Abstract: An evaporative condenser of the plate type having spaced heat exchange elements incorporates a blow down concentrator. Vapor enters the elements and after condensation therein by heat exchange with liquid flowing as a film on the outer surfaces of the elements; condensate is discharged from the bottoms of the elements. The coolant liquid is itself evaporatively cooled by a flow of cooling air passing outside the heat exchange elements, within a casing that encloses the elements. The cooling air may even be warmer than the coolant liquid so long as the air is not saturated. The overflow of cooling water from the condenser elements goes to the concentrator section, thus eliminating a separate piece of equipment especially dedicated to the concentrating of used coolant.

Abstract: A panel heat exchanger is disclosed. The heat exchanger comprises a generally planar panel having a pair of relatively thin unitary outer walls formed from a composition of a thermoplastic polymer, expecially a polyamide. The walls, which have a thickness of less than 0.7 mm, are bonded together to form a labryinth of fluid passages between the walls. The passages extend between inlet and outlet means and occupy a substantial proportion of the area of the panel. The heat exchangers are relatively economical to manufacture and may be used in a variety of end uses, depending on the properties of the polymer composition, including in some instances as heat exchangers in automobiles.

Abstract: A barrel-shaped solar roofing element consisting of a portion of a conical-shaped panel of a material such as PVC plastic formed by injection molding adapted for receiving an impingement of solar energy upon an outer surface thereof and constructed of insulative material having a relatively thin dimension, a passway extending throughout the panel for conduiting a heat exchanger fluid, the passway having a male coupling at one edge of the panel and a female coupling at a generally distal edge of the panel and constituting a fluid circuit, or at least a portion thereof, each of the male coupling and female coupling formed for interlocking with a complementary or mating kind of coupling of an adjacent panel.

Abstract: A plate-fin heat exchanger having two fluid channels. The first fluid channel is defined by two flat plates opposed to each other at a specified spacing, and a first channel forming member interposed between the flat plates. The channel forming member is in the form of an aluminum extrudate comprising a pair of right and left spacing side walls and a hollow connecting wall interconnecting the side walls and wavelike in the cross section of at least one of its upper and lower surfaces. The second fluid channel is defined by two flat plates opposed to each other at a specified spacing, a pair of spacing side wall portions provided therebetween and a fin member positioned between the side wall portions.

Abstract: An improved automotive condenser and method for its production is disclosed, having particular application in cooling utilities wherein resistance to high internal fluid pressures is required. The condenser comprises elongated hollow energy exchange structures extending between header tanks, the hollow structures being formed from opposing elongated plates, undulating in cross-section to form a plurality of longitudinally extending opposing crests and valleys, wherein the opposing valleys are crossed, at a maximum distance between points of crossing valleys of no greater than about 0.2 inches, and said crossing valleys are joined at substantially all crossing points defining longitudinally extending hollow passages between the connected valleys.

Abstract: A fuel burning furnace includes a number of energy efficient features. The furnace includes a heat exchanger in which combustion air is preheated by hot discharge gases. Diverters are provided in the heat exchanger to continually urge hot combustion gases toward the interior portions of the heat exchanger to improve its heat transfer characteristics. The furnace incorporates a number of features to determine malfunction and indicate inefficient operation. A humidification control system for the humidification or dehumidification of circulated air also is provided. The furnace also includes a blower motor system which compensates for loss of tension in driving belts and makes correction for blower speed in response to temperature variations.

Abstract: Heat exchanger with two into each other running spiral channels (12, 14) for the flow of a heat yielding and of a heat absorbing medium, with two plates (10, 10') closing frontally the channels (12, 14) as well as with an inlet aperture (32) and with an outlet aperture (34) for each of the two channels (12, 14), whereat for the construction of a compact and easily dismantable unit and for a sure seal of the channels (12, 14) the spiral wall surfaces limiting the channels (12, 14) radially to the outside and to the inside have a straight generatrix and whereat the axial ends of the channel walls (16) are pressed against an elastically flesible seal side which is provided at the respectively opposing plate (10, 10').

