Tube And Chamber Heat Exchanger With An Enhanced Modular Medium Directing Assembly
20200166295 ยท 2020-05-28
Assignee
Inventors
Cpc classification
F28F1/04
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F28F9/028
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F28D1/05341
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F28D1/0535
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F28F2009/004
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F28F9/013
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F28F9/0265
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F28F1/40
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F28D7/00
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F28F9/02
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F28F13/08
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F28F2009/228
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
International classification
F28F9/02
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F28F9/013
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F28F1/40
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F28F13/08
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
Abstract
A heat exchanger, having a main chamber coupled with a first and a second sub-chamber, having cavities within, on a respective first and a second longitudinal ends of the main chamber. Provided in the main chamber is a medium directing assembly, a first end engaging the first sub-chamber cavity and a second end engaging the second sub-chamber cavity, extending longitudinally out of the main chamber, enlarging the pathway provided within the medium directing assembly, reducing pressure drop effect to the medium flow within. The medium directing assembly comprising of an upper and a lower assembly, providing configuration flexibility, while provided with a medium directing panel coupled within, permitting means to facilitate flow directional changes to the medium. The medium directing assembly comprising of two vertical and two lateral sides, longitudinally provided with an inlet and an outlet and vertically provided with a distribution outlet and a collecting inlet.
Claims
1. A heat exchanger having a first chamber assembly and a second chamber assembly coupled together comprising: the first chamber assembly having: an inlet; a first chamber wall; a chamber anterior wall; and a first sub-chamber, the second chamber assembly having: an outlet; a second chamber wall; a chamber posterior wall; and a second sub-chamber, wherein the inlet and the outlet in fluid communication with a first reservoir containing a first heat exchange medium, a second heat exchange medium flowing outside of the heat exchanger, a first longitudinal end of the first chamber wall concentrically coupled to the chamber anterior wall, a second longitudinal end of the first chamber wall coupled to a first longitudinal end of the second chamber wall, a second longitudinal end of the second chamber wall concentrically coupled to the chamber posterior wall, the first chamber assembly and the second chamber assembly coupled together form a main chamber within, a hollow space permitting flow of the first heat exchange medium, longitudinally bound between the chamber anterior wall and the chamber posterior wall, while laterally bound by the first chamber wall and the second chamber wall, the chamber anterior wall being a planar panel, having a first side and a second side, the chamber posterior wall being a planar panel, having a first side and a second side, the first sub-chamber coupled to the first side of the chamber anterior wall, a first longitudinal end of the first sub-chamber extending away from the first side of the chamber anterior wall, terminating at the chamber anterior wall, while a second longitudinal end of the first sub-chamber is fluidly connected to the main chamber, the first sub-chamber forming a cavity within, external to the main chamber, the second sub-chamber coupled to the second side of the chamber posterior wall, a first longitudinal end of the second sub-chamber fluidly connected to the main chamber, while a second longitudinal end of the second sub-chamber extending away from the second side of the chamber posterior wall, terminating at the chamber posterior wall, the second sub-chamber forming a cavity within, external to the main chamber, longitudinally disposed within the main chamber is a medium directing assembly, a first longitudinal end of the medium directing assembly extending longitudinally out of the main chamber, engaging the cavity provided within the first sub-chamber, while having a second longitudinal end of the medium directing assembly extending longitudinally out of the main chamber, engaging the cavity provided within the second sub-chamber, the medium directing assembly comprising of a medium directing upper assembly and a medium directing lower assembly coupled together, the medium directing assembly having two distinct lateral sides comprising a medium directing first side wall and a medium directing second side wall, along with two distinct vertical sides comprising, a first vertical side and a second vertical side, the medium directing assembly having a medium directing inlet on a first longitudinal end of the medium directing assembly, the medium directing inlet in fluid communication with the inlet, a medium directing outlet provided on a second longitudinal end of the medium directing assembly, the medium directing outlet in fluid communication with the outlet, a medium directing distribution outlet provided on the first vertical side of the medium directing assembly, the medium distribution outlet fluidly connecting the medium directing inlet and the main chamber, a medium directing collecting inlet provided on the second vertical side of the medium directing assembly, the medium directing collecting inlet fluidly connecting the main chamber and the medium directing outlet, the medium directing first side wall and the medium directing second side wall each respectively a planar panel, positioned laterally spaced apart, while extending longitudinally through the main chamber, a first end and a second end of the respective panels extending longitudinally out of the main chamber, disposed between the medium directing first side wall and the medium directing second side wall is a medium directing panel, a planar panel having a first planar side facing the medium directing inlet and the medium distribution outlet at an angle, while having a second planar side facing the medium directing outlet and the medium directing collecting inlet at an angle, the medium directing first side wall set laterally spaced apart from a lateral wall of the main chamber, comprising the first chamber wall and the second chamber wall, forming a flow path for the first heat exchange medium therebetween, and the medium directing second side wall set laterally spaced apart from the lateral wall of the main chamber, comprising the first chamber wall and the second chamber wall, forming a flow path for the first heat exchange medium therebetween.
2. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the first vertical side of the medium directing assembly comprises of a medium directing upper first lateral support and a medium directing upper second lateral support, each respectively a planar panel, positioned generally on a same plane while positioned longitudinally spaced apart, forming the medium directing distribution outlet therebetween.
3. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the second vertical side of the medium directing assembly comprises of a medium directing lower first lateral support and a medium directing lower second lateral support, each respectively a planar panel, positioned generally on a same plane while positioned longitudinally spaced apart, forming the medium directing collecting inlet therebetween.
4. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein a plurality of heat exchangers are coupled together in a serial manner to form a larger heat exchanger assembly.
5. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein a plurality of heat exchangers are coupled together in a parallel fashion to form a larger heat exchanger assembly.
6. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein a plurality of heat exchangers are coupled together in a combination of serial and parallel fashion to form a larger heat exchanger assembly.
7. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein a first longitudinal end of the first sub-chamber is open to atmosphere, while a second longitudinal end of the first sub-chamber is fluidly connected to the main chamber.
8. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein a first longitudinal end of the second sub-chamber is fluidly connected to the main chamber, while a second longitudinal end of the second sub-chamber is open to atmosphere.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0089] Referring to the drawings, and in particular
[0090] The first and the second heat exchange mediums may by gas, liquid or a combination of gas and liquid. The first and the second heat exchange mediums may comprise of one or a plurality of substances. In some embodiments of the present invention, solids may be combined with the heat exchange medium that may be of gaseous or liquid substance, such as pairing a refrigerant medium with silica solids, for example. The first heat exchange medium is generally fed into the heat exchanger 100 from a reservoir (Not shown) located outside of the heat exchanger 100. The reservoir may be part of a cooling loop or a heat source such as an engine, for example. The second heat exchange medium is generally stored outside of the heat exchanger 100 and directed to the heat exchanger 100 as desired. The source of the second heat exchange medium is generally separate and independent from the first heat exchange medium. However, in some embodiments of the present invention, the first heat exchange medium and the second heat exchange medium may share a common reservoir as a part of the same cooling loop or a heat source. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the second heat exchange medium may be air or a body of fluid, wherein air is fed to the heat exchanger 100 from atmosphere or the heat exchanger 100 is positioned inside a body of water, respectively, for example.
[0091] Referring now to
[0092] A second end of the first chamber wall 115 terminates longitudinally backwardly away from the first longitudinal end of the first chamber wall 115 at a predetermined distance, forming the longitudinally extended cylindrical wall of the first chamber wall 115. The first chamber wall 115 forms a hollow body therein, wherein the interior space of the first chamber wall 115 is fluidly connected to the interior space of the first sub-chamber 125, which is also a hollow body. The first sub-chamber 125 is fluidly connected to the inlet 145, permitting means to introduce the first heat exchange medium inside the heat exchanger 100. The inlet 145 is a pathway fluidly connected to a source external to the heat exchanger 100 storing the first heat exchange medium.
[0093] The second chamber assembly 110 comprises of an outlet 150, a second sub-chamber 130, a chamber posterior wall 160, and a second chamber wall 120. The second chamber wall 120 is a cylindrical tubular body with the tubular section having a material thickness, a first longitudinal end of the second chamber wall 120 extending longitudinally forwardly at a predetermined distance away from a second end of the second chamber wall 120. The second end of the second chamber wall 120 is coupled to a first side of the chamber posterior wall 160. The chamber posterior wall 160 is a generally planar body having a material thickness, having the first side and a second side. In an embodiment of the present invention, the second end of the second chamber wall 120 may be concentrically coupled to the first side of the chamber posterior wall 160. The second chamber wall 120 forms a hollow body therein, wherein the interior space of the second chamber wall 120 is fluidly connected to the interior space of the second sub-chamber 130, which is also a hollow body. The second sub-chamber 130 is fluidly connected to the outlet 150, permitting means to discharge the first heat exchange medium out of the heat exchanger 100. The outlet 150 is a pathway fluidly connected to a reservoir (Not shown) external to the heat exchanger 100 for the first heat exchange medium. In an embodiment of the present invention, the reservoir (Not shown) external to the heat exchanger 100 may be another heat exchanger, a tank, a cooling loop, or a heat source with plumbing means, such as an engine, for example.
[0094] Referring to
[0095] Now referring to
[0096] The first sub-chamber top wall 175, the first sub-chamber bottom wall 185, the first sub-chamber first side wall 180, the first sub-chamber second side wall 190, and the sub-chamber anterior wall 165 are generally planar bodies each respectively having a material thickness. The first sub-chamber top wall 175 is set at a predetermined vertical distance away from the first sub-chamber bottom wall 185. The first sub-chamber first side wall 180 is set at a predetermined lateral distance away from the first sub-chamber second side wall 190. A first lateral edge of the first sub-chamber top wall 175 is generally coupled to a top vertical edge of the first sub-chamber first side wall 180, while a second lateral edge of the first sub-chamber top wall 175 is generally coupled to a top vertical edge of the first sub-chamber second side wall 190. In a similar fashion, a first lateral edge of the first sub-chamber bottom wall 185 is generally coupled to a bottom vertical edge of the first sub-chamber first side wall 180, while a second lateral edge of the first sub-chamber bottom wall 185 is generally coupled to a bottom vertical edge of the first sub-chamber second side wall 190.
[0097] Now referring to
[0098] Referring now to
[0099] The second sub-chamber top wall 195, the second sub-chamber bottom wall 205, the second sub-chamber first side wall 210, the second sub-chamber second side wall 200, and the sub-chamber posterior wall 170 are generally planar bodies each respectively having a material thickness. The second sub-chamber top wall 195 is set at a predetermined vertical distance away from the second sub-chamber bottom wall 205. The second sub-chamber first side wall 210 is set at a predetermined lateral distance away from the second sub-chamber second side wall 200. A first lateral edge of the second sub-chamber top wall 195 is generally coupled to a top vertical edge of the second sub-chamber first side wall 210, while a second lateral edge of the second sub-chamber top wall 195 is generally coupled to a top vertical edge of the second sub-chamber second side wall 200. In a similar fashion, a first lateral edge of the second sub-chamber bottom wall 205 is generally coupled to a bottom vertical edge of the second sub-chamber first side wall 210, while a second lateral edge of the second sub-chamber bottom wall 205 is generally coupled to a bottom vertical edge of the second sub-chamber second side wall 200.
[0100] Now referring to
[0101] Referring to
[0102] Now referring to
[0103] Referring now to
[0104] Provided on a top vertical side and a bottom vertical side of the rectangular parallelepiped body of the medium directing assembly 220 is a medium directing distribution outlet 420 and a medium directing collecting inlet 425, respectively (See
[0105] The medium directing assembly 220 is further utilized to combine the flow of the first heat exchange medium into a singular flow within the medium directing assembly 220, once the first heat exchange medium is collected from the main chamber 215 in to the medium directing assembly 220. Furthermore, the medium directing assembly 220 is provided with the medium directing outlet 415 to discharge the first heat exchange medium out of the medium directing assembly 220. From thereon, the first heat exchange medium is generally directed to the outlet 150, discharging the first heat exchange medium out of the heat exchanger 100.
[0106] In an embodiment of the present invention, referring to
[0107] A first longitudinal edge of the medium directing upper first lateral support 245 is a medium directing upper first lateral support anterior edge 325, forming a portion of the longitudinal forward leading first edge of the medium directing assembly 220. A second longitudinal edge of the medium directing upper first lateral support 245 is a medium directing upper first lateral support posterior edge 380, forming a forward first edge of the opening for the medium directing distribution outlet 420. A first longitudinal edge of the medium directing upper second lateral support 265 forms a backward second edge of the opening for the medium directing distribution outlet 420, while a second longitudinal edge of the medium directing upper second lateral support 265 forms a portion of the longitudinal backward trailing second edge of the medium directing assembly 220.
[0108] Coupled on a first lateral side edge respectively of the medium directing upper first lateral support 245 and the medium directing upper second lateral support 265 is a medium directing first upper side wall 280. The medium directing first upper side wall 280 is a generally rectangular planar body having a material thickness, extending longitudinally through the main chamber 215, while vertically extending downwardly in a generally perpendicular fashion from the medium directing upper first lateral support 245 and the medium directing upper second lateral support 265, terminating with an edge with a medium directing first upper side wall bottom terminating edge 310. A first longitudinal end of the medium directing first upper side wall 280 generally terminates with an edge with a medium directing upper first side wall anterior edge 300, while a second longitudinal end of the medium directing first upper side wall 280 generally terminates with an edge with a medium directing upper first side wall posterior edge 305.
[0109] Coupled on a second lateral side edge respectively of the medium directing upper first lateral support 245 and the medium directing upper second lateral support 265 is a medium directing second upper side wall 285. The medium directing second upper side wall 285 is a generally rectangular planar body having a material thickness, extending longitudinally through the main chamber 215, while vertically extending downwardly in a generally perpendicular fashion from the medium directing upper first lateral support 245 and the medium directing upper second lateral support 265, terminating with an edge with a medium directing second upper side wall bottom terminating edge 315. A first longitudinal end of the medium directing second upper side wall 285 generally terminates with an edge with a medium directing upper second side wall anterior edge 301, while a second longitudinal end of the medium directing second upper side wall 285 generally terminates with an edge with a medium directing upper second side wall posterior edge 306.
