HEADER ASSEMBLY AND HEAT EXCHANGER

Abstract

Disclosed are a header assembly (100) for a heat exchanger and a heat exchanger having the header assembly (100). The header assembly (100) includes: an outer tube (1), the outer tube (1) having a tube wall (11); an inner tube (2), the inner tube (2) being provided in the outer tube (1) and having a tube wall (21) and a through hole (22) penetrating through the tube wall (21) of the inner tube (2), and a cavity (30) being formed between the outer tube (1) and the inner tube (2); and an opening (12) formed in the tube wall (11) a of the outer tube (1) and used for communicating the cavity (30) between the outer tube (1) and the inner tube (2) with a heat exchange g tube. The header assembly (100) and the heat exchanger having the header assembly (100) can improve heat exchange efficiency.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a National Stage application of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2019/099620, filed on Aug. 7, 2019, which claims priority to Chinese patent application no. 201811490952.0 submitted to the Chinese Patent Office on Dec. 6, 2018, the entire disclosed contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The embodiments of the present invention relate to a header assembly for a heat exchanger, and a heat exchanger having the header assembly.

BACKGROUND

A heat exchanger comprises a header and heat exchange tubes.

SUMMARY

An object of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a header assembly for a heat exchanger, and a heat exchanger having the header assembly, by means of which it is possible for example to increase heat exchange efficiency.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a header assembly for a heat exchanger, the header assembly comprising: an outer tube, having a tube wall; an inner tube, disposed within the outer tube and having a tube wall and a through-hole penetrating the tube wall of the inner tube, with a cavity being formed between the outer tube and inner tube; and an opening, formed in the tube wall of the outer tube and configured to connect the cavity between the outer tube and inner tube with a heat exchange tube.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the header assembly for a heat exchanger further comprises: a connecting duct extending outward from the tube wall of the outer tube and used for connecting the heat exchange tube; the opening connects the cavity between the outer tube and inner tube with the heat exchange tube via an internal hole of the connecting duct.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an end of the heat exchange tube is inserted in the internal hole of the connecting duct.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the inner tube is a single inner tube.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the header assembly for a heat exchanger further comprises: a dividing member, which divides the cavity into multiple mutually isolated chambers arranged in the axial direction of the outer tube, the multiple chambers comprising a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein: the opening comprises a first opening and a second opening; the heat exchange tube comprises a first heat exchange tube and a second heat exchange tube; and the inner tube comprises: a first inner tube, having a first tube wall and a first through-hole penetrating the first tube wall of the first inner tube, the first through-hole leading to the first chamber, and the first opening connecting the first chamber with the first heat exchange tube; and a second inner tube, having a second tube wall and a second through-hole penetrating the second tube wall of the second inner tube, the second through-hole leading to the second chamber, and the second opening connecting the second chamber with the second heat exchange tube.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, multiple sets of first chamber(s) and multiple sets of second chamber(s) are arranged alternately, each of the multiple sets of first chamber(s) comprising one or more first chamber, and each of the multiple sets of second chamber(s) comprising one or more second chamber.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, each of the first chamber and second chamber comprises a first compartment located at that side of the first inner tube and second inner tube which is remote from the opening, and a second compartment located at that side of the first inner tube and second inner tube which is close to the opening; the first through-hole and second through-hole lead to the first compartments of the first chamber and second chamber respectively, and the first compartments are in communication with the second compartments.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first compartment of the first chamber is in communication with the second compartment of the first chamber via a first communication hole formed in at least one of the tube wall of the outer tube, the tube wall of the first inner tube and the tube wall of the second inner tube; and the first compartment of the second chamber is in communication with the second compartment of the second chamber via a second communication hole formed in at least one of the tube wall of the outer tube, the tube wall of the first inner tube and the tube wall of the second inner tube.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first through-hole is located at that side of the center line of the first inner tube which is close to the second inner tube, and the first communication hole is located at that side of the first inner tube which is remote from the second inner tube; and the second through-hole is located at that side of the center line of the second inner tube which is close to the first inner tube, and the second communication hole is located at that side of the second inner tube which is remote from the first inner tube.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first compartment of the first chamber is in communication with the second compartment of the first chamber via the first communication hole alone; and the first compartment of the second chamber is in communication with the second compartment of the second chamber via the second communication hole alone.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the header assembly is formed by 3D printing.

An embodiment of the present invention further provides a heat exchanger, comprising: the header assembly as described above.

