Abstract: A flat tube for use with a heat exchanger. The flat tube including wide sides, narrow sides, an inner insert, a wall that at least partially forms the wide sides and the narrow sides, and the wall is configured to be produced from a punched-out blank. The flat tube further includes an introduction bevel in order to facilitate introduction of the inner insert. The introduction bevel includes at least two bent-down projections at an end of the flat tube. The at least two projections extend over portions of at least one of the wide sides and the narrow sides, and it being possible for the at least two projections to be separated off after the introduction of the inner insert.

Abstract: A quick-action closure coupling for connecting a supply or discharge line to a wall of a collecting tank of a heat exchanger. The coupling can include a first coupling part and a second coupling part dimensioned to mate together. At least one sealing ring can be positioned between the first and second coupling parts. A latch can be provided in order to lock the coupling parts together. In order to simplify the quick-action closure coupling, the terminal end of the one coupling part can have a mitered cutout into which is received a portion of the other coupling part.

Abstract: A heat exchanger module configured for use in a vapor compression based climate control system including a suction line heat exchanger having a plurality of stacked plates configured to accommodate two separate fluid flow paths for heat exchange therebetween. The heat exchanger also includes a first inlet for flow of a high pressure subcooled fluid from a condenser to the module along a first fluid flow path, a first outlet for flow of a low pressure superheated fluid from the module to a compressor along a second fluid flow path, a second outlet for flow of the subcooled fluid from the module to an evaporator along a third fluid flow path, and a second inlet for flow of the low pressure superheated fluid from the evaporator to the module along a fourth fluid flow path. The module also includes a port block with a first conduit for the third fluid flow path and a second conduit for the fourth fluid flow path.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the disclosed heat exchanger have flat tubes, corrugated ribs, collection tubes, connection pieces, and a connection plate used (for example) for the attachment of the heat exchanger in a casing through which charge air flows, whereby the individual components of the heat exchanger can be manufactured from aluminum and can be soldered together. In some embodiments, at least four collecting tubes define coolant collection chambers, whereby coolant follows at least one outgoing route lying between first and the second collection tubes, and at least one return route proceeding in an opposite direction lying between third and fourth collecting tubes. The outgoing route can be provided in at least one flat tube-corrugated rib series, while the return route can be provided in at least another flat tube-corrugated rib series, arranged downstream of the first flat tube-corrugated rib series.

Abstract: A plate heat exchanger for cooling a first fluid by a second fluid, including a plurality of stacked heat exchanger plates forming separate flow channels therebetween with a cover plate on one side and a base plate on the other side of the stacked plates. The plates have a plurality of aligned openings defining inlet and outlet channels each communicating with selected ones of connected flow channels. In one form, the cover plate includes a conveying channel guiding one of the fluids to a desired position along the length of the heat exchanger, and the base plate includes a conveying channel guiding the other of the fluids to a desired position along the length of the heat exchanger. In another form, the conveying channels for both of the fluids are in the same one of the cover or base plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plate heat exchanger, composed of trough-shaped heat exchanger plates which are stacked one in the other and whose edges bear against one another. The plates can have flow ducts, located between the heat exchanger plates for a cooling fluid and for another fluid. The flow ducts are fitted with inserts in the form of turbulator plates. The heat exchanger can include at least four inlet and outlet openings in the corners of the heat exchanger plates which form two vertical ducts for the cooling fluid and two vertical ducts for the other fluid in the stack. The inserts in the flow ducts for the cooling fluid are embodied in one part or a plurality of parts. The flow ducts for the cooling fluid are equipped, in the regions around the openings, with plate-like inserts which have guide ducts with a width, and are provided with the turbulator plate in a central region between the plate-like inserts.

Abstract: A heat exchanger, including first and second collecting tanks with an inlet, an outlet, and an opening through a wall of the first tank. At least one row of tubes extends between the collecting tanks, and the tubes and tanks carry a first medium and a second medium flows through the spaces between the tubes. A first partition divides the first collecting tank and defines an opening therethrough, and a second partition divides the second collecting tank, with the first and second partitions defining separate loops for the first medium when the first partition opening is closed. A discharge device selectively either simultaneously opens both the first collecting tank opening and the first partition opening for emptying or simultaneously closes both the first collecting tank opening and the first partition opening for operation.

Abstract: An exhaust heat exchanger for an exhaust gas recirculation system, including a first flow path for the intake air for an internal combustion engine, a second flow path for the exhaust of an internal combustion engine, and a housing enclosing the first and second flow paths. The first and second flow paths are each divided into a plurality of flow channels in heat-conducting, metallically connected contact with each other, and the flow channels include elements promoting heat exchange between the flow channels.

Abstract: A cooling system (10) is provided for use with a fuel processing subsystem (12) for reducing a level of carbon monoxide in a reformate flow (14) for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell system (16). The fuel processing subsystem (12) includes first and second preferential oxidizers (18, 20) to oxidize the carbon monoxide carried in the reformate flow. The reformate cooling system (10) includes a coolant flow path (30), a reformate flow path (32), and first, second, third, and fourth heat exchanger core portions (34, 36, 38, 40). The core portions (36-40) are arranged in numbered sequence along the reformate flow path (32) with the first and second core portions (34, 36) located upstream of the first preferential oxidizer (18), and the third and fourth core portions (38, 40) located downstream of the first preferential oxidizer (18) and upstream of the second preferential oxidizer (20).