[0110] Referring now to
[0111] A first longitudinal edge of the medium directing lower first lateral support 250 is a medium directing lower first lateral support anterior edge 330, forming a portion of the longitudinal forward leading first edge of the medium directing assembly 220. On a second longitudinal edge of the medium directing lower first lateral support 250 is a medium directing lower first lateral support posterior edge 400, forming a forward first longitudinal edge of the opening for the medium directing collecting inlet 425. A first longitudinal edge of the medium directing lower second lateral support 295, a medium directing lower second lateral support anterior edge 385, forms a trailing second edge of the opening for the medium directing collecting inlet 425, while a second longitudinal edge of the medium directing lower second lateral support, a medium directing lower second lateral support posterior edge 390, forms a portion of the longitudinal trailing second edge of the medium directing assembly 220.
[0112] Coupled on a respective first lateral side edge of the medium directing lower first lateral support 250 and the medium directing lower second lateral support 295 is a medium directing first lower side wall 335. The medium directing first lower side wall 335 is a generally rectangular planar body having a material thickness, extending longitudinally through the main chamber 215, while vertically upwardly terminating with an edge with a medium directing first lower side wall top terminating edge 345. The medium directing first lower side wall 335 generally extend vertically upwardly in a perpendicular fashion from the first lateral side edge respectively of the medium directing lower first lateral support 250 and the medium directing lower second lateral support 295. A first longitudinal end of the medium directing first lower side wall 335 generally terminates with an edge with a medium directing lower first side wall anterior edge 355. A second longitudinal end of the medium directing first lower side wall 335 generally terminates with an edge with a medium directing lower first side wall posterior edge 365.
[0113] Coupled on a second lateral side edge respectively of the medium directing lower first lateral support 250 and the medium directing lower second lateral support 295 is a medium directing second lower side wall 340. The medium directing second lower side wall 340 is a generally rectangular planar body having a material thickness, extending longitudinally through the main chamber 215, while vertically upwardly terminating with an edge at a medium directing second lower side wall top terminating edge 350. The medium directing second lower side wall 340 generally extend vertically upwardly in a perpendicular fashion from the second lateral side edge respectively of the medium directing lower first lateral support 250 and the medium directing lower second lateral support 295. A first longitudinal end of the medium directing second lower side wall 340 generally terminates with an edge with a medium directing lower second side wall anterior edge 360. A second longitudinal end of the medium directing second lower side wall 340 generally terminates with an edge with a medium directing lower second side wall posterior edge 370.
[0114] Referring to
[0115] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first longitudinal edge of the medium directing assembly 220 may be a medium directing assembly anterior edge 270, comprising of the medium directing upper first lateral support anterior edge 325, the medium directing upper first side wall anterior edge 300, the medium directing upper second side wall anterior edge 301, the medium directing lower first lateral support anterior edge 330, the medium directing lower first side wall anterior edge 355, and the medium directing lower second side wall anterior edge 360. The medium directing assembly anterior edge 270 may generally engage the second side of the sub-chamber anterior wall 165.
[0116] In another embodiment of the present invention, a portion of the medium directing assembly anterior edge 270 may engage the second side of the sub-chamber anterior wall 165. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the medium directing assembly anterior edge 270 may not engage the second side of the sub-chamber anterior wall 165. Instead, one or more of the lateral or vertical sides of the first longitudinal end of the medium directing assembly 220 may matingly engage one or more of the lateral or vertical panels forming the cavity within the first sub-chamber 125.
[0117] In an embodiment of the present invention, the second longitudinal edge of the medium directing assembly 220 may be a medium directing assembly posterior edge 275, comprising of a medium directing upper second lateral support posterior edge 320, the medium directing upper first side wall posterior edge 305, the medium directing upper second side wall posterior edge 306, the medium directing lower second lateral support posterior edge 390, the medium directing lower first side wall posterior edge 365, and the medium directing lower second side wall posterior edge 370. The medium directing assembly posterior edge 275 may generally engage the first side of the sub-chamber posterior wall 170.
[0118] In another embodiment of the present invention, a portion of the medium directing assembly posterior edge 275 may engage the first side of the sub-chamber posterior wall 170. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the medium directing assembly posterior edge 275 may not engage the first side of the sub-chamber posterior wall 170. Instead, one or more of the lateral or vertical sides of the second longitudinal end of the medium directing assembly 220 may matingly engage one or more of the lateral or vertical panels forming the cavity within the second sub-chamber 130.
[0119] Referring now to
[0120] Referring again to
[0121] In an embodiment of the present invention, as the first heat exchange medium is introduced in to the medium directing assembly 220 through the medium directing inlet 410, the first heat exchange medium generally initially flows within the medium directing assembly 220 in a first line of flow following the longitudinal axial characteristic of the rectangular parallelepiped body of the medium directing assembly 220 in a pathway comprising vertically of the medium directing upper first lateral support 245 and the medium directing lower first lateral support 250, and laterally of the medium directing first side wall 240 and the medium directing second side wall 235. As the first heat exchange medium travels further inward within the medium directing assembly 220 from the medium directing inlet 410, the first heat exchange medium flowing initially in the first line of flow is directed to collide into the first planar surface of the medium directing panel 255.
