Micro Heat Exchanger

Abstract

The present invention provides a micro heat exchanger assembly, which is composed of three parts: a microchannel heat exchanger, a valve core, and a nut. The microchannel heat exchanger has a microchannel core, a first port, a second port, a third port, a fourth port, and a fifth port. The microchannel core and the first to fifth ports are a single homogeneous entity formed by a 3D printing method. The microchannel core has a plurality of parallel, spaced first fluid microchannels and second fluid microchannels inside. The first fluid microchannel is connected to the first port, the second port, and the fifth port, while the second fluid microchannel is connected to the third port and the fourth port. An external thread and an internal thread are provided on the fifth port, and an external thread is provided on the valve core. The valve core is screwed into the fifth port, and refrigerant can be filled into the microchannel heat exchanger through the fifth port. The micro heat exchanger assembly of the present invention can be used as an evaporator or condenser in a micro refrigeration system, and can also be used as a liquid-liquid heat exchanger.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a heat exchanger, in particular to a microchannel heat exchanger which is applicable to heat exchange between liquid and two-phase flow or between liquid and liquid. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, there are more and more micro refrigeration devices using vapor compression refrigeration cycles. These micro refrigeration devices include: portable refrigeration devices, wearable refrigeration devices, embedded refrigeration devices, etc. Like conventional vapor compression refrigeration devices, micro vapor compression refrigeration devices also include four major refrigeration elements, namely compressors, condensers, evaporators, and throttling elements. However, unlike conventional refrigeration devices, micro refrigeration devices require the volume of the four major refrigeration elements to be as small as possible in order to meet the portability requirements. For this reason, the compressor of the micro refrigeration device usually adopts a high-speed micro refrigeration compressor, which increases the gas output by increasing the speed, thereby reducing the volume of the compressor while ensuring the cooling capacity. Correspondingly, the condenser and evaporator in the micro refrigeration device need to adopt a microchannel structure. By utilizing the characteristics of the microchannel heat exchanger with a high heat transfer coefficient, the size of the condenser and evaporator can be reduced while ensuring the heat exchange capacity.

[0003] Through the above two methods, although the volume of the three main refrigeration components, the compressor, condenser, and evaporator, is effectively reduced, the total volume of the entire micro refrigeration system may not be reduced much. This is because, in conventional refrigeration devices, the volume of auxiliary components such as valves and pipelines is negligible compared to the volume of refrigeration components such as compressors, condensers, and evaporators; but in micro refrigeration devices, due to the limitations of processing accuracy and manufacturing process, the volume of auxiliary components such as valves cannot be infinitely reduced, and the bending radius of the pipeline cannot be infinitely reduced. When the volume of the main refrigeration components is reduced to a certain extent, the volume of auxiliary components such as valves and pipelines will reach a level comparable to the volume of the main refrigeration components such as compressors, condensers, and evaporators. Therefore, to achieve the miniaturization of refrigeration devices, it is not enough to only reduce the volume of the main refrigeration components, but also to find ways to reduce the volume of auxiliary components such as valves and pipelines. In particular, in conventional refrigeration devices, refrigerant is usually charged into the refrigeration device with the help of accessories such as angle valves, tees, and needle valves. In micro refrigeration devices, if conventional angle valves, tees, needle valves, and other accessories are still used in conjunction with corresponding connecting pipes to achieve the refrigerant charging function, the volume of the entire micro refrigeration device will be greatly increased, thereby offsetting the benefits of reducing the volume of the compressor, condenser, and evaporator. In order to further reduce the volume of the micro refrigeration device, in addition to minimizing the volume of the compressor, condenser, and evaporator, changes must also be made in other aspects. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention aims to solve the problem that a refrigerant charging device and related connecting pipelines in an existing micro refrigeration system occupy a lot of extra space, and proposes a novel micro heat exchanger assembly to further reduce the volume of the micro refrigeration system.

[0005] The micro heat exchanger assembly of the present invention is composed of three parts: a microchannel heat exchanger, a nut and a valve core.

