HEAT EXCHANGER

A two-phase heat exchanger is disclosed. The heat exchanger includes at least one inlet collector and at least one outlet collector, which are arranged spaced apart with respect to one another in a first direction. A matrix is arranged between and fluidly connected to the inlet collector and the outlet collector. In at least one of the inlet collector and the outlet collector, at least one aperture is arranged, which is spaced apart with respect to an associated collector opening in a second direction running transversely to the first direction. The at least one aperture has aperture openings, which are open in the second direction and through which a flow path of a temperature control medium leads.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to German Application No. DE 10 2022 211 402.7 filed on Oct. 27, 2022, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a two-phase heat exchanger, in particular an evaporator, which has two collectors and a matrix arranged between the collectors, through which a flow path of a temperature control medium leads. The invention relates furthermore to a system with a circuit in which the temperature control medium circulates, and in which such a heat exchanger is incorporated.

BACKGROUND

A flow path of a temperature control medium leads through a heat exchanger. In operation, heat is transferred here by means of the temperature control medium, so that the temperature control medium exchanges heat with a further fluid. Such a heat exchanger typically has two collectors and a channel arrangement running between the collectors, which is also designated as a matrix in the following. The temperature control medium flows via one of the collectors into the heat exchanger and subsequently into the matrix and then out of the heat exchanger via the other collector.

Such a heat exchanger is known for example from DE 10 2014 011 150 A1. The heat exchanger has two collectors and heat exchanger cores arranged between the collectors. An aperture is associated with the respective heat exchanger core, wherein the apertures have different outlet openings.

From EP 792 582 A1 a heat exchanger is known which has an inlet collector and an outlet collector. The inlet collector has an inlet opening for letting in a temperature control medium into the heat exchanger. Upstream of the inlet collector, the heat exchanger has a calibrated nozzle.

KR 2009 0028965 A describes a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger has an inlet collector and an outlet collector, which are arranged lying opposite, wherein a matrix is arranged between the collectors and is fluidically connected to the collectors. The inlet collector has a collector opening for letting in a temperature control medium into the heat exchanger, and the outlet collector has a collector opening for letting out the temperature control medium out from the heat exchanger. An aperture with a central opening is arranged in the respective collector.

SUMMARY

The present invention is concerned with the problem of indicating, for a heat exchanger of the type named in the introduction and for a system with such a heat exchanger, improved or at least different embodiments which in particular eliminate disadvantages which are known from the prior art. In particular, the present invention is concerned with the problem of indicating for the heat exchanger and for the system improved or at least different embodiments which are distinguished by an increased efficiency with, at the same time, an economical implementation and a wide range of application.

This problem is solved according to the invention by the subjects of the independent claim(s). Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The present invention is based accordingly on the general idea of arranging, in at least one collector of a two-phase heat exchanger having two collectors and a channel arrangement arranged between the collectors, an aperture with several openings, through which openings a fluid, flowing in operation through the heat exchanger, also designated in the following as temperature control medium, flows. In this way, a uniform distribution of a liquid phase of the temperature control medium is brought about in the heat exchanger, in particular in the channel arrangement. The uniform distribution of the liquid phase of the temperature control medium leads to an optimized heat transfer in the entire channel arrangement, so that the performance of the heat exchanger is increased. Consequently, a volumetric and gravimetric increase of the performance of the heat exchanger is brought about. As a result, the efficiency of the heat exchanger is improved. The increase in efficiency is achieved by means of the aperture, so that the increase in efficiency is implemented in an economical or respectively cost-neutral manner. Furthermore, the increase in efficiency of the heat exchanger by means of the aperture can be achieved both for small mass flows, for example for a heat pump operation, and also for high mass flows, for example for a high performance operation, so that the heat exchanger has a wide field of application.