[0122] As the first heat exchange medium is directed to flow into the first planar surface of the medium directing panel 255, the first heat exchange medium is disbursed on the first planar surface of the medium directing panel 255, resulting in a second flow pattern that is divergent from the first line of flow. Furthermore, as the first planar surface of the medium directing panel 255 is coupled within the medium directing assembly 220 at an angle in relation to the longitudinal axial characteristics of the medium directing assembly 220 facing both the medium directing inlet 410 and the medium directing distribution outlet 420, while laterally bound by the medium directing first side wall 240 and the medium directing second side wall 235, the first heat exchange medium that was disbursed on the surface of the first planar surface of the medium directing panel 255 in the second flow pattern is further directed to flow out of the medium directing assembly 220 and into the main chamber 215 through the medium directing distribution outlet 420, in a third line of flow. The third line of flow is generally perpendicular in relation to the plane established by the opening of the medium distribution outlet 420, as well as generally perpendicular in relation to the longitudinal axial flow characteristics established by the first line of flow.
[0123] As the third line of flow is generally perpendicular in relation to the initial line of flow established in the first line of flow, the first heat exchange medium generally travels vertically upwardly from the medium directing assembly 220 as the first heat exchange medium exits the medium directing assembly 220 through the medium distribution outlet 420. The first heat exchange medium is generally projected out of the medium directing assembly 220 in a focused stream through the medium directing distribution outlet 420 in to the main chamber 215. As the third line of flow travels through the main chamber 215, the third line of flow terminates as the third line of flow reaches the lateral wall of the main chamber 215 comprising the first chamber wall 115 and the second chamber wall 120, within a perimeter of the lateral wall of the main chamber 215 vertically in line with the medium distribution outlet 420. As the third line of flow contacts the lateral wall of the main chamber 215, the third line of flow terminates and a pair of fourth line of flow begins within the main chamber 215.
[0124] The pair of fourth line of flow within the main chamber 215 for the first heat exchange medium are divergent lateral flows within the main chamber 215. The first fourth line of flow travels from generally the top vertical area of the main chamber 215 where the third line of flow terminates, traveling in the flow space provided between the lateral wall of the main chamber 215, comprising the first chamber wall 115 and the second chamber wall 120, and the medium directing first side wall 240. The second fourth line of flow travels from the top vertical area of the main chamber 215 where the third line of flow terminates, traveling in the flow space provided between the lateral wall of the main chamber 215, comprising the first chamber wall 115 and the second chamber wall 120, and the medium directing second side wall 235. The pair of fourth line of flow are generally directed to travel to an area vertically generally directly below the medium directing collecting inlet 425, following the lateral wall contour of the main chamber 215. Once the pair of fourth line of flow travel to the area vertically generally directly below the medium collecting inlet 425 within the main chamber 215, the pair of fourth line of flow collide in to each other and merge into a singular flow.
[0125] The merging of the pair of fourth line of flow terminates the pair of fourth line of flow and initiates a fifth line of flow within the main chamber 215, wherein the fifth line of flow is generally vertically perpendicular to the plane established by the opening of the medium directing collecting inlet 425. In the fifth line of flow, the first heat exchange medium is discharged out of the main chamber 215 and introduced back into the medium directing assembly 220 through the medium directing collecting inlet 425, in a focused stream. As the fifth line of flow travels further into the medium directing assembly 220, the first heat exchange medium is directed to collide with the second planar surface of the medium directing panel 255, wherein the first heat exchange medium disburses on the surface of the second planar surface of the medium directing panel, initiating a sixth flow pattern.
[0126] As the second planar side of the medium directing panel 255 faces at an angle the medium directing collecting inlet 425 and the medium directing outlet 415, the first heat exchange medium that was disbursed on the surface of the second planar side of the medium directing panel 255 in a sixth flow pattern is further directed to flow in a seventh line of flow following the longitudinal axial characteristics of the medium directing assembly 220 in a pathway provided within the medium directing assembly 220 comprising vertically of the medium directing upper second lateral support 265 and the medium directing lower second lateral support 295, and laterally of the medium directing first side wall 240 and the medium directing second side wall 235. As the first heat exchange medium flows within the medium directing assembly 220 in a seventh line of flow, the first heat exchange medium is directed to flow towards the medium directing outlet 415. Once the first heat exchange medium reaches the medium directing outlet 415, the first heat exchange medium is further directed to the outlet 150, from which the first heat exchange medium is discharged out of the heat exchanger 100.
