Modine Manufacturing Company

Modine Manufacturing

Modien Manufacturing Co.

Dennis C Granetzke

Mark G Voss

Michael J Reinke

Jeroen Valensa

Todd M Bandhauer

Nicholas Siler

Michael McGregor

Norman F Costello

Jonathan P Wattelet

Neal A Cook

Roland Strähle

Marc Weisser

Bruno Motzet

Homer D Huggins

Sven Thumm

Rodney A Struss

Randolph S Herrick

Thomas H Matter

A catalytic reactor/heat exchange device () is provided for generating a catalytic reaction in a reaction fluid flow () and transferring heat to a cooling fluid flow (). The device includes reaction flow channels () with turbulators () therein. The turbulators () include an initial portion () and a selected portion () that includes a catalytic layer or coating () to initiate the desired catalytic reaction at a location () located downstream from the initial portion (). In some preferred forms, each of the selected portions () of the turbulators () include at least one downstream section () wherein the heat transfer performance has been intentionally reduced to improve performance of the device () during start up conditions.

Catalytic reactor/heat exchanger

An integrated steam reformer/combustor assembly () is provided for use in a fuel processor () that supplies a steam/fuel feed mix () to be reformed in the assembly and a combustor feed () to be combusted in the assembly (). The assembly () includes a housing () defining first and second axially extending, concentric annular passages in heat transfer relation to each other; a first convoluted fin () located in the first passage to direct the feed mix therethrough, the first convoluted fin coated with a catalyst that induces a desired reaction in the feed mix; and a second convoluted fin () located in the second passage to direct the combustor feed therethrough, the second convoluted fin coated with a catalyst that induces a desired reaction in the combustor feed.

Highly integrated fuel processor for distributed hydrogen production

A combustor preheater () is provided for use in a fuel processor () to preheat a combustor feed () by transferring heat from a post water-gas shift reformate flow () to the combustor feed (). The combustor preheater () includes a housing () defining first and second axially extending, concentric annular passages in heat transfer relation to each other; a first convoluted fin () located in the first passage to direct the post water-gas shift reformate flow () therethrough and a second convoluted fin () located in the second passage to direct the combustor feed therethrough.

A recuperative heat exchanger () is provided for use in a fuel processor (), the heat exchanger () transferring heat from a fluid flow () at one stage of a fuel processing operation to the fluid flow () at another stage of the fuel processing operation. The heat exchanger () includes a housing () defining first and second axially extending, concentric annular passages in heat transfer relation to each other; a first convoluted fin () located in the first passage to direct the fluid flow therethrough; and a second convoluted fin () located in the second passage to direct the fluid flow therethrough.

A fuel processing system is provided wherein heat is transferred from a reformate flow () downstream from a water-gas shift () to both a) a combustor feed flow () that is supplied to a combustor (); and b) a water flow () that is supplied to a reformer feed mix () for a steam reformer ().

A vaporizer, a fuel cell system including the vaporizer, and a method of vaporizing fuel in a fuel cell system are disclosed. The fuel cell system includes a fuel reservoir () for storing a liquid fuel and a fuel cell () for consuming a fuel and generating electricity therefrom. A fuel vaporizer () is interposed between the fuel reservoir () and the fuel cell () for receiving liquid fuel and vaporizing it and delivering it ultimately to the fuel cell (). The fuel vaporizer () includes a heat exchanger which includes a hot fluid inlet (), a hot fluid outlet () and a core () interconnecting the inlet () and the outlet (). The core () has alternating fuel flow structures () and hot fluid structures () with the fuel flow structures () having an inlet () and an outlet ().

Method and apparatus for vaporizing fuel for a reformer fuel cell system

Slow production speeds in the manufacture of lanced and offset fins for use in heat exchanger tubes are eliminated through the use of a method of forming the fins involving a plurality of roll assemblies located along a forming path which may operate on a strip of fin forming material of indeterminate length. After being formed, the fin may be cut to any desired length.

Method of making a lanced and offset fin

The lack of flexibility in selecting locations for inlets or outlets or crossovers for a heat exchange fluid in a heat exchanger can be minimized in a heat exchanger construction including first and second spaced, generally parallel, tubular headers (10), (12) having opposed ends with a plurality of tubes (20) in parallel and spaced from one another which extend between and have their ends in fluid communication with the interior of the headers (10), (12). An adapter in fluid communication with the interior of the headers (10), (12) is fixed to the exterior of the heat exchanger to place the heat exchanger in communication with fluid conduits that may be disposed in a variety of locations in relation to the heat exchanger.

