Integrated counter cross flow condenser

Abstract

A heat exchanger includes a leeward condenser core including a plurality of first fluid conduits having a first flow circuit formed therethrough to receive a heat exchanging medium, a windward condenser core positioned adjacent and in fluid communication with the leeward condenser core, the windward condenser core including a plurality of second fluid conduits having a second flow circuit formed therethrough to receive the heat exchanging medium, a header plate securing the windward condenser core to the leeward condenser core, the header plate forming at least a portion of a first tank in fluid communication with each of the first fluid conduits and a second tank in fluid communication with each of the second fluid conduits, a first cap disposed on the header plate to form the first tank, and a second cap disposed on the header plate to form the second tank.

1 . A heat exchanger comprising:
 a leeward condenser core including a plurality of first fluid conduits having a first flow circuit formed therethrough to receive a heat exchanging medium;   a windward condenser core positioned adjacent and in fluid communication with the leeward condenser core, the windward condenser core including a plurality of second fluid conduits having a second flow circuit formed therethrough to receive the heat exchanging medium;   a header plate securing the windward condenser core to the leeward condenser core, the header plate forming at least a portion of a first tank in fluid communication with each of the first fluid conduits and a second tank in fluid communication with each of the second fluid conduits;   a first cap disposed on the header plate to form the first tank; and   a second cap disposed on the header plate to form the second tank.   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the first cap forms a fluid-tight seal with a first portion of the header plate connecting to and in fluid communication with each of the first fluid conduits, and the second cap forms a fluid-tight seal with a second portion of the header plate connecting to and in fluid communication with each of the second fluid conduits. 
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of fins, each of the fins interposed between adjacent ones of each of the first fluid conduits and the second fluid conduits. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the fins extends between a pair of adjacent ones of the first fluid conduits and a pair of adjacent ones of the second fluid conduits. 
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the first fluid conduits are spaced from the second fluid conduits by a gap ranging from about 0.0 to 14.0 millimeters. 
     
     
         6 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the first flow circuit includes at most three circuit passes through the leeward condenser. 
     
     
         7 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the second flow circuit is downstream of the first flow circuit. 
     
     
         8 . A heat exchanger comprising:
 a leeward condenser core including a plurality of first fluid conduits having a first flow circuit formed therethrough to receive a heat exchanging medium, each of the first fluid conduits having a first width;   a windward condenser core positioned adjacent the leeward condenser core, the windward condenser core including a plurality of second fluid conduits having a second flow circuit formed therethrough to receive the heat exchanging medium, each of the second fluid conduits having a second width; and   a plurality of fins disposed adjacent each of the first fluid conduits and the second fluid conduits, each of the fins interposed between adjacent ones of each of the first fluid conduits and the second fluid conduits and having a fin width greater than the first width and the second width combined.   
     
     
         9 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 8 , further comprising a header plate securing the windward condenser core to the leeward condenser core, the header plate at least a portion of a first tank and a second tank, a first cap disposed on the header plate to form the first tank in fluid communication with each of the first fluid conduits, and a second cap disposed on the header plate to form the second tank in fluid communication with each of the second fluid conduits. 
     
     
         10 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 9 , wherein the first cap forms a fluid-tight seal with a first portion of the header plate connecting to and in fluid communication with each of the first fluid conduits, and the second cap forms a fluid-tight seal with a second portion of the header plate connecting to and in fluid communication with each of the second fluid conduits. 
     
     
         11 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 8 , wherein the first fluid conduits are spaced from the second fluid conduits by a gap ranging from about 0.0 to 14.0 millimeters. 
     
     
         12 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 8 , wherein the second width is greater than the first width. 
     
     
         13 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 8 , wherein the second flow circuit is downstream of the first flow circuit. 
     
     
         14 . A heat exchanger comprising:
 a leeward condenser core having a first total face area, the leeward condenser core including a plurality of first fluid conduits having a first flow circuit formed therethrough to receive a heat exchanging medium, each of the first fluid conduits having a first width;   a windward condenser core having a second total face area, the windward condenser core positioned adjacent the leeward condenser core, the windward condenser core including a plurality of second fluid conduits having a second flow circuit formed therethrough to receive the heat exchanging medium, each second fluid conduit having a second width; and   at least one circuit pass extending at least partially through the first flow circuit, the at least one circuit pass including at least a portion of the first total face area, wherein the portion of the first total face area is at least 42.7 percent of the first total face area and second total face area combined.   
     
     
         15 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 14 , further comprising a header plate securing the windward condenser core to the leeward condenser core, the header plate at least a portion of a first tank and a second tank, a first cap disposed on the header plate to form the first tank in fluid communication with each of the first fluid conduits, and a second cap disposed on the header plate to form the second tank in fluid communication with each of the second fluid conduits. 
     
     
         16 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 15 , wherein the first cap forms a fluid-tight seal with a first portion of the header plate connecting to and in fluid communication with each of the first fluid conduits, and the second cap forms a fluid-tight seal with a second portion of the header plate connecting to and in fluid communication with each of the second fluid conduits. 
     
     
         17 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 14 , further comprising a plurality of fins, each of the fins interposed between adjacent ones of each of the first fluid conduits and the second fluid conduits. 
     
     
         18 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 17 , wherein at least one of the fins extends between a pair of adjacent ones of the first fluid conduits and a pair of adjacent ones of the second fluid conduits. 
     
     
         19 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 17 , wherein at least one of the fins has a width that is greater than the first width and the second width combined. 
     
     
         20 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 14 , wherein the first width is at least one of less than the second width and equal to the second width.