Heat exchanger produced from laminar elements

Abstract

The present invention provides a heat exchanging device formable into a three dimensional configuration. The heat exchanger device may be of the heat sink type, a dual fluid type, or virtually any other as may be desired. The heat exchanger device comprises a main body which is formable into a three dimensional shape and has a plurality of individual subunit elements adapted to form a plurality of stacked heat exchanging units. The individual subunits have surface configurations which are adapted to allow fluid flow.

1 . A heat exchanging device formable into a three dimensional configuration comprising: a main body which is formable into a three dimensional shape, said main body having a plurality of individual subunit elements adapted to form a plurality of stacked heat exchanging units, said individual subunits having surface configurations adapted to allow fluid flow, wherein said device provides for heat exchange as said fluid flows within. 
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanging device formable into a three dimensional configuration according to  claim 1  wherein each said subunit element is connected to an adjacent subunit element through a fold region, wherein manipulation of each said subunit element along said fold region results in formation of said shape. 
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanging device formable into complex three dimensional configurations according to  claim 2  wherein said fold region is constructed and arranged to form accordion fold patterns. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanging device formable into complex three dimensional configurations according to  claim 2  wherein said fold region is constructed and arranged to form W-type fold patterns 
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanging device formable into a three dimensional configuration according to  claim 2  wherein said main body further contains fold initiators, said fold initiators serving to promote bending along said fold regions. 
     
     
         6 . The heat exchanging device formable into a three dimensional configuration according to  claim 5  wherein said fold initiators are notches, grooves, or slits. 
     
     
         7 . The heat exchanging device formable into three dimensional configurations according to  claim 2  wherein said main body comprises subunit elements having shapes formed as the mirror image of adjacent subunit elements. 
     
     
         8 . The heat exchanging device formable into a three dimensional configuration according to  claim 7  wherein said main body comprises at least one subunit element which has a different surface configuration than at least one second subunit element. 
     
     
         9 . The heat exchanging device formable into a three dimensional configuration according to  claim 8  wherein said main body comprises alternating subunit elements having different surface configurations. 
     
     
         10 . The heat exchanging device formable into a three dimensional configuration according to  claim 8  wherein each said subunit element contains one or more slots or apertures sized and shaped to provide fluid flow through said shaped device. 
     
     
         11 . The heat exchanging device formable into a three dimenonal configuration according to  claim 8  wherein said main body comprises a plurality of alternating subunits having differing surface configurations, said subunits alternating between a first subunit element having one or more apertures and second subunit element having at least one slot. 
     
     
         12 . The heat exchanging device formable into a three dimensional configuration according to  claim 11  wherein said apertures are aligned at or near the side edges and said slots are arranged along a center region, wherein said subunit elements having slots are positioned between a subunit element having apertures which align along one side of said slots and a second subunit element having apertures which align along the opposite side of said slots when in the folded position. 
     
     
         13 . The heat exchanging device formable into a three dimensional configuration according to  claim 2  wherein at least one of said subunit elements contains one or more fluid inlet and/or outlet manifolds. 
     
     
         14 . The heat exchanging device formable into a three dimensional configuration according to  claim 8  wherein said surface configurations are adapted to form functional gradients. 
     
     
         15 . The heat exchanging device formable into three dimensional configurations according to  claim 2  wherein said subunit elements are shaped to form a generally square device. 
     
     
         16 . The heat exchanging device formable into three dimensional configurations according to  claim 2  wherein said subunit elements are shaped to form an irregularly shaped device. 
     
     
         17 . The heat exchanging device formable into a three dimensional configuration according to  claim 2  wherein said main body contains at least one said subunit element which contains a plurality of inlet and/or outlet manifolds arranged about a solid region, and at least one said subunit element which contains a plurality of inlet and/or outlet manifolds arranged about a region having one or more slotted portions, said solid region aligned in a parallel manner with said slotted portions when said subunits are in a folded position. 
     
     
         18 . A heat exchanging device formable into a three dimensional configuration comprising: a main body which is formable into a three dimensional shape, said main body having a plurality of individual subunit elements each having a fold region which allows said subunit elements to fold against an adjacent subunit to form a plurality of stacked heat exchanging units, said subunit elements are secured together along a non-fold edge to define an enclosed structure having a pre-determined shape, said subunits having surface configurations forming one or more plate structures which when stacked with adjacent plate structures forms one or more fins. 
     
     
         19 . The heat exchanging device formable into three dimensional configurations according to  claim 18  wherein said plate structures are supported by support stringers. 
     
     
         20 . The heat exchanging device formable into three dimensional configurations according to  claim 19  wherein said support stringers positioned with adjacent stacked heat exchanging units are staggered, said staggering provides a continuous fluid path within said device. 
     
     
         21 . The heat exchanging device formable into three dimensional configurations according to  claim 20  wherein said surface configurations are sized and shaped to form functional gradients which facilitate maximum heat transfer with minimal material and fluid pressure. 
     
     
         22 . The heat exchanging device formable into three dimensional configurations according to  claim 19  wherein the length of said plate structures on subsequent subunit elements increase in size thereby forming said fin structures having a generally pyramid shape. 
     
