Baffle for heat exchanger manifold

Details Baffle for heat exchanger manifold Baffle for heat exchanger manifold

1999-12-16

2001-09-18

Leo, Leonard (Department: 3743)

Heat exchange

Side-by-side tubular structures or tube sections

With manifold type header or header plate

C165S176000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06289980

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to heat exchanger construction and assembly methods. More particularly, this invention relates to a baffle and method for creating at least two isolated fluid circuits within a heat exchanger.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Baffles are used in a variety of applications to block and direct the flow of fluids and gases through tubular members, such as a manifold of a heat exchanger. Heat exchangers typically include tubes interconnected between a pair of manifolds. To optimize heat transfer efficiency, the flow of a heat transfer fluid (gas or liquid) through the tubes is often controlled by placing baffles at certain points within the manifolds, such that separate and parallel flow regions can be established within the heat exchanger by appropriately routing the fluid through its tubes.
The prior art has suggested various baffle designs and methods for installing baffles within heat exchanger manifolds. One example is to use cup-shaped baffles that are installed within the internal passage of a manifold and then brazed in place. Brazing is desirable for forming a high-strength, fluid-tight seal with a baffle, particularly if the heat exchanger has a brazed construction. However, a difficulty with cup-shaped baffles is that braze flux may remain trapped within the manifold, which can corrode the interior of the heat exchanger. Another approach is the use of partitioning plates inserted through circumferential slots formed in the wall of a heat exchanger manifold. Examples of partitioning plates known in the art are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,825,941, 5,125,454, 5,348,083, 5,743,329 and U.S. Pat. No. Re. 35,742. Though the slots can facilitate removal of residual braze flux from the manifold, they can substantially weaken the manifold wall, reducing its capacity to withstand numerous temperature and pressure cycles. In addition, partition plates of the prior art are prone to being dislodged prior to being brazed to the manifold, such that leaks between flow regions can occur through a gap between the plate and manifold wall.
In view of the above, it would be desirable if an improved baffle design were available that avoided or minimized the shortcomings of the prior art, including the concerns for flux contamination, reduced wall strength and the likelihood of leaks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a heat exchanger baffle and method by which the internal passage of a heat exchanger member is divided into two separate flow regions within the passage. The baffle includes first and second members having planar portions that define edges of the first and second members. The planar portions are connected to each other so as to form a connection region between the first and second members. The connection region is deformable to enable the planar portions to be folded onto each other. The baffle can then be installed in a heat exchanger member by installing the planar portions together into a slot in the wall of the heat exchanger member. After installation, the planar members remain substantially parallel to each other, and the connection region preferably contacts a portion of the wall opposite the slot. The manner in which the baffle is folded serves to bias the first and second members against the slot, so that the baffle is more reliably retained within the slot prior to being permanently secured by such methods as brazing.
Each member of the baffle preferably has a flange that projects substantially perpendicular to the planar portion of the member. At least a portion of the flange is oppositely disposed from the connection region, so that the planar portion of the member is between the flange and the connection region. When the connection region is bent to install the baffle, the flanges of the first and second members preferably project in substantially opposite directions relative to each other, and each preferably abuts the external surface of the wall so that the wall around the slot is reinforced by the flanges. Each member of the baffle also preferably has a raised region within its planar portion. When the baffle is installed in the heat exchanger member, a portion of the wall is engaged by and between the raised region and the flange of each member as a result of the baffle being folded and the first and second members being biased against the slot. In this manner, the baffle is securely retained within the slot prior to being permanently secured by brazing.
In view of the above, it can be seen that the baffle of this invention is configured to be more reliably retained in the manifold wall slot prior to being permanently attached to the manifold. Furthermore, the flanges are able to compensate the manifold wall for strength lost as a result of the slot formed in the wall.
Other objects and advantages of this invention will be better appreciated from the following detailed description.


REFERENCES:
patent: Re. 35742 (1998-03-01), Hoshino et al.
patent: 4825941 (1989-05-01), Hoshino et al.
patent: 4960169 (1990-10-01), Granetzke
patent: 5123483 (1992-06-01), Tokutake et al.
patent: 5125454 (1992-06-01), Creamer et al.
patent: 5207738 (1993-05-01), Dey
patent: 5233756 (1993-08-01), le Gauyer
patent: 5348083 (1994-09-01), Hosoya et al.
patent: 5402571 (1995-04-01), Hosoya et al.
patent: 5560425 (1996-10-01), Sugawara et al.
patent: 5743329 (1998-04-01), Damsohn et al.
patent: 5-272889 (1993-10-01), None
patent: 7-17962 (1995-04-01), None

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