Heat exchangers

• US 4,058,980 A
• Filed: 07/16/1976
• Issued: 11/22/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SRM Hydromekanik AB
• Original Assignee: SRM Hydromekanik AB
• Inventors: Ahlen, Karl Gustav
• Primary Examiner(s): Geoghegan, Edgar W.
• Application Number:
  US05/705,899
• Time in Patent Office: 494 Days
• Field of Search: 60/329, 60/337, 165/165, 165/166
• US Class Current: 60/337
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 41/24 Details
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 41/30 relating to venting, lubrication, cooling, circulation of the cooling medium
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 47/085 with at least two mechanical connections between the hydraulic device and the mechanical transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/0415 Air cooling or ventilation; Heat exchangers; Thermal insulations
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 2021/0049 for lubricants, e.g. oil coolers
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 9/0043 the plates having openings therein for circulation of at least one heat-exchange medium from one conduit to another
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 9/0075 the plates having openings therein for circulation of the heat-exchange medium from one conduit to another
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 2240/00 Spacing means
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 9/0075 Supports for plates or plate assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 165/916 Oil cooler

Abstract

A heat exchanger especially adapted for use in combination with a transmission such as a hydraulic torque converter. A plurality of generally flat cooling cells are stacked upon each other, each cell including a pair of plates sealed together about their outer periphery and forming therebetween a fluid flow space. Each cell includes a separate inlet opening and outlet opening passing completely therethrough in a direction perpendicular to the direction of stacking. In the stack, all of the inlet holes communicate with each other to form the inlet while all of the outlet holes communicate with each other to form the outlet. A sealing device encircles each opening in each space between the cells. The sealing means can include a pair of concentric rings between which an opening can be provided through the cells without communicating with the interior thereof, for draining leaking fluid to atmosphere. The individual cells are of the same shape so that any selected number thereof can be utilized depending on the desired capacity of the heat exchanger. Within the cells, a spacing structure surrounding each opening spaces the plates apart providing both a space for fluid flow therepast between the opening and the cell interior and a leakage flow path therethrough which does not communicate with the cell interior. The spacing structure may be a separate member. Alternatively, in one arrangement wherein the cells are formed only by two plates appropriately stamped out and mated together, the stamping can include shaping to form the spacing structure.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger comprising:

a plurality of generally flat cooling cells arranged in stacked relationship to each other,

each cell including a pair of plates of heat conducting material sealed together around their outer peripheries and forming between the plates a fluid flow space, each cell further including an inlet and an outlet opening, each of which openings pass completely through the cell in a direction perpendicular to the main plane of the generally flat cells and each said opening communicating with the said flow space within its respective cell,

said cells being stacked with their respective inlet openings in fluid communication with each other to form an inlet passage and with their respective outlet openings in communication with each other to form an outlet passage, and including sealing means encircling each of said inlet and outlet passages between each cell to block off the space outside of the cells from said passages, whereby a fluid flows into the inlet passage and through the inlet openings into the said flow spaces within the cells and through the outlet openings to the outlet passage while another fluid contacts the exterior surface of each cell,

said cells being formed of only two plates which are shaped to form

a. the sealed outer periphery of the cell, and

b. a spacing structure surrounding at least one of the inlet and outlet openings and urging the two plates apart in the vicinity of the openings while concurrently providing openings therepast for communication between the openings and the interior flow space of the cell.

2. A heat exchanger according to claim 1, said spacing structure comprising raised portions on at least one of the plates engaging the other plate at selected locations.

3. A heat exchanger according to claim 2, said plates being stamped plates, and each spacing structure comprising a stamped shape which includes a raised portion which engages and is welded to the other plate and lower portions spaced from the other plate for fluid flow therepast.

4. A heat exchanger according to claim 1, said sealing means comprising a pair of concentric sealing rings, and said spacing structure located radially between the sealing rings.

5. A heat exchanger according to claim 4, said spacing structure comprising raised portions on at least one of the plates engaging the other plate at selected locations, and including a leakage opening passing completely through each spacing structure at the raised portions thereof, without communicating with the interior of the cells, whereby the spaces between the concentric rings communicate with the exterior of the heat exchanger.

6. A heat exchanger according to claim 5, said plates being stamped plates, and each spacing structure comprising a stamped shape which includes raised portions which engages and are welded to the other plate and lower portions spaced from the other plate for fluid flow therepast, and said leakage path extending through the weldment.

7. A heat exchanger according to claim 1, in combination with a torque converter, the oil within the working chamber of the torque converter being in communication with the inlet and outlet openings of the heat exchanger.

8. A heat exchanger according to claim 7, including a cover plate surrounding the heat exchanger, said cover plate being flanged for connection to a stationary casing of the torque converter.

9. A heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the cells are further sealed to each other at points within said outer periphery, and said further sealing points of the cell form a flow path within that cell.

10. A heat exchanger according to claim 1, said inlet and outlet openings being aligned with each other and including a tubular member located in at least one of the aligned inlet or outlet openings, said tubular member including means for securing the cells together.

