Modular Heat Exchanger
AssigneeModular Heat Exchangers Limited
InventorsWayne Nelson, Jason Swift, Glen Nelson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A heat exchanger modular unit (100) configured to be assembled with like units to form a heat exchanger Each modular unit comprises an elongate conduit (101) and connection means (102) configured to enable the modular units to be assembled together Each elongate conduit (101) comprises at least one internal bore through which a heat transfer fluid is capable of flowing. In particular, the connection means is formed non-integrally with the conduit enabling different materials to be used for both components. The conduit and connection means are bonded together using suitable bonding techniques.
Claims36
A heat exchanger modular unit (100) capable of being assembled with other heat exchanger modular units to form a heat exchanger, said modular unit comprising:
- an elongate conduit (101) having at least one longitudinally extending internal bore open at both ends (201, 400);
- and
- connection means (102) positioned at the open ends of said conduit to interconnect the internal bores of each conduit and enable said modular units to be connected together via each said connection means in internal fluid communication;
- said modular unit characterised in that:
- each said connection means is formed non-integrally with said conduit and said connection means are bonded to said conduit.
The modular unit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said connection means comprises an internal cavity defined by internal surface (106), said internal surface having first and second orifices (305, 306) and an aperture (201) positioned between said orifices.
The modular unit as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising means to seal positioned at said connection means, said means to seal being provided to prevent fluid from egressing between adjacent connection means when said plurality of modular units are assembled together.
The modular unit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said connection means comprises an annular configuration.
The modular unit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said conduit comprises a single internal bore.
The modular unit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said connection means is welded to said conduit.
A method of manufacturing a heat exchanger modular unit comprising:
- forming an elongated conduit (101) having at least one longitudinally extending internal bore open at both ends (201, 400);
- forming first and second connection means (102) each having a cavity wall (405) defining an internal cavity (403), said cavity wall having first and second orifices (305, 306) and an aperture (201) positioned between said orifices;
- and
- connecting each respective connection means at each open end of said conduit wherein each open end is in fluid communication with said internal cavity;
- said method characterised by:
- bonding each connection means to each end of said conduit.
A modular heat exchanger comprising:
- a plurality of modular units (100), each unit having an elongate conduit (101) with at least one longitudinally extending internal bore open at both ends (201, 400);
- and
- each of said units having connection means (102) positioned at the open ends of the conduit to interconnect the internal bores of each conduit and enable said modular units to be connected together via said connection means in internal fluid communication;
- said heat exchanger characterised in that:
- each said connection means is formed non-integrally with said conduit and said connection means are bonded to said conduit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.