US 12,264,884 B2
Method for providing a heat exchanger block with a housing as well as heat exchanger block having such a housing
Christian Hirsch, Eibenstock (DE); and Frank Sabaczuk, Zwickau (DE)
Assigned to ZEHNDER GROUP INTERNATIONAL AG, Gränichen (CH)
Appl. No. 17/289,716
Filed by Zehnder Group International AG, Graenichen (CH)
PCT Filed Nov. 5, 2019, PCT No. PCT/IB2019/059471
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Nov. 1, 2021,
PCT Pub. No. WO2020/095188, PCT Pub. Date May 14, 2020.
Claims priority of application No. 01347/18 (CH), filed on Nov. 5, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2022/0221229 A1, Jul. 14, 2022
Int. Cl. F28D 9/00 (2006.01); B29C 65/00 (2006.01); B29K 101/12 (2006.01); B29L 31/18 (2006.01); F28F 9/00 (2006.01)
CPC F28D 9/0037 (2013.01) [B29C 66/431 (2013.01); B29C 66/71 (2013.01); F28F 9/001 (2013.01); B29K 2101/12 (2013.01); B29L 2031/18 (2013.01); F28F 2255/14 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for providing a heat exchanger block (B) with a housing (H), said heat exchanger block (B) comprising:
a plurality of first air flow passages (AFP1) and a plurality of second air flow passages (AFP2) adjacent said plurality of first air flow passages for exchanging heat energy between a first air flow (AF1) passing through said plurality of first air flow passages (AFP1) and a second air flow (AF2) passing through said plurality of second air flow passages (AFP2);
a first inlet opening region (O11) having inlet openings for said first air flow (AF1);
a first outlet opening region (O12) having outlet openings for said first air flow (AF1);
a second inlet opening region (O21) having inlet openings for said second air flow (AF2);
a second outlet opening region (O22) having outlet openings for said second air flow (AF2);
a first outer surface region (B1); and
a second outer surface region (B2) opposite said first outer surface region (B1),
said housing (H) comprising:
a first housing portion (W1) covering/engaging said first outer surface region (B1) of said heat exchanger block (B), said first housing portion (W1) having a first outer housing surface (WS1); and
a second housing portion (W2) opposite said first housing portion (W1) and covering/engaging said second outer surface region (B2) of said heat exchanger block (B), said second housing portion (W2) having a second outer housing surface (WS2); and
a first inlet opening (H11) for said first air flow (AF1);
a first outlet opening (H12) for said first air flow (AF1);
a second inlet opening (H21) for said second air flow (AF2);
a second outlet opening (H22) for said second air flow (AF2);
said method comprising the following steps:
a) molding said first housing portion (W1) to said first outer surface region (B1) comprising the following steps:
a1) providing a first mold (M1) having a first cavity (C1) with a first inner cavity surface (CS1) complementary to said first outer housing surface (WS1);
a2) partially filling said first cavity (C1) with a fluidic polymer (FP) in a fluidic state;
a3) inserting said first outer surface region (B1) of said heat exchanger block (B) into said partially filled first cavity portion (C1) by moving said heat exchanger block (B) towards said first-mould mold (M1), thereby displacing and spreading said fluidic polymer (FP) within a first gap region (G1) between said first outer surface region (B1) and said first inner cavity surface (CS1);
a4) transferring said fluidic polymer (FP) within said first gap region (G1) from its fluidic state into a solid polymer (SP) with a solid state or less fluidic state than said fluidic polymer;
a5) withdrawing said first outer surface region (B1) of said heat exchanger block (B) from said partially filled first cavity portion (C1) by moving said heat exchanger block (B) away from said first-mould mold (M1), thereby leaving said molded first housing portion (W1) covering/engaging said first outer surface region (B1) of said heat exchanger block (B); and
b) molding said second housing portion (W2) to said second outer surface region (B2).