Tank-type heat exchanger and air conditioning system

Abstract

A tank-type heat exchanger and an air conditioning system. The tank-type heat exchanger comprises: an outer cylinder (1); an inner cylinder (2), the outer cylinder (1) being arranged parallel to the axis of the inner cylinder (2), and an annular space being formed between the outer cylinder (1) and the inner cylinder (2); first heat exchange tubes (31); a uniform liquid distribution disc (4) located on a side of the first heat exchange pipes (31) close to an axial first end of the tank-type heat exchanger, wherein a radial outer end of the uniform liquid distribution disc (4) forms a gas channel with the cylinder wall of the outer cylinder (1), and / or a radial inner end of the uniform liquid distribution disc (4) forms a gas channel (G) with the cylinder wall of the inner cylinder (2); and a shielding part (5), which is axially spaced apart from the uniform liquid distribution disc (4); the shielding part (5) comprises a shielding main body, the shielding main body being located on the side of the uniform liquid distribution disc (4) facing the axial first end of the tank-type heat exchanger, and running in the radial direction of the tank-type heat exchanger; the shielding main body completely covers the corresponding gas channel (G); one of the radial inner end and radial outer end of the shielding main body is a connecting end, and the other is a free end; the connecting end is in sealed connection with one of the cylinder wall of the inner cylinder (2) or the cylinder wall of the outer cylinder (1); and the free end is spaced apart from the other of the cylinder wall of the inner cylinder (2) or the cylinder wall of the outer cylinder (1).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present disclosure is based on and claims priority to China Patent Application No. 202211246064.0 filed on October 12, 2022, the invention title of which is “TANK-TYPE HEAT EXCHANGER AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM”, and the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the field of air conditioning technology, and in particular to a tank-type heat exchanger and an air conditioning system. BACKGROUND

[0003] As a new type of high-efficiency and energy-saving device with the advantages such as small refrigerant charge, small hydrostatic pressure difference, high heat exchange efficiency and convenient oil return, the falling film evaporator is widely applied in a water-cooled unit. However, due to the structural limitations, it is undesirable for the units less than 100RT. Therefore, generally, these units can only use a dry evaporator or a double-tube heat exchanger with low energy efficiency.

[0004] In the related art, some falling film evaporators are provided with a uniform liquid distribution device to receive a liquid refrigerant flowing from above, and uniformly distribute and then flow the same to a coil in a falling film area below. However, the refrigerant entering 2023358939   03 Jun 2026 the evaporator might not be pure liquid, and the liquid refrigerant tends to be entrained with a certain amount of gaseous refrigerant. After the liquid refrigerant performs evaporation and heat exchange through the heat exchange coil above the uniform liquid distribution disc, additional gaseous refrigerant is generated. The gaseous refrigerant has a density much lower than that of the liquid refrigerant, which not only increases a pressure drop on a fluorine side in the heat exchanger but also tends to splash and deflect the liquid refrigerant by significantly increasing an average flow rate through holes or slits in the uniform liquid distribution disc, and which is not conducive to heat exchanger coil liquid distribution and falling film evaporation of the liquid refrigerant below the uniform liquid distribution device. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tank-type heat exchanger and an air conditioning system.

[0006] A first aspect of the present disclosure provides a tank-type heat exchanger provided with a working fluid inlet and a working fluid outlet, the tank-type heat exchanger includes:

[0007] an outer cylinder;

[0008] an inner cylinder communicating with the outer cylinder, the outer cylinder being arranged to be axially parallel to the inner cylinder and forms an annular space with the inner cylinder;

[0009] a first heat exchange tube coiled in the outer cylinder;

[0010] a uniform liquid distribution disc fixedly arranged in the annular space relative to the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder and located on one side of the first heat exchange tube proximate to an axial first end of the tank-type heat exchanger, the radially outer end of the uniform liquid distribution disc forms a gas channel with a cylinder wall of the outer cylinder, 2023358939   03 Jun 2026 and / or the radially inner end of the uniform liquid distribution disc forms a gas channel with a cylinder wall of the inner cylinder; and

[0011] a shielding portion fixedly arranged in the annular space relative to the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder and forming an axial interval with the uniform liquid distribution disc, the shielding portion includes a shielding body corresponding to the gas channel, which is located on one side of the uniform liquid distribution disc facing towards the axial first end of the tank-type heat exchanger and completely covers the corresponding gas channel along a radial direction of the tank-type heat exchanger; one of the radially inner end and the radially outer end of the shielding body is a connecting end, and the other is a free end; the connecting end is in sealed connection with one of the cylinder wall of the inner cylinder and the cylinder wall of the outer cylinder; and the free end is spaced apart from the other of the cylinder wall of the inner cylinder and the cylinder wall of the outer cylinder.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, one of the radially inner end and the radially outer end of the uniform liquid distribution disc forms a seal with one of the cylinder wall of the outer cylinder and the cylinder wall of the inner cylinder, and the other of the radially inner end and the radially outer end of the uniform liquid distribution disc forms the gas channel with a cylinder wall of the outer cylinder and the cylinder wall of the inner cylinder.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure,

[0014] the radially outer end of the uniform liquid distribution disc is in sealed connection with the inner wall of the outer cylinder, and

[0015] the radially inner end of the uniform liquid distribution disc and the outer wall of the inner cylinder form the gas channel; and the radially inner end of the shielding body is fixedly connected with the outer wall of the inner cylinder. 2023358939   03 Jun 2026

[0016] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the gas channel is annular in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction of the tank-type heat exchanger.

