Abstract: An LED device includes a multi-sided heat spreader element with a longitudinal multi-sided wall at least partly enclosing an internal space, with a plurality of LEDs mounted to the outer surface the heat spreader element, and a flow space for a cooling medium in the internal space. The tubular heat spreader element has at least one layer of a thermally conductive metal which is bendable from a flat shape to the multi-sided shape. The multi-sided shape may be tubular with a smoothly curved or multi-faceted polygonal wall. The wall of the LED device may incorporate two-phase cooling elements such as vapor chambers to maintain the LEDs at a constant temperature, and may include a temperature-controlled fan unit to control the LED temperature, and also control the wavelength and frequency of light emitted by the LEDs. A method for manufacturing the LED device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle heating/cooling system has first and second fluid circulation loops for circulating engine coolant and automotive fluid. A first heat exchanger transfers heat from the coolant to air for the passenger compartment. A second heat exchanger transfers heat between the coolant and automotive fluid. A first valve has first and second inlets for receiving coolant from hot and cold coolant sources, and an outlet for discharging coolant to the second heat exchanger. A second valve has an inlet for receiving coolant from the first coolant source, and an outlet for discharging coolant to the first inlet of the first valve. The valve positions change with temperature of the coolant and the automotive fluid, providing preferential heating of the passenger compartment during cold start-up of the vehicle. The second heat exchanger and valves may be provided in a temperature control module.

Abstract: A system, a differential, and method for maintaining temperature of a fluid circulating in a housing enclosing a gear system, contains a first heat exchanger positioned interior the housing. A first insulation layer is coupled to the housing and having a face in complete contact with the housing. A second fluid passageway formed between the outer surface of the gear and the primary heat transfer surface for the flow of the fluid circulating within the housing therethrough, wherein the fluid is brought into heat transfer relationship with the first heat exchange fluid flowing through said heat exchanger by means of rotation of the gear system.

Abstract: An LED device includes a multi-sided heat spreader element with a longitudinal multi-sided wall at least partly enclosing an internal space, with a plurality of LEDs mounted to the outer surface the heat spreader element, and a flow space for a cooling medium in the internal space. The tubular heat spreader element has at least one layer of a thermally conductive metal which is bendable from a flat shape to the multi-sided shape. The multi-sided shape may be tubular with a smoothly curved or multi-faceted polygonal wall. The wall of the LED device may incorporate two-phase cooling elements such as vapor chambers to maintain the LEDs at a constant temperature, and may include a temperature-controlled fan unit to control the LED temperature, and also control the wavelength and frequency of light emitted by the LEDs. A method for manufacturing the LED device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle heating/cooling system has first and second fluid circulation loops for circulating engine coolant and automotive fluid. A first heat exchanger transfers heat from the coolant to air for the passenger compartment. A second heat exchanger transfers heat between the coolant and automotive fluid. A first valve has first and second inlets for receiving coolant from hot and cold coolant sources, and an outlet for discharging coolant to the second heat exchanger. A second valve has an inlet for receiving coolant from the first coolant source, and an outlet for discharging coolant to the first inlet of the first valve. The valve positions change with temperature of the coolant and the automotive fluid, providing preferential heating of the passenger compartment during cold start-up of the vehicle. The second heat exchanger and valves may be provided in a temperature control module.

Abstract: A system, a differential, and method for maintaining temperature of a fluid circulating in a housing enclosing a gear system, contains a first heat exchanger positioned interior the housing. A first insulation layer is coupled to the housing and having a face in complete contact with the housing. A second fluid passageway formed between the outer surface of the gear and the primary heat transfer surface for the flow of the fluid circulating within the housing therethrough, wherein the fluid is brought into heat transfer relationship with the first heat exchange fluid flowing through said heat exchanger by means of rotation of the gear system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heat exchanger having heat exchange plates and a base plate that can help to mitigate the thermal stresses encountered by a heat exchanger, particularly, around the peripheral edge portions of the heat exchanger and the base of heat exchanger. This is achieved by providing a channel of coolant fluid near the peripheral edge portions which is in between the peripheral edge portions and the manifold permitting flow of hot fluid. In addition, the base plate of the heat exchanger is protected from the hot fluid flowing through the manifold by providing deflectors that shield the base plate from the hot fluid.

Abstract: A heat exchanger apparatus includes a housing that defines a flow passage for a first fluid. The housing has a housing fluid inlet and a housing fluid outlet communicating with the flow passage. A first heat exchanger is located within the flow passage of the housing between the housing fluid inlet and the housing fluid outlet. The first heat exchanger has a plurality of channels for transmitting a second fluid through the first heat exchanger. The heat exchanger apparatus also includes a flow diverter in the flow passage, between the housing fluid inlet and the first heat exchanger, for diverting some of the first fluid to a by-pass region of the flow passage that by-passes the first heat exchanger. As well, a flow control device is in communication with the housing fluid inlet and controls a volume and location of the first fluid entering the flow passage.

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 valve apparatus for controlling the flow of two sources of a first fluid while preventing mixing of the two fluid sources is disclosed along with a system incorporating the same. The valve apparatus has a first valve chamber with a first valve mechanism for controlling the flow of a first fluid, such as a heated coolant, from a first source. A second valve chamber with a second valve mechanism controls the flow of a first fluid, such as a cooled coolant, from a second source, the first and second valve chambers being fluidly isolated from each other. At least one thermal actuator arranged within a control chamber or control manifold controls operation of the first and second valve mechanisms, the thermal actuator having a first activation temperature for controlling the first valve mechanism and a second activation temperature for controlling the second valve mechanism.