By adopting the header assembly for a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the heat exchanger having the header assembly, it is possible for example to increase the heat exchange efficiency.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic three-dimensional drawing of a header assembly for a heat exchanger according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2-4 are schematic sectional views of the header assembly for a heat exchanger according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic three-dimensional drawing of a header assembly for a heat exchanger according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of the header assembly for a heat exchanger according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic three-dimensional drawing of a header assembly for a heat exchanger according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 8-10 are schematic sectional views of the header assembly for a heat exchanger according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is explained further below in conjunction with the drawings and particular embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 1-10, a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a header assembly 100 and heat exchange tubes, the header assembly 100 being connected to ends of the heat exchange tubes and being in fluid communication with the heat exchange tubes; the heat exchanger may further comprise fins, wherein the fins are arranged between adjacent heat exchange tubes or the heat exchange tubes are inserted in fin holes or fin slots of the fins.

Referring to FIGS. 1-10, the header assembly 100 for a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: an outer tube 1 having a tube wall 11; an inner tube 2, disposed within the outer tube 1 and having a tube wall 21 and a through-hole 22 penetrating the tube wall 21 of the inner tube 2, with a cavity 30 being formed between the outer tube 1 and inner tube 2; and openings 12, formed in the tube wall 11 of the outer tube 1 and configured to connect the cavity 30 between the outer tube 1 and inner tube 2 with the heat exchange tubes. The header assembly 100 may be formed by 3D printing. For example, the header assembly 100 is formed by an additive manufacturing technique. The header assembly 100 may be integrally formed from the same material.

Referring to FIGS. 1-10, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the header assembly 100 further comprises: connecting ducts 3 extending outward from the tube wall 11 of the outer tube 1 and used for connecting the heat exchange tubes; the openings 12 connect the cavity 30 between the outer tube 1 and inner tube 2 with the heat exchange tubes via internal holes 31 of the connecting ducts 3. The ends of the heat exchange tubes may be inserted in the internal holes 31 of the connecting ducts 3, or the ends of the heat exchange tubes may be welded to the connecting ducts 3.

Referring to FIGS. 7-10, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the inner tube 2 may be a single inner tube 2. That is to say, the header assembly 100 may comprise only one inner tube 2.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the header assembly 100 further comprises: dividing members 4, which divide the cavity 30 into multiple mutually isolated chambers 32 arranged in the axial direction of the outer tube 1, the multiple chambers 32 comprising a first chamber 32A and a second chamber 32B. The openings 12 comprise a first opening 12A and a second opening 12B. The heat exchange tube comprises a first heat exchange tube and a second heat exchange tube. The inner tube 2 comprises: a first inner tube 2A, having a first tube wall 21A and a first through-hole 22A penetrating the first tube wall 21A of the first inner tube 2A, the first through-hole 22A leading to the first chamber 32A, and the first opening 12A connecting the first chamber 32A with the first heat exchange tube; and a second inner tube 2B, having a second tube wall 21B and a second through-hole 22B penetrating the second tube wall 21B of the second inner tube 2B, the second through-hole 22B leading to the second chamber 32B, and the second opening 12B connecting the second chamber 32B with the second heat exchange tube. The dividing member 4 may be a partition plate.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, according to an embodiment of the present invention, multiple sets of first chamber(s) 32A and multiple sets of second chamber(s) 32B may be arranged alternately, each of the multiple sets of first chamber(s) 32A comprising one or more first chamber 32A, and each of the multiple sets of second chamber(s) 32B comprising one or more second chamber 32B. That is to say, the arrangement consists of one set of first chamber(s) 32A, one set of second chamber(s) 32B, one set of first chamber(s) 32A, one set of second chamber(s) 32B The first opening 12A and second opening 12B, the first through-hole 22A and second through-hole 22B, the first heat exchange tube and second heat exchange tube, and a first communication hole 53A and second communication hole 53B are arranged in a corresponding fashion. For example, each set of first chamber(s) 32A comprises one first chamber 32A, and each set of second chamber(s) 32B comprises one second chamber 32B; or each set of first chamber(s) 32A comprises two first chambers 32A, and each set of second chamber(s) 32B comprises two second chambers 32B.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, according to an embodiment of the present invention, each of the first chamber 32A and second chamber 32B comprises a first compartment 51 located at that side of the first inner tube 2A and second inner tube 2B which is remote from the opening 12, and a second compartment 52 located at that side of the first inner tube 2A and second inner tube 2B which is close to the opening 12; the first through-hole 22A and second through-hole 22B lead to the first compartments 51 of the first chamber 32A and second chamber 32B respectively, and the first compartments 51 are in communication with the second compartments 52.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the first compartment 51 of the first chamber 32A is in communication with the second compartment 52 of the first chamber 32A via the first communication hole 53A (see FIGS. 2, 4 and 6) formed in at least one of the tube wall 11 of the outer tube 1, the tube wall 21 of the first inner tube 2A and the tube wall 21 of the second inner tube 2B; and the first compartment 51 of the second chamber 32B is in communication with the second compartment 52 of the second chamber 32B via the second communication hole 53B (see FIG. 4) formed in at least one of the tube wall 11 of the outer tube 1, the tube wall 21 of the first inner tube 2A and the tube wall 21 of the second inner tube 2B. For example, the first through-hole 22A is located at that side of the center line of the first inner tube 2A which is close to the second inner tube 2B, and the first communication hole 53A is located at that side of the first inner tube 2A which is remote from the second inner tube 2B; and the second through-hole 22B is located at that side of the center line of the second inner tube 2B which is close to the first inner tube 2A, and the second communication hole 53B is located at that side of the second inner tube 2B which is remote from the first inner tube 2A. For example, the first inner tube 2A and second inner tube 2B are connected together and are connected to the tube wall 11 of the outer tube 1, thus the first inner tube 2A and second inner tube 2B form an axially extending partition wall; the first compartment 51 of the first chamber 32A may be in communication with the second compartment 52 of the first chamber 32A via the first communication hole 53A alone, and the first compartment 51 of the second chamber 32B may be in communication with the second compartment 52 of the second chamber 32B via the second communication hole 53B alone. According to one example of the present invention, the first communication hole 53A may be in at least one of the following positions: a position between the tube wall 11 of the outer tube 1 and the tube wall 21 of the first inner tube 2A, a position between the tube wall 11 of the outer tube 1 and the tube wall 21 of the second inner tube 2B, and a position between the tube wall 21 of the first inner tube 2A and the tube wall 21 of the second inner tube 2B; and the second communication hole 53B may be in at least one of the following positions: a position between the tube wall 11 of the outer tube 1 and the tube wall 21 of the first inner tube 2A, a position between the tube wall 11 of the outer tube 1 and the tube wall 21 of the second inner tube 2B, and a position between the tube wall 21 of the first inner tube 2A and the tube wall 21 of the second inner tube 2B.