[0017] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the shielding body is a baffle perpendicular to the axial direction of the tank-type heat exchanger.

[0018] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the shielding portion further includes an edge plate connected to the free end of the shielding body and extending towards the axial second end of the tank-type heat exchanger.

[0019] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the shielding body is a baffle extending from the connecting end to the free end towards the uniform liquid distribution disc.

[0020] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the baffle is a flat plate or a curved plate.

[0021] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the tank-type heat exchanger further includes a plurality of guiding portions, the plurality of guiding portions are arranged at intervals at the edge of the shielding portion on one side proximate to the uniform liquid distribution disc and extend towards the uniform liquid distribution disc.

[0022] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure,

[0023] the uniform liquid distribution disc presents a groove structure recessed from the axial first end to the axial second end of the tank-type heat exchanger;

[0024] the guiding portion partially extends into the groove structure, or the edge of the guiding portion proximate to the axial second end of the tank-type heat exchanger is aligned with the edge of the groove structure proximate to an axial first end of the tank-type heat exchanger along an axial direction of the tank-type heat exchanger. 2023358939   03 Jun 2026

[0025] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the inner cylinder is a circular cylinder or a polygonal cylinder.

[0026] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the tank-type heat exchanger further includes a U-shaped tube, the plane where a tube center line of the U-shaped tube is situated is arranged along a radial direction of the tank-type heat exchanger, the first end of the U-shaped tube is arranged in the inner cylinder and communicates with the inner cylinder, and the second end of the U-shaped tube is configured to be connected with a gaseous working fluid pipeline so as to introduce or lead out a gaseous working fluid.

[0027] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure,

[0028] the working fluid inlet includes a liquid inlet for introducing a liquid working fluid and arranged at the axial first end of the outer cylinder, and the working fluid outlet includes a gaseous working fluid port for leading out gaseous working fluid and communicating with the inner cylinder; and / or

[0029] the working fluid inlet includes a gaseous working fluid port for introducing a gaseous working fluid and communicating with the inner cylinder, and the working fluid outlet includes a liquid outlet for leading out a liquid working fluid and arranged at the axial second end of the outer cylinder.

[0030] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the tank-type heat exchanger further includes:

[0031] a second heat exchange tube coiled in the outer cylinder and located on one side of the shielding portion remote from the uniform liquid distribution disc; and / or

[0032] a third heat exchange tube coiled in the outer cylinder and located on one side of the first heat exchange tube remote from the uniform liquid distribution disc. 2023358939   03 Jun 2026

[0033] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the outer cylinder includes a cylinder block, a first end cover and a second end cover, the cylinder block is divided along a radial direction of the tank-type heat exchanger, the first end cover is enclosed at the axial first end of the cylinder block, and the second end cover is enclosed at the axial second end of the cylinder block, and the axial first end of the inner cylinder is connected to the first end cover.

[0034] A second aspect of the present disclosure provides an air conditioning system, including the tank-type heat exchanger according to the first aspect of the present disclosure.

[0035] In the tank-type heat exchanger provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure, under the condition that liquid phase and gaseous phase working fluids flow inside, the gaseous working fluid therein may flow up and down through an axial interval between the shielding portion and the uniform liquid distribution disc and through the gas channel, and the liquid working fluid therein may flow down through the uniform liquid distribution disc. Since the gaseous working fluid has an independent flow space, it is possible to reduce an average flow rate of the liquid working fluid, so as to produce the effect of reducing a pressure drop of the working fluid in the heat exchanger. Moreover, the shielding portion may produce the effect of recycling the liquid working fluid flowing down from the cylinder wall and guiding the liquid working fluid flowing down from the cylinder wall into the uniform liquid distribution disc, which can reduce the waste of the falling film liquid and is conductive to improving the heat exchange efficiency.

[0036] The air conditioning system provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure has the advantages of the tank-type heat exchanger provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become explicit from the 2023358939   03 Jun 2026 following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] The accompanying drawings described here which are intended to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, constitute a part of the present application. The illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure as well as the descriptions thereof, which are intended for explaining the present disclosure, do not constitute improper definitions on the present disclosure. In the accompanying drawings:

[0039] Fig. 1 is a schematic structural view of a tank-type heat exchanger according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0040] Fig. 2 is a schematic view of a sectional structure of a tank-type heat exchanger shown in Fig. 1.

[0041] Fig. 3 is a schematic view of a partially enlarged structure of a tank-type heat exchanger shown in Fig. 2.

