Patent ID: 7195060
Filing Date: 2007-03-27
Classification: F28D,F28F

Abstract:
1. A heat exchanger for heat transfer between a first fluid and a second fluid, the heat exchanger comprising: (a) a core comprising a stack of tubes, each of the tubes having a top wall, a bottom wall, side walls connecting the top and bottom walls, a hollow interior enclosed by the top, bottom and side walls, and inlet and outlet openings for the first fluid; wherein each of the tubes has a pair of end portions spaced apart along a longitudinal axis and a central portion located between the end portions, the end portions of adjacent tubes in the core being sealed to one another along their top and bottom walls, wherein the end portions are greater in height than the central portions of the tubes such that the central portions of adjacent tubes in the core are spaced from one another; (b) a plurality of first fluid flow passages, each of which comprises the hollow interior of one of the tubes and extends longitudinally from the first fluid inlet opening to the first fluid outlet opening; (c) a plurality of second fluid flow passages, each of which comprises the space between the central portions of an adjacent pair of said tubes, each of the second fluid flow passages having a pair of longitudinally-spaced ends and a pair of transversely spaced sides, each of the second fluid flow passages being sealed along its ends by the end portions of said adjacent pair of tubes; and (d) a pair of side plates covering the transversely spaced sides of the second fluid flow passages, each of the side plates having a substantially flat side wall which engages the side walls of the tubes in the core and is sealed to the tube side walls in the end portions of the tubes, wherein a second fluid inlet manifold is provided in one of the side plates and a second fluid outlet manifold is provided in one of the side plates, each of the manifolds communicating with each of the second fluid flow passages; wherein portions of each of the side walls of the tubes which are in engagement with or sealed to one of the side plates are substantially flat and coplanar with one another.