US20190024982A1

US20190024982A1 - Heat exchanger assembly with parting sheet support

Info

Publication number: US20190024982A1
Application number: US15/657,446
Authority: US
Inventors: Mark A. Zaffetti; Jeremy M. Strange
Original assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corp
Current assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corp
Priority date: 2017-07-24
Filing date: 2017-07-24
Publication date: 2019-01-24

Abstract

A heat exchanger assembly is provided. The heat exchanger assembly may comprise a hot layer disposed between at least two cold layers. The hot layer may comprise a hot layer fin disposed within a hot layer closure bar. The hot layer closure bar may comprise a parting sheet support coupled to a frame. The parting sheet support may be configured to support a parting sheet while also allowing a fluid flow through the hot layer. The parting sheet support may comprise fluid channels configured to allow the fluid flow through the parting sheet support.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING GOVERNMENT RIGHTS

This disclosure was made with government support under contract No. RH6-118203 awarded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The government has certain rights in the disclosure.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to heat exchangers, and more specifically, to a parting sheet support for a closure bar of a heat exchanger assembly.

BACKGROUND

Heat exchangers are used in a variety of thermal management systems. Phase change material heat exchangers typically comprise stacked layers, including a “hot” layer surrounded on the top and bottom by one or more “cold” layers. The cold layers may comprise phase change materials and may be configured to provide a heat transfer from fluid in the hot layer. The stacked layers of fins may each be bordered by a closure bar, and the layers are separated by and coupled together via a parting sheet.

SUMMARY

In various embodiments, a hot layer closure bar for a heat exchanger is disclosed. The hot layer closure bar may comprise a frame defining an outer edge of a fin void; and a parting sheet support coupled to the frame, wherein the parting sheet support and the frame define a fluid outlet, wherein the parting sheet support comprises a first support surface opposite a second support surface, and wherein the parting sheet support comprises a fluid channel defining a first channel on the first support surface, wherein the fluid channel is in fluid communication with the fin void and the fluid outlet.
In various embodiments, the parting sheet support may comprise a bridge defining a first portion of the first support surface proximate the fluid channel. The parting sheet support may comprise a second fluid channel defining a second channel on the second support surface, wherein the second fluid channel is in fluid communication with the fin void and the fluid outlet. The fluid channel and the second fluid channel may be shaped and sized to control a fluid flow from the fin void to the fluid outlet. The parting sheet support may comprise a second bridge defining a second portion of the second support surface proximate the second fluid channel. The fluid channel and the second fluid channel may be at least partially aligned on the parting sheet support. The fluid channel and the second fluid channel may be offset on the parting sheet support.
In various embodiments, a heat exchanger assembly is disclosed. The heat exchanger assembly may comprise a first cold layer having a first parting sheet; a second cold layer having a second parting sheet; and a hot layer disposed between the first cold layer and the second cold layer. The hot layer may be coupled to the first parting sheet and the second parting sheet. The hot layer may comprise a hot layer fin and a hot layer closure bar. The hot layer fin may be disposed within the hot layer closure bar. The hot layer closure bar may comprise: a frame defining an outer edge of a fin void, wherein the fin void is configured to receive the hot layer fin; and a parting sheet support coupled to the frame, wherein the parting sheet support and the frame define a fluid outlet, wherein the parting sheet support comprises a first support surface opposite a second support surface, and wherein the parting sheet support comprises a fluid channel defining a first channel on the first support surface, wherein the fluid channel is in fluid communication with the fin void and the fluid outlet.
