AU755895B2 - Radial flow annular heat exchangers - Google Patents

Abstract

A heat exchanger is disclosed using a plurality of stacked plate pairs (30) consisting of face-to-face, mating, ringlike plates (32), each plate having an outer peripheral flange (34), an annular inner boss (36) located in a common plane with the peripheral flange (34), and an offset intermediate area (39) located between the peripheral flange (34) and the inner boss (36). The peripheral flanges (34) and inner bosses (36) in the mating plates (32) are joined together. The intermediate areas (39) have outwardly disposed joined intermediate bosses (46) having aligned inlet and outlet openings (48, 50) forming manifolds (52, 54) for the flow of the first heat exchange fluid circumferentially through the plate pairs (30) from the inlet manifold (52) to the outlet manifold (54). The heat exchanger also has a header (70, 76, 82) enclosing either the inner bosses (36) or the outer peripheral flanges (34) to cause all of a second heat exchange fluid to pass between the plate pairs transversely relative to the flow of the first heat exchange fluid.

Description

WO 00/39516 PCT/CA99/01246 -1- TITLE OF THE INVENTION: RADIAL FLOW ANNULAR HEAT EXCHANGERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION: This invention relates to heat exchangers, and in particular, to oil coolers of the so called "doughnut" type that can be used separately or in conjunction with oil filters in automotive and other engine and transmission cooling applications.

Oil coolers have been made in the past out of a plurality of stacked plate pairs located in a housing or canister. The canister usually has inlet and outlet fittings for the flow of engine coolant into and out of the canister circulating around the plate pairs. The plate pairs themselves have inlet and outlet openings and these openings are usually aligned to form manifolds, so that the oil passes through all of the plate pairs simultaneously. These manifolds communicate with oil supply and return lines located externally of the canister. An example of such an oil cooler is shown in Japanese Utility Model Laid Open Publication No. 63- 23579 published February 16, 1988.

Where the oil cooler is used in conjunction with an oil filter, the plate pairs are usually in the form of an annulus and a conduit passes through the centre of the annulus delivering oil to or from the filter located above or below the oil cooler and connected to the conduit. The oil can pass through the filter and then the oil cooler, or vice-versa. Examples of such oil coolers are shown in United States patents Nos. 4,967,835 issued to Thomas E. Lefeber and No.

5,406,910 issued to Charles M. Wallin.

U I J 'Jl II I I ti.j I ILL 14-02-2001 CA 009901246 1/1 United States Patent No. 5,014,775 issued May 14, 1991 to Toyo Radiator Co. Ltd. describes an oil cooler for motor oil used in engines, this cooler having a core comprising a plurality of sets of annular plates. The plates are arranged in pairs with a fin member or turbulator placed on each pair of plates. The stack of plates is arranged in a casing of the oil cooler. The cooling water enters and exits from the stack of plates by means of two relatively large holes formed in the intermediate area of each plate. These coolant holes are placed on opposite sides of a partition ridge and bosses are formed around the holes. The coolant passes in a circumferential direction between the plates of each pair while the oil flows radially from a central opening formed by the stack to the outer circumference of the stack of plates, this oil flow occurring in the outer passages formed between the back-to-back plate pairs.

European Patent No. 0430752 published June 5, 1991 also describes a circumferential flow heat exchanger made from a stack of plate pairs and suitable for cooling the oil of an engine. The stack of plates forms a hollow central passageway and permits a generally circular flow path of fluid from an inlet to an outlet. Each of the opposing plates undulates in cross-structure to define a plurality of opposing valleys that extend to the central passageway. At least some of these valleys on each plate are disposed at an oblique angle to the circular flow path. The apexes of valleys of a first plate are arranged to cross apexes of valleys of a second plate. By means of these criss crossing valleys, this heat exchanger provides flow augmentation in order to enhance the heat exchange process.

European Patent Application No. 0208957 which was published on a January 21, 1987 also describes a cooler for engine lubricant oil, this cooler being formed by a stack of metal plates formed by modules comprising upper AMENDED SHEET :LV V UI I I L V V 1% 1 .2.v V 1, S I -J V! V 1'4P02-201 CA 009901246 1/2 and lower plates. The plates have a so-called tongue shape with a siraght edge formed along thee sides and each plate being arcuate at one end. The plates are each provided with first and second circular openings located adjacent opposite corners at one end of each plate and they also have central circular openings which are aligned with one another. Annular flanges are formed around these central openings and the plates are joined together by means of these flanges.

The plates are also formed with a plurality of generally C-shaped circumferential ridges arranged around the central openings. The water or coolant in this heat exchanger flows both circumferentially and in a zig zag manner. The oil flows through the heat exchanger both in an axial direction through axially aligned openings and it can also flow in a zig zag manner.

