Heat exchanger closure bar

Abstract

A heat exchanger includes first and second parting sheets, a cold fin extending between the first and second parting sheets, and a closure bar extending between the first and second parting sheets. The closure bar includes first, second, third, and fourth surfaces, a body, first and second ends, an inlet, and an outlet. The body forms an opening that extends from the first end to the second end of the body. The first surface faces the cold fin. The second surface is an opposite side of the body from the first surface. The third surface is in contact with the first parting sheet. The fourth surface is in contact with the second parting sheet. The inlet is disposed at the first end of the closure bar and is fluidly connected to the outlet via the opening. The outlet is disposed at the second end of the closure bar.

1 . A heat exchanger for managing thermal energy between a hot air flow and a cold air flow, the heat exchanger comprising:
 first and second parting sheets;   a cold fin positioned and extending between the first and second parting sheets; and   a closure bar extending between the first and second parting sheets, the closure bar comprising:
 a body; 
 a first surface that faces the cold fin; 
 a second surface on an opposite side of the body from the first surface; 
 a third surface in contact with the first parting sheet; 
 a fourth surface in contact with the second parting sheet; 
 a first end; and 
 a second end opposite the first end, wherein the body forms an opening disposed in the body, wherein the opening extends from an inlet disposed at the first end to an outlet disposed at the second end of the body, 
 wherein the inlet is fluidly connected to the outlet via the opening. 
   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the closure bar further comprises:
 a feature extending from the body into the opening, wherein the feature is configured to impart turbulence into a flow of air that passes through the opening.   
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger of  claim 2 , wherein the feature comprises a swirl vane. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger of  claim 3 , wherein the swirl vane includes a helical shape. 
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger of  claim 2 , wherein the feature comprises a plurality of swirl vanes. 
     
     
         6 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the second surface of the body is exposed to the hot air flow, and wherein the opening is exposed to the cold air flow. 
     
     
         7 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first channel formed between the body and the first parting sheet, wherein the first channel is parallel to the opening and extends from the first end to the second end of the body.   
     
     
         8 . The heat exchanger of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a second channel formed between the body and the second parting sheet, wherein the second channel is positioned on an opposite side of the opening as from the first channel, wherein the second channel is parallel to the opening and extends from the first end to the second end of the body.   
     
     
         9 . A method of managing thermal energy in a heat exchanger, the method comprising:
 impinging a flow of hot air onto a closure bar of the heat exchanger, wherein the closure bar comprises:
 a body; 
 a first surface; 
 a second surface on an opposite side of the body from the first surface, wherein the second surface is exposed to the flow of hot air; 
 a first end; 
 a second end opposite the first end; and 
 an opening disposed in the body, wherein the opening extends from the first end to the second end of the body; 
   transferring thermal energy from the flow of hot air to the body of the closure bar;   inserting a flow of cold air into and through the opening;   imparting turbulence into the flow of cold air through the opening;   transferring thermal energy from the body of the closure bar to the flow of cold air; and   ejecting the flow of cold air out of the opening.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein imparting turbulence into the flow of cold air through the opening comprises swirling the flow of air with a feature that extends from the body into the opening. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein imparting turbulence into the flow of cold air through the opening comprises swirling the flow of air with a plurality of swirl vanes that extend from the body into the opening.