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: An integrated steam reformer/combustor assembly (42) is provided for use in a fuel processor (20) that supplies a steam/fuel feed mix (34) to be reformed in the assembly and a combustor feed (40) to be combusted in the assembly (42). The assembly (42) includes a housing (44,58) defining first and second axially extending, concentric annular passages in heat transfer relation to each other; a first convoluted fin (46) located in the first passage to direct the feed mix therethrough, the first convoluted fin coated with a catalyst that induces a desired reaction in the feed mix; and a second convoluted fin (50) located in the second passage to direct the combustor feed therethrough, the second convoluted fin coated with a catalyst that induces a desired reaction in the combustor feed.

Abstract: A combustor preheater (94) is provided for use in a fuel processor (20) to preheat a combustor feed (40) by transferring heat from a post water-gas shift reformate flow (32) to the combustor feed (40). The combustor preheater (94) includes a housing (92) defining first and second axially extending, concentric annular passages in heat transfer relation to each other; a first convoluted fin (96) located in the first passage to direct the post water-gas shift reformate flow (32) therethrough and a second convoluted fin (98) located in the second passage to direct the combustor feed therethrough.

Abstract: A fuel processing system is provided wherein heat is transferred from a reformate flow (32) downstream from a water-gas shift (38) to both a) a combustor feed flow (40) that is supplied to a combustor (25); and b) a water flow (26) that is supplied to a reformer feed mix (34) for a steam reformer (28).

Abstract: A recuperative heat exchanger (36) is provided for use in a fuel processor (20), the heat exchanger (36) transferring heat from a fluid flow (34) at one stage of a fuel processing operation to the fluid flow (32) at another stage of the fuel processing operation. The heat exchanger (36) includes a housing (56) defining first and second axially extending, concentric annular passages in heat transfer relation to each other; a first convoluted fin (70) located in the first passage to direct the fluid flow therethrough; and a second convoluted fin (72) located in the second passage to direct the fluid flow therethrough.

Abstract: A vaporizer, a fuel cell system including the vaporizer, and a method of vaporizing fuel in a fuel cell system are disclosed. The fuel cell system includes a fuel reservoir (24) for storing a liquid fuel and a fuel cell (10) for consuming a fuel and generating electricity therefrom. A fuel vaporizer (28) is interposed between the fuel reservoir (24) and the fuel cell (10) for receiving liquid fuel and vaporizing it and delivering it ultimately to the fuel cell (10). The fuel vaporizer (28) includes a heat exchanger which includes a hot fluid inlet (65), a hot fluid outlet (67) and a core (50) interconnecting the inlet (65) and the outlet (68). The core (50) has alternating fuel flow structures (68) and hot fluid structures (69) with the fuel flow structures (68,69) having an inlet (56) and an outlet (58).

Abstract: A vaporizer, a fuel cell system including the vaporizer, and a method of vaporizing fuel in a fuel cell system are disclosed. The fuel cell system includes a fuel reservoir (24) for storing a liquid fuel and a fuel cell (10) for consuming a fuel and generating electricity therefrom. A fuel vaporizer (28) is interposed between the fuel reservoir (24) and the fuel cell (10) for receiving liquid fuel and vaporizing it and delivering it ultimately to the fuel cell (10). The fuel vaporizer (28) includes a heat exchanger which includes a hot fluid inlet (65), a hot fluid outlet (67) and a core (50) interconnecting the inlet (65) and the outlet (68). The core (50) has alternating fuel flow structures (68) and hot fluid structures (69) with the fuel flow structures (68,69) having an inlet (56) and an outlet (58).

Abstract: Slow production speeds in the manufacture of lanced and offset fins for use in heat exchanger tubes are eliminated through the use of a method of forming the fins involving a plurality of roll assemblies located along a forming path which may operate on a strip of fin forming material of indeterminate length. After being formed, the fin may be cut to any desired length.

Abstract: Slow production speeds in the manufacture of lanced and offset fins for use in heat exchanger tubes are eliminated through the use of a method of forming the fins involving a plurality of roll assemblies located along a forming path which may operate on a strip of fin forming material of indeterminate length. After being formed, the fin may be cut to any desired length.

Abstract: The lack of flexibility in selecting locations for inlets or outlets or crossovers for a heat exchange fluid in a heat exchanger can be minimized in a heat exchanger construction including first and second spaced, generally parallel, tubular headers (10), (12) having opposed ends with a plurality of tubes (20) in parallel and spaced from one another which extend between and have their ends in fluid communication with the interior of the headers (10), (12). An adapter in fluid communication with the interior of the headers (10), (12) is fixed to the exterior of the heat exchanger to place the heat exchanger in communication with fluid conduits that may be disposed in a variety of locations in relation to the heat exchanger.

Abstract: The lack of flexibility in selecting locations for inlets or outlets or crossovers for a heat exchange fluid in a heat exchanger can be minimized in a heat exchanger construction including first and second spaced, generally parallel, tubular headers (10), (12) having opposed ends with a plurality of tubes (20) in parallel and spaced from one another which extend between and have their ends in fluid communication with the interior of the headers (10), (12). A plurality of fins (22) are located between the headers (10), (12) in heat exchange relation with the plurality of tubes (20) and side pieces, (30) and (32) flank the plurality of tubes (20) as well as the plurality of fins (22) and extend between and are fastened to corresponding ones of the headers (10), (12).

