Method for manufacturing a curved heat exchanger using wedge shaped segments

A method for manufacturing a heat exchanger includes stacking a plurality of parting sheets, a plurality of lengthwise closure bars, and a plurality of widthwise closure bars to form a rectangular first heat exchanger section. The first heat exchanger section includes at least one widthwise passage extending between a pair of the widthwise closure bars and at least one lengthwise passage extending between a pair of the lengthwise closure bars. The method also includes brazing the rectangular first heat exchanger section together and cutting a first side and a second side of the rectangular first heat exchanger section to give the first heat exchanger section a tapered-trapezoid profile. The method further includes brazing an end of a second heat exchanger section to the first or second side of the first heat exchanger section.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to heat exchangers, and in particular to curved plate-fin heat exchangers.

Heat exchangers are often used to transfer heat between two fluids. For example, in aircraft environmental control systems, heat exchangers may be used to transfer heat between a relatively hot air source (e.g., bleed air from a gas turbine engine) and a relatively cool air source (e.g., ram air). Some heat exchangers, often referred to as plate-fin heat exchangers, include a plate-fin core having multiple heat transfer sheets arranged in layers to define air passages there between. Closure bars seal alternating inlets of hot air and cool air inlet sides of the core. Accordingly, hot air and cool air are directed through alternating passages to form alternating layers of hot and cool air within the core. Heat is transferred between the hot and cool air via the heat transfer sheets that separate the layers. In addition, to facilitate heat transfer between the layers, each of the passages can include heat transfer fins, often formed of corrugated material (e.g., aluminum), that are oriented in a direction of the flow within the passage. The heat transfer fins increase turbulence and a surface area that is exposed to the airflow, thereby enhancing heat transfer between the layers.

Due to existing corrugated sheet structures and manufacturing techniques, known plate-fin heat exchangers have a rectangular axial cross section. In some applications, such as aircraft environmental control systems, the plate-fin heat exchangers are arranged around a central axis. As a result of the rectangular cross section of the plate-fin heat exchangers, gaps occur between adjacent plate-fin heat exchangers and between a curved housing and the plate-fin heat exchangers when the plate-fin heat exchangers are arranged circumferentially about the central axis. These gaps creates dead space next to the plate-fin heat exchangers that cannot be used by the plate-fin heat exchangers.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a heat exchanger includes a first section with a top side opposite a bottom side, wherein the top side is longer than the bottom side. The first section also includes a first side extending between the top side and the bottom side, and a second side extending between the top side and the bottom side opposite the first side. The first side and the second side of the first section taper toward each other as the first side and the second side extend toward the bottom side of the first section. The heat exchanger also includes a second section with a top side opposite a bottom side, and a first side extending between the top side of the second section and the bottom side of the second section. The second section also includes a second side extending between the top side of the second section and the bottom side of the second section opposite the first side of the second section. The second side of the second section of the heat exchanger is connected to the first side of the first section of the heat exchanger. A header manifold is connected to the first side of the second section.

In another embodiment, a heat exchanger includes a first section with a top opposite a bottom, a lengthwise dimension transverse to a widthwise dimension, and a first parting sheet at the top of the first section. The first section also includes a first lengthwise closure bar and a second lengthwise closure bar under the first parting sheet, with the first and second lengthwise closure bars extending in the lengthwise dimension and spaced from each other in the widthwise dimension. A second parting sheet is under the first and second lengthwise closure bars. The first parting sheet, the second parting sheet, the first lengthwise closure bar, and the second lengthwise closure bar together form a first lengthwise passage that extends in the lengthwise dimension through the first section of the heat exchanger. A first widthwise closure bar and a second widthwise closure bar are under the second parting sheet. The first and second widthwise closure bars extend in the widthwise dimension and are spaced from each other in the lengthwise dimension. A third parting sheet is under the first and second widthwise closure bars. The second parting sheet, the third parting sheet, the first widthwise closure bar, and the second widthwise closure bar together form a first widthwise passage that extends in the widthwise dimension through the first section of the heat exchanger. A third lengthwise closure bar and a fourth lengthwise closure bar are under the third parting sheet and extend in the lengthwise dimension and are spaced from each other in the widthwise dimension. A fourth parting sheet is under the third and fourth lengthwise closure bars. The third parting sheet, the fourth parting sheet, the third lengthwise closure bar, and the fourth lengthwise closure bar together form a second lengthwise passage that extends in the lengthwise dimension through the first section of the heat exchanger. The first and second lengthwise closure bars of the first section are both longer than the third and fourth lengthwise closure bars of the first section.

