Heat exchange components and heat exchangers

Abstract

This suppresses the reduction in the contact area between the covering member and the outer surface of the first structure. [Solution] The heat exchange member 5 comprises a first structure 1, a second structure 2, and a covering member 4. In the first structure 1, a flow path is provided inside the axially extending cylindrical outer peripheral wall 11, extending along its entire axial length. The second structure 2 is a cylindrical member extending along its axial length. The second structure 2 has an end face 24 that contacts the axial end face 14 of the first structure 1. The covering member 4 is a cylindrical member extending along its axial length. The covering member 4 covers and contacts the outer peripheral surface 13 of the first structure 1 along its entire axial length. The covering member 4 extends from the end face 14 of the first structure 1 towards the second structure 2, covering at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface 23 of the second structure 2. The outer diameter of the end face 24 of the second structure 2 is smaller than the outer diameter of the end face 14 of the first structure 1. This makes it possible to suppress a reduction in the contact area between the outer peripheral surface 13 of the first structure 1 and the covering member 4.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat exchange member and a heat exchanger. [Background Art]

[0002] In recent years, there has been a demand for improved fuel efficiency in automobiles. For example, in order to improve fuel efficiency when the engine temperature is low such as during engine startup, there is a demand for a technology that rapidly raises the temperature of engine oil, automatic transmission fluid (ATF), etc., and reduces friction loss. In addition to automobiles, in various factories such as metal factories, ceramic factories, pulp and paper factories, chemical factories, and food factories, from the perspective of CO2 reduction and energy saving measures toward carbon neutrality, it is required to effectively utilize thermal energy contained in exhaust gas, hot water, steam, and the like.

[0003] To meet these technical requirements, for example, heat exchangers are used. In the heat exchanger, heat is recovered from a high-temperature fluid (e.g., exhaust gas) and transferred to a low-temperature fluid (e.g., cooling water). The heat transferred to cooling water or the like is used for various purposes as described above.

[0004] As a heat exchange member used in such a heat exchanger, for example, one including a cylindrical honeycomb structure serving as a flow path for a first fluid, and a cylindrical metal tube covering an outer peripheral surface of the honeycomb structure has been proposed (Patent Document 1). In the heat exchange member, heat exchange is performed between a first fluid flowing inside the honeycomb structure and a second fluid flowing on an outer peripheral surface side of the metal tube.

[0005] The heat exchange member is formed by fitting a honeycomb structure having a smaller length in the longitudinal direction than the metal tube into a metal tube having an inner diameter equal to or smaller than the outer diameter of the honeycomb structure by shrink fitting, press fitting, or the like. Therefore, in the metal tube, the portion covering the outer peripheral surface of the honeycomb structure is deformed to have a larger diameter than the portion extending outward in the longitudinal direction from the longitudinal end face of the honeycomb structure, and is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the honeycomb structure.

[0006] Patent Document 1 also proposes providing cylindrical rings on both ends of the honeycomb structure in the longitudinal direction. The rings are cylindrical members having the same outer diameter as the outer diameter of the honeycomb structure and are provided in contact with the end faces of the honeycomb structure. In this heat exchange member, the flow of the first fluid flowing into the honeycomb structure is disturbed by the rings, thereby promoting heat exchange between the first fluid and the second fluid. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6145001 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] Incidentally, in heat exchange members such as those described in Patent Document 1, when a honeycomb structure is fitted to a metal pipe by shrink fitting or press-fitting, a portion of the metal pipe may bulge radially outward at the longitudinal end of the honeycomb structure, causing it to separate from the outer surface of the honeycomb structure. Here, if we refer to the honeycomb structure and the metal pipe as the first structure and the covering member, respectively, in this heat exchange member, the covering member may partially separate from the outer surface of the first structure, reducing the contact area between the covering member and the outer surface of the first structure, which may decrease the heat transfer efficiency between the first structure and the covering member.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and aims to suppress the reduction in the contact area between the covering member and the outer surface of the first structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The invention of Embodiment 1 is a heat exchange member comprising: a first structure having a flow path extending along the entire length in the axial direction inside a cylindrical outer wall extending in the axial direction; a second structure having a cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction and a second end face that contacts a first end face which is the end face of the first structure in the axial direction; and a covering member having a cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction that covers and contacts the outer surface of the first structure along its entire length in the axial direction, and extends from the first end face toward the second structure and covers at least a part of the outer surface of the second structure. The outer diameter of the second end face of the second structure is smaller than the outer diameter of the first end face of the first structure.

[0011] The invention of embodiment 2 is a heat exchange member of embodiment 1, wherein the first structure has partition walls that divide the flow path and form a plurality of cells extending in the axial direction.

[0012] The invention of embodiment 3 is a heat exchange member according to embodiment 1 (or embodiment 1 or 2), wherein the inner diameter of the second end face of the second structure is greater than or equal to the inner diameter of the first end face of the first structure.

[0013] The invention of Embodiment 4 is a heat exchange member according to Embodiment 1 (which may be any one of Embodiments 1 to 3), wherein the outer diameter of the second end face of the second structure is 0.7 times or more and 0.99 times or less the outer diameter of the first end face of the first structure.

[0014] The invention of Embodiment 5 is a heat exchange member according to Embodiment 1 (which may be any one of Embodiments 1 to 4), wherein the length of the second structure in the axial direction is longer than 0.01 times the outer diameter of the first end face of the first structure.

[0015] The invention of embodiment 6 is a heat exchange member according to embodiment 1 (which may be any one of embodiments 1 to 5), wherein the radial thickness of the second end face of the second structure is 0.1 mm or more and 10 mm or less.

[0016] The invention of aspect 7 is the heat exchange member according to aspect 1 (which may be any one of aspects 1 to 6), wherein the coefficient of thermal expansion of the first structural body is smaller than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the covering member.

[0017] The invention of aspect 8 is the heat exchange member according to aspect 1 (which may be any one of aspects 1 to 7), wherein the covering member is made of metal, and the first structural body is made of ceramics.

[0018] The invention of aspect 9 is the heat exchange member according to aspect 1 (which may be any one of aspects 1 to 8), wherein an outer peripheral portion at an end portion of the second structural body opposite to the second end surface has a chamfered shape.

[0019] The invention of aspect 10 is the heat exchange member according to aspect 1 (which may be any one of aspects 1 to 9), wherein an inner peripheral portion at an end portion of the second structural body opposite to the second end surface has a chamfered shape.

[0020] The invention of aspect 11 is the heat exchange member according to aspect 1 (which may be any one of aspects 1 to 10), wherein the covering member has an extension portion extending outward beyond a third end surface, which is an end surface of the second structural body opposite to the second end surface in the axial direction. An outer diameter of the extension portion is smaller than an outer diameter of the third end surface of the second structural body.

[0021] The invention of aspect 12 is a heat exchanger, comprising: the heat exchange member according to any one of aspects 1 to 11; and a housing that covers an outer peripheral surface of the heat exchange member in a state of being spaced outward from the outer peripheral surface of the heat exchange member. In a space between the outer peripheral surface of the heat exchange member and the housing, there exists a second fluid that exchanges heat via the heat exchange member with a first fluid flowing through a flow path of the heat exchange member. Effects of the Invention

[0022] According to the present invention, a reduction in the contact area between the covering member and the outer peripheral surface of the first structural body can be suppressed. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view of a heat exchanger according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view of a heat exchange member. [Figure 3] It is a side view of the heat exchange member. [Figure 4] It is a cross-sectional view of the heat exchange member. [Figure 5] It is a front view of the first structure. [Figure 6] It is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the heat exchange member. [Figure 7] It is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the heat exchange member. [Figure 8] It is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the heat exchange member. [Figure 9] It is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the heat exchange member. [Figure 10] It is a perspective view of another heat exchanger. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a heat exchanger 7 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The heat exchanger 7 is, for example, mounted on an automobile and used for heat recovery from exhaust gas of the automobile. In FIG. 1, three mutually orthogonal directions are indicated by arrows as an X direction, a Y direction, and a Z direction. The same applies to other drawings described below. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the heat exchanger 7 is a substantially cylindrical member extending in the Y direction. The shape of the heat exchanger 7 may be modified in various ways.

