Abstract: An improved heat exchanger (60) includes plural relatively flat conduits (62) adapted to accommodate passage of heat transfer fluid therethrough. Each conduit (62) has inlet and outlet openings, a supply channel (100) communicating with the corresponding inlet opening to direct heat transfer fluid flowing through the corresponding inlet opening into the corresponding conduit (62), a drain channel (102) communicating with the corresponding outlet opening to direct heat transfer fluid out of the corresponding conduit (62) through the corresponding outlet opening, and plural heat transfer channels (92) communicating between the supply and drain channels (100, 102) to direct heat transfer fluid therebetween in a generally transverse direction relative to respective major axes of the supply and drain channels (100, 102). The supply and drain channels (100, 102) each have a substantially greater length and cross-sectional area than the length and cross-sectional area of each heat transfer channel (92).
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 10, 1998
Date of Patent:
January 25, 2000
Assignee:
Heatcraft Inc.
Inventors:
Young L. Bae, Michael E. Heidenreich, Roger A. Loomis, Benjamin W. McElwrath, Jr.
Abstract: An improved heat exchanger includes plural relatively flat conduits adapted to accommodate passage of heat transfer fluid therethrough. Each conduit has inlet and outlet openings, a supply channel communicating with the corresponding inlet opening to direct heat transfer fluid flowing through the corresponding inlet opening into the corresponding conduit, a drain channel communicating with the corresponding outlet opening to direct heat transfer fluid out of the corresponding conduit through the corresponding outlet opening, and plural heat transfer channels communicating between the supply and drain channels to direct heat transfer fluid therebetween in a generally transverse direction relative to respective major axes of the supply and drain channels. The supply and drain channels each have a substantially greater cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of each heat transfer channel.