Heat Exchanger

Abstract

A device for exchanging heat between first and second fluid streams is disclosed. The device includes a core housing configured to channel the first stream through heat exchange elements and out through a first half exhaust port. A shell housing encloses the core housing and is configured to channel the second stream past the heat exchange elements, the shell housing being isolated from the core housing by a space. A second half exhaust port is formed on the shell adjacent with the first half exhaust port, the first and second half exhaust ports being separated by a gap. An expansion joint couples the core housing to the shell housing, the expansion joint configured such that the expansion joint allows the core housing to float within the shell. The expansion joint includes a flexible ring flange having an inner edge mounted to the core housing adjacent the first half exhaust port and a peripheral edge mounted to the shell housing at a circular attachment point surrounding the second half exhaust port.

Therefore what is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A heat exchanger for exchanging heat between a first stream of fluid and a second stream of fluid, the two fluids being at different temperature, the heat exchanger comprising:
 a core housing configured to channel the first stream through heat exchange elements and out through a first half exhaust port, this first half exhaust port being mounted on the core housing;   a second half port to complete the exhaust of the first stream;   the first half exhaust port being separated from the second half exhaust port by a gap;   an expansion joint bridging the above gap and coupling the core housing to the shell housing;   an inner edge of the expansion joint mounted to the first half port mounted on the core housing;   an outer edge of the expansion joint mounted to the shell housing at a circular point surrounding the second half exhaust port;   the expansion joint comprising a flange with circular corrugations and elbow ribs for flexibility;   the flexibility of the joint allowing the core housing to float within the shell.   
     
     
         2 . A heat exchanger for exchanging heat between a first stream of fluid and a second stream of fluid, the two fluid streams being at different temperatures, the heat exchanger comprising:
 a core housing configured to channel the first stream through heat exchange elements and out through a first exhaust port;   a shell enclosing the core housing and configured to channel the second stream past the heat exchange elements, the shell housing being isolated from the core housing by a space;   a second exhaust port formed on the shell adjacent to and coaxially aligned with the first exhaust port, the first and second exhaust ports being separated by a gap;   an expansion joint coupling the core housing to the shell housing, the expansion joint configured such that the expansion joint allows the core housing to float within the shell, the expansion joint comprising a corrugated ring flange having an inner edge mounted to the core housing adjacent the first exhaust port and a peripheral edge mounted to the shell housing at a circular attachment point surrounding the second exhaust port.   
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1  wherein the shell housing has opposite first and second ends and a central axis, the secondary port being formed on the first end of the shell housing, a peripheral port formed on the shell housing adjacent the second end of the shell housing, the shell housing configured to pass the second fluid stream through the peripheral port, the shell having a first cylindrical portion extending from the first end of the shell housing to a second portion of the shell housing surrounding the peripheral port where the shell housing bulges asymmetrically away from the central axis. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger defined in  claim 1  wherein the expansion joint has a thickness, the thickness of the expansion joint being selected to compensate for the relative movement between the core and shell housing as a result of a difference in pressure between the first and second fluid streams.