Multifurcating heat exchanger with independent baffles

Abstract

A heat exchanger includes a core defining a first passageway for a first fluid flow and a second passageway for a second fluid flow. The core includes an assembly of a plurality of unit cells coupled together. Each unit cell defines a first passageway portion within an interior volume and a second passageway portion at an exterior surface. Each unit cell includes a plurality of first openings into the interior volume and forms the second passageway in volumes between the plurality of unit cells. The assembly is shaped to combine and divide the first fluid in the first passageway portion and combine and divide the second fluid in the second passageway portion during exchange of heat between the first fluid and the second fluid. Each second passageway portion receives the second fluid from three other second passageway portions. The heat exchanger further includes at least one baffle in at least one of the first passageway or the second passageway to route the first fluid flow independently from the second fluid flow.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A heat exchanger, comprising:
 a core defining a first passageway configured for a first fluid to flow through and a second passageway configured for a second fluid to flow through, the core comprising an assembly comprised of a plurality of unit cells coupled together, each unit cell of the assembly defining a first passageway portion within an interior volume of each unit cell and a second passageway portion at an exterior surface of each unit cell, each unit cell including a plurality of first openings into the interior volume for flow of the first fluid through the first passageway portion, wherein the assembly forms the second passageway in volumes between the plurality of unit cells coupled together, the assembly being shaped to combine and divide the first fluid in the first passageway portion in each unit cell and to combine and divide the second fluid in the second passageway portion of each unit cell during exchange of heat between the first fluid and the second fluid, and each second passageway portion receives the second fluid from three other second passageway portions; and   at least one baffle in at least one of the first passageway or the second passageway configured to route the flow of first fluid independently from the flow of second fluid.   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one baffle is configured to block the first passageway at its location without blocking the second passageway at its location. 
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one baffle is configured to block the second passageway at its location without blocking the first passageway at its location. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a casing, wherein the assembly is configured to conform to a shape of the casing.   
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the unit cells of the assembly are coupled in flow communication with each other such that each unit cell is configured to receive the first fluid from at least three other unit cells. 
     
     
         6 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein one or more sidewalls of each unit cell has an at least partially curved shape such that the first passageway portion forms a blended flow passageway. 
     
     
         7 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first header; and   a second header, wherein the first fluid flows into the first passageway from the first header in a first direction and the second fluid flows into the second passageway from the second header in a second direction different than the first direction.   
     
     
         8 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the core is substantially symmetric. 
     
     
         9 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a casing; and   a peripheral unit cell adjacent the casing, the peripheral unit cell configured to direct the first fluid in a direction away from the casing to inhibit the first fluid becoming trapped in a stagnant zone.   
     
     
         10 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , further comprising;
 a first header coupled to the first passageway to direct the first fluid into the first passageway, the first header comprising a plurality of ports in flow communication with the first passageway and the first header decreasing in cross-sectional area in the direction the first fluid flows through the first header.   
     
     
         11 . The heat exchanger of  claim 10 , wherein the core further defines a plenum for the second fluid to flow through, the plenum disposed adjacent the first header. 
     
     
         12 . The heat exchanger of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a plurality of conduits coupled to the first header and extending adjacent the plenum.   
     
     
         13 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein each unit cell at least partially defines a first hydraulic diameter of the first passageway and a second hydraulic diameter of the second passageway, the first hydraulic diameter being different from the second hydraulic diameter.