Abstract: In a commercial ice cube making device, an accelerated freezing and harvest cycle is effected by employing parallel adjacent rectangular channel ways which are individually directly connected to intake and outflow manifolds, thereby producing even absorption and dispersion. In addition, melting of the cubes during the short harvest cycle takes place on one side only thereby reducing the problem of stored ice cubes freezing and sticking together. The ice cubes are made in novel nylon ice trays with combed partitions which allow ice to form from the vertically disposed evaporator outwards on both of its sides. The device advantageously produces large quantities of symmetrical non-sticky ice cubes more quickly and efficiently than the devices known in the prior art.

Abstract: A low cost easily assembled solar energy panel employing as its major component, a double skinned sheet of polycarbonate which has a plurality of preferably uniformly spaced, rib members separating the two skins. The panel may employ a fluid input and fluid output at the same end of the panel or at opposite ends thereof.

Abstract: A plurality of inlet and outlet channels for receiving and exhausting respectively the flow of a heat exchange medium directed to the inlet channels are located adjacent a plate provided with generally parallel, elongated orifices extending in the direction of and in registration with the inlet and outlet channels. A heat exchange panel is disposed adjacent the plate on the side thereof opposite that of the channels such that the medium entering the input channels travels through the orifices of the plate to the heat exchange panel and then from the panel to and through the outlet channels.

Abstract: A plenum in combination with a heat exchange panel and a panel structure having a large number of closely spaced orifices of equal size. The plenum area relative to that of the orifice area is such that a pressure head in the plenum is maintained to provide a constant flow of heat exchange medium from the plenum through the orifices to the heat exchange panel.

Abstract: The invention provides flat, thin and hollow heat exchanger units of synthetic resin make, each operating to have a cooling water fed thereto and air flowed horizontally in an air passage therebetween, thus realizing an indirect contact heat exchange between the air and the cooling water through both wall plates. The invention further relates to a crossflow cooling tower incorporating a wet heat exchanger or packing material and an indirect contact type heat exchanger operating on the afore-mentioned heat exchanger units.

Abstract: A body having a bottom and first and second ends and a cavity therein. A plurality of substantially parallel spaced fins are positioned in the cavity. A liquid inlet is centrally positioned in the first end of the body and a liquid outlet is centrally positioned in the second end of the body where flowing cooling liquid between the fins from the first end to the second end with higher fluid flow between the fins in the center for preferentially cooling the center of the heat exchanger. A cross-sectional area of the liquid path in the body minimizes pressure drops and avoids abrupt direction changes and cross-sectional changes. The width, height and spacing of the fins may be varied to control the temperature of the areas in the bottom.

Abstract: The heat exchanger has a zig-zagged liquid-flowing passage and an overflowed-liquid escaping conduit. When an excessive amount of cooling water is supplied to the heat exchanger, a part of cooling water flows into the overflowed-liquid escaping conduit through a dam formed between the liquid-flowing passage and the escaping conduit. The heat exchanger is formed by assembling a plurality of heat exchanging partition plates formed by molding. The heat exchanging partition plates have the same shape and the same dimensions, and they are easily engageable with and detachable from each other.

Abstract: A liquid-filled electric radiator has a rectangular, vertically disposed radiator body with an upper horizontal distribution duct connected to a lower horizontal collection duct by a plurality of vertical connecting ducts within the radiator body. An angularly bent uniform cross section pipe has its free ends connected to the upper and lower ducts at diagonally opposite positions on the radiator body and includes a first section arranged parallel and level with the lower duct in series with a second section parallel to a vertical side of the radiator body. An electric immersion heater housed in the first section heats the liquid filling the ducts, vessel and pipe for circulation through the radiator body and pipe and is controlled by a thermostat positioned in a casing arranged at the lower corner of the radiator body and protected from radiation from the radiator body by a partition protruding from the casing.