In another embodiment, a method for manufacturing a heat exchanger includes stacking a plurality of parting sheets, a plurality of lengthwise closure bars, and a plurality of widthwise closure bars to form a rectangular first heat exchanger section. The first heat exchanger section includes at least one widthwise passage extending between a pair of the widthwise closure bars and at least one lengthwise passage extending between a pair of the lengthwise closure bars. The method also includes brazing the rectangular first heat exchanger section together and cutting a first side and a second end of the rectangular first heat exchanger section to give the first heat exchanger section a tapered-trapezoid profile. The method further includes stacking a second plurality of parting sheets, a second plurality of lengthwise closure bars, and a second plurality of widthwise closure bars to form a second heat exchanger section. The second heat exchanger section includes at least one widthwise passage extending between a pair of the second plurality of widthwise closure bars and at least one lengthwise passage extending between a pair of the second plurality of lengthwise closure bars. The method further includes brazing the second heat exchanger section together, and brazing an end of the second heat exchanger section to the first or second end of the first heat exchanger section.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other aspects and embodiments are possible in view of the entirety of the present disclosure, including the accompanying figures.

While the above-identified drawing figures set forth one or more embodiments, other embodiments are also contemplated. It should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art, which fall within the scope and spirit of the principles of the claims. The figures may not be drawn to scale, and applications and embodiments may include features and components not specifically shown in the drawings. Like reference numerals identify similar structural elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosure relates to a heat exchanger with multiple core sections. At least one of the core sections of the heat exchanger is wedge-shaped (i.e., tapered on two sides). When the wedge-shaped core section(s) is connected to adjacent core sections in the heat exchanger, the interface between the tapered sides of the wedge-shaped core section(s) and the adjacent core sections creates a bend (or bends) in the overall geometry of the heat exchanger. The bend(s) in the heat exchanger allow the heat exchanger to curve and better fill and utilize non-rectangular spaces. The disclosure also relates to a method for manufacturing this heat exchanger. The bent heat exchanger is described below with reference toFIGS. 1-4.

FIG. 1is a perspective view of heat exchanger10. As shown inFIG. 1, heat exchanger10includes first header12a, second header12b, and core14with first section14a, second section14b, and third section14c. First header12aincludes inlet16and second header12bincludes outlet18. First section14aof core14includes top side20a, bottom side22a, first side24a, and second side26a. Second section14bof core14includes top side20b, bottom side22b, first side24b, and second side26b. Third section14cof core14includes top side20c, bottom side22c, first side24c, and second side26c. Heat exchanger10also includes first bend28and second bend30. Hot air F1and cool air F2interact with heat exchanger10.

Top side20aof first section14ais positioned opposite bottom side22a. First side24aof first section14ais positioned opposite second side26a, and both first side24aand second side26aof first section14aextend from top side20ato bottom side22a. Top side20ais longer than bottom side22a, causing first side24aand second side26ato taper toward each other as they extend to bottom side22a. In the embodiment ofFIG. 1, second section14bof core14is identical to first section14a, except that first side24bof second section14bis not tapered. Top side20bof second section14bis positioned opposite bottom side22b. First side24bof second section14bis positioned opposite second side26b, and both first side24band second side26bof second section14bextend from top side20bto bottom side22b. Top side20bis longer than bottom side22b, second side26bto taper as second side26bextends to bottom side22b. In the embodiment ofFIG. 1, third section14cof core14is also identical to first section14a, except that second side26cof third section14cis not tapered. Top side20cof third section14cis positioned opposite bottom side22c. First side24cof third section14cis positioned opposite second side26c, and both first side24cand second side26cof third section14cextend from top side20cto bottom side22c. Top side20cis longer than bottom side22c, causing first side24cto taper as first side24cextends to bottom side22c.

Third section14c, first section14a, and second section14bof core14are connected in series between first header12aand second header12b. As shown inFIG. 1, first header12ais connected to first side24bof second section14b. Second side26bof second section14bis connected to first side24aof first section14a. Second side26aof first section14ais connected to first side24cof third section14c. Second side26cof third section14cis connected to second header12b. First section14a, second section14b, and third section14cof core14are brazed together to form core14. First header12aand second header12bare welded to core14to form heat exchanger10. Because first section14ais tapered and portions of second section14band third section14care tapered, first bend28occurs in heat exchanger10between first section14aand second section14bof core14, and second bend30occurs between first section14aand third section14cof core14. First bend28and second bend30in heat exchanger10cause heat exchanger10to arc and curve from first header12ato second header12b. Because heat exchanger10arcs and curves from first header12ato second header12b, heat exchanger10can be used in curved spaces, such as curved or annular ducts in aircraft environmental control systems.

