Abstract: The present invention provides a heat exchanger for transferring heat between a first working fluid and a second working fluid. The heat exchanger can include a corrugated fin positionable along a flow path of the first working fluid between adjacent tube walls and being operable to increase heat transfer between the first working fluid and the second working fluid. The fin can include a leg defined between adjacent folds. The heat exchanger can also include a plurality of convolutions extending inwardly from a distal end of the leg and terminating at different distances from the end.

Abstract: A waste heat recovery system includes a hot gas stream flow path, a pump, an expander, a first working fluid flow path fluidly connecting a pump outlet and an expander inlet, a second working fluid flow path fluidly connecting an expander outlet and a pump inlet, a first heat exchange section that transfers heat from the hot gas stream to working fluid traveling along the first working fluid flow path, a second heat exchange that transfers heat from the hot gas stream to working fluid traveling along the first working fluid flow path between the pump and the first heat exchange section, and a third working fluid flow path fluidly connecting a first point of the first working fluid path to a second point of the second working fluid path to permit at least a portion of the working fluid to bypass the first heat exchange section and the expander.

Abstract: A Rankine cycle system and method is described and illustrated, and in some embodiments includes an expander, a pump, a condenser, and a receiver comprising a variable fluid volume at least partially defined by a movable member, wherein the variable fluid volume defines at least a portion of the working fluid flow path between the condenser and the inlet of the pump. Also, a method of charging a Rankine cycle system with working fluid is described and illustrated, and can include applying a regulated pressure to a chamber located within a receiver, introducing the working fluid to the Rankine cycle system, the working fluid being separated from the chamber by a movable member of the receiver, monitoring displacement of the movable member, and stopping the introduction of working fluid into the Rankine cycle system when the movable member reaches a predetermined position.

Abstract: The present invention provides an exhaust gas waste heat recovery heat exchanger including a housing having a working fluid inlet, a working fluid outlet, an exhaust inlet, and an exhaust outlet, an exhaust flow path extending through the housing between the exhaust inlet and the exhaust outlet, and a working fluid flow path extending through the housing between the working fluid inlet and the working fluid outlet and having a first portion and a second portion. A flow of working fluid along the first portion of the working fluid flow path can be substantially counter to a flow of exhaust along the exhaust flow path, and the flow of working fluid along the second portion of the working fluid flow path can be substantially parallel to the flow of exhaust along the exhaust flow path.

Abstract: A heat exchanger, such as a condenser or gas cooler, having a collecting tube which has a wall and which can be produced by deformation of a single metal strip, which collecting tube has, in its base, at least one row of openings in which heat exchanger tubes, each of which has two narrow and two wide sides, are fastened at their ends. The collecting tube can have at least two chambers, which adjoin one another approximately at a central longitudinal axis, and also a reinforcement, which is formed by the longitudinal edge strips of the metal strip.

Abstract: A number of flat tubes, flat tube heat exchangers, and methods of manufacturing both are described and illustrated. The flat tubes can be constructed of one, two, or more pieces of sheet material. A profiled insert integral with the flat tube or constructed from another sheet of material can be used to define multiple flow channels through the flat tube. The flat tubes can be constructed of relatively thin material, and can be reinforced with folds of the flat tube material and/or of an insert in areas subject to higher pressure and thermal stresses. Also, the relatively thin flat tube material can have a corrosion layer enabling the material to resist failure due to corrosion. Heat exchangers having such flat tubes connected to collection tubes are also disclosed, as are manners in which such tubes can be provided with fins.

Abstract: The present invention provides a heat exchange system including, among other things, a radiator operable to remove heat from coolant, an air flow path extending through a first charge air cooler and a second charge air cooler, the first charge air cooler being operable to transfer heat from air to the coolant, the second charge air cooler being positioned downstream from the first charge air cooler along the air flow path to receive the air from the first charge air cooler and being operable to transfer heat from the air to the coolant, and a coolant circuit extending between a coolant pump, the radiator, and the first and second charge air coolers.

Abstract: A system and method for recovering energy from gases of an internal combustion engine in conjunction with exhaust gas recirculation is described and illustrated, and in some embodiments includes an exhaust gas recirculation valve and an exhaust gas recirculation heat exchanger, with a working medium which undergoes a cyclic process being evaporated in the exhaust gas recirculation heat exchanger by hot exhaust gases, and with resulting steam being converted into mechanical or electrical energy which is available as additional energy. To improve heat recovery with little technical expenditure, an exhaust gas control valve can interact with the exhaust gas recirculation heat exchanger, and can control the mass flow of exhaust gases flowing through the exhaust gas recirculation heat exchanger constantly in all operating phases of the internal combustion engine, approximately in the vicinity of the performance limit of energy recovery.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing tubes, in particular for heat exchangers, composed of endless ribbons on a roller mill, wherein the tubes are composed of at least two ribbons which are subjected to a shaping process on the roller mill, wherein perforations or predetermined break points are introduced into the ribbons at predetermined locations, wherein a step of making the perforations in the ribbons is carried out, after which the ribbons are combined to form the tube and after which individual tubes are separated off at the predetermined locations. The formation of the perforations or the predetermined break points in at least one of the two ribbons is performed within or at the end of the shaping process of the corresponding ribbon so that some of the pairs of rollers do not require a drive.

Abstract: The present invention provides a heat exchanger for transferring heat between a first working fluid and a second working fluid. The heat exchanger can include a corrugated fin positionable along a flow path of the first working fluid between adjacent tube walls and being operable to increase heat transfer between the first working fluid and the second working fluid. The fin can include a leg defined between adjacent folds. The heat exchanger can also include a plurality of convolutions extending inwardly from a distal end of the leg and terminating at different distances from the end.

