Additive heat exchanger mixing chambers

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017205145-A1
Application number	US-201615001914-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 20, 2016
Priority date	Jan 20, 2016
Publication date	Jul 20, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

A heat exchanger is provided having an integrally and seamlessly formed return manifold connecting multiple supply tubes and return tubes. The heat exchanger may also include a return manifold having one or more structures providing a flow restriction within or proximate the return manifold.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A heat exchanger comprising:
an outer shell portion; at least two first supply tubes within the outer shell portion; at least two first return tubes within the outer shell portion; and a return manifold integrally and seamlessly formed with the first supply and first return tubes that allows fluid from at least two first supply tubes to mix before flowing into the first return tubes.

2 . The heat exchanger of claim 1 , further comprising a second bank of tubes within the shell comprising at least two second supply tubes and at least two second return tubes, and a second return manifold with the second supply and second return tubes that allows fluid from at least two second supply tubes to mix before flowing into the second return tubes.

3 . The heat exchanger of claim 1 , wherein the first supply tubes are tapered to be narrower at the interface with the return manifold.

4 . The heat exchanger of claim 1 , wherein the first supply tubes include at least one embedded flow constriction structure within the interior of the first supply tube outlet.

5 . The heat exchanger of claim 1 , wherein the first return tubes are tapered to be wider at the interface with the return manifold.

6 . The heat exchanger of claim 1 , further comprising at least one fin structure within the return header.

7 . The heat exchanger of claim 1 , further comprising at least one ridge structure within the return header.

8 . The heat exchanger of claim 1 , further comprising at least one lattice structure within the return header.

9 . The heat exchanger of claim 1 , further comprising two or more pin structures within the return header.

10 . The heat exchanger of claim 1 , further comprising a thermal expansion feature between the plurality of tubes and the return manifold.

11 . A heat exchanger comprising:
an outer shell portion; at least two first supply tubes within the outer shell portion; at least two first return tubes within the outer shell portion; and a return manifold formed with the first supply and first return tubes that allows fluid from at least two first supply tubes to mix before flowing into the first return tubes, wherein the heat exchanger includes a flow restriction within or proximate to the return manifold.

12 . The heat exchanger of claim 11 , further comprising a second bank of tubes within the shell comprising at least two second supply tubes and at least two second return tubes, and a second return manifold with the second supply and second return tubes that allows fluid from at least two second supply tubes to mix before flowing into the second return tubes.

13 . The heat exchanger of claim 11 , wherein the first supply tubes are tapered to be narrower at the interface with the return manifold.

14 . The heat exchanger of claim 11 , wherein the first supply tubes include at least one embedded flow constriction structure within the interior of the first supply tube outlet.

15 . The heat exchanger of claim 11 , wherein the first return tubes are tapered to be wider at the interface with the return manifold.

16 . The heat exchanger of claim 11 , further comprising at least one fin structure within the return header.

17 . The heat exchanger of claim 11 , further comprising at least one ridge structure within the return header.

18 . The heat exchanger of claim 11 , further comprising at least one lattice structure within the return header.

19 . The heat exchanger of claim 11 , further comprising two or more pin structures within the return header.

20 . The heat exchanger of claim 11 , further comprising a thermal expansion feature between the plurality of tubes and the return manifold.

Assignees

• Gen Electric

Inventors

• Manteiga John Alan
• Kenworthy Michael Thomas
• Wolfe Jared Matthew
• Kupiszewski Thomas
• Rambo Jeffrey Douglas
• Bonar James Fitzgerald

Classifications

• F28F7/02 Primary

  Blocks traversed by passages for heat-exchange media {(F28D7/0008 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• B22F10/28

  Powder bed fusion, e.g. selective laser melting [SLM] or electron beam melting [EBM] · CPC title

• F28D7/1638

  with particular pattern of flow or the heat exchange medium flowing inside the conduits assemblies, e.g. change of flow direction from one conduit assembly to another one (F28D7/1661, F28D7/1676 take precedence) · CPC title

• B33Y80/00

  Products made by additive manufacturing · CPC title

• F28F9/26

  Arrangements for connecting different sections of heat-exchange elements, e.g. of radiators (connecting different sections in water heaters F24H9/14 {, connecting headers with inlet or outlet fittings F28F9/0246}) · CPC title