During operation of heat exchanger10, hot air F1enters inlet16on first header12awhere first header12adirects hot air F1in second section14bof core14. As discussed below with respect toFIGS. 2A and 2B, heat exchanger10is a plate-fin heat exchanger with lengthwise passages that extend completely through second section14b, first section14a, and third section14cso that hot air F1is able to flow from first header12a, through core14, and into second header12b. After entering second header12b, hot air F1exits heat exchanger10through outlet18of second header12b. As also discussed below with reference toFIGS. 2A and 2B, first section14a, second section14b, and third section14cof core14each include widthwise passages that allow cool air F2to flow orthogonally through core14without mixing with hot air F1.

InFIGS. 2A and 2B, a lengthwise dimension X of first section14ais defined as the direction parallel to the x-axis, a widthwise dimension Z of first section14ais defined as the direction parallel to the z-axis, and a height dimension Y of first section14ais defined as the direction parallel to the y-axis. To form first section14a, the elements of first section14aare stacked in the height dimension Y in the following order, descending from top side20ato bottom side22aof first section14a: top end sheet46a, parting sheet32a, lengthwise closure bars34a(two shown), lengthwise corrugation42a, parting sheet32b, widthwise closure bars36a(two shown), widthwise corrugation44a, parting sheet32c, lengthwise closure bars34b(two shown), lengthwise corrugation42b, parting sheet32d, widthwise closure bars36b(two shown), widthwise corrugation44b, parting sheet32e, lengthwise closure bars34c(two shown), lengthwise corrugation42c, parting sheet32f, widthwise closure bars36c(two shown), widthwise corrugation44c, parting sheet32g, lengthwise closure bars34d(two shown), lengthwise corrugation42d, parting sheet32h, widthwise closure bars36d(two shown), widthwise corrugation44d, parting sheet32i, lengthwise closure bars34e(two shown), lengthwise corrugation42e, parting sheet32j, and bottom end sheet48a.

The configuration of first section14ainFIGS. 2A and 2Balternates hot-gas passages38a-38ewith cool-gas passages40a-40dalong the height dimension Y such that each one of cool-gas passages40a-40dis positioned vertically on first section14abetween two of hot-gas passages38a-38e. Alternating hot-gas passages38a-38ewith cool-gas passages40a-40dimproves the efficiency of first section14aof heat exchanger10by increasing the heat transfer area between hot air F1and cool air F2. To further increase the heat transfer area inside first section14a, lengthwise corrugated sheets42a-42eare positioned inside hot-gas passages38a-38erespectively, and widthwise corrugated sheets44a-44dare positioned inside cool-gas passages40a-40drespectively. Lengthwise corrugated sheets42a-42eextend the entire length of hot-gas passages38a-38erespectively, and widthwise corrugated sheets44a-44dextend the entire length of cool-gas passages40a-40drespectively.

As previously discussed above with reference toFIG. 1, first section14aof core14is tapered with top side20alonger than bottom side22a, and first side24aand second side26atapering toward each other as they extend to bottom side22aof first section14a.FIG. 2Bbest illustrates the tapered profile of first section14a. As shown inFIG. 2B, lengthwise closure bars34a-34edecrease in length in the X dimension from top side20ato bottom side22a. For example, the two lengthwise closure bars34aare longer in the X dimension than the two lengthwise closure bars34b. Lengthwise closure bars34ehave the shortest length among lengthwise closure bars34a-34e. Parting sheets32a-32jalso decrease in length in the X dimension from top side20ato bottom side22a. For example, parting sheet32ais longer than parting sheet32bin the X dimension, and parting sheet32bis longer than parting sheet32cin the X dimension. Parting sheet32jhas the shortest length of parting sheets32a-32jin the X dimension.

