HEAT EXCHANGE APPARATUS

Abstract

A heat exchange apparatus for adjusting the temperature of fluids is provided. The apparatus includes a container for holding therein heat exchange fluid and having an inlet and an outlet; at least one heat exchange member disposed inside the container and having a first wall portion defining a first inner face and a second wall portion defining a second inner face, the first inner face being sealingly coupled to the second inner face defining thereby a fluid path therebetween extending between a first port being in fluid communication with the inlet and a second port being in fluid communication with the outlet, such that liquid introduced into the inlet flows through the fluid path towards the outlet exchanging thereby heat with the heat exchange fluid.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The presently disclosed subject matter relates to a heat exchange apparatus, in general, and in particular to a heat exchange apparatus for cooling or heating liquid by utilizing heat exchange fluid.

BACKGROUND

Heat exchange apparatus are known in the art and are utilized for cooling or heating liquid by utilizing heat exchange fluid.

US 20120295001 discloses an apparatus for preparing a beverage from water and an instant product includes a water supply system for supplying water, a heating device for sterilizing water by heating it; and a cooling device for cooling water heated in the heating device. The cooling device uses water from the water supply system as cooling-water. The water that is sterilized in the heating device has preferably previously been used in the cooling device as cooling-water. The cooling device includes a counter flow heat exchanger.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,672,183 discloses an ice bank heat exchanger including a process water retaining reservoir provided with a hot process water inlet and a water outlet returning cooled water to the process equipment, a refrigeration unit associated with the said reservoir and expanding through evaporator coils contained within the said water reservoir, the evaporator coils being affixed to ice bank plates which are arranged within the reservoir to freeze the stored process cooling water and to provide a serpentine water path therethrough from the hot water inlet connection to the cooled water outlet connection.

DE202010006364 discloses a radiator for the cooling of hot tea, by immersing in hot tea and flow of cold water, by the fact characterized that the tea radiator is compound from a cooling water storage vessel upon overflow, a cooling plate and a sucking operational sequence.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

There is provided in accordance with an aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter a heat exchange apparatus for adjusting the temperature of fluids. The apparatus includes a container for holding therein heat exchange fluid and having an inlet and an outlet; at least one heat exchange member disposed inside the container and having a first wall portion defining a first inner face and a second wall portion defining a second inner face, the first inner face being sealingly coupled to the second inner face defining thereby a fluid path therebetween extending between a first port being in fluid communication with the inlet and a second port being in fluid communication with the outlet, such that liquid introduced into the inlet flows through the fluid path towards the outlet exchanging thereby heat with the heat exchange fluid.

The container can include a dripper being in fluid communication with the inlet configured to allow pouring therein the liquid such that the liquid drips into the container.

The outlet can be formed at a bottom portion of the container such that the liquid gravitates towards the outlet.

The heat exchange apparatus can further includes a collecting member disposed below the outlet such that liquid gravitating out of the container is collected inside the collecting member.

The collecting member can include an aperture and a seat configured to be disposed over a collecting container, such that the liquid flows through the aperture into the colleting container.

The first wall portion and the second wall portion can be configured as two corresponding plans. The first wall portion can include an open channel defined on the first inner face and extending between the first port and the second port, and the second face of the second wall portion is configured to covers the open channel forming thereby the fluid path.

The open channel can be defined by a pair of longitudinal edges formed along the first inner face and the second inner face is configured to sealingly engage the longitudinal edges forming. The second inner face of the second wall portion can define a second channel on locations corresponding to the channel such that when the the first face engages the second face the fluid path is formed by the second channel and the channel.

The channel can be defined with a plurality of curves increasing the length of the fluid path and an increasing a surface of the heat exchange member.

The channel can be defined with a plurality of horizontality disposed segments having sharp turns therebetween in alternating directions. The channel can be embossed on the first inner face. For each of the segments the longitudinal edges can include a top longitudinal edge and a bottom longitudinal edge and wherein for each of the segments the bottom longitudinal edge includes a slope configured to allow the liquid to gravitate therein.

The first walls portion can be pivotally mounted to the second wall portion such that the first and second wall portions can selectively rotate between a closed position in which the first inner face and the second inner face form the fluid path therebetween, and an open position in which the first and second inner faces disengages one another.

