Double-Sided Micro Fin Plate for Plate Heat Exchanger

1 . A method of producing a plate heat exchanger using micro deformation technology, the method comprising:

restraining a substantially flat, substantially thin sheet of metal, the sheet comprising an initial thickness, the sheet further comprising a first flat side and a second flat side, the second flat side opposed to the first flat side;

micro-deforming the first flat side by slicing the first flat side with a tool to form a first plurality of fins monolithic with the sheet, the first plurality of fins comprising substantially parallel rows of protrusions extending from the first flat side;

micro-deforming the second flat side by slicing the second flat side with a tool to form a second plurality of fins monolithic with the sheet, the second plurality of fins comprising substantially parallel rows of protrusions extending from the second flat side;

cutting a base plate from the sheet, the base plate comprising the first plurality of fins and the second plurality of fins;

forming a plate heat exchanger from the base plate, such that when the heat exchanger is in operation, a hot fluid contacts the first plurality of fins and a cold fluid contacts the second plurality of fins.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of fins are substantially perpendicular to the second plurality of fins.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the initial thickness is less than six (6) millimeters.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the first plurality of fins has a height of two (2) millimeters or less.

5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the second plurality of fins has a height of two (2) millimeters or less.

6 . The method of claim 1 where the steps of micro-deforming the first flat side and the second flat side comprises slicing the sheet without removing material from the sheet, such that the fins elevate from the sheet.

7 . The method of claim 1 where a thickness of the sheet following the steps of micro-deforming the first flat side and the second flat side is larger than the initial thickness.

8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising cross-slicing the first plurality of fins to form a plurality of pins monolithic with the sheet on the first flat side of the sheet.

9 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising cross-slicing the second plurality of fins to form a plurality of pins monolithic with the sheet on the second flat side of the sheet.

10 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising machining an island into the first and second flat sides before the first plurality of fins and second plurality of fins are formed.

11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the hot fluid flows in a direction substantially parallel to the first plurality of fins and the cold fluid flows in a direction substantially parallel to the second plurality of fins.

12 . A method of producing a double-sided micro-deformed base plate for use in a heat exchanger, the method comprising:

restraining a substantially flat, substantially thin sheet of metal, the sheet comprising a thickness, the sheet further comprising a first flat side and a second flat side, the second flat side opposed to the first flat side;

micro-deforming the first flat side by slicing the first flat side with a tool to form a first plurality of fins monolithic with the sheet, the first plurality of fins comprising substantially parallel rows of protrusions extending from the first flat side;

micro-deforming the second flat side by slicing the second flat side with a tool to form a second plurality of fins monolithic with the sheet, the second plurality of fins comprising substantially parallel rows of protrusions extending from the second flat side;

cutting a base plate from the sheet, the base plate comprising the first plurality of fins and the second plurality of fins.

13 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising forming a plate heat exchanger from the base plate, such that when the heat exchanger is in operation, a hot fluid contacts the first plurality of fins and a cold fluid contacts the second plurality of fins.

14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the first plurality of fins are substantially perpendicular to the second plurality of fins.

15 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the sheet has an initial thickness of less than six (6) millimeters.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the first plurality of fins has a height of two (2) millimeters or less.

17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the second plurality of fins has a height of two (2) millimeters or less.

18 . The method of claim 12 where the steps of micro-deforming the first flat side and the second flat side comprises slicing the sheet without removing material from the sheet, such that the fins elevate from the sheet.

19 . The method of claim 12 where a thickness of the sheet following the steps of micro-deforming the first flat side and the second flat side is thicker than the initial thickness of the sheet.

20 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising cross-slicing the first plurality of fins to form a plurality of pins monolithic with the sheet on the first flat side of the sheet.