As part of forming tapered first side24aand second side26aof first section14a, each of widthwise closure bars36a-36dincludes a ramping trapezoid cross-section on the X-Y plane with two ninety-degree angles, one obtuse angle, and one acute angle. Each of lengthwise closure bars34a-34einclude a rectangular cross-section on the Y-Z plane and an elongated isosceles trapezoid profile on the X-Y plane. Overall, first section14aof core14(shown inFIG. 1) has a tapered-trapezoid profile on the X-Y plane with the length of first section14ain the X dimension decreasing from top end sheet46down to bottom end sheet48. A method for manufacturing first section14a(as well as second section14band third section14c) and heat exchanger10is described below with reference toFIGS. 3A-4.

FIG. 3Ais a perspective view of a prefinished embodiment of first section14aof core14(shown inFIG. 1) for heat exchanger10(also shown inFIG. 1).FIG. 3Bis a side elevation view of the prefinished embodiment of first section14afromFIG. 3A.FIG. 4is a side elevation view of a completed embodiment of heat exchanger10. WhileFIGS. 3A and 3Billustrate first section14a, the following discussion ofFIGS. 3A and 3Bcan also be applied to second section14band third section14cof core14.

As shown best inFIG. 3B, all of lengthwise closure bars34a-34eoriginally have the same length in the X dimension. Widthwise closure bars36a-36dhave differing thicknesses in the X dimension, with the thickness of widthwise closure bars36a-36dincreasing from widthwise closure bars36adown to widthwise closure bars36d. For example widthwise closure bars36aare each thinner in the X dimension than widthwise closure bars36b, and widthwise closure bars36bare thinner in the X dimension than widthwise closure bars36c. Widthwise closure bars36dare the thickest of widthwise closure bars36a-36d.

After stacking parting sheets32a-32j, lengthwise closure bars34a-34e, widthwise closure bars36a-36d, lengthwise corrugated sheets42a-42e, widthwise corrugated sheets44a-44d, top end sheet46a, and bottom end sheet48aas described above, the above listed elements are brazed together into a rectangular prefinished first section14ausing a first braze material at a first temperature. After the elements of prefinished first section14are brazed together, the ends of prefinished first section14are cut along lines L1and L2to form tapered first side24aand tapered second side26aand give first section14aa tapered-trapezoid profile. The cuts along lines L1and L2are accommodated by the increasing thicknesses of widthwise closure bars36a-36d. The cuts along lines L1and L2can be performed through wire-cut electrical discharge machining (EDM). After cutting first section14along lines L1and L2, the above steps used to produce tapered first section14aof core section14are repeated to produce second section14b(shown above inFIG. 1and below inFIG. 4) and to produce third section14c(shown above inFIG. 1and below inFIG. 4). Because first side24bof second section14band second side26cof third section14care both not tapered (as discussed previously with reference toFIG. 1), second section14band third section14ceach only require one angled cut.

After manufacturing first section14a, second section14b, and third section14c, the three sections14a,14b, and14care positioned relative one another such that hot-gas passages38a-38eof first section14aare contiguous with hot-gas passages38a-38eof second section14band third section14crespectively, as shown inFIG. 4. First section14a, second section14b, and third section14care then brazed together to form core14using a second braze material at a second temperature. The second braze material has a lower melting temperature than the first braze material, and thus the second temperature is lower than the first temperature. Because first section14a, second section14b, and third section14care brazed at a lower temperature than the first brazing temperature used to produce sections14a,14b, and14c, first section14a, second section14b, and/or third section14care not at risk of individually falling apart during the second braze. First header12aand second header12bare then positioned relative core14and welded to core14.

As shown inFIG. 4, first header manifold12ais welded to first side24bof second section14b. Second side26bof second section14bis connected by the second braze material to first side24aof first section14b. Second side26aof first section14ais connected by the second braze material to first side24cof third section14c. Second side26cof third section14cis welded to second header12b. Because of the tapered sides of first section14a, second section14b, and third section14c, first bend28and second bend30are formed in core14of heat exchanger10. First bend28and second bend30in heat exchanger10cause heat exchanger10to arc and curve from first header12ato second header12b. Because heat exchanger10arcs and curves from first header12ato second header12b, heat exchanger10can be used in curved spaces, such as curved or annular ducts in aircraft environmental control systems.