[0042] Fig. 4 is a schematic structural view of a shielding portion of a tank-type heat exchanger according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0043] Fig. 5 is a schematic structural view of a shielding portion of a tank-type heat exchanger according to other embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0044] Fig. 6 is a schematic structural view of a guiding portion of a tank-type heat exchanger according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0045] Fig. 7 is a schematic structural view of a tank-type heat exchanger according to other embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0046] In Figs. 1 to 7, each reference numeral respectively represents: 2023358939   03 Jun 2026

[0047] 1. outer cylinder; 10. liquid inlet; 11. cylinder block; 12. first end cover; 13. liquid outlet; 14. second end cover; 2. inner cylinder; 3. falling film area heat exchange tube; 31. first heat exchange tube; 32. second heat exchange tube; 4. uniform liquid distribution disc; 40. uniform liquid distribution hole; 5. shielding portion; 51. baffle; 52. edge plate; 6. guiding portion; 7. U-shaped tube; 70. gaseous working fluid port; 8. liquid distributor; 9. third heat exchange tube. G. gas channel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be explicitly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Apparently, the embodiments described are merely some of the embodiments of the present disclosure, rather than all of the embodiments. The following descriptions of at least one exemplary embodiment which are in fact merely illustrative, shall by no means serve as any delimitation on the present disclosure as well as its application or use. On the basis of the embodiments of the present disclosure, all the other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art on the premise that no inventive effort is involved shall fall into the protection scope of the present disclosure.

[0049] The relative arrangements, numerical expressions and numerical values of the components and steps elaborated in these examples shall not limit the scope of the present invention unless specified otherwise. At the same time, it should be understood that, for ease of description, the dimensions of various parts shown in the accompanying drawings are not drawn according to actual proportional relations. The techniques, methods, and devices known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art might not be discussed in detail. However, these techniques, methods, and devices shall be considered as part of the granted specification where appropriate. 2023358939   03 Jun 2026 Among all the examples shown and discussed here, any specific value shall be construed as being merely exemplary, rather than as a restriction. Thus, other examples in the exemplary embodiments may have different values. It is to be noted that: similar reference numerals and letters present similar items in the following accompanying drawings, and therefore, once an item is defined in one accompanying drawing, a further discussion thereof is not required in subsequent accompanying drawings.

[0050] In the description of the present disclosure, it is necessary to understand that, such wordings as “first” and “second” which are used to define the parts, are only intended to facilitate distinguishing the corresponding parts. Unless otherwise specified, the aforementioned wordings do not have particular meanings, and thus cannot be understood as limiting the protection scope of the present disclosure.

[0051] In the description of the present disclosure, it is necessary to understand that, the azimuth or positional relations indicated by such azimuth terms as “front, rear, up, down, left, right”, “transverse, vertical, perpendicular, horizontal” and “top, bottom”, which are usually based on the azimuth or positional relations illustrated by the drawings, are only for facilitating description of the present disclosure and simplifying the description. Unless otherwise specified, such azimuth terms do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to has to present a particular azimuth or to be constructed and operated in a particular azimuth, so that it cannot be understood as limiting the protection scope of the present disclosure. The azimuth terms “within” and “outside” mean the interior and exterior relative to the contour of various members themselves.

[0052] As shown in Figs. 1 to 7, some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a tank-type heat exchanger provided with a working fluid inlet and a working fluid outlet, the 2023358939   03 Jun 2026 tank-type heat exchanger includes an outer cylinder 1, an inner cylinder 2, a first heat exchange tube 31, a uniform liquid distribution disc 4 and a shielding portion 5.

[0053] The inner cylinder 2 communicates with the outer cylinder 1, the outer cylinder 1 is arranged to be axially parallel to the inner cylinder 2 with an annular space formed between the outer cylinder 1 and the inner cylinder 2.

[0054] The first heat exchange tube 31 is coiled in the outer cylinder 1.

[0055] The uniform liquid distribution disc 4 is fixedly arranged in the annular space relative to the outer cylinder 1 and the inner cylinder 2 and located on one side of the first heat exchange tube 31 proximate to an axial first end of the tank-type heat exchanger, and the radially outer end of the uniform liquid distribution disc 4 forms a gas channel G with a cylinder wall of the outer cylinder 1, and / or the radially inner end of the uniform liquid distribution disc 4 forms a gas channel G with a cylinder wall of the inner cylinder 2.

[0056] The shielding portion 5 is fixedly arranged in the annular space relative to the outer cylinder 1 and the inner cylinder 2 and forms an axial interval with the uniform liquid distribution disc 4. The shielding portion 5 includes a shielding body corresponding to the gas channel G, which is located on one side of the uniform liquid distribution disc 4 facing towards the axial first end of the tank-type heat exchanger and completely covers the corresponding gas channel G along a radial direction of the tank-type heat exchanger. One of the radially inner end and the radially outer end of the shielding body is a connecting end, and the other is a free end. The connecting end is in sealed connection with one of the cylinder wall of the inner cylinder 2 and the cylinder wall of the outer cylinder 1; and the free end is spaced apart from the other of the cylinder wall of the inner cylinder 2 and the cylinder wall of the outer cylinder 1.

[0057] In the following description of the present disclosure, it may be understood that in the 2023358939   03 Jun 2026 state when the tank-type heat exchanger is in use, the axial direction of the outer cylinder 1 is a longitudinal direction, the axial first end of the outer cylinder 1 is a top end, and the axial second end is a bottom end.

[0058] The tank-type heat exchanger of the present disclosure may be a falling film heat exchanger, a flooded heat exchanger or other forms of heat exchanger, and may serve as an evaporator or a condenser. The tank-type heat exchanger may be applied in an air conditioning system, but not limited to an air conditioning system. When the tank-type heat exchanger is applied in an air conditioning system, the working fluid may be a refrigerant.

