초록 ▼

An extremely high efficiency, cross flow, fluid-fluid, micro heat exchanger and novel method of fabrication using electrode-less deposition is disclosed. To concurrently achieve the goals of high mass flow rate, low pressure drop, and high heat transfer rates, the heat exchanger comprises numerous p

An extremely high efficiency, cross flow, fluid-fluid, micro heat exchanger and novel method of fabrication using electrode-less deposition is disclosed. To concurrently achieve the goals of high mass flow rate, low pressure drop, and high heat transfer rates, the heat exchanger comprises numerous parallel, but relatively short microchannels. Typical channel heights are from a few hundred micrometers to about 2000 micrometers, and typical channel widths are from around 50 micrometers to a few hundred micrometers. The micro heat exchangers offer substantial advantages over conventional, larger heat exchangers in performance, weight, size, and cost. The heat exchangers are especially useful for enhancing gas-side heat exchange. The use of microchannels in a cross-flow micro-heat exchanger decreases the thermal diffusion lengths substantially, allowing substantially greater heat transfer per unit volume or per unit mass than has been achieved with prior heat exchangers.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A heat exchanger for transferring heat between a first fluid and a second fluid; wherein said heat exchanger comprises first fluid channels through which the first fluid may flow, and one or more second, multiply interconnected fluid channels through which the second fluid may flow, wherein said

1. A heat exchanger for transferring heat between a first fluid and a second fluid; wherein said heat exchanger comprises first fluid channels through which the first fluid may flow, and one or more second, multiply interconnected fluid channels through which the second fluid may flow, wherein said second fluid channels lie generally in a plane; wherein said first fluid channels and said second fluid channels interleave, so that heat may be transferred between said first fluid channels and said second fluid channels; wherein the direction of flow of said first fluid channels is generally perpendicular to the plane of said second fluid channels; wherein the thickness of said heat exchanger, in the direction of flow of said first fluid channels, is less than about 6.0 mm; and wherein said heat exchanger has a density of said first fluid channels greater than about 50 per square centimeter.2. A heat exchanger as recited in claim 1, wherein said first fluid channels are adapted for the flow of a gas, and wherein said second fluid channels are adapted for the flow of a liquid.3. A heat exchanger as recited in claim 1, wherein the thickness of said heat exchanger, in the direction of flow of said first fluid channels, is less than about 2.0 mm.4. A heat exchanger as recited in claim 1, wherein the thickness of said heat exchanger, in the direction of flow of said first fluid channels, is less than about 1.0 mm.5. A heat exchanger as recited in claim 1, wherein said heat exchanger has a density of said first fluid channels greater than about 200 per square centimeter.6. A heat exchanger as recited in claim 1, wherein the thickness of said heat exchanger, in the direction of flow of said first fluid channels, is less an about 1.0 mm; and wherein said heat exchanger has a density of said first fluid channels greater than about 200 per square centimeter.7. A heat exchanger as recited in claim 1, wherein said heat exchanger is fabricated from metal.8. A heat exchanger as recited in claim 1, wherein said heat exchanger is fabricated from nickel.