In one embodiment, a heat exchanger includes a first section with a top side opposite a bottom side, wherein the top side is longer than the bottom side. The first section also includes a first side extending between the top side and the bottom side, and a second side extending between the top side and the bottom side opposite the first side. The first side and the second side of the first section taper toward each other as the first side and the second side extend toward the bottom side of the first section. The heat exchanger also includes a second section with a top side opposite a bottom side, and a first side extending between the top side of the second section and the bottom side of the second section. The second section also includes a second side extending between the top side of the second section and the bottom side of the second section opposite the first side of the second section. The second side of the second section of the heat exchanger is connected to the first side of the first section of the heat exchanger. A header manifold is connected to the first side of the second section.

the top side of the second section is longer than the bottom side of the second section, and the first side of the second section and/or the second side of the second section taper from the top side of the second section to the bottom side of the second section;

a first hot-gas passage extending from the first side of the first section to the second side of the first section; and a second hot-gas passage extending from the first side of the second section to the second side of the second section, wherein the second hot-gas passage of the second section is contiguous with the first hot-gas passage of the first section; and/or

a first corrugated sheet inside the first hot-gas passage of the first section and extending from the first side of the first section to the second side of the first section; and a second corrugated sheet inside the second hot-gas passage of the second section and extending from the first side of the second section to the second side of the second section.

In another embodiment, a heat exchanger includes a first section with a top opposite a bottom, a lengthwise dimension transverse to a widthwise dimension, and a first parting sheet at the top of the first section. The first section also includes a first lengthwise closure bar and a second lengthwise closure bar under the first parting sheet, with the first and second lengthwise closure bars extending in the lengthwise dimension and spaced from each other in the widthwise dimension. A second parting sheet is under the first and second lengthwise closure bars. The first parting sheet, the second parting sheet, the first lengthwise closure bar, and the second lengthwise closure bar together form a first lengthwise passage that extends in the lengthwise dimension through the first section of the heat exchanger. A first widthwise closure bar and a second widthwise closure bar are under the second parting sheet. The first and second widthwise closure bars extend in the widthwise dimension and are spaced from each other in the lengthwise dimension. A third parting sheet is under the first and second widthwise closure bars. The second parting sheet, the third parting sheet, the first widthwise closure bar, and the second widthwise closure bar together form a first widthwise passage that extends in the widthwise dimension through the first section of the heat exchanger. A third lengthwise closure bar and a fourth lengthwise closure bar are under the third parting sheet and extend in the lengthwise dimension and are spaced from each other in the widthwise dimension. A fourth parting sheet is under the third and fourth lengthwise closure bars. The third parting sheet, the fourth parting sheet, the third lengthwise closure bar, and the fourth lengthwise closure bar together form a second lengthwise passage that extends in the lengthwise dimension through the first section of the heat exchanger. The first and second lengthwise closure bars of the first section are both longer than the third and fourth lengthwise closure bars of the first section.

the length of the first section tapers from the first parting sheet to the fourth parting sheet;

the first section further comprises: a third widthwise closure bar and a fourth widthwise closure bar under the fourth parting sheet, wherein the third and fourth widthwise closure bars extend in the widthwise dimension and are spaced from each other in the lengthwise dimension; and a fifth parting sheet under the third and fourth widthwise closure bars, wherein the fourth parting sheet, the fifth parting sheet, the third widthwise closure bar, and the fourth widthwise closure bar together form a second widthwise passage that extends in the widthwise dimension through the first section of the heat exchanger;

a second section comprising: a top, a bottom, a lengthwise dimension, a widthwise dimension, a first parting sheet, a second parting sheet, a third parting sheet, a fourth parting sheet, a first lengthwise closure bar, a second lengthwise closure bar, a third lengthwise closure bar, a fourth lengthwise closure bar, a first widthwise closure bar, a second widthwise closure bar, a first lengthwise passage, a second lengthwise passage, and a first widthwise passage all arranged in the same manner as the first section of the heat exchanger, wherein the first widthwise closure bar of the second section of the heat exchanger is connected to the second widthwise closure bar of the first section of the heat exchanger, wherein the first lengthwise passage of the second section of the heat exchanger is contiguous with the first lengthwise passage of the first section of the heat exchanger, and wherein the second lengthwise passage of the second section of the heat exchanger is contiguous with the second lengthwise passage of the first section of the heat exchanger;

the first parting sheet of the first section is longer than the second parting sheet of the first section, wherein the second parting sheet of the first section is longer than the third parting sheet of the first section, wherein the third parting sheet of the first section is longer than the fourth parting sheet of the first section;