[0006] The microchannel heat exchanger comprises a microchannel core, a first port, a second port, a third port, a fourth port and a fifth port. The microchannel core, the first port, the second port, the third port, the fourth port and the fifth port are a single homogeneous entity formed by a 3D printing method. An external thread and an internal thread are provided on the fifth port, and the specification of the external thread is any one of UNF 3 / 8-24, UNF 6 / 17-20 and UNF 1 / 2-20.

[0007] The nut has internal threads and one end is closed.

[0008] The valve core has sealing and one-way flow functions, and the valve core has external threads. The valve core is screwed into the fifth port of the microchannel heat exchanger to match with the internal threads of the fifth port.

[0009] The nut is screwed onto the fifth port of the microchannel heat exchanger, and the internal thread of the nut matches the external thread on the fifth port to cover the valve core.

[0010] The microchannel core has a plurality of parallel, spaced first fluid microchannels and second fluid microchannels. The plurality of first fluid microchannels are interconnected, and the plurality of second fluid microchannels are also interconnected, but any first fluid microchannel and any second fluid microchannel are not interconnected. The first fluid microchannel and the second fluid microchannel have a channel thickness range of 0.1-1 mm and a channel width range of 0.1-10 mm.

[0011] The first port and the second port are hollow tubular, the main body of the fifth port is hollow tubular, and the first port, the second port, the fifth port and the plurality of first fluid microchannels in the microchannel core are in communication.

[0012] The third port and the fourth port are hollow tube-shaped, and the third port and the fourth port are communicated with a plurality of second fluid microchannels in the microchannel core.

[0013] Furthermore, the ends of the third port and the fourth port are also constructed with a pagoda shape, which is for the convenience of connection with an external hose, but the pagoda shape of the ends of the third port and the fourth port is not necessary.

[0014] Furthermore, an inner circular table is provided inside the fifth port, the side with a smaller diameter of the inner circular table faces the inside of the microchannel heat exchanger, and the side with a larger diameter of the inner circular table faces the outside of the microchannel heat exchanger, and the internal thread of the fifth port is located on the side with a larger diameter of the inner circular table.

[0015] Furthermore, an outer cylindrical table is provided on the valve core, the side with a smaller diameter of the outer cylindrical table faces the inside of the microchannel heat exchanger, the side with a larger diameter of the outer cylindrical table faces the outside of the microchannel heat exchanger, and the external thread on the valve core is located on the side with a larger diameter of the outer cylindrical table. A lampshade-shaped rubber ring is sleeved on the outside of the outer cylindrical table. The valve core has a unidirectional conduction function, and the conduction direction is from the end with a larger diameter of the outer cylindrical table to the end with a smaller diameter.

[0016] When the valve core is screwed into the fifth port of the microchannel heat exchanger, the external thread on the valve core and the internal thread of the fifth port cooperate with each other, and the external circular table surface on the valve core and the internal circular table surface of the fifth port cooperate with each other, and the gap between the external circular table surface on the valve core and the internal circular table surface of the fifth port is filled with a rubber ring, thereby achieving sealing between the valve core and the inner wall of the fifth port.

[0017] When the valve core is screwed into the fifth port of the microchannel heat exchanger and the nut does not cover the fifth port, refrigerant can be charged into the microchannel heat exchanger through the valve core. Since the valve core has a unidirectional conduction capability, when the external pressure of the microchannel heat exchanger is greater than the internal pressure, the refrigerant can enter the microchannel heat exchanger through the valve core; on the contrary, when the internal pressure of the microchannel heat exchanger is greater than the external pressure, due to the sealing effect of the outer cylindrical table of the valve core and the rubber ring, the refrigerant inside the microchannel heat exchanger cannot leak out of the heat exchanger.

[0018] When the micro heat exchanger assembly is used for heat exchange between refrigerant and water, it can be used as an evaporator or a condenser. Regardless of whether the micro heat exchanger assembly is used as an evaporator or a condenser, when the micro heat exchanger assembly is connected to a micro refrigeration system and the system is closed, the refrigerant can be added to the refrigeration system through the fifth port on the micro channel heat exchanger, instead of charging the system with refrigerant through a valve or other accessories provided on the pipeline like an ordinary refrigeration system.

