Abstract: A heat exchanger has a fluid flow passage having an inlet and an outlet, and with a first plate and a second plate in opposed facing relation to one another. The fluid flow passage is defined by a space between the inner surfaces of the first and second plates. An electrical heating element is outside the fluid flow passage and adjacent to the outer surface of the first plate, such that heat produced by the electrical heating element is transferred through the first plate to the fluid in the fluid flow passage during use of the heat exchanger. In an embodiment, the first plate has an opening to receive a heater plate component including a first plate portion having an inner surface bonded to a turbulence-enhancing insert and an outer surface bonded to the electrical heating element.

Abstract: A system may comprise a first plate arranged directly against a second plate and defining a gasket groove, the plates each parallel to one another and to a plane; and a gasket formed in a plane and having a sinusoidal variation in a direction normal to the plane. The first and second plate may form a bipolar plate and may be used as a component of a fuel cell. The section of the gasket with sinusoidal variation may be fit to the groove. The gasket may have a bead that may fit to a fitting, such as a gasket, on another plate or surface to seal the contents of a fuel cell.

Abstract: A heat transfer surface for use in conjunction with a heat exchanger is disclosed. The heat transfer surface a corrugated member where rows of corrugations that are offset relative to each other forming at least an alternating series of first and second rows or first, second and third rows. In some embodiments the heat transfer surface includes a heat transfer enhancement feature disposed within individual corrugations of the corrugated member to provide a more turbulent or tortuous fluid flow path through the heat transfer surface. In some example embodiments the heat transfer enhancement feature is a ridge disposed in the planar portions of at least some of the rows of corrugations. In other example embodiments the planar fin portions are porous fin surfaces. In other embodiments, the corrugated member cooperates with heat transfer enhancement features in the form of triangular protuberances disposed on their inner surfaces of spaced apart plates.

Abstract: A heat exchanger such as a cold plate or ICE plate has an integrated electric heating element provided on an external heater support surface of the heat exchanger. The external heater support surface is directly opposite to an internal surface of the heat exchanger which at least partly defines one or both of the inlet manifold and the outlet manifold. A thermal management system for a vehicle having a plurality of rechargeable battery units includes a circulation loop for circulating a first volume of the heat transfer fluid, and a plurality of battery heat exchangers, including a first heat exchanger with an integrated electric heating element. A sub-loop of the circulation loop includes the internal fluid flow passage of the first heat exchanger, and is adapted for a second, smaller volume of the heat transfer fluid.

Abstract: A heat exchanger such as a cold plate or ICE plate has an integrated electric heating element provided on an external heater support surface of the heat exchanger. The external heater support surface is directly opposite to an internal surface of the heat exchanger which at least partly defines one or both of the inlet manifold and the outlet manifold. A thermal management system for a vehicle having a plurality of rechargeable battery units includes a circulation loop for circulating a first volume of the heat transfer fluid, and a plurality of battery heat exchangers, including a first heat exchanger with an integrated electric heating element. A sub-loop of the circulation loop includes the internal fluid flow passage of the first heat exchanger, and is adapted for a second, smaller volume of the heat transfer fluid.

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: A heat exchanger has a fluid flow passage having an inlet and an outlet, and with a first plate and a second plate in opposed facing relation to one another. The fluid flow passage is defined by a space between the inner surfaces of the first and second plates. An electrical heating element is outside the fluid flow passage and adjacent to the outer surface of the first plate, such that heat produced by the electrical heating element is transferred through the first plate to the fluid in the fluid flow passage during use of the heat exchanger. In an embodiment, the first plate has an opening to receive a heater plate component including a first plate portion having an inner surface bonded to a turbulence-enhancing insert and an outer surface bonded to the electrical heating element.

Abstract: A heat transfer surface for use in conjunction with a heat exchanger is disclosed. The heat transfer surface a corrugated member where rows of corrugations that are offset relative to each other forming at least an alternating series of first and second rows or first, second and third rows. In some embodiments the heat transfer surface includes a heat transfer enhancement feature disposed within individual corrugations of the corrugated member to provide a more turbulent or tortuous fluid flow path through the heat transfer surface. In some example embodiments the heat transfer enhancement feature is a ridge disposed in the planar portions of at least some of the rows of corrugations. In other example embodiments the planar fin portions are porous fin surfaces. In other embodiments, the corrugated member cooperates with heat transfer enhancement features in the form of triangular protuberances disposed on their inner surfaces of spaced apart plates.