[0059] The dimensions of the outer cylinder 1 and the inner cylinder 2 along an axial direction of the tank-type heat exchanger may be the same or different. For example, in the embodiments shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the two axial ends of the outer cylinder 1 are enclosed, and the dimension of the inner cylinder 2 along an axial direction of the tank-type heat exchanger may be smaller than that of the outer cylinder 1 along an axial direction of the tank-type heat exchanger. The axial first end of the inner cylinder 2 is connected to the axial first end of the outer cylinder 1, and the axial second end of the inner cylinder 2 communicates with the outer cylinder 1. In some embodiments not shown, the dimensions of the outer cylinder 1 and the inner cylinder 2 along an axial direction of the tank-type heat exchanger may also be the same, the two axial ends of the inner cylinder 2 are connected to the outer cylinder 1, and the inner cylinder 2 and the outer cylinder 1 may communicate through a structure such as an opening or a tubing on the inner cylinder 2.

[0060] The working fluid inlet and the working fluid outlet may be arranged at different positions of the tank-type heat exchanger according to the type selection requirements of the heat exchanger, for example, the axial first end and the axial second end of the outer cylinder 1 or the 2023358939   03 Jun 2026 inner cylinder 2. In some embodiments, when the tank-type heat exchanger functions as an evaporator, the working fluid inlet may communicate with the axial first end of the outer cylinder 1 for introducing a liquid working fluid, and the working fluid outlet may communicate with the inner cylinder 2 for leading out a gaseous working fluid. In other embodiments, when the tank-type heat exchanger functions as a condenser, the working fluid inlet may communicate with the inner cylinder 2 for introducing a gaseous working fluid, and the working fluid outlet may communicate with the axial second end of the outer cylinder 1 for leading out a liquid working fluid.

[0061] Moreover, the same working fluid port may serve as a working fluid inlet when the tank-type heat exchanger functions as an evaporator, and serve as a working fluid outlet when the tank-type heat exchanger functions as a condenser, and vice versa.

[0062] The uniform liquid distribution disc 4 which is fixedly arranged relative to the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder, may be directly fixedly connected with at least one of the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder. Alternatively, the uniform liquid distribution disc is maintained to be fixed relative to the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder through other components. Similarly, the shielding portion 5 is fixedly arranged relative to the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder, and may be directly fixedly connected with at least one of the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder. Alternatively, the shielding portion is maintained to be fixed relative to the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder through other components.

[0063] The structure in the uniform liquid distribution disc through which fluid passes may be a plurality of uniform liquid distribution holes 40 arranged at the bottom of the uniform liquid distribution disc 4 at even intervals along the tank-type heat exchanger. Of course, the structure through which fluid passes which is not limited to a hole shape, may also be a slit shape or other 2023358939   03 Jun 2026 shapes, as long as a plurality of uniform liquid columns or liquid droplets are formed after the liquid working fluid passes through the uniform liquid distribution disc.

[0064] The gas channel G may be arranged at the radially inner side or the radially outer side of the uniform liquid distribution disc 4, or simultaneously at the radially inner side and the radially outer side of the uniform liquid distribution disc 4, and correspondingly, the number of shielding portions 5 may be one or two. For the gas channel G formed between the radially inner end of the uniform liquid distribution disc 4 and the cylinder wall of the inner cylinder 2, correspondingly, the radially inner end of the shielding body corresponding to the gas channel G is in sealed connection with a cylinder wall of the inner cylinder 2, and the radially outer end is spaced apart from a cylinder wall of the outer cylinder 1. For the gas channel G formed between the radially outer end of the uniform liquid distribution disc 4 and the cylinder wall of the outer cylinder 1, correspondingly, the radially inner end of the shielding body corresponding to the gas channel G is spaced apart from a cylinder wall of the inner cylinder 2, and the radially outer end is in sealed connection with a cylinder wall of the outer cylinder 1.

[0065] In the tank-type heat exchanger of the embodiment of the present disclosure, the liquid working fluid may be introduced into the tank-type heat exchanger through the liquid inlet 10 arranged at the axial first end of the outer cylinder 1, and the inner cylinder may communicate with the gaseous working fluid pipeline so that the gaseous working fluid may be introduced or led out from the inner cylinder of the tank-type heat exchanger, so that the tank-type heat exchanger may function as both an evaporator and a condenser.

[0066] When the tank-type heat exchanger functions as an evaporator, the liquid working fluid may flow from the working fluid inlet to the first heat exchange tube 31 below the uniform liquid distribution disc 4 through the uniform liquid distribution disc 4. During the downward 2023358939   03 Jun 2026 flow process of the liquid working fluid, even if some liquid droplets of the working fluid sputter to the wall of the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder due to the reasons such as deflecting or splashing, it is also possible to directly flow into the uniform liquid distribution disc 4. Alternatively, when blocked by the shielding portion 5, it is introduced into the uniform liquid distribution disc 4 by the shielding portion 5, which produces the effect of recycling the liquid working fluid. The gaseous working fluid that enters the tank-type heat exchanger through the liquid inlet 10 along with the liquid working fluid, or the gaseous working fluid that is formed by vaporization after absorbing heat from the heat exchange tube in the tank-type heat exchanger, may smoothly flow down from the space above the uniform liquid distribution disc 4 and the shielding portion 5 through the axial interval between the shielding portion 5 and the uniform liquid distribution disc 4 and the gas channel G. Therefore, by providing the uniform liquid distribution disc 4 and the shielding portion 5, and forming a space therebetween for gas flow, it is possible to eliminate the influence of a pressure rise of the gaseous working fluid on the flow rate of the liquid working fluid, and reduce an average flow rate of the liquid working fluid when passing through the holes or slits in the uniform liquid distribution disc 4, so as to produce the effect of reducing a pressure drop of the working fluid in the heat exchanger.

