Abstract: A heat exchanger with a plurality of stacked flat tubes and a collecting tank having a wall extending around the entire periphery of, and connected to, the end of the stacked flat tubes. A first medium may be distributed through the collecting tank and flat tubes. Internal inserts are in the flat tubes, with the inserts being bonded between the broad sides of the tubes and, in the region of connection of the tubes to the collecting tank, being configured to compensate for length changes in the stacking direction caused by temperature changes, as by recesses in connectors such as wave flanks or by corrugated wave flanks. The flat tubes with inserts such as described may be separately provided for use in manufacture of heat exchangers.

Abstract: The invention relates to an exhaust gas heat exchanger in an exhaust gas recirculation arrangement. The heat exchanger includes a plate stack which is surrounded by a housing. The plate stack can include two plates which are connected at their longitudinal edges to form a flat tube which contains a turbulator through which exhaust gas flows. The heat exchanger can also include a coolant duct which is equipped with flow directing elements arranged between two flat tubes. In order to make the exhaust gas heat exchanger more resistant to changing temperature stresses, the invention provides that the flow directing elements can be formed from a corrugated plate in which ducts with inlets and outlets are formed. At least some of the ducts in the inlet area of the coolant have a nonlinear profile so that changes in length are permitted between the plate stack and the housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heat exchanger, such as, for example, a liquid cooler, charge air cooler or the like, having two-part collecting tanks which are composed entirely of plastic and have inlet or outlet connecting pipes. One collecting tank part can have openings for receiving the ends of tubes, with the tube ends being adhesively connected therein, and with the two collecting tank parts being welded to one another at a weld seam which runs around the periphery of their walls. The two tank parts form an oval to round collecting tank cross section between the tubes, and the weld seam is situated in a seam preparation which is formed as a thickened portion of the walls of the tank parts. As a result of the invention, the heat exchanger is of particularly pressure-resistant design and is very production-friendly.

Abstract: A catalytic reactor/heat exchange device (10) is provided for generating a catalytic reaction in a reaction fluid flow (12) and transferring heat to a cooling fluid flow (14). The device includes reaction flow channels (20) with turbulators (30) therein. The turbulators (30) include an initial portion (40) and a selected portion (34) that includes a catalytic layer or coating (36) to initiate the desired catalytic reaction at a location (38) located downstream from the initial portion (40). In some preferred forms, each of the selected portions (34) of the turbulators (30) include at least one downstream section (103, 120) wherein the heat transfer performance has been intentionally reduced to improve performance of the device (10) during start up conditions.

Abstract: A plate heat exchanger for exchanging heat between first and second media, including a plurality of first heat exchanger plates alternately stacked with a plurality of second heat exchanger plates between a base plate and a cover plate. The first and second heat exchanger plates have at least four passages therethrough which align to define a first collecting channel and a first distribution channel for the first media and a second collecting channel and a second distribution channel for the second media. First flow channels for the first media each are defined in a space between one side of the first heat exchanger plate and a facing one side of the adjacent second heat exchanger plate. Second flow channels for the second media each are defined between the other side of the first heat exchanger plate and the other side of the adjacent second heat exchanger plate.

Abstract: A brazed plate heat exchanger (30) is provided for transferring heat between a first fluid (32) and a second fluid (34), with the first fluid (32) being pressurized to a relatively high pressure. The heat exchanger includes plate pairs (41), with each pair (41) defining a plurality of flow channels (56) for the first fluid (32). Each of the flow channels (56) has a hydraulic diameter less than 1 mm. Reinforcements (62) are provided between each of the plate pairs (41) and are aligned with inlet and outlet openings (46,48) to define inlet and outlet manifolds (50,52) for the first fluid (32).

Abstract: The invention relates to an exhaust gas heat exchanger in an exhaust gas recirculation arrangement. The heat exchanger includes a plate stack which is surrounded by a housing. The plate stack can include two plates which are connected at their longitudinal edges to form a flat tube which contains a turbulator through which exhaust gas flows. The heat exchanger can also include a coolant duct which is equipped with flow directing elements arranged between two flat tubes. In order to make the exhaust gas heat exchanger more resistant to changing temperature stresses, the invention provides that the flow directing elements can be formed from a corrugated plate in which ducts with inlets and outlets are formed. At least some of the ducts in the inlet area of the coolant have a nonlinear profile so that changes in length are permitted between the plate stack and the housing.

