Heat exchanger

Abstract

Inner and outer shells having plural channels therebetween form an annular heat exchanger.

1 . What is claimed is a heat exchanger assembly comprising:
 an annulus formed by shells in substantially coaxial arrangement about an axis, the outer shell extending beyond each end of the inner shell;   a plurality of closed channels having first and second open ends;   the closed channels extending through the annulus and each channel extending beyond each end of the inner shell;   a first annular channel-sheet circumferentially sealed with a first end of the outer shell;   a first plurality of seals sealing a plurality of first channel ends to a respective plurality of first channel-sheet openings;   a second annular channel-sheet circumferentially sealed with a second end of the outer shell;   a second plurality of seals sealing a plurality of second channel ends to a respective plurality of second channel-sheet openings;   a plurality of the channels formed such that substantially involute shapes are described where the channels intersect an imaginary plane that is perpendicular to the axis;   a plurality of the channels for transporting a first fluid stream and a plurality of the spaces between adjacent channels for transporting a second fluid stream; and,   a second fluid stream path a) directed substantially away from the axis and entering the annulus via a radial inlet located between first adjacent ends of the inner and outer shells, b) directed about parallel to the axis and through the annulus, and c) directed substantially toward the axis and exiting the annulus via a radial outlet located between second adjacent ends of the inner and outer shells.   
   
   
       2 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1  wherein:
 a first fluid stream path is directed substantially parallel to the axis;   a plurality of passages having substantially involute cross-sections are operative to transport a heat donor fluid; and,   a plurality of passages having substantially involute cross-sections are operative to transport a heat recipient fluid.   
   
   
       3 . A heat exchanger assembly comprising:
 an annulus formed by shells in substantially coaxial arrangement about an axis, the inner shell extending beyond each end of the outer shell;   a plurality of closed channels having first and second open ends;   the closed channels extending through the annulus and each channel extending beyond each end of the outer shell;   a first annular channel-sheet circumferentially sealed with a first end of the inner shell;   a first plurality of seals sealing a plurality of first channel ends to a respective plurality of first channel-sheet openings;   a second annular channel-sheet circumferentially sealed with a second end of the inner shell;   a second plurality of seals sealing a plurality of second channel ends to a respective plurality of second channel-sheet openings;   a plurality of the channels formed such that substantially involute shapes are described where the channels intersect an imaginary plane that is perpendicular to the axis;   a plurality of the channels for transporting a first fluid stream and a plurality of the spaces between adjacent channels for transporting a second fluid stream; and,   a second fluid stream path a) directed substantially toward the axis and entering the annulus via a radial inlet located between first adjacent ends of the inner and outer shells, b) directed about parallel to the axis and through the annulus, and c) directed substantially away from the axis and exiting the annulus via a radial outlet located between second adjacent ends of the inner and outer shells.   
   
   
       4 . The heat exchanger of  claim 3  wherein:
 a first fluid stream path is directed substantially parallel to the axis;   a plurality of passages having substantially involute cross-sections are operative to transport a heat donor fluid; and,   a plurality of passages having substantially involute cross-sections are operative to transport a heat recipient fluid.   
   
   
       5 . A heat exchanger assembly comprising:
 an annulus formed by shells in substantially coaxial arrangement about an axis, a first end of the outer shell extending beyond a first end of the inner shell and a second end of the inner shell extending beyond a second end of the outer shell;   a plurality of closed channels having first and second open ends;   the channels extending through the annulus;   the first end of each channel extending beyond the inner shell;   the second end of each channel extending beyond the outer shell;   a first annular channel-sheet circumferentially sealed with a first end of the outer shell;   a first plurality of seals sealing a plurality of first channel ends to a respective plurality of first channel-sheet openings;   a second annular channel-sheet circumferentially sealed with a second end of the inner shell;   a second plurality of seals sealing a plurality of second channel ends to a respective plurality of second channel-sheet openings;   a plurality of the channels formed such that substantially involute shapes are described where the channels intersect an imaginary plane that is perpendicular to the axis;   a plurality of the channels for transporting a first fluid stream and a plurality of the spaces between adjacent channels for transporting a second fluid stream; and,   a second fluid stream path a) directed substantially away from the axis and entering the annulus via a radial inlet located between first adjacent ends of the inner and outer shells, b) directed about parallel to the axis and through the annulus, and c) directed substantially away from the axis and exiting the annulus via a radial outlet located between second adjacent ends of the inner and outer shells.   
   
   
       6 . The heat exchanger of  claim 5  wherein:
 a first fluid stream path is directed substantially parallel to the axis;   a plurality of passages having substantially involute cross-sections are operative to transport a heat donor fluid; and,   a plurality of passages having substantially involute cross-sections are operative to transport a heat recipient fluid.