Abstract: A heat recovery device such as an EGHR device includes a bypass valve, a gas/liquid heat exchanger and a flow duct. The flow duct has an open top and an open bottom. A top surface of the duct seals to a surface surrounding an opening of a gas flow conduit, such as an exhaust pipe. A duct wall extends from the top surface to the bottom surface, to which the heat exchanger is secured. The flow duct provides a passage through gas flows between the gas flow conduit and the heat exchanger. The bypass valve is mounted in the flow duct and is movable between a bypass position and a heat exchange position. The bypass valve may be mounted adjacent to the top or bottom of the duct, and may be a butterfly-type valve, a one-sided flap valve, or a pair of one-sided flap valves.

Abstract: A valve apparatus for controlling the flow of two sources of a first fluid while preventing mixing of the two fluid sources is disclosed along with a system incorporating the same. The valve apparatus has a first valve chamber with a first valve mechanism for controlling the flow of a first fluid, such as a heated coolant, from a first source. A second valve chamber with a second valve mechanism controls the flow of a first fluid, such as a cooled coolant, from a second source, the first and second valve chambers being fluidly isolated from each other. At least one thermal actuator arranged within a control chamber or control manifold controls operation of the first and second valve mechanisms, the thermal actuator having a first activation temperature for controlling the first valve mechanism and a second activation temperature for controlling the second valve mechanism.

Abstract: A plate-type heat exchanger comprising a plurality of spaced-apart stacked plate pairs, the plate pairs each comprised of first and second plates. The first and second plates each having an elongated central, planar portion surrounded by peripheral edge portions, the peripheral edge portions of the first and second plates being sealably joined together to form a first set of fluid passages in the heat exchanger. The first and second plates are provided with boss portions at respective ends of the plates, one of the boss portions being an elongated boss portion having a first position and a second position for the location of a fluid opening. The first and second heat exchanger plates are identical in structure and can be used to form various heat exchangers using the single plate design.

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 device for recovering heat from a hot gas stream comprises a gas diverter valve and a gas/liquid heat exchanger. The diverter valve comprises a valve body; a valve element movable between a bypass position and a heat exchange position; and a gas inlet and a gas outlet formed in the valve body. The heat exchanger comprises a heat exchanger core comprised of a stack of core plates arranged parallel to the exhaust gas flow path, and the heat exchanger is located outside the exhaust gas flow path and may be spaced therefrom so as to avoid unwanted heat transfer with the valve in bypass mode. The heat exchanger may include a bottom-most gas flow path adjacent to the bottom plate, and may include a mounting plate which is mechanically secured to the valve body, with a thermally insulating gasket provided between the mounting plate and the valve body.

Abstract: A heat recovery device comprises a gas flow conduit, a gas/liquid heat exchanger and a gas diverter valve provided in the gas flow conduit, the valve being movable between a bypass position and a heat exchange position. The gas flow conduit includes a divergent branch point at which it is divided into a bypass branch conduit and a heat exchange branch conduit. The bypass branch conduit bypasses the heat exchanger, and the heat exchange branch conduit includes an upstream conduit portion and a downstream conduit portion. The gas flow direction from the upstream conduit portion into the gas inlet opening of the heat exchanger diverges in a direction away from the overall gas flow direction, permitting the heat exchanger to be spaced away from the exhaust gas conduit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heat exchanger having heat exchange plates and a base plate that can help to mitigate the thermal stresses encountered by a heat exchanger, particularly, around the peripheral edge portions of the heat exchanger and the base of heat exchanger. This is achieved by providing a channel of coolant fluid near the peripheral edge portions which is in between the peripheral edge portions and the manifold permitting flow of hot fluid. In addition, the base plate of the heat exchanger is protected from the hot fluid flowing through the manifold by providing deflectors that shield the base plate from the hot fluid.

Abstract: A plate-type heat exchanger comprising a plurality of spaced-apart stacked plate pairs, the plate pairs each comprised of first and second plates. The first and second plates each having an elongated central, planar portion surrounded by peripheral edge portions, the peripheral edge portions of the first and second plates being sealably joined together to form a first set of fluid passages in the heat exchanger. The first and second plates are provided with boss potions at respective ends of the plates, one of the boss portions being an elongated boss portion having a first position and a second position for the location of a fluid opening. The first and second heat exchanger plates are identical in structure and can be used to form various heat exchangers using the single plate design.

Abstract: An annular heat exchanger for cooling hot gases comprises an inner shell, an intermediate shell and an outer shell. Where the heat exchanger is integrated with a catalytic converter for treatment of hot exhaust gases in a motor vehicle, the inner shell contains a catalyst for treatment of the exhaust gases. Inner and outer gas flow passages are provided between the shells, and a coolant flow passage is provided, either on the outer surface of the outer shell, or between the intermediate and outer shells. The exhaust gases change direction twice as they pass through the heat exchanger, and the annular structure of the heat exchanger provides a large surface area, and a large flow section, relative to volume, and thereby provides effective heat exchange without significantly increasing space requirements.

Abstract: A cylindrical heat exchanger for use as a gas cooler in a thermal regenerative machine such as a Stirling engine includes an imperforate middle wall of sufficient strength and thickness to withstand the pressure exerted by the working fluid. The heat exchanger includes an inner corrugated wall located within an axial gas flow passage inside the middle wall, and an outer corrugated wall which defines an axial coolant flow passage along the outer surface of the middle wall. The coolant flow passage preferably contains a corrugated intermediate wall.