[0067] When the tank-type heat exchanger functions as a condenser, the gaseous working fluid after flowing into the annular space formed between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder from the working fluid inlet, may flow smoothly through the gas channel G and the axial interval between the shielding portion and the uniform liquid distribution disc, so as to facilitate flowing over the uniform liquid distribution disc 4 and the shielding portion 5 for condensation and heat exchange. The liquid working fluid produced by the condensation of the gaseous working fluid may flow down from the uniform liquid distribution disc 4 and be stored 2023358939   03 Jun 2026 at the bottom of the tank-type heat exchanger.

[0068] Whether as an evaporator or a condenser, in the tank-type heat exchanger provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure, under the condition that liquid phase and gaseous phase working fluids flow inside, the gaseous working fluid therein may flow up and down through an axial interval between the shielding portion and the uniform liquid distribution disc and through the gas channel, and the liquid working fluid therein may flow down through the uniform liquid distribution disc. Since the gaseous working fluid has an independent flow space, it is possible to reduce an average flow rate of the liquid working fluid, so as to produce the effect of reducing a pressure drop of the working fluid in the heat exchanger. Moreover, the shielding portion may produce the effect of recycling the liquid working fluid flowing down from the cylinder wall and guiding the liquid working fluid flowing down from the cylinder wall into the uniform liquid distribution disc, which can reduce the waste of the falling film liquid and is conductive to improving the heat exchange efficiency.

[0069] The two radial ends of the uniform liquid distribution disc 4 may be connected with the cylinder walls of the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder respectively, as long as a gas channel is left between the uniform liquid distribution disc and the cylinder wall of at least one of the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder. However, during the process of realizing the present disclosure, the inventors have found that, since the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder form a sleeve structure at the first end of the tank-type heat exchanger, it is very difficult to realize the connection of the uniform liquid distribution disc with the cylinder walls of the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder at the same time, which is not conducive to the assembling of the entire tank-type heat exchanger.

[0070] In some embodiments, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 7, one of the radially inner end and 2023358939   03 Jun 2026 the radially outer end of the uniform liquid distribution disc 4 forms a seal with one of the cylinder wall of the outer cylinder 1 and the cylinder wall of the inner cylinder 2, and the other of the radially inner end and the radially outer end of the uniform liquid distribution disc 4 forms a gas channel G with the other of the cylinder wall of the outer cylinder 1 and the cylinder wall of the inner cylinder 2.

[0071] The tank-type heat exchanger of the above-described embodiments may not only produce the effect providing a gaseous working fluid channel, reducing a pressure drop of the working fluid and recycling the liquid working fluid. Moreover, since the uniform liquid distribution disc only has to be connected with one side of the cylinder wall of one of the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder, it is possible to reduce the assembling difficulty of the tank-type heat exchanger, improve the assembling efficiency and reduce the manufacturing cost.

[0072] In some embodiments, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the gas channel G may be arranged between the radially inner side of the uniform liquid distribution disc 4 and the outer wall of the inner cylinder. The radially outer end of the uniform liquid distribution disc 4 is in sealed connection with the inner wall of the outer cylinder 1, and the radially inner end of the uniform liquid distribution disc 4 and the outer wall of the inner cylinder 2 form a gas channel G. The radially inner end of the shielding body is fixedly connected with the outer wall of the inner cylinder 2.

[0073] In some embodiments, the gas channel G is annular in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction of the tank-type heat exchanger.

[0074] In the above-described embodiments, the gas channel G is surrounded along a circumferential direction of the tank-type heat exchanger, and the gaseous working fluid with a large flow area has a better flow effect, so that there is also a better effect of reducing a pressure 2023358939   03 Jun 2026 drop of the working fluid.

[0075] Of course, in other embodiments, the gas channel G may also be discontinuous along a circumferential direction of the tank-type heat exchanger, as long as the conditions that may allow the circulation of the gaseous working fluid are satisfied. For example, in the cross section perpendicular to the axial direction of the tank-type heat exchanger, the gas channel G may present several discontinuous fan rings.

[0076] In some embodiments, as shown in Fig. 3, the shielding body is a baffle 51 perpendicular to the axial direction of the tank-type heat exchanger.

[0077] According to the above arrangement, in the state when the tank-type heat exchanger is in use, the baffle 51 is horizontally arranged. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the radially inner end of the baffle 51 and the outer wall of the inner cylinder 2 are fixedly connected and form a seal.

[0078] In some embodiments, as shown in Fig. 4, the shielding portion 5 further includes an edge plate 52 connected to the free end of the shielding body and extending towards the axial second end of the tank-type heat exchanger.

[0079] According to the above arrangement, in the state when the tank-type heat exchanger is in use, the baffle 51 is horizontally arranged, and the edge plate 52 may be arranged to be perpendicular to the baffle 51 or at a certain angle with the baffle 51, and may produce a certain guiding effect. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the radially inner end of the baffle plate 51 and the outer wall of the inner cylinder 2 are fixedly connected and form a seal, the edge plate 52 is connected with the radially outer end of the baffle plate 51 and arranged to be perpendicular to the baffle plate 51, and the shielding portion 5 is L-shaped as a whole.

