Abstract: A heat exchanger core consists of first and second fluid channels, each configured to direct flow of respective fluids through the heat exchanger core. Each first fluid channel includes first fluid flow assemblies having inner channels formed by inner channel walls that contain the first fluid, each inner channel surrounded by a barrier channel having a barrier channel wall that isolates the barrier channel from the second fluid. One or more barrier channel vanes support the inner channel within the barrier channel. Each barrier channel provides a void space between the inner channel wall and the barrier channel wall, thereby fluidly separating the first fluid from the second fluid. Each barrier channel can receive the first or second fluid in the event of a breach of the inner channel wall or the barrier channel wall, thereby preventing intra-fluid contamination.

Abstract: A check valve has a valve seat defining an aperture and a seating surface. A stop is fixed in position relative to the valve seat and has a solid portion formed as a single homogeneous component. At least one cavity is sealed within the solid portion and is at least partially filed with a particulate material. The solid portion defines a contact surface. A flapper is moveable between a closed position in which the flapper is sealingly engaged with the sealing surface and an open position in which a contact surface of the flapper is in contact with the stop. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A core arrangement for a heat exchanger includes a first core layer. The first core layer includes first upstream and downstream ends, first and second parting sheets parallel to one another, and a plurality of adjacent fins disposed between the first and second parting sheets. Each of the plurality of fins extends from a surface of the first parting sheet to a surface of the second parting sheet, and longitudinally between the first upstream end and the first downstream end. The plurality of fins are further laterally arranged to define a plurality of first fluid passages. Each of a subset of the plurality of fins includes an internal slot positioned away from the first upstream end and the first downstream end.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a core section defining a plurality of first fluid channels and a plurality of second fluid channels. The heat exchanger also includes a header section defining a plurality of first fluid layers and a plurality of second fluid layers. The heat exchanger further includes a transition region located between the header section and the core section, the transition region fluidly coupling the plurality of first fluid layers to the first fluid channels, each of the first fluid layers routing a first fluid to a respective group of first fluid channels.

Abstract: A flexible manifold adapted for use on a plate-fin heat exchanger core, the flexible manifold comprising a plurality of individual layers, each individual layer defining a lower floor, an upper floor, and two side walls. Each of the plurality of individual layers is adapted to channel a flow of a medium therethrough, each of the plurality of individual layers includes a plurality of vertical members, each of the plurality of vertical members extends vertically from the lower floor to the upper floor of the respective individual layer, and each of the plurality of vertical members is configured to provide structural support for the respective individual layer. The vertical members can be vertical guide vanes and/or vertical columns having a round and/or hydrofoil cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: A check valve includes a valve seat defining an aperture and a seating surface. A flapper is a single homogeneous component having a contact surface and a filler portion. The flapper is pivotally movable relative to the valve seat between a valve closed position in which the contact surface is sealably engaged to the seating surface thereby occluding flow through the aperture, and a valve open position in which the contact surface is a distance from the seating surface. The filler portion has a plurality of voids such that a density of the flapper is lower than if the voids were not present. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A flow manifold for a heat exchanger core includes a number of fractal flow splitters arranged in a grid pattern of layers each fluidly connected to a corresponding first circuit layer, a flow plenum having a number of flow channels that are fluidly connected to an associated fractal flow splitter, one or more flow dividing vanes located in each flow channel thereby dividing the associated flow channel into two or more sub-channels, and an outer manifold surrounding the fractal flow splitters and configured to direct a first circuit flow into or out of the heat exchanger core. Each fractal flow splitter has an open end and a plenum end, and provides a transition from the open end to the flow plenum.

Abstract: A closure bar adapted for use in a heat exchanger core includes a center void region configured to be partially filled with a phase-changing material and sealed, thereby containing the phase-changing material. The phase-changing material is configured to change phase in a forward direction as the flow of hot fluid over the closure bar begins, thereby slowing a rate of a temperature increase by absorbing a latent heat as the phase-changing material changes phase in the forward direction, and change phase in a reverse direction as the flow of hot fluid over the closure bar ceases, thereby slowing a rate of a temperature decrease by liberating the latent heat as the phase-changing material changes phase in the reverse direction. A method of producing and using the closure bar is also disclosed.

Abstract: A core arrangement for a heat exchanger includes a first core layer. The first core layer includes first upstream and downstream ends, first and second parting sheets parallel to one another, and a plurality of adjacent fins disposed between the first and second parting sheets. Each of the plurality of fins extends from a surface of the first parting sheet to a surface of the second parting sheet, and longitudinally between the first upstream end and the first downstream end. The plurality of fins are further laterally arranged to define a plurality of first fluid passages. Each of a subset of the plurality of fins includes an internal slot positioned away from the first upstream end and the first downstream end.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a core section defining a plurality of first fluid channels and a plurality of second fluid channels. The heat exchanger also includes a header section defining a plurality of first fluid layers and a plurality of second fluid layers. The heat exchanger further includes a transition region located between the header section and the core section, the transition region fluidly coupling the plurality of first fluid layers to the first fluid channels, each of the first fluid layers routing a first fluid to a respective group of first fluid channels.

