Heat exchanger

Abstract

A heat exchanger ( 10 ) that is included in a cabinet ( 11 ) housing a plurality of baffles ( 12, 13 ). The baffles ( 12, 13 ) are arranged alternately and are spaced by a sheet material ( 14 ) that provides for the transfer of heat between gases passing through the baffles ( 12, 13 ). The baffles ( 12 ) each have a plurality of dividing walls ( 21 ) that provide a plurality of passages ( 22 ). The passages ( 22 ) extend between opposite longitudinal sides of the heat exchanger ( 10 ). The baffles ( 13 ) each have a plurality of dividing walls ( 33 ) that provide a plurality of passages ( 34 ) that extend between opposite end portions of the heat exchanger ( 10 ).

1 . A heat exchanger including:
 a first baffle with a configuration providing first and second longitudinal sides joined by first and second transverse ends, the baffle providing a plurality of passages through which a fluid passes from an inlet to an outlet, the inlet being at said first side and the outlet being at said second side, with the passages extending at least partly longitudinally and transversely relative to said longitudinal sides;   a second baffle, the baffle being of a configuration to co-operate with the first baffle and so as to have a first and a second longitudinal side and, a first and a second transverse end, the second baffle having a plurality of passages through which a fluid passes, the passages of the second baffle extending from the second baffle first transverse end to the second baffle second transverse end; and   a sheet material between the first and second baffles to provide for the transfer of heat between the fluid passing through the passages of the first baffle and the fluid passing through the passages of the second baffle.   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein said configuration is square or rectangular. 
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein each of the passages of the first baffle include a first length, a second length and a third length arranged in series, the first length extending from the first side of the first baffle, the second length being generally parallel to the sides of the first baffle, and the third length extending to the second side. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger of  claim 3 , wherein the first and third lengths are inclined by approximately 90° to the sides of the first baffle. 
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger of  claim 4 , wherein the second lengths are inclined by approximately 90° to the first and third lengths. 
     
     
         6 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the passages of the second baffle are generally parallel to the sides of the second baffle. 
     
     
         7 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the baffles are generally planar. 
     
     
         8 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet material provides for the transfer of moisture between the fluid passing through the passages of the first baffle and the fluid passing through the passages of the second baffle. 
     
     
         9 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet material substantially prevents the transfer of moisture between the fluid passing through passages of the first baffle and the fluid passing through the passages of the second baffle. 
     
     
         10 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein both baffles are of a rectangular configuration so that the longitudinal sides each have a length and the transfer ends each have a length less than the length of the longitudinal sides. 
     
     
         11 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger is adapted to provide for the transfer of heat between the fluids, when the fluids are a gas. 
     
     
         12 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger is adapted to provide for the transfer of heat between the fluids, where the fluids are air. 
     
     
         13 . The heat exchanger of  claim 5 , wherein the passages of the second baffle are generally parallel to the sides of the second baffle. 
     
     
         14 . The heat exchanger of  claim 13 , wherein the baffles are generally planar. 
     
     
         15 . The heat exchanger of  claim 14 , wherein both baffles are of a rectangular configuration so that the longitudinal sides each have a length and the transfer ends each have a length less than the length of the longitudinal sides. 
     
     
         16 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein said configuration is rectangular so that both baffles are of a rectangular configuration so that the longitudinal sides each have a length and the transfer ends each have a length less than the length of the longitudinal sides, each of the passages of the first baffle include a first length, a second length and a third length arranged in series, the first length extending from the first side of the first baffle, the second length being generally parallel to the sides of the first baffle, and the third length extending to the second side, the first and third lengths are inclined by approximately 90° to the sides of the first baffle, the second lengths are inclined by approximately 90° to the first and third lengths, the passages of the second baffle are generally parallel to the sides of the second baffle, and the baffles are generally planar. 
     
     
         17 . The heat exchanger of  claim 16 , wherein the heat exchanger is adapted to provide for the transfer of heat between the fluids, when the fluids are a gas. 
     
     
         18 . The heat exchanger of  claim 16 , wherein the heat exchanger is adapted to provide for the transfer of heat between the fluids, where the fluids are air. 
     
     
         19 . The heat exchanger of  claim 16 , wherein the sheet material provides for the transfer of moisture between the fluid passing through the passages of the first baffle and the fluid passing through the passages of the second baffle. 
     
     
         20 . The heat exchanger of  claim 16 , wherein the sheet material substantially prevents the transfer of moisture between the fluid passing through passages of the first baffle and the fluid passing through the passages of the second baffle.