In various embodiments, the parting sheet support may comprise a bridge defining a portion of the first support surface proximate the fluid channel, wherein the first parting sheet is configured to couple to the bridge. The first parting sheet may comprise a braze alloy configured to melt during a brazing process to couple the first parting sheet to the bridge. The parting sheet support may comprise a second fluid channel defining a second channel on the second support surface, wherein the second fluid channel is in fluid communication with the fin void and the fluid outlet. The fluid channel and the second fluid channel may be shaped and sized to control a fluid flow from the fin void to the fluid outlet. The parting sheet support may comprise a second bridge defining a portion of the second support surface proximate the second fluid channel, wherein the second parting sheet is configured to couple to the second bridge. The second parting sheet may comprise a braze alloy configured to melt during a brazing process to couple the second parting sheet to the second bridge. The fluid channel and the second fluid channel may be at least partially aligned on the parting sheet support. The fluid channel and the second fluid channel may be offset on the parting sheet support.
In various embodiments, a heat exchanger hot layer is disclosed. The heat exchanger hot layer may comprise a hot layer fin comprising corrugated fins, and a hot layer closure bar, wherein the hot layer fin is disposed within the hot layer closure bar. The hot layer closure bar may comprise a frame defining an outer edge of a fin void, wherein the fin void is configured to receive the hot layer fin; and a parting sheet support coupled to the frame, wherein the parting sheet support and the frame define a fluid outlet, wherein the parting sheet support comprises a first support surface opposite a second support surface, and wherein the parting sheet support comprises a first fluid channel defining a first channel on the first support surface and a second fluid channel defining a second channel on the second support surface, wherein the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel are in fluid communication with the fin void and the fluid outlet.
In various embodiments, the parting sheet support may comprise a first bridge defining a first portion of the first support surface proximate the first fluid channel and a second bridge defining a second portion of the second support surface proximate the second fluid channel. The first fluid channel and the second fluid channel may be at least partially aligned on the parting sheet support. The first fluid channel may be configured to align with the second bridge and the second fluid channel may be configured to align with the first bridge.
The forgoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated herein otherwise. These features and elements as well as the operation of the disclosed embodiments will become more apparent in light of the following description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter of the present disclosure is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. A more complete understanding of the present disclosure, however, may best be obtained by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the following illustrative figures. In the following figures, like reference numbers refer to similar elements and steps throughout the figures.

FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of a heat exchanger assembly, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 1B illustrates a partial exploded perspective view of a heat exchanger assembly, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a closure bar comprising a parting sheet support having fluid channels, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a closure bar comprising a parting sheet support having first fluid channels and second fluid channels, in accordance with various embodiments; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a partial perspective view of a heat exchanger depicting a fluid flow through a parting sheet support, in accordance with various embodiments.

Elements and steps in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been rendered according to any particular sequence. For example, steps that may be performed concurrently or in different order are illustrated in the figures to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description of exemplary embodiments herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which show exemplary embodiments by way of illustration. While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosures, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that logical changes and adaptations in design and construction may be made in accordance with this disclosure and the teachings herein. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only and not of limitation.
The scope of the disclosure is defined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents rather than by merely the examples described. For example, the steps recited in any of the method or process descriptions may be executed in any order and are not necessarily limited to the order presented. Furthermore, any reference to singular includes plural embodiments, and any reference to more than one component or step may include a singular embodiment or step. Also, any reference to attached, fixed, coupled, connected or the like may include permanent, removable, temporary, partial, full and/or any other possible attachment option. Additionally, any reference to without contact (or similar phrases) may also include reduced contact or minimal contact. Surface shading lines may be used throughout the figures to denote different parts but not necessarily to denote the same or different materials.
In various embodiments, and with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a heat exchanger assembly 5 is disclosed. Heat exchanger assembly 5 may comprise any suitable type of heat exchanger wherein a parting sheet support in a hot layer may be desirable, such as, for example, a phase change material heat exchanger. Heat exchanger assembly 5 may comprise various layers forming a stacked arrangement. In that respect, heat exchanger assembly 5 may comprise a hot layer surrounded by one or more cold layers, as discussed further herein. As discussed further herein, in heat exchanger assembly 5 heat may be transferred from fluid in the hot layer to phase change materials in the cold layers. As the phase change materials absorb the thermal energy, the temperatures in the cold layers may increase while the temperature in the hot layer decreases. During cool down of heat exchanger assembly 5, the phase change materials in the cold layers may release the thermal energy, transferring the thermal energy from the cold layers back into fluid in the hot layer.
For example, and in accordance with various embodiments, heat exchanger assembly 5 may comprise a first cold layer 30, a second cold layer 40, a hot layer 50, a third cold layer 60, and a fourth cold layer 70. Cold layers 30, 40, 60, 70 may comprise any suitable geometry and size. Each cold layer 30, 40, 60, 70 may comprise various sub-layers. For example, each cold layer 30, 40, 60, 70 may comprise a cold layer fin and a cold layer closure bar. In that regard, and in accordance with various embodiments, first cold layer 30 may comprise a first cold layer fin 35 and a first cold layer closure bar 38; second cold layer 40 may comprise a second cold layer fin 45 and a second cold layer closure bar 48; third cold layer 60 may comprise a third cold layer fin 65 and a third cold layer closure bar 68 (with brief reference to FIG. 4); and fourth cold layer 70 may comprise a fourth cold layer fin 75 (with brief reference to FIG. 4) and a fourth cold layer closure bar 78 (with brief reference to FIG. 4).
Each cold layer fin 35, 45, 65, 75 may be configured to transfer heat from fluid in hot layer 50 (e.g., to reduce the temperature of the fluid). For example, cold layer fins 35, 45, 65, 75 may comprise a phase change material configured to melt at high temperatures to transfer heat from fluid in hot layer 50. The phase change material may comprise any suitable substance configured to absorb and release thermal energy during the process of melting and freezing. For example, the phase change material may comprise any suitable material having a high latent heat allowing for the transfer of heat from hot layer 50, such as, for example, water, wax, or the like. Each cold layer fin 35, 45, 65, 75 may be configured to insert within the respective cold layer closure bar 38, 48, 68, 78. For example, first cold layer fin 35 may be configured to insert within first cold layer closure bar 38, second cold layer fin 45 may be configured to insert within second cold layer closure bar 48, third cold layer fin 65 may be configured to insert within third cold layer closure bar 68 (with brief reference to FIG. 4), and fourth cold layer fin 75 may be configured to insert within fourth cold layer closure bar 78 (with brief reference to FIG. 4). In that respect, each cold layer fin 35, 45, 65, 75 may be sized and shaped to fit within the respective cold layer closure bar 38, 48, 68, 78.