[0127] Referring now to
[0128] Coupled on a first lateral side of the medium directing upper lateral support 265A is a medium directing first upper side wall 280A. The medium directing first upper side wall 280A is a generally rectangular planar body having a material thickness, extending longitudinally through the main chamber 215, while vertically extending downwardly from the medium directing upper lateral support 265A, terminating with an edge at a medium directing first upper side wall bottom terminating edge 310A. The medium directing first upper side wall 280A generally extend vertically downwardly in a perpendicular fashion with respect to the plane established by the medium directing upper lateral support 265A. A first longitudinal end of the medium directing first upper side wall 280A generally terminates with an edge with a medium directing upper first side wall anterior edge 300A. A second longitudinal end of the medium directing first upper side wall 280A generally terminates with an edge with a medium directing upper first side wall posterior edge 305A.
[0129] Coupled on a second lateral side edge of the medium directing upper lateral support 265A is a medium directing second upper side wall 285A. The medium directing second upper side wall 285A is a generally rectangular planar body having a material thickness, extending longitudinally through the main chamber 215, while vertically extending downwardly from the medium directing upper lateral support 265A, terminating with an edge at a medium directing second upper side wall bottom terminating edge 315A. The medium directing second upper side wall 285A generally extend vertically downwardly in a perpendicular fashion with respect to the plane established by the medium directing upper lateral support 265A. A first longitudinal end of the medium directing second upper side wall 285A generally terminates with an edge with a medium directing upper second side wall anterior edge 301A. A second longitudinal end of the medium directing second upper side wall 285A generally terminates with an edge with a medium directing upper second side wall posterior edge 306A.
[0130] Referring now to
[0131] The first longitudinal edge of the medium directing lower first lateral support 250 is the medium directing lower first lateral support anterior edge 330, forming a portion of the longitudinal forward leading first edge of the medium directing assembly 220, while the second longitudinal edge of the medium directing lower first lateral support 250 is the medium directing lower first lateral support posterior edge 400, forming the forward first longitudinal edge of the opening for the medium directing collecting inlet 425. The medium directing lower second lateral support anterior edge 385 forms the backward second edge of the opening for the medium directing collecting inlet 425, while the medium directing lower second lateral support posterior edge 390, forms a portion of the longitudinal backward second edge of the medium directing assembly 220.
[0132] Coupled on the respective first lateral side edge of the medium directing lower first lateral support 250 and the medium directing lower second lateral support 295 is the medium directing first lower side wall 335. The medium directing first lower side wall 335 is a generally rectangular planar body having a material thickness, extending longitudinally through the main chamber 215, while vertically upwardly terminating with an edge at the medium directing first lower side wall top terminating edge 345. The medium directing first lower side wall 335 generally extend vertically upwardly in a perpendicular fashion from the first lateral side edge respectively of the medium directing lower first lateral support 250 and the medium directing lower second lateral support 295. The first longitudinal end of the medium directing first lower side wall 335 generally terminates with an edge at the medium directing lower first side wall anterior edge 355. A second longitudinal end of the medium directing first lower side wall 335 generally terminates with an edge at the medium directing lower first side wall posterior edge 365.
[0133] Coupled on the second lateral side edge respectively of the medium directing lower first lateral support 250 and the medium directing lower second lateral support 295 is the medium directing second lower side wall 340. The medium directing second lower side wall 340 is a generally rectangular planar body having a material thickness, extending longitudinally through the main chamber 215, while vertically upwardly terminating with an edge at the medium directing second lower side wall top terminating edge 350. The medium directing second lower side wall 340 generally extend vertically upwardly in a perpendicular fashion from the second lateral side edge respectively of the medium directing lower first lateral support 250 and the medium directing lower second lateral support 295. The first longitudinal end of the medium directing second lower side wall 340 generally terminates with an edge with the medium directing lower second side wall anterior edge 360. The second longitudinal end of the medium directing second lower side wall 340 generally terminates with an edge with the medium directing lower second side wall posterior edge 370.
[0134] Referring again to
[0135] In another embodiment of the present invention, the first longitudinal edge of the medium directing assembly 220A may be a medium directing assembly anterior edge 270A comprising the medium directing upper first side wall anterior edge 300A, the medium directing upper second side wall anterior edge 301A, the medium directing lower first lateral support anterior edge 330, the medium directing lower first side wall anterior edge 355, and the medium directing lower second side wall anterior edge 360. The medium directing assembly anterior edge 270A may generally engage the second side of the sub-chamber anterior wall 165. In another embodiment of the present invention, a portion of the medium directing assembly anterior edge 270A may engage the second side of the sub-chamber anterior wall 165.
[0136] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the medium directing assembly anterior edge 270A may not engage the second side of the sub-chamber anterior wall 165. Instead, one or more of the lateral or vertical sides of the first longitudinal end of the medium directing assembly 220A may matingly engage one or more of the lateral or vertical panels comprising the cavity within the first sub-chamber 125.
[0137] Referring to
[0138] In another embodiment of the present invention, a portion of the medium directing assembly posterior edge 275A may engage the first side of the sub-chamber posterior wall 170. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the medium directing assembly posterior edge 275A may not engage the first side of the sub-chamber posterior wall 170. Instead, one or more of the lateral or vertical sides of the second longitudinal end of the medium directing assembly 220A may matingly engage one or more of the lateral or vertical panels comprising the cavity within the second sub-chamber 130.