[0025] The heat exchanger 7 comprises a housing 6 and a heat exchange member 5 housed inside the housing 6. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the heat exchange member 5. Figure 3 is a side view of the heat exchange member 5 viewed from the (+X) side. In Figure 3, the covering member 4 (described later) of the heat exchange member 5 is shown in cross-section to facilitate understanding of the figure. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the heat exchange member 5 cut at position IV-IV in Figure 3. Figure 5 is a front view of the first structure 1 (described later) of the heat exchange member 5 viewed from the (-Y) side. Figure 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the (-Y) and (+Z) ends of the heat exchange member 5. Note that in Figures 1 and 2, the cell 17 (described later) and other elements at the (-Y) end of the heat exchange member 5 are omitted from the illustration.

[0026] The heat exchange member 5 is a substantially cylindrical member centered on a central axis J1 that extends parallel to the Y direction. In the following description, the Y direction, which is the direction in which the central axis J1 extends, will also be referred to as the "axial direction". The heat exchange member 5 comprises a first structure 1, a second structure 2, and a covering member 4. In the example shown in Figures 2 and 3, the heat exchange member 5 comprises two second structures 2. These two second structures 2 are arranged adjacent to the (+Y) side and (-Y) side (i.e., both sides in the Y direction) of the first structure 1.

[0027] The first structure 1 is a substantially cylindrical member extending substantially parallel to the Y direction with a central axis J1 as its center. Each second structure 2 and covering member 4 is a substantially cylindrical member extending substantially parallel to the Y direction with a central axis J1 as its center. In the examples shown in Figures 2 and 3, the shapes of the two second structures 2 are substantially the same. The covering member 4 covers the outer circumferential surface 13 of the first structure 1 and the outer circumferential surfaces 23 of the two second structures 2 from the outside in the radial direction (hereinafter also simply referred to as the "radial direction") with respect to the central axis J1. In this specification, "covering an object from the radial outside" means being positioned radially outside the object and overlapping it radially, and may or may not be in contact with the object.

[0028] The first structure 1 and the two second structures 2 are fitted inside the covering member 4, for example, by shrink fitting or press fitting. The method of fixing the first structure 1 and the second structures 2 and the covering member 4 is not particularly limited, as long as they are fixed by fitting (i.e., in a state of being fitted together with each other). For example, the fixing method may be a pressure fit or a crevice fit.

[0029] The first structure 1 is, for example, a honeycomb structure in which a plurality of cells 17 extending substantially parallel to the Y direction (i.e., the axial direction) are provided inside. The plurality of cells 17 are provided over substantially the entire length of the first structure 1 in the Y direction. The cells 17 are "first flow paths" through which a fluid such as a gas, liquid, or gas-liquid two-phase fluid (hereinafter also referred to as "first fluid") can pass. The first fluid is, for example, exhaust gas discharged from a burner, internal combustion engine, various factories, etc.

[0030] The first structure 1 comprises a cylindrical outer wall 11 and a partition wall 18. In the example shown in Figure 5, the outer wall 11 is a substantially cylindrical portion extending substantially parallel to the Y direction with respect to the central axis J1. The length of the outer wall 11 in the Y direction is substantially the same as the total length of the first structure 1 in the Y direction. The total length of the first structure 1 in the Y direction is, for example, 1 mm to 500 mm.

[0031] In the first structure 1, the outer surface 13 of the outer wall 11 is covered by the covering member 4 over substantially its entire length in the Y direction. The outer surface 13 of the outer wall 11 is in direct contact with the inner surface 46 of the covering member 4 over substantially its entire surface. Alternatively, the outer surface 13 of the outer wall 11 and the inner surface 46 of the covering member 4 may be indirectly in contact with each other, for example, through an intermediate member such as a substantially cylindrical graphite sheet.

[0032] The outer diameter of the outer periphery wall 11 of the first structure 1 (i.e., the diameter of the outer periphery surface 13 in a cross-section perpendicular to the central axis J1) is approximately the same at any position in the Y direction. The outer diameter of the outer periphery wall 11 is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the covering member 4. Before the first structure 1 and the second structure 2 are inserted into and fitted inside the covering member 4, the inner diameter of the covering member 4 is slightly smaller (for example, 0.1 mm or more) than the outer diameter of the outer periphery wall 11.

[0033] The inner diameter of the outer peripheral wall 11 is approximately the same at any position in the Y direction. The inner diameter of the outer peripheral wall 11 is, for example, 30 mm to 300 mm. The thickness of the outer peripheral wall 11 in the radial direction is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 0.1 mm to 10 mm, preferably 0.5 mm to 5 mm, and more preferably 1 mm to 3 mm. The internal space 100 of the outer peripheral wall 11 (i.e., the space radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the outer peripheral wall 11) is a substantially cylindrical space extending substantially parallel to the Y direction with the central axis J1 as the center.

[0034] The partition wall 18 extends substantially parallel to the Y direction in the internal space 100 described above, and partitions the internal space 100 to form the plurality of cells 17 described above. In other words, the plurality of cells 17 are partitioned by the partition wall 18 in the internal space 100 of the outer peripheral wall 11. The length of the partition wall 18 in the Y direction is substantially the same as the total length of the first structure 1 in the Y direction. The length of the cells 17 in the Y direction is also substantially the same as the total length of the first structure 1 in the Y direction. The shape of the partition wall 18 in a cross section perpendicular to the Y direction is substantially the same at any position in the Y direction. In the example shown in Figure 5, when viewed along the Y direction (i.e., front view), the partition wall 18 comprises a plurality of concentric partition wall elements centered on the central axis J1, and a plurality of partition wall elements extending radially in the radial direction from the central axis J1.

[0035] The shape of each cell 17 in a cross-section perpendicular to the Y direction (hereinafter also simply referred to as the "cross-sectional shape") is substantially the same at any position in the Y direction. In the example shown in Figure 5, the cross-sectional shapes of multiple cells 17 are substantially sectors centered on the central axis J1, or substantially partial rings centered on the central axis J1 (i.e., shapes corresponding to a part of a ring).

[0036] Multiple cells 17 are arranged concentrically around the central axis J1. Groups of cells 17 located at the same position in the radial direction are arranged at approximately equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction (hereinafter also simply referred to as the "circumferential direction") around the central axis J1. The thickness of the partition wall 18 located between each pair of adjacent cells 17 in the circumferential direction is approximately the same as the thickness of the partition wall 18 located between each pair of adjacent cells 17 in the radial direction, and in the following description, these thicknesses will also be simply referred to as the "thickness of the partition wall 18". The thickness of the partition wall 18 is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 0.05 mm to 1.0 mm, and preferably 0.2 mm to 0.8 mm. This ensures the mechanical strength of the first structure 1 and suppresses the increase in pressure loss when the first fluid passes through the multiple cells 17 of the first structure 1.

[0037] The thickness of the partition wall 18 is, for example, thinner than the thickness of the outer peripheral wall 11. The thickness of the outer peripheral wall 11 is, for example, 1.1 to 15 times the thickness of the partition wall 18, preferably 1.2 to 10 times the thickness of the partition wall 18. This improves the resistance of the first structure 1 to external impacts. The porosity of the outer peripheral wall 11 and the partition wall 18 is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 25% or less, preferably 20% or less, and more preferably 15% or less. This improves the thermal conductivity of the first structure 1. The porosity is measured by the mercury intrusion method in accordance with "JIS R1655:2003".

