GB1459812A - Counterflow heat exchanger - Google Patents

Abstract

1459812 Plate heat exchangers CATERPILLAR TRACTOR CO 7 Aug 1975 [18 Dec 1974] 33032/75 Heading F4S A stacked plate-type heat exchanger of ceramic for use with gas turbine engines comprises heat transferring layers 12, 14 ... 22 formed by planar plates 24 separating wall members 34, 44 in heat exchange layers 12, 14, 16 and layers 18; 20, 22 respectively. The members extend in undulating parallel relation in a central counter flow region 54 of the exchanger to form serpentine passages (40, 42 and 50, 52 respectively) and the members have straight terminal portions 36, 46 respectively within end manifold regions 56, 58. The members 34, 44 of successively adjacent layers are arranged symmetrically out of phase with each other. Each plate 24 has slots 26 embraced by alternate pairs of the end portions 36, 46 and closed by vertical bars 60. In operation, air A enters aligned slots 26 in the region 56, passes downwardly therethrough and then substantially horizontally across the heat exchanger through passages (42, 52) to the opposite manifold 58 where it is collected and directed upwardly through the slots 26 as shown at C. Simultaneously the hot exhaust gas D is directed horizontally into the exchanger and delivered by the manifold 58 to open ended passages (40, 50) for counterflow to the manifold region 56 in which it is collected and directed substantially horizontally outwardly, as shown at F. The undulating passages and superposed out-of-phase alignment of the passages enhances heat exchange.