The heat exchange apparatus can further include at least one securing element configured to maintain the first and second wall portions in the closed position. The securing elements can be clips pivotally mounted on one of the first and second walls portions and being configured to secure an edge of the first wall portion together with an edge of the second wall portion precluding thereby the disengagements of the first inner face and the second inner face.

The heat exchange member can be disposed inside the container such that the liquid flowing therethrough gravitates towards the outlet.

The first wall portion can be a cylindrical wall portions and the second wall portion can include two semi cylindrical wall portions pivotally mounted to one another.

The container can includes at least one scale mark indication corresponding to an amount of heat exchange fluid required inside the container for a predetermined heat exchange rate.

There is provided in accordance with a further aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter a method for exchanging heat of a liquid. The method includes providing a container configured for holding therein a heat exchange fluid and having an inlet and an outlet; mounting in the container at least one heat exchange member having a first wall portion defining a first inner face and a second wall portion defining a second inner face, the first inner face being sealingly coupled to the second inner face defining thereby a fluid path therebetween extending between a first port being in fluid communication with the inlet and a second port being in fluid communication with the outlet; disposing a heat exchange fluid inside the container; and, introducing in the inlet a liquid such that the liquid flows through the fluid path towards the outlet exchanging thereby heat with the heat exchange fluid.

The method can further include determining the level of the heat exchange fluid inside the container in accordance with the desired temperature of the liquid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to understand the disclosure and to see how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a heat exchange apparatus in accordance with an example of the presently disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the heat exchange apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a heat exchange member of the heat exchange apparatus of FIG. 1 in a closed position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the heat exchange member of FIG. 3 in an opened position;

FIG. 5 is a front view of a wall portion of the heat exchange member of FIG. 3, and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a heat exchange member in accordance with another example of the presently disclosed subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 and 2 shows a heat exchange apparatus 10 far adjusting the temperature of fluids, for examples for cooling off liquids. The apparatus includes a container 12 for holding therein heat exchange fluid, such as coolant, and having an inlet 14 and an outlet 16. The container 12 can be configured to hold therein sufficient amount of heat exchange fluid in accordance with the required level of heat exchange, as explained hereinafter in detail.

The container 12 can include a dripper 20 having a bottom surface 24 configured to cover a top portion of the container 12 and a wall 22 configured to hold therein liquid. The inlet 14 according to this example is defined as one or more apertures (not shown) defined on the bottom surface 24. The dripper 20 is configured to allow pouring therein liquid to be cooled or heated, such that the liquid can slowly flow inside the container 12 through the inlet 14 defined on the bottom surface 24.

The outlet apertures 16 according to the illustrated example, is formed at the bottom of the container 12 such that the liquid to be cooled or heated can gravitate towards the outlet aperture 16. The apparatus 10 further includes a collecting member 28 which can be configured to be disposed underneath the outlet apertures 16 such that liquid gravitating out of the container 12 are collected inside the collecting member 28. The apparatus 10 can include a confined space 15 defined underneath the container 12 configured to hold the collecting member 28, such that it can be pulled out so as to remove the liquid therefrom.

It is appreciated that alternatively the collecting member can further include an aperture and a seat configured to be disposed over a collecting container, such as a bottle, a cup etc. Accordingly, the liquid from the container can flow through the aperture into the colleting container.

The outlet apertures 16 can be further provided with a tubing which can be extended into a collecting container, such as a bottle etc.

The apparatus 10 further includes a heat exchange member 30 disposed inside the container 12 and having a heat exchange surface, such that the heat exchange fluid, for example the coolant, resides inside the container, engages at least portions thereof. The heat exchange surface includes a first wall portion 32a defining a first inner face 34a and a second wall portion 32b defining a second inner face 34b.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first inner face 34a of the first wall portion 32a and the second inner face 34b of the second wall portion 32b are configured to be sealingly coupled to one another defining thereby a fluid path 36 therebetween. The fluid path 36 extends between a first port 38a, which is in fluid communication with the inlet 14 and a second port 38b being in fluid communication with the outlet.

The first and second wall portions 32a and 32b can be configured as two corresponding plans, for example rectangular plans, configured such that When coupling them to one another such that the inner face 34a of the first wall 32a faces the inner face 34b and the second wall portion 32b, a fluid path is formed therebetween. According to the illustrated example, the first wall portion 32a includes an open channel 40 defined on the inner face 34a thereof and extending between the first port 38a and the second port 38b, such that when the second wall portion 32b is coupled to the first wall portion 32a, the inner face 34b thereof covers the open channel 40 forming thereby a fluid path 36.