Abstract: A layered core heat exchanger is provided, and includes first and second fluid flow passages defined by heat exchanger plates stacked one above the other. Fluids passing through the first and second fluid flow passages are in thermal communication with each other through the plates, in order to provide for the exchange of heat between the fluids. A third fluid flow passage is provided adjacent one of the flow paths, and has a lower fluid capacity than the first and second flow passages.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a plurality of solid oxide fuel cells arranged in a fuel cell stack, an integrated heat exchanger/reformer operable to partially reform an anode feed prior to entry into the fuel cell stack, an anode tailgas oxidizer, and an offgas flow path extending away from an anode side of the fuel cell stack and having a first branch to selectively combine offgas from the anode side of the fuel cell stack with fuel from a fuel source to comprise the anode feed to the fuel cell stack and a second branch to supply offgas from the anode side of the fuel cell stack to the anode tailgas oxidizer. The integrated heat exchanger/reformer transfers heat from the oxidized offgas from the anode tailgas oxidizer to the anode feed before the anode feed enters the anode side of the fuel cell stack. The offgas from the anode tailgas oxidizer provides the sole heat source for the anode feed traveling through the integrated heat exchanger/reformer.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation cooler that includes an inlet tank, an outlet tank, and an exhaust gas flow conduit in fluid communication with the inlet tank and the outlet tank. The exhaust gas flow conduit includes a first end, a second end, a first narrow side, a second narrow side, a first channel adjacent the first narrow side and extending between the first end and the second end, a second channel adjacent the second narrow side and extending between the first end and the second end, and a plurality of third channels located between the first channel and the second channel and extending between the first end and the second end. At least one of the inlet tank and the outlet tank includes a wall that inhibits exhaust gas from flowing through the first channel while allowing exhaust gas flow through the plurality of third channels.

Abstract: Flat heat exchanger tubes having two narrow and two broad sides are shown and described, wherein the flat tubes can be manufactured from two continuous strips having a relatively large curve on one longitudinal edge of the strips and having a relatively small curve on the other longitudinal edge of the strips. The two strips can be arranged laterally transposed with respect to one another to form the wall of the flat tubes, so that the relatively large curve of the longitudinal edge of one strip holds in itself the relatively small curve of the longitudinal edge of the other strip to form the narrow sides of the flat tubes. The strips can be formed with at least one further contoured portion which extends in the longitudinal direction of the flat tubes and which improves cohesion of the flat tube.

Abstract: An installation for soldering or for heat-treating workpieces (1) under a protective gas atmosphere, includes a workpiece transportation apparatus (2), an entrance (3) into the installation and an exit (4) out of the installation, a combustion-gas or heating-gas stream (B) which is conducted separately from the protective-gas stream (S) and brings the protective-gas stream (S) to operating temperature, and comprising an insulating means (5) which surrounds the installation. A considerable amount of energy is saved in that the combustion-gas or heating-gas stream (B) and the protective-gas stream (S) have approximately corresponding heat capacities and can be conducted through the installation in counterflow.

Abstract: A number of flat tubes, flat tube heat exchangers, and methods of manufacturing both are described and illustrated. The flat tubes can be constructed of one, two, or more pieces of sheet material. A profiled insert integral with the flat tube or constructed from another sheet of material can be used to define multiple flow channels through the flat tube. The flat tubes can be constructed of relatively thin material, and can be reinforced with folds of the flat tube material and/or of an insert in areas subject to higher pressure and thermal stresses. Also, the relatively thin flat tube material can have a corrosion layer enabling the material to resist failure due to corrosion. Heat exchangers having such flat tubes connected to collection tubes are also disclosed, as are manners in which such tubes can be provided with fins.

Abstract: A heat exchanger with a plurality of stacked flat tubes and a collecting tank having a wall extending around the entire periphery of, and connected to, the end of the stacked flat tubes. A first medium may be distributed through the collecting tank and flat tubes. Internal inserts are in the flat tubes, with the inserts being bonded between the broad sides of the tubes and, in the region of connection of the tubes to the collecting tank, being configured to compensate for length changes in the stacking direction caused by temperature changes, as by recesses in connectors such as wave flanks or by corrugated wave flanks. The flat tubes with inserts such as described may be separately provided for use in manufacture of heat exchangers.

Abstract: The invention provides a solid oxide fuel cell system including a fuel cell stack having an anode side and a cathode side, an anode tailgas oxidizer for oxidizing an anode exhaust flow from the anode side to produce an oxidized anode exhaust flow, and a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes a first inlet for receiving a cathode exhaust flow from the cathode side of the fuel cell stack, a second inlet for receiving the oxidized anode exhaust flow, and a mixing region for combining the cathode exhaust flow and the oxidized anode exhaust flow to produce a combined exhaust flow. An air flow path for supplying air to the fuel cell stack to support an energy-producing reaction in the fuel cell stack extends through the heat exchanger so that heat is transferred from the combined exhaust flow to the air traveling along the air flow path.

Abstract: An exhaust gas waste heat recovery heat exchanger includes a housing having a working fluid inlet, a working fluid outlet, an exhaust inlet, and an exhaust outlet, an exhaust flow path extending through the housing between the exhaust inlet and the exhaust outlet, and a working fluid flow path extending through the housing between the working fluid inlet and the working fluid outlet and having a first portion and a second portion. A flow of working fluid along the first portion of the working fluid flow path can be substantially counter to a flow of exhaust along the exhaust flow path, and the flow of working fluid along the second portion of the working fluid flow path can be substantially parallel to the flow of exhaust along the exhaust flow path.

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).