Abstract: Inlet and outlet headers for a panel heat exchanger are disclosed. The headers are comprised of a distributor ring (31), which is located between the panels (22 and 23) of the panel heat exchanger, an inlet distributor nipple (30) and a mating flange (32). The inlet distributor nipple is adapted to pass through the distributor ring and be attached in a fluid-tight fit by means of the mating flange. The panel heat exchanger, including the inlet and outlet headers, are fabricated from thermoplastic polymers. The panel heat exchangers may be used in a wide variety of end-uses, including automotive end-uses.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is disclosed, which comprises a plurality of heat-transfer elements (1) placed side by side each of which has more than one through-hole (3) and which are cyclically bent in a generally trapezoidal wave form in the direction of the flow of a fluid, the bends in one heat-transfer element (1 ) being in phase with those in an adjacent heat-transfer element (1) in such a manner that the main stream of said fluid will flow not through the holes in each of said heat-transfer elements (1) but through the passage formed by adjacent heat-transfer elements (1). This arrangement not only provides improved heat-transfer characteristics; it also serves to offer a lighter product because of the presence of throught-holes (3).

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal gradient-incubator for studying and monitoring the temperature-dependent growth and other activity of microbes, comprising a rectangular, highly heat-conductive gradient plate (1) whose longer side edges are fitted with temperature conditioning means (2), extending substantially along the entire length of the longer side edges of gradient plate (1). The temperature conditioning means (2) are heated or cooled by means of fluid circulation, electricity or the like operating on a counterflow principle.

Abstract: Apparatus for containing liquid coolant within a liquid cooled transformer includes a vessel having opposing sides for forming a chamber. The chamber is prevented from decreasing below a predetermined volume limit when compressive force is applied to the vessel by providing separation elements which are coupled to at least one of the sides and extend into the chamber for contacting the other side when the limit is reached, thereby preventing further volume reduction of the chamber. When a liquid under pressure is supplied to the chamber the vessel tends to expand, such that when the apparatus is disposed between laminations of a core of a transformer for cooling the transformer, force is exerted on the laminations, thereby ensuring that the laminations do not loosen under adverse operating conditions.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a heat exchanger from a thermoplastic polymer especially a polyamide, is disclosed. The heat exchanger comprises two generally planar panels formed from a composition of the polymer, bonded together to form a labryinth of fluid passages between the panels that extend between inlet and outlet means. The labyrinth occupies a substantial proportion of the area of the panels. The process comprises coating a first panel with a first coating in a pattern corresponding to the fluid passages of the labyrinth, and coating the second panel with a second coating composition in at least those areas where a bond is to be formed with the first panel. The coating compositions are selected so that under the influence of heat, the second coating composition will bond to the polymer composition but not to the first coating; thus the first coating acts as a resist coating. The coated panels are brought into contact and heated so as to effect bonding, and then the passages are expanded e.g.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is disclosed, which comprises a plurality of heat-transfer elements (1) placed side by side each of which has more than one through-hole (3) and which are cyclically bent in a generally trapezoidal waveform in the direction of the flow of a fluid, the bends in one heat-transfer element (1) being out of phase with those in an adjacent heat-transfer element (1) by one-half cycle in such a manner that the main stream of said fluid will flow not through the holes in each of said heat-transfer elements (1) but through the passage formed by adjacent heat-transfer elements (1). This arrangement serves to provide improved heat-transfer characteristics.

Abstract: A gas-fired condensing furnace with a corrosion resistant condensing heat exchanger. The condensing heat exchanger is formed from a flat sheet of engineering metal with a layer of polypropylene sheet material laminated thereto. Each condensing heat exchanger has a condensing flow passage of serpentine shape formed in the laminated flat sheet of engineering metal such that the polypropylene layer will be exposed to the flue gas/condensate environment to provide corrosion resistance to the metal.

