Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for optimizing a process of manufacturing a product. In one aspect, the method comprises repeatedly performing the following: i) selecting a configuration of input settings for manufacturing a product, based on a causal model that measures causal relationships between input settings and a measure of a quality of the product; ii) determining the measure of the quality of the product manufactured using the configuration of input settings; and iii) adjusting, based on the measure of the quality of the product manufactured using the configuration of input settings, the causal model.

Abstract: An evaporative heat exchanger including a plurality of parallel flow passages extending through the heat exchanger and together defining a first fluid flow path, and a plurality of substantially parallel stacked plates interleaved with the parallel flow passages. Each plate can have first, second, and third sets of flow channels, a first collection manifold adjacent to an end of the plate and connecting the first and second passes, and a second collection manifold. The second collection manifold can intersect the second set of flow channels and at least some of the third set of flow channels. The plate separates the first set of flow channels from the second collection manifold.

Abstract: A heat exchanger module configured for use in a vapor compression based climate control system including a suction line heat exchanger having a plurality of stacked plates configured to accommodate two separate fluid flow paths for heat exchange therebetween. The heat exchanger also includes a first inlet for flow of a high pressure subcooled fluid from a condenser to the module along a first fluid flow path, a first outlet for flow of a low pressure superheated fluid from the module to a compressor along a second fluid flow path, a second outlet for flow of the subcooled fluid from the module to an evaporator along a third fluid flow path, and a second inlet for flow of the low pressure superheated fluid from the evaporator to the module along a fourth fluid flow path. The module also includes a port block with a first conduit for the third fluid flow path and a second conduit for the fourth fluid flow path.

Abstract: An evaporative heat exchanger including a plurality of parallel flow passages extending through the heat exchanger and together defining a first fluid flow path, and a plurality of substantially parallel stacked plates interleaved with the parallel flow passages. Each plate can have first, second, and third sets of flow channels, a first collection manifold adjacent to an end of the plate and connecting the first and second passes, and a second collection manifold. The second collection manifold can intersect the second set of flow channels and at least some of the third set of flow channels. The plate separates the first set of flow channels from the second collection manifold.

Abstract: Energy consumption is minimized in the fuel cell system including a fuel cell 10 having a fuel inlet 14, an oxidant inlet 12, a cathode gas outlet 16 and an anode tail gas outlet 18. At least one humidifier 52,70; 54,72, is interposed between a source of air or fuel and includes an interior energy containing medium flow path 60,61; 62,64; 78,80; 72,84 in heat exchange relation with a reactant flow path 56,58; 74,76 together with a source 46 of water connected to the reactant flow path 56;58; 74,76 to be vaporized therein. The energy containing medium flow path 60,61; 62,64; 78,80; 82,84 is connected to one of the outlets 16,18 to receive a heated fluid therefrom to provide the heat of vaporization to the aqueous material.

Abstract: A heat exchanger specifically intended to act as a water heater by heating water utilizing heat rejected from a gaseous refrigerant in a refrigeration system includes first and second, generally parallel, spaced tubular water headers (10,12) with a plurality of water tubes (14) extending in spaced relation between the water headers (10,12) and in fluid communication therewith. An inlet (16) is provided to one of the headers (10) and water outlets (20,28,30) are provided from at least one of the water headers (10,12). A plurality of gas tubes (32), at least one for each water tube (14), are helically wound about a corresponding one of the water tubes (14) and have opposed ends (34,36) connected to respective ones of first and second, generally parallel, spaced gas headers (40,42).

Abstract: Degradation of membranes in fuel cells 10 due to dehydration by relatively dry incoming reactant gases is avoided through the use of a humidifier 56,58 in the incoming reactant streams, 12,14. At least one of the humidifiers 56,58 is formed in a stack 66 having alternating flow passages 68,70 with the former receiving reactant gases and including fins 102 therein and the latter receiving hot coolant from the fuel cell 10. The fins 102 in the flow spaces 68 are provided with a hydrophilic coating to foster filmwise evaporation of water introduced through a nozzle 82. The humidifier causes the reactant gas to attain a desired dewpoint before it is provided to the membranes of the fuel cell 10.