Referring to FIGS. 1-10, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the inner tube 2, first inner tube 2A and second inner tube 2B may have a cross section of any suitable shape such as round, oval or semicircular, and the outer tube 1 may have a cross section of any suitable shape such as round, oval, semicircular or rectangular.

Referring to FIGS. 1-10, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the header assembly may comprise a connecting tube; the connecting tube 6 is connected to the inner tube 2, or the connecting tube 6 extends out of the outer tube 1 in the axial direction from the inner tube 2.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the header assembly may comprise a first connecting tube 6A and a second connecting tube 6B; the first connecting tube 6A and second connecting tube 6B are connected to the first inner tube 2A and second inner tube 2B respectively, or the first connecting tube 6A and second connecting tube 6B extend out of the outer tube 1 in the axial direction from the first inner tube 2A and second inner tube 2B.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, the header assembly for a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the heat exchanger having the header assembly, operate in the following manner.

A first refrigerant and a second refrigerant flow into the first inner tube 2A and second inner tube 2B respectively. The first refrigerant and second refrigerant flow in the same fashion; thus, the first refrigerant is taken as an example for explanation. The first refrigerant flows into the first inner tube 2A at low speed, and then enters the first compartment 51 via the first through-hole 22A. When new, high-speed first refrigerant flows into the first compartment 51, a greater degree of turbulence arises, so that gaseous first refrigerant and liquid first refrigerant mix, thereby helping to increase ebullition of the first refrigerant in the heat exchange tube, to increase heat exchange efficiency. After mixing fully, the first refrigerant flows into the heat exchange tube via the first communication hole 53A. Just like the first through-hole 22A, the first communication hole 53A is small, such that the first refrigerant flows into the heat exchange tube at high speed. From beginning to end, the first refrigerant and second refrigerant are completely isolated from each other; thus, the header assembly for a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the heat exchanger having the header assembly, may be used in a dual system having two types of refrigerant.

Referring to FIGS. 1-10, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the number of openings 12 or the number of connecting ducts 3 may be the same as, or different from, the number of through-holes 22. The through-holes 22 may have the same size or diameter, or different sizes or diameters; the first communication holes 53A may have the same size or diameter, or different sizes or diameters; the second communication holes 53B may have the same size or diameter, or different sizes or diameters; and the size or diameter of the first communication hole 53A may be the same as, or different from, the size or diameter of the second communication hole 53B.

Referring to FIGS. 1-10, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the internal hole 31 of the connecting duct 3 may have any suitable cross section such as round, oval, rectangular or semicircular, as long as it can mate with or be connected to the heat exchange tube.