The open channel 40 can be defined by a pair of longitudinal edges 46a and 46b formed along the inner face 34a of the first wall 32a, the longitudinal edges can configured such that when the second wall 32b is coupled to the first wall 32a the inner face 34b thereof engages the longitudinal edges forming thereby a fluid path.

It is appreciated that although in the illustrated example the channel 40 is defined only on the first wall 32a while the second wall 32b is configured to engage the sides thereof, forming thereby the fluid path 36, according to other examples channel 40 can be defined on both walls on corresponding locations such that when the two walls 32a and 32b are coupled to one another a fluid path 36 is formed by the channels defined thereon.

As shown in the illustrated example, the open channel 40 can be defined with a plurality of curves increasing the length of the fluid path thereby. That is to say, as oppose to forming a channel extending in a straight line between the first port 38a and the second port 38b, the channel 40 can be defined with curves such that the fluid path 36 includes a greater length between the first port 38a and the second port 38b. As a result the surface area of the fluid path 36 which provides heat exchange is larger.

According to an example the channel 40 is horizontality defined along the first wall and includes sharp turns in alternating directions, such that the fluid path is defined along substantially the entire width of the wall increasing thereby the heat exchanging surface.

The first and second walls 32a and 32b can be configured with one or more hinges 42 defined along one side thereof, such that the walls 32a and 32b can be pivotally mounted to one another and selectively rotate between a closed position in which the inner face 34a of the first wall 32a engages the inner face 34b and second wall 32b forming thereby a closed fluid path, and an open position in which the inner face 34b and second wall 32b disengages the inner face 34a of the first wall 32a, thus allowing access to the inside of the fluid path 36. Opening the heat exchange member 30 allows cleaning the fluid path 36 form example from residue of the liquid transferred therethrough.

The heat exchange member 30 can include one or more securing elements 44 for maintain in the closed position the first and second walk 32a and 32b secured to one another, precluding leaks of the liquid flowing through the fluid path 36 out into the container 12. According to an example the securing elements 44 can be clips pivotally mounted on one of the first and second walls 32a and 32b and being configured to hold the edge of the first and second walls 32a and 32b together, precluding thereby the disengagements of the inner faces 34a and 34b thereof. According to the illustrated example each of the first and second wail portions 32a and 32b are provided with a frame member 43 on which the securing elements 44 and the hinges are mounted. It is appreciated that the frame member 43 can be made of materials other than the conductive material out of which the wall portions are formed. For example the frame member 43 can be plastic while the wall portions 32a and 32b can be made of metal.

The first and second walls 32a and 32b can be made of a heat conductive material such the liquid transfers inside the fluid path 36 exchanges heat with the fluid resides inside the container 12. According to an example the channel 40 can be formed as an integral part of the wall for example by embossing thereof on the inner face 34a. As shown in FIG. 3 embossing the fluid path 36 can be carried out by forming a depression in the inner face 34a of the first wall 32a, such which appears as a protrusion on the outer face of the first wall 32a. Engagements of the inner face 34b of the second wall 32b with the inner face 34a of the first wall 32a closes the depression forming thereby a closed fluid path 36. Embossing the channel 40 facilities the manufacture and cleaning thereof.

According to an example the heat exchange member 30 is disposed inside the container 12 such that the liquid flowing therethrough can gravitate towards the outlet 16. According to other examples however, the heat exchange member 30 can be configured to allow liquid to flow therethrough under pressure, which can be generated by a pump.

Attention is now made to FIG. 4, the channel 40 can be defined by a pair of longitudinal edges 46a and 46b horizontality defined along the first wall 32a and having sharp turns in alternating directions. In the illustrated example the heat exchange member 30 is configured to allow the liquid flowing inside the channel 40 to gravitate towards the outlet 16. Thus, although the channel 40 horizontally extends along the width of the inner face 34a of the first wall 32a, the channel 40 is formed with a slight slope, such that liquid therein flows downwardly.

It is appreciated that since the channel 40 extends in alternating directions, i.e. having segments rightwardiy directed and segments leftwardly directed, the longitudinal edges 46a and 46b defining the channel 40 are disposed such that in a rightward segments, the longitudinal edge 46a is disposed above the longitudinal edge 46b while in the a leftward segments, the longitudinal edge 46b is disposed above the longitudinal edge 46a. Accordingly, for each of the segment of the channel 40, the slope can be defined only on the bottom protruding line. That is to say in the rightward segments, only the longitudinal edge 46b includes a slope, while in the leftward segments, only the longitudinal edge 46a includes a slope. The slope can be configured to allow liquid in the channel to gravitate towards the outlet 16, facilitating thereby removing any liquid residue from the channel.

