US Patent 10112271 Compact heat exchanger

A compact heat exchanger is provided and includes a first manifold defining an inlet for receiving from a component a fluid to be cooled and an outlet for returning the cooled fluid to the component to cool the component. A second manifold is disposed spaced from the first manifold. A core extends between and fluidly communicates with the manifolds and includes hexagonal channels. Each channel is formed by mini-tubes defining respective triangular passages. A cross-section of the core defines an irregular-cross structure. The fluid enters the inlet of the first manifold, makes a first pass through the mini-tubes to the second manifold, makes a second pass through the mini-tubes to the first manifold such that the fluid is cooled across the mini-tubes, exits the first manifold through the outlet, and returns to the component to cool the component. A method of manufacturing the heat exchanger is provided also.