BOARD-TYPE HEAT EXCHANGER
A board-type heat exchanger comprises multiple heat exchange boards (10) overlapped with each other. Each of the heat exchange boards (10) comprises a fluid inlet (1) and a fluid outlet (2) that are separately located in two opposite ends of the heat exchange board in the lengthwise direction. A partition portion is disposed on the upper surface and/ or the lower surface of each of the heat exchange boards (10), so that fluid from the fluid inlet (1) is divided at the fluid inlet (1), then flows into independent fluid passage zones (3, 4) partitioned by the partition portion, gathers at the fluid outlet (2), and finally flows out of the fluid outlet (2).
This application is entitled to the benefit of and incorporates by reference subject matter disclosed in the International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2015/071724 filed on Jan. 28, 2015 and Chinese Patent Application 201410042349.1 filed Jan. 28, 2014.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention relates to the fields of heating, ventilation and air conditioning, motor vehicles, cooling and transportation, and in particular relates to a plate type heat exchanger.
BACKGROUND ARTWith regard to heat exchangers (evaporators) with parallel channels, in particular plate type heat exchangers and microchannel heat exchangers, the non-uniform distribution (mal-distribution) of coolant is a global technical difficulty. In general, coolant entering a heat exchanger exists in a two-phase form, and due to application conditions and the complexity of two-phase flow, uniform distribution of coolant is very difficult to achieve. In many cases, an excessive amount of liquid coolant flows into some channels, while an excessive amount of gaseous coolant flows into other channels, and this has a major impact on the overall performance of the evaporator.
However, if a heat exchange plate is too wide, such a large heat exchange plate will fail to achieve good fluid distribution, e.g. in the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate. Thus, there is definitely a need to provide a novel plate type heat exchanger capable of at least partially solving the problem above.
SUMMARYThe object of the present invention is to solve at least one aspect of the abovementioned problems and shortcomings in the prior art.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a plate type heat exchanger is provided. The plate type heat exchanger comprises multiple heat exchange plates which are stacked together, each heat exchange plate comprising a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet located at two opposite ends respectively in a longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate,
a separating part is provided on a top surface and/or a bottom surface of each heat exchange plate, such that a fluid coming from the fluid inlet is split into different flows at the fluid inlet, then flows into mutually independent fluid channel regions separated by the separating part and converges at the fluid outlet, and finally flows out of the fluid outlet.
In one embodiment, the separating part comprises a separating strip, which splits fluid into different flows at the fluid inlet, and a longitudinal piece connected thereto.
Specifically, the longitudinal piece is arranged in one of the following three ways:
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- substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate;
- inclined relative to the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate;
- having a bent or meandering shape in the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate.
In another embodiment, the separating part comprises at least one separating strip extending from the fluid inlet to the vicinity of the fluid outlet.
Specifically, the separating strip is arranged in one of the following three ways:
-
- substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate;
- inclined relative to the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate;
- having a bent or meandering shape in the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate.
Specifically, at the fluid inlet, the separating strip is arranged to be in the angular range of −45° to 45° relative to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate, wherein the separating strip is in the shape of a straight line or bent.
Specifically, the fluid inlet is at a top side at a left end of the top surface and/or bottom surface of the heat exchange plate, and the fluid outlet is at a top side or bottom side at a right end of the surface of the heat exchange plate.
Specifically, a fluid distributor is provided at the fluid inlet, the fluid distributor having a middle cavity for receiving a fluid from the fluid inlet, and at least two guide parts which pass through the fluid distributor and guide fluid out of the middle cavity.
Specifically, the at least two guide parts comprise any one of a through-hole, a duct and a channel passing through a main body of the fluid distributor, or any combination thereof.
Specifically, the ducts comprise tubes and/or capillary tubes which introduce fluid into different fluid channel regions respectively.
Specifically, the channel is formed on the heat exchange plate integrally or separately.
Specifically, the fluid distributor comprises an annular main body which the guide parts pass through from the outside.
Specifically, the plate type heat exchanger also comprises end plates which are disposed on outer sides of the heat exchange plates and used for fixing the heat exchange plates in place.
Specifically, a structural pattern for distributing fluid is provided on the surface of the heat exchange plate.
Specifically, multiple regularly arranged recesses or protrusions are provided on the surface.