[0139] Referring again to
[0140] In another embodiment of the present invention, as the first heat exchange medium is introduced in to the medium directing assembly 220A through the medium directing inlet 410A, the first heat exchange medium generally initially flows in a first line of flow following the longitudinal axial characteristic of the rectangular parallelepiped body of the medium directing assembly 220A, flowing in a pathway formed jointly by the medium directing assembly 220A and the first sub-chamber 125. In an embodiment of the present invention, the first longitudinal end of the medium directing assembly 220A is coupled inside the cavity provided in the first sub-chamber 125. As such, a first and a second lateral walls, as well as a bottom vertical wall of the first heat exchange medium pathway may be formed by the medium directing assembly 220A, while the top vertical wall of the medium pathway may generally be provided by the first sub-chamber top wall 175. As the first heat exchange medium travels further inwards within the pathway provided within the medium directing assembly 220A from the medium directing inlet 410A, the first heat exchange medium flowing initially in the first line of flow is directed to collide into the first planar surface of the medium directing panel 255A.
[0141] When the first heat exchange medium is directed to flow into the first planar surface of the medium directing panel 255A, the first heat exchange medium is disbursed on the first planar surface of the medium directing panel 255A, resulting in a second flow pattern that is divergent from the first line of flow. Furthermore, as the medium directing panel 255A is coupled within the medium directing assembly 220A at an angle in relation to the longitudinal axial characteristics of the medium directing assembly 220A, the first planar face of the medium directing panel 255A facing both the medium directing inlet 410A and the medium directing distribution outlet 420A, while laterally bound by the medium directing first side wall 240A and the medium directing second side wall 235A, the first heat exchange medium that was disbursed on the surface of the first planar surface of the medium directing panel 255A in the second flow pattern is further directed to flow out of the medium directing assembly 220A and into the main chamber 215 through the medium directing distribution outlet 420A, in a third line of flow. The third line of flow is generally perpendicular in relation to the plane established by the medium directing distribution outlet 420A.
[0142] As the third line of flow is generally perpendicular in relation to the initial line of flow established by the first line of flow, the first heat exchange medium generally travels vertically upwardly away from the medium directing assembly 220A. The first heat exchange medium is generally projected out of the medium directing assembly 220A in to the main chamber 215 through the medium directing distribution outlet 420A in a focused stream. As the third line of flow travels within the main chamber 215, the third line of flow terminates as the third line of flow reaches the lateral wall of the main chamber 215, comprising the first chamber wall 115 and the second chamber wall 120, within a perimeter of the lateral wall of the main chamber 215 vertically in line with the medium distribution outlet 410A. As the third line of flow contacts the lateral wall of the main chamber 215, the third line of flow terminates and generally transitions the flow of the first heat exchange medium into a pair of fourth line of flow within the main chamber 215.
[0143] The pair of fourth line of flow within the main chamber 215 for the first heat exchange medium are divergent lateral flows within the main chamber 215. The first fourth line of flow travels from generally the top vertical area of the main chamber 215 where the third line of flow terminates, traveling in the flow space provided between the lateral wall of the main chamber 215, comprising the first chamber wall 115 and the second chamber wall 120, and the medium directing first side wall 240A. The second fourth line of flow travels from generally the top vertical area of the main chamber 215 where the third line of flow terminates, traveling in the flow space provided between the lateral wall of the main chamber 215, comprising the first chamber wall 115 and the second chamber wall 120, and the medium directing second side wall 235A. The pair of fourth line of flow are generally directed to travel to an area vertically generally below the medium directing collecting inlet 425, at which point the pair of fourth line of flow collide in to each other and merge into a singular flow.
[0144] The merging of the pair of fourth line of flow terminates the pair of fourth line of flow and transition the heat exchange medium flow into a fifth line of flow, wherein the fifth line of flow is generally vertically perpendicular with respect to the plane generally established by the opening of the medium directing collecting inlet 425. In the fifth line of flow, the first heat exchange medium is discharged out of the main chamber 215 and introduced back into the medium directing assembly 220A through the medium directing collecting inlet 425, in a focused stream. As the fifth line of flow travels further into the medium directing assembly 220A, the first heat exchange medium is directed to collide with the second planar surface of the medium directing panel 255A, wherein the first heat exchange medium disburses on the surface of the second planar side of the medium directing panel 255A, initiating a sixth flow pattern. As the second planar surface of the medium directing panel 255A faces at an angle the medium directing collecting inlet 425 and the medium directing outlet 415A, the first heat exchange medium that was disbursed on the surface of the second side of the medium directing panel 255A in a sixth flow pattern is further directed to flow in a seventh line of flow following the longitudinal axial characteristics of the medium directing assembly 220A. As the first heat exchange medium flows within the medium directing assembly 220A in a seventh line of flow, the first heat exchange medium is directed to flow towards the medium directing outlet 415. Once the first heat exchange medium reaches the medium directing outlet 415, the first heat exchange medium is discharged out of the heat exchanger 100 out of the outlet 150.
