Heat exchanger system with integral control valve
AssigneeModine Manufacturing Company
InventorsViktor Brost, Klaus Kalbacher
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A heat exchanger system is provided having a heat exchanger including a plurality of conduits to receive a first fluid. The conduits have a plurality of passages therebetween which are in heat exchange relation therewith to receive a second fluid. An inlet and an outlet are connected to the plurality of conduits, and an inlet and outlet are connected to the plurality of passages. A valve is connected to one of the inlets to limit fluid flow therethrough. A thermally-responsive actuator is provided for the valve and extends into one of the conduits and the passages to control the valve as an incident of the temperature of a fluid flowing through the one of the conduits and the passages.
Claims10
A liquid/liquid, plate type heat exchanger comprising:
- a stack of plates, each of generally rectangular configuration with four corners and opposed ends with the plates in the stack being generally spaced from one another to define a plurality of side by side liquid flow paths, each in heat exchange relation with the adjacent flow path or flow paths;
- alternating ones of said flow paths adapted to receive a first heat exchange liquid, the remaining flow paths adapted to receive a second heat exchange liquid;
- first holes and spacers in a first corner of said plates defining an inlet for said first liquid to said alternating ones of said liquid flow paths;
- second holes and spacers in a second corner of said plates defining an outlet for said first liquid from said alternating ones of said liquid flow paths;
- third holes and spacers in a third corner of said plates defining an inlet for said second liquid to said remaining ones of said liquid flow paths;
- fourth holes and spacers in a fourth corner of said plates defining an outlet for said second liquid from said remaining ones of said liquid flow paths;
- an entry conduit extending between said inlet for said first liquid and one of said third and fourth holes and spacers and having an inlet port for receipt of said first liquid;
- a flow control valve in said entry conduit between said entry port and said inlet for said first liquid for controlling the flow of said first liquid through said alternate ones of said flow paths;
- and
- a thermally responsive actuator in said one of said third and fourth holes and spacers to sense the temperature of the second liquid therein, said actuator being mechanically connected to said valve to operate the same.
A liquid/liquid, plate type heat exchanger comprising:
- a stack of plates, each of generally rectangular configuration with four corners and opposed ends with the plates in the stack being generally spaced from one an other to define a plurality of side by side liquid flow paths, each in heat exchange relation with the adjacent flow path or flow paths;
- alternating ones of said flow paths adapted to receive a first heat exchange liquid, the remaining flow paths adapted to receive a second heat exchange liquid;
- a first manifold defining an inlet for said first liquid to said alternating ones of said flow paths;
- a second manifold spaced from said first manifold and defining an outlet for said first liquid from said alternating ones of said flow paths;
- a third manifold spaced said first and second manifolds and defining an inlet for said second liquid to said remaining ones of said flow paths;
- a fourth manifold spaced from said first, second and third manifolds and defining an outlet for said second liquid from said remaining ones of said flow paths;
- a generally U-shaped entry conduit having an inlet port for said first liquid and a first leg connected to said first manifold and a second leg connected to one of said third and fourth manifolds;
- a flow control valve located in said entry conduit between said entry port and said first manifold;
- and
- a thermal actuator for said valve disposed in said second leg and one of said third and fourth manifolds, and mechanically connected to said valve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.