AMENDED SHEET P:\WPDOCS\RET7618950CLAIMS.doc-08/10/02 -2- A difficulty with these prior art oil coolers, however, is that they are not particularly efficient. They also often suffer from the disadvantage of high pressure drop on the oil side of the cooler.

Summary of the Invention The present invention seeks to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

The heat exchanger of the present invention is very efficient with relatively low pressure drop. A first exchange fluid travels circumferentially through ringlike plate pairs, and all of a second heat exchange fluid flows between the plate pairs transversely relative 10 to the first heat exchange fluid.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a heat exchanger which comprises a plurality of stacked plate pairs consisting of face-to-face, mating ringlike plates. Each plate has an outer peripheral flange, an annular inner boss having a portion thereof located in a common plane with the peripheral flange, and an intermediate area located between the peripheral flange and the inner boss. The peripheral flanges and inner bosses in the mating plates are joined together. The intermediate areas have spaced-apart portions to form an inner flow passage between the plates. The plate intermediate areas *have spaced-apart intermediate sections located between the outer peripheral flange and the inner boss and these intermediate sections define inlet and outlet openings and are 20 arranged such that in back-to-back plate pairs, the intermediate sections are joined and the respective inlet and outlet openings communicate to define inlet and outlet manifolds for the flow of a first exchange fluid circumferentially through the inner flow passages from the inlet manifold to the outlet manifold. The adjacent intermediate areas in back-to-back plate pairs define outer flow passages therebetween. Also, a header is provided and this header includes a flow port for the flow of a second heat exchange fluid P:\WPDOCS\RETn7618950CLAIMS.do--08/10/02 -3- Therethrough to force the second heat exchange fluid to flow transversely through the outer flow passages.

The summary of the invention does not necessarily disclose all the features essential for defining the invention. The invention may reside in a sub-combination of the disclosed features and may be defined by the independent claims or the dependent claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings: 10 Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic vertical sectional view taken through a first preferred embodiment of a combination heat exchanger and oil filter employing a preferred 15 embodiment of a heat exchanger according to the present invention; WO 00/39516 PCT/CA99/01246 -4- Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view, partly broken away, of the heat exchanger employed in the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view similar to Figure 2, but showing the underside of the heat exchanger of Figure 2; Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing the inside surface of one of the plates used to form the plate pairs of the heat exchanger embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3; Figure 5 is a plan view of the plate shown in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a further enlarged sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of Figure 5 and showing additional plates stacked above and below the plate of Figures 4 and Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view similar to Figure 6 but showing another embodiment where the plate header is formed on the outer periphery of the plate pairs; Figure 8 is an enlarged sectional view of the lower left comer of Figure 1 showing yet another embodiment of a heat exchanger according to the present invention; Figure 9 is a perspective view similar to Figure 4, but showing another preferred embodiment of a plate used to make a heat exchanger according to the present invention; Figure 10 is a plan view of the plate shown in Figure 9; WO 00/39516 PCT/CA99/01246 Figure 11 is a diagrammatic vertical sectional view similar to Figure 1, but showing another preferred embodiment of a combination heat exchanger and oil filter employing another embodiment of a heat exchanger according to the present invention therein; Figure 12 is an enlarged perspective view, partly broken away, of the heat exchanger employed in the embodiment shown in Figure 11; Figure 13 is a perspective view simlar to Figure 4 but showing the plate used to make the heat exchanger embodiment shown in Figure 12; Figure 14 is a vertical sectional view taken along lines 14-14 of Figure 13 and showing additional plates stacked above and below the plate of Figure 13; Figure 15 is a plan view of another preferred embodiment of a ringlike heat exchanger plate used to make a heat exchanger according to the present invention; Figure 16 is a plan view of a top or bottom plate used to make a heat exchanger using the plates shown in Figure Figure 17 is a perspective view similar to Figures 4 and 9, but showing another embodiment of a plate in combination with a turbulizer as used to make a heat exchanger according to the present invention; cV. VON:i-'A NLb~IA 1402-2001n ~VVLUIiL CA 009901246 -6.

Figure 18S is a diagraimmatic vertical sectional view similar to Figures I and 11, but showing another preferred embodiment of a heat exchan~ger as used with a conventional oil filter to make a combination heat exchanger and filter; Figure 19 is an enlarged perspective view, pgrtly broken away, of the heat exchanger shown in Figure 18; Figure 20 is a plan view of another embodiment of a plate used to make a heat exchanger according to the present invention; Figure 21 is a plan view of an optional spacer that may be used with the plates of Figure Figure 22 is a perspective view looking at the inside of another embodiment of a plate used to make a heat exchanger according to the present invention; Figure 23 is a plan view of the plate shown in Figure 14; Figure 24 is a plan view of yet another embodiment of a plate used to make a heat exchanger according to the present invention; and Figure 25 is a plan view of yet another embodiment of a plate used to make a heat exchanger according to the present invention.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, a preferred embodiment of a combination heat exchanger and oil filter according to the present invention is generally nno, 4 indicated by reference numeral 10. It will be appreciated, however, that any beat AMENDED SHEET t.y -V N .t I*t k1*A. I ILV %il iLL I*YI V 11 VI 146-02-2001 CA 009901246 -7exchange fluids could be used in this invention, not just oil and coolant.

