Heat exchanger and method for making the same

Abstract

A method is provided, the method including providing a first tubular structure that defines a first passage. A sacrificial material can be disposed in the first passage. A second tubular structure can be provided so as to be adjacent to the first tubular structure, with the second tubular structure defining a second passage within which can be disposed a granular material. The first and second tubular structures can be deformed together so as to reduce an external dimension of each of the first and second tubular structures. The sacrificial material can then be removed from the first passage.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a first tubular region that is substantially hollow;   a second tubular region adjacent to said first tubular region; and   a first material disposed within said second tubular region.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a major tubular structure defining a major passage, said first and second tubular regions being disposed within the major passage. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said first material is granular. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said first material has a strain to failure of less than about 1% at room temperature. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second tubular regions define respective elongated axes that are substantially parallel. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second tubular regions are incorporated into a unitary structure. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second tubular regions each has a dimension less than or equal to about 100 μm. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second tubular regions each have an aspect ratio of at least 5. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second tubular regions are juxtaposed. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a second material disposed within said second tubular region. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said first material includes magnetocaloric material. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a magnetic field generating component configured to vary a magnetic field to which said magnetocaloric material is exposed; and   a working fluid directed through said first tubular region so as to exchange heat with said magnetocaloric material.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said first tubular region includes a plurality of first tubular regions and said second tubular region includes a plurality of second tubular regions, wherein at least one first tubular region of said plurality of first tubular regions is adjacent to at least one second tubular region of said plurality of second tubular regions. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein said first and second tubular regions are arranged so as to form an array. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein said first and second tubular regions are arranged so as to form an array of alternating first and second tubular regions. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a first tubular structure that defines a first passage, wherein said first tubular region is defined by the first passage. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said first tubular structure includes a plurality of first tubular structures that are arranged so as to define therebetween said second tubular region. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising a second tubular structure that defines a second passage, wherein said second tubular region is defined by the second passage. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein each of said first and second tubular structures are formed at least partially of at least one of copper, silver, aluminum, or a thermoplastic. 
     
     
         20 . A method comprising:
 providing a first tubular structure that defines a first passage and has a sacrificial material disposed in the first passage;   providing a second tubular structure adjacent to the first tubular structure, the second tubular structure defining a second passage and having a granular material disposed in the second passage;   deforming together the first and second tubular structures so as to reduce an external dimension of each of the first and second tubular structures; and   removing the sacrificial material from the first passage.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 providing a major tubular structure defining a major passage; and   disposing the first and second tubular structures within the major passage,   wherein said deforming together the first and second tubular structures includes deforming together the first, second, and major tubular structures.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said removing the sacrificial material from the first passage includes at least one of etching, melting, or decomposing the sacrificial material. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said deforming includes drawing to reduce an external dimension by at least 50%. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said deforming includes at least one of drawing, rolling, or swaging. 
     
     
         25 . An apparatus comprising:
 a first tubular region;   a sacrificial material disposed within said first tubular region;   a second tubular region adjacent to said first tubular region; and   a first material disposed within said second tubular region.   
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , further comprising a second material disposed within said first tubular region. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein said second material includes a sacrificial material. 
     
     
         28 . A method comprising:
 providing a major tubular structure defining a major passage;   providing a first tubular structure that defines a first passage and has a sacrificial material disposed in the first passage;   disposing granular material in an area between the first tubular structure and the major tubular structure;   deforming together the major and first tubular structures; and   removing the sacrificial material.   
     
     
         29 . A method comprising:
 providing a plurality of first tubular structures, each first tubular structure of the plurality of tubular structures defining a first passage and having a sacrificial material disposed in each of the respective first passages;   configuring the plurality of first tubular structures so as to enclose therebetween an interstitial space;   disposing granular material in the interstitial space;   deforming together the plurality of first tubular structures and the granular material; and   removing the sacrificial material.