Self contained heat exchange apparatus

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS With momentary reference to FIG.
7, a schematic representation of the hydraulic circuit in accordance with a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a fluid reservoir 46 having a discharge port 20 and a return port 38, wherein heat exchange fluid flows in the direction of the arrows A.
A pump 18 draws fluid from reservoir 46 and ports the fluid to a tool inlet tap 118 disposed on a top support plate 72.
Respective first and second tool conduits 112, 114 carry the fluid to and from a tool 220.
Return line 114 terminates at a radiator 30.
Upon being discharged from radiator 30, the fluid returns to reservoir 36 via inlet port 38.
Referring now to FIGS.
1 and 2, an exemplary heat exchange system 10 illustratively includes a double walled, generally annular tank 12, a heat exchanger (radiator) 30, a fan 14 driven by a motor 16, and a pump 18, also driven by motor 16.
During operation, pump 18 draws heat exchange fluid from tank 12 at a tank discharge port 20, through a first conduit 22, and into pump 18 through a pump inlet port 24.
The fluid is discharged from pump 18, at a pump discharge port 26, and pumped through a workpiece 220 (not shown in FIGS.
1-2; see FIG.
7), for example a GMAW torch.
The fluid thereafter enters second fluid conduit (plumb line) 28 whereupon the fluid enters radiator 30 at a radiator inlet port 32.
The fluid is then urged through a radiator discharge port 34, through a third fluid conduit 36, and back to tank 12 at a tank inlet port 38.
Housing 12 illustratively defines a generally cylindrical airflow region 40 within which motor 16, fan 14, pump 18, radiator 30, and the respective fluid conduits are housed.
Thus, thermal energy is ejected from the system as the fan air flows over these components.
Consistent with traditional operating principles, however, the primary source of thermal flux is radiator (heat exchanger) 30.
Housing 12 suitably comprises an outer semicylindrical wall 42 and an inner, generally cylindrical wall 44 defining a generally annular fluid chamber 46 therebetween