[0019] The micro heat exchanger assembly can also be used for liquid-to-liquid heat exchange, and in this case the fifth port on the microchannel heat exchanger can be used as a filling port or a discharge port for cold liquid or hot liquid.

[0020] The present invention has no restrictions on the relative positions of the ports on the microchannel heat exchanger. The first port, the second port, the third port, the fourth port, and the fifth port can be arranged on any side of the microchannel core as required without changing the implementation effect of the present invention. In one embodiment of the present invention, the first port and the second port are located on one side of the microchannel core, and the third port, the fourth port, and the fifth port are located on the other side of the microchannel core. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the first port, the second port, the third port, and the fourth port are all located on one side of the microchannel core, and the fifth port is located on the other side of the microchannel core.

[0021] The micro heat exchanger assembly of the present invention realizes the two functions of heat exchange and refrigerant filling in the same assembly at the same time, and does not need to set up valves, accessories and corresponding connecting pipes for filling refrigerant separately. It has the characteristics of small size, compact structure and high heat exchange efficiency. When used in a micro refrigeration system, it can greatly save the space occupied by the system, and can reduce the number of welding points and potential leakage points in the system, which helps to improve the reliability of the refrigeration system. It can be used in a variety of micro vapor compression refrigeration systems, such as portable refrigeration systems, embedded refrigeration systems, wearable refrigeration systems, etc. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of the appearance of one embodiment of the micro heat exchanger assembly 100 described in the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure explosion of the micro heat exchanger assembly 100 of the present invention, which includes three parts: a microchannel heat exchanger 1, a nut 2 and a valve core 3.

[0024] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the microchannel heat exchanger 1 .

[0025] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the microchannel heat exchanger 1.

[0026] Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional view of the fifth joint 1f of the microchannel heat exchanger 1.

[0027] Figure 6 It is a front view of the valve core 3.

[0028] Figure 7 FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the appearance of another embodiment of the micro heat exchanger assembly 100 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more clear, the embodiments of the present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0030] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 According to one embodiment of the present invention, the present invention provides a micro heat exchanger assembly 100, which is composed of three parts: a microchannel heat exchanger 1, a nut 2, and a valve core 3.

[0031] Depend on Figure 3 It can be seen that the microchannel heat exchanger 1 has a microchannel core 1a, a first port 1b, a second port 1c, a third port 1d, a fourth port 1e and a fifth port 1f. The microchannel core 1a, the first port 1b, the second port 1c, the third port 1d, the fourth port 1e and the fifth port 1f are a single homogeneous entity formed by a 3D printing method. The material of the entity is usually titanium alloy, 304 stainless steel or 316 stainless steel.

[0032] The nut 2 is a nut with internal threads and one end is closed. The valve core 3 has sealing and one-way flow functions, and the valve core 3 is installed in the fifth port 1f of the microchannel heat exchanger 1. The nut 2 is tightened on the fifth port 1f, covering the valve core 3 installed in the fifth port 1f, so that the valve core 3 is not exposed.

[0033] Depend on Figure 4 It can be seen that the microchannel core 1a has a plurality of first fluid microchannels 1m and second fluid microchannels 1n arranged in parallel and at intervals. The plurality of first fluid microchannels 1m are interconnected, and the plurality of second fluid microchannels 1n are also interconnected, but any first fluid microchannel 1m and any second fluid microchannel 1n are not interconnected. The channel thickness of the first fluid microchannel 1m and the second fluid microchannel 1n ranges from 0.1 to 1 mm, and the channel width ranges from 0.1 to 10 mm.

[0034] The first port 1b and the second port 1c are hollow tubular, the main body of the fifth port 1f is hollow tubular, and the first port 1b, the second port 1c, the fifth port 1f are connected to a plurality of first fluid microchannels 1m inside the microchannel core 1a.

[0035] The third port 1d and the fourth port 1e are hollow tubes, and the third port 1d and the fourth port 1e are connected to a plurality of second fluid microchannels 1n inside the microchannel core 1a.