Abstract: An improved heat exchanger includes a first tube (10) of generally circular cross section having a relatively large inside diameter and being U-shaped with opposite ends (12,14) adjacent one another. A second tube having a cross section that is relatively small in relation to the cross section of the first tube (10) and helical shaped section (36) intermediate its ends (32,34) is located within the first tube (10) and extends through caps (44) at the ends (12,14) of the first tube (10) to be received in headers (38,40). The first tube (10) impales headers (26,28) and includes apertures (22,24) aligned with the headers (26,28) and in fluid communication with the interiors thereof.

Abstract: A heat exchanger including inlet and outlet header portions for a refrigerant (such as CO2), serpentine multiport tubes each with a plurality of aligned tube runs, and at least three plate assembly fluid paths. Each plate assembly fluid path includes a pair of spaced plates secured together at their edges to define an enclosed space with a fluid inlet and fluid outlet on opposite sides of the space. One plate of one fluid path is positioned against first aligned tube runs, one plate of a second of the fluid paths is positioned against second aligned tube runs, and a third fluid path is positioned between the first and second aligned tube runs. The plates may be substantially identical to one another.

Abstract: An improved heat exchanger includes a first tube (10) of generally circular cross section having a relatively large inside diameter and being U-shaped with opposite ends (12,14) adjacent one another. A second tube having a cross section that is relatively small in relation to the cross section of the first tube (10) and helical shaped section (36) intermediate its ends (32,34) is located within the first tube (10) and extends through caps (44) at the ends (12,14) of the first tube (10) to be received in headers (38,40). The first tube (10) impales headers (26,28) and includes apertures (22,24) aligned with the headers (26,28) and in fluid communication with the interiors thereof.

Abstract: A heat exchanger specifically intended to act as a water heater by heating water utilizing heat rejected from a gaseous refrigerant in a refrigeration system includes first and second, generally parallel, spaced tubular water headers (10, 12) with a plurality of water tubes (14) extending in spaced relation between the water headers (10, 12) and in fluid communication therewith. An inlet (16) is provided to one of the headers (10) and water outlets (20, 28, 30) are provided from at least one of the water headers (10, 12). A plurality of gas tubes (32), at least one for each water tube (14), are helically wound about a corresponding one of the water tubes (14) and have opposed ends (34, 36) connected to respective ones of first and second, generally parallel, spaced gas headers (40, 42).

Abstract: A heat exchanger including inlet and outlet header portions for a refrigerant (such as CO2), serpentine multiport tubes each with a plurality of aligned tube runs, and at least three plate assembly fluid paths. Each plate assembly fluid path includes a pair of spaced plates secured together at their edges to define an enclosed space with a fluid inlet and fluid outlet on opposite sides of the space. One plate of one fluid path is positioned against first aligned tube runs, one plate of a second of the fluid paths is positioned against second aligned tube runs, and a third fluid path is positioned between the first and second aligned tube runs. The plates may be substantially identical to one another.

Abstract: A method of providing volume production of highly pressure resistant headers (10), (12) is provided and allows the headers (10), (12) to be formed of a header structure (10), (12) with a relatively thin wall portion (32) and a relatively thick wall portion (30). A strip (40) is utilized to provide the desired thickness at the thin wall portion (32) while allowing both the thin wall portion (32) and the strip (40) to have tube slots (34), (42) formed therein by a one step punching operation.

Abstract: Energy consumption is minimized in the fuel cell system including a fuel cell 10 having a fuel inlet 14, an oxidant inlet 12, a cathode gas outlet 16 and an anode tail gas outlet 18. At least one humidifier 52,70; 54,72, is interposed between a source of air or fuel and includes an interior energy containing medium flow path 60,61; 62,64; 78,80; 72,84 in heat exchange relation with a reactant flow path 56,58; 74,76 together with a source 46 of water connected to the reactant flow path 56;58; 74,76 to be vaporized therein. The energy containing medium flow path 60,61; 62,64; 78,80; 82,84 is connected to one of the outlets 16,18 to receive a heated fluid therefrom to provide the heat of vaporization to the aqueous material.

