Multiple fluid medium system and improved heat exchanger utilized therein

A heat exchanger comprising

• a plurality of elongated strips of heat conducting material secured together to define a plurality of elongated passageways extending parallel to one another in the direction of elongation of said strips,
• each of said passageways being of generally uniform cross-sectional configuration throughout the extent thereof,
• said plurality of strips being wound spirally in a coil formation in a direction such that said passageways extend along side-by-side spiral paths,
• sealing material spacer means between portions of the spirally wound strips defining adjacent volutes at two annularly spaced positions with respect to each spiral path,
• the portions of said spirally wound strips at two annularly spaced positions and the sealing material spacer means secured thereto having first and second bores extending generally radially therein of a number equal to the number of spiral paths,
• said plurality of first bores comprising a plurality of separate fluid medium inlet spaces communicating peripherally with an associated passageway at each volute for receiving therein a flow of fluid medium and directing the same into the associated passageway at each volute for flow therefrom in both annular directions,
• said plurality of second bores comprising a plurality of separate fluid medium outlet spaces communicating peripherally with an associated passageway in each volute for receiving the flow of fluid medium in the associated passageway at each volute in both annular directions and directing the same outwardly therefrom, and
• means for directing a flow of another fluid medium in an axial direction between adjacent volutes of the coil formation throughout the annular extent thereof between said annularly spaced positions where said sealing material spacer means prevents communication between said other fluid medium and the separate mediums flowing from the associate inlet space through the associated passageway at each volute in both annular directions into the associated outlet space.