In various embodiments, each cold layer closure bar 38, 48, 68, 78 may be configured to retain the respective cold layer fin 35, 45, 65, 75. Cold layer closure bars 38, 48, 68, 78 may also be configured to fluidly seal each respective cold layer 30, 40, 60, 70, and may also provide a fluid outlet flow, as discussed further herein. For example, first cold layer closure bar 38 may be configured to retain first cold layer fin 35, second cold layer closure bar 48 may be configured to retain second cold layer fin 45, third cold layer closure bar 68 may be configured to retain third cold layer fin 65 (with brief reference to FIG. 4), and fourth cold layer closure bar 78 may be configured to retain fourth cold layer fin 75 (with brief reference to FIG. 4). In that respect, each cold layer closure bar 38, 48, 68, 78 may be sized and shaped to receive the respective cold layer fin 35, 45, 65, 75.
In various embodiments, heat exchanger assembly 5 may comprise one or more parting sheets configured to fluidly separate each layer. Heat exchanger assembly 5 may comprise a first parting sheet 32, a second parting sheet 42, a third parting sheet 52, a fourth parting sheet 62, a fifth parting sheet 72 (with brief reference to FIG. 4), a sixth parting sheet 82 (with brief reference to FIG. 4), and/or the like. Parting sheets 32, 42, 52, 62, 72, 82 may also be configured to couple each layer to nearby layers in heat exchanger assembly 5. For example, first parting sheet 32 may be configured to couple top sheet 10 to first cold layer 30 (e.g., first cold layer fin 35 and first cold layer closure bar 38); second parting sheet 42 may be configured to couple first cold layer 30 (e.g., first cold layer fin 35 and first cold layer closure bar 38) to second cold layer 40 (e.g., second cold layer fin 45 and second cold layer closure bar 48); third parting sheet 52 may be configured to couple second cold layer 40 (e.g., second cold layer fin 45 and second cold layer closure bar 48) to hot layer 50 (e.g., hot layer fin 55 and hot layer closure bar 100); fourth parting sheet 62 may be configured to couple hot layer 50 (e.g., hot layer fin 55 and hot layer closure bar 100) to third cold layer 60 (e.g., third cold layer fin 65 and third cold layer closure bar 68, with brief reference to FIG. 4); fifth parting sheet 72 may be configured to couple third cold layer 60 (e.g., third cold layer fin 65 and third cold layer closure bar 68, with brief reference to FIG. 4) to fourth cold layer 70 (e.g., fourth cold layer fin 75 and fourth cold layer closure bar 78, with brief reference to FIG. 4); and sixth parting sheet 82 may be configured to couple fourth cold layer 70 (e.g., fourth cold layer fin 75 and fourth cold layer closure bar 78, with brief reference to FIG. 4) to base sheet 80.
In that respect, each layer in heat exchanger assembly 5 may be coupled together using a brazing process. For example, parting sheets 32, 42, 52, 62, 72, 82 may comprise a braze alloy configured to melt during a brazing process to couple together each layer of heat exchanger assembly 5. For example, the brazing process may couple together one or more layers by heating the layers and melting the braze alloy between each layer to bond the layers together. The braze alloy may comprise any suitable brazing filler metal, such as, for example, a brazing filler metal for aluminum materials such as an aluminum-silicon alloy, or the like. During the brazing process each parting sheet 32, 42, 52, 62, 72, 82 may be subjected to high temperatures. As discussed further herein, any unsupported portion of each parting sheet 32, 42, 52, 62, 72, 82 may deform due to the high temperatures, thus at least partially obstructing fluid flow through heat exchanger assembly 5.
In various embodiments, heat exchanger assembly 5 may comprise a fluidic series of inlet passages and outlet passages configured to define fluid passages through heat exchanger assembly 5. The inlet passages may be configured to receive a fluid from a fluid inlet (e.g., fluid inlet 485, with brief reference to FIG. 4) and deliver the fluid, via the outlet passages, to a fluid outlet (e.g., fluid outlet assembly 20). For example, and with brief reference to FIG. 4, base sheet 80 may be in fluid communication with a fluid inlet 485 and may be configured to receive a fluid and deliver the fluid through heat exchanger assembly 5, sixth parting sheet 82 may comprise a first fluid inlet 81, fourth cold layer closure bar 78 may comprise a second fluid inlet 77, fifth parting sheet 72 may comprise a third fluid inlet 71, and third cold layer closure bar 68 may comprise a fourth fluid inlet 67. With reference again to FIG. 1B, fourth parting sheet 62 may comprise a fifth fluid inlet 61, third parting sheet 52 may comprise a sixth fluid inlet 51, second cold layer closure bar 48 may comprise a seventh fluid inlet 47, second parting sheet 42 may comprise an eighth fluid inlet 41, first cold layer closure bar 38 may comprise a ninth fluid inlet 37, and first parting sheet 32 may comprise a tenth fluid inlet 31. Each fluid inlet 81, 77, 71, 67, 61, 51, 47, 41, 37, 31 may be in fluid communication with each other.