[0038] The cell density of cell 17 is not particularly limited, but for example, 4 cells / cm³ 2 ~320 cells / cm 2 The cell density is 4 cells / cm². 2 By doing so, the strength of the partition wall 18, the strength of the first structure 1, and the effective GSA (geometric surface area) of the first structure 1 can be ensured. Furthermore, the cell density is set to 320 cells / cm². 2 By doing the following, the increase in pressure loss when the first fluid passes through multiple cells 17 of the first structure 1 can be suppressed. The cell density is the total number of multiple cells 17 in a front view, and the area (cm²) of the region inside the inner surface of the outer peripheral wall 11. 2It can be found by dividing by ).

[0039] Furthermore, the cell density of cell 17 is not limited to the range described above and may be changed as appropriate. Also, the cross-sectional shape of cell 17 is not limited to a roughly sector or a roughly partial ring, but may be changed in various ways, such as a roughly square, a roughly rectangle, a roughly hexagon, or a roughly circular shape. Moreover, the arrangement of cell 17 is not limited to the above example and may be changed in various ways. For example, a plurality of roughly square-shaped cells 17 partitioned by a grid-like partition wall in a front view may be arranged in a matrix at roughly equal intervals in the X and Z directions.

[0040] The isostatic strength of the first structure 1 is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 10 MPa (megapascals) or more, preferably 20 MPa or more, and more preferably 50 MPa or more. This improves the durability of the first structure 1. The isostatic strength was measured in accordance with the isostatic strength measurement method specified in JASO standard M505-87, an automotive standard issued by the Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan.

[0041] The thermal conductivity of the first structure 1 is not particularly limited, but for example, it is 50 W / (m·K) or more at 25°C. The thermal conductivity of the first structure 1 at 25°C is preferably 100 W / (m·K) to 300 W / (m·K), and more preferably 120 W / (m·K) to 300 W / (m·K). This improves the thermal conductivity of the first structure 1. The thermal conductivity is measured by the laser flash method (JIS R1611:1997).

[0042] The first structure 1 is a component mainly composed of ceramics. This makes it possible to increase the thermal conductivity of the first structure 1. Examples of such ceramics include silicon carbide (SiC), recrystallized SiC, Si-impregnated SiC (i.e., SiC impregnated with metallic Si), metal-composite SiC, Si3N4, etc. From the viewpoint of increasing thermal conductivity, it is preferable that the first structure 1 is formed from ceramics mainly composed of SiC. In this specification, "mainly composed of ceramics" means that it contains 50% by mass or more of ceramics. Furthermore, "ceramics mainly composed of SiC" means that the SiC content in the ceramics is 50% by mass or more.

[0043] From the viewpoint of further increasing thermal conductivity, it is preferable that the first structure 1 is formed from ceramics mainly composed of Si-impregnated SiC. The thermal conductivity of the first structure 1 increases as the amount of metallic Si impregnated increases. In this specification, "ceramics mainly composed of Si-impregnated SiC" means that the Si-impregnated SiC content in the ceramics is 50% by mass or more.

[0044] As described above, in the heat exchange member 5, two second structures 2 are arranged on the (+Y) side and the (-Y) side of the first structure 1. One end face 24 of the second structure 2 in the Y direction contacts each of the two end faces 14 of the first structure 1 in the Y direction. Specifically, the (-Y) side end face 24 of the second structure 2 located on the (-Y) side of the first structure 1 contacts the (-Y) side end face 14 of the first structure 1 over substantially the entire surface of the end face 24. Similarly, the (-Y) side end face 24 of the second structure 2 located on the (+Y) side of the first structure 1 contacts the (+Y) side end face 14 of the first structure 1 over substantially the entire surface of the end face 24.

[0045] Here, if we refer to both end faces 14 of the first structure 1 as the "first end face," and the end face 24 of each second structure 2 on the side of the first structure 1 (i.e., the side closer to the first structure 1 in the Y direction) as the "second end face," then the second end face of each second structure 2 is in contact with substantially the entire surface of the first end face and the second end face of the first structure 1.

[0046] In the heat exchange member 5, the outer circumferential surface 23 of each second structure 2 is covered by the covering member 4 over substantially its entire length in the Y direction. Except for the vicinity of the end face 25 opposite to the second end face (i.e., end face 24) of the second structure 2, the outer circumferential surface 23 of each second structure 2 is spaced radially inward from the inner circumferential surface 46 of the covering member 4 over substantially its entire length in the Y direction. That is, on the radially outer side of each second structure 2, there is a gap located between the end face 24 and the end face 25 with respect to the Y direction. This gap is a substantially annular space centered on the central axis J1, formed between the outer circumferential surface 23 of the second structure 2 and the inner circumferential surface 46 of the covering member 4.

[0047] Specifically, in the second structure 2 located on the (-Y) side of the first structure 1, the outer circumferential surface 23 is in contact with the inner circumferential surface 46 of the covering member 4 over almost its entire circumference near the (-Y) side end face 25, which is the end face furthest from the first structure 1 in the Y direction, while in other parts the outer circumferential surface 23 is spaced radially inward from the inner circumferential surface 46 of the covering member 4. Similarly, in the second structure 2 located on the (+Y) side of the first structure 1, the outer circumferential surface 23 is in contact with the inner circumferential surface 46 of the covering member 4 over almost its entire circumference near the (+Y) side end face 25, which is the end face furthest from the first structure 1 in the Y direction, while in other parts the outer circumferential surface 23 is spaced radially inward from the inner circumferential surface 46 of the covering member 4.

[0048] Here, if we refer to the end face 25 of each second structure 2 on the side opposite to the first structure 1 (i.e., the side further from the first structure 1 in the Y direction) as the "third end face," then the outer circumferential surface 23 of each second structure 2 contacts the inner circumferential surface 46 of the covering member 4 over almost the entire circumference in the circumferential direction, but only near the third end face. The third end face is the end face of the second structure 2 opposite to the second end face.

[0049] The outer diameter of each second structure 2 (i.e., the diameter of the outer circumferential surface 23 in a cross-section perpendicular to the Y direction) is approximately the same at any position in the Y direction. The outer diameter of each second structure 2 is smaller than the outer diameter of the first structure 1 (i.e., the outer diameter of the outer circumferential wall 11). The outer diameter of the second structure 2 is preferably 0.7 times or more, more preferably 0.75 times or more, and even more preferably 0.8 times or more, than the outer diameter of the first structure 1. The outer diameter of the second structure 2 is preferably 0.99 times or less, more preferably 0.95 times or less, and even more preferably 0.9 times or less, than the outer diameter of the first structure 1. Focusing on the contact area between the first structure 1 and the second structure 2, the outer diameter of the end face 24 of the second structure 2 (i.e., the second end face which is the end face closer to the first structure 1) is smaller than the outer diameter of the end face 14 of the first structure 1 (i.e., the first end face). Preferably, the outer diameter of the end face 24 of the second structure 2 is 0.7 times or more and 0.99 times or less the outer diameter of the end face 14 of the first structure 1.

[0050] The outer diameter of each second structure 2 is, for example, greater than or equal to the inner diameter of the first structure 1 (i.e., the inner diameter of the outer peripheral wall 11). Focusing on the contact area between the first structure 1 and the second structure 2, the outer diameter of the end face 24 of the second structure 2 is, for example, greater than or equal to the inner diameter of the end face 14 of the first structure 1. In the example shown in Figure 6, the outer diameter of the end face 24 of the second structure 2 is greater than the inner diameter of the end face 14 of the first structure 1.