Abstract: A radiator and shroud assembly including a generally planar radiator core 10 having a plurality of generally parallel tubes 12 interconnected by fins 14 with opposed ends defined by tanks 16 and joined by spaced sides 18 which are generally parallel to the tubes 12. Each of the sides 18 has at least one fastener receiving aperture 26 and mounting brackets 30, 32 abuts the side pieces 18 and have a truss-like configuration which is made fluid impervious by thin web 84. Fasteners 42 extend through core apertures 26 and aligned apertures 40 in the brackets 30, 32 to secure the brackets 30, 32 in essentially nominally sealed relation to the core 10. A fan shroud 50 is similarly mounted to the brackets 30, 32.

Abstract: An easily assembled and readily serviceable heat exchanger module particularly suited for vehicular application includes at least two adjacent heat exchangers. At least one of the heat exchangers has a side defined by an outwardly opening channel which in turn receives a plastic bar or strip. The bar is provided with a plurality of relatively deep recesses which are alignable with holes in the channel. The bottoms of the recesses are sufficiently thin as to be easily penetrable by a threaded fastener extending through the holes in the channel and into the recesses for securing components of the module together and yet are sufficiently thick as to prevent the flow of fluid through the recesses to thereby assure that heat exchange fluid will pass through the heat exchangers.

Abstract: A heat transfer device comprising in one embodiment concentric tubes with spaced surfaces to define a fluid flow space through which a heat transfer fluid is directed and with this space being spanned by a series of fins extending between the tubes with at least one of the tubes being provided with spaced contact members extending toward the other tube and engaging the fins compressively to provide snug heat transfer contact between the boundary members or tubes and the fins so as to compensate for variations in the dimensions in one or both of the tubes and fins.

Abstract: A fuel heater having a fuel passage therethrough and heated means as a part of the heater with a valve body movable between a first position and a second position by a temperature responsive means, the valve body at the first position directing the fuel through a first path in heat receiving relationship with the heated means and at the second position directing substantially all the fuel through a second path away from the heated means. The heater also includes hinge means operatively connecting the elongated valve stem and the valve body for permitting relative lateral movement therebetween and thereby tending to prevent binding of the valve body in a tube in which the valve body and stem are located.

Abstract: A fuel heater having a fuel passage through the heater and heated means as a part of the heater with a valve movable between first and second positions, the valve at the first position directing the fuel through a first path in heat receiving relationship with the heated means and at the second position directing substantially all the fuel through a second path away from the heated means so that the fuel is not substantially heated and movable temperature responsive means responsive to the temperature of the fuel in the heater for moving the valve means between the first and second positions, valve means directing portions of the fuel through both said paths when between said first and second positions.

Abstract: A self-draining heat exchanger that is particularly adaptable in solar heat systems that drains automatically when the flow of liquid such as water is interrupted. The exchanger includes a plurality of tubes arranged for sequential flow of liquid therethrough with drainage valve means that are held closed by the inflowing liquid and that are opened by the weight of the liquid within the heat exchanger when this flow is interrupted to drain the liquid containing parts of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A heat exchanger structure including a rectangular heat exchanger with transverse passages for exchanging heat between at least two heat exchange fluids and a supporting frame with open sides, top and bottom for engaging the corresponding edge portions of the heat exchanger through a sealing gasket means for both supporting the heat exchanger and sealing the fluid passages for the heat exchange fluid from each other. A top of the frame is hinged and is clamped to an opposite side of the frame with releasable clamps so as to apply pressure to the heat exchanger through sealing gaskets but with the top being readily released when access to the heat exchanger is desired as for cleaning. The hinged top is provided with a projecting lever adjacent to the hinge so that as the hinged top is moved away from the heat exchanger it breaks the seal automatically at the gaskets for aid in servicing the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A heat exchange system for exchange between fluids such as water and air as in a heat recovery system in which a first fluid is passed through a first conduit which may be in the form of pipes and a second fluid such as air is passed through a second conduit that surrounds the first and including baffles for directing the second fluid in heat exchange contact flow between the spaced pipes and back into the air conduit. At least one of the baffles is shaped to be flow diverting to divert the flow of the second fluid laterally over the first conduit and back toward the center of the second conduit so as to provide an undulating flow.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for exchanging heat between first and second gases such as for preheating the inlet air to a gas heating unit from exhaust air in which the exchanger comprises a core unit of a stack of generally planar serpentine fins each defining side-by-side gas flow passages between the adjacent side portions of the fins and means for mounting the stack of fins with some of these passages extending in one direction for a first gas and others of the passages extending generally transversely to the first gas passages for flow of the second gas in heat exchange relationship with the first gas, resilient gaskets at the edges of the unit for resiliently mounting the unit for yielding compensation for thermal dimensional changes and for sealing the gases from each other, a frame in which the unit is positioned with the frame comprising edge members engaging and bearing against the edge gaskets to apply pressure thereto and clamps for drawing the frame members together and toward the core unit to provide a rigi