Abstract: An apparatus for warming blood from storage to physiologic temperatures at transfusion rates up to 160 milliliters per minute includes a flat metal cartridge formed by a pair of thin generally rectangular planar members spaced slightly apart in parallelism and sealed at their peripheral edges to define one or more thin constant-width and uniform thickness ribbon-like conduits through which blood flows from an inlet port to an outlet port at opposite ends of the cartridge. An inlet chamber and an outlet chamber, each defined by an elongated recess in one of the planar members, communicates the entire width of a corresponding end of each conduit with the inlet and outlet ports to establish uniform blood flow across each full conduit width.

Abstract: An apparatus for warming flowing blood from storage to physiologic temperatures at transfusion rates up to 160 milliliters per minute includes a flat metal cartridge formed by a pair of thin generally rectangular planar members spaced slightly apart in parallelism and sealed at their peripheral edges to define a thin unobstructed, constant-width and uniform thickness ribbon-like conduit through which the blood flows from an inlet port to an outlet port at opposite ends of the cartridge. An inlet chamber and an outlet chamber, each defined by an elongated recess in one of the planar members, communicates the entire width of a corresponding end of the conduit with the inlet and outlet ports to establish uniform blood flow across the full conduit width. The cartridge is clamped between a pair of thick metal buffer blocks which dampen fluctuations in the flow of heat to the planar members of the cartridge from electric resistance heaters located on the opposite side of each buffer block.

Abstract: A compact, high efficiency condensing furnace includes a combustion chamber and a pair of radiators. The temperature of the combustion gases is reduced in one of the radiators to the point at which combustion products condense, thereby extracting the latent heat of vaporization from these combustion products. Each of the radiators has an inlet and an outlet and a baffle between the inlet and outlet to prevent combustion gases from passing directly from the inlet to the outlet. Additional turbulence-providing baffles can be provided within the radiators if desired. A combustion air inlet pipe extends through a recess in the bottom of each radiator to the combustion chamber, and a gas burner tube extends generally concentrically within the combustion air inlet pipe to provide a gas flame within the combustion chamber. A flame spreader plate directs the flame toward the bottom of the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A heat transfer device particularly adapted to cool electrophoresis gels and apparatus and comprising a supporting structure and a flat plate spaced above the supporting structure by a peripheral gasket to support the plate. The flat plate, gasket and supporting structure form a shallow enclosed chamber. A pair of longitudinal apertures adjacent opposite ends of the chamber provide communication with a pair of reservoirs in the supporting structure. A pump communicates with the downstream reservoir to draw coolant fluid through the chamber at a rate of flow providing laminar flow in the fluid and drawing the flat plate and gasket tight to the supporting structure.

Abstract: A solar energy absorber module having a molded top sheet of translucent plastic material and a molded bottom sheet of solar absorbing plastic material bonded together by circular bond indentations in the body thereof spaced from each other a distance equal to the diameter of the circular bond thereby forming a plurality of convex lens-like elliptical sites for augmentation of solar energy and a plurality of longitudinal tortuous sinusoidal channels in communication with a header at each end of the module for passage of working fluid therethrough.

Abstract: A high effectiveness contour matching contact heat exchanger (10) includes two opposing plates (12,13), each having alternating double rows (25) of attached pins (20). The ends (23) of the pins (20) opposite their respective plates (12,13) are received in tight-fitting holes (40) in the opposite plate (12,13), providing for flexibility of the heat exchanger (10) to maintain efficient thermal transfer contact between the plates (12,13) and the external thermal sources (50,51) of heat or cold, without causing gaps between the ends (23) of the pins (20) and their respective opposite plates (12,13) that decrease heat transfer effectiveness by adversely affecting flow distribution of the fluid flowing therepast.

Abstract: The regular packing element is formed by layers of inclined deflecting elements. The deflecting elements are arranged in criss-crossing relation to each other and provide continuous flow channels which are open at both ends. In addition, the flow channels are open laterally to the flow channels of the adjacent layers of the deflecting elements. The packing provides for an improved and accelerated mass transfer between two media flowing through the packing in countercurrent.