According to the illustrated example the apparatus include two heat exchange members 30 disposed inside the container each being provided with an inlet port 38a having fluid communication with the inlet 14 and an outlet port 38b having fluid communication with the outlet 16.

The two heat exchange members 30 are configured for parallel operation such that the inner volume of the container 12 is utilized to provide heat exchange to a double mount of liquid, thereby speeding up the heat exchange process. The apparatus can include a plurality of heat exchange members 30, in accordance with the mount of liquid the apparatus is intended to cool or heat.

The operation of the apparatus 10 can be as follows: the container 12 having the heat exchange member 30 mounted therein, is filled with a heat exchange fluid such as coolant. The heat exchange fluid can be configured with the desired temperature. For example, if it is desired to cool off a boiling liquid to a room temperature, the coolant can be a cold liquid such that when the hot liquid is inserted through the heat exchange member 30 the coolant exchanges heat with the liquid and brings it to the desired temperature.

Similarly, if it is desired to heat a liquid, the container 12 can be filled with a hot fluid, such as hot water, having temperature configured such that the liquid inserted through the heat exchange member 30 can be heated to the desired temperature.

Once the desired amount of heat exchange fluid is disposed inside the container 12, the dripper 20 is disposed over the top of the container 12 and the liquid to be cooled or heated is disposed therein. The liquid drips slowly into the heat exchange members 30 through the inlet 14 and the inlet port 38a.

The liquid passing through the curved fluid path 36 exchanges heat with the heat exchange fluid resides inside the container 12 and engages the outer walls of the first and second wall portions 32a and 32b

The cooled or heated liquid gravitates into the collecting member 28 which can be removed and drained.

The apparatus can be washed and clean, by removing the heat exchange member 30, unlocking the securing elements 44 and pivotally opening the first and second wall portions 32a and 32b opening thereby the fluid path 36 such that it can be cleaned from any residue of the liquid.

It is appreciated that the amount of the heat exchange fluid can be determined in accordance with the desired temperature of the liquid inserted into the heat exchange member 30. That is to say, since the heat exchange member 30 allowed the liquid to flow downwardly from the inlet 14 at the top of the container 12 towards the outlet 16 at the bottom thereof, the level of heat exchange fluid inside the container 12 determines the length of the fluid path 36 which engages the heat exchange fluid, i.e. which allows the liquid therein to exchange heat with the heat exchange fluid which engages the outside surface of the fluid path 36.

Accordingly, the container 12 can be provided with a scale marks, indicating to the user various levels heat exchange fluid inside the container 12 and the temperature of the liquid transferred through heat exchange member 30 for each of these levels.

It will be appreciated that the size of the container as subsequently the size of the heat exchange member 30 can be determined in accordance with the desired level of heat exchange. Accordingly, if it desired to exchange a large amount of heat so as to cool off very hot liquid or to heat up very cold liquid a large container should be utilized having a substantially a long fluid path.

It is further appreciated that the diameter of fluid path 36 of the heat exchange member 30 can be configured in accordance with the desired flow velocity of the liquid to be transferred therethrough. It should thus be noted that the diameter can be determined in accordance with the viscosity of the liquid, as well as in accordance with the heat capacity of the liquid.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6, according to another example the heat exchange member 50 can include a cylindrical wall portion 52 defining a first inner face and having a channel 58 defined thereon. The heat exchange member 50 further include a spherical wall portion defining a second inner face. The cylindrical wall portion 52 is configured to be coupled to the spherical wall portion such that the second inner face is sealing coupled to the first inner face closing thereby the channel 58 and forming thereby a fluid path for pouring therethrough the liquid to be cooled or heated.

The spherical wall portion according to the illustrated example includes two semi cylindrical wall portions 54a and 54b pivotally mounted to one another by a hinge 55. This way the two semi cylindrical wall portions 54a and 54b can be pivoted to disengage the second inner face from the first inner face allowing thereby cleaning of the channel 58. Although not shown, the channel terminates in an inlet port and an outlet port as in the previous examples.

