Patents Assigned to Modine Manufacturing Company
  • Integrated solid oxide fuel cell and fuel processor
    Patent number: 8241801
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jeroen Valensa, Michael J. Reinke, Mark G. Voss
  • Flat tube, flat tube heat exchanger, and method of manufacturing same
    Patent number: 8191258
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Werner Zobel, Jens Nies, Roland Straehle, Siegfried Eisele, Bernhard Stephan
  • Water vaporizer with intermediate steam superheating pass
    Patent number: 8171985
    Abstract: The present invention provides a water vaporizer including a first flow path connected to a water inlet, a second flow path for receiving superheated water vapor from the first flow path and being connected to a vapor outlet to exhaust the superheated water vapor, and a third flow path extending between an exhaust inlet and an exhaust outlet and being oriented to transfer heat from an exhaust flow to the superheated water vapor. The water vaporizer can also include a first convoluted fin positioned along the second flow path, and a second convoluted fin positioned along the second flow path adjacent to and separated from the first fin to define a gap extending between the first and second fins along a length of the first fin in a direction substantially parallel to the exhaust flow along the third flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jeroen Valensa, Adam Kimmel, Michael Reinke
  • Water vaporizer with intermediate steam superheating pass
    Patent number: 8136582
    Abstract: A vaporizing heat exchanger (10, 68) is provided for vaporizing a fluid flow using a thermal energy containing flow. Flow paths (24, 26, 28) for each of the fluid flow and the thermal energy containing flow are located relative to each other such that the fluid flow makes multiple passes wherein the fluid is vaporized and subsequently superheated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jeroen Valensa, Michael J. Reinke, Alan P. Meissner
  • COMPACT AIR PREHEATER FOR SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20120015258
    Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, a method of operating a solid oxide fuel cell system including a fuel cell stack. The method can include the acts of combining an exhaust flow from an anode side of the fuel cell stack and an exhaust flow from a cathode side of the fuel cell stack, transferring heat from the combined exhaust flow to a first air flow, and combining a second air flow and the heated first air flow upstream from the fuel cell stack to control a temperature of the combined air flow entering the cathode side of the solid oxide fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: MODINE MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeroen Valensa, Liping Cao, Mark G. Voss, Nicholas Siler
  • Flat tube, flat tube heat exchanger, and method of manufacturing same
    Patent number: 8091621
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Werner Zobel, Jens Nies, Bernhard Stephan, Charles James Rogers, Thomas Feldhege
  • Heat exchanger
    Patent number: 8091617
    Abstract: A heat exchanger, such as a condenser or a gas cooler for an air-conditioning system of a motor vehicle, has at least two fin/tube cores which have, on two opposite sides of the fin/tube cores, at least two collecting tubes which can have a flow connection to one another. The collecting tubes can have connecting or junction members which each co-operate with a closure plate or separating plate in order to make the heat exchanger easier to manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Timo Kirschenmann
  • Heat exchanger block
    Patent number: 8061410
    Abstract: A heat exchanger block including at least two heat exchangers each including a pair of longitudinal headers with tubes extending between the headers, at least some of which are aluminum cast parts. Adjacent heat exchangers are detachably connected at adjacent ends of their headers wherein one of the adjacent headers includes a recessed portion in the adjacent end and the other of the adjacent headers includes a flange receivable in the recess of the one header. Matching holes extend through the flange and the one header end, and a fastener extends through the matching holes in the ends of at least one set of adjacent headers. Shroud attachments are along a longitudinal wall of at least one of the longitudinal headers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Norbert Machanek
  • Compact air preheater for solid oxide fuel cell systems
    Patent number: 8048583
    Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, a method of operating a solid oxide fuel cell system including a fuel cell stack. The method can include the acts of combining an exhaust flow from an anode side of the fuel cell stack and an exhaust flow from a cathode side of the fuel cell stack, transferring heat from the combined exhaust flow to a first air flow, and combining a second air flow and the heated first air flow upstream from the fuel cell stack to control a temperature of the combined air flow entering the cathode side of the solid oxide fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jeroen Valensa, Liping Cao, Mark G. Voss, Nicholas Siler
  • Heat exchanger and method of manufacturing
    Patent number: 8033321
    Abstract: A heat exchanger comprising at least one pipe (1) and at least one lamina (2), for exchanging heat between a first coolant that flows through the pipe (1) and a second coolant that wets the heat exchanger under the influence of centrifugal forces in order to be cooled and to be available to further cool a rotating machine element (3) that is situated in a housing (4). The heat exchanger is of approximately ring-shaped design, essentially surrounds the rotating machine element (3) and is integrated into the housing (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignees: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG, Modine Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Viktor Brost, Rainer Kaesinger, Ivo Agner, Oliver Noehl, Johannes Arnold
  • Heat exchanger
    Patent number: 8033323
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heat exchanger having a bundle of tubes, which can be inserted into a tubular housing. Exhaust gas can flow through the tubes. A coolant duct can be arranged between the tubes. The bundle of tubes can have at least one grid-like securing structure which supports the bundle in the housing. The behavior of the heat exchanger with respect to vibrations is improved by virtue of the fact that the grid-like metallic securing structure includes integral hook-shaped protrusions which are deformed in the opposite direction to the insertion direction of the bundle into the housing. The spring force is directed against the housing in order to dampen vibrations. The heat exchanger can also include an elastic device for permitting a change in length caused by temperature changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Harald Schatz, Stefan Muller-Lufft, Heitel Ingo, Omur Acar, Jorg Soldner, Michael Daniel, Bjorn Volquardsen
  • Annular or ring shaped fuel cell unit
    Patent number: 8026013
    Abstract: A fuel cell unit includes a plurality of angularly spaced fuel cell stacks arranged to form a ring-shaped structure about a central axis, each of the fuel cell stacks having a stacking direction extending parallel to the central axis. The fuel cell unit also includes an annular cathode feed manifold surrounding the fuel cell stacks to deliver a cathode feed flow thereto, a plurality of baffles extending parallel to the central axis, each of the baffles located between an adjacent pair of the fuel cell stacks to direct a cathode feed flow from the annular cathode feed manifold and radially inwardly through the adjacent pair, and an annular cathode exhaust manifold surrounded by the fuel cell stacks to receive a cathode exhaust flow therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jeroen Valensa, Michael J. Reinke, Mark G. Voss
  • Exhaust gas heat exchanger and method of operating the same
    Patent number: 8020610
    Abstract: The invention relates to an exhaust gas heat exchanger in an exhaust gas recirculation arrangement. The heat exchanger includes a plate stack which is surrounded by a housing. The plate stack can include two plates which are connected at their longitudinal edges to form a flat tube which contains a turbulator through which exhaust gas flows. The heat exchanger can also include a coolant duct which is equipped with flow directing elements arranged between two flat tubes. In order to make the exhaust gas heat exchanger more resistant to changing temperature stresses, the invention provides that the flow directing elements can be formed from a corrugated plate in which ducts with inlets and outlets are formed. At least some of the ducts in the inlet area of the coolant have a nonlinear profile so that changes in length are permitted between the plate stack and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jörg Soldner, Sven Thumm, Roland Strähle, Harald Schatz
  • Heat exchanger and method of mounting
    Patent number: 8016025
    Abstract: The invention involves a heat exchanger in modular circuit board design, with a connecting plate, in particular a charge air cooler, which is located in a housing into which the charge air flows in and out, at which the air flows through the charge air cooler, and at which the housing has a mounting opening into which the charge air cooler can be inserted and installed by means of its connecting plate. The construction improves the absorption of oscillation and vibration, if, according to the invention, the body of the heat exchanger is equipped with mounting devices which work together with corresponding mounting devices in the interior of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignees: Modine Manufacturing Company, Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Viktor Brost, Denis Bazika, Manfred Kloft, Michael Deneke
