Multi fluid heat exchanger assembly

Abstract

The present invention relates to coplanar multi fluid heat exchanger assemblies comprising a heat exchange core, end tanks and in tank oil coolers. Oil is preheated by coolant by in tank oil coolers leading to advantages in overall thermal performance.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to heat exchanger assemblies, and methods for forming heat exchangers assemblies, and, particularly, heat exchangers assemblies employing multi-fluid heat exchangers. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] It has become increasingly desirable for heat exchangers to exhibit efficient transfer of heat, while remaining relatively easy to make. In the automotive industry, in particular, it has become increasingly necessary to combine multiple functions in a single heat exchanger assembly. In particular, the need to reduce the number of overall components, and to optimize assembly efficiency has driven the need for improved heat exchanger assembly devices that combine increasingly efficient designs and multiple functions in packaging heretofore attainable using plural separate components or devices having inefficient designs. More specifically, there has been a growing need for an improved heat exchanger assembly device, particularly for u...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005] The present invention allows coplanar multi fluid heat exchanger assembly and systems to offer higher capacity automotive fluid, including oil cooling option. The present invention solves the problem of the prior art by allowing, for example, for both reduction of cost and simplifying packaging difficulties by providing additional capacity by linking in tank cooler to air to oil cooler as part of a coplanar arrangement.

[0006] The present invention allows one to use a separate radiator with different temperature zones while allowing other fluid to be heated or cooled by a separate in tank or partially integrated heat exchange element. FIGS. 2 and 3 shows the example where first fluid is radiator coolant and second fluid and third fluid, if selected also to be radiator coolant, then the heat exchanger assembly will be a multi zone radiator. This link of both heat exchange functions is often described as a method to provide optimal cooling.

[0009] The present invention allows for the use of a wide variety of fluids and types of fluid for heat exchange in one assembly. By placing a number of fluids or types of fluid in various zones or areas of a heat exchanger assembly, preferably in a coplanar arrangement, fluids in such heat exchanger assemblies such as radiator coolant, transmission oil and power steering oil, and the like, surprisingly provide efficiencies and packaging advantages, as well as yielding combination cooler plus additional heat exchanger assembly (‘tri-cooler’)(three fluid) or dual or multiple combination cooler (combo cooler plus additional heat exchange) features, which were unavailable even with traditional combo cooler technologies.

[0010] The present invention meets the above needs by providing an improved heat exchanger assembly without the same packaging limitations as the condenser and oil cooler combinations of traditional combo cooler by: providing radiator packaging advantages; by having fewer oil cooler line routing limitations; by providing reduced service costs for condenser-oil coolers; by allowing use of combination cooler type technology for non-air conditioned cars; and, by functioning where down-flow configuration needs to be used.

[0013] The present invention provides for multiple fluids to flow in coplanar arrangement, without the disadvantages of the prior art and with increased efficiency due to the exchange of certain fluids in certain zones of the heat exchanger assembly, and between zones of the heat exchanger assembly, while also reducing packaging volumes, thereby reducing packaging restraints. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, a heat exchanger assembly is provided that comprises at least two zones in the main core area and at least one or more separate exchange elements in at least one end tank (or, likewise known as a manifold) of the heat exchanger assembly. The heat exchanger assembly more preferably has at least two in tank heat exchange elements.

Problems solved by technology

In prior art heat exchangers, fluid warm up is often needed for specific length of time, and bulky arrangements to provide for in tank oil coolers and separate heat exchangers allowing warm fluid to exchange heat with fluid to be warmed have been used.

In all of the cases the arrangement is not compact and heat exchange capacity is limited.

The typical solution has been to provide for additional separate heat exchanger assemblies, usually air to oil heat exchanger assemblies, with resultant cost and packaging issues.

Additionally, although combo coolers present advantages such as condenser to oil combinations to handle individual heat exchanges in a combined form, it may not meet certain vehicle needs.

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