U.S. patent application number 13/267821 was filed with the patent office on 2012-04-12 for heat exchanger frame apparatus and method of assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to Purcell Systems, Inc.. Invention is credited to Marvin P. Garcia.
Application Number | 20120085515 13/267821 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45924218 |
Filed Date | 2012-04-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120085515 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Garcia; Marvin P. |
April 12, 2012 |
Heat Exchanger Frame Apparatus And Method Of Assembly
Abstract
A frame preferably engages a heat exchanger unit so the frame
directs fluid flow into and out of the heat exchanger unit to
substantially isolate a first fluid stream that enters and exits
the heat exchanger unit from a second fluid stream that enters and
exits the heat exchanger unit. Preferably, the frame substantially
isolates the first fluid stream that enters and exits the heat
exchanger unit from the second fluid stream that enters and exits
the heat exchanger unit without placing the heat exchanger and
frame in a separate housing.
Inventors: |
Garcia; Marvin P.;
(Schaumburg, IL) |
Assignee: |
Purcell Systems, Inc.
Spokane
WA
|
Family ID: |
45924218 |
Appl. No.: |
13/267821 |
Filed: |
October 6, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61391056 |
Oct 7, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
165/67 ;
29/428 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 29/49826 20150115;
F28F 9/02 20130101; F28D 9/0037 20130101; F28D 9/0006 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/67 ;
29/428 |
International
Class: |
F28F 9/00 20060101
F28F009/00 |
Claims
1. A heat exchanger assembly comprising: a housing for retaining a
heat exchanger unit; a heat exchanger unit including a first side,
a second side, a third side, a fourth side, a first fluid path
through the heat exchanger unit, and a second fluid path through
the heat exchanger unit, wherein (i) the first fluid path extends
into one and out of one of the first, second, third, and fourth
sides, (ii) the second fluid path extends into one and out of one
of the first, second, third, and fourth sides, and (iii) the heat
exchanger unit is configured to prevent fluid in the first fluid
path from contacting fluid in the second fluid path; a frame
connected to the heat exchanger unit for directing fluid into and
out of the first and second fluid paths, wherein the frame at least
substantially covers the first, second, third, and fourth sides of
the heat exchanger unit and is configured to substantially isolate
fluid in the first fluid path from fluid in the second fluid path
while the heat exchanger unit is physically separate from the
housing; a first fluid moving device located in a portion of the
frame to move fluid along the first fluid path; and a second fluid
moving device located in a portion of the frame to move fluid along
the second fluid path.
2. A heat exchanger assembly according to claim 1, wherein the
frame comprises: a first vent skirt overlying the first side of the
heat exchanger unit; a second vent skirt overlying the second side
of the heat exchanger unit; a third vent skirt overlying the third
side of the heat exchanger unit; and a fourth vent skirt overlying
the fourth side of the heat exchanger unit.
3. A heat exchanger assembly according to claim 2, wherein the
frame further comprises: a first column connecting the first and
second vent skirts to each other and to the heat exchanger unit; a
second column connecting the second and third vent skirts to each
other and to the heat exchanger unit; a third column connecting the
third and fourth vent skirts to each other and to the heat
exchanger unit; and a fourth column connecting the fourth and first
vent skirts to each other and to the heat exchanger unit.
4. A heat exchanger assembly according to claim 3, wherein the
frame further comprises: a plurality of struts, wherein each strut
connects between two corners of one of the first vent skirt, the
second vent skirt, the third vent skirt, and the fourth vent
skirt.
5. A heat exchanger assembly according to claim 2, further
comprising: a first fluid moving device housed in one of the first
and third skirt vents; and a second fluid moving device housed in
one of the second and fourth skirt vents.
6. A heat exchanger assembly according to claim 1, wherein: the
heat exchanger unit and frame are configured to cooperate with the
housing to further isolate fluid entering and leaving the first
fluid path via the frame from fluid entering and leaving the second
fluid path via the frame.
7. A heat exchanger assembly according to claim 1, further
comprising a sealant material between at least a portion of the
frame and the heat exchanger unit.
8. A heat exchanger assembly according to claim 7, wherein the
sealant material includes a gasket.