[0051] The inner diameter of each second structure 2 (i.e., the diameter of the inner circumferential surface in a cross-section perpendicular to the Y direction) may be greater than or equal to the inner diameter of the first structure 1, or less than the inner diameter of the first structure 1. In the example shown in Figure 6, the inner diameter of each second structure 2 is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the first structure 1. Focusing on the contact area between the first structure 1 and the second structure 2, the inner diameter of the end face 24 of the second structure 2 is, for example, approximately the same as the inner diameter of the end face 14 of the first structure 1.

[0052] The radial thickness of each end face 24 of the second structure 2 (i.e., half the difference between the outer diameter and the inner diameter) is preferably 0.1 mm or more, more preferably 0.5 mm or more, and even more preferably 1 mm or more. The radial thickness of each end face 24 of the second structure 2 is preferably 10 mm or less, more preferably 5 mm or less, and even more preferably 3 mm or less. Furthermore, the radial thickness of each end face 24 of the second structure 2 is preferably less than or equal to the radial thickness of the end face 14 of the outer peripheral wall 11 of the first structure 1. It is also preferable that the radial thickness of each end face 24 of the second structure 2 is half or more of the radial thickness of the end face 14 of the outer peripheral wall 11. That is, the radial thickness of each end face 24 of the second structure 2 is preferably 50% or more of the radial thickness of the end face 14 of the first structure 1, and preferably 100% or less.

[0053] The length of each second structure 2 in the Y direction is preferably longer than 0.01 times the outer diameter at the end face 14 of the first structure 1, more preferably 0.05 times or more the outer diameter, and even more preferably 0.1 times or more the outer diameter. The length of each second structure 2 in the Y direction is preferably 0.2 times or less the outer diameter at the end face 14 of the first structure 1, more preferably 0.15 times or less the outer diameter, and even more preferably 0.12 times or less the outer diameter. In the example shown in Figure 3, the length of each second structure 2 in the Y direction is shorter than the length of the first structure 1 in the Y direction. Note that the length of each second structure 2 in the Y direction may be greater than or equal to the length of the first structure 1 in the Y direction.

[0054] The material of the second structure 2 is not particularly limited, but preferably, the second structure 2 is formed from a metal that has high heat resistance, thermal shock resistance, corrosion resistance, and thermal conductivity. The second structure 2 is formed from, for example, iron, stainless steel, carbon steel, brass, aluminum, aluminum alloy, copper, copper alloy, titanium, titanium alloy, nickel, nickel alloy, etc.

[0055] In the heat exchange member 5 illustrated in Figures 3 and 6, as described above, the covering member 4 covers the outer peripheral surface 13 of the first structure 1 over substantially the entire length of the first structure 1 in the Y direction. The covering member 4 extends from the (+Y) side end face 14 of the first structure 1 to the (+Y) side (i.e., to the second structure 2 located on the (+Y) side of the first structure 1). The covering member 4 also extends from the (-Y) side end face 14 of the first structure 1 to the (-Y) side (i.e., to the second structure 2 located on the (-Y) side of the first structure 1). The covering member 4 covers the outer peripheral surface 23 of each second structure 2 over substantially the entire length of each second structure 2 in the Y direction.

[0056] As described above, the inner circumferential surface 46 of the covering member 4 is in direct or indirect contact with the outer circumferential surface 13 of the first structure 1 over substantially the entire length of the first structure 1 in the Y direction. Furthermore, the inner circumferential surface 46 of the covering member 4 is in contact with the outer circumferential surface 23 of the second structure 2 only in the vicinity of the end face 25 of each second structure 2 (i.e., the third end face which is the end face furthest from the first structure 1 in the Y direction), and is radially separated outward from other parts of the outer circumferential surface 23 of the second structure 2.

[0057] In the examples shown in Figures 3 and 6, the covering member 4 extends outward in the Y direction beyond the end faces 25 of each second structure 2. Specifically, the (-Y) end of the covering member 4 extends (-Y) further than the (-Y) end face 25 of the second structure 2 located on the (-Y) side of the first structure 1. Also, the (+Y) end of the covering member 4 extends (+Y) further than the (+Y) end face 25 of the second structure 2 located on the (+Y) side of the first structure 1. In other words, the (-Y) edge of the covering member 4 (i.e., the opening on the (-Y) side of the covering member 4) is located (-Y) further than the (-Y) end face 25 of the second structure 2 located on the (-Y) side of the first structure 1. Furthermore, the (+Y) side edge of the covering member 4 (i.e., the opening on the (+Y) side of the covering member 4) is located on the (+Y) side of the end face 25 on the (+Y) side of the second structure 2, which is positioned on the (+Y) side of the first structure 1. In the following description, the portion of the covering member 4 that extends outward in the Y direction beyond the end face 25 of each second structure 2 will also be referred to as the "extended portion 49".

[0058] The inner diameter of the covering member 4 (i.e., the diameter of the inner circumferential surface 46 in a cross-section perpendicular to the Y direction) is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the first structure 1 in the region where it overlaps with the first structure 1 in the radial direction. In the region where the covering member 4 and the second structure 2 overlap in the radial direction, the inner diameter of the covering member 4 is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the first structure 1 in the region close to the first structure 1 with respect to the Y direction, and decreases as it moves away from the first structure 1 in the Y direction. Then, at the same position as the end face 25 of the second structure 2 with respect to the Y direction, the inner diameter of the covering member 4 is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the second structure 2.

[0059] In each extended portion 49 of the covering member 4, the inner diameter of the covering member 4 decreases as it moves away from the end face 25 of the second structure 2 in the Y direction, and then remains substantially constant. Similarly, in the extended portion 49 of the covering member 4, the outer diameter of the covering member 4 (i.e., the diameter of the outer surface in a cross-section perpendicular to the Y direction) also decreases as it moves away from the end face 25 of the second structure 2 in the Y direction, and then remains substantially constant.

[0060] In the example shown in Figure 6, at the edge of the extended portion 49 in the Y direction (i.e., the edge of the covering member 4 in the Y direction), the inner diameter of the extended portion 49 is smaller than the outer diameter of the end face 25 of the second structure 2. Also, at the aforementioned edge of the extended portion 49, the outer diameter of the extended portion 49 is also smaller than the outer diameter of the end face 25 of the second structure 2. At the aforementioned edge of the extended portion 49, the outer diameter of the extended portion 49 is larger than the inner diameter of the end face 25 of the second structure 2. At the aforementioned edge of the extended portion 49, the inner diameter of the extended portion 49 is, for example, greater than or equal to the inner diameter of the end face 25 of the second structure 2, and in the example shown in Figure 6, it is larger than the inner diameter of the end face 25 of the second structure 2.

[0061] The radial thickness of the covering member 4 is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of ease of plastic deformation, heating properties, heat capacity, corrosion resistance, etc., it is, for example, 0.1 mm to 10 mm, preferably 0.2 mm to 5 mm, and more preferably 0.5 mm to 3 mm.

[0062] The covering member 4 is a material that is substantially impermeable to fluids such as gases, liquids, and gas-liquid two-phase fluids. Therefore, the first fluid flowing inside the first structure 1 (i.e., the multiple cells 17) is prevented from permeating the covering member 4 and leaking out from the outer surface of the covering member 4 to the outside. In addition, the thermal expansion coefficient of the covering member 4 is greater than that of the first structure 1. The material of the covering member 4 is not particularly limited, but preferably, the covering member 4 is formed from a metal that has high heat resistance, thermal shock resistance, corrosion resistance, and high thermal conductivity. The covering member 4 can be formed from, for example, iron, stainless steel, carbon steel, brass, aluminum, aluminum alloy, copper, copper alloy, titanium, titanium alloy, nickel, nickel alloy, etc.