  • Recuperative Heat Exchanger, Fuel Cell System Including Recuperative Heat Exchanger, and Method of Operating Same
    Publication number: 20110209859
    Abstract: A heat exchanger, such as a cathode recuperator for a high temperature fuel cell system, has a corrugated separator, a barrier and a plurality of flow channels. The corrugated separator has a surface positioned along a heat exchange fluid flow path, opposite ends of the separator having flattened corrugations. The barrier is positioned adjacent the surface. The plurality of flow channels are in the heat exchange fluid flow path and are at least partially defined by the surface and the barrier. The flattened corrugations are positioned adjacent crests in the corrugated separator and secured to the barrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: MODINE MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael J. Reinke, Jeroen Valensa, Michael N. McGregor
  • Multi-passing liquid cooled charge air cooler with coolant bypass ports for improved flow distribution
    Patent number: 7992628
    Abstract: A liquid cooled charge air cooler includes a plurality of pairs of adjacent separator plates supported in parallel spaced relation. The pairs alternatingly define a first set of adjacent pairs in fluid communication with a charge air inlet and a charge air outlet, and a second set of adjacent pairs in fluid communication with a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet. Fins extend between adjacent plates of the first set of adjacent pairs to define a charge air flow path between the charge air inlet and the charge air outlet. A plurality of dams extend between adjacent plates of the second set of adjacent pairs in a select offset configuration to define a multi-pass coolant flow path between the coolant inlet and the coolant outlet. Each dam includes an associated bypass port allowing a portion of coolant to bypass at least a portion of the coolant flow path through the dams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Robert M. Melby, Jason J. Braun, Thomas J. Reiss, David E. Janke
  • Process and apparatus for thermally integrated hydrogen generation system
    Patent number: 7964176
    Abstract: Relates to a process and apparatus that improves the hydrogen production efficiency for small scale hydrogen production. According to one aspect, the process provides heat exchangers that are thermally integrated with the reaction steps such that heat generated by exothermic reactions, combustion and water gas shift, are arranged closely to the endothermic reaction, steam reformation, and heat sinks, cool natural gas, water and air, to minimize heat loss and maximize heat recovery. Effectively, this thermally integrated process eliminates excess piping throughout, reducing initial capital cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignees: Chevron U.S.A. Inc., Modine Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Curtis L. Krause, Kevin H. Nguyen, Bhaskar Balasubramanian, Yunquan Liu, Jeroen Valensa, Michael J. Reinke, Mark G. Voss, Todd M. Bandhauer
  • Flat tube, flat tube heat exchanger, and method of manufacturing same
    Patent number: 7921559
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Werner Zobel, Jens Nies, Roland Straehle, Rainer Käsinger, Siegfried Eisele, Bernhard Stephan
  • Heat exchanger and method
    Patent number: 7921904
    Abstract: A heat exchanger including a tube having inlet ends and outlet ends and defining a flow path therebetween. The tube can have a first section and a second section arranged at an angle with respect to the first section. Each of the first section and the second section can include a first subsection and a second subsection arranged at an angle with respect to the first subsection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jerome A. Matter, Gregory T. Kohler, Edward A. Robinson, Mark W. Johnson
  • SOLDERED FLAT TUBE FOR CONDENSERS AND/OR EVAPORATORS
    Publication number: 20110005738
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a soldered flat tube for condensers and/or for evaporators in air-conditioning systems, in particular in motor vehicles, which can be produced by deformation of endless aluminum sheet-metal strips, has two narrow sides and two wide sides and also has inner passages with a hydraulic diameter which is greater than or equal to 0.254 mm, and the flat tube has a tube wall thickness of less than 0.25 mm, wherein both narrow sides are reinforced by having at least double the thickness of the remaining tube wall thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: MODINE MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Frank Vetter, Werner Zobel, Daniel Borst