Heat exchanger

#This invention relates to heat exchangers generally, and more specifically, to an exhaust gas heat exchanger for use in exhaust recirculation systems for internal combustion engines.

#Heat exchangers useable in exhaust gas recirculation systems used with internal combustion engines, typically in vehicles, are known. One such heat exchanger is shown, for example, in German Patent Publication DE 101 24 383. While such heat exchangers work well for their intended function, heretofore, they have been constructed in a relatively expensive design that may lack flexibility, particularly where two exhaust channels are required.

#The present invention is directed to providing a heat exchanger, and more particularly, the heat exchanger that may be utilized in an exhaust recirculation system that is economically fabricated and which can be readily utilized as a single channel or a multiple channel exhaust gas heat exchanger.

#FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

#FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken transverse to the length of the heat exchanger between the ends thereof;

#FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken parallel to the elongation of the heat exchanger;

#The heat exchanger forming the invention hereof will described as a heat exchanger intended for use in an exhaust gas recirculation system for an internal combustion engine. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that it is susceptible to other uses as well and no limitation is intended to its use solely as an exhaust gas heat exchanger except as expressly stated in the appended claims. For example, the invention is susceptible to use wherever heat exchange between two fluids is required as, for example, as a liquid/gas heat exchanger.

#Referring now to the drawings, and FIG. 1 in particular, an exemplary embodiment of a heat exchanger made according to the invention is illustrated therein and is seen to include a housing, generally designated 10, made up of a top half 12 and a bottom half 14 which are substantially identical to each other.

#Contained within the housing is a plurality of elongated, flat, tubes 16, arranged in a stack, generally designated 18. The tube stack 18 is provided with headers 20 at opposite ends of the tubes 18 which in turn are fitted with connection flanges 22, again at opposite ends of the housing 10.