Composite plate pin or ribbon heat exchanger

Claim 1

A composite heat exchanger comprising: a free-standing structure of first, second, and third high-strength fiber-matrix composite plates disposed in substantially parallel spaced relation, the first and second plates defining a first fluid flow passageway therebetween and the second and third plates defining a second fluid flow passageway therebetween; a plurality of high-strength fiber-matrix composite ribs inserted through and bonded to said first, second, and third plates supporting said plates in a stacked relation, and to conduct heat from said first passageway to said second passageway; said high strength fiber-matrix composite including thermally conductive fibers oriented so as to impart an anisotropic thermal conductivity to said composite plates and/or ribs; and a stacked array of alternating first and second passageways to form a durable, integrated heat exchanger.