[0063] The covering member 4 may be fixed to two second structures 2 located on the (+Y) and (-Y) sides of the first structure 1 by welding, soldering, or the like. This allows for a stronger fixation between the covering member 4 and each of the second structures 2. As a result, relative displacement of the first structure 1 with respect to the covering member 4 in the Y direction can be prevented. The covering member 4 may be formed from the same type of metal as the second structures 2. This facilitates welding between the covering member 4 and the second structures 2. The second structures 2 and the covering member 4 may each be formed from metals other than those mentioned above, or from materials other than metal. Furthermore, the second structures 2 and the covering member 4 may be formed from different materials.

[0064] When the heat exchange member 5 is formed, as described above, the first structure 1 and the two second structures 2 are fitted inside the covering member 4 by, for example, shrink fitting or press-fitting. When the heat exchange member 5 is formed by press-fitting, first the covering member 4, the first structure 1, and the two second structures 2 are prepared. The inner diameter of the covering member 4 before assembly is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the first structure 1 and the outer diameter of the second structures 2. Then, for example, the second structures 2, the first structure 1, and the other second structure 2 are press-fitted in this order toward the (-Y) direction from the opening on the (+Y) side of the covering member 4 into the inside of the covering member 4 (i.e., the space radially inside the covering member 4). As a result, the inner circumferential surface 46 of the covering member 4 and the outer circumferential surface 13 of the first structure 1 are in close contact, and the inner circumferential surface 46 of the covering member 4 and the outer circumferential surface 23 of the second structure 2 come into contact near the end faces 25 of each second structure 2. As a result, the first structure 1 and the two second structures 2 are fixed to the covering member 4.

[0065] When the heat exchange member 5 is formed by shrink-fitting, the covering member 4, the first structure 1, and the two second structures 2 are prepared in substantially the same manner as when the heat exchange member 5 is formed by the press-fitting method described above. Subsequently, the covering member 4 is heated and its temperature rises, causing it to expand and slightly increase its inner diameter. In this state, for example, the second structure 2, the first structure 1, and another second structure 2 are press-fitted in this order toward the (-Y) direction from the (+Y) side opening of the covering member 4 into the inside of the covering member 4. As a result, the inner circumferential surface 46 of the covering member 4 and the outer circumferential surface 13 of the first structure 1 come into close contact, and the inner circumferential surface 46 of the covering member 4 and the outer circumferential surface 23 of the second structure 2 come into contact near the end face 25 of the second structure 2. Then, as the covering member 4 cools down, it is strongly pressed against the first structure 1 and each of the second structures 2 from the radially outward direction. As a result, the first structure 1 and the two second structures 2 are fixed to the covering member 4.

[0066] In the heat exchange member 5, the covering member 4 only needs to extend from the end face 14 of the first structure 1 toward the second structure 2 and cover at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface 23 of the second structure 2; it is not necessarily required to cover the outer circumferential surface 23 of the second structure 2 over its entire length.

[0067] In the heat exchange member 5, it is not necessarily required that two second structures 2 be provided on both sides of the first structure 1 in the Y direction; the second structure 2 may be provided only on the (+Y) side or only on the (-Y) side of the first structure 1.

[0068] In the example shown in Figure 1, the housing 6 of the heat exchanger 7 is a substantially cylindrical member centered on the central axis J1. As described above, the heat exchange member 5 is housed inside the housing 6. In the example shown in Figure 1, the housing 6 is a substantially cylindrical member extending in the Y direction with the central axis J1 as the center. The length of the housing 6 in the Y direction is, for example, longer than the length of the heat exchange member 5 in the Y direction. The (-Y) side opening of the housing 6 is located on the (-Y) side of the (-Y) side opening of the covering member 4 of the heat exchange member 5. The (+Y) side opening of the housing 6 is located on the (+Y) side of the (+Y) side opening of the covering member 4 of the heat exchange member 5. In other words, the housing 6 extends beyond the heat exchange member 5 on both the (-Y) and (+Y) sides.

[0069] The housing 6 comprises a central outer wall portion 61 and two outer wall end portions 62. The two outer wall end portions 62 are airtight and liquid-tightly connected to both ends of the central outer wall portion 61 in the Y direction. The central outer wall portion 61 and the two outer wall end portions 62 are each substantially cylindrical portions extending in the Y direction with respect to the central axis J1. In the example shown in Figure 1, the length of the housing 6 in the Y direction is shorter than the length of the covering member 4 in the Y direction. The (-Y) side edge of the housing 6 is located on the (+Y) side than the (-Y) side edge of the covering member 4 (i.e., the (-Y) side edge of the extending portion 49). That is, the (-Y) side end of the covering member 4 extends in the (-Y) direction from the (-Y) side edge of the housing 6. The (-Y) edge of the central outer wall portion 61 and the (-Y) end of the outer wall portion 62 are located on the (-Y) side of the (-Y) edge of the second structure 2 on the (-Y) side. The (+Y) edge of the housing 6 is located on the (-Y) side of the (+Y) edge of the covering member 4 (i.e., the (+Y) edge of the extending portion 49). In other words, the (+Y) end of the covering member 4 extends in the (+Y) direction from the (+Y) edge of the housing 6. The (+Y) edge of the central outer wall portion 61 and the (+Y) end of the outer wall portion 62 are located on the (+Y) side of the (+Y) edge of the second structure 2 on the (+Y) side.

[0070] The inner and outer diameters of the central part 61 of the outer wall are approximately the same at any position in the Y direction. The inner diameter of the central part 61 of the outer wall is larger than the outer diameter of the covering member 4 of the heat exchange member 5. The central part 61 of the outer wall covers the outer surface of the heat exchange member 5 over approximately the entire circumference in the circumferential direction, while being spaced radially outward from the outer surface of the heat exchange member 5 (i.e., the outer surface of the covering member 4). A substantially cylindrical space 70 is provided between the inner surface of the central part 61 of the outer wall and the outer surface of the heat exchange member 5, extending substantially parallel to the Y direction with the central axis J1 as the center.

[0071] The inner and outer diameters of each outer wall end 62 are approximately the same at any position in the Y direction. The inner diameter of each outer wall end 62 is, for example, approximately the same as the outer diameter of the end face 24 of the second structure 2 (i.e., the end face that contacts the end face 14 of the first structure 1). The inner circumferential surface of the outer wall end 62 is in direct or indirect contact with the outer circumferential surface of the heat exchange member 5 (i.e., the outer circumferential surface of the covering member 4) over approximately the entire circumference in the circumferential direction, either through an O-ring or the like. As a result, the aforementioned space 70 located inside the central part 61 of the outer wall is isolated from the space surrounding the heat exchanger 7.

[0072] The housing 6 further includes a supply port 63 and a discharge port 64. The supply port 63 and the discharge port 64 are each substantially tubular portions that protrude outward from the outer peripheral surface of the central outer wall portion 61. The supply port 63 is located, for example, near the (+Y) end of the central outer wall portion 61. The discharge port 64 is located, for example, near the (-Y) end of the central outer wall portion 61. The supply port 63 and the discharge port 64 are connected to the space 70 between the central outer wall portion 61 and the heat exchange member 5. A fluid such as a gas, liquid, or gas-liquid two-phase fluid (hereinafter also referred to as the "second fluid") is supplied to the space 70 via the supply port 63. The second fluid flows through the space 70 while filling it and is discharged to the outside of the heat exchanger 7 via the discharge port 64. That is, the space 70 is a flow path for the second fluid, and hereinafter the space 70 is also referred to as the "second flow path 70". The second fluid is, for example, a fluid that is colder than the first fluid. The second fluid is, for example, liquid water.