[0080] In some embodiments, the shielding body is a baffle 51 extending from the 2023358939   03 Jun 2026 connecting end to the free end towards the uniform liquid distribution disc 4.

[0081] According to the above arrangement, in the state when the tank-type heat exchanger is in use, the baffle 51 extends from top to bottom, with one end located at an upper part to be in sealed connection with a cylinder wall and form a structure similar to an eave shape, which facilitates flowing the accumulated liquid working fluid on the cylinder wall to the uniform liquid distribution disc and thus produces a favorable guiding and recycling effect. In some embodiments, the baffle 51 is a flat plate or a curved plate.

[0082] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, the baffle 51 is a flat plate, the radially inner end of the baffle 51 and the outer wall of the inner cylinder 2 are fixedly connected and form a seal, and the baffle 51 extends obliquely towards bottom from the radially inner end to the radially outer end. In some embodiments not shown, of course, the baffle 51 may also use a curved plate. For example, the baffle 51 may be a curved plate with a circular arc or parabolic section along a radial direction of the tank-type heat exchanger.

[0083] In some embodiments, as shown in Fig. 6, the tank-type heat exchanger further includes a plurality of guiding portions 6 arranged at intervals at the edge of the shielding portion 5 on one side proximate to the uniform liquid distribution disc 4 and extending towards the uniform liquid distribution disc 4.

[0084] In the above-described embodiments, the guiding portion extends from the edge of the shielding portion on one side proximate to the uniform liquid distribution disc towards the uniform liquid distribution disc. For example, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 6, the guiding portion 6 may presents a columnar structure extending vertically up and down, and in some embodiments not shown, the guiding portion may also be obliquely arranged. By providing a plurality of guiding portions extending towards the uniform liquid distribution disc at intervals, 2023358939   03 Jun 2026 the liquid working fluid recycled by the shielding portion may flow into the uniform liquid distribution disc under the guidance of the guiding portion, which produces a favorable guiding effect and may produce a certain blocking effect along a radial direction of the tank-type heat exchanger. Therefore, the guiding portion may prevent that liquid droplets of the working fluid on the radial edge of the shielding portion are blown into the gas channel G by the gaseous working fluid during the dripping process when the gaseous working fluid flows, so as to further reduce the waste of the liquid working fluid.

[0085] In some embodiments, the uniform liquid distribution disc 4 presents a groove structure recessed from the axial first end to the axial second end of the tank-type heat exchanger. The guiding portion 6 partially extends into the groove structure, or the edge of the guiding portion 6 proximate to the axial second end of the tank-type heat exchanger is aligned with the edge of the groove structure proximate to an axial first end of the tank-type heat exchanger along an axial direction of the tank-type heat exchanger.

[0086] According to the above-described arrangement, in the state when the tank-type heat exchanger is in use, the bottom edge of the guiding portion 6 is not higher than the top edge of the side wall of the groove structure, which may further enhance the blocking effect of the guiding portion and better prevent the gaseous working fluid from blowing liquid droplets of the working fluid into the gas channel.

[0087] In some embodiments, the inner cylinder 2 is a circular cylinder or a polygonal cylinder. Figs. 1 and 2 show the instance when the inner cylinder is a circular cylinder, and Fig. 7 shows the instance when the inner cylinder is a polygonal cylinder.

[0088] The polygonal cylinder may be a quadrilateral cylinder, for example, a rectangular cylinder or a square cylinder; and may also be a pentagonal cylinder, a hexagonal cylinder, an 2023358939   03 Jun 2026 octagonal cylinder and the like.

[0089] In some embodiments, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 7, the tank-type heat exchanger further includes a U-shaped tube 7, the plane where a tube center line of the U-shaped tube 7 is situated is arranged along a radial direction of the tank-type heat exchanger, the first end of the U-shaped tube 7 is arranged in the inner cylinder 2 and communicates with the inner cylinder 2, and the second end of the U-shaped tube 7 is configured to be connected with a gaseous working fluid pipeline so as to introduce or lead out a gaseous working fluid.

[0090] In order to mount the U-shaped tube with the same radius of an elbow section into the inner cylinder, the polygonal inner cylinder requires a smaller area of an axial cross section than the circular inner cylinder. Therefore, the inner cylinder is provided to be a polygonal cylinder, which is beneficial to increasing a flow area of the gas channel G and beneficial to reducing a pressure drop of the working fluid. Considering that the flow rate of the gas in the tube may be too high when the tube diameter of the U-shaped tube is too small, and the tube diameter of the U-shaped tube is limited by a radius of the elbow section, the inner cylinder is provided to be a polygonal cylinder so that the tube diameter of the U-shaped tube may be made as large as possible without reducing a radius of the elbow section, which is beneficial to reducing a flow rate of the gaseous working fluid and improving the heat exchange performance.

[0091] Compared with mounting the U-shaped tube into a circular cylinder, the area of the axial section is smaller for mounting the U-shaped tube into a polygonal cylinder. The flow rate of the gaseous working fluid in the gas channel G is reduced.

[0092] In some embodiments, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 7, the working fluid inlet includes a liquid inlet 10 for introducing a liquid working fluid at the axial first end of the outer cylinder 1, and the working fluid outlet includes a gaseous working fluid port 70 for guiding a gaseous 2023358939   03 Jun 2026 working fluid and communicating with the inner cylinder 2; and / or the working fluid inlet includes a gaseous working fluid port 70 for guiding a gaseous working fluid and communicating with the inner cylinder 2, and the working fluid outlet includes a liquid outlet 13 for guiding a liquid working fluid and at the axial second end of the outer cylinder 1.

