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 has at least one plate pair comprising first and second plates with a fluid flow passage defined between the first plate and second plates. The inlet opening and the outlet opening in each plate pair are proximate to a first end and an elongate flow barrier separates the fluid flow passage into inlet and outlet portions, wherein a gap through and the flow barrier is provided proximate to the second end of each plate pair. A flow obstruction is located in the gap of each plate pair, the flow obstruction having first and second arcuate sides and being spaced from the terminal end of the flow barrier. The flow obstruction is substantially crescent-shaped, such that a middle portion of the flow obstruction is wider than the opposed ends.

Abstract: A manifold structure for re-directing a fluid stream between first and second ends of a manifold cavity for delivering or discharging a fluid to or from a corresponding fluid transmitting device, such as a heat exchanger is disclosed. In particular, a a flow box enclosing a fluid transmitting device is disclosed wherein an incoming or outgoing fluid is re-directed between first and second directions when being delivered to or discharged from the enclosed fluid transmitting device In one embodiment, the manifold structure includes a first curved surface having a concave curvature for redirecting a fluid stream from a first direction to a second direction. In another embodiment, the manifold structure includes a second curved surface having a convex curvature that is disposed in facing, spaced-apart relationship to the first curved surface, the first and second curved surfaces together inducing swirling movement into the incoming or outgoing fluid stream.

Abstract: A heat transfer surface for a heat exchanger has a corrugated member having parallel spaced apart ridges and planar fin surfaces extending the ridges. Tabs are formed in the planar fin surfaces for forming counter-rotating vortices in the fluid flowing over the heat transfer surface, the tabs being lifted out of the surface of the planar fin surface and extending into or nesting within the openings formed by the corresponding tabs in the adjacent planar fin surface so as to achieve high fin density.

Abstract: A fluid channel formed with generally triangular-shaped performance enhancement features is disclosed. The fluid channels may be incorporated into heat exchanger or humidifier devices, the performance enhancement features generally having heat transfer and/or mass transfer performance enhancement applications. The heat transfer or mass transfer enhancement features are formed along the inner surfaces of the fluid flow passages of either the heat exchanger or humidifier plates and generally have sharp leading edges that create vortices in the fluid flowing through the passages. The heat or mass transfer enhancements protrude out of the inner surface of the fluid flow passages while leaving the outer surface of the fluid channel free of perforations. Alternatively, heat or mass transfer enhancements may be formed on separate inserts that are affixed to the inner surface of the fluid flow passages.

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 comprises: (a) at least one plate pair comprising a first plate and a second plate and having a first end and a second end; (b) a fluid flow passage for flow of a first fluid defined between the first plate and the second plate of each of said plate pairs; (c) an inlet opening and an outlet opening provided in each of said plate pairs, wherein the fluid flow passage extends between the inlet opening and the outlet opening, and wherein the inlet opening and the outlet opening in each said plate pair are proximate to the first end; (d) an elongate flow barrier separating the fluid flow passage of each said plate pair into an inlet portion in which the inlet is located, and an outlet portion in which the outlet is located, wherein the flow barrier extends from the first end to a terminal end proximate to the second end of the plate pair, and wherein the flow barrier includes a gap through which fluid flow communication is provided between the inlet portion and the outlet portion of the fluid f

Abstract: A fluid channel formed with generally triangular-shaped performance enhancement features is disclosed. The fluid channels may be incorporated into heat exchanger or humidifier devices, the performance enhancement features generally having heat transfer and/or mass transfer performance enhancement applications. The heat transfer or mass transfer enhancement features are formed along the inner surfaces of the fluid flow passages of either the heat exchanger or humidifier plates and generally have sharp leading edges that create vortices in the fluid flowing through the passages. The heat or mass transfer enhancements protrude out of the inner surface of the fluid flow passages while leaving the outer surface of the fluid channel free of perforations. Alternatively, heat or mass transfer enhancements may be formed on separate inserts that are affixed to the inner surface of the fluid flow passages.

Abstract: A manifold structure for re-directing a fluid stream between first and second ends of a manifold cavity for delivering or discharging a fluid to or from a corresponding fluid transmitting device, such as a heat exchanger is disclosed. In particular, a manifold structure formed within a flow box enclosing a fluid transmitting device is disclosed wherein the manifold structure re-directs an incoming or outgoing fluid to or from the fluid transmitting device, such as a heat exchanger, housed within the flow box. In one embodiment, the manifold structure comprises a first curved surface having a concave curvature for redirecting a fluid stream from a first direction to a second direction or vice versa. In another embodiment, the manifold structure further comprises a second curved surface having a convex curvature in facing, spaced-apart relationship to the first curved surface, the corresponding first and second curved surfaces inducing swirling movement into the fluid stream.

Abstract: A heat transfer surface and a heat exchanger comprising the heat transfer surface are disclosed, the heat transfer surface comprising a corrugated member having parallel spaced apart ridges and planar fin surfaces extending therebetween. The planar fins surfaces comprise tabs formed in the surface thereof for forming counter-rotating vortices in the fluid flowing over the heat transfer surface, the tabs being lifted out of the surface of the planar fin surface and extending into or nesting within the openings formed by the corresponding tabs in the adjacent planar fin surface so as to achieve high fin density.