As a further example, and as discussed herein, top sheet 10 may comprise a first fluid outlet 15, first parting sheet 32 may comprise a second fluid outlet 33, first cold layer closure bar 38 may comprise a third fluid outlet 39, second parting sheet 42 may comprise a fourth fluid outlet 43, second cold layer closure bar 48 may comprise a fifth fluid outlet 49, third parting sheet 52 may comprise a sixth fluid outlet 53, hot layer closure bar 100 may comprise a hot layer fluid outlet 140, fourth parting sheet 62 may comprise an eighth fluid outlet 63, third cold layer closure bar 68 may comprise a ninth fluid outlet, fifth parting sheet 72 may comprise a tenth fluid outlet, and fourth cold layer closure bar 78 may comprise an eleventh fluid outlet. Each fluid outlet 33, 39, 43, 49, 53, 63 and hot layer fluid outlet 140 may be in fluid communication with each other. Fluid outlet 33, 39, 43, 49, 53, 63 and hot layer fluid outlet 140 may deliver the fluid to a fluid outlet assembly 20. Fluid outlet assembly 20 may comprise a fluid port 22, a fluid fitting 24, and a locking ring 26. Fluid port 22 may be coupled to top sheet 10 and may be in fluid communication with first fluid outlet 15. Fluid fitting 24 may be in fluid communication with fluid port 22, and may be coupled to fluid port 22 via locking ring 26. In various embodiments, fluid fitting 24 may be sized and shaped to control an output of fluid from heat exchanger assembly 5.
In various embodiments, hot layer 50 may be configured to receive a fluid from a fluid inlet (e.g., fifth fluid inlet 61), transfer the fluid over a hot layer fin 55, and deliver the fluid to a fluid outlet (e.g., hot layer fluid outlet 140). Hot layer fin 55 may comprise corrugated fins or the like, and may be configured to direct fluid flow from fifth fluid inlet 61 through hot layer fluid outlet 140. Hot layer fin 55 may be configured to insert within hot layer closure bar 100. In that regard, hot layer fin 55 may be sized and shaped to fit within hot layer closure bar 100. Hot layer closure bar 100 may be configured to retain hot layer fin 55 and to at least partially fluidly seal hot layer 50. Hot layer closure bar 100 may be sized and shaped to receive and retain hot layer fin 55, as discussed further herein.
In various embodiments, and with reference to FIG. 2, a hot layer closure bar 200 may comprise a frame 210. Frame 210 may comprise a first side 211 opposite a second side 212. Frame 210 may define an outer boundary of hot layer closure bar 200. In that regard, frame 210 may define a fin void 220. Fin void 220 may be sized and shaped to receive hot layer fin 55, with brief reference to FIG. 1B. Frame 210 may comprise one or more frame notches 215. Each frame notch 215 may define a recess on frame 210, and may be configured to interface with hot layer fin 55 to couple and retain hot layer fin 55 to hot layer closure bar 200. For example, and with brief reference to FIG. 4, a hot layer fin 455 may comprise one or more notches 456. Each notch 456 may be configured to interface with a corresponding frame notch 215 to retain hot layer fin 455 within hot layer closure bar 200.
In various embodiments, and with reference again to FIG. 2, hot layer closure bar 200 may comprise a parting sheet support 230. Parting sheet support 230 may comprise a first support side 231 opposite a second support side 232. Parting sheet support 230 may be coupled to frame 210. Parting sheet support 230 may be coupled to frame 210 proximate a hot layer fluid outlet 240. In that respect, parting sheet support 230 may at least partially define hot layer fluid outlet 240 together with frame 210. Parting sheet support 230 may be configured to provide support to a parting sheet (e.g., third parting sheet 52, with brief reference to FIG. 1B) during the brazing process. In that respect, parting sheet support 230 may be configured to provide support to at least partially ensure that the parting sheet does not deform (e.g., due to unsupported portions of the parting sheet) during the brazing process.
In various embodiments, parting sheet support 230 may also be configured to provide a fluid passage from fin void 220 to hot layer fluid outlet 240. For example, parting sheet support 230 may comprise one or more fluid channels 235. Each fluid channel 235 may define a channel on first support side 231. Each fluid channel 235 may be in fluid communication with fin void 220 and hot layer fluid outlet 240 to allow the flow of fluid through parting sheet support 230. Parting sheet support 230 may comprise one or more bridges 238 defining a portion of first support side 231 between each fluid channel 235. Each bridge 238 may be configured to couple to third parting sheet 52. For example, each bridge 238 may be configured to couple to third parting sheet 52 during the brazing process to couple parting sheet support 230 to third parting sheet 52, with brief reference to FIG. 1B.