By adopting the header assembly for a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the heat exchanger having the header assembly, it is possible for example to increase the heat exchange efficiency. In addition, the distribution of refrigerant among the heat exchange tubes is improved, gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant are mixed more effectively, and ebullition of refrigerant is encouraged.

By adopting the header assembly for a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the heat exchanger having the header assembly, it is possible to simplify the structure of a dual system circulating two types of refrigerant.

When the header assembly for a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the heat exchanger having the header assembly, are adopted, the first compartment 51 can act as a turbulence compartment for mixing gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant, and the first communication hole 53A and second communication hole 53B may be capillary tubes or have the function of capillary tubes, for mixing gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant again before the refrigerant flows into the heat exchange tubes, thereby encouraging ebullition of refrigerant.

In addition, by adopting the header assembly for a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the heat exchanger having the header assembly, it is possible to facilitate and stabilize assembly of the heat exchanger, to prevent internal leakage.

Although the above embodiments have been described, certain features in the above embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments.

Claims

1. A header assembly for a heat exchanger, comprising:

an outer tube, having a tube wall;

an inner tube, disposed within the outer tube and having a tube wall and a through-hole penetrating the tube wall of the inner tube, with a cavity being formed between the outer tube and inner tube; and

an opening, formed in the tube wall of the outer tube and configured to connect the cavity between the outer tube and inner tube with a heat exchange tube.

2. The header assembly for a heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a connecting duct extending outward from the tube wall of the outer tube and used for connecting the heat exchange tube; the opening connects the cavity between the outer tube and inner tube with the heat exchange tube via an internal hole of the connecting duct.

3. The header assembly for a heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

an end of the heat exchange tube is inserted in the internal hole of the connecting duct.

4. The header assembly for a heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the inner tube is a single inner tube.

5. The header assembly for a heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a dividing member, which divides the cavity into multiple mutually isolated chambers arranged in the axial direction of the outer tube, the multiple chambers comprising a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein:

the opening comprises a first opening and a second opening;

the heat exchange tube comprises a first heat exchange tube and a second heat exchange tube; and

the inner tube comprises:

a first inner tube, having a first tube wall and a first through-hole penetrating the first tube wall of the first inner tube, the first through-hole leading to the first chamber, and the first opening connecting the first chamber with the first heat exchange tube; and

a second inner tube, having a second tube wall and a second through-hole penetrating the second tube wall of the second inner tube, the second through-hole leading to the second chamber, and the second opening connecting the second chamber with the second heat exchange tube.

6. The header assembly for a heat exchanger as claimed in claim 5, wherein:

multiple sets of first chamber(s) and multiple sets of second chamber(s) are arranged alternately, each of the multiple sets of first chamber(s) comprising one or more first chamber, and each of the multiple sets of second chamber(s) comprising one or more second chamber.

7. The header assembly for a heat exchanger as claimed in claim 5, wherein:

each of the first chamber and second chamber comprises a first compartment located at that side of the first inner tube and second inner tube which is remote from the opening, and a second compartment located at that side of the first inner tube and second inner tube which is close to the opening; the first through-hole and second through-hole lead to the first compartments of the first chamber and second chamber respectively, and the first compartments are in communication with the second compartments.

8. The header assembly for a heat exchanger as claimed in claim 7, wherein:

the first compartment of the first chamber is in communication with the second compartment of the first chamber via a first communication hole formed in at least one of the tube wall of the outer tube, the tube wall of the first inner tube and the tube wall of the second inner tube; and

the first compartment of the second chamber is in communication with the second compartment of the second chamber via a second communication hole formed in at least one of the tube wall of the outer tube, the tube wall of the first inner tube and the tube wall of the second inner tube.

9. The header assembly for a heat exchanger as claimed in claim 8, wherein:

the first through-hole is located at that side of the center line of the first inner tube which is close to the second inner tube, and the first communication hole is located at that side of the first inner tube which is remote from the second inner tube; and

the second through-hole is located at that side of the center line of the second inner tube which is close to the first inner tube, and the second communication hole is located at that side of the second inner tube which is remote from the first inner tube.

10. The header assembly for a heat exchanger as claimed in claim 8, wherein:

the first compartment of the first chamber is in communication with the second compartment of the first chamber via the first communication hole alone; and

the first compartment of the second chamber is in communication with the second compartment of the second chamber via the second communication hole alone.

11. The header assembly for a heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the header assembly is formed by 3D printing.

12. A heat exchanger, comprising:

the header assembly as claimed in claim 1.