Heat exchanger including fluid lines encased in aluminum

Abstract

Heat exchange apparatuses configured for various applications so as to transfer heat to or from a fluid to be heated or cooled, respectively. The heat exchange apparatus includes at least one fluid line for containing the product fluid to be heated or cooled. The line includes an inlet into which the fluid is introduced, as well as an outlet at an opposite end of the line through which the fluid exits. The heat exchange apparatus also advantageously includes a cast metallic body which encases at least a portion of the fluid tube.

1 . A heat exchanger apparatus comprising:
 at least one hollow product fluid line having an inlet at a first end, an outlet at an opposite second end, and a heat transfer portion disposed therebetween, the at least one hollow product fluid line being configured to allow passage of a fluid to be heated or cooled between the inlet and the outlet; and   a metallic encasing body that encases at least a portion of the heat transfer portion of the at least one product line.   
   
   
       2 . A heat exchanger as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the metallic encasing body comprises aluminum or an aluminum alloy. 
   
   
       3 . A heat exchanger as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the metallic encasing body encases substantially all of the heat transfer portion of the at least one hollow line. 
   
   
       4 . A heat exchanger as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the metallic encasing body is formed by casting molten metal around the product fluid line. 
   
   
       5 . A heat exchanger as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the product fluid line comprises stainless steel. 
   
   
       6 . A heat exchanger as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a second fluid line encased within said metallic body, said second fluid line being configured to convey a heating or cooling fluid, said second fluid line being in heat exchange relationship with said at least one product fluid line. 
   
   
       7 . A heat exchanger as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said metallic body further includes a plurality of convection slots formed therein. 
   
   
       8 . A heat exchanger as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the product fluid line is completely encased by said metallic body. 
   
   
       9 . A heat exchanger apparatus comprising:
 at least one hollow product fluid line having an inlet at one end, an outlet at an opposite second end, and a heat transfer portion disposed therebetween, the at least one product fluid line being configured to allow passage of a fluid to be heated or cooled between the inlet and the outlet;   a second fluid line having an inlet at one end and an outlet at an opposite second end, a heat transfer portion being disposed therebetween, the second fluid line separate from said product fluid line, said second fluid line being configured to convey a heating or cooling fluid, said second fluid line being in heat exchange relationship with said product fluid line so as to heat or cool product within said product fluid line; and   a metallic encasing body that encases at least a portion of each heat transfer portion of both the product fluid line and the second fluid line.   
   
   
       10 . A heat exchanger as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said metallic body further includes a plurality of convection slots formed therein. 
   
   
       11 . A heat exchanger as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the metallic encasing body comprises aluminum or an aluminum alloy. 
   
   
       12 . A heat exchanger as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the metallic encasing body encases substantially all of the heat transfer portion of the at least one hollow line. 
   
   
       13 . A heat exchanger as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the metallic encasing body is formed by casting molten metal around the product fluid line. 
   
   
       14 . A heat exchanger as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the product fluid line comprises a material different from the metallic encasing body. 
   
   
       15 . A heat exchanger as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the product fluid line comprises stainless steel. 
   
   
       16 . A heat exchanger system comprising:
 at least one hollow product fluid line having an inlet at a first end, an outlet at an opposite second end, and a heat transfer portion disposed therebetween, the at least one product fluid line being configured to allow passage of a fluid to be heated or cooled between the inlet and the outlet; and   a second fluid line having an inlet at one end and an outlet at an opposite second end, a heat transfer portion being disposed therebetween, the second fluid line separate from said product fluid line, said second fluid line being configured to convey a heating or cooling fluid, said second fluid line being in heat exchange relationship with said product fluid line so as to heat or cool product within said product fluid line;   a first metallic encasing body that encases at least a portion of each heat transfer portion of both the product fluid line and the second fluid line; and   a second metallic encasing body separate from the first metallic encasing body that encases a subsequent portion of the second fluid line after the second fluid line exits from the first metallic encasing body.   
   
   
       17 . A heat exchanger system as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the second metallic encasing body is substantially cylindrical with a centrally disposed through hole, further comprising a housing that encloses around the sides of said cylindrical encasing body with a continuous space defined around the entire exterior of the cylindrical encasing body such that convention air may be pulled through the central through hole as well as the space between the housing and the exterior of the cylindrical body so as to convention cool the cylindrical body. 
   
   
       18 . A heat exchanger apparatus comprising:
 at least one electrically resistive heating line having a first end, an opposite second end, and a heat transfer portion disposed therebetween; and   an aluminum encasing body that encases substantially all of the heat transfer portion of the electrically resistive heating line so as to facilitate heating of a fluid in contact with said aluminum encasing body.