9. A heat exchanger assembly according to claim 7, wherein the
sealant material includes a flowable sealant.
10. A method for assembling a substantially sealed frame about a
heat exchanger, comprising: attaching a first vent skirt to a
second vent skirt to form a frame; engaging the frame with the heat
exchanger; creating a first flow path for the heat exchanger by
engaging a third vent skirt to the heat exchanger and adding to the
frame by attaching the third vent skirt to the frame, wherein the
first flow path is via the first and third vent skirts; creating a
second flow path for the heat exchanger by engaging a fourth vent
skirt to the heat exchanger and adding to the frame by attaching
the fourth vent skirt to the frame, wherein the second flow path is
via the second and fourth vent skirts; and adjusting tension of the
frame to form a leak resistant seal between the frame and the heat
exchanger.
11. A method according to claim 10, further comprising: attaching a
first column to a corner of the first vent skirt and to a corner of
the second vent skirt; attaching a second column to a corner of the
second vent skirt and to a corner of the third vent skirt;
attaching a third column to a corner of the third vent skirt and to
a corner of the fourth vent skirt; and attaching a fourth column to
a corner of the fourth vent skirt and to a corner of the first vent
skirt.
12. A method according to claim 11, further comprising: housing a
first fluid moving device in the first or third vent skirts; and
housing a second fluid moving device in the second or fourth vent
skirts; wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth
columns has a length that is less than a height of the heat
exchanger.
13. A method according to claim 12, further comprising: attaching a
first backing plate to whichever of the first vent skirt and the
third vent skirt houses the first fluid moving device; and
attaching a second backing plate to whichever of the second vent
skirt and the fourth vent skirt houses the second fluid moving
device.
14. A method according to claim 13, further comprising: attaching a
strut between a first end and a second end of whichever of the
first vent skirt and the third vent skirt houses the first fluid
moving device; attaching two struts between a first end and a
second end of whichever of the first vent skirt and the third vent
skirt does not house the first fluid moving device; attaching a
strut between a first end and a second end of whichever of the
second vent skirt and the fourth vent skirt houses the second fluid
moving device; attaching two struts between a first end and a
second end of whichever of the second vent skirt and the fourth
vent skirt does not house the second fluid moving device.
15. A method according to claim 10, further comprising: placing the
heat exchanger and frame in a housing; aligning first and second
openings in the housing with the first and third vent skirts; and
aligning third and fourth openings in the housing with the second
and fourth vent skirts.
16. A method according to claim 10, further comprising placing a
sealant material between at least a portion of the frame and the
heat exchanger.
17. A kit for creating a frame to substantially isolate a first
fluid flow through a heat exchanger from a second fluid flow
through the heat exchanger, comprising: a first vent skirt; a
second vent skirt; a third vent skirt; a fourth vent skirt; a
plurality of columns, wherein each column is configured to connect
a corner of any two of the first vent skirt, the second vent skirt,
the third vent skirt, and the fourth vent skirt to the heat
exchanger; and a plurality of struts, wherein each strut is
configured to connect between two corners of one of the first vent
skirt, the second vent skirt, the third vent skirt, and the fourth
vent skirt; wherein none of the first vent skirt, the second vent
skirt, the third vent skirt, or the fourth vent skirt are part of a
housing for holding the heat exchanger.
18. A kit according to claim 17, wherein each of the plurality of
columns has a length that is shorter than a height of the heat
exchanger.
19. A kit according to claim 17, further comprising: a first fluid
moving device configured to be housed in either the first vent
skirt or the third vent skirt; and a second fluid moving device
configured to be housed in either the second vent skirt or the
fourth vent skirt.
20. A kit according to claim 19, further comprising: a first
backing plate configured to attach to whichever of the first vent
skirt or the third vent skirt houses the first fluid moving device;
and a second backing plate configured to attach to whichever of the
second vent skirt or the fourth vent skirt houses the second fluid
moving device.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional
application No. 61/391,056 filed Oct. 7, 2010 and titled "Heat
Exchanger Frame Apparatus And Method Of Assembly," which is fully
incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The field of the present disclosure relates to heat
exchangers generally, and to enhancing isolation of a first fluid
flowing through a heat exchanger from a second fluid flowing
through the heat exchanger.