Abstract: A counter-flow heat exchanger including: a primary flow passageway comprising a primary flow inlet, a primary flow outlet, and a plurality of primary flow subset passageways therebetween; a secondary flow passageway comprising a secondary flow inlet, a secondary flow outlet, and a plurality of secondary flow subset passageways therebetween; and a heat exchanger core comprising portions of the plurality of primary flow subset passageways and the plurality of secondary flow subset passageways, the secondary flow passageway being in thermal communication with the primary flow passageway in the heat exchanger core, wherein the primary flow subset passageways in the heat exchanger core and the secondary flow subset passageways in the heat exchanger core are oriented such that primary fluid flow through the primary flow subset passageways flows opposite secondary fluid flow through the secondary flow subset passageways.

Abstract: A heat exchanger header includes a plurality of first flow channels and second flow channels, each flow channel including a fluid circuit opening for fluid communication with a fluid circuit of a heat source and a core opening for communication with a heat exchanger core, wherein at least the first flow channels include a lobe section defining a non-uniform cross-sectional flow area that changes along a flow direction.

Abstract: A clamp assembly includes a first arm, a second arm, a hinge, and a fastening arrangement. The first arm and the second arm each include a hinge end, a free end, a web between the hinge end and the free end, a curved portion between the hinge end and the web, and a curved portion between the free end and the web. The hinge pivotably connects the hinge ends. The fastening arrangement is configured to connect the free ends when the clamp assembly is in a closed position. The curved portions are configured to encircle a first structure and a second structure when the clamp assembly is in the closed position.

Abstract: An embodiment of a heat exchanger according to the disclosure includes a core configured to receive and place a plurality of mediums in at least one heat exchange relationship, and a first manifold connected to and in fluid communication with the core at a first manifold/core interface. The first manifold includes a first end distal from the core with at least one port adapted to receive or discharge a first medium of the plurality of mediums, and a second end joined to the core at the first manifold/core interface adapted to transfer the first medium to or from a plurality of first heat exchange passages in the core. A plurality of first guide vanes in the manifold defining individual layers for the first medium, and a plurality of second guide vanes divide ones of the individual layers into a plurality of first discrete manifold flow passages extending at least part of a distance from the first end to the second end of the first manifold.

Abstract: An embodiment of a heat exchanger according to the disclosure includes a core configured to receive and place a plurality of mediums in at least one heat exchange relationship, and a first manifold connected to and in fluid communication with the core at a first manifold/core interface. The first manifold includes a first end distal from the core with at least one port adapted to receive or discharge a first medium of the plurality of mediums, and a second end joined to the core at the first manifold/core interface adapted to transfer the first medium to or from a plurality of first heat exchange passages in the core. A plurality of first guide vanes in the manifold defining individual layers for the first medium, and a plurality of second guide vanes divide ones of the individual layers into a plurality of first discrete manifold flow passages extending at least part of a distance from the first end to the second end of the first manifold.

Abstract: An embodiment of a heat exchanger assembly includes a first manifold adapted for receiving a first medium, a core adapted for receiving and placing a plurality of mediums, including the first medium, in at least one heat exchange relationship, and a core meeting the first manifold at a first core/manifold interface; The mounting structure supports a heat exchanger, and is metallurgically joined to at least one heat exchanger assembly component at a first joint integrally formed with the mounting structure.

Abstract: A clamp assembly includes a first arm, a second arm, a hinge, and a fastening arrangement. The first arm and the second arm each include a hinge end, a free end, a web between the hinge end and the free end, a curved portion between the hinge end and the web, and a curved portion between the free end and the web. The hinge pivotably connects the hinge ends. The fastening arrangement is configured to connect the free ends when the clamp assembly is in a closed position. The curved portions are configured to encircle a first structure and a second structure when the clamp assembly is in the closed position.

Abstract: A flexible manifold adapted for use on a plate-fin heat exchanger core, the flexible manifold comprising a plurality of individual layers, each individual layer defining a lower floor, an upper floor, and two side walls. Each of the plurality of individual layers is adapted to channel a flow of a medium therethrough, each of the plurality of individual layers includes a plurality of vertical members, each of the plurality of vertical members extends vertically from the lower floor to the upper floor of the respective individual layer, and each of the plurality of vertical members is configured to provide structural support for the respective individual layer. The vertical members can be vertical guide vanes and/or vertical columns having a round and/or hydrofoil cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: A flexible manifold adapted for use on a plate-fin heat exchanger core, the flexible manifold including a plurality of individual layers configured to be metallurgically joined to respective ones of a plurality of layers of the plate-fin heat exchanger core, and further including a first end with at least one port adapted to receive or discharge a medium, a second end distal from the first end, adapted to transfer the medium to or from the plurality of individual layers, a plurality of horizontal guide vanes defining the plurality of individual layers, and a plurality vertical members positioned within each of the individual layers. The flexible manifold is configured to be mechanically and thermally compliant, and can be metallurgically joined to the heat exchanger core by brazing or welding.

Abstract: An embodiment of a heat exchanger core includes a plurality of walls defining a plurality of layers in at least one heat exchange relationship. At least one of the layers of the core having a first load-bearing portion aligned with and adjacent to a first mount location on a perimeter of the core, and a first non-load-bearing portion distal from the non-load-bearing portion. A topology of the first load-bearing portion has a load bearing capacity greater than a load bearing capacity of the non-load-bearing portion.