[0036] The ends of the third port 1d and the fourth port 1e are also provided with a pagoda shape, which is for the convenience of connection with an external hose, but the pagoda shape at the ends of the third port 1d and the fourth port 1e is not necessary.

[0037] like Figure 5As shown, the fifth port 1f has an outer cylindrical surface 1f-1, an inner cylindrical surface 1f-2 with a larger diameter, an inner cylindrical surface 1f-3 with a smaller diameter, and an inner circular table surface 1f-4 connecting the inner cylindrical surface 1f-2 and the inner cylindrical surface 1f-3, wherein the inner cylindrical surface 1f-2 with a larger diameter faces the outside of the microchannel heat exchanger 1, and the inner cylindrical surface 1f-3 with a smaller diameter faces the inside of the microchannel heat exchanger 1, and an outer thread 1f-5 is provided on the outer cylindrical surface 1f-1, and an inner thread 1f-6 is provided on the inner cylindrical surface 1f-2 with a larger diameter, and the inner thread 1f-6 is located at the end of the inner cylindrical surface 1f-2 facing the outside of the microchannel heat exchanger 1. The outer thread specification is any one of UNF 3 / 8-24, UNF 6 / 17-20, and UNF 1 / 2-20, and the preferred specification is UNF 6 / 17-20.

[0038] like Figure 6 As shown, the valve core 3 has an external thread 3a, an external cylindrical surface 3b and a rubber ring 3c, wherein the external thread 3a is located at the end with a larger diameter of the valve core 3, the external cylindrical surface 3b is located at the transition section between the end with a larger diameter and the end with a smaller diameter of the valve core 3, and the lampshade-shaped rubber ring 3c is sleeved outside the external cylindrical surface 3b. The valve core 3 has a unidirectional conduction function, and the conduction direction is from the end with a larger diameter to the end with a smaller diameter.

[0039] Combination Figure 2 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 It can be seen that when the valve core 3 is screwed into the fifth port 1f of the microchannel heat exchanger 1, the external thread 3a on the valve core 3 and the internal thread 1f-6 of the fifth port 1f cooperate with each other, and the external circular table 3b on the valve core 3 and the internal circular table 1f-4 of the fifth port 1f cooperate with each other, and the gap between the external circular table 3b on the valve core 3 and the internal circular table 1f-4 of the fifth port 1f is filled by the rubber ring 3c on the valve core 3, thereby blocking the internal channel of the fifth port 1f, and realizing the sealing between the valve core 3 and the inner wall of the fifth port 1f.

[0040] When the valve core 3 is screwed into the fifth port 1f of the microchannel heat exchanger 1, and the nut 2 does not cover the fifth port 1f, the refrigerant can be charged into the microchannel heat exchanger 1 through the valve core 3. Since the valve core 3 has a unidirectional conduction function, when the external pressure of the microchannel heat exchanger 1 is greater than the internal pressure, the refrigerant can enter the microchannel heat exchanger 1 through the valve core 3; on the contrary, when the internal pressure of the microchannel heat exchanger 1 is greater than the external pressure, due to the sealing effect of the outer cylindrical table 3b of the valve core 3 and the rubber ring 3c, the refrigerant inside the microchannel heat exchanger 1 cannot leak out of the microchannel heat exchanger.

[0041] refer to Figure 1-Figure 3When the micro heat exchanger assembly 100 is used for heat exchange between refrigerant and water and is used as an evaporator, the flow path of the refrigerant is: the first port 1b→multiple parallel first fluid microchannels 1m inside the microchannel core 1a→the second port 1c; the flow path of the water is: the third port 1d→multiple parallel second fluid microchannels 1n inside the microchannel core 1a→the fourth port 1e. After the liquid refrigerant flows into the microchannel core 1a from the first port 1b, it evaporates inside the multiple parallel first fluid microchannels 1m, absorbs the heat of the water in the second fluid microchannels 1n arranged at intervals from the first fluid microchannels 1m, reduces the temperature of the water, and achieves the cooling effect, and the evaporated refrigerant becomes gaseous and flows out of the microchannel heat exchanger 1 from the second port 1c.