In accordance with the idea of the invention, a flow path of the temperature control medium leads through the two-phase heat exchanger, also abbreviated as heat exchanger in the following. The heat exchanger has two collectors spaced apart with respect to one another in a first direction, which are designated in the following as inlet collector and outlet collector. The channel arrangement is arranged between the collectors and is fluidically connected to the collectors. The channel arrangement is also designated as matrix in the following. The inlet collector has a collector opening for letting in the temperature control medium into the heat exchanger, which is also designated as inlet collector opening in the following. The outlet collector has a collector opening for letting out the temperature control medium out from the heat exchanger, which is also designated as outlet collector opening in the following. The flow path thus leads through the inlet collector opening into the inlet collector, from the inlet collector into the matrix, from the matrix into the outlet collector, and through the collector outlet opening out from the outlet collector. In at least one of the collectors, at least one aperture is arranged, which is spaced apart with respect to the associated collector opening in a second direction running transversely to the first direction. The respective aperture has aperture openings, which are open in second direction and through which the flow path leads.

The temperature control medium is distributed by the inlet collector into the matrix. The inlet collector can therefore also be designated as distributor. The temperature control medium flows from the matrix into the outlet collector, is collected there.

The temperature control medium flows in operation expediently in mixed phase, this means in particular that liquid components are contained in the gas phase, into the inlet collector.

This can be realized via a corresponding configuration of a circuit through which the temperature control medium circulates in operation, and in which the heat exchanger is incorporated such that the temperature control medium flows in the liquid phase through the inlet collector opening into the heat exchanger. The circuit, also designated as cooling circuit in the following, and the heat exchanger are components here of a system.

The heat exchanger and/or the system can be used in any desired applications. In particular, it is conceivable to use the heat exchanger and/or the system in a motor vehicle. If two or more apertures are arranged in one of the collectors, the apertures are expediently spaced apart with respect to one another in second direction.

The heat exchanger preferably concerns an evaporator, also commonly “chiller”. The heat exchanger advantageously concerns an indirect heat exchanger, preferably an indirect evaporator.

The temperature control medium can concern any desired fluid. In particular, the temperature control medium concerns a refrigerant or a coolant.

Advantageously, in operation, the heat exchanger, fluidically separated from the temperature control medium, is flowed through by a further fluid, so that the temperature control medium and the further fluid transfer heat in operation in the heat exchanger, in particular in the channel arrangement.

The heat exchanger and the matrix can basically be realized in any desired manner.

In preferred embodiments, the heat exchanger concerns a plate heat exchanger. The plate heat exchanger has consecutive plates in second direction, which form the collectors and the matrix.

Basically, at least one such aperture can be arranged in the respective collector.

In preferred embodiments, the at least one aperture is arranged exclusively in the inlet collector. The knowledge is utilized here that the distribution of the temperature control medium into the matrix takes place via the inlet collector, so that the arrangement of the at least one aperture exclusively in the inlet collector leads to a more economical production of the heat exchanger with, at the same time, increased efficiency and a wide range of application.

The respective at least one aperture can be arranged in any desired manner in the associated inlet collector.

Preferably, at least one of the at least one apertures is arranged in an inlet region of the associated inlet collector.

Basically, the respective collector opening can be open and/or oriented as desired with respect to the associated collector. Embodiments are preferred in which at least one of the collector openings, in particular the inlet collector opening, preferably both collector openings, is open in first direction. A direct flow of the temperature control medium is thus achieved in the direction of the at least one aperture. As a result, a reduced pressure drop occurs in the temperature control medium and a better distribution of the liquid phase of the temperature control medium into the matrix. Consequently, the efficiency of the heat exchanger is increased in this way.

In the respective collector with the at least one aperture any desired number of apertures can be arranged.

Preferably in at least one collector with the at least one aperture, preferably in the respective collector with the at least one aperture, between one and four apertures is arranged. Here, in so far as two or more apertures are arranged in a collector, these are spaced apart with respect to one another in second direction, as explained above. Extensive investigations have shown that with such a number of apertures the efficiency of the heat exchanger is increased, in particular maximized.

Embodiments are deemed to be preferred here in which in at least one collector with the at least one aperture, in particular in the respective collector with the at least one aperture, exclusively a single aperture is arranged. An optimized balance can thus be achieved between simplified and economical implementation and maximizing of the performance.