a first corrugated sheet inside the first lengthwise passage of the first section of the heat exchanger; a second corrugated sheet inside the second lengthwise passage of the first section of the heat exchanger; a third corrugated sheet inside the first widthwise passage of the first section of the heat exchanger; a fourth corrugated sheet inside the first lengthwise passage of the second section of the heat exchanger; a fifth corrugated sheet inside the second lengthwise passage of the second section of the heat exchanger; and a sixth corrugated sheet inside the first widthwise passage of the second section of the heat exchanger;

a first braze material connects together at least the following parts of the first section: the first parting sheet, the second parting sheet, the third parting sheet, the fourth parting sheet, the first lengthwise closure bar, the second lengthwise closure bar, the third lengthwise closure bar, the fourth lengthwise closure bar, the first widthwise closure bar, and the second widthwise closure bar;

a second braze material connects the first section of the heat exchanger to the second section of the heat exchanger, wherein the second braze material has a lower melting temperature than the first braze material; and/or

a header manifold is welded to the second widthwise closure bar of the second section or the first widthwise closure bar of the first section.

In another embodiment, a method for manufacturing a heat exchanger includes stacking a plurality of parting sheets, a plurality of lengthwise closure bars, and a plurality of widthwise closure bars to form a rectangular first heat exchanger section. The first heat exchanger section includes at least one widthwise passage extending between a pair of the widthwise closure bars and at least one lengthwise passage extending between a pair of the lengthwise closure bars. The method also includes brazing the rectangular first heat exchanger section together and cutting a first side and a second side of the rectangular first heat exchanger section to give the first heat exchanger section a tapered-trapezoid profile. The method further includes stacking a second plurality of parting sheets, a second plurality of lengthwise closure bars, and a second plurality of widthwise closure bars to form a second heat exchanger section. The second heat exchanger section includes at least one widthwise passage extending between a pair of the second plurality of widthwise closure bars and at least one lengthwise passage extending between a pair of the second plurality of lengthwise closure bars. The method further includes brazing the second heat exchanger section together, and brazing an end of the second heat exchanger section to the first or second side of the first heat exchanger section.

brazing the rectangular first heat exchanger section together at a first temperature; brazing the second heat exchanger section together at the first temperature; and brazing the end of the second heat exchanger section to the first or second side of the first heat exchanger section at a second temperature, wherein the second temperature is lower than the first temperature;

the plurality of widthwise closure bars of the first heat exchanger section prior to cutting comprises a first pair of widthwise closure bars and a second pair of widthwise closure bars, wherein the widthwise closure bars in the first pair are each thicker than the widthwise closure bars in the second pair;

brazing the end of the second heat exchanger section to the first side of the first heat exchanger section; and welding a header manifold to the second heat exchanger section opposite the first heat exchanger section;

brazing the second heat exchanger section together; cutting a first side and/or a second side of the second heat exchanger section to taper the first side and/or second side of the second heat exchanger section; brazing the second side of the second heat exchanger section to the first side of the first heat exchanger section;

brazing the second heat exchanger section to the first heat exchanger section forms a bend in the heat exchanger; and/or

stacking a third plurality of parting sheets, a third plurality of lengthwise closure bars, and a third plurality of widthwise closure bars to form a third heat exchanger section with at least one widthwise passage extending between a pair of the third plurality of widthwise closure bars and at least one lengthwise passage extending between a pair of the third plurality of lengthwise closure bars; cutting a first side and/or a second side of the third heat exchanger section to taper the first side and/or second side of the third heat exchanger section; and brazing the first side of the third heat exchanger section to the second side of the first heat exchanger section, wherein brazing the third heat exchanger section to the first heat exchanger section forms a second bend in the heat exchanger.

Any relative terms or terms of degree used herein, such as “substantially”, “essentially”, “generally”, “approximately”, and the like, should be interpreted in accordance with and subject to any applicable definitions or limits expressly stated herein. In all instances, any relative terms or terms of degree used herein should be interpreted to broadly encompass any relevant disclosed embodiments as well as such ranges or variations as would be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art in view of the entirety of the present disclosure, such as to encompass ordinary manufacturing tolerance variations, incidental alignment variations, transitory vibrations and sway movements, temporary alignment or shape variations induced by operational conditions, and the like.

While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment(s), it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, while the above disclosure describes core14as having three sections14a,14b, and14c, core14of heat exchanger10can have more than three sections. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. For example, while the above disclosure describes first section14a, second section14b, and third section14cas being the same as one another, core14can include non-identical sections. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.