Thomas R Grotophorst

US Patent:

20120043063, Feb 23, 2012

Filed:

Aug 23, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/215333

Inventors:

Harald Schatz - Reutlingen, DE
Michael Daniel - Neuhausen, DE
Thomas Grotophorst - Oak Creek WI, US
Jeff Schernecker - Racine WI, US
Daniel E. Hornback - Davisburg MI, US
Andrew Boyer - Cudahy WI, US

International Classification:

F28D 7/00

US Classification:

165157

Abstract:

An exhaust gas heat exchanger that includes a stack at least partially surrounded by a housing. The stack includes a first tube, a second tube, and a coolant duct between the first tube and the second tube. A fin is located within the coolant duct. The fin includes a first portion and a second portion and the first tube includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the fin is fixed to the first portion of the first tube such that the first portion of the fin is coupled to the first portion of the first tube for movement with respect to the housing, and the second portion of the fin is supported in the housing for movement relative to the second portion of the first tube to permit movement of the second portion of the first tube with respect to the second portion of the fin.

US Patent:

20130074814, Mar 28, 2013

Filed:

Sep 21, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/623995

Inventors:

Modine Manufacturing Company - Racine WI, US
Michael Daniel - Neuhausen, DE
Thomas Grotophorst - Oak Creek WI, US
Jeff Schernecker - Racine WI, US
Daniel Hornback - Racine WI, US

Assignee:

MODINE MANUFACTURING COMPANY - Racine WI

International Classification:

F02M 25/07

US Classification:

12356812

Abstract:

An exhaust gas recirculation cooler that includes an inlet tank, an outlet tank, and an exhaust gas flow conduit in fluid communication with the inlet tank and the outlet tank. The exhaust gas flow conduit includes a first end, a second end, a first narrow side, a second narrow side, a first channel adjacent the first narrow side and extending between the first end and the second end, a second channel adjacent the second narrow side and extending between the first end and the second end, and a plurality of third channels located between the first channel and the second channel and extending between the first end and the second end. At least one of the inlet tank and the outlet tank includes a wall that inhibits exhaust gas from flowing through the first channel while allowing exhaust gas flow through the plurality of third channels.

US Patent:

20110226222, Sep 22, 2011

Filed:

Mar 18, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/051128

Inventors:

Dan R. Raduenz - Franklin WI, US
Jason J. Braun - Franksville WI, US
Steve P. Meshenky - Racine WI, US
Thomas R. Grotophorst - Oak Creek WI, US
Daniel E. Hornback - Davisburg MI, US

International Classification:

F02M 25/07

US Classification:

12356812

Abstract:

An exhaust gas recirculation cooler includes an inlet configured to receive exhaust gas from an engine, an outlet configured to direct the exhaust gas back toward the engine, and an exhaust gas flow conduit. The flow conduit includes a first end adjacent the inlet, a second end adjacent the outlet, a first narrow side, a second narrow side, substantially flat broad sides extending between the narrow sides, a first channel adjacent the first narrow side and extending between the ends, a second channel adjacent the second narrow side and extending between the ends, and a plurality of third channels located between the first and second channels and extending between the ends. A plate is located at one end of the flow conduit to inhibit the exhaust gas from flowing through at least one of the first channel and the second channel while allowing exhaust gas flow through the third channels.

US Patent:

20220336891, Oct 20, 2022

Filed:

Jul 7, 2022

Appl. No.:

17/859540

Inventors:

- Racine WI, US
Kyle Shisler - Muskego WI, US
Thomas Grotophorst - Muskego WI, US
Christopher Moore - Racine WI, US

International Classification:

H01M 10/6568
H01M 10/613
H01M 10/6554
H01M 10/6556

Abstract:

A battery cooling plate includes a first plate and a second plate that are joined together at their respective edges, and are spaced apart to define a coolant volume therebetween. Turbulating inserts can be arranged side-by-side within the coolant volume and multiple rods can extend through the turbulating inserts to at least partially define flow barriers between coolant flow channels. A fluid manifold for the battery cooling plate includes a non-planar wall that extends along a length-wise direction of the fluid manifold to separate a fluid volume into a first portion and a second portion. A series of apertures are arranged along the length-wise direction and successive ones of the apertures are fluidly connected to the first portion and to the second portion in alternating sequence.