Combination unit 10 includes a. housing 12 containing an oil filter 14 and a preferred embodiment of a heat exchanger according to the present invention indicated by reference numeral 16. Oil filter 14 is conventional and is not per se considered to be part of the present invention. Oil filter 14 is of the annular type and in Figure 1, oil flows from inside the housing inwardly through the filter walls to a central axial chamber 15 and passes downwardy through a pipe or conduit 18 to exit from combination unit 10. However, the oil flow direction could be reversed, so that oil enters through conduit 18 and passes radially outwardly through the filter into housing 12. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, oil preferably flows from the housing inwardly through the filter and exits through conduit 18. Heat exchanger 16 will be described in more detail below, but before leaving Figure 1, it will be noted that housing 12 has a bottom plate 19 containing openings 20 therein for the passage of oil therethrougb. into heat exchanger 16 depending upon which way it is desired to have the oil flow through filter 14. Conduits 22 and 24 are also attached to bottom plate 19 for the entry and exit of coolant into and out of heat exchanger 16.

Referring next to Figures 2 to 6, heat exchanger 16 is formed of a plurality of stacked plate pairs 30 consisting of face-to-face mating, annular or ringlike plates 3 2. As seen best in Figures 4 to 6, each plate 3 2 has an outer peripheral flange 34, ain annular inner boss 36 having a portion 37 located in a common plane with outer peripheral flange 34, and an intermediate area 39 located between peripheral flange 34 and inner boss 3 6. A plurality of alternating ribs and S rooves 38, 40 are formed in intennediate area 39 and extend between the inner boss 36 and the peripheral flange 34. The ribs and grooves 38, 40 are flow augmentation mneans and are angularly disposed and in l the form of spiral or involute curves, so that the ribs and grooves in the respective plates that make up plate pairs 30 cross forming an undulating inner AMENDED SHEET It* At L4 I. n I D L L !IV V UJ 14,02-200 1 CA 009901246 -8flow passage 42 between the plates of each plate pair 3 0. Similarly, the ribs and grooves 3 8, 40 in adjacent back-to-back plate pairs cross fonming undulating outer flow passages 44 betweeni the plate pairs 30. Outer flanges 34 contan optional alignment notches 45 to assist in the proper alignment of plates 3 2 during the assembly of heat exchanger 16. Such alignment notches could be used in all of the embodiments of the present invention, if desired.

Plates 32 have spaced-apart intermiediate sections 46 located between the outer peripheral flange 34 and the inner boss 36. These intermediate sections 46 define inlet and outlet openings 48, 50. The intermediate bosses 46 are arranged such that in back-to-back plate pairs, the respective Wnet and outlet openings 48, are joined around their peripheries to communicate and define inlet and outlet manifolds 52, 54 (see Figure 3) for the flow of a first heat exchange fluid, such as engine coolant, circumnferentially inside or through The inner flow passages of the plate pairs from inlet manifold 52 to outlet manifold 54. The adjacent intermediate areas 39 in back-to-back plate pairs 30 define outer flow passages 44 therebetween. Heat exchanger 16 has top and bottom closure plates 56, 58.

Bottom closure plate 58 has openings 62, 64 which register with respective inlet and outlet manifolds 52, 54. Conduits 22, 24 (see Figure 1) pass through housing bottom plate 19 to communicate with, openings 62, 64.

Ribs 38 and grooves 40 have a predetermined height and intermediate sections or bosses 46 have a height, or depth as seen in Figure 4, that is at least as high as ribs 38, and preferably the same height as ribs 38, so that when the plate pairs are placed back-to-back as seen best in Figure 6, the ribs 38 on adjacent plates touch as do the outer surfaces of intermediate sections 46.

However, as seen best in Figure 6, the height of inner annular bosses 36 and outer peripheral flanges 34 is greater thant the height of the ribs and grooves, so that the adjacent ribs 3 8 on the inside of plate pairs 30 are slightly spaced apart.

AMENDED SHEET I V.I7 IU) U'UIl 11 I* f, V 1'4-02-2001 CA 009901246 -9- This reduces the water-side pressure drop for the coolant flowing through plate pairs 3 0.