Heat exchanger with adapter

The lack of flexibility in selecting locations for inlets or outlets or crossovers for a heat exchange fluid in a heat exchanger can be minimized in a heat exchanger construction including first and second spaced, generally parallel, tubular headers (10), (12) having opposed ends with a plurality of tubes (20) in parallel and spaced from one another which extend between and have their ends in fluid communication with the interior of the headers (10), (12). A plurality of fins (22) are located between the headers (10), (12) in heat exchange relation with the plurality of tubes (20) and side pieces, (30) and (32) flank the plurality of tubes (20) as well as the plurality of fins (22) and extend between and are fastened to corresponding ones of the headers (10), (12). One of the side pieces (32) includes an internal passage (60), (62), (64); (78), (80), (82) terminating in a first port (44), (74) in fluid communication with one of the headers (12) and an opposite second port (46), (84) at the other end of the passage (60), (62), (64), (78), (80), (82).

Heat exchanger

The locating problems of endwise insertion of baffles into tubular heat exchanger headers and/or weakness problems resulting from slotting tubular heat exchanger headers for receipt of baffles are avoided in a heat exchanger including opposed headers 10, 12, at least one of which is a header tube 12 having a plurality of slots 26, 30 in a side thereof. A plurality of generally parallel tubes 14 extend between the headers 10, 12 and enter an associated one of the slots 26, 30, while a baffle is located in the header tube 12 and divides the same into two discrete sections and includes a collar 40 about an end 28 of one of the parallel tubes 14.

Baffle for tubular heat exchanger header

A mounting bracket for a heat exchanger of the type defined by a core having tubes and fins assembled together. The mounting bracket is adapted to extend between a pair of spaced plates between which the core is disposed. A first securing mechanism is associated with a first end of the mounting bracket. It is adapted to cooperate with one of the plates for interlocked pivotal movement of the mounting bracket relative to the other of the plates. The first securing mechanism accommodates movement from a position where the second end of the mounting bracket is spaced from the other of the plates to a position where the second end of the mounting bracket is adjacent the other of the plates. A second securing mechanism is associated with a second end of the mounting bracket. It is adapted to cooperate with the other of the plates for locked engagement of the mounting bracket to the other of the plates. The mounting bracket is adapted to cooperate with the plates after the tubes and fins have been assembled together to form the core. With this arrangement, the mounting brackets are not subject to shifts in location or loss of temper and strength that could otherwise occur during brazing operations.

Heat exchanger mounting bracket

A radiator and shroud assembly including a generally planar radiator core 10 having a plurality of generally parallel tubes 12 interconnected by fins 14 with opposed ends defined by tanks 16 and joined by spaced sides 18 which are generally parallel to the tubes 12. Each of the sides 18 has at least one fastener receiving aperture 26 and mounting brackets 30, 32 abuts the side pieces 18 and have a truss-like configuration which is made fluid impervious by thin web 84. Fasteners 42 extend through core apertures 26 and aligned apertures 40 in the brackets 30, 32 to secure the brackets 30, 32 in essentially nominally sealed relation to the core 10. A fan shroud 50 is similarly mounted to the brackets 30, 32.

Mounting bracket construction for vehicular radiators

An easily assembled and readily serviceable heat exchanger module particularly suited for vehicular application includes at least two adjacent heat exchangers. At least one of the heat exchangers has a side defined by an outwardly opening channel which in turn receives a plastic bar or strip. The bar is provided with a plurality of relatively deep recesses which are alignable with holes in the channel. The bottoms of the recesses are sufficiently thin as to be easily penetrable by a threaded fastener extending through the holes in the channel and into the recesses for securing components of the module together and yet are sufficiently thick as to prevent the flow of fluid through the recesses to thereby assure that heat exchange fluid will pass through the heat exchangers.

Heat exchanger module for a vehicle or the like

A heat transfer device comprising in one embodiment concentric tubes with spaced surfaces to define a fluid flow space through which a heat transfer fluid is directed and with this space being spanned by a series of fins extending between the tubes with at least one of the tubes being provided with spaced contact members extending toward the other tube and engaging the fins compressively to provide snug heat transfer contact between the boundary members or tubes and the fins so as to compensate for variations in the dimensions in one or both of the tubes and fins.

Heat transfer device for oil temperature regulator

A fuel heater having a fuel passage therethrough and heated means as a part of the heater with a valve body movable between a first position and a second position by a temperature responsive means, the valve body at the first position directing the fuel through a first path in heat receiving relationship with the heated means and at the second position directing substantially all the fuel through a second path away from the heated means. The heater also includes hinge means operatively connecting the elongated valve stem and the valve body for permitting relative lateral movement therebetween and thereby tending to prevent binding of the valve body in a tube in which the valve body and stem are located.

Growing community of inventors

Racine, WI, United States of America

Dennis C Granetzke