Heat exchanger and heat exchange system

A heat exchange system comprising:

• a vehicle powertrain component;
• a first heat exchanger directly attached to the vehicle powertrain component by way of a flange plate of the first heat exchanger;
• a thermal bypass valve;
• a second heat exchanger;
• and
• a fluid circuit for a powertrain fluid extending through the vehicle powertrain component, the first heat exchanger, the thermal bypass valve, and the second heat exchanger, wherein the fluid circuit enter and exits the vehicle powertrain component only through the flange plate of the first heat exchanger.

A method of cooling a fluid for a vehicle powertrain, comprising:

• receiving a heated flow of powertrain fluid from a vehicle powertrain component into a first inlet port of a heat exchanger at a first temperature, the heat exchanger being directly attached to the vehicle powertrain component at the location of the first inlet port;
• circuiting the flow of powertrain fluid through the heat exchanger, thereby transferring heat from the powertrain fluid to a flow of coolant that is simultaneously circuited through the heat exchanger;
• directing the flow of powertrain fluid from a first outlet port of the heat exchanger to a valve component at a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature;
• receiving the flow of powertrain fluid back into the heat exchanger from the valve component through a second inlet port of the heat exchanger at a third temperature;
• directing the flow of powertrain fluid through the heat exchanger from the second inlet port to a second outlet port of the heat exchanger;
• and
• returning the flow of powertrain fluid to the vehicle powertrain component through the second outlet port, the heat exchanger being directly attached to the vehicle powertrain component at the location of the second outlet port.