James F Plourde

US Patent:

20120227944, Sep 13, 2012

Filed:

Mar 10, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/045157

Inventors:

Theodor Moisidis - Lynnfield MA, US
James F. Plourde - Stratham NH, US
Christoph Bauckhage - North Andover MA, US

International Classification:

F28F 1/00

US Classification:

165172

Abstract:

A heat exchange unit for a heat exchanger assembly is provided for use in a cooling system of a CT imaging system having a gantry frame with an annular interior region. The heat exchange unit is formed of a plurality of tubes bent at discrete locations to divide the tubes into straight leg sections to fit within an arcuate portion of the gantry frame's annular region. The bent tubes are maintained between a pair of tube sheets in an array with the straight leg sections parallel and the bends generally radially aligned. The tubes are orthogonally joined to the tube sheets, and the faying surfaces are flat and parallel, leading to a dependable joint. The heat exchanger assembly includes mounting brackets with mounting fixtures axially aligned with the gantry frame, to reduce stress on the fasteners and the mounting brackets.

US Patent:

20130264031, Oct 10, 2013

Filed:

Apr 9, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/442531

Inventors:

James F. Plourde - Stratham NH, US
Benjamin Joseph Fichera - Newburyport MA, US

International Classification:

F28F 9/02
B23P 15/26
F28D 15/00

US Classification:

16510411, 165173, 2989003

Abstract:

A heat exchanger with headering system is provided. The heat exchanger includes a body that extends between first and second headers. The central span of the body includes two sets of channels arranged in a checkerboard pattern to provide efficient heat transfer between heat transfer fluids in each set. End portions of the body, within the headers, include offsets that transition the sets of channels from a linear alignment to the checkerboard pattern. This configuration allows heat exchange fluids to be introduced into the appropriate sets of channels through the headers with less complexity. A method of manufacturing the heat exchanger is also provided.