Abstract: A heat exchanger useful for example in medical applications has a plurality of parallel abutting channels separated by a sheet through which heat is exchanged, with the channel-defining walls preferably in line contact with the sheet and with sharp changes in direction rendering a generally serpentine flow pattern in each channel.

Abstract: Apparatus for containing liquid coolant within a liquid cooled transformer includes a vessel having opposing sides for forming a chamber. The chamber is prevented from decreasing below a predetermined volume limit when compressive force is applied to the vessel by providing separation elements which are coupled to at least one of the sides and extend into the chamber for contacting the other side when the limit is reached, thereby preventing further volume reduction of the chamber. When a liquid under pressure is supplied to the chamber the vessel tends to expand, such that when the apparatus is disposed between laminations of a core of a transformer for cooling the transformer, force is exerted on the laminations, thereby ensuring that the laminations do not loosen under adverse operating conditions.

Abstract: A gas-fired condensing furnace with a corrosion resistant condensing heat exchanger. The condensing heat exchanger is formed from a flat sheet of engineering metal with a layer of polypropylene sheet material laminated thereto. Each condensing heat exchanger has a condensing flow passage of serpentine shape formed in the laminated flat sheet of engineering metal such that the polypropylene layer will be exposed to the flue gas/condensate environment to provide corrosion resistance to the metal.

Abstract: This fluid warmer includes a disposable pouch and a pouch warmer assembly. The pouch has an inlet and an outlet and in between there is a plurality of ribs which are so arranged as to force equal flow across the bottom heating area of the pouch. The pouch is insertable into a warmer assembly which consists of a housing which provides mechanical support for the heating element, temperature regulating circuit board, and an arrangement to maintain thermal contact between the heating element and the pouch. The posterior surface of the pouch will be constructed of a metal possibly coated with Teflon for rapid heat conduction from the heating element. The metals may be stainless steel, aluminum and copper or medical aloids.

Abstract: A solar water heater comprises a platelike heat pipe having a working fluid enclosed therein. The heat pipe includes a heat collector having parallel tubular portions and a radiator having hollow portions in communication with the tubular portion. A hot water tank has a metal bottom plate and is placed on the radiator of the heat pipe. The heat pipe has a collector to radiator surface area ratio of from 3/2 to 9/1. The collector tubular portions are 10 to 500 mm in pitch. Each of the tubular portions is 5 to 150 mm.sup.2 in cross sectional area. The head pipe may have a sacrificial protective layer and heat blocking holes. The main body of the hot water tank is jointed with a groove of the metal bottom plate using a sealant.

Abstract: A heat exchanger unit having opposed pan shaped sections with perimeter flanges which are folded one over the other to secure the sections together. The section having the inner flange is formed with a displaced flange portion or bead all along the perimeter flange portions, which bead is elastically displaced by the folded over flange to form a substantially leakproof joint.

Abstract: A heat exchanger apparatus has a titanium liquid circuit for the passage of a liquid to be cooled. The liquid circuit has a liquid input and a liquid output and is formed with titanium walls having coacting ribs formed on two walls to spread the liquid passing therethrough. A pair of cooling circuits located adjacent to the liquid circuit has air or another cooling fluid passed therethrough for cooling the liquid passing through the liquid circuit. Each cooling circuit is attached adjacent one titanium wall of the liquid circuit and each has a purality of metallic cooling fins, such as pin fins, fixedly soldered or brazed to the titanium wall. The titanium liquid side has no brazed or soldered joint and this prevents corrosion and contamination, while the heat exchanger efficiency is enhanced by the thin walls of titanium having high heat transfer pin fins soldered or brazed directly to the air side. Complete access to the liquid side of the heat exchanger is provided for cleaning.