Since intermediate sections 46 are located adjacent to one another, a radial rib 66 (see Figures 4 and 5) extends between the intermediate sections 46 from the inner boss 36 to the outer peripheral flange 34. Radial rib 66 is in the -same plane as or has the same height as inner boss 3 6 and outer peripheral flange 34, so that when two plates are put together to form a plate pair 30, the respective radial ribs 66 engage one another to prevent by-pass flow from inlet opening 48 to outlet opening 50. Radial ribs 66 also form radial groves on the outside or oil side of the plate pairs. These radial grooves improve the radial or transverse flow between the plate pairs near and around intermediate bosses 46.

Inner peripheral flanges 68 are formed on annular inner bosses 36 and have mating flange portions 69 located in a commnon plane with the intermediate sections or bosses 46, so that the inner peripheral flanges 68 on back-to-back plate pairs are joined together to form, with the inner bosses 36, a header 70 (see Figure 6) to cause all of the coolant entering inlet openings 71 to flow transversely or radially through the outer flow passages 44 between the back-toback plate pairs Inner boss 36 includes a plurality of apertures 72 spaced. around inner boss 36. When plate pairs 30 are stacked together, apertures 72 are aligned or in registration to form flow ports for supplying fluid to header Referring next to Figure 7, which is a view similar to Figure 6, but which shows another embodiment of a heat exchanger 79 according to the present AMENDED SHEET WO 00/39516 PCT/CA99/01246 invention having stacked plate pairs that are similar to the embodiment of Figures 1 to 6, but where the inner header 70 of Figure 6 has been eliminated.

Primed reference numerals are used in Figures 7 to 25 to indicate modified components of the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 6. Inner bosses 36' have been truncated leaving annular slots 80 for the flow of fluid into or out of the outer flow passages 44 between the plate pairs. In this embodiment, outer distal flanges 74 form a header enclosing outer peripheral flanges 34' to cause all of the respective heat exchange fluid to pass transversely or radially between the plate pairs. In this embodiment also, the inner annular boss 36' and outer peripheral flange 34' have a height that is equal to the height of the ribs and grooves, so that the adjacent ribs 38 in inner flow passages 42' are not spaced-apart as in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 6. However, the adjacent ribs 38 in the inner flow passages 42' could be spaced-apart as in Figure 6, or the Figure 6 embodiment could be made like Figure 7 with ribs 38 not spaced-apart, if desired.

Figure 8 shows another embodiment of a heat exchanger 801 where a header 82 is formed by the annular space defined by top and bottom closure plates 56, 58 and conduit 18 sealingly engaged therein. Neither the inner bosses 36' nor the outer peripheral flanges 34 have additional flanges formed thereon to form headers. Bottom closure plate 58 includes a flow port 84 for the flow of fluid into or out of header 82.

Referring next to Figures 9 and 10, another embodiment of a ringlike plate 85 is shown which is similar to plate 32 of Figures 4 and 5, but which has a plurality of spaced-apart dimples 87 and 89 formed in the intermediate area 39 as the flow augmentation means instead of ribs 38 and grooves 40. Dimples 87 extend into the outer flow passages 44 and dimples 89 extend into the inner flow passages 42. Dimples 87, 89 have a predetermined height which, in the case of L.V. VUI1v' r1 l ,L W 14-02-2001 CA 009901246 11 dimples 87, is preferably equal to the height of intermediate sections or bosses 46. However, some or all of the dimples 87 could have a height that is less than intermediate bosses 46. It will be seen from Figures 9 and 10 that in this embodiment the bosses 46 extend in a direction from the intermediate area 39 opposite to the peripheral flange 34 and inner boss 36.

If desired, plates 85 could be formed with outer distal flanges like flanges 74 in the embodiment shown in Figure 7 to define headers 76 at the outer periphery of the plates, either in addition to or instead of the inner peripheral flanges 68 and headers 70 as shown in Figure 6.

Dimples 87 and 89 are shown arranged in respective circumferential rows and generally equi-spaced, but they could be mixed in orientation and spaced apart differently to achieve specific flow effects inside and between the plate pairs, Figure 11 shows another preferred embodiment of a combination heat exchanger and filter 91 which is similar to combination unit 10 of Figure 1, but which employs a heat exchanger 28 as shown in detail in Figures 12 to 14. Top plate 56' in heat exchanger 28 is the bottom wall of housing 12' that contains filter 14, and a removable lid 93 allows for the replacement of filter 14.

Referring in particular to Figures 12 to 14, heat exchanger 28 could be considered to be a modification to heat exchanger 16 of Figures 2 to 6. In heat exchanger 28, the plates 32' have outer peripheral flanges 34' that have been extended radially, and an outer distal flange 74 is formed on outer peripheral flange 34' having mating flange portions 75. Mating flange portions 75 are located in a common plane with the intermediate sections 46, so that the distal 7 flanges 74 on back-to-back plate pairs 30' are joined to form, with the outer S 30 peripheral flanges 34', a header 76. Apertures 77 are formed in outer peripheral AMENDED SHEET WO 00/39516 PCT/CA99/01246 -12flanges 34' and are aligned in the stacked plate pairs to form flow ports to receive fluid flowing between the back-to-back plate pairs. However, it will be appreciated that the flow direction could be reversed, so that header 76 supplies fluid to flow radially inwardly toward the centre of heat exchanger 28, if desired.