In various embodiments, fluid channels 235 may be sized, shaped, and distributed on parting sheet support 230 to control the flow of fluid output to hot layer fluid outlet 240. In that respect, and with reference to FIG. 3, a hot layer closure bar 300 may comprise a parting sheet support 330 having first fluid channels 335 and second fluid channels 336. Parting sheet support 330 may have a first support side 331 opposite a second support side 332. First fluid channels 335 may be similar to fluid channels 235, with brief reference to FIG. 2. First fluid channels 335 may define a channel on first support side 331. First fluid channels 335 may be in fluid communication with fin void 220 and hot layer fluid outlet 240 to allow the flow of fluid through parting sheet support 330. Parting sheet support 330 may also comprise one or more first bridges 338 defining a portion of first support side 331 between each first fluid channel 335. First bridges 338 may be similar to bridges 238 (with brief reference to FIG. 2). For example, first bridges 335 may be configured to couple to third parting sheet 52 during a brazing process, thus further coupling parting sheet support 330 to third parting sheet 52, with brief reference to FIG. 1B.
In various embodiments, second fluid channels 336 may be in fluid communication with fin void 220 and hot layer fluid outlet 240 to allow the flow of fluid through parting sheet support 330. Second fluid channels 336 may define a channel on second support side 332. In that respect, second fluid channels 336 may enable additional flow of fluid through parting sheet support 330. Second fluid channels 336 may be sized, shaped, and distributed to control the flow of fluid output to hot layer fluid outlet 240. Parting sheet support 330 may also comprise one or more second bridges 339 defining a portion of second support side 332 between each second fluid channel 336. Second bridges 339 may be configured to couple to fourth parting sheet 62. For example, second bridges 339 may couple to fourth parting sheet 62 during a brazing process to couple parting sheet support 330 to fourth parting sheet 62, with brief reference to FIG. 1B. Second fluid channels 336 may be aligned with first fluid channels 335. In various embodiments, second fluid channels 336 may also be offset with first fluid channels 335. For example, first fluid channel 335 may be at least partially aligned with second bridge 339, and second fluid channel 336 may be at least partially aligned with first bridge 338.
In various embodiments, and with reference to FIG. 4, a fluid flow A through heat exchanger assembly 5 is depicted. Fluid flow A may enter through fluid inlet 485 and pass through fluid inlets 81, 77, 71, 67, 61, and into hot layer 50. In that respect, fluid flow A may pass through hot layer fin 455 (e.g., through the corrugated fins), and heat may transfer from fluid flow A into the cold layers (e.g., third cold layer 60 and fourth cold layer 70). Fluid flow A may exit through parting sheet support 230 (e.g., via fluid channels 235) and out hot layer fluid outlet 240. Fluid flow A may be delivered from hot layer fluid outlet 240 to fluid outlet assembly 20, with brief reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B.
Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described herein with regard to specific embodiments. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may be present in a practical system. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of the disclosures. The scope of the disclosures is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims and their legal equivalents, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” Moreover, where a phrase similar to “at least one of A, B, or C” is used in the claims, it is intended that the phrase be interpreted to mean that A alone may be present in an embodiment, B alone may be present in an embodiment, C alone may be present in an embodiment, or that any combination of the elements A, B and C may be present in a single embodiment; for example, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C.
Systems, methods and apparatus are provided herein. In the detailed description herein, references to “various embodiments”, “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “an example embodiment”, etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. After reading the description, it will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement the disclosure in alternative embodiments.
Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is intended to invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.” As used herein, the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A hot layer closure bar for a heat exchanger, comprising:

