Plate fin heat exchanger flexible manifold

A flexible manifold adapted for connection to a plate-fin heat exchanger core, the flexible manifold comprising:

• a first end with at least one port adapted to receive or discharge a medium;
• a second end distal from the first end, adapted to transfer the medium to or from the plate-fin heat exchanger core, wherein the second end comprises a plurality of openings;
• a plurality of individual layers extending between the first end and the second end;
• a plurality of horizontal guide vanes defining the plurality of individual layers;
• a plurality of manifold flow passages disposed within each layer of the plurality of individual layers and extending from the second end toward the first end;
• a plurality of gaps extending completely through the flexible manifold and spacing each layer of the plurality of layers apart from one another such that each layer cantilevers toward the second end;
• and
• a plurality vertical members disposed within the plurality of individual layers;
• wherein:
• each layer of the plurality of individual layers is defined by two adjacent horizontal guide vanes of the plurality of horizontal guide vanes and is configured to be metallurgically joined to a respective core layer of the plate-fin heat exchanger core at an opening of the plurality of openings and form a lap joint with the respective core layer;
• and
• the two adjacent horizontal guide vanes are cantilevered with support proximate the first end, unsupported overhang extending towards the second end, and flexible to allow for elastic deformation.