Specifically, multiple alternately arranged channels and ridges in an inverted-V-shape are provided on the surface.
The main concept of the present invention is mainly based on the following aspects:
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- 1) dividing a large heat exchange plate into multiple sections or channel regions which extend substantially parallel to each other;
- 2) with regard to fluid distribution in a plate type heat exchanger, the narrower the heat exchange plate after being divided, the better the fluid distribution;
- 3) fluid can enter at a port of the plate type heat exchanger and be guided to the required region by means of the fluid distributor according to the present invention.
At least some of the above aspects of the present invention achieve the following technical effects:
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- 1) good fluid distribution is achieved without limiting or restricting the width of the heat exchange plate;
- 2) recessing technology is used without the loss of strength; this is more competitive in terms of reducing costs;
- 3) the specially designed fluid distributor according to the present invention can provide a consistent and stable process and performance.
These and/or other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious and easy to understand through the following description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The technical solution of the present invention is explained in further detail below by means of embodiments in conjunction with
Reference is made to
In view of the fact that the main improvement brought about by the present invention is in the heat exchange plates in the heat exchanger, structures such as the end plates and the manner of fixing are not described in detail. Those skilled in the art can set these as required in accordance with the prior art.
The heat exchange plate 10 comprises a fluid inlet 1 and a fluid outlet 2 located at two opposite ends in the longitudinal direction thereof (e.g. the top-left corner and top-right corner shown in the figure). To achieve better fluid distribution, a separating part is disposed on a top surface (i.e. the surface shown in the figure) of the heat exchange plate in this example; the separating part divides the surface of the heat exchange plate 10 into two independent fluid channel regions 3 and 4. The separating part comprises a separating strip 8 which splits fluid flow at the fluid inlet 1, and a longitudinal piece 7 connected thereto. Thus, fluid (e.g. coolant, as shown by the arrows in the figure) from the fluid inlet 1 is first split into different flows by the separating strip 8, then flows into the two fluid channel regions 3 and 4 respectively and converges at the fluid outlet 2, finally flowing out of the fluid outlet 2. It must be explained here that the fluid channel regions 3 and 4 are independent of each other; in other words, once the fluid has been split into different flows by the separating strip 8, the respective flows in the fluid channel regions 3 and 4 do not mix with each other; they only mix in the vicinity of the fluid outlet 2, and finally flow out of the fluid outlet 2.
It must be explained that the separating strip 8 is not necessarily in the shape of a straight line, and can be chosen to be in the angular range of −45° to 45° relative to a vertical direction of the heat exchange plate 10 (i.e. the up-down direction in the figure, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate 10). To encourage fluid distribution, the separating strip 8 can be arranged to be bent or inclined slightly to the left as shown in the figure.
The fluid inlet 1 is disposed at a top side at the left end (e.g. the top-left corner) of the heat exchange plate 10; the fluid outlet 2 is disposed at a top side at the right end (e.g. the top-right corner) of the heat exchange plate 10. Those skilled in the art should understand that ports 5 and 6 are also disposed on the heat exchange plate 10, in order to mate with an adjacent heat exchange plate; however, ports 5 and 6 play no role in or are not associated with fluid distribution on the top surface, shown in the figure, of the heat exchange plate 10, so are not described in detail below.
In order to ensure that the flow paths in the fluid channel regions 3 and 4 are independent of each other or that no mixing of fluid occurs midway after it has been split into different flows at the fluid inlet 1, the separating strip 8 is generally connected to the longitudinal piece 7 in a sealed manner.
It can be seen from
Although
It can be understood that such a separating part could be likewise disposed on another surface of the heat exchange plate 10 (opposite the top surface described above, i.e. the bottom surface); the number of separating parts can be specifically set as required on the heat exchange plate 10, and is not limited to the scenario shown in the figure; the separating part may also be formed in another way, and is not limited to the structure shown in the figure.
As
In
Reference is made to
It is clear from the above that the heat exchange plate is arranged to have at least two independent fluid channel regions whether by means of separating strips or longitudinal pieces, to improve the fluid distribution effect.
Although no fluid distributor has been provided on the heat exchange plates shown in
Although multiple structural features of the heat exchange plate of the present invention are shown in the multiple embodiments above, it should be understood that those skilled in the art could combine the multiple structural features in different embodiments to form new embodiments, and this should be understood as being included in the scope of protection of the present invention.
