Heat exchanger with center manifold and thermal separator

Abstract

A heat exchange device includes a first section and a second section. Each of the first and second sections include flow passages configured for heat exchange between hot fluid within the flow passages and cold fluid external of the flow passages. Each of the flow passages having cold fluid flow therebetween. A separator is positioned dividing the cold fluid flow between flow passages. The separator includes two separator sheets spaced apart with a pillar matrix structurally connecting the separator sheets configured to prevent cold fluid mixing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A heat exchange device, comprising:
 a first section and a second section, each of the first and second sections including flow passages configured for heat exchange between hot fluid within the flow passages and cold fluid external of the flow passages, each of the flow passages having cold fluid flow therebetween; and   a separator dividing the cold fluid flow between flow passages, wherein the separator includes two separator sheets spaced apart with a pillar matrix structurally connecting the separator sheets configured to prevent cold fluid mixing.   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchange device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the flow passages has a hot fluid inlet and a hot fluid outlet wherein the temperature of fluid entering at the hot fluid inlet is greater than the temperature of fluid exiting the hot fluid outlet. 
     
     
         3 . The heat exchange device of  claim 2 , wherein the separator sheets are positioned between each hot fluid inlet and hot fluid outlet of each adjacent flow passage configured to prevent mixing of the fluids providing heat transfer to and from the flow passage inlet and flow passage outlet. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchange device of  claim 1 , wherein the cold fluid flow channel includes secondary heat transfer element extending from the flow passages. 
     
     
         5 . The heat exchange device of  claim 4 , wherein the pillar matrix between the two separator sheets includes the same material as that of the secondary heat transfer elements. 
     
     
         6 . The heat exchange device of  claim 4 , wherein the pillar matrix includes material with reduced conductivity relative to other material of the device in order to reduce thermal conductivity. 
     
     
         7 . The heat exchange device of  claim 6 , wherein the two separator sheets are reduced to a single sheet to prevent mixing of the fluids providing heat transfer to and from the flow passage inlet and flow passage outlet. 
     
     
         8 . The heat exchange device of  claim 1 , further comprising a center manifold disposed between the first and second sections, wherein hot fluid enters the manifold at one end, passes through the first and second sections and cooled fluid exits the manifold at the opposing end. 
     
     
         9 . The heat exchange device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second sections include heat exchange plates with secondary heat transfer elements in a stacked arrangement. 
     
     
         10 . The heat exchange device of  claim 9 , wherein the secondary heat transfer elements and flow passages form a solid matrix configured to limit relative motion of parts within the device. 
     
     
         11 . The heat exchange device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second sections and the separator are created through the use of additive manufacturing.