[0145] Now referencing
[0146] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the first sub-chamber 125 may have a combination of one or more geometric shape characteristics. Referring now to
[0147] In an embodiment of the present invention, in a similar fashion to the first sub-chamber 125, the second sub-chamber 130 may generally be a parallelepiped body or of any other geometric shapes, for example. In some embodiments of the present invention, the second sub-chamber 130 may be of an irregular shape, comprising of one or more geometric characteristics, similar to the shape of the first sub-chamber 125. In other embodiments of the present invention, the second sub-chamber 130 may be of an irregular shape dissimilar to the shape of the first sub-chamber 125.
[0148] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first sub-chamber 125, the second sub-chamber 130, or both first sub-chamber 125 and the second sub-chamber 130 may have irregular shapes. In such an embodiment of the present invention, the medium directing assembly 220 may similarly have a corresponding irregular shape to engagingly couple within the cavity provided within the irregular shaped first sub-chamber 125, the second sub-chamber 130, or both the first sub-chamber 125 and the second sub-chamber 130. Furthermore, the first sub-chamber 125, the second sub-chamber 130, or both first sub-chamber 125 and the second sub-chamber 130 may be provided with at least one planar surface, wherein a similarly shaped corresponding planar surface may be provided on at least one vertical or lateral side of the medium directing assembly 220.
[0149] Now, reference is made to
[0150] The heat exchanger 100 may comprise of the first chamber assembly 105 and the second chamber assembly 110 coupled together. In other embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of heat exchangers 100 as described herein may be coupled together in a serial or a parallel fashion or a combination of serial and parallel arrangement to form a larger heat exchanger assembly. As such, the heat exchange medium flow pattern described herein may be repeated several times dependent upon the number of the heat exchanger 100 packaged within an embodiment of a heat exchanger assembly. In an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of heat exchangers 100 may be bundled together to form a larger heat exchanger assembly, wherein a first longitudinal ends of a plurality of heat exchangers 100 are coupled to a first header plate (Not shown), the first header plate having corresponding orifices to engagingly couple the first longitudinal ends of each of the heat exchangers 100. In a similar fashion, in an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of heat exchangers 100 may be bundled together to form a larger heat exchanger assembly, wherein a second longitudinal ends of a plurality of the heat exchangers 100 are coupled to a second header plate (Not shown), the second header plate having corresponding orifices to engagingly couple the second longitudinal ends of each of the heat exchangers 100.
[0151] In an embodiment of the present invention, the medium directing first side wall 240 may be shown formed from two components, comprising the medium directing first upper side wall 280 and the medium directing first lower side wall. In another embodiment of the present invention, the medium directing first side wall 240 may comprise of a singular piece or a combination of more than two component sections. In a similar fashion, the medium directing second side wall 235 may be shown formed from two components, comprising the medium directing second upper side wall 285 and the medium directing second lower side wall 340. In another embodiment of the present invention, the medium directing second side wall 235 may comprise of a singular piece or a combination of more than two component sections.
[0152] The heat exchange medium flow paths provided internally or externally of the heat exchanger 100 may feature surface enhancements, such as, but not limited to, dimples, fins, louvers, that is known in the art to enhance heat transfer effectiveness in a heat exchanger application.
[0153] The heat exchanger 100 may comprise of ferrous or non-ferrous material. The material may be an alloy, plastics, composites, or other material suitable for use as a heat exchanger known in the art. In other embodiments of the present invention, more than one type of material may be combined to construct the heat exchanger 100, such as with use of an aluminum alloy along with composite material, for example.
[0154] The heat exchanger 100 may be manufactured by stamping, forging, machining, casting, 3-D printing, or by other manufacturing methods known in the art. In another embodiment of the present invention, one or more manufacturing methods may be utilized to manufacture the heat exchanger 100. The heat exchanger 100 may be manufactured as a combination of one or more separately manufactured pieces. The heat exchanger 100 may be coupled together by means of brazing, soldering, welding, mechanical means, or adhesive means known in the art.
[0155] The heat exchanger 100 may be utilized as a cooler, a condenser, an evaporator, a radiator, or any other application requiring heat to be transferred from one heat exchange medium to another heat exchange medium. The heat exchange medium may be air, liquid, or gas, known in the art. The heat exchange medium flowing within the heat exchanger 100 may be the same as the heat exchange medium flowing outside of the heat exchanger 100. In another embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchange medium flowing within the heat exchanger 100 may be different from the heat exchange medium flowing outside of the heat exchanger 100. In an embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchange medium may be a compound, combining more than one type of heat exchange medium known in the art. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchange medium may by combined with more than one type of material, such as with air and silica solids to obtain additional desired features, for example.
[0156] Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.