As seen best in Figure 12, top closure plate 56' is formed with a plurality of openings 78 that communicate with apertures 77 and form part of headers 76 and also communicate with the inside of housing 12'. It will also be appreciated that heat exchanger 28 has two headers 70 and 76 with aligned apertures forming flow ports for these headers.

Figure 15 shows a plate 95 that is a modification of plate 32' such that plate 95 is rectangular in shape or plan view. Outer peripheral flange 34" is rectangular as well, and although inner boss 36 is shown to be circular or annular, inner boss 36 could be rectangular as well, if desired. For the purposes of the present specification, plate 95 is still considered to come within the term annular or ringlike, the flow from inlet opening 48 to outlet opening 50 is still considered to be circumferential, and the flow from inner apertures 72 to outer apertures 77 is still considered to be radial or transverse with respect to the circumferential flow inside the plate pairs.

Figure 16 shows a modified top plate 56' for use with plates 95. Top plate 56' has peripheral openings 97 that vary in size to obtain uniform flow distribution in the radial or transverse direction. It will be noted that the corner openings 97 are particularly large to increase the flow to the corners of a heat exchanger made with these plates. Alternatively, uniformly sized openings 97 spaced closer or further apart could be used to give a desired flow distribution instead of differently sized apertures 97. These aperture size or shape differences WO 00/39516 PCT/CA99/01246 -13could also be employed in connection with apertures 77 in the core plates 95 of Figure 15, if desired.

Figure 17 shows yet another embodiment of a plate 99 used to form a heat exchanger according to the present invention which, like the plate 85 shown in Figures 9 and 10, has another type of flow augmentation instead of ribs and grooves as shown in Figures 1 to 6 or dimples as shown in Figures 9 and 10. In the Figure 17 embodiment, an expanded metal turbulizer 101 is used as the flow augmentation means. Of course, turbulizer 101 could be formed of other materials than expanded metal, such as plastic mesh. Figure 17 is a view of plate 99 looking at the oil side or outside of a plate pair. The intermediate areas 39 are located under turbulizer 101 and are still spaced-apart to form inner flow passages inside the plate pairs. Turbulizer 101 could be any type of turbulizer, and if it has a flow resistance that varies in a particular direction, apertures 72 and 77 could be arranged differently or varied in size to suit the turbulizer and maintain uniform radial or transverse flow between the plate pairs. Turbulizers 101 could be employed inside the plate pairs in the inner flow passages as well as, or instead of, the turbulizers 101 used in the outer flow passages as shown in Figure 17.

Figures 18 and 19 show a heat exchanger 28' that is a modification to the heat exchanger 28 shown in Figures 11 and 12. In heat exchanger 28' an annular filter seat 103 is mounted on top of top closure plate 56 to accommodate a conventional spin-on oil filter 107 that screws onto conduit 18. Filter seat 103 has inner openings 105 to allow fluid emerging from headers 76 or openings 78 to be delivered to filter inlet openings 109.

Figure 20 shows the inside or water side surface of a plate 32' where the inner annular boss 36' and the outer peripheral flange 34' are the same height :CV. VON:hi-1A MU UlHNL U 1- 14-02-2001 CA 009901246 -14with respect to both the intermediate sections or bosses 46 and inner peripheral flange 68 as the height of the ribs and grooves 38, 40. If it is desired to reduce the pressure drop inside the plate pairs in this embodiment, a spacer 86 as shown in Figure 21 can be used between the plates of the plate pairs. Spacer 86 has an outer annular portion 88 which is located between outer peripheral flanges 34' and an inner annular portion 90 which is located between inner annular bosses 36'. Inner annular portion 90 has a plurality of apertures 92 therein to correspond with apertures 72 in inner boss 36'. Rotation of spacer 86 relative to plates 32' causes apertures 92 to act as valves to obtain a predetermined setting or adjustment of the flow through apertures 72 during manufacture of heat exchangers using this type of plate.

Figures 22 and 23 show a plate 94 that is similar to plate 32' of Figure but which has a peripheral by-pass groove 96 located inside the plate pairs adjacent to the outer peripheral flange 34'. By-pass groove 96 has a first end portion 98 located adjacent to and communicating with one of the intermediate sections 46 and extends just over half-way around the perimeter of plate 94 to a second end portion 100, so that when two plates 94 are arranged face-to-face, end portions 100 overlap and by-pass groove 96 forms a half-height groove extending all the way around the periphery of the plate pair from one intermediate sections 46 to the other. By-pass groove 96 is used to reduce internal pressure drop inside the plate pairs, if desired.