Abstract: Degradation of membranes in fuel cells 10 due to dehydration by relatively dry incoming reactant gases is avoided through the use of a humidifier 56,58 in the incoming reactant streams, 12,14. At least one of the humidifiers 56,58 is formed in a stack 66 having alternating flow passages 68,70 with the former receiving reactant gases and including fins 102 therein and the latter receiving hot coolant from the fuel cell 10. The fins 102 in the flow spaces 68 are provided with a hydrophilic coating to foster filmwise evaporation of water introduced through a nozzle 82. The humidifier causes the reactant gas to attain a desired dewpoint before it is provided to the membranes of the fuel cell 10.

Abstract: A folded, elongated tube (28) is provided for use in a heat exchanger (10, 11). The tube (28) has a flattened cross section with a minor dimension (d) and a major dimension (D). The tube (28) includes a pair of parallel tube runs (36), and a folded section (40) connecting the pair of tube runs (36). The major dimensions (D) of the tube runs (36) lie in a common plane. The folded section (40) includes a U-shaped bend (42), a first twist (44), and a second twist (46). The U-shaped bend (42) includes a straight section (48) extending between two curved sections (50, 52), and has its major dimension (D) extending substantially transverse to the major dimension (D) of the tube runs (36). The first twist (44) connects one of the tube runs (36) to the curved section (50), and the second twist (46) connects the other tube run (36) to the other curved section (52) of the U-shaped bend (42).

Abstract: A serpentine, slit fin (26) is provided for a heat sink device (10) used for cooling a electronic component (12) having a surface (14) that rejects heat. The heat sink (10) includes a plate (16) having first and second surfaces (18, 20), with the first surface (18) configured to receive heat from the surface (14) of the electronic component (12). The fin (26) is bonded to the second surface and includes a plurality of offset sidewall portions (48). In one form, a fan (22) is spaced above the second surface (20) to direct an impingement airflow (24) towards the second surface (20) substantially perpendicular to the second surface (20), and the serpentine, slit fin (26) underlies the fan (22) and is bonded to the second surface (20).

Abstract: The efficiency of a heat exchanger used in applications where heat conduction between rows of conduits located from front to back of the heat exchanger and provided with common fins (42) is increased where the fins (42) are abutted to adjacent tube runs (22,24,26) in each row and extend from the front (28) to the back (30) of the heat exchanger so each fin (42) is common to each of the rows (22,24,26). Heat flow interrupters (56,58) are located in each fin (42) at locations aligned with spaces (27) between the runs (22,24,26). Each heat flow interrupter (56,58) is defined by a slit (62) extending completely through the fin 42 which is characterized by the absence of the removal of any material of which the fin (42) is made at the slit (62).

Abstract: A method of providing volume production of highly pressure resistant headers (10), (12) is provided and allows the headers (10), (12) to be formed of a header structure (10), (12) with a relatively thin wall portion (32) and a relatively thick wall portion (30). A strip (40) is utilized to provide the desired thickness at the thin wall portion (32) while allowing both the thin wall portion (32) and the strip (40) to have tube slots (34), (42) formed therein by a one step punching operation.

Abstract: A heat exchanger (10) preferably provides supercritical cooling to the refrigerant of a transcritical cooling system (12). The heat exchanger (10) includes a pair of elongated headers (20, 22) having longitudinal axes (24, 26) disposed substantially parallel to each other, a plurality of elongated tubes (28) spaced in side-by-side relation along the longitudinal axes (24, 26) of the headers (20, 22), and serpentine fins (30) extending between adjacent pairs of the tubes. Each of the tubes (28) has a first end (31) connected to the header (20) and a second end (32) connected to the other header (22) to the headers (20, 22).