Heat exchanger channels

Abstract

A heat exchanger includes a heat exchanger body having a first end and a second end opposed to the first end along a flow axis. A plurality of flow channels is defined in the heat exchanger body extending axially with respect to the flow axis. A first set of the flow channels forms a first flow circuit and a second set of the flow channels forms a second flow circuit that is in fluid isolation from the first flow circuit. Each flow channel is fluidly isolated from the other flow channels. The flow channels all conform to a curvilinear profile.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A heat exchanger comprising:
 a heat exchanger body having a first end and a second end opposed to the first end along a flow axis;   a plurality of flow channels defined in the heat exchanger body extending axially with respect to the flow axis, wherein a first set of the flow channels forms a first flow circuit, wherein a second set of the flow channels forms a second flow circuit that is in fluid isolation from the first flow circuit,   wherein each flow channel is fluidly isolated from the other flow channels, wherein each flow channel of the first flow circuit includes a respective inlet on the first end of the heat exchanger body and a respective outlet on the second end of the heat exchanger body, and wherein each flow channel of the second flow circuit includes a respective inlet on one of the first and second ends of the heat exchanger body and a respective outlet on the other of the first and second ends of the heat exchanger body, and   wherein the flow channels all conform to a curvilinear profile, wherein the curvilinear profile includes at least one of a sinusoidal wave pattern extending axially relative to the flow axis, a helical spiral, or a coil, wherein the flow passages define a constant cross-section that spirals around and is in plane with a longitudinal axis defined by the coil.   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 1 , wherein cross-sectional area and/or shape of the flow channels varies along the flow path. 
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the curvilinear profile is a common curvilinear profile for the flow channels and includes a sinusoidal wave pattern that includes waves extending along a common plane, wherein the flow channels of the first flow circuit and the flow channels of the second flow circuit are arranged to define a two-dimensional cross-sectional checkerboard pattern with one another. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the curvilinear profile is a common curvilinear profile for the flow channels and includes a helical spiral wherein the flow passages define a constant cross-section that is rotated about its own center over an axial extent along the flow axis. 
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the curvilinear profile is a common curvilinear profile for the flow channels and includes a coil wherein the flow passages coil around a central cylindrical void.