Abstract: A frame supports heat exchangers one in front of another in the direction of flow of cooling air, and includes two vertical walls interconnected by transverse walls, cross braces between the walls, and fastening points on the walls adapted to fasten the heat exchangers to the frame. Outwardly extending bulging sections in the vertical walls include an outer portion adapted to be secured to the vehicle support members to support the frame thereon, and an inner portion defining a space between vertical wall sections above and below the bulging section for receive projecting components of at least one heat exchanger. Connectors connect each of the fastening openings to the aligned flange openings, with the connectors including a head and a stem with an expandable end opposite the head retaining the connectors in the aligned openings. Hooks support the heat exchangers in the direction of air flow, with the connector stems supporting against at least some forces transverse to the direction of air flow.

Abstract: A heat exchanger including a plurality of longitudinal flat tubes stacked together with space between the broad sides of adjacent tubes, and inlet and outlet collecting tanks. The inlet collecting tank distributes a first medium into the tubes, and has a wall extending around the periphery of one end the stack of flat tubes over a selected longitudinal section, the wall having at least one of an inlet and outlet for a second medium distributed in the space between the stacked tubes. The outlet collecting tank receives the first medium from the tubes. Longitudinal internal inserts in the flat tubes are metallically connected to the broad sides of the associated flat tube. At least one row of cutouts is between the longitudinal ends of the internal inserts and in the selected longitudinal section, with the row of cutouts extending substantially across the broad width of the insert.

Abstract: A catalytic reactor/heat exchange device (10) is provided for generating a catalytic reaction in a reaction fluid flow (12) and transferring heat to a cooling fluid flow (14). The device includes reaction flow channels (20) with turbulators (30) therein. The turbulators (30) include an initial portion (40) and a selected portion (34) that includes a catalytic layer or coating (36) to initiate the desired catalytic reaction at a location (38) located downstream from the initial portion (40). In some preferred forms, each of the selected portions (34) of the turbulators (30) include at least one downstream section (103, 120) wherein the heat transfer performance has been intentionally reduced to improve performance of the device (10) during start up conditions.

Abstract: A housingless heat exchanger including a stack of flat tubes with at least two being cooling tubes and at least one being a bypass tube. Collecting tanks are on the tube ends and diffuse gas streaming in the tube flow paths. The flat tubes each comprise a connected pair of plates defining a flow path, and an enclosed space is defined between adjacent flat tubes. Coolant inlet and outlet channels are formed by connected plate openings connect to the enclosed space between the cooling tubes whereby coolant flows through that enclosed space. A switching valve in one collecting tank is movable between a cooling position in which the gas streams through the cooling tubes and a bypass position in which the gas streams through the bypass tube. A closure in the coolant inlet and outlet channels blocks coolant from adjacent the bypass tube. An insulating plate may also, or alternatively, be between the bypass tube and the cooling tube adjacent the bypass tube to block heat exchange between coolant and the bypass tube.

Abstract: A plate heat exchanger for exchanging heat between first and second media, including a plurality of first heat exchanger plates alternately stacked with a plurality of second heat exchanger plates between a base plate and a cover plate. The first and second heat exchanger plates have at least four passages therethrough which align to define a first collecting channel and a first distribution channel for the first media and a second collecting channel and a second distribution channel for the second media. First flow channels for the first media each are defined in a space between one side of the first heat exchanger plate and a facing one side of the adjacent second heat exchanger plate. Second flow channels for the second media each are defined between the other side of the first heat exchanger plate and the other side of the adjacent second heat exchanger plate.

Abstract: A heat exchanger with a plurality of stacked flat tubes and a collecting tank having a wall extending around the entire periphery of, and connected to, the end of the stacked flat tubes. A first medium may be distributed through the collecting tank and flat tubes. Internal inserts are in the flat tubes, with the inserts being bonded between the broad sides of the tubes and, in the region of connection of the tubes to the collecting tank, being configured to compensate for length changes in the stacking direction caused by temperature changes, as by recesses in connectors such as wave flanks or by corrugated wave flanks. The flat tubes with inserts such as described may be separately provided for use in manufacture of heat exchangers.

