Microchannel crossflow fluid heat exchanger and method for its fabrication

Patent · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:865451

Swift, Gregory W ^[1]; Migliori, Albert ^[2]; Wheatley, John C ^[1]

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1. Los Alamos, NM
2. Santa Fe, NM

A microchannel crossflow fluid heat exchanger and a method for its fabrication are disclosed. The heat exchanger is formed from a stack of thin metal sheets which are bonded together. The stack consists of alternating slotted and unslotted sheets. Each of the slotted sheets includes multiple parallel slots which form fluid flow channels when sandwiched between the unslotted sheets. Successive slotted sheets in the stack are rotated ninety degrees with respect to one another so as to form two sets of orthogonally extending fluid flow channels which are arranged in a crossflow configuration. The heat exchanger has a high surface to volume ratio, a small dead volume, a high heat transfer coefficient, and is suitable for use with fluids under high pressures. The heat exchanger has particular application in a Stirling engine that utilizes a liquid as the working substance.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4516632
• OSTI ID: 865451
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

microchannel
crossflow
fluid
heat
exchanger
method
fabrication
disclosed
formed
stack
metal
sheets
bonded
consists
alternating
slotted
unslotted
multiple
parallel
slots
form
flow
channels
sandwiched
successive
rotated
ninety
degrees
respect
sets
orthogonally
extending
arranged
configuration
surface
volume
ratio
dead
transfer
coefficient
suitable
fluids
pressures
particular
application
stirling
engine
utilizes
liquid
substance
fluid heat
metal sheets
volume ratio
dead volume
particular application
flow channels
flow channel
heat exchange
heat exchanger
heat transfer
fluid flow
metal sheet
stirling engine
multiple parallel
transfer coefficient
microchannel crossflow
flow configuration
extending fluid
flow fluid
crossflow fluid
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