BACKGROUND
[0003] A common heat exchanger design permits heat to transfer from
a first fluid stream to a second fluid stream while keeping the
actual fluid in the first fluid stream separate from the actual
fluid in the second fluid stream. In other words, the fluids do not
mix. Keeping the two fluid streams separate permits using a source
of heat or cold that is either dirtier or cleaner than a desired
place or thing to heat. One example provided by U.S. Pat. No.
4,872,504 ("the '504 patent") is where cooling is needed for a
poultry confinement area. The air within the poultry confining area
is dirtier than outside air due to dust, feathers, feed, and other
particles suspended in the air. Circulating inside poultry air
through one flow path and circulating outside air through the other
flow path permits heat to be transferred from the inside air to the
outside air without contaminating the outside air with particulate
matter suspended in the inside air. Another example is a
telecommunications shelter, where it is desirable to cool
relatively clean air inside the shelter with relatively dirty
outside air without transferring particulate matter to the inside
air.
[0004] There are many constructions for such heat exchangers; an
exemplary one is disclosed in the '504 patent as core 16, see FIG.
1 of the '504 patent, a portion of which is reproduced as FIG. 1
herein. A first fluid path through core 16 of the '504 patent lies
perpendicular to end plates 24a and 24b, with fluid passing through
the interior of tubes 26. A second fluid path through core 16 lies
parallel to end plates 24a and 24b, with fluid passing around and
contacting the outside surface of tubes 26.
[0005] A typical housing, such as housing 12 of the '504 patent
(FIG. 2), holds or retains the heat exchanger, such as core 16 of
the '504 patent, and the housing defines fluid inlets and outlets,
such as funneled portions 32 and connecting portions 34 of the '504
patent. Heat exchanger housings commonly include a heat exchanger
pocket or sleeve, such as core-receiving chamber 14 of the '504
patent, with internal features for receiving a heat exchanger and
separating the first fluid path through the heat exchanger from the
second fluid path through the heat exchanger. For example, FIG. 2
of the '504 patent, reproduced as FIG. 2 herein (with some
additional element numerals), illustrates a first air flow path "I"
through two opposing connection portions 34a passing over the
outside of the tubes 26 that is separate from a second air flow
path "II" through the other two connection portions 34b passing
through the inside of the tubes 26. Such separation is provided by
the physical interaction between core 16 and core-receiving chamber
14 of housing 12.
[0006] The present inventors have recognized several disadvantages
associated with existing heat exchangers and housings for retaining
such heat exchangers such as: (1) for typical heat exchangers,
there is no physical structure to assist separating the fluid flow
paths through the heat exchanger without placing the heat exchanger
in a housing; (2) there are commonly gaps between a heat exchanger
and a heat exchanger pocket, sleeve, or chamber that typically
require a gasket or other sealant to close, and require the
associated time and expense of installing such sealant; (3) there
may be gaps that cannot be seen, for example at a bottom of a
sleeve or pocket, and thus the installer does not know to close
such gaps with sealant; (4) some housings employ moving parts to
effect a seal about a heat exchanger, but such moving parts can
loosen, not seat properly, or wear with use, and thus not form a
tight seal; (5) current heat exchanger and housing combinations
commonly require relatively close dimensional tolerances between
the heat exchanger and the pocket, sleeve, or chamber that receives
the heat exchanger to form a satisfactory seal; and (6) such
relatively close tolerances increase the manufacturing cost, and
can make installation of a heat exchanger into a housing relatively
difficult.
SUMMARY
[0007] The present invention is directed to heat exchangers, and in
particular to heat exchangers that provide substantially isolated
fluid stream paths independent of interaction with a housing that
holds the heat exchanger. One preferred arrangement includes a
frame engaging a heat exchanger where the frame directs fluid flow
into and out of the heat exchanger to substantially isolate a first
fluid stream that enters and exits the heat exchanger from a second
fluid stream that enters and exits the heat exchanger. In a
preferred arrangement, the frame substantially isolates the first
fluid stream that enters and exits the heat exchanger from the
second fluid stream that enters and exits the heat exchanger
without placing the heat exchanger and frame in a separate
housing.
