Internally manifolded unibody plate for a plate/fin-type heat exchanger

Claim 2

A plate for a plate/fin-type heat exchanger, comprising: an open-faced unibody plate, for channeling a fluid; at least one side port transversely oriented through the top edge of said open-faced plate; one pair of integral auxiliary side manifolds for each of said side ports wherein each pair comprises one integral auxiliary side manifold positioned at said side port and a second integral auxiliary side closed manifold diagonally positioned on the opposite side wall; means for internally manifolding, wherein said means are contiguous with said side port; a closed end lateral with and adjacent to said means for internally manifolding; a plurality of contact fins and channels for directing fluid flow and for enhancing heat transfer, and wherein contact fins and channels are contiguous with and transverse to said means for internally manifolding; an open end port contiguous with said contact fins and channels; and a flat bottom for mating with said fins and said open face of an adjacent plate.

Claim 3

The plate of claim 1 wherein said plate is rectangular.

Claim 4

The plate of claim 1 wherein said plate has one side port on each of the two sides of said plate.

Claim 5

The plate of claim 3 wherein said ports are opposite and in line.

Claim 6

The plate of claim 1 wherein said means for internally manifolding comprises a rectangular slot.

Claim 7

The plate of claim 1 wherein said means for internally manifolding comprises a tapered slot.

Claim 8

The plate of claim 1 wherein said means for internally manifolding comprises two opposed tapered slots.

Claim 9

The plate of claim 1 wherein said means for internally manifolding further comprises at least one manifold fin.

Claim 10

The plate of claim 1 wherein said fins are in line.

Claim 11

The plate of claim 1 wherein said fins are intermittent.

Claim 12

The plate of claim 1 wherein said fins are randomly positioned.

Claim 13

The plate of claim 1 wherein there are two pairs of said integral auxiliary side manifolds.

Claim 14

The plate of claim 1 wherein said plate further comprises integral external end manifolds positioned at each end of said plate.

Claim 15

A heat exchanger, comprising: an integrally auxiliary and internally manifolded plate stack, wherein said plate stack comprises a cover plate, and a plurality of integrally auxiliary and internally manifolded plates stacked in an opposed manner in alternating sequence, and wherein each plate comprises: an open-faced unibody plate, for channeling a fluid; at least one side port transversely oriented through the top edge of said open-faced plate; one pair of integral auxiliary side manifolds for each of said side ports wherein each pair comprises one integral auxiliary side manifold positioned at said side port and a second integral auxiliary side closed manifold diagonally positioned on the opposite side wall; an internal manifold having forward and aft ends and wherein said internal manifold is contiguous with said side port; a closed end lateral with and adjacent to said aft end of said internal manifolds; a closed end external integral manifold integral with and sealably separated from said closed end; a plurality of contact fins and channels for directing fluid flow and for enhancing heat transfer, and wherein said contact fins and channels are contiguous with and transverse to said means for internally manifolding; an end port oriented through the top edge of said open-faced plate and contiguous with said contact fins and channels; an open end external integral manifold opposite said closed end integral external manifold for collecting and directing fluids; and a flat bottom for mating with said fins and said open face of an adjacent plate.

Claim 16

A heat exchanger, comprising: an integrally auxiliary and internally manifolded plate stack, wherein said plate stack comprises a cover plate, and a plurality of integrally auxiliary and internally manifolded plates stacked in an opposed manner in alternating sequence, and wherein each plate comprises: an open-faced unibody plate, for channeling a fluid; at least one side port transversely oriented through the top edge of said open-faced plate; one pair of integral auxiliary side manifolds for each of said side ports wherein each pair comprises one integral auxiliary side manifold positioned at said side port and a second integral auxiliary side closed manifold diagonally positioned on the opposite side wall; an internal manifold having forward and aft ends and wherein said internal manifold is contiguous with said side port; a closed end lateral with and adjacent to said aft end of said internal manifolds; a closed end external integral manifold integral with and sealably separated from said closed end; a plurality of contact fins and channels for directing fluid flow and for enhancing heat transfer, and wherein said contact fins and channels are contiguous with and transverse to said means for internally manifolding; an end port oriented through the top edge of said open-faced plate and contiguous with said contact fins and channels; an open end external integral manifold opposite said closed end integral external manifold for collecting and directing fluids; and a flat bottom for mating with said fins and said open face of an adjacent plate.

Claim 17

The heat exchanger of claim 14 wherein each plate is rectangular.

Claim 18

The heat exchanger of claim 14 wherein each plate has one side port on each of the two sides of each plate.

Claim 19

The heat exchanger of claim 16 wherein said ports are opposite and in line.

Claim 20

The heat exchanger of claim 14 wherein said means for internally manifolding comprises a rectangular slot.

Claim 21

The heat exchanger of claim 14 wherein said means for internally manifolding comprises a tapered slot.

Claim 22

The heat exchanger of claim 14 wherein said means for internally manifolding comprises two opposed tapered slots.

Claim 23

The heat exchanger of claim 14 wherein said means for internally manifolding further comprises at least one manifold fin.

Claim 24

The heat exchanger of claim 14 wherein said fins are in line.

Claim 25

The heat exchanger of claim 14 wherein said fins are intermittent.

Claim 26

The heat exchanger of claim 14 wherein said fins are randomly positioned.

Claim 27

The heat exchanger of claim 14 wherein there are two pairs of said integral auxiliary side manifolds.

Claim 28

The heat exchanger of claim 14 wherein each plate further comprises integral external end manifolds positioned at each end of said each plate.