Abstract: Apparatus and method for cooling heated fluids, such as exhaust gases, flowing through a heat exchanger comprising one or more exhaust plenums and one or more coolant plenums, and providing increased coolant velocity in that portion of the coolant plenums contacting the inlet portion of the exhaust plenums. Local increased coolant velocity is provided by any means, including decreasing the area-in-flow of the coolant plenums wherein increased velocity is desired, shaping or baffling either or both inlet or outlet coolant tanks in fluidic contact with coolant plenums wherein increased velocity is desired, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A diffuser comprising an inlet passage, an outwardly diverging sidewall, and an outlet. The inlet, outwardly diverging sidewall and outlet each have an inside surface that defines an interior through which a gas or fluid passes in a flow direction from the inlet to the outlet. Wherein at least a region of the inside surface includes a plurality of individual surface features that are configured to reduce or eliminate unwanted boundary layer separation of gas or fluid that passes thereover.

Abstract: An exemplary heat exchanger includes a heat exchanger core having a core side fluid space and a cover plate and a substantially U-shaped wall fitted at one end with an inlet header and, at an opposing end, with an outlet header, which in combination with the cover plate, define a shell side fluid space. In this example, the cover plate forms two seals with two opposing sides of the U-shaped wall, forms a seal with the inlet header and forms a seal with the outlet header Such a heat exchange may be suitable for use as an EGR cooler. Other exemplary devices, methods and systems are disclosed.

Abstract: An exhaust gas cooler comprising an inlet chamber shaped to restrict exhaust gas flow to certain exhaust gas passages provided therein is disclosed. The inlet chamber may comprise a flow deflector which deflects a proportion of exhaust gas into, for example, the upper exhaust gas cooling passages thus restricting flow to lower exhaust gas cooling passages. In one embodiment the flow deflector is rotatably mounted and can also function as a bypass valve. Alternatively apertures provided within plates which can collectively define the inlet chamber may be of a differing size to restrict exhaust gas flow to certain exhaust gas cooling passages. A more balanced flow through the various exhaust gas cooling passages results increasing heat-exchange efficiency of the exhaust gas cooler.

Abstract: A charge air cooler with an integral precooler is disclosed which cools charge air by using both liquid coolant and air coolant. The charge air path is not affected by the use of the liquid coolant. The charge air cooler disclosed can cool particularly hot charge air without a significant drop in pressure.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a core with a plurality of passages arranged therein each having an opening positioned adjacent an end portion of the core. A manifold is positioned adjacent the core end portion and includes an inlet and an outlet opening. The manifold includes a divider wall that extends internally therein and that forms separated inlet and outlet passages that are in communication with the respective inlet and outlet openings. The heat exchanger includes a metallic seal interposed between the divider wall and the core to provide a seal therebetween. The seal is constructed to impose a biasing force between the divider wall and the core to provide the desired seal, thereby minimizing or eliminating any unwanted bypass of fluid or gas within the manifold during heat exchanger operation and increasing heat exchanger operating efficiency.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cooling hot fluids, especially exhaust gases, with a multi-pass cooler core. The cooler core is particularly useful for cooling exhaust gases flowing in an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system or regime in operative association with an internal combustion engine, such as a diesel engine. Cooled gases are recirculated to the engine input to help reduce noxious exhaust emissions. The invention utilizes unequal areas-in-flow between the first exhaust pass through the core and the second and subsequent passes through the core. The first pass through the core features an area-in-flow comparatively larger than the area-in-flow of the second pass. The difference in areas-in-flow between passes influences gas velocities to reduce fouling, despite changes in exhaust gas temperature between passes through the core.

Abstract: A heat exchanger tube is provided that includes an inner diameter, an outer diameter and a longitudinal axis. The heat exchanger includes at least two spiral upsets protruding from the inner diameter of the tube and spiraling around the longitudinal axis of a length of the tube. The at least two spiral upsets include a first spiral upset having a cross-sectional shape, a depth of protrusion from the inner diameter, a pitch, and an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis, and a second spiral upset having a cross-sectional shape, a depth of protrusion from the inner diameter, a pitch, and an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis. In one embodiment, the angle of the first spiral upset with respect to the longitudinal axis is approximately equal to the angle of the second spiral upset with respect to the longitudinal axis, such that the first and second spiral upsets are approximately parallel.

Abstract: Heat exchangers of this invention include a shell having an inner chamber defined by an inside wall surface, and having at least one opening adjacent an end of the shell. A tube bundle comprising a plurality of assembled together tubes are disposed within the inner chamber. A header plate is attached to the tubes and is positioned adjacent an end of the tube bundle. The header plate includes an outside diameter that fits within the shell inside wall surface to provide a nested attachment junction therebetween. The header plate and shell are fixedly connected to one another by use of a braze joint formed by the placement of brazing material between the interfacing header plate and the shell surface sections. A tank is attached to the shell adjacent the shell end.

Abstract: Exemplary methods, devices and/or system for facilitating transfer of heat energy between a gas and a cooler liquid. An exemplary heat exchanger is suitable for use as an EGR cooler.

Abstract: Heat exchangers, constructed in accordance with principles of this invention, comprise a plurality of first passages, for transporting a first fluid or gas therethrough, and one or more second passages for transporting a second fluid or gas therethrough. The second passages are positioned adjacent to the first passages to permit a desired transfer of thermal energy from the first passages to the second passages. At least one manifold is placed in communication with one of the first or second passages. The manifold includes an opening disposed therethrough for receiving or dispensing the first or second fluid or gas to or from the first or second passages. The heat exchanger includes a flow director disposed therein for diverting or distributing the flow of first or second fluid or gas in a manner different from a natural fluid or gas flow within the heat exchanger.