Patent GB-655470-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to heat exchangers
IPC: F28F9/00
Filed: 1948-03-08
Abstract: 655,470. Plate heat-exchangers. WIGG, R. E., and RUSTON & HORNSBY, Ltd. March 8. 1948, No. 7057. [Class 64(iii)] In a matrix unit for a single- or multi-unit plate heat-exchanger, two independent groups of parallel fluidflow passages are formed by a plurality of spaced rectangular sheets or a sheet or sheets sinuously folded to form the fluid passage walls, all the walls being deeply corrugated transversely with the crests of the corrugations in adjacent walls abutting each other (Fig. 9), or alternatively, flat walls (Figs. 1 and 5) or walls having shallow undulations (Fig. 8) alternating with and abutting the deeply corrugated walls, headers h<SP>1</SP>, h<SP>2</SP> communicating with one or other of the groups of fluid-flow passages being disposed at opposite ends of the matrix. The headers may be formed by flattening the corrugations at each end of the matrix or by forming flat end-portions or portions having only shallow corrugations when forming the deep corrugations in the plates. Alternatively, separately constructed headers (e.g. castings) may be used (Fig. 19, not shown). The headers may be open for the passage of one of the two fluids either laterally at one of the two flat faces of the generally rectangular assemblage, or at the extremities of the matrix. In Fig. 3, one fluid A enters and leaves the matrix laterally at opposite ends by way of headers h<SP>2</SP> and the other fluid G flows through the matrix in contra-flow to the fluid A by way of headers h<SP>1</SP>. Additional headers. may be provided at intermediate points in the fluid passages (Fig. 4, not shown). The unit or multiple units may be enclosed by a casing readily dismantled for inspection purposes. Fig. 1 shows a matrix constructed from corrugated sheets c which alternate with flat sheets f, any one sheet c being connected by seamed joints j at one longitudinal marginal edge to a sheet flying on one side of the sheet c and at its other longitudinal marginal edge to the sheet f lying on the opposite side of the sheet c. The headers are formed by reducing or flattening the corrugations for a suitable distance from each end of the matrix in the manner shown in Fig. 5 in which the matrix is constructed from a sinuously folded sheet and in which the headers h', h<SP>2</SP> open laterally for the admittance or discharge of the respective fluids, being closed at the extremities of the matrix by strips or bars 3 secured in position. In Figs. 17 and 18 a plurality of matrix units are nested together in a casing 28, in pairs (e.g. x, x; x<SP>1</SP>, x<SP>1</SP>: y, y; y<SP>1</SP>, y<SP>1</SP>), alternate pairs being at right angles to the next pair and the individual units of each pair being spaced apart by one of the units of an adjacent pair, e.g. a unit y is disposed between the units x, x. The flow passages for one fluid A in each pair are connected by headers H, the remaining flow passages being traversed by the other fluid G which enters and leaves the casing 28 through ducts 29, 30. Individual units in the nest are staggered and guide plates g (Fig. 18) are provided to assist the flow of the fluids into the fluid passages of the units. Separate headers may be provided for any odd units in the nest. In Fig. 20 the matrix units m are nested together in pairs either in a common casing or as shown, in individual casings t placed face to face. A number of such nests of units may be mounted in a casing provided internally with partitions to guide the fluid G to and from the extremities of the individual nests, main headers H being provided to direct the fluid A to and from the headers h<SP>2</SP>. Specification 616,120 is referred to.