In particular, exclusively in the inlet collector and in the inlet collector a single such aperture is arranged, whereas the outlet collector is free of such apertures.

The respective aperture can basically have any desired number of collector openings.

Advantageously, at least one of the at least one apertures, preferably the respective aperture, has at least four aperture openings. Preferably, at least one of the at least one apertures, advantageously the respective aperture, has between four and 23 aperture openings. Through extensive investigations, it was established that with such a number of aperture openings an optimum and uniform distribution of the liquid phase of the temperature control medium is achieved in the matrix. Consequently, in this way the efficiency of the heat exchanger is increased.

The respective collector has along the first direction a cross-section which is able to be flowed through, which is also designated in the following as collector through-flow cross-section. The collector through-flow cross-section therefore extends in the first direction and in a third direction running transversely to the first direction and transversely to the second direction, and is flowed through in operation in second direction.

The respective aperture has along the first direction a cross-section which is able to be flowed through, which is also designated in the following as aperture through-flow cross-section. The aperture through-flow cross-section corresponds here to the sum of the cross-sections of the collector openings of the aperture. The aperture through-flow cross-section therefore extends in the first direction and in the third direction and is flowed through in operation in second direction.

In preferred embodiments, the aperture through-flow cross-section corresponds at least to one of the at least one apertures, preferably to the respective aperture, between 8% and 31% of the collector through-flow cross-section of the associated collector. By means of extensive investigations, it was established that such a proportion of the aperture through-flow cross-section leads to an improved, in particular optimized, uniform distribution of the liquid phase of the temperature control medium in the matrix. Consequently, the efficiency of the heat exchanger is further improved.

The respective aperture opening can basically have a cross-section of any desired size.

Embodiments are deemed to be advantageous in which the respective aperture opening has a cross-section between 2 mm2 and 4 mm2, for example 3.1 mm2. Extensive investigations have shown that with such cross-sections of the aperture openings an optimum balance is achieved between a uniform distribution of the liquid phase of the temperature control medium in the matrix and a reduced pressure drop in the temperature control medium. Consequently, the efficiency of the heat exchanger is increased in this way.

The respective collector has an extent running in second direction, which is also designated in the following as collector height.

Advantageously, the respective aperture in the associated collector is arranged at a position between 20% and 80% of the collector height, wherein the position is also designated in the following as aperture height position. This means that the respective aperture is arranged in second direction at an aperture height position which lies between 20% and 80% of the collector height of the associated collector. Preferably, at least one of the at least one apertures, in particular the single aperture, is arranged in second direction centrally in the associated collector, therefore at an aperture height position corresponding to 50% of the collector height. Through extensive investigations it was able to be identified that with such an arrangement of the at least one aperture an improved and more uniform distribution of the liquid phase of the temperature control medium takes place in the matrix. This means that an increased efficiency of the heat exchanger is achieved in this way.

It shall be understood that the heat exchanger can have two or more inlet collectors and/or two or more outlet collectors, wherein in at least one of the collectors at least one such aperture is arranged.

It shall be understood that in addition to the heat exchanger, the system with the heat exchanger also belongs to the scope of this invention.

Further important features and advantages of the invention will emerge from the subclaims, from the drawings and from the associated figure description with the aid of the drawings.

It shall be understood that the features mentioned above and to be explained further in the following are able to be used not only in the respectively indicated combination, but also in other combinations or in isolation, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Preferred example embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained more closely in the following description, wherein the same reference numbers refer to identical or similar or functionally identical components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

There are shown, respectively schematically

FIG. 1 a highly simplified representation, in the manner of a circuit diagram, of a two-phase heat exchanger in a system,

