Heat exchanger assembly

Abstract

An apparatus providing high efficiency heat exchange between two fluids is disclosed. The apparatus most commonly comprises multiple thin panels with fluid channels directing the flow of the two fluids, specifically: one or more flat panels aligned at some angle to the flow of the fluid traveling through the shortest channel of the thin panels. The panels are arranged in series and parallel, so that the hot fluid travels through multiple thin panels. The coolant is delivered to the thin panels through tubes or manifolds while the hot fluid is delivered through a duct or other piping.

1 . A heat exchanger for transferring heat between a first fluid and a second fluid, comprising: 
 a. A core made up of one or more thin panel heat exchangers; and    b. An apparatus for directing the first fluid to the core, such as tubes or an integrated manifold; and    c. An apparatus for directing the second fluid to the core, such as ducts or piping.    
   
   
       2 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1  in which the core is made up of more than one thin panel heat exchanger.  
   
   
       3 . The heat exchanger of  claim 2  in which the thin panels are in series such that the second fluid flow must pass through each panel successively.  
   
   
       4 . The heat exchanger of  claim 3  in which the series of thin panels in the core are placed so that the second fluid flow impinges the panels normal to their largest face.  
   
   
       5 . The heat exchanger of  claim 4  in which the series of thin panels in the core are aligned so that the second fluid flow channels match up in successive panels.  
   
   
       6 . The heat exchanger of  claim 4  in which the series of thin panels in the core are aligned so as to stagger the inlets of the second fluid flow channels.  
   
   
       7 . The heat exchanger of  claim 3  in which the series of thin panels in the core are placed to that the second fluid flow impinges the panels at some angle other than normal to their largest face.  
   
   
       8 . The heat exchanger of  claim 7  in which the series of thin panels in the core are aligned so that the second fluid flow channels match up in successive panels.  
   
   
       9 . The heat exchanger of  claim 7  in which the series of thin panels in the core are aligned so as to stagger the inlets of the second fluid flow channels.  
   
   
       10 . The heat exchanger of  claim 2  in which the thin panels in the core are arranged in parallel such that the second fluid flow may pass through any of the panels.  
   
   
       11 . The heat exchanger of  claim 10  in which the thin panels in the core are arranged so that the second fluid flow impinges the panels normal to their largest face.  
   
   
       12 . The heat exchanger of  claim 10  in which the thin panels in the core are placed so that the second fluid flow impinges the panels at some angle other than normal to their largest face.  
   
   
       13 . The heat exchanger of  claim 12  in which the thin panels are placed in a corrugated arrangement which results in a series of v-shapes.  
   
   
       14 . The heat exchanger of  claim 2  in which the core is made up of thin panels placed in a series and parallel configuration.  
   
   
       15 . The heat exchanger of  claim 14  in which the core is a stack made up of multiple v-shapes in series.  
   
   
       16 . The heat exchanger of  claim 14  in which the core is made up of multiple stacks of v-shapes in parallel.  
   
   
       17 . The heat exchanger of  claim 2  in which the thin panels contain microchannels.  
   
   
       18 . The heat exchanger of  claim 14  in which the thin panels contain microchannels.  
   
   
       19 . The heat exchanger of  claim 15  in which the thin panels contain microchannels.  
   
   
       20 . The heat exchanger of  claim 16  in which the thin panels contain microchannels.  
   
   
       21 . The heat exchanger of  claim 2  also comprising some additional material attached to the thin panels so as to provide secondary heat transfer surfaces for the second fluid, such as fins, pins or expanded foam.  
   
   
       22 . The heat exchanger of  claim 14  in which the thin panels have secondary heat transfer surfaces for the second fluid, such as fins, pins or expanded foam.  
   
   
       23 . The heat exchanger of  claim 15  in which the thin panels have secondary heat transfer surfaces for the second fluid, such as fins, pins or expanded foam.  
   
   
       24 . The heat exchanger of  claim 16  in which the thin panels have secondary heat transfer surfaces for the second fluid, such as fins, pins or expanded foam.  
   
   
       25 . The heat exchanger of  claim 21 , in which the secondary heat transfer surfaces are arrayed so as to control the distribution of flow for the second fluid through the thin panel.