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  Heat exchanger and metthod for manufacturing thereofUSPTO Application #: 20060162914Title: Heat exchanger and metthod for manufacturing thereof Abstract: A heat exchanger (1) comprising two sets of medium through-flow channels (P,S) through which two media can flow in heat-exchanging contact; walls (2) separating the channels; heat conducting fins (3-8) arranged on both sides of each wall (2), wherein a fin on the one side of a wall is in thermal contact with a similar contact surface of a fin on the other side of this wall; wherein the wall (2) are embodied as membrane and the fins (3-8) are embodied as heat transferring strips with a general wave shape and are provided with contact surfaces connected to the walls and main planes extending between two wall. (end of abstract)
Agent: Howrey LLP - Falls Church, VA, US Inventor: Johannes Antonius Maria Reinders USPTO Applicaton #: 20060162914 - Class: 165166000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Heat Exchange, Flow Passages For Two Confined Fluids, Interdigitated Plural First And Plural Second Fluid Passages, Stacked Plates Or Shells Form Interplate Passages The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060162914. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] The invention relates to a heat exchanger, comprising [0002] two sets of medium through-flow channels which are placed mutually interlaced and through which two media can flow physically separated from each other in a primary circuit (P) respectively a secondary circuit (S) and solely in heat-exchanging contact; [0003] walls separating said channels; [0004] heat-conducting fins which are arranged on both sides of each wall, which fins extend with their main planes in the respective flow directions of said media, wherein a fin on the one side of a wall, via a contact surface in the main plane of the wall in question and forming part of the fin, is in thermal contact with a similar contact surface of a fin on the other side of this wall; [0005] a housing in which the channel-bounding walls with the fins are accommodated, to which housing two inlets and two outlets for the two sets of channels connect either individually per channel or commonly for the sets of channels via respective manifolds. [0006] Such a heat exchanger is known in many embodiments. It is an object of the invention to embody a heat exchanger such that it is very light and can be manufactured inexpensively, while nevertheless still having an excellent efficiency. [0007] In this respect the heat exchanger according to the invention has the feature that the walls are embodied as membranes and the fins are embodied as heat-transferring, for instance metal strips with a general wave shape, which fins are provided with contact surfaces connected to the walls and main planes extending between two walls, this such that, in addition to a thermal function, the fins also have a structural function, wherein the coefficient of heat transfer of the whole separating wall amounts to a minimum of 1 W/m.sup.2K. [0008] The heat exchanger according to the invention thus derives its mechanical strength and rigidity substantially from the fins. According to the prior art the mechanical strength and rigidity of heat exchangers are not generally determined by fins but by the heat-exchanging walls. This requires the use of mechanically strong and therefore thick walls, which thereby have the inherent drawback of a greater thermal resistance, to the extent the same materials are used. [0009] The heat exchanger according to the invention can combine a high efficiency with a very compact construction. [0010] It should be understood that at least in theoretical sense a membrane is an "infinitely thin" skin-like element, which has a negligible bending stiffness and can therefore only derive its stiffness from the fact that it is clamped on its ends, optionally in combination with a certain tensile stress in the form of a bias. When a pressure difference occurs between the primary circuit and the secondary circuit, a certain bending of a practical membrane cannot be wholly prevented. This means that the pressure resistance of a heat exchanger according to the invention is limited to a value determined by the mechanical properties, such as the thickness of the foil used, the tensile strength, the ability to stretch, the limit of stretch, the bias, the mutual distance between the foil layers and the like. When a bias is used, this forms an extra load on the foil material. The maximum tensile stress in the foil is therefore equal to the total maximal tensile stress minus the bias. [0011] In order to make the heat transfer between the layers of fins as great as possible, the embodiment is recommended in which corresponding contact surfaces are in thermal contact via the wall. [0012] In a practical embodiment the heat exchanger has the feature that the contact surfaces are adhered to the wall by means of an adhesive layer applied to at least one contact surface. [0013] An alternative has the feature that corresponding contact surfaces are directly connected to each other via a perforation in the wall by means of an adhesive layer applied to at least one contact surface. [0014] It will be apparent that it is essential that the thermal resistance formed by the foil wall and the glue layer must be as small as possible. In this respect these layers must be thin. [0015] In respect of the thermal contact between adjacent layers of fins, the embodiment is recommended in which the walls consist of PVC and the fins are connected to the walls by an ultrasonic treatment or a thermal treatment, in combination with pressure. The connection can for instance take place by welding, soldering or the like, in any case such that the thermal resistance formed by the foil is absent. [0016] A preferred embodiment has the special feature that the housing is form-retaining and the walls are connected to the housing in manner resistant to tensile stress, such that the tensile stresses occurring in the walls as a result of a pressure difference between the two sets of channels can be absorbed by the housing. [0017] Another embodiment has the feature that the walls are biased such that, at a preselected maximum permissible pressure difference between the two sets of medium through-flow channels, the bending of the wall between the free space defined by the contact surfaces of the fins, i.e. the bending of the membrane occurring at the relevant pressure divided by the relevant mutual distance between the contact surfaces in question, amounts to a maximum of 2.5%. [0018] In the embodiment in which corresponding contact surfaces are in thermal contact via the foil wall, the heat exchanger preferably has the feature that the thermal resistance of the foil transversely of its main plane amounts to a maximum of 0.1 of the thermal resistance in the case of direct contact between contact surfaces directed toward each other, and is therefore negligible. [0019] The heat exchanger preferably has the feature that the thermal resistance of the foil in its main plane over the mutual distance between two fins adjoining in flow direction is at least 10 times greater than in the case of fins directly coupled to each other thermally. [0020] A practical embodiment has the special feature that the walls consist of PET, for instance reinforced PET, are treated with a corona discharge, are then provided with a primer, followed by a glue layer for connection to the contact surfaces of the fins. [0021] An alternative embodiment has the feature that the walls consist of PVC and that the fins are connected to the walls by an ultrasonic treatment or a thermal treatment, in combination with pressure. [0022] A substantial improvement in the tensile strength relative to the usual foil materials is obtained with a heat exchanger which has the feature that the foil consists of a fibre-reinforced material, which fibres consist for instance of glass, boron, carbon. The fibres can for instance be embodied as fabric or as non-woven. [0023] A great improvement of the thermal conductivity of the foil is realized with a heat exchanger which has the feature that the walls consist of a plastic in which aluminium powder is embedded. [0024] In order to enable the heat exchanger to be maintenance-free and make it suitable for the most diverse applications, the heat exchanger can have the feature that the walls consist of PET, for instance reinforced PET, are treated with a corona discharge, are then provided with a primer, followed by a glue layer for connection to the contact surfaces of the fins. Continue reading... Full patent description for Heat exchanger and metthod for manufacturing thereof Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Heat exchanger and metthod for manufacturing thereof patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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