Heat exchanger with center manifold

Abstract

A heat exchange device includes a first section and a second section. Each of the first and second sections includes flow passages configured to cool fluid. A center manifold is disposed between the first and second sections. 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. Each of the flow passages can have a bend at an outer edge of the heat exchange device configured to return high pressure fluid to the center manifold.

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 fluid within the flow passages and fluid external of the flow passages; and   a center manifold disposed between the first and second sections, wherein fluid enters the manifold at one end, passes through the first and second sections and exits the manifold at an opposing end.   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchange device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the flow passages has a bend at an outer edge of the heat exchange device configured to return high pressure fluid to the center manifold. 
     
     
         3 . The heat exchange device of  claim 2 , wherein each of the bends are equal in radius to allow for uniform distribution of fluid flow. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchange device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the flow passages are dimensionally the same to create uniform flow throughout each of the first and second sections. 
     
     
         5 . The heat exchange device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the flow passages defines a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. 
     
     
         6 . The heat exchange device of  claim 1 , wherein the center manifold includes a first plenum at one end configured to allow fluid to enter the center manifold and a second plenum at the opposing side configured to allow fluid to exit the center manifold. 
     
     
         7 . The heat exchange device of  claim 6 , wherein fluid enters through the first plenum into a fluid inlet of a respective flow passage within the first and second sections, enters the center manifold through a fluid outlet of the respective flow passage, and exits the center manifold through the second plenum. 
     
     
         8 . The heat exchange device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second sections include plate-fin core sections in a stacked arrangement. 
     
     
         9 . The heat exchange device of  claim 8 , wherein each of the flow passages includes secondary heat transfer and structural elements within the flow passage. 
     
     
         10 . The heat exchange device of  claim 8 , wherein each of the flow passages includes secondary heat transfer and structural elements extending from the passage in a direction perpendicular to the flow passage configured to structurally and physically connect adjacent flow passages. 
     
     
         11 . The heat exchange device of  claim 8 , wherein the secondary heat transfer and structural elements and flow passages form a solid matrix configured to limit wear of the device due to relative motion with the device. 
     
     
         12 . The heat exchange device of  claim 1 , further comprising a housing surrounding the heat exchange device to provide a tight seal and configured to prevent fluid from flowing around the flow passages. 
     
     
         13 . The heat exchange device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second sections and the center manifold are created through the use of additive manufacturing. 
     
     
         14 . The heat exchange device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second sections are connected to one another by one or more plates or structural elements passing continuously through the center manifold configured to segregate inlet and outlet flow and counteract the forces created by high pressure acting in opposite directions on the first and second sections. 
     
     
         15 . The heat exchange device of  claim 1 , wherein some or all of the flow passages are of different length to allow the device to fit within an envelope with sides that are not perpendicular to each other.