     
         23 . The heat exchanging device formable into three dimensional configurations according to  claim 19  wherein the length of said plate structures on subsequent subunit elements decrease in size thereby forming said fin structures having a generally pyramid shape. 
     
     
         24 . The heat exchanging device formable into three dimensional configurations according to  claim 19  wherein said at least one plate structure comprises an overhang portion. 
     
     
         25 . The heat exchanging device formable into three dimensional configurations according to  claim 24  wherein each said overhang portions is substantially similar in size. 
     
     
         26 . The heat exchanging device formable into three dimensional configurations according to  claim 24  wherein said successive overhang portions are smaller, larger, or combinations thereof, than said proceeding overhang portion. 
     
     
         27 . A heat exchanging device formable into a three dimensional configuration comprising: a main body which is formable into a three dimensional shape, said main body having at least one large subunit element adjacent at least one smaller subunit element, said main body having a plurality fold regions which forms one or more large fins separated by smaller regions which provide a space for fluid flow. 
     
     
         28 . The heat exchanging device formable into a three dimensional configuration according to  claim 27  wherein said at least one large subunits alternates with said at least one small subunit, said fold lines are arranged to form a W shaped folded pattern. 
     
     
         29 . The heat exchanging device formable into a three dimensional configuration according to  claim 28  further including a support element coupled to at least two large fins. 
     
     
         30 . The heat exchanging device formable into a three dimensional configuration according to  claim 28  wherein at least one subunit element contains fold lines which provide at least one integrally formed support structure. 
     
     
         31 . The heat exchanging device formable into a three dimensional configuration according to  claim 28  wherein said main body includes alternating subunits of a large subunit element adjacent a small subunit element, said small units forming support structures adjacent alternating opposing ends of said large subunit elements. 
     
     
         32 . The heat exchanging device formable into a three dimensional configuration according to  claim 28  wherein said main body includes alternating subunits of a large subunit element adjacent a small subunit element having surface configurations which forms a spacing structure between said subunit elements, said spacing structure formed along opposing ends of said adjacent large subunits. 
     
     
         33 . The heat exchanging device formable into a three dimensional configuration according to  claim 28  wherein a plurality of subunit elements contains one aperture for forming a liquid fluid flow passageway. 
     
     
         34 . The heat exchanging device formable into a three dimensional configuration according to  claim 28  wherein a plurality of subunit elements contain two or more apertures for forming a plurality of fluid flow passageways. 
     
     
         35 . The heat exchanging device formable into a three dimensional configuration according to  claim 28  wherein said main body comprises a first subunit element which contains a solid surface. 
     
     
         36 . The heat exchanging device formable into a three dimensional configuration according to  claim 35  wherein said main body comprises a manifold, said manifold permitting fluid flow between said passages and providing a return fluid path so that said first passage serves as a fluid inlet and said second passage servers as a fluid outlet. 
     
     
         37 . A heat exchanging device formable into a three dimensional configuration comprising: a main body which is formable into a three dimensional shape, said main body having a plurality of individual subunit elements each having a fold region which allows said subunit elements to fold against an adjacent subunit to form a plurality of vertically stacked heat exchanging units, said subunit elements aligned together to define a structure having a pre-determined shape, said subunits having surface configurations forming one or more plate structures which when stacked with adjacent plate structures forms one or more fins. 
     
     
         38 . The heat exchanging device formable into a three dimensional configuration according to  claim 37  wherein said fin structures provide liquid-liquid fluid flow, said fin being formed by surface configurations which form a generally triangular patterned shaped structure. 
     
     
         39 . The heat exchanging device formable into a three dimensional configuration according to  claim 38  wherein said generally triangular patterned shaped structure contains stepped surfaces. 
     
     
         40 . The heat exchanging device formable into a three dimensional configuration according to  claim 39  wherein said subunit elements contain a plurality of generally triangular patterned shaped structures. 
     
     
         41 . The heat exchanging device formable into a three dimensional configuration according to  claim 38  wherein said fluid flow is in counter flow manner or a parallel flow manner. 
     
     
         42 . The heat exchanging device formable into a three dimensional configuration according to  claim 37  wherein said subunit element contains at least one portion having a solid surface for proving gas fluid flow, and a second portion containing surface configurations which when staked with adjacent subunit elements form fins which provides liquid fluid flow. 
     
     
         43 . The heat exchanging device formable into a three dimensional configuration according to  claim 42  wherein said surface configurations form a generally triangular patterned shaped structure. 
     
     
         44 . The heat exchanging device formable into a three dimensional configuration according to  claim 4  wherein said generally triangular patterned shaped structure contains stepped surfaces. 
     
     
         45 . The heat exchanging device formable into a three dimensional configuration according to  claim 44  wherein said subunit elements contain a plurality of generally triangular patterned shaped structures. 
     
     
         46 . The heat exchanging device formable into a three dimensional configuration according to  claim 37  wherein said main body contains alternating large and small subunits. 
     
     
         47 . The heat exchanging device formable into a three dimensional configuration according to  claim 46  wherein said small subunit element comprises one or more generally triangular patterned shaped structures. 
     
     
         48 . The heat exchanging device formable into a three dimensional configuration according to  claim 47  wherein said generally triangular patterned shaped structure contains stepped surfaces.