Heat exchanger

Abstract

A heat exchanger ( 100 ) is disclosed for exchanging heat with a medium across a substantially planar surface. The exchanger ( 100 ) comprises: a heat exchanging panel ( 101 ); a fluid circuit comprising a first chamber ( 104 ) disposed at a first end of the panel ( 101 ), a second chamber ( 105 ) disposed at a second end of the panel ( 101 ), a plurality of passages ( 103 ) which extend along the panel between the first and second chambers ( 104,105 ), and a duct ( 107 ) which extends between the first and second chamber ( 104,105 ); a fluid disposed within the circuit; wherein, the plurality of passages ( 103 ) are arranged in thermal communication with the panel ( 101 ) and are arranged to communicate the fluid from the first chamber ( 104 ) to the second chamber ( 15 ), and the duct ( 107 ) is arranged to communicate fluid from the second chamber ( 105 ) to the first chamber ( 104 ).

1 . A heat exchanger for exchanging heat with a medium across a substantially planar surface, the exchanger comprising:
 a heat exchanging panel;   a fluid circuit comprising a first chamber disposed at a first end of the panel, a second chamber disposed at a second end of the panel, a plurality of passages which extend along the panel between the first and second chambers, and a duct which extends between the first and second chamber;   a fluid disposed within the circuit; wherein,   the plurality of passages are arranged in thermal communication with the panel and are arranged to communicate the fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber, and the duct is arranged to communicate fluid from the second chamber to the first chamber.   
     
     
         2 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the panel is arranged to exchange heat with the fluid disposed within the passages. 
     
     
         3 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the passages are arranged to extend within the panel. 
     
     
         4 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the panel comprises a heat exchanging surface which is arranged to extend adjacent the medium. 
     
     
         5 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second chambers are arranged to extend away from the panel from the side opposite the heat exchanging surface. 
     
     
         6 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the duct is arranged to extend between the first and second chambers in spaced relation to the panel. 
     
     
         7 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the first chamber is arranged to extend at a vertical height which is below the second chamber, such that the fluid can pass from the second chamber to the first chamber along the duct, under the influence of gravity. 
     
     
         8 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one chamber comprises a cooler for cooling the fluid disposed within the respective chamber. 
     
     
         9 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 8 , wherein the cooler comprises a cooling duct which is arranged to extend along the chamber and which is arranged to communicate a cooling fluid between an inlet and an outlet of the cooling duct. 
     
     
         10 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 9 , wherein the cooling duct is arranged to extend in thermal communication with the fluid within the respective chamber. 
     
     
         11 . A heat exchanger according to any preceding  claim 1 , wherein the first and second chamber comprises a cooler for cooling the fluid disposed therein. 
     
     
         12 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 11 , wherein the coolers separately comprise a cooling duct which is arranged to extend within the respective chamber. 
     
     
         13 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 12 , wherein the cooling ducts which extend within the respective chambers separately comprise an inlet and an outlet, and the outlet of one cooling duct is coupled to the inlet of the other cooling duct.