Figure 24 shows a plate 102 similar to plate 94 of Figure 23, but having at least one by-pass groove 104 extending between intermediate sections 46.

Actually, because the grooves between intermediate sections 46 overlap and cross each other, several half-height by-pass channels extend between 0 intermediate sections 46. Again, these by-pass channels are provided to reduce 'ro AMENDED SHEET 14-02-2001 CA 009901246 pressure drop inside the plate pairs. If desired, the by-pass grooves 104 can be used instead of peripheral by-pass groove 96.

Figure 25 shows a plate 102' that is a modification of plate 102 of Figure 24. In plate 102' the by-pass grooves 104 are formed with flow limiting indentations 106 to control or set a predetermined amount of by-pass flow between intermediate sections or bosses 46.

Having described preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be appreciated that various modifications may be made to the structures described above. For example, the intermediate sections or bosses containing the inlet and outlet openings could be made smaller, so that inner annular bosses 36 could be the same width all around their circumference allowing apertures 72 to extend around the full circumference of these bosses. The various heat exchangers can be made using any number of plate pairs and the various plate pair embodiments could be mixed and matched to achieve a particular desired performance. The top and bottom closure plates could be eliminated in certain applications where other means are used to close the various flow manifolds formed by openings in the plates. For example, end plates could be used that are similar to plates used to make the plate pairs, in which case, the various inlet and outlet openings and apertures in these end plates would not be punched out. Other configurations for the ribs and grooves and dimples and turbulizers could also be employed in the plates, if desired.

It will also be appreciated that although the preferred embodiments have been described for use as oil coolers, the heat exchangers of the present invention can. be used for cooling or heating other engine fluids, such as, fuel, 0 transmission fluid, hydraulic steering fluid, refrigerant and even engine coolant itself. Either fluid can pass between the plate pairs or through the plate pairs, and AMENDED SHEET WO 00/39516 PCT/CA99/01246 -16the heat exchangers of the present invention can be used to heat fluids as well as cool them. Further, the heat exchangers of the present invention can be used in applications other than in the automotive industry.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. The foregoing description is of the preferred embodiments by way of example only, and is not to limit the scope of the invention.

P:\WPDOCS\RET17618950CLAIMS.doc-25/10/02 -17- Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

*oo*o

Claims (26)

1. A heat exchanger comprising: a plurality of stacked plate pairs consisting of face-to-face, mating ringlike plates, each plate having an outer peripheral flange, an annular inner boss having a portion thereof located in a common plane with the peripheral flange, and an intermediate area located between the peripheral flange and the inner boss, said peripheral flanges and inner bosses in the mating plates being joined together, the intermediate areas having spaced-apart portions to form an inner flow passage between the plates; the plate intermediate areas having spaced-apart intermediate bosses located between 10 the outer peripheral flange and the inner boss and extending from the intermediate area in a direction opposite to the peripheral flange and inner boss, the intermediate boss defining 0 *inlet and outlet openings and being arranged such that in back-to-back plate pairs, the intermediate bosses are joined and the respective inlet and outlet openings communicate to define inlet and outlet manifolds for the flow of a first exchange fluid circumferentially S 15 through the inner flow passages from the inlet manifold to the outer manifold, the adjacent S.intermediate areas in back-to-back plate pairs defining outer flow passages therebetween, said outer flow passages extending substantially between the inner bosses and the outer peripheral flanges of the respective back-to-back plate pairs; and a header enclosing one of the inner bosses and outer peripheral flanges, the header including a flow port for the flow of a second heat exchange fluid therethrough to force said second heat exchange fluid to flow transversely through said outer flow passages between said inner bosses and said outer peripheral flanges.

2. A heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1 and f rther comprising flow a.umentation means located in one of the inner flow passage and outer flow passage.

3. A heat exchanger as claimed in claim 2 wherein the flow augmentation means comprises the intermediate area being formed with a plurality of alternating ribs and groves extending between the inner boss and the peripheral flange, said ribs and grooves being angularly disposed so that the ribs and grooves in the mating plates cross forming an S undulating inner flow passage between the plates, and the ribs and grooves in adjacent P:\WPDOCS\RET7618950CLAIMS.do-25/10/02 -19- back-to-back plate pairs cross forming undulating outer flow passages between the plate pairs.

4. A heat exchanger as claimed in claim 3 wherein the ribs and grooves have a predetermined height, and wherein the intermediate bosses have a height that is at least as high as the rib and groove predetermined height.

5. A heat exchanger as claimed in claim 4 and further comprising an inner peripheral 10 flange formed on the inner bosses and having a mating flange portion located in a common plane with the intermediate bosses, said inner peripheral flanges on back-to-back plate pairs being joined to form with the inner bosses said header, and wherein said port is formed by the inner bosses defining aligned apertures therein.