[0008] Additional aspects and advantages will be apparent from the
following detailed description of preferred embodiments, which
proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art heat exchanger.
[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates a prior art heat exchanger and
housing.
[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded front view of a frame and
heat exchanger assembly.
[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded perspective view of an
alternate frame and heat exchanger assembly.
[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates an assembled view of the frame and heat
exchanger assembly of FIG. 4.
[0014] FIG. 6 illustrates schematic diagrams of exemplary
substantially isolated fluid flow paths.
[0015] FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart for an exemplary method for
assembling a frame and heat exchanger assembly.
[0016] FIG. 8 illustrates an exploded perspective view of another
embodiment of a frame and heat exchanger assembly located for
placement in a separate housing.
[0017] FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of an alternate frame
and heat exchanger assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Preferred embodiments will now be described with reference
to the drawings. While several preferred embodiments are described
with reference to a frame assembly used with a heat exchanger, a
practitioner in the art will realize from the description that the
principles described are viable to other applications. The
described embodiments, as well as other embodiments, have numerous
applications where a heat exchanger provides heat transfer between
two separate fluid streams without mixing the fluid from the two
streams. Embodiments may be scaled and adapted to many
applications. Embodiments preferably address one or more of the
above described disadvantages, or may address other disadvantages,
with currently available heat exchanger and housing arrangements
for transferring heat from one fluid steam to another fluid
stream.
[0019] FIG. 3 illustrates a front exploded view of an exemplary
embodiment of a frame assembly 5A. FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective
exploded view of an alternate frame assembly 5. FIG. 5 illustrates
an assembled view of frame assembly 5. When connected to heat
exchanger 10, frame assembly 5 preferably substantially isolates a
first fluid stream 15 that enters and exits heat exchanger 10 from
a second fluid stream 20 that enters and exits heat exchanger 10
while frame 5 is separate from a housing designed to retain frame 5
and heat exchanger 10, in other words, without placing or
associating heat exchanger 10 and frame 5 in or on a housing, such
as housing 725 (FIG. 8). In a preferred arrangement, frame 5
includes skirt 30, skirt 35, skirt 40, and skirt 45. Skirts 30 and
35 are preferably sized to accommodate a fluid moving device, such
as a fan 50, pump, turbine, impeller, or other suitable device for
moving a fluid.
[0020] Skirt 30 is preferably shaped and positioned on heat
exchanger 10 to facilitate fan 50 directing first fluid stream 15
to a top side of heat exchanger 10 through a first flow path 55
through heat exchanger 10. Skirt 40 is preferably shaped and
positioned on heat exchanger 10 to facilitate fan 50 drawing first
fluid stream 15 from the top side of heat exchanger 10 through
first flow path 55. Skirt 35 is preferably shaped and positioned on
heat exchanger 10 to facilitate fan 60 directing second fluid
stream 20 to a bottom side of heat exchanger 10 through a second
flow path 65. Skirt 45 is preferably shaped and positioned on heat
exchanger 10 to facilitate fan 60 drawing second fluid stream 20
from a bottom side of heat exchanger 10 through second flow path
65. "Top" and "bottom" are merely used to designate two opposing
sides of heat exchanger 10 that are different from the sides of
heat exchanger 10 that engage skirts 30, 35, 40, and 45; no
orientation or positional information is meant to be associated
with a top side or a bottom side of heat exchanger 10.
[0021] In one preferred arrangement illustrated in FIG. 3, a frame
assembly 5A includes a column 85A, located at the vertex of two
intersecting sides of a heat transfer/fluid exchange polygon 10A.
The two intersecting sides of the heat transfer/fluid exchange
polygon 10A are subsequently tied together by a pair of struts 80A.
Locating a column 85A at the vertex of two intersecting sides of a
heat transfer/fluid exchange polygon 10A and subsequently tying
together two such intersecting sides using a pair of struts 80A is
repeated until all vertices of the heat transfer/fluid exchange
polygon 10A are connected via the struts 80A.