Abstract: A flat heat exchanger tube formed of a single strip of rolled aluminum, with at least one connection between the two broad sides. The connection is generally parallel to and spaced between the narrow sides and divides the heat exchanger tube into at least two chambers, and includes two legs consisting of bent opposite edges of the aluminum strip, the legs each having a head at adjacent bends along one of the broad sides and feet adjacent the other broad side. The legs lie against each other generally at their head over no more than half of the entire spacing between the two broad sides, with the legs enclosing an angle between them of about 20° to 100° or about 45° to 75°, advantageously 60°.

Abstract: An integrated fuel cell unit (10) includes an annular array (12) of fuel cell stacks (14), an annular cathode recuperator (20), an annular anode recuperator (22), a reformer (24), and an anode exhaust cooler (26), all integrated within a common housing structure (28).

Abstract: A catalytic reactor including a heat exchanger and a method are provided for transferring heat to a coolant and a reaction fluid. The catalytic reactor includes a reaction fluid flow path, a reaction region, and a coolant flow path. A reaction fluid catalytically reacts at a surface area in the reaction region thereby generating heat. The heat is transferred to a coolant and the reaction fluid based on the coolant and reaction fluid convective heat transfer coefficients respectively. In one embodiment, the ratio of the coolant convective heat transfer coefficient to the reaction fluid heat transfer coefficient is at least 5:1.

Abstract: A heat exchanger including a stack of flat tubes for gas and a housing for the stack of flat tubes, with the housing enclosing only part of the periphery of the flat tube stack. The tubes have wide and narrow sides and are spaced to form channels therebetween for flow of a coolant. Cross-sectional widenings along the length of the tubes assist in maintaining the flat tubes in a spaced condition along the periphery not enclosed by the housing, and close the channels along the tube stack periphery not enclosed by the housing.

Abstract: A side plate for a heat exchanger, a heat exchanger and a method for making a heat exchanger are provided. The side plate, which may be incorporated into the heat exchanger, includes a first body piece having a first edge and a second body piece having a second edge. The first and second edges are separated by an opening except for point connections. After the heat exchanger is assembled the point connections may be sheared to permit the side plate to expand and contract as a result of positive and negative stresses.

Abstract: The invention provides a heat exchanger, such as a charge air cooler, having a connecting plate, which is arranged in a housing into which the charge air flows. Charge air flows through ducts, which are assigned to the charge air and are provided with fins. The housing includes an assembly opening into which the heat exchanger can be inserted and is to be fastened by its connecting plate, with the body of the heat exchanger likewise being fastened in the interior of the housing. The charge air cooler has end chambers for a coolant. The end chambers are connected to coolant ducts. A strip is formed in the interior of the housing between two end chambers. The strip extends over a substantial part of the length of the end chambers.

Abstract: A catalytic reactor/heat exchange device (10) is provided for generating a catalytic reaction in a reaction fluid flow (12) and transferring heat to a cooling fluid flow (14). The device includes reaction flow channels (20) with turbulators (30) therein. The turbulators (30) include an initial portion (40) and a selected portion (34) that includes a catalytic layer or coating (36) to initiate the desired catalytic reaction at a location (38) located downstream from the initial portion (40). In some preferred forms, each of the selected portions (34) of the turbulators (30) include at least one downstream section (103, 120) wherein the heat transfer performance has been intentionally reduced to improve performance of the device (10) during start up conditions.

Abstract: A plate heat exchanger for exchanging heat between first and second media, including a plurality of first heat exchanger plates alternately stacked with a plurality of second heat exchanger plates between a base plate and a cover plate. The first and second heat exchanger plates have at least four passages therethrough which align to define a first collecting channel and a first distribution channel for the first media and a second collecting channel and a second distribution channel for the second media. First flow channels for the first media each are defined in a space between one side of the first heat exchanger plate and a facing one side of the adjacent second heat exchanger plate. Second flow channels for the second media each are defined between the other side of the first heat exchanger plate and the other side of the adjacent second heat exchanger plate.

Abstract: A side plate for a heat exchanger and method for making a heat exchanger is provided. The side plate includes at least one localized contact point that can be bonded to a header of the heat exchanger during assembly of the heat exchanger. The localized contact point separates from the header under relatively low tension applied by the thermal expansion and contraction of the heat exchanger under normal operating conditions, thereby allowing the tubes of the heat exchanger to expand and contract.

Abstract: A heat exchanger (10) is provided with a PTO section (12) passing through its core (14), with all of the components of the heat exchanger (10) being brazed together at the same time during assembly of the heat exchanger (10).

Abstract: A coolant conditioning system is provided for supplying a coolant flow to a fuel processing subsystem. The coolant conditioning system includes a coolant preheater to transfer heat from a reformate flow to the coolant flow, a heater to selectively add heat to the coolant flow in response to the coolant flow dropping below a minimum temperature, at least one outlet flow path to provide a portion of the coolant flow to at least one fuel processing subsystem, and a return flow path to return a remainder of the coolant flow to a storage tank. The coolant conditioning system is dynamically controllable to provide a portion of the coolant flow above a minimum temperature to reduce or prevent condensation of the reformate flow in selected components of the fuel processing subsystem that receive the portion of the coolant flow.