Abstract: An evaporative cooler air conditioning system comprising an air-to-air counter-flow heat exchanger having separate dry cooling and wet evaporating chambers, air saturating elements, and air movement devices. Ambient supply air or other fluid is forced through the dry cooling chamber of the heat exchanger and exits, after transferring through the heat exchanger, into the cooled spaced or room to be cooled. The air in the cooled space absorbs heat from the heat load and reaches an equilibrium at a warmer temperature, and is then forced directly through the wet evaporative chamber of the heat exchanger where it is heavily saturated with water or other liquid.

Abstract: A blood warming device circulates air as a heating medium through a heater element and heat exchangers to transfer heat from the air to chilled blood being forced through the channels in a disposable warming jacket. A temperature sensor is disposed near an outlet of the blood warming jacket. An electronic control circuit operates on the signals produced by the temperature sensor to produce a cutoff signal that immediately stops the flow of heated air through the heat exchanger if the sensed blood temperature exceeds a predetermined level. The low heat capacity of the air is sufficiently low that no overheating of blood in the blood warming jacket occurs even if the blood flow is interrupted so that blood remains stationary in the blood warming jacket. The disposable warming jacket inclues a plurality of parallel blood paths, resulting in a high flow rate of heated blood. Blood output from one section of a warming jacket can be input to the inlet of another section to further raise the temperature thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to an oil cooler, especially for cooling the transmission oil of a motor vehicle, which includes a guide channel for the oil to be cooled extending in a region where it is subjected to a cross-flow of a cooling medium. The oil guide channel is constructed with two walls of folded, curved sheet metal, between which walls the oil is guided. The folded sheet metal cooler construction offers an improved heat exchange capacity as compared to previously used double pipe or double tube coolers. In especially advantageous embodiments of the invention, the oil is restrictively guided through the folded sheet metal cooler body so that a long path or passage for the flow-through of the oil results, whereby the heat exchange capacity is yet further increased.

Abstract: A heat exchange apparatus having a first header for receiving fluid from a source, flexible thin-walled tubular plastic heat exchange elements defining a plurality of passages through a heat exchange zone and second header means for receiving fluid from said plastic heat exchange elements after passing through said heat exchange zone. Support elements are provided, supporting and rigidifying the flexible thin-walled tubular plastic heat exchange member. The plastic heat exchange element defining said plurality of passages is radially expandable by pressure of fluid from said source to avoid scale formation.

Abstract: A dual-walled coiled plate heat exchanger with vented interface includes four plates of stainless steeel welded together and inflated to form a refrigerant passage between two of the plates, a water passage between another two of the plates, and a vented interface between the two passages such that leakage from either of the passages into the interface is vented to the atmosphere and not to the other passage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heater for installation on the floor or in the side walls of a motor vehicle. The heater installation comprises a first rigid plate and a second rigid plate which is firmly joined to the first rigid plate. One plate comprises a plastic material. In addition, a channel for a liquid medium is disposed between the plates and has at least one indentation therein. The heater also has an inflow pipe and an outflow pipe, wherein the channel extends from the inflow pipe to the outflow pipe.

Abstract: A hot fluid generator is disclosed for exchanging heat between a first fluid having a first temperature and a second fluid having a second temperature. The generator includes at least two spaced parallel metal sheets spirally wound with spaced turns about a vertical central axis and joined at their top and bottom edges to define a hollow spiral wall. Upper and lower closure members arranged normal to the central axis are connected with opposite ends of the spiral wall to define a first spiral passage between successive spaced turns through which a first fluid is circulated and a second spiral passage between the spaced sheets through which a second fluid is circulated, and a central combustion chamber. A burner is centrally arranged within the combustion chamber to heat the chamber and the first fluid so that as the first and second fluids are circulated, heat is exchanged between the first and second fluids.

Abstract: A heat exchange mat comprises at least a pair of mat members respectively including a heat exchange element and arranged side by side with their one side edges opposed, an elongated link member acting as a partition and linking between the opposed side edges of the mat members while allowing the interior of the respective members to communicate with each other at one longitudinal end of the link member, and means for supplying and discharging a heat exchange fluid to one of the mat members and out of the other member through supply and discharge tubes provided close to each other, the means being mounted to the mat at the other end of the link member, whereby substantially uniform thermal distribution overall the heat exchange mat is attained with remarkable improvement in the heat exchanging efficiency at its installing place.

