Mal-distribution in plate fin heat exchanger

Abstract

A heat exchanger comprising a plurality of first plates and a plurality of second plates alternatingly arranged to form one or more first flow paths for a first fluid and one or more second flow paths for a second fluid. At least one thermal energy transfer device disposed in the first flow path and/or the second flow path. The at least one thermal energy transfer device comprises a sheet of material having an inflow opening, an outflow opening, a plurality of flow channels, and a flow diverter formed in the sheet between the inflow opening and the outflow opening. The flow diverter is formed at an angle to the direction of the flow of the at least one fluid from the inflow opening to the outflow opening.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A thermal energy transfer device for a plate heat exchanger, comprising:
 a sheet of material;   an inflow opening formed in the sheet, the inflow opening configured to receive a flow of a fluid therein;   an outflow opening formed in the sheet, the outflow opening configured to receive the flow of the fluid therein;   a plurality of flow channels formed in the sheet in fluid communication with the inflow opening and the outflow opening; and   a flow diverter formed in the sheet between the inflow opening and the outflow opening, wherein the flow diverter is formed at an angle to a direction of the flow of the fluid from the inflow opening to the outflow opening.   
     
     
         2 . The thermal energy transfer device of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the flow channels is formed at an angle to the direction of the flow of the fluid from the inflow opening to the outflow opening. 
     
     
         3 . The thermal energy transfer device of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the flow channels is a vertical flow channel or a horizontal flow channel. 
     
     
         4 . The thermal energy transfer device of  claim 1 , wherein the flow diverter is formed by deforming at least a portion of one or more of the flow channels. 
     
     
         5 . The thermal energy transfer device of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the flow channels extends from a longitudinal edge of the sheet to an opposite longitudinal edge of the sheet. 
     
     
         6 . The thermal energy transfer device of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the flow channels extends from a lateral edge of the sheet to an opposite lateral edge of the sheet. 
     
     
         7 . The thermal energy transfer device of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the flow channels is fluidly connected to one or more adjacent flow channels by one or more fluid passageways formed in the sheet. 
     
     
         8 . The thermal energy transfer device of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet is a stamped sheet formed from a metal material. 
     
     
         9 . The thermal energy transfer device of  claim 1 , wherein the flow diverter is formed in the sheet more proximate the inflow opening than the outflow opening. 
     
     
         10 . The thermal energy transfer device of  claim 1 , wherein the flow diverter is formed in the sheet more proximate the outflow opening than the inflow opening. 
     
     
         11 . The thermal energy transfer device of  claim 1 , wherein the flow diverter is formed in a center portion of the sheet. 
     
     
         12 . The thermal energy transfer device of  claim 1 , wherein the flow diverter is formed substantially perpendicular to the direction of the flow of the fluid from the inflow opening to the outflow opening. 
     
     
         13 . The thermal energy transfer device of  claim 1 , wherein the flow diverter extends vertically from a longitudinal edge portion of the sheet to a center portion of the sheet. 
     
     
         14 . The thermal energy transfer device of  claim 1 , wherein the flow diverter extends horizontally from a lateral edge portion of the sheet to a center portion of the sheet. 
     
     
         15 . The thermal energy transfer device of  claim 1 , wherein the flow diverter extends from a longitudinal edge portion of the sheet towards an opposite longitudinal edge portion of the sheet. 
     
     
         16 . The thermal energy transfer device of  claim 1 , wherein the flow diverter extends from a lateral edge portion of the sheet towards an opposite lateral edge portion of the sheet. 
     
     
         17 . The thermal energy transfer device of  claim 1 , wherein the flow diverter extends vertically or horizontally across at least half of the sheet. 
     
     
         18 . The thermal energy transfer device of  claim 1 , wherein the flow diverter extends vertically or horizontally across less than half of the sheet. 
     
     
         19 . A heat exchanger, comprising:
 a plurality of first plates; and   a plurality of second plates alternatingly arranged with the first plates to form at least one flow path for at least one fluid; and   at least one thermal energy transfer device disposed in the at least one flow path, wherein the at least one thermal energy transfer device, comprises:
 a sheet of material; 
 an inflow opening formed in the sheet, the inflow opening configured to receive a flow of the at least one fluid therein; 
 an outflow opening formed in the sheet, the outflow opening configured to receive the flow of the at least one fluid therein; 
 a plurality of flow channels formed in the sheet in fluid communication with the inflow opening and the outflow opening; and 
 a flow diverter formed in the sheet between the inflow opening and the outflow opening, wherein the flow diverter is formed at an angle to a direction of the flow of the at least one fluid from the inflow opening to the outflow opening. 
   
     
     
         20 . A heat exchanger, comprising:
 a plurality of first plates; and   a plurality of second plates alternatingly arranged with the first plates to form at least one first flow path for a first fluid and at least one second flow path for a second fluid, wherein the at least one first flow path is substantially parallel to the at least one second flow path;   at least one first thermal energy transfer device disposed in the at least one first flow path for the first fluid; and   at least one second thermal energy transfer device disposed in the at least one second flow path for the second fluid, wherein one or more of the first and second thermal energy transfer devices, comprises:
 a sheet of material; 
 an inflow opening formed in the sheet, the inflow opening configured to receive a flow of the first fluid or the second fluid therein; 
 an outflow opening formed in the sheet, the outflow opening configured to receive the flow of the first fluid or the second fluid therein; 
 a plurality of flow channels formed in the sheet in fluid communication with the inflow opening and the outflow opening; and 
 a flow diverter formed in the sheet between the inflow opening and the outflow opening, wherein the flow diverter is formed at an angle to a direction of the flow of the first fluid or the second fluid from the inflow opening to the outflow opening.