Patent ID: 7617700
Filing Date: 2009-11-17
Classification: F28D,F28F,G05D

Abstract:
1. A heat exchanger comprising: an inlet header with associated inlet port for receiving fluid having a variable temperature; an outlet header having an internal wall and an outlet port for discharging fluid at a controlled temperature; a plurality of heat exchange tubes having upstream ends fluidly connected to the inlet header and downstream ends fluidly connected to the outlet header, whereby fluid can flow from the inlet port, into the inlet header, through each tube where heat is transferred, thereby cooling the fluid, before flowing into the outlet header, and out of the outlet port; a thermally actuated valve assembly in the outlet header, spanning the downstream ends of a plurality the tubes adjacent the outlet port, and having a valve body selectively movable between (i) one position permitting flow of fluid from some of the tubes adjacent the outlet port through the outlet header to the outlet port while blocking flow of fluid from all other tubes through the outlet header to the outlet port and (ii) another position permitting flow of fluid from all of the tubes through the outlet header to the outlet port, wherein the valve assembly is rigidly attached to the discharge port and extends into without attachment to the internal wall of the outlet header wherein the valve assembly further comprises