Heat exchanger with bypass seal

Abstract

A heat exchanger includes a core with a plurality of passages arranged therein each having an opening positioned adjacent an end portion of the core. A manifold is positioned adjacent the core end portion and includes an inlet and an outlet opening. The manifold includes a divider wall that extends internally therein and that forms separated inlet and outlet passages that are in communication with the respective inlet and outlet openings. The heat exchanger includes a metallic seal interposed between the divider wall and the core to provide a seal therebetween. The seal is constructed to impose a biasing force between the divider wall and the core to provide the desired seal, thereby minimizing or eliminating any unwanted bypass of fluid or gas within the manifold during heat exchanger operation and increasing heat exchanger operating efficiency.

1 . A heat exchanger comprising; 
 a core comprising a plurality of passages arranged therein for providing multi-pass flow of gas or fluid therein, the plurality of passages each having openings positioned adjacent an end portion of the core;    a manifold adjacent the core and including a gas or fluid inlet and a gas or fluid outlet, the manifold including a divider wall extending therein forming a gas or fluid inlet passage in communication with the gas or fluid inlet that is separated from a gas or fluid outlet passage in communication with the gas or fluid outlet; and    a metallic seal interposed between the divider wall and the core.    
   
   
       2 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 1  wherein the seal is configured having a first portion in contact with the divider wall, and a second portion in contact with the core, the first and second portions being integral with one another.  
   
   
       3 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 2  wherein the first portion is in contact with the divider wall, and the second portion is biased against the core.  
   
   
       4 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 3  wherein the second portion departs from the first portion at an angle of departure of less than about 180 degrees.  
   
   
       5 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 2  wherein the first portion is a groove and an end of the divider wall is disposed therein.  
   
   
       6 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 5  wherein the seal includes ridges on each side of the groove, and further includes a base that contacts the core and that is common to each of the ridges.  
   
   
       7 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 6  wherein the seal comprises a one-piece construction.  
   
   
       8 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 5  wherein the seal includes a pair of legs extending from the groove that contact respective opposite surfaces of the divider wall, and wherein the groove outside surface defines a base portion that contacts the core.  
   
   
       9 . The heat exchanger as recited  claim 8  wherein the legs are each attached to the respective surfaces of the divider wall.  
   
   
       10 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 8  wherein the seal comprises a one-piece construction.  
   
   
       11 . A heat exchanger comprising: 
 a shell having an internal chamber defined by an open end and a closed end;    a core disposed within the shell and comprising a plurality of passages arranged therein, the passages including openings positioned adjacent an end of the core;    a manifold connected to the shell open end and positioned adjacent the end of the core, the manifold including an inlet and an outlet, the manifold including a divider wall defining separate inlet and outlet passages in communication with a respective inlet and outlet; and    a metallic seal interposed between the divider wall and the core, the seal having a one-piece construction and providing a biasing force therebetween.    
   
   
       12 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 11  wherein the seal includes a first portion that is attached to the divider wall, and a second portion that is pressed against a surface of the core, the first and second portions being integral with one another.  
   
   
       13 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 12  wherein the seal first portion and second portion are have an angle of departure from one another of less than about 180 degrees.  
   
   
       14 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 11  wherein the seal includes a groove and the divider wall includes an end that contacts the groove.  
   
   
       15 . (canceled)  
   
   
       16 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 14  further comprising a pair of legs extending from the groove and contacting opposite surfaces of the divider wall, the groove having an outside surface defining a base for contacting a core surface, wherein the seal has a “C-shaped” configuration.  
   
   
       17 . An exhaust gas cooler comprising: 
 a shell having an internal chamber and having a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet for facilitating the passage of a coolant within the chamber;    a core disposed within the shell and comprising a plurality of passages for accommodating the passage of exhaust gas therethrough, the passages having an outside surface that is in contact with the coolant within the shell;    a manifold connected to the shell and positioned adjacent the core, the manifold including a divider wall that projects towards the core and that defines inlet and outlet passages within the manifold that are in communication with respective portions of the core; and    sealing means interposed between the divider wall and the core to provide a seal therebetween, the sealing means being formed from a metallic material.    
   
   
       18 . The cooler as recited in  claim 17  wherein the sealing means is separate from the divider wall and provides a biasing force against the core to provide a sealing force thereagainst.  
   
   
       19 . The cooler as recited in  claim 18  wherein the sealing means includes a first member that provides a seal against an end of the divider wall, and a second member that provides a seal against a section of the core adjacent the divider wall, the first and second members being integral with one another.  
   
   
       20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . A heat exchanger comprising: 
 a core comprising a plurality of passages arranged therein for providing multi-pass flow of gas or fluid therein, the plurality of passages each having openings positioned adjacent an end portion of the core;    a manifold adjacent the core and including a gas or fluid inlet and a gas or fluid outlet, the manifold including a divider wall extending therein forming a gas or fluid inlet passage in communication with the gas or fluid inlet that is separated from a gas or fluid outlet passage in communication with the gas or fluid outlet; and    a non-elastomeric seal interposed between the divider wall and the core.