6. A heat exchanger as claimed in claim 5 and further comprising a housing loosely enclosing the stacked plate pairs, an oil filter located in the housing and having an inlet and an outlet, a conduit passing through the housing and communicating with one of the filter inlet and outlet, and the other of the filter inlet and outlet communicating with the housing interior, the housing defining an oil port communicating with the header port, so that oil passes between the oil port and the interior of the housing.

7. A heat exchanger as claimed in claim 4 wherein the inner boss and outer peripheral flange in each plate have a height that is equal to the height of the. ribs and grooves.

8. A heat exchanger as claimed in claim 7 and further comprising a spacer located between the plates of each plate pair, the spacer having an outer peripheral portion located between the outer peripheral flanges and an inner portion located between the inner bosses.

9. A heat exchanger as claimed in claim 4 wherein the inner boss and outer peripheral flange in each plate have a height that is greater than the height of the ribs and grooves.

P:\WPDOCS\RET%7618950CLAIMS.doe-25/I0/02 A heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1 wherein said intermediate bosses are located adjacent to one another.

11. A heat exchanger as claimed in claim 10 and further comprising a radial rib extending between the intermediate bosses from the inner boss to the outer peripheral flange, said rib being in said common plane.

12. A heat exchanger as claimed in claim 11 and further comprising the intermediate i• 10 area defining a peripheral bypass groove located therein inside the plate pairs adjacent to the outer peripheral flanges and extending just over half way around the perimeter of each S• plate. S.

13. A heat exchanger as claimed in claim 10 and further comprising at least one bypass S. 15 rib and groove extending between said intermediate bosses. i

14. A heat exchanger as claimed in claim 13 wherein said bypass rib and groove is formed with a flow limiting indentation to produce a predetermined bypass flow.

15. A heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising a housing loosely enclosing the stacked plate pairs, an oil filter located in the housing and having an inlet and an outlet, a conduit passing through the housing and communicating with one of the filter inlet and outlet, and the other of the filter inlet and outlet communicating with the housing interior, the housing defining an oil port communicating with the header port, so that oil passes between the oil port and the interior of the housing.

16. A heat exchanger as claimed in claim 15 wherein the conduit passes axially through the stacked plate pairs, and further comprising top and bottom closure plates attached to the top and bottom of the stacked plate pairs and sealingly engaging the conduit passing therethrough, the closure plates and the conduit forming the header and said flow port being formed in the bottom closure plate. P:\WPDOCS\RET7618950CL1.MS.do-25/0/02 -21-

17. A heat exchanger comprising: a plurality of stacked plate pairs consisting of face-to-face, mating ringlike plates, each plate having an outer peripheral flange, an annular inner boss having a portion thereof located in a common plane with the peripheral flange, and an intermediate area located between the peripheral flange and the inner boss, said peripheral flanges and inner bosses in the mating plates being joined together, the intermediate areas having spaced-apart portions to form an inner flow passage between the plates; the plate intermediate areas having spaced-apart intermediate bosses located *o between the outer peripheral flange and the inner boss and extending from the intermediate area in a direction opposite to the peripheral flange and inner boss, the intermediate boss :oo defining inlet and outlet openings and being arranged such that in back-to-back plate pairs, the intermediate bosses are joined and the respective inlet and outlet openings communicate to define inlet and outlet manifolds for the flow of a first exchange fluid circumferentially through the inner flow passages from the inlet manifold to the outer manifold, the adjacent intermediate areas in back-to-back plate pairs defining outer flow ipassages therebetween, said outer flow passages extending substantially between the inner .bosses and the outer peripheral flanges of the respective back-to-back plate pairs; and .i a header enclosing one of the inner bosses and outer peripheral flanges, the header including a flow port for the flow of a second heat exchange fluid therethrough to force said second heat exchange fluid to flow transversely through said outer flow passages between said inner bosses and said outer peripheral flanges; wherein an outer distal flange is formed on the outer peripheral flange and has a mating flange portion located in a comrnon plane with the intermediate bosses, said outer distal flanges on back-to-back plate pairs being joined to form, with the outer peripheral flanges, said header, and wherein said port is formed by the outer peripheral flange defining aligned apertures therein.