FIG. 2 a schematic representation of the heat exchanger,

FIG. 3 a section through the heat exchanger,

FIG. 4 to FIG. 7 respectively a diagram for explanation of the invention.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A two-phase heat exchanger 1, as is shown for example in FIGS. 1 to 3, can be used in a system 100, shown in a highly simplified manner in FIG. 1. The system 100 comprises a circuit 101, which is also designated as cooling circuit 101 in the following. In operation, a fluid, also designated as temperature control medium in the following, circulates in the cooling circuit 101. The temperature control medium can concern a refrigerant or a coolant. The two-phase heat exchanger 1 is incorporated in the cooling circuit 101, so that a flow path 3 of the temperature control medium leads through the heat exchanger 1. The temperature control medium flows here in the liquid phase into the two-phase heat exchanger 1. As shown only in FIG. 1, the two-phase heat exchanger 1 is flowed through, in addition to the temperature-control medium, by a different fluid fluidically separated from the temperature control medium. This means that a flow path 102, indicated in dashed lines in FIG. 1, of the other fluid leads through the two-phase heat exchanger 1 in a fluidically separated manner from the flow path 3 of the temperature control medium. Thus, in operation, a heat transfer occurs in the two-phase heat exchanger 1 between the temperature control medium and the other fluid. The two-phase heat exchanger 1 is configured for example as an evaporator 4, in particular as an indirect evaporator 4. The two-phase heat exchanger 1 and the system 100 can be used in a motor vehicle 200, which is not shown further in FIG. 1.

The two-phase heat exchanger 1, also designated in abbreviated form as heat exchanger 1 in the following, has, as can be seen in particular from FIG. 3, 2 collectors 5, 6 lying opposite in a first direction R1, namely an inlet collector 5 and an outlet collector 6. The temperature control medium flows via the inlet collector 5 into the heat exchanger 1 and via the outlet collector 6 out from the heat exchanger 1. For this purpose, the inlet collector 5 and the outlet collector 6 have respectively a collector opening 7, 8. The collector opening 7 of the inlet collector 5 is also designated in the following as inlet collector opening 7, and the collector opening 8 of the outlet collector 6 is also designated in the following as outlet collector opening 8. The heat exchanger 1 has, furthermore, a channel arrangement 9, arranged between the collectors 5, 6 and fluidically connected with these. The channel arrangement 9 comprises several channels, not shown further, through which the temperature control medium flows from the inlet collector 5 to the outlet collector 6. The channel arrangement 9 is also designated as matrix 9 in the following. The flow path 3 of the temperature control medium, as indicated in particular in FIG. 2, thus leads in the liquid phase through the inlet collector opening 7 into the inlet collector 5, from the inlet collector 5 through the matrix 9, from the matrix 9 into the outlet collector 5 and through the outlet collector opening 8 out form the outlet collector 6. Here, the temperature control medium, as only indicated in FIG. 2, is distributed in the inlet collector 5 into the matrix 9. In at least one of the collectors 5, 6 at least one aperture 10 is arranged, which is spaced apart with respect to the associated collector opening 7, 8 in a second direction R2 running transversely to the first direction R1. As can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, the respective aperture 10 has aperture openings 11, which are open in second direction R2 and through which the flow path 3 of the temperature control medium leads.

The matrix 9 can have, in addition, channels which are not shown further, through which the flow path 102 of the other fluid leads.

As can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, in the example embodiments which are shown exclusively in the inlet collector 5 at least one such aperture 10 is arranged. As can also be seen from these figures, the respective collector opening 7, 8 is open in second direction R2 in the example embodiments which are shown. Here, the collector openings 7, 8 are open facing away from one another. As can be further seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, in the example embodiments which are shown, a connection piece 14 adjoins the respective collector opening 7, 8.

As indicated in FIG. 2, the aperture 10 leads to the liquid phase of the temperature control medium, which is indicated in a cloud-like manner in FIG. 2, being distributed uniformly in the entire matrix 9. Furthermore, the aperture 10 leads to an acceptable/reduced pressure drop in the temperature control medium. As a result, the efficiency of the heat exchanger 1 is increased with an economical production of the heat exchanger 1. In addition, the heat exchanger 1 can be operated efficiently in this way over a wide spectrum of different mass flows of the temperature control medium.

As can be seen from FIG. 3, the heat exchanger 1 can be configured as a plate heat exchanger 2. The plate heat exchanger 2 has consecutive plates 12 in second direction R2, which form the collectors 5, 6 and the matrix 9.