11. A heat exchanger comprising:

a plurality of generally flat cooling cells arranged in stacked relationship to each other,

each cell including a pair of plates of heat conducting material sealed together around their outer peripheries and forming between the plates a fluid flow space, each cell further including an inlet and an outlet opening, each of which openings pass completely through the cell in a direction perpendicular to the main plane of the generally flat cells and each said opening communicating with the said flow space within its respective cell,

said cells being stacked with their respective inlet openings in fluid communication with each other to form an inlet passage and with their respective outlet openings in communication with each other to form an outlet passage, and including sealing means encircling each of said inlet and outlet passages between each cell to block off the space outside of the cells from said passages, whereby a fluid flows into the inlet passage and through the inlet openings into the said flow spaces within the cells and through the outlet openings to the outlet passage while another fluid contacts the exterior surface of each cell,

each of said sealing means comprising a pair of concentric rings defining therebetween a leakage space which separates the fluid within the heat exchange cells and the fluid outside of the cells,

and means defining a leakage passageway from each leakage space completely through the cells adjacent thereto in a direction transverse to the main plane of the cells which passageway is out of communication with the interior of the flow space of the cells,

whereby the succession of leakage spaces and leakage passageways provide a leakage path which communicates with the exterior of the heat exchanger for the passage of leaking fluid therealong.

12. A heat exchanger according to claim 11, including a spacing structure in each cell surrounding each of said openings and located radially between said sealing rings, said spacing structure including raised means for urging the two plates apart while concurrently providing openings therepast for communication between the respective openings and the interior flow space of the cell, and wherein the leakage path through each cell passes through the raised means of the spacing structure.

13. A heat exchanger according to claim 12, said spacing structure comprising a stamped shape on one of the plates which engages and is welded to the other plate of the cell at raised portions and includes lower portions over which fluid passes, said leakage path passing through a said weldment associated with a raised portion.

14. A heat exchanger according to claim 12, said spacing member comprising an insert located in each cell surrounding at least one opening thereof, said member including at least one first passageway therethrough parallel to the main plane of the cell for fluid communication between the opening and the interior of the cell, and at least one second passageway transverse to the main plane of the cells and communicating with openings through the plates to form therewith the said leakage passageway.

15. A heat exchanger according to claim 11, in combination with a torque converter, the oil within the working chamber of the torque converter being in communication with the inlet and outlet openings of the heat exchanger.

16. A heat exchanger according to claim 15, including a cover plate surrounding the heat exchanger, said cover plate being flanged for connection to a stationary casing of the torque converter.

17. A heat exchanger according to claim 11, wherein the cells are further sealed to each other at points within said outer periphery, and said further sealing points of the cell form a flow path within that cell.

18. A heat exchanger according to claim 11, said inlet and outlet openings being aligned with each other and including a tubular member located in at least one of the aligned inlet or outlet openings, said tubular member including means for securing the cells together.

19. A torque converter comprising a casing forming therein a working chamber having a pump part which includes at least one ring of pump blades and a turbine part having at least one ring of turbine blades,

a fluid system within the torque converter for the flow of a working fluid to and through the torque converter, a pump means in the fluid system for circulating the working fluid through the system, and a heat exchanger means in the fluid system for cooling the working fluid,

said heat exchanger comprising a stack of a plurality of individual generally flat essentially identical cooling cells, each cell including a pair of plates of heat conducting material sealed around the outer periphery of each cell to define an interior flow space and including a pair of openings extending completely through the cell in a direction generally transverse to the main plane of the generally flat cell, one being an inlet opening and one being an outlet opening, both openings communicating with the interior flow space of the cell,

said cells being stacked with all inlet openings in communication with each other to form an inlet passage of the heat exchanger in fluid communication with the interior of a stationary part of the torque converter and all outlet openings being in communication with each other to form an outlet passage of the heat exchanger, and in fluid communication with the intake side of the said pump means, and including a sealing means encircling the inlet passage between each cell to block off the outside of the cells from the inlet passage, and a sealing means encircling the outlet passage between each cell to block off the space outside of the cells from the outlet passage,

said cells of the stack being removably held against each other adjacent the exterior of a stationary portion of the torque converter casing, whereby the cells are accessible and exchangable so that the number and size of cells is easily changed on a given torque converter, and including a water tight cover plate removably attached to the stationary casing and covering the cells to form a casing for confining a second fluid which passes over the exterior of the cells.

20. A torque converter according to claim 19, said torque converter further including a guide part including a ring of guide blades.

21. A torque converter according to claim 19, wherein the working fluid is oil and the second fluid is water for cooling the oil.

22. A torque converter according to claim 19, said cells being formed of only two plates which are shaped to form the sealed outer periphery of the cells and a spacing structure surrounding at least one of the inlet and outlet openings and urging the two plates apart in the vicinity of the openings while concurrently providing openings therepast for communication between the openings and the interior of the flow space of the cells.

23. A torque converter according to claim 22, said spacing structure comprising raised portions on at least one of the plates engaging the other plate at selected locations.

24. A torque converter according to claim 19, each of said sealing means comprising a pair of concentric rings defining therebetween a leakage space which separates the fluids within the heat exchanger cells and the fluids outside of the cells, and means defining a leakage passageway from each leakage space completely through the cells adjacent thereto in a direction transverse to the main plane of the cells which passageway is out of communication with the interior of the flow space of the cells, whereby the succession of leakage spaces and leakage passageways provide a leakage path which communicates with the exterior of the heat exchanger for the passage of leaking fluid therealong.

25. A torque converter according to claim 24, including a spacing structure in each cell surrounding each of said openings and located radially between said sealing rings, said spacing structure including raised means for urging the two plates apart while concurrently providing openings therepast for communication between the respective openings and the interior flow space of the cell, and wherein the leakage path through each cell passes through the raised means of the spacing structure.

26. A torque converter according to claim 19, wherein the cells are further sealed to each other at points within said outer periphery, and said further sealing points of the cell form a flow path within that cell.

27. A torque converter according to claim 19, said inlet and outlet openings being aligned with each other and including a tubular member located in at least one of the aligned inlet or outlet openings, said tubular member including means for securing the cells together, and wherein the tubular member passes through the cover plate.