US Patent:

20210280930, Sep 9, 2021

Filed:

Jul 1, 2019

Appl. No.:

17/258146

Inventors:

- Racine WI, US
Kyle Shisler - Muskego WI, US
Thomas Grotophorst - Muskego WI, US
Christopher Moore - Racine WI, US

International Classification:

H01M 10/6568
H01M 10/6554
H01M 10/6556
H01M 10/613

Abstract:

A battery cooling plate includes a first plate and a second plate that are joined together at their respective edges, and are spaced apart to define a coolant volume therebetween. Turbulating inserts can be arranged side-by-side within the coolant volume and multiple rods can extend through the turbulating inserts to at least partially define flow barriers between coolant flow channels. A fluid manifold for the battery cooling plate includes a non-planar wall that extends along a length-wise direction of the fluid manifold to separate a fluid volume into a first portion and a second portion. A series of apertures are arranged along the length-wise direction and successive ones of the apertures are fluidly connected to the first portion and to the second portion in alternating sequence.

US Patent:

20200300157, Sep 24, 2020

Filed:

Mar 19, 2020

Appl. No.:

16/824293

Inventors:

- Racine WI, US
David E. Janke - Racine WI, US
Kornel Vratarics - Eger, HU
Thomas R. Grotophorst - Muskego WI, US

International Classification:

F02B 29/04
F28F 9/02

Abstract:

A charge air cooler includes a battery of round tubes that extend between a first header plate and a second header plate arranged at a first end and a second end, respectively, of the charge air cooler. Stresses in corner tubes caused by differential thermal expansion between the tubes and side plates of the charge air cooler are reduced by having a reduced thickness over a portion of the header plates, or by directing a portion of the coolant through the side plates, or both.

US Patent:

20200248966, Aug 6, 2020

Filed:

Jan 30, 2020

Appl. No.:

16/777077

Inventors:

- Racine WI, US
Thomas R. Grotophorst - Muskego WI, US

International Classification:

F28D 7/16
F28F 9/02
F28F 9/16
F28F 9/18
F28F 9/22

Abstract:

The invention relates to an heat exchanger possibly for exchanging heat within a vehicle. The heat exchanger includes a housing with an inlet port, an outlet port, an interior facing surface defining a coolant channel, a first opening surrounded by an exterior facing surface, and a second opening defined by a first inner diameter. A tube assembly defines a plurality of exhaust gas flow channels and a plurality of coolant cross channels within the housing. A first diffuser directs a first fluid into the tube assembly. The first diffuser is joined to the exterior facing surface, and this joint is sealed. A cap surface of the first diffuser encloses the first opening and caps the coolant channel. The first diffuser is joined to a first header plate, which separates the first fluid from a second fluid within the coolant channel. A second diffuser defines a directs the first fluid out of the tube assembly. The second diffuser is located within the second opening and sealed to the second opening by seals around the second diffuser. The second diffuser is not fixedly attached to the housing and can move within the second opening.

US Patent:

20200006822, Jan 2, 2020

Filed:

Feb 3, 2017

Appl. No.:

16/074324

Inventors:

- Racine WI, US
Christopher Michael Moore - Racine WI, US
Mitchell Crawford - Cudahy WI, US
Thomas Grotophorst - Muskego WI, US
Jason Braun - Franksville WI, US
Frank Lippke - Filderstadt, DE

International Classification:

H01M 10/6554
F28D 9/00
F28F 3/02
H01M 10/6556
F28F 9/02

Abstract:

A plate assembly for a heat exchanger includes a first plate, a second plate, and an intermediate plate arranged between the first and second plates. The intermediate plate is joined to the first and second plates at peripheral edges to create a sealed periphery of the plate assembly. Corrugations of the intermediate plate provide crests and troughs that are in contact with inwardly facing surfaces of the first and second plates. The plate assembly can be configured as a battery cooling plate heat exchanger to transfer heat from a battery to fluid flowing through the plate assembly.