Heat exchanger

Claim 1

A heat exchange apparatus comprising: A. a first conduit means having an inlet and an outlet for conveying a first heat exchange medium; B. a second conduit means within said first conduit means, said second conduit means having an inlet and an outlet and having a plurality of spaced apart tubular elements having inlet and outlet ends to form a core for conveying a second heat exchange medium; C. a body of pervious heat conductive material positioned within said first conduit means and in heat exchange relationship and metallically bonded with said second conduit means and at least substantially filling the spaces between said spaced apart tubular elements; D. at least one first means communicating with said inlet of said second conduit means for directing said second heat exchange medium to a portion of said tubular elements to pass therethrough; E. at least one second means for collecting said second heat exchange medium, said second means further directing said second heat exchange medium to the remaining portion of said tubular elements to pass therethrough to said first means and to said outlet of said second conduit means, said second conduit means being free to expand and contract in an axial direction within said first conduit means; and F. sealing means to within the space between the exterior of the porous metal body and the interior of the first conduit means, with said sealing means being located so as to support said second conduit means, and positioned between the inlet and outlet of the first conduit means, whereby the first heat exchange medium flows through the pervious metal body and with said sealing means being free to move responsive to expansion and contraction of said second conduit means.