HEAT EXCHANGER PRESSURE ADJUSTABLE BAFFLE

• US 20150176925A1
• Filed: 12/20/2013
• Published: 06/25/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Denso International America Incorporated (DENSO Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Denso International America Incorporated (DENSO Corporation)
• Inventors: Tylutki, Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 9,810,486 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 1/05325 with particular pattern of flow, e.g. change of flow direction F28D1/05341 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 2021/0089 Oil coolers heating or cooling lubricants in vehicles F01M5/00
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 27/02 for controlling the distribution of heat-exchange media between different channels static flow control means in header boxes F28F9/026; arrangements of guide plates or guide vanes F28F9/22, F28F25/12
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 5/00 Elements specially adapted for movement
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 9/0212 the partitions being separate elements attached to header boxes

Abstract

A heat exchanger of the type having a tube assembly made up of a number of tubes through which a first medium flows and around and between which a second medium flows to accept heat from, or transfer heat to, the first medium. One of the media is constrained by a baffle to follow a path through the heat exchanger. According to the invention, the baffle is completely separate from the tubes, so permitting the baffle to adjust automatically. The baffles may be carried on springs and position based on a pressure balance of the first medium, with the result that heat exchangers according to the invention are more versatile than conventional heat exchangers where the baffles are fixed to the tubes.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger for transferring heat from a liquid comprising:

a first header tank;

a second header tank;

a plurality of tubes fluidly joining the first header tank and the second header tank, and

a moveable baffle which is provided within one of the first header tank and the second header tank, dividing one of the first header tank and the second header tank into a first chamber and a second chamber.

2. The heat exchanger for transferring heat from a liquid according to claim 1, wherein the first header tank has an inlet and an outlet.

3. The heat exchanger for transferring heat from a liquid according to claim 2, wherein the inlet fluidly communicates with the first chamber and the outlet fluidly communicates with the second chamber.

4. The heat exchanger for transferring heat from a liquid according to claim 1, wherein the first header tank and the second header tank both have a first end and a second end.

5. The heat exchanger for transferring heat from a liquid according to claim 4, further comprising a spring attached to one of the first end or second end of the first or second tank and the spring is attached to the moveable baffle.

6. The heat exchanger for transferring heat from a liquid according to claim 1, wherein the baffle is substantially the same shape as the interior cross section of the tank.

7. The heat exchanger for transferring heat from a liquid according to claim 3, wherein the position of the moveable baffle is based on the pressure of the fluid at the inlet and outlet of the tank.

8. An automotive heat exchanger comprising:

a plurality of tubes through which flows a heat exchange medium,

at least two tank portions which connect a multiplicity of the tubes and through which the heat exchange medium flows in and out;

a self-adjusting partition baffle for dividing one of the tank portions into a plurality of independent tank chambers;

wherein the self-adjusting partition baffle is resiliently attached to the one of the tank portions.

9. An automotive heat exchanger according to claim 8, wherein the tank portions have a first end and a second end.

10. An automotive heat exchanger according to claim 9, wherein the self-adjusting partition baffle is connected to the first end by a spring.

11. An automotive heat exchanger according to claim 9, wherein the self-adjusting partition baffle is connected to the second end by a spring.

12. An automotive heat exchanger according to claim 9, wherein the self-adjusting partition baffle is connected to the first end and second end by a spring.

13. An automotive heat exchanger according to claim 9, wherein a track spans in the tank from the first end to the second end and the track guides the self-adjusting partition baffle up and down inside the tank.

14. An automotive heat exchanger according to claim 13, wherein the self-adjusting partition baffle is substantially the same shape as the cross section of the tank portion and has cut out sections that fit around the track.

15. An automotive heat exchanger according to claim 8, wherein on of the tank portion chambers contains an inlet, and another tank portion chamber contains an outlet.

16. An automotive heat exchanger according to claim 15, wherein the self-adjusting partition baffle position is determined on a balance of the inlet pressure and outlet pressure in the tank portion heat exchange medium.

17. An oil cooler for a vehicle, comprising:

a first end tank divided into a first portion and a second portion by an adjustable baffle;

an inlet of the tank at the first portion;

an outlet of the tank at the second portion,

a plurality of a first tubes in fluid communication with the first portion of the first end tank, the plurality of first tubes configured to have a fluid flow there-through to a second end tank;

a plurality of second tubes in fluid communication with the second end tank and the second portion of the first end tank;

wherein the first end tank has a first end and a second end, a spring extends from one end and attached to the adjustable baffle and alters the number of the first tubes in fluid communication with the first portion of the first end tank and the second end tank.

18. An oil cooler for a vehicle according to claim 17, wherein the adjustable baffle position is determined by the pressure balance of the inlet and outlet of a fluid being cooled in the oil cooler.

19. An oil cooler for a vehicle according to claim 17, wherein the adjustable baffle is made of a synthetic material.

20. An oil cooler for a vehicle according to claim 17, further comprising a spring extending from the first end attached to the baffle, and a spring extending from the second end attached to the baffle.