Plate and Frame Heat Exchangers with Variable Chamber Sizes

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods for a heat exchanger and operation of a heat exchanger are disclosed. The heat exchanger comprises a chamber with a plurality of fluid inlets and a plurality of fluid outlets. The chamber comprises plates, the plates being parallel and defining fluid plenums between each of the plates. The fluid plenums define a fluid flow path, wherein each of the fluid plenums are aligned with one of the plurality of fluid inlets, one of the plurality of fluid outlets, a fluid path between at least two of the fluid plenums, or a combination thereof. The plates are mounted on guides perpendicular to a plane of the plates. The plates move along the guides due to changes in pressure in the fluid plenums, application of an external force to the one or more plates, or a combination thereof.

1 . A heat exchanger comprising:
 a chamber comprising a plurality of fluid inlets and a plurality of fluid outlets; and   one or more plates inside the chamber, the one or more plates being parallel and defining fluid plenums between each of the one or more plates, the fluid plenums defining a fluid flow path, wherein each of the fluid plenums comprise one of the plurality of fluid inlets, one of the plurality of fluid outlets, a fluid path between at least two of the fluid plenums, or a combination thereof,   wherein the one or more plates being movably mounted between guides perpendicular to a plane of the one or more plates, and   wherein the one or more plates move along the guides, wherein the one or more plates move along the guides due to changes in pressure in the fluid plenums, application of an external force to the one or more plates, or a combination thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , further comprising spacers that limit movement of the one or more plates. 
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger of  claim 2 , wherein the spacers limit the movement of the one or more plates such that the fluid plenums aligned with each of the plurality of fluid inlets and each of the plurality of fluid outlets do not change. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more plates are sufficiently rigid that the one or more plates move when an even force is applied to the plate. 
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more plates comprise silicone, aluminum, steel, copper, bronze, plastic, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The heat exchanger of  claim 5 , wherein the one or more plates flex such that solids deposited on the one or more plates break off. 
     
     
         7 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more plates comprise an electroactive material that flexes or deforms when a charge is applied to the one or more plates. 
     
     
         8 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more pressure sensors, one or more temperature sensors, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more plates comprise dimples or grooves. 
     
     
         10 . The heat exchanger of  claim 9 , wherein the dimples or grooves comprise spacers that limit movement of the one or more plates. 
     
     
         11 . A method for operating a heat exchanger comprising:
 receiving a first fluid in a first plenum defined by a space between a first plate and a second plate of the heat exchanger;   receiving a second fluid in a second plenum defined by a space outside the first plate, the second plate, or both;   moving the first plate, the second plate, or both, along guides based on:   changes in pressure in the first plenum or the second plenum;   application of an external force to the first plate, the second plate, or both; or,   a combination thereof.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the heat exchanger further comprises spacers that limit movement of the first plate, the second plate, or both the first plate and the second plate. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , limiting the movement of the first plate, the second plate, or both the first plate and the second plate by means of spacers or an external force such that the fluid plenums aligned with each of the plurality of fluid inlets and each of the plurality of fluid outlets do not change. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first plate, the second plate, or both the first plate and the second plate are sufficiently rigid that the first plate, the second plate, or both the first plate and the second plate moves when an even force is applied to the plate. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first plate, the second plate, or both the first plate and the second plate comprise silicone, aluminum, steel, copper, bronze, plastic, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , flexing the first plate, the second plate, or both the first plate and the second plate such that solids deposited on the one or more plates break off. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first plate, the second plate, or both the first plate and the second plate comprise an electroactive material that flexes or deforms when a charge is applied to the one or more plates. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , the heat exchanger further comprising one or more pressure sensors, one or more temperature sensors, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first plate, the second plate, or both the first plate and the second plate comprise dimples or grooves. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , limiting movement of the first plate, the second plate, or both the first plate and the second plate by the dimples or grooves acting as spacers.