Abstract: A gas-liquid heat exchanger such as a charge air cooler has a core comprising a stack of flat tubes defining liquid coolant flow passages, and a plurality of open-ended gas flow passages between the flat tubes. An endmost gas flow passage is defined between an end plate of the core and an adjacent flat tube, such that the endmost gas flow passage is in contact with only said adjacent one of said flat tubes. A blocking element extends along either the front face or the rear face of the core and at least partly blocking the endmost gas flow passage. Each flat tube may comprise a pair of core plates, at least one including a flap projecting into a gas flow passage and covering a gas bypass channel between the edge of the turbulence-enhancing insert and the sides of a coolant manifold.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for a battery unit having at least a first battery module and a second battery module is disclosed wherein the first and second battery modules each include a plurality of battery cell containers each housing at least one battery cell. The first and second battery modules are spaced apart from each other with the heat exchanger being arranged between the spaced apart first and second battery modules. The heat exchanger is a laminated plate structure defining a plurality of fluid flow chambers each located within a respective fluid flow region for transmitting a heat exchanger fluid. Each of the fluid flow regions is dimensionally compliant independent of the other fluid flow regions to conform to the spacing of the respective battery cell containers in the first and second modules between which the specific fluid flow region is positioned when arranged between the first and second battery modules.

Abstract: A heat exchanger plate having a planar plate having an inlet and outlet proximate to a first edge of the heat exchanger plate. The planar plate having a plurality of ribs and a plurality of channels, with the plurality of channels being in a plane different from the planar plate. The plurality of channels being in fluid communication from the inlet to the outlet permitting fluid flow from the inlet to the outlet. A protrusion coupled to the planar plate proximate to the first edge of the heat exchanger plate and laterally extending from an axis, with the heat exchanger plate being susceptible to bending about the axis.

Abstract: A heat exchanger module adapted for being mounted directly to the outer surface of the housing of an automobile system component, such as a transmission or engine housing, is provided. The heat exchanger module comprises a heat exchanger fixedly attached to an adapter module. The adapter module contains one of more fluid transfer channels, interface connectors, seals and mounting holes for screws and/or bolts. In one exemplary embodiment, the adapter module is comprised of an adapter plate that is sealed with one or more shim plates, the shim plates also providing a brazing surface for brazing the adapter module directly to the heat exchanger, the heat exchanger therefore being attached to the adapter module without the use of a base plate.

Abstract: A by-pass valve capable of activating at least two different temperatures is disclosed. The valve has a valve chamber housing a valve mechanism having a piston-cylinder arrangement. The cylinder defines two separate chambers therein for housing two different thermal materials each having a different activation temperature. A piston is arranged in each end of the cylinder operably coupled to the corresponding thermal material housed within the cylinder. A valve spool or valve sleeve is operably coupled to one of the pistons associated with the valve mechanism, the valve spool or sleeve adapted for sliding within the valve chamber for controlling flow to the fluid outlet ports formed in the valve. In some embodiments, the valve mechanism housing two different thermal materials can be arranged in combination with additional valve mechanism housing different thermal materials allowing for further multi-stage activation allowing for various flow arrangements through the valve.

Abstract: A heat exchanger has a thermally conductive first plate with a flat first surface for thermal contact with a heat transfer fluid, and a flat second surface for thermal contact with an object to be heated or cooled, such as an electronic component. The first surface is provided with a first surface pattern having a plurality of first grooves, and the second surface is provided with a second surface pattern with a plurality of second grooves. The surface patterns may be configured and applied such that the amount of elongation along the first surface produced by application of the first surface pattern substantially corresponds to or offsets the amount of elongation along the second surface produced by application of the second surface pattern, such that the degree of flatness of the first plate prior to formation of the first and second surface patterns will be preserved, maintained or improved.