Abstract: An economically manufactured heat exchanger is provided and includes a plurality of elongated, straight, flat tubes (16), each formed of two identical halves (78,80) joined to each other in mirror image fashion and each having opposed open ends and all arranged in a stack (18). At least one spacer wall (36) is disposed within each tube and extends generally from end to end thereof to define at least two side-by-side first fluid flow paths within a tube. An elongated housing (10) contains the stack and includes spaced headers (20,22) with each header including a tube slot for the adjacent end of each tube (16) in the stack (18). Spacers (26) in the stack separate adjacent tubes in the stack from one another and the spacers include ribs defining a serpentine flow path for a second fluid. An opening (30) is located in the housing (10) near each end thereof and is in fluid communication with the second fluid flow path (28).

Abstract: A brazed plate heat exchanger (30) is provided for transferring heat between a first fluid (32) and a second fluid (34), with the first fluid (32) being pressurized to a relatively high pressure. The heat exchanger includes plate pairs (41), with each pair (41) defining a plurality of flow channels (56) for the first fluid (32). Each of the flow channels (56) has a hydraulic diameter less than 1 mm. Reinforcements (62) are provided between each of the plate pairs (41) and are aligned with inlet and outlet openings (46,48) to define inlet and outlet manifolds (50,52) for the first fluid (32).

Abstract: A heat exchanger with a plurality of stacked plates between a cover plate and a base plate. Channels are defined between the plates, with each plate including four openings defining four passages through the stacked plates, two passages being input and output passages for one fluid and the other two passages being input and output passages for a second fluid, where the two fluids flow between their input and output passages through alternating defined channels. A reinforcing body is disposed in at least one of the passages through the stacked plates, and is secured to the cover plate and the base plate and spaced from the sides of the openings defining the at least one passage in the stacked plates between the cover and base plates.

Abstract: A housingless heat exchanger including a stack of flat tubes with at least two being cooling tubes and at least one being a bypass tube. Collecting tanks are on the tube ends and diffuse gas streaming in the tube flow paths. The flat tubes each comprise a connected pair of plates defining a flow path, and an enclosed space is defined between adjacent flat tubes. Coolant inlet and outlet channels are formed by connected plate openings connect to the enclosed space between the cooling tubes whereby coolant flows through that enclosed space. A switching valve in one collecting tank is movable between a cooling position in which the gas streams through the cooling tubes and a bypass position in which the gas streams through the bypass tube. A closure in the coolant inlet and outlet channels blocks coolant from adjacent the bypass tube. An insulating plate may also, or alternatively, be between the bypass tube and the cooling tube adjacent the bypass tube to block heat exchange between coolant and the bypass tube.

Abstract: A frame supports heat exchangers one in front of another in the direction of flow of cooling air, and includes two vertical walls interconnected by transverse walls, cross braces between the walls, and fastening points on the walls adapted to fasten the heat exchangers to the frame. Outwardly extending bulging sections in the vertical walls include an outer portion adapted to be secured to the vehicle support members to support the frame thereon, and an inner portion defining a space between vertical wall sections above and below the bulging section for receive projecting components of at least one heat exchanger. Connectors connect each of the fastening openings to the aligned flange openings, with the connectors including a head and a stem with an expandable end opposite the head retaining the connectors in the aligned openings. Hooks support the heat exchangers in the direction of air flow, with the connector stems supporting against at least some forces transverse to the direction of air flow.

Abstract: A heat exchanger including a first header having an inlet therein, a second header, an outlet in one of the first and second headers, and a plurality of flat tubes extending between the first and second headers for carrying a fluid between the first and second headers. A first connector is also provided for connecting a first exterior line to one of the first and second headers, the first connector being proximate and substantially parallel to an end of one of the flat tubes. In a compact cooling system, such heat exchangers may be disposed about a radial fan directing air flow outwardly away from the fan axis. One of a system inlet and a system outlet are connected via the first exterior lines to the first connectors of at least two of the heat exchangers.

Abstract: A heat exchanger with a plurality of stacked plates between a cover plate and a base plate. Channels are defined between the plates, with each plate including four openings defining four passages through the stacked plates, two passages being input and output passages for one fluid and the other two passages being input and output passages for a second fluid, where the two fluids flow between their input and output passages through alternating defined channels. A reinforcing body is disposed in at least one of the passages through the stacked plates, and is secured to the cover plate and the base plate and spaced from the sides of the openings defining the at least one passage in the stacked plates between the cover and base plates.