The above are merely some embodiments of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the overall inventive concept. The scope of the present invention shall be defined by the claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A plate type heat exchanger, comprising multiple heat exchange plates which are stacked together, each heat exchange plate comprising a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet located at two opposite ends respectively in a longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate,
- wherein
- a separating part is provided on a top surface and/or a bottom surface of each heat exchange plate, such that a fluid coming from the fluid inlet is split into different flows at the fluid inlet, then flows into mutually independent fluid channel regions separated by the separating part and converges at the fluid outlet, and finally flows out of the fluid outlet.
2. The plate type heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the separating part comprises a separating strip, which splits fluid into different flows at the fluid inlet, and a longitudinal piece connected thereto.
3. The plate type heat exchanger as claimed in claim 2, wherein
- the longitudinal piece is arranged in one of the following three ways:
- substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate;
- inclined relative to the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate;
- having a bent or meandering shape in the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate.
4. The plate type heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein
- the separating part comprises at least one separating strip extending from the fluid inlet to the vicinity of the fluid outlet.
5. The plate type heat exchanger as claimed in claim 4, wherein
- the separating strip is arranged in one of the following three ways:
- substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate;
- inclined relative to the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate;
- having a bent or meandering shape in the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate.
6. The plate type heat exchanger as claimed in claim 2, wherein
- at the fluid inlet, the separating strip is arranged to be in the angular range of −45° to 45° relative to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate, wherein the separating strip is in the shape of a straight line or bent.
7. The plate type heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein
- the fluid inlet is at a top side at a left end of the top surface and/or bottom surface of the heat exchange plate, and the fluid outlet is at a top side or bottom side at a right end of the surface of the heat exchange plate.
8. The plate type heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein
- a fluid distributor is provided at the fluid inlet, the fluid distributor having a middle cavity for receiving a fluid from the fluid inlet, and at least two guide parts which pass through the fluid distributor and guide fluid out of the middle cavity.
9. The plate type heat exchanger as claimed in claim 8, wherein
- the at least two guide parts comprise any one of a through-hole, a duct and a channel passing through a main body of the fluid distributor, or any combination thereof.
10. The plate type heat exchanger as claimed in claim 9, wherein
- the ducts comprise tubes and/or capillary tubes which introduce fluid into different fluid channel regions respectively.
11. The plate type heat exchanger as claimed in claim 9, wherein
- the channel is formed on the heat exchange plate integrally or separately.
12. The plate type heat exchanger as claimed in claim 9, wherein
- the fluid distributor comprises an annular main body which the guide parts pass through from the outside.
13. The plate type heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein
- also comprising end plates which are disposed on outer sides of the heat exchange plates and used for fixing the heat exchange plates in place.
14. The plate type heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein
- a structural pattern for distributing fluid is provided on the surface of the heat exchange plate.
15. The plate type heat exchanger as claimed in claim 14, wherein
- multiple regularly arranged recesses or protrusions are provided on the surface.
16. The plate type heat exchanger as claimed in claim 14, wherein
- multiple alternately arranged channels and ridges in an inverted-V-shape are provided on the surface.
17. The plate type heat exchanger as claimed in claim 4, wherein
- at the fluid inlet, the separating strip is arranged to be in the angular range of −45° to 45° relative to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate, wherein the separating strip is in the shape of a straight line or bent.
18. The plate type heat exchanger as claimed in claim 2, wherein
- the fluid inlet is at a top side at a left end of the top surface and/or bottom surface of the heat exchange plate, and the fluid outlet is at a top side or bottom side at a right end of the surface of the heat exchange plate.
19. The plate type heat exchanger as claimed in claim 3, wherein
- the fluid inlet is at a top side at a left end of the top surface and/or bottom surface of the heat exchange plate, and the fluid outlet is at a top side or bottom side at a right end of the surface of the heat exchange plate.
20. The plate type heat exchanger as claimed in claim 4, wherein
- the fluid inlet is at a top side at a left end of the top surface and/or bottom surface of the heat exchange plate, and the fluid outlet is at a top side or bottom side at a right end of the surface of the heat exchange plate.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 28, 2015
Publication Date: Dec 8, 2016
Inventors: Wenjian Wei (Zhejiang), Zhifeng Zhang (Zhejiang), Yang Xu (Zhejiang)
Application Number: 15/114,568