Exchanger of thermal energy with multiple cores and a thermal barrier

Abstract

An exchanger of thermal energy with multiple cores and a thermal barrier. The first core (e.g. a condenser) 12 has a first fin 16. Disposed in juxtaposition with the first core 12 is a second core (e.g. a radiator) 30 that is located downstream thereof in relation to ambient air flow. The cores 12 and 30 respectfully have first and second fins 16, 34 that are connected by a thermal fuse which provides stability during assembly, but which can be degradable. Separating the first and second fins 16, 34 is a thermal break comprising a slit 50 that is formed without removal of material, thereby inhibiting the flow of heat energy across the fins between the first 12 and second 30 heat exchanger cores.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A multiple core exchanger of thermal energy, through which a medium passes to exchange thermal energy with fluid flowing through channels of one or more of the multiple cores of the multiple core exchanger of thermal energy, the multiple core exchanger of thermal energy comprising: 
 a first core having a plurality of first channels through which a first fluid flows and a first fin disposed between at least some of the first channels to facilitate an exchange of thermal energy between the first fluid and the medium;    a second core in thermal communication with the first core, the second core having a plurality of second channels through which a second fluid flows and a second fin disposed between at least some of the second channels to facilitate an exchange of thermal energy between the second fluid and the medium;    the second fin being integrally formed with the first fin so that the second fin has a shape which complements that of the first fin; and    a thermal break comprising a slit.    
     
     
         2 . The multiple exchanger of thermal energy of  claim 1 , further having: 
 a thermal fuse which locally connects the first and the second fins between adjacent edges of the first and second fins.    
     
     
         3 . The multiple core exchanger of thermal energy of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 at least one louver defined within one or more of the fins extending at least partially between a pair of opposing edges thereof;    
     
     
         4 . The multiple core exchanger of thermal energy of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second cores respectively serve as a condenser and a radiator; 
 the first fin has a width (L 1 );    the second fin has a width (L 2 ); and    L 1  is less than or equal to L 2 .    
     
     
         5 . The multiple core exchanger of thermal energy of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second cores respectively serve as a condenser and a radiator; 
 the first fin has a width (L 1 );    the second fin has a width (L 2 ); and    L 1  is greater than L 2 .    
     
     
         6 . The multiple core exchanger of thermal energy of  claim 1 , wherein the first core and the second core are selected from one or more of the group consisting of an oil cooler, a transmission cooler, a radiator, a condenser, a charge air cooler, an evaporator, a heater core, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         7 . The multiple core exchanger of thermal energy of  claim 2 , wherein the thermal fuse is formed of a generally rectangular section of material having an edge (X) and an edge (Y) wherein the length of X is greater than or equal to that of Y.  
     
     
         8 . The multiple core exchanger of thermal energy of  claim 2 , wherein the thermal fuse is formed of a generally rectangular section of material having an edge (X) and an edge (Y) wherein the length of X is less than that of Y.  
     
     
         9 . The multiple core exchanger of thermal energy of  claim 2 , wherein the thermal fuse is formed of edges which are curvilinear.  
     
     
         10 . The multiple core exchanger of thermal energy of  claim 2 , wherein the thermal fuse is formed of an homogeneous material.  
     
     
         11 . The multiple core exchanger of thermal energy of  claim 2 , wherein the thermal fuse is formed of a non-homogeneous material.  
     
     
         12 . The multiple exchanger of thermal energy of  claim 2 , wherein the thermal fuse comprises a portion of material continuity for promoting stability during construction of the exchanger of thermal energy, the material continuity having the characteristic of being frangible.  
     
     
         13 . The multiple core exchanger of thermal energy of  claim 3 , wherein at least some of the at least one louvers are situated other at least partially across the elongated strip, opposing arrays being separated from each other by the thermal break.  
     
     
         14 . The multiple core exchanger of thermal energy of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one louver is located within only one of the cores.  
     
     
         15 . A multiple core heat exchanger through which a cooling medium passes comprising: 
 a first heat exchanger core having a plurality of first channels through which a first fluid flows and a first fin disposed between adjacent first channels to facilitate heat exchange between the first fluid and the cooling medium, the first fin having a corrugated shape including first upper folds, first lower folds, a first wall extending between one of the first upper folds and one of the first lower folds, and a first array of louvers extending from the first wall;    a second heat exchanger core disposed downstream of the first heat exchanger core, the second heat exchanger core having a plurality of second channels through which a second fluid flows and a second fin disposed between adjacent second channels to facilitate heat exchange between the second fluid and the cooling medium, the second channels extending substantially parallel with the first channels, the second fin being integrally formed with the first fin so that the second fin also has a corrugated shape with second upper folds, second lower folds and a second wall which connects one of the second upper folds and one of the second lower folds, and a second array of louvers extending from the second wall;    a thermal break comprising a slit formed without removal of material between the first and second upper and lower folds, and the first and second walls, thereby inhibiting the flow of heat energy across the first and second fins; and    a thermal fuse which locally connects the first and the second fins.