According to this example, the heat exchange member 50 is disposed inside a container such the heat exchange fluid inside the container is disposed in the inner volume 60 of the cylindrical wall portion 52. This way heat exchange occurs between the heat exchange fluid and the liquid flowing through the channel 58.

Those skilled in the art to which the presently disclosed subject matter pertains will readily appreciate that numerous changes, variations, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention, mutatis mutandis.

Claims

1. A heat exchange apparatus for adjusting the temperature of fluids, the apparatus comprising:

a container for holding therein heat exchange fluid and having an inlet and an outlet;

at least one heat exchange member disposed inside said container and having a first wall portion defining a first inner face and a second wall portion defining a second inner face, said first inner face being sealingly coupled to said second inner face defining thereby a fluid path therebetween extending between a first port being in fluid communication with said inlet and a second port being in fluid communication with said outlet, such that liquid introduced into said inlet flows through said fluid path towards said outlet exchanging thereby heat with said heat exchange fluid.

2. The heat exchange apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said container includes a dripper being in fluid communication with said inlet configured to allow pouring therein said liquid such that said liquid drips into said container.

3. The heat exchange apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said outlet is formed at a bottom portion of said container such that said liquid gravitates towards said outlet.

4. The heat exchange apparatus according to claim 3 further comprising a collecting member disposed below said outlet such that liquid gravitating out of said container is collected inside said collecting member.

5. The heat exchange apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said collecting member includes an aperture and a seat configured to be disposed over a collecting container, such that said liquid flows through said aperture into said colleting container.

6. The heat exchange apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first wall portion and said second wall portion are configured as two corresponding plans.

7. The heat exchange apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said first wall portion includes an open channel defined on said first inner face and extending between said first port and said second port, and said second face of said second wall portion is configured to covers said open channel forming thereby said fluid path.

8. The heat exchange apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said open channel is defined by a pair of longitudinal edges formed along said first inner face and said second inner face is configured to sealingly engage said longitudinal edges forming.

9. The heat exchange apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said second inner face of said second wall portion defines a second channel on locations corresponding to said channel such that when the said first face engages said second face said fluid path is formed by said second channel and said channel.

10. The heat exchange apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said channel is defined with a plurality of curves increasing the length of the fluid path and an increasing a surface of said heat exchange member.

11. The heat exchange apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said channel is defined with a plurality of horizontality disposed segments having sharp turns therebetween in alternating directions.

12. The heat exchange apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said channel is embossed on said first inner face.

13. The heat exchange apparatus according to claim 11 wherein for each of said segments said longitudinal edges includes a top longitudinal edge and a bottom longitudinal edge and wherein for each of said segments said bottom longitudinal edge includes a slope configured to allow said liquid to gravitate therein.

14. The heat exchange apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first walls portion is pivotally mounted to said second wall portion such that said first and second wall portions can selectively rotate between a closed position in which said first inner face and said second inner face form said fluid path therebetween, and an open position in which said first and second inner faces disengages one another.

15. The heat exchange apparatus according to claim 14 further comprising at least one securing element configured to maintain said first and second wall portions in said closed position.

16. The heat exchange apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said securing elements are clips pivotally mounted on one of said first and second walls portions and being configured to secure an edge of said first wall portion together with an edge of said second wall portion precluding thereby the disengagements of said first inner face and said second inner face.

17. The heat exchange apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first wall portion is a cylindrical wall portions and said second wall portion includes two semi cylindrical wall portions pivotally mounted to one another.

18. The heat exchange apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said container includes at least one scale mark indication corresponding to an amount of heat exchange fluid required inside the container for a predetermined heat exchange rate.

19. A method for exchanging heat of a liquid, the method comprising:

providing a container configured for holding therein a heat exchange fluid and having an inlet and an outlet;

mounting in said container at least one heat exchange member having a first wall portion defining a first inner face and a second wall portion defining a second inner face, said first inner face being sealingly coupled to said second inner face defining thereby a fluid path therebetween extending between a first port being in fluid communication with said inlet and a second port being in fluid communication with said outlet;

disposing a heat exchange fluid inside said container; and,

introducing in said inlet a liquid such that said liquid flows through said fluid path towards said outlet exchanging thereby heat with said heat exchange fluid.

20. The method of claim 19 further composing determining the level of said heat exchange fluid inside said container in accordance with the desired temperature of said liquid.