Patent ID: 11938782
Assignee: DANA CANADA CORPORATION
Field: Thermal processes and apparatus (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B  H  F | IPC B  F

Claim 12:
13. A heat exchanger, comprising:
(a) a fluid flow passage adapted for flow of a fluid, the fluid flow passage having an inlet and an outlet;
(b) a first plate and a second plate in opposed facing relation to one another, wherein each of the first plate and the second plate are thermally conductive, have an inner surface facing inwardly toward the fluid flow passage and an outer surface facing outwardly from the fluid flow passage, wherein the fluid flow passage is defined by a space between the inner surface of the first plate and the inner surface of the second plate; and
(c) a first electrical heating element located outside the fluid flow passage and adjacent to the outer surface of the first plate, such that heat produced by the first electrical heating element is transferred through the first plate to the fluid in the fluid flow passage during use of the heat exchanger;
wherein the first electrical heating element has a thickness between 1 μm and about 1000 μm;
wherein the first electrical heating element comprises an electrically insulating dielectric base layer which is closest to the outer surface of the first plate, and an electrically resistive heater layer on the dielectric base layer;
wherein the electrically insulating dielectric base layer comprises a thermally conductive, electrically insulating composite layer comprising a polymer mixed with a particulate filler material;
wherein the first plate has an opening into which a heater plate component is sealingly received, the heater plate component comprising:
a first plate portion having an inner surface and an outer surface;
a turbulence-enhancing insert comprising a corrugated fin or a turbulizer having ridges connected by side walls, wherein a first plurality of said ridges is in thermal contact with the inner surface of the first plate portion; and
said first electrical heating element, being in contact with and adhered to the outer surface of the first plate portion, and being opposed to the turbulence-enhancing insert;

wherein the first plate portion has a peripheral edge flange extending outwardly beyond edges of the turbulence-enhancing insert along its said inner surface, and extending outwardly beyond edges of the electrical heating element along its said outer surface; and
wherein the peripheral edge flange of the first plate portion is connected to the first plate with a fluid-tight, sealed connection, and such that the opening in the first plate is sealed by the peripheral edge flange of the first plate portion.