US 12,435,934 B2
Multi-stage chiller
Cameron Paul Smith, Milford, MI (US); Tapan Gaurav Dangarwala, Royal Oak, MI (US); and Kyle Holihan, South Lyon, MI (US)
Assigned to GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed by GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed on Mar. 30, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/128,578.
Prior Publication US 2024/0328732 A1, Oct. 3, 2024
Int. Cl. F28F 27/02 (2006.01); F25B 39/02 (2006.01); F25B 41/31 (2021.01); F25B 49/02 (2006.01)
CPC F28F 27/02 (2013.01) [F25B 39/02 (2013.01); F25B 41/31 (2021.01); F25B 49/02 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A thermal management system comprising:
a heat exchanger including:
a first inlet in fluid communication with first passageways configured to conduct a first heat exchange medium therethrough;
a second inlet in fluid communication with second passageways configured to conduct the first heat exchange medium therethrough; and
a first outlet in fluid communication with the first passageways and the second passageways, the first passageways and the second passageways merge at a merger area defined by the heat exchanger upstream of the first outlet relative to flow of the first heat exchange medium through the heat exchanger,
wherein the first passageways are fluidically isolated from the second passageways from the first inlet to the merger area, and the second passageways are fluidically isolated from the first passageways from the second inlet to the merger area;
an expansion valve in fluid communication with the heat exchanger to control the flow of the first heat exchange medium to the heat exchanger, the expansion valve including:
a valve inlet;
a first valve outlet in fluid communication with the first inlet and the first passageways of the heat exchanger;
a second valve outlet in fluid communication with the second inlet and the second passageways of the heat exchanger; and
an actuator movable from a closed position to a first open position and a second open position;
wherein:
in the closed position the actuator restricts the flow of the first heat exchange medium through the first valve outlet and the second valve outlet;
in the first open position the actuator permits the flow of the first heat exchange medium through the first valve outlet to the first passageways and restricts the flow of the first heat exchange medium through the second valve outlet to the second passageways; and
in the second open position the actuator permits the flow of the first heat exchange medium through the first valve outlet to the first passageways and permits the flow of the first heat exchange medium through the second valve outlet to the second passageways.