Abstract: A counterflow heat exchanger for battery thermal management has a base plate, a cover plate and manifold cover. The base plate includes alternating first and second longitudinal fluid flow passages. The cover plate is sealed to the base plate to enclose the first and second fluid flow passages, and includes a first fluid opening and a plurality of second fluid openings arranged at spaced apart intervals across a width of the cover plate. The manifold cover includes an embossment surrounded by a peripheral flange which is sealed to the cover plate and surrounds at least the plurality of second fluid openings. The interior of the embossment defines a manifold chamber in flow communication with the second fluid openings in the cover plate. The top of the manifold cover has at least a second fluid opening in flow communication with the plurality of second fluid openings through the manifold chamber.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for thermal management of battery units made-up of a plurality of battery cells or containers housing one or more battery cells is disclosed. The heat exchanger has a main body portion formed by a pair of outer plates and an intermediate plate defining a primary heat transfer surface on either side of the heat exchanger for contacting a corresponding surface of at least one of the battery cells or containers. The intermediate plate together with the outer plates forming a plurality of alternating first and second fluid flow passages the flow direction through the first fluid flow passages being generally opposite to the flow direction through the second fluid flow passages. The first and second fluid flow passages are formed on opposite sides of the intermediate plate and are fluidly interconnected at corresponding ends creating a counter-flow arrangement through the main body portion of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly has first and second heat sink elements enclosing fluid flow passages, and a clamping assembly. The heat sink elements are separated by a space in which at least one heat-generating electronic component is located, with outer side surfaces of each electronic component being in thermal contact with the heat sink elements. The clamping assembly has first and second spring elements arranged in contact with an outer surfaces of the heat sink elements. The spring elements are joined together to apply compressive forces to the heat sink elements and to cause the electronic components to be clamped between the heat sink elements. Each spring element has discrete force application regions for applying force to a heat sink element, and a plurality of fastening regions for compressing and maintaining the positions of the spring elements relative to the outer surfaces of the heat sink elements.

Abstract: A battery cooler assembly having a frame with a pair of opposed parallel walls, with each wall having a ledge extending outwardly from the wall. A heat exchanger positioned between the walls, and having a plate pair together defining a fluid flow channel permitting fluid flow from an inlet to an outlet on the heat exchanger. One or more battery modules positioned on the heat exchanger. A plurality of support structures engage the heat exchanger and positioned between the walls; and extend from a first edge to a second end of the heat exchanger, where the first edge is proximate to one of the walls and the second edge is proximate to the other wall. The plurality of support structures engaging the one or more battery modules reducing stress on the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A nested dish-plate heat exchanger is disclosed wherein the heat exchanger core is comprised of a plurality of first and second heat exchanger plates arranged in alternating stacked relationship. The first and second heat exchanger plates each have a pair of openings formed in the base portion of the plates and a pair of upwardly protruding boss portions and a pair of downwardly protruding bosses each having a corresponding opening formed therein. The first and second heat exchanger plates are arranged in an alternating stacked relationship wherein each subsequent first or second heat exchanger plate is rotation 180 degrees with respect to the previous first or second heat exchanger plate in the stack, the arrangement providing a plurality of first, second and third fluid flow passages therebetween such that each of the second and third fluid flow passages are in heat transfer relationship with the first fluid flow passages.

Abstract: An anti-drain valve for a plate cooler has a plastic housing having a generally cylindrical outer wall with open ends, and an inner support structure integrally formed therewith, and with a valve seat. A piston is located within the support structure and axially movable toward and away from the valve seat. A biasing member biases the piston toward the valve seat. A resilient sealing element provides a seal between the housing and the base plate. The outer wall has first and second portions, the first portion including a plurality of inwardly bendable detents defined by slots through the outer wall for attaching the valve to the base plate of the plate cooler.

Abstract: A heat exchanger having a plurality of heat exchanger plate pairs. Each plate has a longitudinal central planar portion and a peripheral edge portion extending from it. The plate is provided with a first boss and a second boss having an inlet and outlet, respectively. A rib is also provided extending from the peripheral edge portion to the central planar portion, the rib having a mating surface, where the rib mating surface of a first plate in a first plate pair is in contact with a rib mating surface of a second plate in an adjacent plate pair.