a frame defining an outer edge of a fin void; and

a parting sheet support coupled to the frame, wherein the parting sheet support and the frame define a fluid outlet, wherein the parting sheet support comprises a first support surface opposite a second support surface, and wherein the parting sheet support comprises a fluid channel defining a first channel on the first support surface, wherein the fluid channel is in fluid communication with the fin void and the fluid outlet.

2. The hot layer closure bar of claim 1, wherein the parting sheet support comprises a bridge defining a portion of the first support surface proximate the fluid channel.

3. The hot layer closure bar of claim 1, wherein the parting sheet support comprises a second fluid channel defining a second channel on the second support surface, wherein the second fluid channel is in fluid communication with the fin void and the fluid outlet.

4. The hot layer closure bar of claim 3, wherein the fluid channel and the second fluid channel are shaped and sized to control a fluid flow from the fin void to the fluid outlet.

5. The hot layer closure bar of claim 3, wherein the parting sheet support comprises a second bridge defining a second portion of the second support surface proximate the second fluid channel.

6. The hot layer closure bar of claim 3, wherein the fluid channel and the second fluid channel are at least partially aligned on the parting sheet support.

7. The hot layer closure bar of claim 3, wherein the fluid channel and the second fluid channel are offset on the parting sheet support.

8. A heat exchanger assembly, comprising:

a first cold layer having a first parting sheet;

a second cold layer having a second parting sheet; and

a hot layer disposed between the first cold layer and the second cold layer, wherein the hot layer is coupled to the first parting sheet and the second parting sheet, and wherein the hot layer comprises:

a hot layer fin; and

a hot layer closure bar, wherein the hot layer fin is disposed within the hot layer closure bar, the hot layer closure bar comprising:

a frame defining an outer edge of a fin void, wherein the fin void is configured to receive the hot layer fin; and

9. The heat exchanger assembly of claim 8, wherein the parting sheet support comprises a bridge defining a portion of the first support surface proximate the fluid channel, wherein the first parting sheet is configured to couple to the bridge.

10. The heat exchanger assembly of claim 9, wherein the first parting sheet comprises a braze alloy configured to melt during a brazing process to couple the first parting sheet to the bridge.

11. The heat exchanger assembly of claim 8, wherein the parting sheet support comprises a second fluid channel defining a second channel on the second support surface, wherein the second fluid channel is in fluid communication with the fin void and the fluid outlet.

12. The heat exchanger assembly of claim 11, wherein the fluid channel and the second fluid channel are shaped and sized to control a fluid flow from the fin void to the fluid outlet.

13. The heat exchanger assembly of claim 11, wherein the parting sheet support comprises a second bridge defining a second portion of the second support surface proximate the second fluid channel, wherein the second parting sheet is configured to couple to the second bridge.

14. The heat exchanger assembly of claim 13, wherein the second parting sheet comprises a braze alloy configured to melt during a brazing process to couple the second parting sheet to the second bridge.

15. The heat exchanger assembly of claim 11, wherein the fluid channel and the second fluid channel are at least partially aligned on the parting sheet support.

16. The heat exchanger assembly of claim 11, wherein the fluid channel and the second fluid channel are offset on the parting sheet support.

17. A heat exchanger hot layer, comprising:

a hot layer fin comprising corrugated fins; and

a parting sheet support coupled to the frame, wherein the parting sheet support and the frame define a fluid outlet, wherein the parting sheet support comprises a first support surface opposite a second support surface, and wherein the parting sheet support comprises a first fluid channel defining a first channel on the first support surface and a second fluid channel defining a second channel on the second support surface, wherein the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel are in fluid communication with the fin void and the fluid outlet.

18. The heat exchanger hot layer of claim 17, wherein the parting sheet support comprises a first bridge defining a first portion of the first support surface proximate the first fluid channel and a second bridge defining a second portion of the second support surface proximate the second fluid channel.

19. The heat exchanger hot layer of claim 18, wherein the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel are at least partially aligned on the parting sheet support.

20. The heat exchanger hot layer of claim 18, wherein the first fluid channel is configured to align with the second bridge and the second fluid channel is configured to align with the first bridge.