Abstract: A dehumidifying air handling unit for a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) system includes a housing, a hollow desiccant drum configured to rotate within the housing, and a heat exchanger disposed within the hollow desiccant drum. The hollow desiccant drum includes channels that extend through a sidewall that surrounds an interior space. A desiccant is provided in the channels. The heat exchanger is configured to cool air flowing through the interior space of the hollow desiccant drum. A method of conditioning air includes rotating a hollow desiccant drum within a housing and directing the air to pass through the hollow desiccant drum.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a plurality of heat exchange layers stacked in a stackwise direction. Each of the layers includes a first plate and a second plate, each of the first plate and the second plate includes a portion of a first enclosed header, a second enclosed header and at least one flow channel that extends between the first enclosed header and the second enclosed header. The first plate and the second plate are fixedly attached to one another to completely define the first enclosed header, the second enclosed header, and the at least one flow channel. An inlet header is in fluid communication with the first enclosed header of each of the plurality of heat exchange layers to direct a flow of fluid to the heat exchange layers. An outlet header is in fluid communication with the second enclosed header of each of the plurality of heat exchange layers to direct the flow of fluid from the heat exchange layers.

Abstract: A heat exchanger (80) includes a plurality of heat exchange layers (95) stacked in a stackwise direction. Each of the layers includes a first plate (110) and a second plate (115), each of the first plate and the second plate includes a portion of a first enclosed header (120), a second enclosed header (125) and at least one flow channel (130) that extends between the first enclosed header and the second enclosed header. The first plate and the second plate are fixedly attached to one another to completely define the first enclosed header, the second enclosed header, and the at least one flow channel. An inlet header (85) is in fluid communication with the first enclosed header of each of the plurality of heat exchange layers (95) to direct a flow of fluid to the heat exchange layers. An outlet header is in fluid communication with the second enclosed header of each of the plurality of heat exchange layers to direct the flow of fluid from the heat exchange layers.

Abstract: A dryer operable to separate a portion of an entrained liquid from a flow of gas includes a pressure vessel to contain the flow of gas and entrained liquid within the pressure vessel. A precooler/reheater is positioned within the pressure vessel to cool the flow of gas and the entrained liquid and an evaporator is positioned within the pressure vessel to cool the flow of gas and the entrained liquid from the precooler/reheater. A separator receives the flow of gas and the entrained liquid from the evaporator and is operable to separate the flow of gas and the entrained liquid into a flow of substantially dry gas and a liquid. The liquid collects in the bottom of the pressure vessel. A drain valve is movable between an open position and a closed position in response to the quantity of liquid within the bottom of the pressure vessel.

Abstract: A dryer operable to separate a portion of an entrained liquid from a flow of gas includes a pressure vessel to contain the flow of gas and entrained liquid within the pressure vessel. A precooler/reheater is positioned within the pressure vessel to cool the flow of gas and the entrained liquid and an evaporator is positioned within the pressure vessel to cool the flow of gas and the entrained liquid from the precooler/reheater. A separator receives the flow of gas and the entrained liquid from the evaporator and is operable to separate the flow of gas and the entrained liquid into a flow of substantially dry gas and a liquid. The liquid collects in the bottom of the pressure vessel. A drain valve is movable between an open position and a closed position in response to the quantity of liquid within the bottom of the pressure vessel.

Abstract: A heat exchanger (80) includes a plurality of heat exchange layers (95) stacked in a stackwise direction. Each of the layers includes a first plate (110) and a second plate (115), each of the first plate and the second plate includes a portion of a first enclosed header (120), a second enclosed header (125) and at least one flow channel (130) that extends between the first enclosed header and the second enclosed header. The first plate and the second plate are fixedly attached to one another to completely define the first enclosed header, the second enclosed header, and the at least one flow channel. An inlet header (85) is in fluid communication with the first enclosed header of each of the plurality of heat exchange layers (95) to direct a flow of fluid to the heat exchange layers. An outlet header is in fluid communication with the second enclosed header of each of the plurality of heat exchange layers to direct the flow of fluid from the heat exchange layers.

Abstract: Heat exchangers including elongated hollow housings having inlet and outlet ports for circulating first and second fluid media through the housings and whereby each housing includes a heat exchanging core that is formed of a single, folded corrugated sheet. The sheet is formed with a series of parallel peaks and valleys running angularly to the direction of the sheet so that when the sheet is folded there are defined a plurality of channels by reason of the crisscross pattern of peaks and valleys crossing one another at right angles in the tightly folded configuration of the core. The folded configuration provides discrete respective channels for conveying the first and second fluid media. In the preferred embodiment of the heat exchangers, every fold of the corrugated sheet is in contact with the housing interior and thereby form alternating isolated channels without the need to use any top, bottom or side seals around the core.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for thoroughly sealing off the extreme ends of a corrugated folded plate (core) heat exchanger. Instead of using end caps to seal off the two ends of the heat exchanger, the ends are first compressed or “crushed” into a vertical seam, thereby maximizing the density of the core. The crushed ends are then pinched and/or trimmed and the seam is then welded closed. Another variation is to spin the ends of the heat exchanger so that the ends taper to a very small opening while also maximizing the density of the core. The small opening is then welded shut.