[0022] For isolated loops, for example, isolated first fluid stream
15A and second fluid stream 20A, port skirts 30A and air mover
pedestals 50A are assembled to the outer edge of the connecting
struts 80A. The port skirts 30A/air mover pedestal 50A
sub-assemblies are preferably a single piece component, but may
include a multiple set of components. Preferably, such tying
together of the columns 85A produces a preferred tension and
compression to produce sealed and isolated fluid pathways, such as
first fluid stream 15A and second fluid stream 20A, for
example.
[0023] As the columns 85A and struts 80A are contacted with the
heat transfer/fluid exchange polygon 10A a strip of gasket material
or a bead of sealant is applied on the adjacent (facing) surfaces
of the heat transfer/fluid exchange polygon 10A to promote a sealed
and isolated fluid pathway construction. Preferred embodiments do
not require an assembly fixture, or support, to perform assembly of
the frame assembly components. Additionally, preferred embodiments
include components, such as columns, struts, and port skirts, that
are mechanically tied together, thus enabling embodiments to be
moved to subsequent assembly steps even when a sealant or bonding
material is not fully set or cured.
[0024] While the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate
substantial isolation of first fluid stream 15 from second fluid
stream 20 by drawing and directing first fluid stream 15 on one
side of heat exchanger 10 and by drawing and directing second fluid
stream 20 on a second, opposing side of heat exchanger 10, numerous
arrangements for substantially isolating first fluid stream 15 from
second fluid stream 20 exist.
[0025] Preferably, substantial isolation of first fluid stream 15
from second fluid stream 20 is accomplished using four factors,
singly or in any combination, assuming heat exchanger 10 and frame
5 are located in a fluid environment without fluid currents or
fluid movement not attributed to fluid moving devices, such as fans
50 and 60. The first factor is drawing fluid for first fluid stream
15 from an area, direction, or both, where drawn fluid for first
fluid stream 15 is not likely to have mixed with (1) fluid exiting
second fluid stream 20 or (2) fluid drawn into second fluid stream
20. The second factor is directing fluid from first fluid stream 15
to an area, direction, or both, where directed fluid from first
fluid stream 15 is not likely to mix with (1) fluid drawn into
second fluid stream 20 or (2) fluid exiting second fluid stream 20.
The third factor is drawing fluid for second fluid stream 20 from
an area, direction, or both, where drawn fluid for second fluid
stream 20 is not likely to have mixed with (1) fluid exiting first
fluid stream 15 or (2) fluid drawn into first fluid stream 15. The
fourth factor is directing fluid from second fluid stream 20 to an
area, direction, or both, where directed fluid from second fluid
stream 20 is not likely to mix with (1) fluid drawn into first
fluid stream 15 or (2) fluid exiting first fluid stream 15.
Additional examples include configuring skirts 30, 35, 40, and 45
to facilitate flow paths A and B illustrated in FIG. 6.
[0026] Skirt 30 preferably includes a backing plate 70 to help
prevent fluid in fluid stream 15 from mixing with fluid in fluid
stream 20. Likewise, skirt 35 preferably includes a backing plate
75 to help prevent fluid in fluid stream 20 from mixing with fluid
in fluid stream 15. Optionally, skirts 40 and 45 may include
backing plates (for example, backing plates 76A as illustrated in
FIG. 3) to further help prevent fluid in fluid stream 15 from
mixing with fluid in fluid stream 20 and vice versa. Preferably
skirts 40 and 45 are shaped to help prevent fluid in fluid stream
15 from mixing with fluid in fluid stream 20 and vice versa, for
example, by including scoops, baffles, bends, angles, or other
shapes or structures to facilitate drawing fluid from a particular
area, direction, or both.
[0027] In the arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, skirts 30,
35, 40, and 45 are fabricated from a sheet material, such as sheet
metal. Skirts 30-45 may be fabricated from various materials,
preferably rigid materials such as plastic, wood, cast metal, or
other suitable material and may include a variety of shapes,
contours, and surfaces. Backing plates 70 and 75, struts 80, and
columns 85 are also preferably made from a suitable rigid material.