[0073] In the heat exchanger 7, for example, the first fluid flows in from the (-Y) side opening of the covering member 4, passes through each cell 17 of the first structure 1 from the (-Y) side to the (+Y) side, and flows out from the (+Y) side opening of the covering member 4. More specifically, the first fluid that flows into the interior of the heat exchange member 5 from the (-Y) side opening of the covering member 4 passes through the radially inner space of the second structure 2 located on the (-Y) side of the first structure 1 and is supplied to the (-Y) side end face 14 of the first structure 1. In the first structure 1, the first fluid flows from the (-Y) side (hereinafter also referred to as the "upstream side"), which is one axial side of each cell 17, to the (+Y) side (hereinafter also referred to as the "downstream side").

[0074] The first fluid, having passed through multiple cells 17 from upstream to downstream, flows out in the (+Y) direction from the (+Y) end face 14 of the first structure 1. This first fluid then passes through the radially inner space of the second structure 2, located on the (+Y) side of the first structure 1, and flows out to the outside of the heat exchanger 7 from the (+Y) side opening of the covering member 4.

[0075] In the heat exchanger 7, heat exchange occurs between the first fluid flowing inside the heat exchange member 5 and the second fluid flowing in the second channel 70 outside the heat exchange member 5, via the heat exchange member 5. Specifically, the first structure 1 is heated by the high-temperature first fluid flowing through multiple cells 17, and the covering member 4 is also heated. Then, the low-temperature second fluid flowing in the second channel 70 while in contact with the covering member 4 is heated. On the other hand, the first fluid cools down as it passes through the heat exchange member 5 while heating the second fluid. Since the covering member 4 is a material that the first and second fluids cannot permeate, the first fluid flowing inside the heat exchange member 5 does not leak into the second channel 70, and the second fluid flowing in the second channel 70 does not leak into the heat exchange member 5. Furthermore, the shape of the central part 61 of the outer wall and the second channel 70 are not limited to the example shown in Figure 1 and can be changed in various ways.

[0076] As described above, the heat exchange member 5 comprises a first structure 1, a second structure 2, and a covering member 4. In the first structure 1, a flow path (in the above example, a plurality of cells 17 which are the first flow path) is provided inside the cylindrical outer peripheral wall 11 that extends in the axial direction (in the above example, the Y direction), extending along the entire length in the axial direction. The second structure 2 is a cylindrical member that extends in the axial direction. The second structure 2 has a second end face (i.e., end face 24) that contacts the first end face (i.e., end face 14) which is the end face of the first structure 1 in the axial direction. The covering member 4 is a cylindrical member that extends in the axial direction. The covering member 4 covers and contacts the outer peripheral surface 13 of the first structure 1 along its entire length in the axial direction. The covering member 4 extends from the end face 14 of the first structure 1 toward the second structure 2 and covers at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface 23 of the second structure 2. The outer diameter of the end face 24 of the second structure 2 is smaller than the outer diameter of the end face 14 of the first structure 1.

[0077] In the heat exchange member 5, by providing a second structure 2 adjacent to the first structure 1 in the axial direction, turbulence can be actively formed in the first fluid passing through the first structure 1, thereby improving the heat transfer efficiency between the first fluid and the covering member 4 via the first structure 1.

[0078] In the heat exchange member 5, by making the outer diameter of the end face 24 of the second structure 2 smaller than the outer diameter of the end face 14 of the first structure 1, when fitting the first structure 1 and the second structure 2 into the covering member 4, it is possible to suppress the circumferential bulging of a part of the covering member 4 that deforms with the insertion of the first structure 1 and the second structure 2, circumferentially bulging radially outward near the end face 14 of the first structure 1 and separating it from the outer circumferential surface 13 of the first structure 1. As a result, the reduction in the contact area between the outer circumferential surface 13 of the first structure 1 and the covering member 4 can be suppressed, and the heat transfer efficiency between the first fluid and the covering member 4 via the first structure 1 can be further improved. Furthermore, compared to suppressing the reduction in the contact area by increasing the length of the first structure 1, the increase in the weight and manufacturing cost of the heat exchange member 5 can be suppressed. In addition, it is possible to suppress the unevenness of the load applied from the covering member 4 to the outer circumferential surface 13 of the first structure 1 in the axial direction (Y direction in the above example), and thus the possibility of damage to the first structure 1 due to the unevenness of the load can be reduced.

[0079] Furthermore, in the heat exchange member 5, when the first structure 1 and the second structure 2 are fitted to the covering member 4, as illustrated in Figure 7, even if a part of the covering member 4 bulges radially outward in a circumferential manner near the end face 14 of the first structure 1 and separates from the outer circumferential surface 13 of the first structure 1, the outer diameter of the end face 24 of the second structure 2 is smaller than the outer diameter of the end face 14 of the first structure 1. Therefore, the bulging portion of the covering member 4 (hereinafter also referred to as the "protrusion 45") is located on the second structure 2 with respect to the Y direction and not on the first structure 1. In other words, even if a protrusion 45 is generated in the covering member 4, the protrusion 45 overlaps with the outer circumferential surface 23 of the second structure 2 in the radial direction and does not overlap with the outer circumferential surface 13 of the first structure 1.

[0080] As a result, the reduction in the contact area between the outer circumferential surface 13 of the first structure 1 and the covering member 4 can be suppressed, similar to the case where the protrusion 45 does not occur, thereby further improving the heat transfer efficiency between the first fluid and the covering member 4 via the first structure 1. In addition, the unevenness of the load applied from the covering member 4 to the outer circumferential surface 13 of the first structure 1 in the Y direction can be suppressed, thereby reducing the possibility of damage to the first structure 1 due to such uneven load.

[0081] As described above, the first structure 1 preferably has a partition wall 18 that divides the first flow path and forms a plurality of cells 17 extending in the axial direction. By providing a plurality of cells 17 in the first flow path in this way, the contact area between the first structure 1 and the first fluid can be increased compared to the case where the first flow path is a single through-hole. As a result, the amount of heat transferred between the first structure 1 and the covering member 4 (i.e., the amount of heat transferred per unit area of ​​the covering member 4) can be increased. Therefore, as described above, by suppressing the reduction in the contact area between the outer circumferential surface 13 of the first structure 1 and the covering member 4 due to the protrusion 45, the heat transfer efficiency between the first fluid and the covering member 4 can be suitably improved.

[0082] As described above, it is preferable that the inner diameter of the end face 24 (i.e., the second end face) of the second structure 2 is greater than or equal to the inner diameter of the end face 14 (i.e., the first end face) of the first structure 1. This prevents the opening at the end face 14 of the first flow path (in the above example, multiple cells 17) of the first structure 1 from being partially blocked by the second structure 2. As a result, it is possible to suppress an increase in the pressure loss of the first fluid passing through the first flow path.

[0083] As described above, it is preferable that the outer diameter of the end face 24 of the second structure 2 is 0.7 times or more and 0.99 times or less of the outer diameter of the end face 14 of the first structure 1. This prevents the outer and inner diameters of the second structure 2 from becoming excessively small, thereby preventing an increase in the pressure loss, and also effectively suppresses the generation of protrusions 45 (see Figure 7), thereby effectively suppressing a decrease in the contact area between the outer circumferential surface 13 of the first structure 1 and the covering member 4.

[0084] As described above, it is preferable that the axial length of the second structure 2 is longer than 0.01 times the outer diameter of the end face 14 of the first structure 1. This effectively suppresses the formation of the aforementioned protrusion 45 and effectively reduces the contact area between the outer circumferential surface 13 of the first structure 1 and the covering member 4. Furthermore, even if a protrusion 45 is formed, its position in the axial direction can be made to overlap with the second structure 2 in the radial direction. As a result, the reduction in the contact area between the outer circumferential surface 13 of the first structure 1 and the covering member 4 can be effectively suppressed.

