
   
       23 . A heat exchanger assembly as in  claim 7  wherein the fluid flow direction is vertical or down flow from top to bottom or bottom to top.  
   
   
       24 . A heat exchanger assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein the end tank having the at least one heat exchanger element has at least two compartments and wherein the at least one heat exchange element is found in at least one of the compartments.  
   
   
       25 . A heat exchanger assembly as in  claim 24 , wherein at least one of the fluids is preheated by heat exchange with the second fluid.  
   
   
       26 . A heat exchanger assembly as in  claim 24 , wherein at least one of the fluids is preheated by heat exchange with the third fluid.  
   
   
       27 . A heat exchanger assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein the first end tank and the second end tank both have at least two compartments and wherein the heat exchange element is partially within or integrated into at least one compartment.  
   
   
       28 . A heat exchanger assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein the first end tank and the second end tank both have at least two compartments and wherein the heat exchange element is partially within or integrated into at least two compartments.  
   
   
       29 . A heat exchanger assembly as in  claim 25 , wherein one of the fluids which is being pre heated is controlled by a control device for its flow within the heat exchanger.  
   
   
       30 . A heat exchanger assembly as in  claim 26 , wherein one of the fluids which is being pre heated is controlled by a control device for its flow within the heat exchanger.  
   
   
       31 . A heat exchanger assembly as in claims  29 , wherein the control device controls fluid access to more than one zone to increase exchange cooling capacity.  
   
   
       32 . A heat exchanger assembly with more than one zone, wherein at least one of the fluids of the heat exchanger exchanges heat in multiple zones to exchange heat at higher capacity.