Alternately, columns 85 may be made from a flexible material that
imparts a compressive force on heat exchanger 10 when columns 85
are stretched to fit on heat exchanger 10. In another alternate
arrangement, struts 80 may be made from a flexible material that
pulls corners of skirts 30-45 together when struts 80 are stretched
to connect between corners of skirts 30-45. For example, suitable
flexible materials include vulcanized rubber, nylon, natural
rubber, high density polyethylene, and other plastics.
[0028] In alternate embodiments, a frame, such as frame 5, may be
formed as one or two pieces that are stretched or wrapped around a
heat exchanger, such as heat exchanger 10. For example, a frame may
be a one piece construction made of silicone rubber and dimensioned
to snugly fit around a heat exchanger to substantially isolate
fluid entering and leaving a first fluid path formed by the frame
from fluid entering and leaving a second fluid path formed by the
frame.
[0029] Embodiments preferably provide a frame, whether including
one or multiple components, that is easily assembled onto a heat
transfer/fluid exchange unit. In certain embodiments easy frame
assembly is accomplished at least partly because of the modular
stack-up of the frame components around the heat transfer/fluid
exchange unit. In preferred embodiments, a frame is easily sealed
onto a heat transfer/fluid exchange unit, at least partly because
of the open access to all sides of the heat transfer/fluid exchange
unit when assembling a frame onto the heat transfer/fluid exchange
unit. Preferred embodiments also provide quick assembly times for
attaching a frame to a heat transfer/fluid exchange unit, at least
partly because the frame features are assembled independently of
and are functional independently of a housing designed to hold the
heat transfer/fluid exchange unit.
[0030] In another preferred embodiment, a heat exchanger assembly
includes a housing for retaining a heat exchanger unit. The housing
is preferably configured for incorporation into a structure, such
as a wall of a telecommunication shelter, that divides a first
fluid containing area, for example, the inside of a
telecommunication shelter, from a second fluid containing area, for
example, the environment surrounding the telecommunication
shelter.
[0031] A heat exchanger unit preferably includes a first side, a
second side, a third side, a fourth side, a fifth side connecting
between the first, second, third, and fourth sides, and a sixth
side opposite the fifth side and connecting between the first,
second, third, and fourth sides. A first fluid path and a second
fluid path preferably run through the heat exchanger unit.
Preferably, the first fluid path extends into one and out of one of
the first, second, third, and fourth sides, and the second fluid
path extends into one and out of one of the first, second, third,
and fourth sides. Additionally, the heat exchanger unit is
preferably configured to prevent fluid in the first fluid path from
contacting fluid in the second fluid path while fluid traverses
through the heat exchanger unit.
[0032] A frame is preferably connected to the heat exchanger unit
for directing fluid into and out of the first and second fluid
paths. For example, the frame preferably at least substantially
covers the first, second, third, and fourth sides of the heat
exchanger unit. A first fluid moving device, such as a fan or a
pump, is preferably located in a portion of the frame to move fluid
along the first fluid path and a second fluid moving device is
preferably located in a portion of the frame to move fluid along
the second fluid path.
[0033] Preferably, the combination of the heat exchanger unit, the
frame, the first fluid moving device, and the second fluid moving
device is configured to direct fluid into and out of the first
fluid path and to direct fluid into and out of the second fluid
path while substantially isolating fluid in the first fluid path
from fluid in the second fluid path. In a preferred embodiment,
such substantial isolation is accomplished while the heat exchanger
unit is physically separate from the housing. Preferably, inserting
or connecting the heat exchanger unit and frame combination to the
housing provides additional isolation between fluid in the first
fluid path and fluid in the second fluid path.
[0034] FIG. 7 illustrates a preferred method for assembling frame 5
and attaching frame 5 to heat exchanger 10. At step 600, backing
plate 70 is attached to skirt 30 and backing plate 75 is attached
to skirt 35. Preferably, backing plate 70 attaches at least to
corners 90 and 95 of skirt 30 and backing plate 75 attaches at
least to corners 100 and 105 of skirt 35. At step 605, struts 80
are connected to corners of skirts 30, 35, 40, and 45. For example,
a strut 80 is preferably connected to corners 110 and 115 of skirt
30, a strut 80 is preferably connected to corners 120 and 125 of
skirt 35, a strut 80 is preferably connected to corners 130 and 135
and another strut 80 is preferably connected to corners 140 and 145
of skirt 40, and a strut 80 is preferably connected to corners 150
and 155 and another strut 80 is preferably connected to corners 160
and 165 of skirt 45. In alternate embodiments, skirts 35-45 may be
constructed with their corners already connected, thus step 605 is
optional for some embodiments.