As indicated in FIG. 3, the respective collector 5, 6 has along the first direction R1 a cross-section which is able to be flowed through in second direction R2, which is also designated in the following as collector through-flow cross-section. The respective aperture 10 has, furthermore, along the first direction R1 a cross-section which is able to be flowed through in second direction R2, which is also designated in the following as aperture through-flow cross-section. The aperture through-flow cross-section corresponds here to the sum of the cross-sections of the aperture openings 11 of the aperture 10. As further indicated in FIG. 3, the respective collector 5, 6 extends along the second direction over a height 13, which is also designated in the following as collector height 13. The respective cross-section thus extends in first direction R1 and a third direction R3 running transversely to the first direction R1 and transversely to the second direction R2.

FIGS. 4 to 7 show the result of extensive investigations as diagrams. In the respective diagram, the efficiency of the heat exchanger 1 is indicated in % on the ordinate axis Y.

FIG. 4 reproduces along the ordinate axis X the number of apertures 10 in the respective collector 5, 6, in particular in the inlet collector 5. As can be seen from FIG. 4, an optimized efficiency of the heat exchanger 1 is achieved in that in the respective collector 5, 6, in particular in the inlet collector 5, between one and four apertures 10 are arranged. A maximizing of the efficiency is achieved with a single aperture 10. Accordingly, in the example embodiments which are shown, one such aperture 10 is arranged exclusively in the inlet collector 5. In addition, in the inlet collector 5 in the example embodiments which are shown, one single such aperture 10 is arranged.

FIG. 5 reproduces along the ordinate axis X the number of aperture openings 11 of the respective aperture 10. As can be seen from FIG. 5, an increased efficiency of the heat exchanger 1 is achieved with a number of at least four aperture openings 11. An optimized efficiency is achieved with a number of between four and 23 aperture openings. FIG. 3 shows here an approximately central section through the heat exchanger 1. As can be seen from FIG. 3, in the example embodiment which is shown the aperture 10 has ten aperture openings 11, only five of which are visible in FIG. 3 owing to the view.

FIG. 6 reproduces along the ordinate axis X the relationship between the collector through-flow cross-section and the aperture through-flow cross-section in %. As can be seen from FIG. 6, an optimized efficiency of the heat exchanger 1 is achieved in that the aperture through-flow cross-section corresponds to between 8% and 31% of the collector through-flow cross-section. In the example embodiments which are shown, the aperture through-flow cross-section corresponds to 15% of the collector through-flow cross-section. The efficiency of the heat exchanger 1 is thus maximized. Here, the respective aperture opening 11 advantageously has a cross-section of between 2 mm2 and 4 mm2, in particular 3.1 mm2.

FIG. 7 indicates along the ordinate axis X the relative position of the aperture 10 with respect to the collector height 13 in %. As can be seen from FIG. 7, the efficiency of the heat exchanger 1 is optimized in that the aperture 10 is arranged in second direction R2 at an aperture height position which lies between 20% and 80% of the collector height 13. In the example embodiments which are shown, the aperture 10 is arranged in second direction R2 centrally in the inlet collector 5. The aperture height position therefore lies at 50% of the collector height 13.

Claims

1. A two-phase heat exchanger, through which a flow path of a temperature control medium leads, the two-phase heat exchanger comprising:

at least one inlet collector and at least one outlet collector, which are arranged spaced apart with respect to one another in a first direction,
a matrix arranged between the at least one inlet collector and the at least one outlet collector and fluidically connected to the at least one inlet collector and the at least one outlet collector,
wherein the at least one inlet collector has an inlet collector opening for letting in the temperature control medium into the heat exchanger, and the at least one outlet collector has an outlet collector opening for letting out the temperature control medium out from the heat exchanger, so that the flow path leads through the inlet collector opening into the at least one inlet collector, from the at least one inlet collector through the matrix, from the matrix into the at least one outlet collector and through the at least one outlet collector opening out from the at least one outlet collector,
wherein in at least one of the at least one inlet collector and the at least one outlet collector, at least one aperture is arranged, which is spaced apart with respect to the associated collector opening in a second direction running transversely to the first direction, and
wherein the at least one aperture has aperture openings, which are open in the second direction and through which the flow path leads.