Abstract: To provide a cooling arrangement utilizing liquid coolant, and capable of operating at or near the freeze point of the liquid coolant so as not to freeze solid, a steady state heat exchanger is provided. The heat exchanger includes a liquid impingement plate having a liquid carrying channel therein, a liquid supply tube for spraying liquid into the liquid carrying channel, and a liquid containment plate disposed in spaced relation to the liquid carrying channel which, together with the liquid impingement plate, defines a liquid flow chamber therebetween. Additionally, the heat exchanger includes a liquid inlet in communication with the liquid supply tube and a liquid outlet in communication with the liquid flow chamber, and utilizes a central thermal bus in heat exchange relation to the liquid impingement plate.

Abstract: A testing chuck for providing a thermally controlled mounting for wafer scale integrated circuits includes a body having a flat upper surface, upon which the integrated circuit is mounted, cooled or heated by a fluid flowing through a number of channels formed in the body. The channels have entrance and exit ends fluidly connected to first entrance and exit plenums. Second entrance and exit plenums are connected to the first entrance and exit plenums by a number of entrance and exit distribution conduits. Fluid is pumped into the second entrance plenum, through the entrance distribution conduits, through the first entrance plenum and into the entrance ends of the channels. After passing through the channels, the fluid flows through the first exit plenum, exit distribution conduits and second exit plenum. The entrance and exit plenums are curved in the direction of fluid flow to reduce stagnant regions within the plenums to aid heat transfer and draining of the chuck.

Abstract: A plastic heat exchanger comprises a single heat exchanger construction made up of a plate having two spaced apart walls and with a plurality of substantially parallel cross webs interconnecting the two walls which define a multiplicity of longitudinal heat transfer medium flow channels. The plate is assembled with a distribution and collection element which has spaced apart walls which are adapted to be arranged in abutting relationship with the walls of the plate and welded together with them to form a unit. The distribution and collecting element includes at least one heat transfer fluid plastic nipple inlet connection and at least one heat transfer fluid plastic nipple outlet connection. Advantageously, each unit may be interconnected by means of a plate which connects one nipple element of one distribution connecting element with a different nipple element of the next adjacent distribution and collection element.

Abstract: A heat exchanger with a stack of alternating hollow panels and corrugated plates includes a unique arrangement for positive drainage of water which flows down onto lower headers of the hollow panels as a result of condensation of moisture contained in air, which is pumped through the heat exchanger. A substantially vertical drain channel is defined between facing outer surfaces of the lower headers of nearby hollow panels, so that the water is guided downwardly from the upper surfaces of the lower headers into a sump as well as along the sides of the lower headers.

Abstract: A heated tank such as in a railroad tank car has a heat exchanger spaced from the bottom of the car to define a dead air space to insulate the heat exchanger from the bottom. The heat exchanger extends substantially longitudinally and transversely across the entire bottom of the car to provide a large heating transfer surface to the lading supported by the exchanger. A portion of the exchanger substantially encompasses a discharge valve of the tank car to provide heat transfer to the valve during unloading. The heat exchanger slopes toward the discharge valve to facilitate total removal of the lading. An inlet and an outlet associated with the heat exchanger are disposed adjacent the discharge valve for additional transfer of heat to the discharge valve. Baffles in the heat exchanger define a plurality of serpentine passages for conducting a heating medium.

Abstract: In a finned heat exchanger, preferably of aluminum, the feed of the fins (1) are secured to tubular passages (3, 3a, 3b) formed from plates (2) that have been rolled together and then expanded. The bond between the fins (1) and the plates (2) may be an adhesive bond, as by welding or a cohesive bond, as by tight pressing together.