[0035] At step 610, a column 85 is attached to skirts 30 and 35 to
connect skirts 30 and 35 to each other. Preferably, column 85 is
attached to skirts 30 and 35 using adjustably tightening fasteners
such as screws, bolts and nuts, or other suitable fastener to begin
forming frame 5. At step 615, the beginning portion of frame 5 is
engaged to heat exchanger 10, for example by sliding heat exchanger
10 into contact with skirts 30 and 35 and the column 85 holding
skirts 30 and 35 together. Preferably, column 85 has a length L
that is slightly less than the height H of heat exchanger 10.
Making the length L of columns 85 slightly less than the height H
of heat exchanger 10 preferably creates a snap fit between columns
85 and heat exchanger 10 or places heat exchanger 10 under
sufficient compressive forces to assist retaining frame 5 on heat
exchanger 10.
[0036] At step 620, another column 85 is attached to skirt 35. At
step 625, skirt 40 is attached to skirt 35 via the column attached
to skirt 35 at step 620. Another column is attached to skirt 40 and
another column is attached to skirt 30 at step 630. At step 635,
skirt 45 is attached to skirt 40 and to skirt 30 via the respective
columns attached to skirts 40 and 30 at step 630.
[0037] At step 640, tension between skirts 30-45 is adjusted by
selectively tightening or loosening the fasteners used to secure
columns 85 to skirts 30-45. Tension is preferably adjusted to
create a fluid tight, or substantially fluid tight, seal between
frame 5 (which includes skirts 30-45 and the struts 80 and columns
85 holding skirts 30-45 together) and heat exchanger 10.
[0038] Optionally, a sealant material, such as a gasket or gasket
strip made of natural rubber, neoprene, silicone, or other suitable
material, or a flowable sealant such as silicone caulk may be
placed between the struts 80, the columns 85, or both, and heat
exchanger 10 as frame 5 is attached to heat exchanger 10.
Preferably, the mechanical hold provided by fasteners engaging
columns 85 to skirts 30-45 permits handling and movement of the
assembled frame 5 and heat exchanger 10 prior to a flowable sealant
drying or curing without causing disassembly of frame 5 or
detachment of frame 5 from heat exchanger 10.
[0039] FIG. 8 illustrates an alternate embodiment where a housing
725 further isolates a first fluid stream 715 from a second fluid
stream 720 when a heat exchanger 710 and frame 705 are placed in
the housing 725.
[0040] When connected to heat exchanger 710, frame assembly 705
preferably substantially isolates a first fluid stream 715 that
enters and exits heat exchanger 710 from a second fluid stream 720
that enters and exits heat exchanger 710 without placing or
associating heat exchanger 710 and frame 705 in or with the housing
725. In a preferred arrangement, frame 705 includes skirt 730,
skirt 735, skirt 740, and skirt 745. Skirts 730 and 735 are
preferably sized to accommodate a fluid moving device, such as a
fan 750, pump, turbine, impeller, or other suitable device for
moving a fluid.
[0041] Skirt 730 is preferably shaped and positioned on heat
exchanger 710 to facilitate fan 750 directing first fluid stream
715 to a top side of heat exchanger 710 through a first flow path
755 through heat exchanger 710. Skirt 740 is preferably shaped and
positioned on heat exchanger 710 to facilitate fan 750 drawing
first fluid stream 715 from the top side of heat exchanger 710
through first flow path 755. Skirt 735 is preferably shaped and
positioned on heat exchanger 710 to facilitate fan 760 directing
second fluid stream 720 to a bottom side of heat exchanger 710
through a second flow path 765. Skirt 745 is preferably shaped and
positioned on heat exchanger 710 to facilitate fan 760 drawing
second fluid stream 720 from a bottom side of heat exchanger 710
through second flow path 765.
