Adjustable Multi-Pass Heat Exchanger System
First Claim
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1. A multi-pass heat exchanger system comprising:
- an inlet operable to receive a fluid;
a first heat exchanger comprising a first and second manifold and a first plurality of channels, at least one of the first plurality of channels comprising a first flow path, the first manifold operable to receive the fluid from the inlet and direct the fluid to the first flow path;
a second heat exchanger comprising the second manifold and a third manifold and a second plurality of channels, at least one of the second plurality of channels comprising the first flow path, another at least one of the second plurality of channels comprising a second flow path, the third manifold operable to receive the fluid from the first flow path and direct the fluid to the second flow path, wherein the second flow path comprises at least one of the first plurality of channels; and
a plurality of valves connected to the first and second plurality of channels, the plurality of valves operable to alter the number of the first and second plurality of channels comprising the first and second flow paths.
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Abstract
In various implementations, a heat exchanger system may include one or more flow paths. At least one of the flow paths may be associated with more than one pass and/or fluid flow through the flow path may be restricted. A setting of the heat exchanger system may include associations between flow path(s) and/or pass(es). A setting for the heat exchanger system may be determined, and the heat exchanger system may be allowed to operate in the determined setting, in some implementations.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A multi-pass heat exchanger system comprising:
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an inlet operable to receive a fluid; a first heat exchanger comprising a first and second manifold and a first plurality of channels, at least one of the first plurality of channels comprising a first flow path, the first manifold operable to receive the fluid from the inlet and direct the fluid to the first flow path; a second heat exchanger comprising the second manifold and a third manifold and a second plurality of channels, at least one of the second plurality of channels comprising the first flow path, another at least one of the second plurality of channels comprising a second flow path, the third manifold operable to receive the fluid from the first flow path and direct the fluid to the second flow path, wherein the second flow path comprises at least one of the first plurality of channels; and a plurality of valves connected to the first and second plurality of channels, the plurality of valves operable to alter the number of the first and second plurality of channels comprising the first and second flow paths. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A multi-pass heat exchanger system comprising:
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an inlet operable to receive a fluid; a plurality of manifolds; a plurality of channels connecting the plurality of manifolds; a first flow path, the first flow path comprising at least one of the plurality of channels and operable to receive the fluid from the inlet; a second flow path, the second flow path comprising at least one of the plurality of channels and operable to receive the fluid from the first flow path; and a plurality of valves, the plurality of valves operable to alter the number of the plurality of channels comprising the first and second flow paths. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of operating a multi-pass heat exchanger system, comprising:
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determining, by a controller, a flow rate to an inlet of the multi-pass heat exchanger system that comprises a plurality of heat exchangers, a plurality of channels through the plurality of heat exchangers, and a plurality of manifolds connecting the heat exchangers; based on the flow rate, selecting, by a controller, a first plurality of channels to be a first pass and selecting a second plurality of channels to be a second pass; and adjusting, by a controller, valves in the multi-pass heat exchanger system to direct a fluid along the first pass and then along the second pass. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification