Heat Exchanger Frame Apparatus And Method Of Assembly

Abstract

A frame preferably engages a heat exchanger unit so the frame directs fluid flow into and out of the heat exchanger unit to substantially isolate a first fluid stream that enters and exits the heat exchanger unit from a second fluid stream that enters and exits the heat exchanger unit. Preferably, the frame substantially isolates the first fluid stream that enters and exits the heat exchanger unit from the second fluid stream that enters and exits the heat exchanger unit without placing the heat exchanger and frame in a separate housing.

1 . A heat exchanger assembly comprising:
 a housing for retaining a heat exchanger unit;   a heat exchanger unit including a first side, a second side, a third side, a fourth side, a first fluid path through the heat exchanger unit, and a second fluid path through the heat exchanger unit, wherein (i) the first fluid path extends into one and out of one of the first, second, third, and fourth sides, (ii) the second fluid path extends into one and out of one of the first, second, third, and fourth sides, and (iii) the heat exchanger unit is configured to prevent fluid in the first fluid path from contacting fluid in the second fluid path;   a frame connected to the heat exchanger unit for directing fluid into and out of the first and second fluid paths, wherein the frame at least substantially covers the first, second, third, and fourth sides of the heat exchanger unit and is configured to substantially isolate fluid in the first fluid path from fluid in the second fluid path while the heat exchanger unit is physically separate from the housing;   a first fluid moving device located in a portion of the frame to move fluid along the first fluid path; and   a second fluid moving device located in a portion of the frame to move fluid along the second fluid path.   
     
     
         2 . A heat exchanger assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises:
 a first vent skirt overlying the first side of the heat exchanger unit;   a second vent skirt overlying the second side of the heat exchanger unit;   a third vent skirt overlying the third side of the heat exchanger unit; and   a fourth vent skirt overlying the fourth side of the heat exchanger unit.   
     
     
         3 . A heat exchanger assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the frame further comprises:
 a first column connecting the first and second vent skirts to each other and to the heat exchanger unit;   a second column connecting the second and third vent skirts to each other and to the heat exchanger unit;   a third column connecting the third and fourth vent skirts to each other and to the heat exchanger unit; and   a fourth column connecting the fourth and first vent skirts to each other and to the heat exchanger unit.   
     
     
         4 . A heat exchanger assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein the frame further comprises:
 a plurality of struts, wherein each strut connects between two corners of one of the first vent skirt, the second vent skirt, the third vent skirt, and the fourth vent skirt.   
     
     
         5 . A heat exchanger assembly according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a first fluid moving device housed in one of the first and third skirt vents; and   a second fluid moving device housed in one of the second and fourth skirt vents.   
     
     
         6 . A heat exchanger assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the heat exchanger unit and frame are configured to cooperate with the housing to further isolate fluid entering and leaving the first fluid path via the frame from fluid entering and leaving the second fluid path via the frame.   
     
     
         7 . A heat exchanger assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising a sealant material between at least a portion of the frame and the heat exchanger unit. 
     
     
         8 . A heat exchanger assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the sealant material includes a gasket. 
     
     
         9 . A heat exchanger assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the sealant material includes a flowable sealant. 
     
     
         10 . A method for assembling a substantially sealed frame about a heat exchanger, comprising:
 attaching a first vent skirt to a second vent skirt to form a frame;   engaging the frame with the heat exchanger;   creating a first flow path for the heat exchanger by engaging a third vent skirt to the heat exchanger and adding to the frame by attaching the third vent skirt to the frame, wherein the first flow path is via the first and third vent skirts;   creating a second flow path for the heat exchanger by engaging a fourth vent skirt to the heat exchanger and adding to the frame by attaching the fourth vent skirt to the frame, wherein the second flow path is via the second and fourth vent skirts; and   adjusting tension of the frame to form a leak resistant seal between the frame and the heat exchanger.   
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 attaching a first column to a corner of the first vent skirt and to a corner of the second vent skirt;   attaching a second column to a corner of the second vent skirt and to a corner of the third vent skirt;   attaching a third column to a corner of the third vent skirt and to a corner of the fourth vent skirt; and   attaching a fourth column to a corner of the fourth vent skirt and to a corner of the first vent skirt.   
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 housing a first fluid moving device in the first or third vent skirts; and   housing a second fluid moving device in the second or fourth vent skirts;   wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth columns has a length that is less than a height of the heat exchanger.   
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 12 , further comprising:
 attaching a first backing plate to whichever of the first vent skirt and the third vent skirt houses the first fluid moving device; and   attaching a second backing plate to whichever of the second vent skirt and the fourth vent skirt houses the second fluid moving device.   
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 13 , further comprising:
 attaching a strut between a first end and a second end of whichever of the first vent skirt and the third vent skirt houses the first fluid moving device;   attaching two struts between a first end and a second end of whichever of the first vent skirt and the third vent skirt does not house the first fluid moving device;   attaching a strut between a first end and a second end of whichever of the second vent skirt and the fourth vent skirt houses the second fluid moving device;   attaching two struts between a first end and a second end of whichever of the second vent skirt and the fourth vent skirt does not house the second fluid moving device.   
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 placing the heat exchanger and frame in a housing;   aligning first and second openings in the housing with the first and third vent skirts; and   aligning third and fourth openings in the housing with the second and fourth vent skirts.   
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 10 , further comprising placing a sealant material between at least a portion of the frame and the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         17 . A kit for creating a frame to substantially isolate a first fluid flow through a heat exchanger from a second fluid flow through the heat exchanger, comprising:
 a first vent skirt;   a second vent skirt;   a third vent skirt;   a fourth vent skirt;   a plurality of columns, wherein each column is configured to connect a corner of any two of the first vent skirt, the second vent skirt, the third vent skirt, and the fourth vent skirt to the heat exchanger; and   a plurality of struts, wherein each strut is configured to connect between two corners of one of the first vent skirt, the second vent skirt, the third vent skirt, and the fourth vent skirt;   wherein none of the first vent skirt, the second vent skirt, the third vent skirt, or the fourth vent skirt are part of a housing for holding the heat exchanger.   
     
     
         18 . A kit according to  claim 17 , wherein each of the plurality of columns has a length that is shorter than a height of the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         19 . A kit according to  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a first fluid moving device configured to be housed in either the first vent skirt or the third vent skirt; and   a second fluid moving device configured to be housed in either the second vent skirt or the fourth vent skirt.   
     
     
         20 . A kit according to  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a first backing plate configured to attach to whichever of the first vent skirt or the third vent skirt houses the first fluid moving device; and   a second backing plate configured to attach to whichever of the second vent skirt or the fourth vent skirt houses the second fluid moving device.