[0042] like Figure 1-Figure 3 As shown, when the micro heat exchanger assembly 100 is used for heat exchange between refrigerant and water and is used as a condenser, the flow path of the refrigerant is: the second port 1c→multiple parallel first fluid microchannels 1m inside the microchannel core 1a→the first port 1b; the flow path of the water is: the fourth port 1e→multiple parallel second fluid microchannels 1n inside the microchannel core 1a→the third port 1d. After the liquid refrigerant flows into the microchannel core 1a from the second port 1c, it condenses inside the multiple parallel first fluid microchannels 1m and releases heat. The released heat is transferred to the water in the second fluid microchannels 1n arranged at intervals from the first fluid microchannels 1m. The heated water flows out of the microchannel heat exchanger 1 from the third port 1d, and the condensed refrigerant becomes liquid and flows out of the microchannel heat exchanger 1 from the first port 1b.

[0043] Regardless of whether the micro heat exchanger assembly 100 is used as an evaporator or a condenser, when the micro heat exchanger assembly 100 is connected to a micro refrigeration system and the system is closed, the refrigerant can be added to the refrigeration system through the fifth port 1f.

[0044] The micro heat exchanger assembly 100 can also be used for liquid-liquid heat exchange. When the flow path of the hot liquid is the second port 1c→multiple parallel first fluid microchannels 1m inside the microchannel core 1a→the first port 1b, the flow path of the cold liquid is the fourth port 1e→multiple parallel second fluid microchannels 1n inside the microchannel core 1a→the third port 1d, and the fifth port 1f can be used as a filling or discharge port for the hot liquid. Conversely, when the flow path of the hot liquid is the third port 1d→multiple parallel second fluid microchannels 1n inside the microchannel core 1a→the fourth port 1e, the flow path of the cold liquid is the first port 1b→multiple parallel first fluid microchannels 1m inside the microchannel core 1a→the second port 1c, and the fifth port 1f can be used as a filling or discharge port for the cold liquid.

[0045] In the above embodiment, the first port 1b and the second port 1c are located on one side of the microchannel core 1a, and the third port 1d, the fourth port 1e, and the fifth port 1f are located on the other side of the microchannel core 1a, but the present invention has no limitation on the relative positions of the ports. The first port 1b, the second port 1c, the third port 1d, the fourth port 1e, and the fifth port 1f can be arranged on any side of the microchannel core 1a as required without changing the implementation effect of the present invention. For example, Figure 7 As shown, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the first port 1b, the second port 1c, the third port 1d, and the fourth port 1e are all located on one side of the microchannel core 1a, and the fifth port 1f is located on the other side of the microchannel core 1a.

[0046] As a preferred embodiment of the technical solution of the present invention, the microchannel core 1a is a rectangular parallelepiped, but the present invention does not limit the shape of the microchannel core 1a. The shape of the microchannel core 1a can also be a cylinder, a prism, a truncated cone and other suitable shapes.

[0047] It can be seen from the above embodiments that since the device for charging the refrigerator is integrated into the microchannel heat exchanger, there is no need to set up valve accessories and corresponding pipelines for charging refrigerant in the refrigeration system, thereby reducing the volume and weight occupied by these accessories and pipelines, making it possible to build a smaller and lighter micro refrigeration system. Since the microchannel heat exchanger is integrally formed by 3D printing, and the refrigerant charging accessories are integrated into the microchannel heat exchanger, the number of points that need to be welded during the manufacturing process of the refrigeration system is reduced, the number of potential leakage points is reduced, and the reliability of the refrigeration system is improved.

[0048] The term "connectivity" as used herein refers to a portion of a material having cavities which are connected together to allow fluid to flow therethrough.

[0049] In this document, the directional words such as inside, outside, middle, end, side, etc. are defined by the positions of the parts in the drawings and the positions of the parts relative to each other, just for the sake of clarity and convenience in expressing the technical solution. It should be understood that the use of the directional words should not limit the scope of protection requested by this application.

