Heat exchanger

Abstract

A heat exchanger has heat exchange members for performing heat exchanging with a fluid to flow along surfaces thereof. Fins are fixed, at only one end thereof in the direction of flow of the fluid, to the respective heat exchange members in a cantilevered manner. Each of the fins has a piezoelectric material layer laminated on at least one of the surfaces of each fin. Vibrations are given to the fins, with the fixed end thereof operating as a fulcrum, by applying an alternating voltage to the piezoelectric material layer such that the fins are extended and contracted in the direction of the flow of the fluid. As a modified example, each fin may be provided at its rear end with a weight. Piezoelectric actuators are disposed inside a frame in which the heat exchanger is contained, in a manner to pinch the heat exchanger in a vertical direction. By causing the actuators to vibrate, the fins are also vibrated.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.