Spiral ripple circumferential flow heat exchanger

Claim 2

An improved energy exchange structure, comprising: first and second generally parallel opposing plates joined to define a hollow passageway therebetween and further defining an inlet and an outlet therein and a generally overall circular flow path from the inlet to the outlet, each of said opposing plates undulating in cross-section to define a plurality of opposing valleys forming the hollow passageway, at least some of the valleys of each said plate being arranged to follow spiral curves disposed at an oblique angle to the circular flow path, the oblique angle being higher near the center of the circular flow path than at the outer periphery thereof with apexes of valleys of the first plate arranged to cross apexes of valleys of the second plate such that the area between opposing valleys defines crossing passages.

Claim 3

The structure of claim 1 wherein the valleys are formed of generally straight segments arranged along spiral curves.

Claim 4

The structure of claim 1 wherein said inlet is positioned adjacent to said outlet, and further comprising a barrier positioned generally centrally in the exchange structure and between the inlet and outlet, so that fluid flows in a circumferential direction between said plates from said inlet to said outlet.

Claim 5

The structure of claim 1 wherein the valleys are obliquely disposed at from about 5 to about 75 degrees to the generally overall circular flow path.

Claim 6

The structure of claim 1 wherein valleys of a plate are generally equidistantly spaced from adjacent valleys.

Claim 7

The structure of claim 1 wherein the valleys are of generally equal width.

Claim 8

The structure of claim 1 wherein the plates have peripheral borders joined to form a flat joined border.

Claim 9

The structure of claim 7 wherein the peripheral borders of the opposing plates are joined by crimping an edge of one plate over the edge of the other plate.

Claim 10

An improved oil cooler, comprising a plurality of stacked energy exchange structures, each said structure comprising: first and second generally parallel opposing plates joined to define hollow passageway therebetween and further defining an inlet and an outlet therein and a generally overall circular flow path from the inlet to the outlet, each of said opposing plates undulating in cross-section to define a plurality of opposing valleys forming the hollow passageway, at least some of the valleys of each said plate being arranged to follow spiral curves disposed at an oblique angle to the circular flow path, the oblique angle being higher near the center of the circular flow path than at the outer periphery thereof with apexes of valleys of the first plate arranged to cross apexes of valleys of the second plate such that the area between opposing valleys defines crossing passages.

Claim 11

An improved oil cooler, comprising a plurality of stacked energy exchange structures, each said structure comprising: first and second generally parallel opposing plates joined to define hollow passageway therebetween and further defining an inlet and an outlet therein and a generally overall circular flow path from the inlet to the outlet, each of said opposing plates undulating in cross-section to define a plurality of opposing valleys forming the hollow passageway, at least some of the valleys of each said plate being arranged to follow spiral curves disposed at an oblique angle to the circular flow path, the oblique angle being higher near the center of the circular flow path than at the outer periphery thereof with apexes of valleys of the first plate arranged to cross apexes of valleys of the second plate such that the area between opposing valleys defines crossing passages.

Claim 12

The oil cooler of claim 9 wherein inlets of said stacked energy exchange structures are arranged in registration to form an inlet header and outlets of said stacked energy exchange structures are arranged in registration to form an outlet header.

Claim 13

The oil cooler of claim 9 wherein an inlet of a first hollow energy exchange structure is connected to an outlet of an adjacent hollow energy exchange structure.

Claim 14

The oil cooler of claim 9 wherein the valleys of the energy exchange structures are obliquely disposed at from about 5 to about 75 degrees to the generally overall circular flow path.

Claim 15

The cooler of claim 9 wherein the stacked arrangement of hollow energy exchange structures is assembled within a hollow structure configured to allow flow of a second fluid about surfaces of the stacked exchange structures.