[0085] Note that the protrusion 45 illustrated in Figure 7 does not necessarily need to overlap radially with the second structure 2 over its entire length in the axial direction; a portion of the protrusion 45 in the axial direction may overlap radially with the second structure 2, while another portion of the protrusion 45 may overlap radially with the first structure 1. However, from the viewpoint of suppressing a reduction in the contact area between the outer circumferential surface 13 of the first structure 1 and the covering member 4, it is preferable that the protrusion 45 overlaps radially with the second structure 2 over its entire length in the axial direction, but does not overlap radially with the first structure 1.

[0086] As described above, the radial thickness of the end face 24 of the second structure 2 is preferably 0.1 mm or more and 10 mm or less. This allows for a suitable balance between improving the heat transfer efficiency between the first fluid and the covering member 4 due to the turbulence formed by the second structure 2 and reducing the pressure loss of the first fluid by the second structure 2. It also allows for a suitable balance between ensuring the strength of the second structure 2 and reducing its weight and cost.

[0087] As described above, it is preferable that the thermal expansion coefficient of the first structure 1 is smaller than that of the covering member 4. This allows for a suitable fit of the first structure 1 to the covering member 4 by shrink-fitting. Furthermore, in shrink-fitting, the protrusions 45 are relatively easy to form when the temperature is cooled, so the above configuration of the heat exchange member 5, which can suppress the reduction in the contact area between the outer surface 13 of the first structure 1 and the covering member 4 due to the protrusions 45, is particularly suitable for heat exchange members where the thermal expansion coefficient of the first structure 1 is smaller than that of the covering member 4.

[0088] As described above, it is preferable that the covering member 4 is made of metal and the first structure 1 is made of ceramics. This allows for a suitable fitting of the first structure 1 to the covering member 4 by shrink-fitting. Furthermore, as described above, in shrink-fitting, the protrusions 45 are relatively easily formed when the temperature cools down, so the above configuration of the heat exchange member 5, which can suppress the reduction in the contact area between the outer surface 13 of the first structure 1 and the covering member 4 due to the protrusions 45, is particularly suitable for a heat exchange member comprising a metal covering member 4 and a ceramic first structure 1.

[0089] As described above, it is preferable that the covering member 4 has an extended portion 49 that extends outward from the third end face (i.e., end face 25), which is the end face opposite to the end face 24 of the second structure 2 in the axial direction. Furthermore, it is preferable that the outer diameter of the extended portion 49 is smaller than the outer diameter of the end face 25 of the second structure 2. Since the protrusion 45 is relatively easy to form in a covering member 4 having such an extended portion 49, the above configuration of the heat exchange member 5, which can suppress the reduction in the contact area between the outer peripheral surface 13 of the first structure 1 and the covering member 4 due to the protrusion 45, is particularly suitable for a heat exchange member in which the covering member 4 is provided with the extended portion 49.

[0090] The heat exchanger 7 comprises the heat exchange member 5 described above and a housing 6. The housing 6 covers the outer surface of the heat exchange member 5, spaced outward from the outer surface of the heat exchange member 5. In the space 70 between the outer surface of the heat exchange member 5 and the housing 6 (i.e., the second flow path 70), there exists a second fluid that exchanges heat with a first fluid flowing through the flow path of the heat exchange member 5 (in the above example, a plurality of cells 17 which are the first flow path) via the heat exchange member 5. As described above, the heat exchange member 5 can suppress the reduction in the contact area between the outer surface 13 of the first structure 1 and the covering member 4 due to the protrusions 45, thereby improving the heat transfer efficiency between the first fluid and the second fluid.

[0091] In the heat exchange member 5, the shape of the second structure 2 is not limited to the above example and can be changed in various ways. For example, instead of the second structure 2 described above, a second structure 2a as shown in Figure 8 may be provided. In the example shown in Figure 8, the outer circumference 26 of the second structure 2a at the end opposite to the end face 24 (i.e., the end near the end face 25, which is the third end face) has a chamfered shape. By making the outer circumference 26 of the second structure 2a a shape without corners, the contact area between the covering member 4 and the second structure 2a near the end face 25 of the second structure 2a can be increased. As a result, stress concentration at the contact point between the covering member 4 and the second structure 2a can be suppressed during the manufacturing and use of the heat exchange member 5, and damage to the covering member 4 due to such stress concentration can be suppressed.

[0092] In the example shown in Figure 8, the inner circumference 27 at the end opposite to the end face 24 of the second structure 2a (i.e., the end near the end face 25, which is the third end face) also has a chamfered shape. By making the inner circumference 27 of the second structure 2a a shape without corners, the pressure loss of the first fluid passing through the first flow path can be reduced.

[0093] In the second structure 2a, the shape of the longitudinal section of the outer periphery 26 (i.e., the section perpendicular to the X direction passing through the central axis J1) may be a substantially arc-shaped R-chamfer (i.e., a fillet), or a C-chamfer composed of multiple straight lines. Similarly, the shape of the longitudinal section of the inner periphery 27 may also be an R-chamfer or a C-chamfer. In the outer periphery 26 and inner periphery 27 of the second structure 2a, the radius of the R-chamfer is, for example, 0.1 mm to 5 mm, preferably 0.3 mm to 3 mm, and more preferably 0.5 mm to 1 mm. Also, in the outer periphery 26 and inner periphery 27 of the second structure 2a, the dimension of the C-chamfer is, for example, C0.1 to C5, preferably C0.3 to C3, and more preferably C0.5 to C1.

[0094] Various modifications are possible to the heat exchange component 5 and the heat exchanger 7 described above.

[0095] In the heat exchange member 5, the first flow path provided in the first structure 1 does not necessarily need to have multiple cells 17, and may, for example, be a single through-hole penetrating the first structure 1 in the Y direction. In this case, the first structure 1 is a substantially cylindrical member extending in the Y direction with a central axis J1 as its center.

[0096] The length of the first structure 1 in the Y direction may be less than or equal to the length of the second structure 2 in the Y direction. Alternatively, the length of the second structure 2 in the Y direction may be less than 0.01 times the outer diameter of the end face 14 of the first structure 1.

[0097] The inner diameter of the end face 24 of the second structure 2 may be less than the inner diameter of the end face 14 of the first structure 1. The outer diameter of the end face 24 of the second structure 2 may be less than 0.7 times the outer diameter of the end face 14 of the first structure 1, and may be greater than 0.99 times.

[0098] The radial thickness of the end face 24 of the second structure 2 may be less than 0.1 mm or greater than 10 mm. Also, the radial thickness of the end face 24 of the second structure 2 may be less than 50% or greater than 100% of the radial thickness of the end face 14 of the outer peripheral wall 11.

[0099] In the region of the covering member 4 that overlaps radially with the second structure 2, it is not necessarily required that a gap be provided between the outer circumferential surface 23 of the second structure 2 and the inner circumferential surface 46 of the covering member 4. The outer circumferential surface 23 of the second structure 2 may be in contact with the inner circumferential surface 46 of the covering member 4 over substantially the entire length of the second structure 2 in the Y direction. The same applies when the second structure 2a is provided on the heat exchange member 5.

[0100] The materials of the first structure 1, the second structures 2, 2a, and the covering member 4 are not limited to the above example and can be changed in various ways. For example, the first structure 1 does not necessarily have to be made of ceramics, nor does it have to be mainly composed of ceramics. Also, the second structures 2, 2a, and the covering member 4 do not necessarily have to be made of metal, nor do they have to be mainly composed of metal.