Abstract: A heat exchanger having a plurality of heat exchanger plate pairs. Each plate has a longitudinal central planar portion and a peripheral edge portion extending from it. The plate is provided with a first boss and a second boss having an inlet and outlet, respectively. A rib is also provided extending from the peripheral edge portion to the central planar portion, the rib having a mating surface, where the rib mating surface of a first plate in a first plate pair is in contact with a rib mating surface of a second plate in an adjacent plate pair.

Abstract: A heat exchanger such as a cold plate or ICE plate has an integrated electric heating element provided on an external heater support surface of the heat exchanger. The external heater support surface is directly opposite to an internal surface of the heat exchanger which at least partly defines one or both of the inlet manifold and the outlet manifold. A thermal management system for a vehicle having a plurality of rechargeable battery units includes a circulation loop for circulating a first volume of the heat transfer fluid, and a plurality of battery heat exchangers, including a first heat exchanger with an integrated electric heating element. A sub-loop of the circulation loop includes the internal fluid flow passage of the first heat exchanger, and is adapted for a second, smaller volume of the heat transfer fluid.

Abstract: A heat exchanger has at least one channel structure defining a fluid flow passage. Each channel structure includes first and second thermally conductive plates, with a fluid flow passage defined by a space between the inner surfaces of the first and second plates. At least one electrical heating element is provided outside the fluid flow passage and located adjacent to the outer surface of the first plate, such that heat from the heating element is transferred through the first plate to the fluid in the flow passage during use of the heat exchanger. In some embodiments, the first plate of the first channel structure is arranged opposite to the first plate of the second channel structure, with spacers received between the first and second channel structures. At least one of the spacers may have fluid transfer openings to provide flow communication between the first and second channel structures.

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: A heat exchanger having a conical-shaped core is disclosed. A first set of flow passages is formed between mating conical-shaped core plates, the mating plates forming plate pairs that are spaced apart from each other forming a second set of flow passages therebetween. A pair of oppositely disposed fluid openings are provided for inletting/discharging a fluid to/from the heat exchanger in a co-axial manner, the fluid openings being interconnected by a pair of fluid manifolds formed in the outer perimeter of the core, the second set of flow passages and a fluid manifold formed centrally through the heat exchanger. A second set of inlet/outlet manifolds formed within the perimeter of the core are interconnected by the first set of flow passages. Flow through the first set flow passages is peripheral around the perimeter of the conically-shaped core plates while flow through the second set of flow passages is along the angle defined by the conical-shaped plates.

Abstract: A heat exchanger having a plurality of heat exchanger plate pairs. Each plate has a longitudinal central planar portion and a peripheral edge portion extending from it. The plate is provided with a first boss and a second boss having an inlet and outlet, respectively. A rib is also provided extending from the peripheral edge portion to the central planar portion, the rib having a mating surface, where the rib mating surface of a first plate in a first plate pair is in contact with a rib mating surface of a second plate in an adjacent plate pair.

Abstract: A heat exchanger having a conical-shaped core is disclosed. A first set of flow passages is formed between mating conical-shaped core plates, the mating plates forming plate pairs that are spaced apart from each other forming a second set of flow passages therebetween. A pair of oppositely disposed fluid openings are provided for inletting/discharging a fluid to/from the heat exchanger in a co-axial manner, the fluid openings being interconnected by a pair of fluid manifolds formed in the outer perimeter of the core, the second set of flow passages and a fluid manifold formed centrally through the heat exchanger. A second set of inlet/outlet manifolds formed within the perimeter of the core are interconnected by the first set of flow passages. Flow through the first set flow passages is peripheral around the perimeter of the conically-shaped core plates while flow through the second set of flow passages is along the angle defined by the conical-shaped plates.