[0093] In the above embodiments, the gaseous working fluid port 70 may be located at the second end of the U-shaped tube 7.

[0094] On the basis of providing the first heat exchange tube 31, of course, the tank-type heat exchanger may also include more heat exchange tubes arranged at different positions along an axial direction of the tank-type heat exchanger.

[0095] In some embodiments, the tank-type heat exchanger further includes a second heat exchange tube 32 and / or a third heat exchange tube 9. The second heat exchange tube 32 is coiled in the outer cylinder 1 and located on one side of the shielding portion 5 remote from the uniform liquid distribution disc 4. The third heat exchange tube 9 is coiled in the outer cylinder 1 and located on one side of the first heat exchange tube 31 remote from the uniform liquid distribution disc 4.

[0096] In the embodiments shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 7, the tank-type heat exchanger includes a first heat exchange tube 31, a second heat exchange tube 32 and a third heat exchange tube 9, and the tank-type heat exchanger further includes a liquid distributor 8. Along the axial direction of the tank-type heat exchanger, the liquid distributor 8, the second heat exchange tube 32, the shielding portion 5, the uniform liquid distribution disc 4, the first heat exchange tube 31 and the third heat exchange tube 9 are arranged sequentially from top to bottom. The first heat exchange tube 31 and the second heat exchange tube 32 jointly constitute the falling film area heat exchange tube 3, and the third heat exchange tube 9 constitutes the flooded area heat exchange 2023358939   03 Jun 2026 tube.

[0097] In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 7, when the tank-type heat exchanger functions as an evaporator, the liquid working fluid enters the outer cylinder 1 from the liquid inlet 10 and the liquid distributor 8, and after heat exchange with the second heat exchange tube 32, the gaseous working fluid generated by evaporation of the liquid working fluid flows to the inner cylinder 2 and the U-shaped tube 7 from the axial space between the shielding portion 5 and the uniform liquid distribution disc 4 and the gas channel G and is led out from the gaseous working fluid port 70, and the remaining liquid working fluid flows to the first heat exchange tube 31 and the third heat exchange 9 for further heat exchange. When the tank-type heat exchanger functions as a condenser, the gaseous working fluid enters the outer cylinder 1 from the gaseous working fluid port 70, the U-shaped tube 7 and the inner cylinder 2. After the outer cylinder 1 exchanges heat with the third heat exchange tube 9 and the first heat exchange tube 31, the liquid working fluid generated by the condensation of the gaseous working fluid is stored at the bottom of the tank-type heat exchanger and may be led out through the liquid outlet 13, and the remaining gaseous working fluid flows to an annular area between the outer cylinder 1 and the inner cylinder 2 from the gas channel G and the axial interval between the shielding portion 5 and the uniform liquid distribution disc 4.

[0098] In some embodiments, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 7, the outer cylinder 1 includes a cylinder block, a first end cover 12 and a second end cover 14, the cylinder block is divided along a radial direction of the tank-type heat exchanger, the first end cover 12 is enclosed at the axial first end of the cylinder block 11, and the second end cover 14 is enclosed at the axial second end of the cylinder block 11, and the axial first end of the inner cylinder 2 is connected to the first end cover 12. 2023358939   03 Jun 2026

[0099] For the tank-type heat exchanger with the structure shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 7, when the tank-type heat exchanger is assembled, according to the related art known by the inventors, in order to mount the coiled heat exchange tube into the outer cylinder, it is generally necessary to dissection the cylinder block of the outer cylinder into two half shells along the sections shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 7, so that the port at one end of the heat exchange tube is plugged into a corresponding opening in one of the half shells, then the other half shell is covered and fixedly connected with the previous half shell, and finally the two end covers are enclosed and connected to the two axial ends of the cylinder block. Therefore, it is difficult for the uniform liquid distribution disc to be in sealed connection with the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder at the same time.

[00100] Based on the solution of the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure, the uniform liquid distribution disc 4 only needs to be in sealed connection with the outer cylinder 1, while the inner cylinder 2 is connected with the first end cover 12 and thus is not connected with the uniform liquid distribution disc 4. Therefore, during the installation, the inner cylinder 2 only needs to project into the cylinder block 11 from top to bottom along with the first end cover 12, so as to further reduce the installation difficulty of the uniform liquid distribution disc.

[00101] The tank-type heat exchanger is a falling film evaporator, for example.

[00102] Some embodiments of the present disclosure also provide an air conditioning system, including the aforementioned tank-type heat exchanger. The air conditioning system provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure correspondingly has the advantages of the aforementioned tank-type heat exchanger.

[00103] Finally, it should be noted that: the above embodiments are only intended to explain 2023358939   03 Jun 2026 the technical solution of the present disclosure rather than limiting the same; although detailed explanations are made to the present disclosure with reference to preferred embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that: it is still possible to make amendments to the embodiments of the present disclosure or equivalent replacements to some of the technical features, which shall all be encompassed in the scope of the technical solution for which protection is sought in the present disclosure.

