HEAT EXCHANGER CORE STRUCTURE USING PLATE MEMBER CAPABLE OF CREATING EVEN BOTH OF SINGLE FLOW PATH OR DOUBLE FLOW PATH ARRANGEMENT

摘要

A heat exchanger construction of the plate and fin type comprising a plurality of plate assemblies joined together in a stackable arrangement, each plate assembly being formed by a pair of similar plate members placed in mating face-to-face relationship with each other to form a central flow region therebetween. Each plate member includes a header portion located respectively adjacent each opposite end thereof, each header portion having at least one pair of spaced openings adaptable for receiving and discharging a fluid medium therethrough. A raised partitioning or pass rib is positioned extending between the pair of spaced openings associated with one of the header portions and depending upon the positioning of the respective pass ribs relative to one another when each respective pair of plate members are joined together either a single-pass or a double-pass flow system is formed therebetween. Each plate member additionally includes spaced flange tabs arranged along the periphery thereof, the flange tabs being positioned and arranged so as to register with and engage untabbed edge portions of a similar plate member when placed in mating relationship therewith thereby forming a continuous sidewall therearound between the mated plate members regardless of whether the plate members are joined together to produce a single-pass or a double-pass flow arrangement.