[0042] After assembling and engaging frame 705 onto heat exchanger
710, for example, as described above with respect to FIG. 7, the
combined frame 705 and heat exchanger 710 are preferably placed in
housing 725. Housing 725 preferably includes a first portion 790
and a second portion 795. First housing portion 790 preferably
includes a fluid inlet 800 and a fluid exit 805 that are configured
and positioned to overlie skirts 740 and 730, respectively, when
the combined frame 705 and heat exchanger 710 are located in
housing 725. Second housing portion 795 preferably includes a fluid
inlet 810 and a fluid exit 815 that are configured and positioned
to overlie skirts 745 and 735, respectively, when the combined
frame 705 and heat exchanger 710 are located in housing 725.
Gaskets or other seals may optionally be located between frame 705
and housing 725, for example, around fluid inlets 800 and 810 and
fluid exits 805 and 815. Frame 5 may be connected to housing 725,
for example, to one or both of first housing portion 790 and second
housing portion 795 by screws, bolts, adhesive, or other suitable
fastener.
[0043] Preferably, matching fluid inlet 800 and fluid exit 805 with
skirts 740 and 730 and matching fluid inlet 810 and fluid exit 815
with skirts 745 and 735 helps further facilitate isolating the
first fluid stream 715 from the second fluid stream 720. For
example, housing 725 may be located in a wall or door of a
telecommunication shelter. Fluid inlet 800 and fluid exit 805 may
communicate with the interior air of the telecommunication shelter
on one side of the wall or door, and fluid inlet 810 and fluid exit
815 may communicate with the exterior air surrounding the
telecommunication shelter on the other side of the wall or
door.
[0044] FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment that includes optional
gaskets 900, 901 and 905. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9 also
includes three skirts, skirts 930, 935, and 945 instead of four
skirts. Other embodiments may include a fourth skirt, with or
without one or more optional gaskets.
[0045] Optional gaskets 901 and 905 cooperate with first housing
portion 990 to prevent, minimize, or lessen the chance of fluid
flowing through skirt 945, heat exchanger 910 and skirt 935 from
entering an interior space defined between first housing portion
990 and second housing portion 995. Optional gasket 900 cooperates
with first housing portion 990 to prevent, minimize, or lessen the
chance of fluid flowing through heat exchanger 910 and skirt 930
from entering the fluid-stream flowing through skirt 945, heat
exchanger 910 and skirt 935.
[0046] In other embodiments, substantially identical gaskets 900,
901, and 905 are included between skirts 930, 935 and 945,
respectively, and second housing portion 995.
[0047] In operation, when fluid is moved through heat exchanger 910
a first fluid flow path is defined through skirt 945, heat
exchanger 910 and skirt 935. One or more optional gaskets 901 and
905 preferably prevent, minimize, or lessen the chance of fluid
flowing through skirt 945, heat exchanger 910 and skirt 935 from
entering an interior space defined between first housing portion
990 and second housing portion 995. A second fluid flow path is
defined through opening 915 in first housing portion 990, the
interior space defined between first housing portion 990 and second
housing portion 995 and skirt 930. One or more optional gaskets 900
preferably prevent, minimize, or lessen the chance of fluid flowing
through opening 915 in first housing portion 990, the interior
space defined between first housing portion 990 and second housing
portion 995 and skirt 930 from entering the first fluid flow
path.
[0048] In other embodiments a single gasket may be used in place of
gaskets 900, 901, and 905. Or, a flowable sealing material, such as
silicone caulk, may be placed on portions of skirts 930, 935, 945
and heat exchanger 10 to create a seal between skirts 930, 935, 945
and first housing portion 990, second housing portion 995, or
both.
[0049] It will be obvious to those having skill in the art that
many changes may be made to the details of the above-described
embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the
invention. While certain preferred systems and methods have been
shown and described, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art
that modifications, alternatives and variations are possible
without departing from the inventive concepts set forth herein.
Therefore, the invention is intended to embrace all such
modifications, alternatives and variations.
* * * * *