[00104] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[00105] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Claims

1. A tank-type heat exchanger provided with a working fluid inlet and a working fluid outlet, the tank-type heat exchanger comprising:an outer cylinder;an inner cylinder communicating with the outer cylinder, wherein the outer cylinder is arranged to be axially parallel to the inner cylinder and forms an annular space with the inner cylinder;a first heat exchange tube coiled in the outer cylinder;a uniform liquid distribution disc fixedly arranged in the annular space relative to the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder and located on one side of the first heat exchange tube proximate to an axial first end of the tank-type heat exchanger, wherein the radially outer end of the uniform liquid distribution disc forms a gas channel with a cylinder wall of the outer cylinder, and / or the radially inner end of the uniform liquid distribution disc forms a gas channel with a cylinder wall of the inner cylinder; anda shielding portion fixedly arranged in the annular space relative to the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder and forming an axial interval with the uniform liquid distribution disc, wherein the shielding portion includes a shielding body corresponding to the gas channel, which is located on one side of the uniform liquid distribution disc facing towards the axial first end of the tank-type heat exchanger and completely covers the corresponding gas channel along a radial direction of the tank-type heat exchanger; one of the radially inner end and the radially outer end of the shielding body is a connecting end, and the other is a free end; the connecting end is in sealed connection with one of the cylinder wall of the inner cylinder and the cylinder wall of the outer cylinder; and the free end is spaced apart from the other of the cylinder wall of the inner cylinder and the cylinder wall of the outer cylinder.

2. The tank-type heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein one of the radially inner end and the radially outer end of the uniform liquid distribution disc forms a seal with one of the2023358939   03 Jun 2026cylinder wall of the outer cylinder and the cylinder wall of the inner cylinder, and the other of the radially inner end and the radially outer end of the uniform liquid distribution disc forms the gas channel with a cylinder wall of the outer cylinder and the cylinder wall of the inner cylinder.

3. The tank-type heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein,the radially outer end of the uniform liquid distribution disc is in sealed connection with the inner wall of the outer cylinder, and the radially inner end of the uniform liquid distribution disc and the outer wall of the inner cylinder form the gas channel; andthe radially inner end of the shielding body is fixedly connected with the outer wall of the inner cylinder.

4. The tank-type heat exchanger according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the gas channel is annular in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction of the tank-type heat exchanger.

5. The tank-type heat exchanger according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the shielding body is a baffle perpendicular to the axial direction of the tank-type heat exchanger.

6. The tank-type heat exchanger according to claim 5, wherein the shielding portion further includes an edge plate connected to the free end of the shielding body and extending towards the axial second end of the tank-type heat exchanger.

7. The tank-type heat exchanger according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the shielding body is a baffle extending from the connecting end to the free end towards the uniform liquid distribution disc.

8. The tank-type heat exchanger according to claim 7, wherein the baffle is a flat plate or a curved plate.

9. The tank-type heat exchanger according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a plurality of guiding portions, wherein the plurality of guiding portions are arranged at intervals at the edge of the shielding portion on one side proximate to the uniform liquid distribution disc and extend towards the uniform liquid distribution disc.

10. The tank-type heat exchanger according to claim 9, wherein,2023358939   03 Jun 2026the uniform liquid distribution disc presents a groove structure recessed from the axial first end to the axial second end of the tank-type heat exchanger;wherein the guiding portion partially extends into the groove structure, or the edge of the guiding portion proximate to the axial second end of the tank-type heat exchanger is aligned with the edge of the groove structure proximate to an axial first end of the tank-type heat exchanger along an axial direction of the tank-type heat exchanger.

11. The tank-type heat exchanger according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the inner cylinder is a circular cylinder or a polygonal cylinder.

12. The tank-type heat exchanger according to claim 11, further comprising a U-shaped tube, wherein the plane where a tube center line of the U-shaped tube is situated is arranged along a radial direction of the tank-type heat exchanger, the first end of the U-shaped tube is arranged in the inner cylinder and communicates with the inner cylinder, and the second end of the U-shaped tube is configured to be connected with a gaseous working fluid pipeline so as to introduce or lead out a gaseous working fluid.

13. The tank-type heat exchanger according to any of the preceding claims, wherein,the working fluid inlet includes a liquid inlet for introducing a liquid working fluid and arranged at the axial first end of the outer cylinder, and the working fluid outlet includes a gaseous working fluid port for leading out gaseous working fluid and communicating with the inner cylinder; and / orthe working fluid inlet includes a gaseous working fluid port for introducing a gaseous working fluid and communicating with the inner cylinder, and the working fluid outlet includes a liquid outlet for leading out a liquid working fluid and arranged at the axial second end of the outer cylinder.

14. The tank-type heat exchanger according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising:a second heat exchange tube coiled in the outer cylinder and located on one side of the shielding portion remote from the uniform liquid distribution disc; and / or2023358939   03 Jun 2026a third heat exchange tube coiled in the outer cylinder and located on one side of the first heat exchange tube remote from the uniform liquid distribution disc.

15. The tank-type heat exchanger according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the outer cylinder includes a cylinder block, a first end cover and a second end cover, wherein the cylinder block is divided along a radial direction of the tank-type heat exchanger, the first end cover is enclosed at the axial first end of the cylinder block, and the second end cover is enclosed at the axial second end of the cylinder block, and the axial first end of the inner cylinder is connected to the first end cover.

16. An air conditioning system, comprising the tank-type heat exchanger according to any of the preceding claims.

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