[0050] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the principles and principles of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A micro heat exchanger assembly that can simultaneously realize heat exchange and refrigerant charging functions in a single assembly, characterized by: The micro heat exchanger assembly consists of three parts: a microchannel heat exchanger, a nut, and a valve core; the microchannel heat exchanger has a microchannel core, a first port, a second port, a third port, a fourth port, and a fifth port, and the microchannel core, the first port, the second port, the third port, the fourth port, and the fifth port are a single homogeneous entity formed by a 3D printing method, and an external thread and an internal thread are provided on the fifth port; the nut has an internal thread and one end is closed; the valve core has sealing and one-way flow functions, the valve core has an external thread, and the valve core is screwed into the fifth port of the microchannel heat exchanger to match the internal thread of the fifth port; the The nut is screwed on the fifth port of the microchannel heat exchanger, and the internal thread of the nut and the external thread on the fifth port cooperate with each other to cover the valve core; the microchannel core has a plurality of first fluid microchannels and a plurality of second fluid microchannels inside; the first port and the second port of the microchannel heat exchanger are hollow tubular, and the main body of the fifth port is hollow tubular, and the first port, the second port, the fifth port and the plurality of first fluid microchannels inside the microchannel core are connected; the third port and the fourth port are hollow tubular, and the third port and the fourth port are connected to the plurality of second fluid microchannels inside the microchannel core; The fifth port is also provided with an inner circular table surface, the side with a smaller diameter of the inner circular table surface faces the inside of the microchannel heat exchanger, the side with a larger diameter of the inner circular table surface faces the outside of the microchannel heat exchanger, and the internal thread of the fifth port is located on the side with a larger diameter of the inner circular table surface; the valve core is provided with an outer circular table surface, the side with a smaller diameter of the outer circular table surface faces the inside of the microchannel heat exchanger, the side with a larger diameter of the outer circular table surface faces the outside of the microchannel heat exchanger, and the external thread on the valve core is located on the side with a larger diameter of the outer circular table surface; a lampshade-shaped rubber ring is sleeved on the outside of the outer circular table surface; the valve core has a unidirectional conduction function, The conduction direction is from the end with a larger diameter of the outer cylindrical table to the end with a smaller diameter; when the valve core is screwed into the fifth port of the microchannel heat exchanger, the external thread on the valve core and the internal thread of the fifth port cooperate with each other, and the outer cylindrical table on the valve core and the inner cylindrical table of the fifth port cooperate with each other, and the gap between the outer cylindrical table on the valve core and the inner cylindrical table of the fifth port is filled with a rubber ring, thereby achieving sealing between the valve core and the inner wall of the fifth port; when the valve core is screwed into the fifth port of the microchannel heat exchanger and the nut does not cover the fifth port, refrigerant can be charged into the interior of the microchannel heat exchanger through the valve core.

2. The micro heat exchanger assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The multiple first fluid microchannels and the multiple second fluid microchannels in the microchannel core are arranged in parallel and at intervals; the multiple first fluid microchannels are interconnected, and the multiple second fluid microchannels are also interconnected, but any first fluid microchannel and any second fluid microchannel are not interconnected.

3. The micro heat exchanger assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first port and the second port are located on one side of the microchannel core, and the third port, the fourth port and the fifth port are located on the other side of the microchannel core; or Optionally, the first port, the second port, the third port and the fourth port are all located on one side of the microchannel core, and the fifth port is located on the other side of the microchannel core.

4. The micro heat exchanger assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The external thread specification on the fifth port of the microchannel heat exchanger is any one of UNF 3 / 8-24, UNF 6 / 17-20, and UNF 1 / 2-20.

5. The micro heat exchanger assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first fluid microchannel and the second fluid microchannel in the microchannel core have a channel thickness ranging from 0.1 to 1 mm and a channel width ranging from 0.1 to 10 mm.

6. The micro heat exchanger assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that: Optionally, a pagoda shape is also constructed at the end of the third port and the fourth port to facilitate connection with a hose.

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