Integrated hybrid compact fluid heat exchanger

Abstract

An Integrated Hybrid Compact Fluid Heat Exchanger is disclosed. An example embodiment includes: a micro-channeled plate for a stream of a working fluid, the micro-channeled plate being diffusion bonded or brazed with a cover plate; and a fin assembly brazed, diffusion bonded, or welded to the micro-channeled plate. Other embodiments include a fan or blower coupled to the Integrated Hybrid Compact Fluid Heat Exchanger via air ducting or close coupling.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An Integrated Hybrid Compact Fluid Heat Exchanger comprising:
 a micro-channeled plate for a stream of a working fluid, the micro-channeled plate being diffusion bonded or brazed with a cover plate; and   a fin assembly brazed, diffusion bonded, or welded to the micro-channeled plate.   
     
     
         2 . The Integrated Hybrid Compact Fluid Heat Exchanger of  claim 1  further including a second cover plate being diffusion bonded or brazed with the micro-channeled plate. 
     
     
         3 . The Integrated Hybrid Compact Fluid Heat Exchanger of  claim 1  wherein the micro-channeled plate is fabricated from a material from the group consisting of: stainless steel alloys, SS300 series, titanium, nickel alloys, ferretics, and carbon steel. 
     
     
         4 . The Integrated Hybrid Compact Fluid Heat Exchanger of  claim 1  wherein the fin assembly is fabricated from a material from the group consisting of: aluminum, copper, titanium, carbon steel, and nickel alloys. 
     
     
         5 . The Integrated Hybrid Compact Fluid Heat Exchanger of  claim 1  wherein the micro-channeled plate is fabricated using a process from the group consisting of: chemical etching, an additive process, a laser-based process, electrochemical machining (ECM), electrical discharge machining (EDM), computer numerical controlled (CNC) machining, mechanical machining, and grinding. 
     
     
         6 . The Integrated Hybrid Compact Fluid Heat Exchanger of  claim 1  further including a fan or blower coupled to the Integrated Hybrid Compact Fluid Heat Exchanger via air ducting or close coupling. 
     
     
         7 . The Integrated Hybrid Compact Fluid Heat Exchanger of  claim 6  wherein the fan or blower is of a type from the group consisting of: a centrifugal blower and an axial fan. 
     
     
         8 . The Integrated Hybrid Compact Fluid Heat Exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the working fluid is from the group consisting of: supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2), molten salt, and liquid metals. 
     
     
         9 . The Integrated Hybrid Compact Fluid Heat Exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the micro-channeled plate is diffusion bonded with the cover plate. 
     
     
         10 . The Integrated Hybrid Compact Fluid Heat Exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the fin assembly is brazed or welded to the micro-channeled plate. 
     
     
         11 . A method for fabricating an Integrated Hybrid Compact Fluid Heat Exchanger, the method comprising:
 diffusion bonding or brazing a micro-channeled plate for a stream of a working fluid with a cover plate; and   diffusion bonding, brazing, or welding a fin assembly to the micro-channeled plate.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  further including diffusion bonding or brazing a second cover plate with the micro-channeled plate. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the micro-channeled plate is fabricated from a material from the group consisting of: stainless steel alloys, SS300 series, titanium, nickel alloys, ferretics, and carbon steel. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the fin assembly is fabricated from a material from the group consisting of: aluminum, copper, titanium, carbon steel, and nickel alloys. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the micro-channeled plate is fabricated using a process from the group consisting of: chemical etching, an additive process, laser etching, electrochemical machining (ECM), electrical discharge machining (EDM), computer numerical controlled (CNC) machining, mechanical machining, and grinding. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11  further including coupling a fan or blower to the Integrated Hybrid Compact Fluid Heat Exchanger via air ducting or close coupling. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the fan or blower is of a type from the group consisting of: a centrifugal blower and an axial fan. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the working fluid is from the group consisting of: supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2), molten salt, and liquid metals. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the micro-channeled plate is diffusion bonded with the cover plate. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the fin assembly is brazed or welded to the micro-channeled plate.