Patent ID: 9328978
Filing Date: 2016-05-03
CPC Classification: F02C,F05D,F28F

Claim Text:
1. A heat exchanger, comprising: a first unit having a first conduit for passing a flow of a first fluid through the first unit; a second unit having a second conduit for passing a flow of a second fluid through the second unit, wherein the flow of the first fluid is isolated from the second unit and the flow of the second fluid is isolated from the first unit; a third conduit connecting the first and second units, wherein the third conduit is for carrying a flow of an intermediate fluid between the first and second units so as to transfer heat between the first fluid and the second fluid, when in use; wherein the third conduit comprises a connecting branch extending from within and between the first unit and second unit; a sensor for determining a condition of the intermediate fluid, the condition of the intermediate fluid being indicative of a presence or an absence of a leak of the first fluid of the first unit and/or the second fluid of the second unit, a valve positioned in the connecting branch between the first unit and second unit for directing flow of the intermediate fluid; and a controller in communication with the sensor and the valve, the controller is operable, when the sensor detects a change in the condition which exceeds a pre-defined limit, the pre-defied limit being indicative of a leak of the first fluid of the first unit and/or the second fluid of the second unit, to operate the valve and alter the flow path of the intermediate fluid, wherein the valve is selected from; a) a one way valve operable to prevent flow of fluid from the second unit to the first unit and/or backflow of the intermediate fluid to the first unit; or b) an isolating valve operable to isolate flow of the intermediate fluid.