[0101] The thermal expansion coefficient of the first structure 1 may be greater than or equal to that of the covering member 4. Furthermore, the thermal expansion coefficient of the first structure 1 may be less than or equal to that of the second structure 2, or greater than or equal to that of the second structure 2.

[0102] In the second structure 2,2a, the shape of the inner and outer circumferential portions near the end face 25 may be a shape having corners, as illustrated in Figure 6, or a chamfered shape, as illustrated in Figure 8.

[0103] In the heat exchange member 5, it is not necessarily required that the second structure 2 or second structure 2a be provided on both sides of the first structure 1 in the Y direction; the second structure 2 or second structure 2a may be provided on only one side of the first structure 1 in the Y direction. For example, if the second structure 2 is provided only on the (-Y) side of the first structure 1, when the first structure 1 and the second structure 2 are fitted to the covering member 4, the second structure 2 is press-fitted through the opening on the (+Y) side of the covering member 4, and then the first structure 1 is press-fitted through the same opening.

[0104] The first structure 1 does not necessarily have to be a single continuous member, and may be composed of a plurality of substantially cylindrical structural elements arranged in the Y direction. Each structural element may be, for example, a honeycomb structure with a plurality of cells 17 inside that extend substantially parallel to the Y direction (i.e., the axial direction). Furthermore, these plurality of structural elements may be arranged spaced apart from each other in the Y direction.

[0105] The outer periphery wall 11 of the first structure 1, the second structures 2, 2a, and the covering member 4 do not necessarily have to be substantially cylindrical as long as they are cylindrical, and their shapes can be changed in various ways. For example, the second structure 2 may be a cylindrical member in which the cross-sectional shape at each position in the Y direction (i.e., the shape of the cross-section perpendicular to the Y direction) is substantially annular, and the outer and inner diameters gradually decrease as it moves away from the first structure 1 in the Y direction. Also, the outer periphery wall 11 of the first structure 1, the second structures 2, 2a, and the covering member 4 may have cross-sectional shapes perpendicular to the Y direction of the outer and inner surfaces, such as quadrilaterals or hexagons, or they may be elliptical, etc.

[0106] The heat exchange component 5 described above does not necessarily have to be used in the heat exchanger 7, and may be used in other devices.

[0107] In the heat exchange member 5, the second structures 2 and 2a may be omitted. For example, in the heat exchange member 5b shown in Figure 9, the second structure 2 is not provided on the (-Y) side and (+Y) side of the first structure 1b, and the outer circumference 16 at the Y-direction (i.e., axial direction) end of the first structure 1b may be chamfered.

[0108] In this way, by shaping the outer circumference 16 of the first structure 1b so that its outer diameter decreases as it approaches the end face 14, when fitting the first structure 1b into the covering member 4, it is possible to suppress the circumferential bulging of a part of the covering member 4 that has deformed due to the insertion of the first structure 1b, radially outward near the end face 14 of the first structure 1b, and the separation from the outer circumference 13 of the first structure 1b. In other words, the occurrence of a protrusion 45, as illustrated in Figure 7, at a position that overlaps with the first structure 1b in the radial direction is suppressed. As a result, the reduction in the contact area between the outer circumference 13 of the first structure 1b and the covering member 4 can be suppressed, and the heat transfer efficiency between the first fluid and the covering member 4 via the first structure 1b can be improved.

[0109] The shape of the longitudinal section of the outer periphery 16 of the first structure 1b (i.e., the section perpendicular to the X direction through the central axis J1) may be an R-chamfered shape or a C-chamfered shape. In the outer periphery 16 of the first structure 1b, the radius of the R-chamfered shape is, for example, 0.1 mm to 5 mm, preferably 0.3 mm to 3 mm, and more preferably 0.5 mm to 1 mm. In the outer periphery 16 of the first structure 1b, the dimensions of the C-chamfered shape are, for example, C0.1 to C5, preferably C0.3 to C3, and more preferably C0.5 to C1.

[0110] In the heat exchanger 7, the number of heat exchange members 5 housed inside the housing 6 is not limited to one, but can be varied. For example, in the heat exchanger 7c shown in Figure 10, eight heat exchange members 5 are housed inside a single, substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 6c. The eight heat exchange members 5 are arranged, for example, in a matrix in the X and Y directions.

[0111] The configurations in the above embodiments and each modified example may be combined as appropriate, as long as they do not contradict each other. [Industrial applicability]

[0112] The present invention can be used, for example, to recover heat from automobile exhaust gases. It can also be used to recover heat from exhaust gases, hot water, steam, etc., emitted from various factories such as metalworking plants, ceramics plants, pulp and paper plants, chemical plants, and food processing plants. [Explanation of symbols]

[0113] 1,1b 1st structure 2,2a 2nd structure 4 Covering member 5,5b Heat exchanger 6.6c Housing 7,7c heat exchanger 11 Peripheral wall 13 Outer surface 14 End face 16 Outer periphery 17 cells 18 Bulkhead 23 Outer surface 24 End face 25 End face 26 Outer periphery 27 Inner circumference 46 Inner surface 49 Extension 70 space

Claims

1. A heat exchange component, A first structure having a cylindrical outer wall extending in the axial direction, with a flow channel provided inside the outer wall extending in the axial direction that extends along the entire length in the axial direction, A second structure having a cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction and a second end face that contacts the first end face which is the end face of the first structure in the axial direction, A covering member that is cylindrical in shape extending in the axial direction and covers and contacts the outer circumferential surface of the first structure over its entire length in the axial direction, and extends from the first end face toward the second structure and covers at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the second structure, Equipped with, A heat exchange member wherein the outer diameter of the second end face of the second structure is smaller than the outer diameter of the first end face of the first structure.

2. A heat exchange member according to claim 1, The first structure is a heat exchange member having partition walls that divide the flow path and form a plurality of cells extending in the axial direction.

3. A heat exchange member according to claim 1, A heat exchange member wherein the inner diameter of the second end face of the second structure is greater than or equal to the inner diameter of the first end face of the first structure.

4. A heat exchange member according to claim 1, A heat exchange member wherein the outer diameter of the second end face of the second structure is 0.7 times or more and 0.99 times or less the outer diameter of the first end face of the first structure.

5. A heat exchange member according to claim 1, A heat exchange member wherein the length of the second structure in the axial direction is longer than 0.01 times the outer diameter of the first end face of the first structure.

6. A heat exchange member according to claim 1, A heat exchange member wherein the radial thickness of the second end face of the second structure is 0.1 mm or more and 10 mm or less.

7. A heat exchange member according to claim 1, A heat exchange member wherein the thermal expansion coefficient of the first structure is smaller than that of the covering member.

8. A heat exchange member according to claim 1, A heat exchange member in which the covering member is made of metal and the first structure is made of ceramics.

9. A heat exchange member according to claim 1, A heat exchange member wherein the outer periphery of the end of the second structure opposite to the second end face has a chamfered shape.

10. A heat exchange member according to claim 1, A heat exchange member wherein the inner circumference of the end of the second structure opposite to the second end face has a chamfered shape.

11. A heat exchange member according to claim 1, The covering member has an extended portion that extends outward in the axial direction beyond the third end face, which is the end face of the second structure opposite to the second end face. A heat exchange member in which the outer diameter of the extended portion is smaller than the outer diameter of the third end face of the second structure.

12. It is a heat exchanger, A heat exchange member according to any one of claims 1 to 11, A housing that covers the outer surface of the heat exchange member while being spaced outward from the outer surface of the heat exchange member, Equipped with, A heat exchanger in which a second fluid exists in the space between the outer surface of the heat exchange member and the housing, and heat exchange takes place between the first fluid flowing through the flow path of the heat exchange member and the heat exchange member via the heat exchange member.

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