Abstract: A heat exchanger apparatus having a first fluid channel, a second fluid channel, a bypass channel, and inlet and outlet manifolds. A thermal bypass valve assembly is positioned within the inlet manifold, and contains an outer sleeve having a first, second and third apertures axially displaced. An inner sleeve positioned within the outer sleeve and moveable from a first to a second position upon actuation of a first actuator. The inner sleeve has a first orifice on a wall of the inner sleeve and a second orifice defined by the inner sleeve second end. The first orifice aligns with the first aperture in the first position and the second aperture in the in the second position. A second actuator coupled to a stopper that engagingly disengages from the second orifice upon actuation of the second actuator.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is comprised of two heat exchanger sections, at least one of which is provided with a floating header to accommodate differential thermal expansion. The two heat exchanger sections are enclosed by an inner shell wall, and an external connecting passage is provided outside the inner shell wall, through which one of the fluids flows between the two heat exchanger sections. The external connecting passage is enclosed by an outer shell. The inner wall is provided with openings which communicate with the external connecting passage. The openings may be in the form of a substantially continuous gap or discrete openings. Specific examples of heat exchangers with this construction include a steam generator, a steam generator and combined catalytic converter, and a water gas shift reactor.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for cooling a plurality of heat-generating components with flat surfaces arranged in spaced parallel relation to one another has at least three flat, fluid-carrying panels, including a first end panel, a second end panel, and at least one middle panel. The middle panels have both of their opposed surfaces in thermal contact with a surface of a heat generating component. The end panels each have one surface in thermal contact with a surface of a heat-generating component. Inlet and outlet manifolds of the heat exchanger are in communication with the inlet and outlet openings of the middle panels. The inlet manifold communicates with the inlet opening of the first end panel, the outlet manifold communicates with the outlet opening of the second end panel, and the outlet opening of the first end panel communicates with the inlet opening of the second end panel.

Abstract: A plate and frame style heat exchanger is disclosed herein the heat exchanger is formed by a plurality of heat exchange plates and frame members that are alternatingly stacked together to form fluid channel members. The frame members are formed by lengths of material that are formed or bent into the desired configuration for providing a first fluid tight seal around the periphery of the plates and a second fluid tight seal around respective fluid openings formed in the heat exchanger plates in order to achieve the desired flow configuration through the heat exchanger. In some embodiments the frame members are made up of two mating frame portions that join together in a self-aligning and self-fixturing relationship to facilitate assembly.

Abstract: A heat exchanger comprises a stack of flat tubes defining first and second fluid flow passages, and a housing having side covers over the sides of the core, and being spaced from the sides of the core. The heat exchanger further comprises a bypass seal comprising a pair of side seals and a pair of clip members. The side seals are received between the sides of the core and the housing. Each side seal has an inner surface engaging the first side of the core and an outer surface engaging the first side wall of the housing. Each clip member has a middle portion to which a side seal is connected, as well as opposed first and second end portions which engage inwardly extending surfaces of the core.

Abstract: A heat exchanger has a core comprised of at least one core section defined by a plate stack comprising a plurality of core plates, each core plate having a plurality of spaced apart, raised openings surrounded by a flat area. The raised openings of adjacent plates are sealed together to define a plurality of tubular structures. Top and bottom manifolds are sealed to the top and bottom of the core, with continuous top and bottom end plates providing structurally rigid connections between multiple core sections of the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger may have numerous configurations, including stepped core, curved core, angled core, and/or a core having multiple sections of the same or different length, while minimizing the number of unique parts and/or parts of complex shape.

Abstract: A humidifier for transferring water vapor from a first gas stream to a second gas stream in a fuel cell system has a stack of thin plates joined together at their edges by planar sealing surfaces, with water permeable membranes between the plates. Each plate defines a gas flow passage along its top and bottom surfaces, with an inlet and outlet defined along edges of the plate, and a flow field extending between the inlet and outlet openings. Inlet and outlet passages connect the inlet and outlet openings to the flow field, with the planar sealing surfaces including bridging portions extending across these passages. Support structures are provided throughout the flow field to support the membrane and diffusion medium layer(s). Each support structure comprises a porous material which is sufficiently porous to permit gas flow through the flow field.