US 12,007,176 B2
Heat exchanger and method of manufacturing a heat exchanger
Geoffrey Byfield, Nedlands (AU)
Assigned to Woodside Energy Technologies Pty Ltd, Perth (AU)
Filed by Woodside Energy Technologies Pty Ltd, Perth (AU)
Filed on Jun. 29, 2018, as Appl. No. 16/023,478.
Application 16/023,478 is a continuation of application No. PCT/AU2017/050275, filed on Mar. 30, 2017.
Claims priority of application No. 2016901182 (AU), filed on Mar. 30, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2019/0033013 A1, Jan. 31, 2019
Int. Cl. F28D 7/00 (2006.01); B22F 5/10 (2006.01); B22F 10/20 (2021.01); B33Y 80/00 (2015.01); F28D 9/00 (2006.01); F28F 3/08 (2006.01); F28F 7/02 (2006.01)
CPC F28D 7/0008 (2013.01) [B22F 5/10 (2013.01); B22F 10/20 (2021.01); B33Y 80/00 (2014.12); F28D 9/0025 (2013.01); F28D 9/0037 (2013.01); F28D 9/0062 (2013.01); F28F 3/086 (2013.01); F28F 7/02 (2013.01); F28F 2255/18 (2013.01); Y02P 10/25 (2015.11)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A heat exchanger comprising:
at least a first set of fluid channels and a second set of fluid channels, each fluid channel of the first and second sets of fluid channels having a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion between the first and second end portions;
the first end portions and the second end portions being arranged in alternating planes of channels so that each plane contains only fluid channels from the same set of fluid channels; and
a first transition zone, a second transition zone and a heat transfer zone between the first and second transition zones;
wherein:
the first end portions extend through the first transition zone, the second end portions extend through the second transition zone, and the intermediate portions extend through the heat transfer zone;
the first transition zone includes one or more groups of fluid channels, wherein each group of fluid channels comprises:
at least one fluid channel of the first set and at least one fluid channel of the second set;
less fluid channels of the first set than a number of fluid channels in any one of the planes of fluid channels of the first set; and
less fluid channels of the second set than a number of fluid channels in any one of the planes of fluid channels of the second set; and
the one or more groups of fluid channels are rotated about respective axes parallel to a direction of flow of fluid through the fluid channels through 180° relative to other non-rotated fluid channels so that, when the channels reach and extend through the heat transfer zone, the fluid channels of the first and second sets are arranged in a chequer board configuration formed of rotated and non-rotated fluid channels.
 
8. A heat exchanger comprising:
at least a first set of fluid channels and a second set of fluid channels, each fluid channel of the first set of fluid channels and second set of fluid channels having a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion between the first and second end portions;
the first end portions and the second end portions being arranged in alternating planes of fluid channels so that each plane contains only fluid channels from the same set of fluid channels;
a first transition zone, a second transition zone and a heat transfer zone between the first and second transition zones;
wherein:
the first end portions extend through the first transition zone, the second end portions extend through the second transition zone, and the intermediate portions extend through the heat transfer zone; and
the first transition zone includes a plurality of fluid channels provided within corresponding rotating groups that rotate the fluid channels within each rotating group between the first transition zone and the heat transfer zone, wherein, in the first transition zone:
a first rotating group of fluid channels comprises one fluid channel of the first set of fluid channels and one fluid channel of the second set of fluid channels;
a second rotating group of fluid channels comprises one fluid channel of the first set of fluid channels and one fluid channel of the second set of fluid channels, the second rotating group of fluid channels being adjacent to the first rotating group of fluid channels;
at least one of the first rotating group of fluid channels and the second rotating group of fluid channels rotates about a respective axis that is parallel to a direction of flow of fluid through the fluid channels; and
each fluid channel that rotates between the first transition zone and the heat transfer zone is provided within a single rotating group such that, when the first set of fluid channels and the second set of fluid channels reach and extend through the heat transfer zone, the first set of fluid channels and the second set of fluid channels are arranged in a chequer board configuration.