18. A heat exchanger as claimed in claim 17 and further comprising a filter having a housing defining an inlet and an outlet, the filter being attached to the stacked plate pairs with one of the filter inlet and outlet communicating with said port. P:\WPDOCS\RET7618950CLAIMS.dc-25/10/02 22

19. A heat exchanger comprising; a plurality of stacked plate pairs consisting of face-to-face, mating ringlike plates, each plate having an outer peripheral flange, an annular inner boss having a portion thereof located in a common plane with the peripheral flange, and an intermediate area located between the peripheral flange and the inner boss, said peripheral flanges and inner bosses in the mating plates being joined together, the intermediate areas having spaced-apart portions to form an inner flow passage between the plates; the plate intermediate areas having spaced-apart intermediate bosses located 10 between the outer peripheral flange and the inner boss and extending from the intermediate area in a direction opposite to the peripheral flange and inner boss, the intermediate boss defining inlet and outlet openings and being arranged such that in back-to-back plate pairs, the intermediate bosses are joined and the respective inlet and outlet openings communicate to define inlet and outlet manifolds for the flow of a first exchange fluid circumferentially through the inner flow passages from the inlet manifold to the outer manifold, the adjacent intermediate areas in back-to-back plate pairs defining outer flow passages therebetween, said outer flow passages extending substantially between the inner bosses and the outer peripheral flanges of the respective back-to-back plate pairs; a header enclosing one of the inner bosses and outer peripheral flanges, the header including a flow port for the flow of a second heat exchange fluid therethrough to force said second heat exchange fluid to flow transversely through said outer flow passages between said inner bosses and said outer peripheral flanges; an inner peripheral flange formed on the inner bosses and having a mating flange portion located in a common plane with the intermediate bosses, said inner peripheral flanges on back-to-back plate pairs being joined to form with the inner bosses said header; and an outer distal flange formed on the outer peripheral flanges, and having a mating flange portion located in a common plane with the intermediate bosses, said distal flanges on back-to-back plate pairs being joined to form a second header and wherein said port is defined by the inner bosses having aligned apertures therein and the outer peripheral /0 flanges have aligned apertures forming a second port for said second header.

P:\WPDOCSRET7618950CLAIMS.doc-25/I0/02 23 A heat exchanger as claimed in claim 19 wherein each of the plates includes a plurality of said apertures spaced around the inner boss.

21. A heat exchanger comprising: outer peripheral flange, an annular inner boss having a portion thereof located in a common plane with the peripheral flange, and an intermediate area located between the •peripheral flange and the inner boss, said peripheral flanges and inner bosses in the mating plates being joined together, the intermediate areas having spaced-apart portions to form an S 10 inner flow passable between the plates; the plane intermediate areas having spaced-apart intermediate bosses located S° between the outer peripheral flange and the inner boss and extending from the intermediate area in a direction opposite to the peripheral flange and inner boss, the intermediate bosses defining inlet and outlet openings and being arranged such that in back-to-back plate pairs, the intermediate bosses are joined and the respective inlet and outlet openings *communicate to define inlet and outlet manifolds for the flow of a first exchange fluid circumferentially through the inner flow passages from the inlet manifold to the outer manifold, the adjacent intermediate areas in back-to-back plate pairs defining outer flow .i passages therebetween, said outer flow passages extending substantially between the inner bosses and the outer peripheral flanges of the respective back-to-back plate pairs; a header enclosing- one of the inner bosses and outer peripheral flanges, the header including a flow port for the flow of a second heat exchange fluid therethrough to force said second heat exchange fluid to flow transversely through said outer flow passages; and flow augmentation means located in one of the inner flow passage and outer flow passage, wherein the plates are rectangular in shape.

22. A method of transferring heat energy between lubricating fluids and engine coolant, comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of ringlike, closely spaced, stacked plates having inner flow 0 passages therebetween and outer flow passages between the plate pairs, each plate having San outer peripheral flange, an annular inner boss having a portion thereof located in a P:\WPDOCS\RET7618950CLAIMS.do-25/10/02 -24- common plane with the peripheral flange and an intermediate area located between the peripheral flange and the inner boss, said outer flow passages extending substantially between the inner bosses and the outer peripheral flanges of respective adjacent back-to- back plate pairs; passing all of one of the fluid and the coolant circumferentially through the inner flow passages formed by the plate pairs; and passing all of the other of the fluid and the coolant transversely through the outer flow passages located between the plate pairs. 10

23. A method of transferring heat energy as claimed in claim 22 wherein the fluid or coolant is passed transversely between the plate pairs by providing a header communicating with all of the outer flow passages between the plate pairs, the header being located at one of the center and outer periphery of the stacked plate pairs, so that all of the respective fluid or coolant passes transversely through the plate pairs.

24. A method of transferring heat energy as claimed in claim 22 wherein the coolant S: passes circumferentially through the plate pairs and the fluid passes transversely between S. the plate pairs.

25. A heat exchanger, substantially as herein disclosed with reference to the accompanying figures.

26. A method of transferring heat energy between lubricating fluids and engine coolant, substantially as herein disclosed with reference to the accompanying figures. DATED this 2 5 th day of October, 2002 LONG MANUFACTURING LTD By Their Patent Attorneys DAVIES COLLISON CAVE