The Trane Company

Alan G Butt

Harry D Foust

Abe G Whitehead

Irwin R Friedman

A plate-type heat exchanger having uniform surface temperature and improved structural strength is disclosed, which may be used as a structural support member for an object to be temperature controlled, and which provides a surface having an exceptionally uniform temperature for either heating or cooling the object. The heat exchanger includes a fin pad and a machined plate having a fluid passage therein, as well as other structural frame and support members. The major circuit flow direction of the fluid in the passage is perpendicular to the major longitudinal fin direction of the fin pad in the preferred embodiment. All components of the heat exchanger are of material having good thermal conductivity and structural strength, and the components are brazed or otherwise secured together to provide good thermal conductivity and structural reinforcement throughout.

Heat exchanger having uniform surface temperature and improved

A plate type heat exchanger in which liquid is injected into a vaporous fluid stream through orifices in a hollow slotted bar. The hollow bar is disposed transversely to the longitudinal axis of the heat exchanger, between and abutting facing surfaces of two metallic sheets. Vaporous fluid is admitted and distributed across the width of the heat exchanger in a first passage defined by the two metallic sheets, and flows through channels formed in the hollow bar where it abuts the sheets. The vaporous and liquid fluids mix, and after passing in heat transfer relationship with another fluid flowing in a second passage defined by adjacent metallic sheets, exit the heat exchanger. Since the hollow bar extends between the metallic sheets, it provides an effective structural support, permitting the heat exchanger to be used at relatively high operating pressures. In addition, the relative size and number of channels and orifices formed in the hollow bar control the ratio of the rate of flow of liquid and vapor through the heat exchanger.

Plate type heat exchanger with transverse hollow slotted bar

A method for joining two plate type heat exchanger core sections, previously brazed individually in intimate heat conducting relationship. The surfaces of the two heat exchanger core sections to be joined are non-planar as a result of brazing. In the method, the two core sections are stacked with their non-planar surfaces to be joined facing toward each other with an interposed layer comprising deformable metallic members. The deformable metallic members are subjected to a shear force causing them to be displaced to conform to the non-planar surfaces, substantially increasing the area over which they are in contact with these surfaces and thereby substantially increasing the heat conduction between the core sections. Closing members are thereafter inserted around the perimeter of the intermodular layer and joined to the heat exchanger core sections with a gas metal arc welding bead.

Method for joining two plate type heat exchanger core sections with an

An air cooled heat exchanger provided with water distribution means for wetting the surfaces of air flow passages with a thin film of water, which by evaporation enhances the cooling of a fluid. The fluid flows through the heat exchanger in passages arranged in generally parallel, spaced apart layers. A series of metallic fin sheets, extending between the layers, maintain the separation between the layers and define a plurality of air passages. Water is distributed into the air passages as a liquid through slot means disposed on the edge of the layers, at the side where the air stream enters the heat exchanger. The air stream causes the water to spread in a thin film over the surfaces of the air passages, resulting in improved cooling of the fluid by evaporation of the water. Provision is made for collecting any excess water at the side of the heat exchanger where the air stream exits.

Liquid wetted gas cooled heat exchanger

A plate type heat exchanger is shown in which liquid and vaporous phases of a heat exchange fluid are separately distributed uniformly across the width of a heat exchanger and after mixing, flow therethrough in heat exchange relationship with a feed fluid. Crossover means are disposed in the metallic plates separating adjacent passages in which the fluid and vaporous heat exchange fluids flow and are operative to provide fluid communication between the adjacent passages so that the two phases of heat exchange fluid may mix. Slotted metallic bars provide structural support to the metallic plates in the proximity of the crossover means and restrict the flow of one of the liquid and vaporous fluids through the crossover means. In one embodiment of the invention, the rate of flow of one of the heat exchange fluids through the heat exchanger is continuously adjustable over a limited range by metering control means; in another embodiment, it is controlled in discrete steps. The spacing, width, and/or depth of the slots formed in the slotted metallic bars otherwise determine the rate of fluid flow through the crossover means, for a given pressure drop.

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La Crosse, WI, United States of America

Alan G Butt