2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, further comprising consecutive plates arranged in the second direction, which form the at least one inlet collector and the at least one outlet collector and the matrix, so that the heat exchanger is configured as a plate heat exchanger.

3. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the at least one aperture is arranged exclusively in the at least one inlet collector.

4. The heat exchanger according to claim 3, wherein the at least one aperture is arranged in an inlet region of the at least one inlet collector.

5. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the collector openings is open in the second direction.

6. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein in the at least one collector with the at least one aperture, between one and four such apertures are arranged.

7. The heat exchanger according to claim 6, wherein in the at least one collector a single such aperture is arranged.

8. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the at least one aperture has at least four aperture openings.

9. The heat exchanger according to claim 8, wherein the at least one aperture has between four (4) and twenty three (23) aperture openings.

10. The heat exchanger according to one claim 1, wherein:

the at least one collector has a collector through-flow cross-section along the first direction,
the at least one aperture arranged in the at least one collector has along the first direction an aperture through-flow cross-section which corresponds to the sum of the cross-sections of the aperture openings, and
the aperture through-flow cross-section at least of one of the at least one apertures corresponds to between 8% and 31% of the collector through-flow cross-section of the associated collector.

11. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the aperture openings has a cross-section of between 2 mm2 and 4 mm2.

12. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein:

the at least one of the at least one inlet collector and the at least one outlet collector has along the second direction a collector height, and
the at least one associated aperture is arranged in the second direction at an aperture height position which lies between 20% and 80% of the collector height of the at least one associated collector.

13. The heat exchanger according to claim 12, the at least one aperture is arranged in the second direction centrally in the at least one associated collector.

14. A system with, comprising:

a cooling circuit, in which a temperature control medium circulates, and
a two-phase heat exchanger incorporated in the cooling circuit, the two-phase heat exchanger including:
at least one inlet collector and at least one outlet collector, which are arranged spaced apart with respect to one another in a first direction,
a matrix arranged between the at least one inlet collector and the at least one outlet collector and fluidically connected to the at least one inlet collector and the at least one outlet collector,
wherein the at least one inlet collector has an inlet collector opening for receiving the temperature control medium into the heat exchanger, and the at least one outlet collector has an outlet collector opening for discharging the temperature control medium out from the heat exchanger, such that the flow path leads through the inlet collector opening into the at least one inlet collector, from the at least one inlet collector through the matrix, from the matrix into the at least one outlet collector and through the at least one outlet collector opening out from the at least one outlet collector,
wherein in at least one of the at least one inlet collector and the at least one outlet collector, at least one aperture is arranged, which is spaced apart with respect to the associated collector opening in a second direction running transversely to the first direction; and
wherein the at least one aperture has aperture openings, which are open in the second direction and through which the flow path leads;
wherein the temperature control medium flows in a liquid phase through the inlet collector opening into the two-phase heat exchanger.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the two-phase heat exchanger includes a plurality of plates arranged in the second direction, the plurality of plates forming the at least one inlet collector, the at least one outlet collector, and the matrix, so that the two-phase heat exchanger is configured as a plate heat exchanger.

16. The system according to claim 14, wherein the at least one aperture is arranged exclusively in the at least one inlet collector.

17. The system according to claim 14, wherein the at least one aperture is arranged in an inlet region of the at least one inlet collector.

18. The system according to claim 14, wherein at least one of the collector openings is open in the second direction.

19. The system according to claim 14, wherein the at least one aperture includes at least four aperture openings.

20. The system according to claim 14, wherein at least one of the aperture openings has a cross-section of between 2 mm2 and 4 mm2.

Patent History
Publication number: 20240142177
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 26, 2023
Publication Date: May 2, 2024
Inventors: Andreas Draenkow (Heimsheim), Tobias Isermeyer (Loewenstein), Gustavo Fuga Santos (Gerlingen), Markus Wesner (Stuttgart), Jichao Zhao (Hemmingen)
Application Number: 18/384,373
Classifications
International Classification: F28D 9/00 (20060101);