Fin-plate heat exchanger

Abstract

A fin-plate heat exchanger is arranged to allow heat to be exchanged between a first fluid and a second fluid. The fin-plate heat exchanger comprises: a core with first flow paths for the first fluid and second flow paths for the second fluid; a plurality of separating plates; a plurality of fin components; a plurality of first enclosure bars; and a plurality of second enclosure bars. The heat exchanger further comprises a manifold arranged in fluid communication with each of the first flow paths of the core. The manifold and the core are formed as one integral piece, said integral piece comprising a stack of laminate members and said fin components. The plurality of laminate members comprise: first fluid enclosure structures each including a first manifold section.

1 . A fin-plate heat exchanger for allowing heat to be exchanged between a first fluid and a second fluid, the fin-plate heat exchanger comprising:
 a core comprising:
 a plurality of first flow paths for the first fluid and a plurality of second flow paths for the second fluid; 
 a plurality of separating plates, adjacent first and second flow paths being separated by respective separating plates; 
 a plurality of fin components extending through respective first and second flow paths and extending between adjacent separating plates; 
 a plurality of first enclosure bars extending between adjacent separating plates, the first enclosure bars being arranged to at least partially define the first flow path; and 
 a plurality of second enclosure bars extending between adjacent separating plates, the second enclosure bars being arranged to at least partially define the second flow path; and 
   a manifold arranged in fluid communication with each of the first flow paths of the core;   wherein:   the manifold and the core are formed as one integral piece;   said integral piece comprising a stack of laminate members and said fin components; and   the plurality of laminate members comprise:
 a plurality of first fluid enclosure structures for enclosing the first flow path, each first fluid enclosure structure comprising a first manifold section and said first enclosure bars; 
 a plurality of second fluid enclosure structures for enclosing the second flow path, each second fluid enclosure structure comprising at least one second enclosure bar, and at least some of the of the second fluid enclosure structures comprising a second manifold section; and 
 the plurality of separating plates, each separating plate comprising a third manifold section, and each separating plate separating each first enclosure structure from adjacent second enclosure structures, 
 wherein the first, second and third manifold sections are shaped to form the manifold when the plurality of laminate members are stacked. 
   
     
     
         2 . The fin-plate heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one flange for mounting the heat exchanger to other components;   wherein the manifold, the core and the at least one flange are formed as one integral piece;   wherein each of the first enclosure structures, each of the separating plates and at least some of the second enclosure structures comprise respective flange portions; and   wherein the flange portions are shaped to form the at least one flange when the plurality of laminate members are stacked.   
     
     
         3 . The fin-plate heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the integral piece comprises the laminate members and the fin components brazed together. 
     
     
         4 . The fin-plate heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the manifold is not welded to the core. 
     
     
         5 . The fin-plate heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the laminate members do not comprise fins. 
     
     
         6 . The fin-plate heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the manifold comprises manifold features for allowing the first fluid to be supplied to and/or received from the first flow paths; and
 wherein the first, second and third manifold sections each comprise respective features that form the manifold features when the plurality of laminate members are stacked.   
     
     
         7 . The fin-plate heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a base plate; and   a top plate;   wherein the laminate members comprise the base plate and the top plate,   wherein the base plate forms the lower-most layer of the stack and the top plate forms the upper-most layer of the stack,   wherein the base plate and the top plate each comprise a fourth manifold portion and a core portion, wherein the base plate and the top plate are each shaped such that the core portion encloses the core and the fourth manifold portion encloses the manifold.   
     
     
         8 . A fin-plate heat exchanger as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the laminate members are produced by additive manufacturing and/or subtractive manufacturing. 
     
     
         9 . The fin-plate heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the fin components are not made by additive manufacturing or subtractive manufacturing. 
     
     
         10 . A method of manufacturing a fin-plate heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 stacking the laminate members and the fin components ( 103 ); and   joining the laminate members and the fin components together to form the integral piece.   
     
     
         11 . The method as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the method does not include joining the manifold and the core together. 
     
     
         12 . The method as claimed in  claim 10 , comprising producing at least some of the laminate members by additive manufacturing. 
     
     
         13 . The method as claimed in  claim 10 , comprising producing at least some of the laminate members by subtractive manufacturing. 
     
     
         14 . A method as claimed in  claim 13 , comprising producing the separating plates by subtractive manufacturing. 
     
     
         15 . The method as claimed in  claim 10 , comprising removing excess material from the integral piece after the joining process.