Three-fluid plate heat exchanger

Abstract

A three-fluid heat exchanger (1) is disclosed comprising a stack of plates (20a, 20b, 20c, 30a, 30b, 30c) and: • a first circuit (11) for circulation of a first heat transfer fluid between a first inlet manifold (11a) and a first outlet manifold (11b) for the first heat transfer fluid, • a second circuit (12) for circulation of a second heat transfer fluid between a second inlet manifold (12a) and a second outlet manifold (12b) for the second heat transfer fluid, • a third circuit (13) for circulation of a third heat transfer fluid between a third inlet manifold (13a) and a third outlet manifold (13b) for the third heat transfer fluid, the stack of plates (20a, 20b, 20c, 30a, 30b, 30c) forming alternating first (A) and second (B) circulation spaces for circulation of the heat transfer fluids, stacked in the direction of the stack of plates (20a, 20b, 20c, 30a, 30b, 30c), the first circuit (11) being arranged within the first (A) and second (B) circulation spaces, the second (12) and third (13) circuits being jointly arranged within the second circulation loop (B).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of heat exchangers, and more specifically, to the field of three-fluid plate heat exchangers for motor vehicles, which allow the exchange of heat energy between two different heat transfer fluids and a third heat transfer fluid. Background Technology

[0002] Plate heat exchangers typically comprise a stack of plates forming various stacked circulation spaces through which different heat transfer fluids circulate. Individual heat transfer fluids circulate in each circulation space. A first heat transfer fluid typically circulates alternately in the circulation space across the entire height of the stack of plates. Second and third heat transfer fluids then circulate in different circulation spaces between the two circulation spaces where the first heat transfer fluid circulates. Thus, the second and third heat transfer fluids each circulate across a portion of the height of the plate stack.

[0003] However, this type of structure can result in a large three-fluid heat exchanger, which may pose problems for integration within motor vehicles. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, one of the objectives of this invention is to at least partially overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and to provide an improved three-fluid heat exchanger.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention relates to a three-fluid heat exchanger comprising a stack of plates and:

[0006] • A first loop for circulating the first heat transfer fluid between the first inlet manifold and the first outlet manifold of the first heat transfer fluid.

[0007] • A second loop for circulating the second heat transfer fluid between the second inlet manifold and the second outlet manifold.

[0008] • A third loop for circulating the third heat transfer fluid between the third inlet manifold and the third outlet manifold.

[0009] The stack forms alternating first and second circulation spaces for heat transfer fluid circulation, stacked along the direction of the stack, with the first loop arranged in the first circulation space and the second and third loops arranged together in the second circulation space.

[0010] According to one aspect of the invention, the first loop includes at least two pathways within the same first loop space.

[0011] According to another aspect of the invention, the second and third loops each include at least two pathways within the same second loop space.

[0012] According to another aspect of the invention, in the second circulation space, the second circulation loop and the third circulation loop are arranged side by side, such that the second circulation loop is vertically aligned with the first passage of the first circulation loop, and the third circulation loop is vertically aligned with the second passage of the first circulation loop.

[0013] According to another aspect of the invention, within the second circulation space, the second and third circulation loops engage with each other, such that the passage of the first circulation loop is vertically aligned with the passages of the second and third circulation loops simultaneously.

[0014] According to another aspect of the invention, the circulation of the first heat transfer fluid in the first circulation space flows countercurrently to the circulation of the second and third heat transfer fluids in the second circulation space.

[0015] According to another aspect of the invention, the plate includes at least one rib configured to define a path for the passage.

[0016] According to another aspect of the invention, each circulation space includes a first plate and a second plate adjacent to each other, defining the circulation space in a stack, wherein the second plate of the circulation space contacts the first plate of the adjacent circulation space, and vice versa.

[0017] According to another aspect of the invention, the plates have a curved profile with side edges, the plates cooperating with each other, and the side edges of two adjacent plates overlapping to form a loop space. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description, which is provided in a non-limiting illustrative manner and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the three-fluid heat exchanger according to the first embodiment.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic exploded perspective view of a three-fluid heat exchanger.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram viewed from above the first circulation space according to the first embodiment.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram viewed from above the second circulation space according to the first embodiment.

[0023] Figure 5 It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the first and second circulation spaces of the first variant.

[0024] Figure 6 It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the first and second circulation spaces of the second variant.

[0025] Figure 7 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the three-fluid heat exchanger according to the second embodiment.

[0026] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram viewed from above the first circulation space according to the second embodiment.

[0027] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram viewed from above the second circular space according to the second embodiment.

[0028] In different figures, the same elements have the same reference numerals. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The following embodiments are some examples. Although the description refers to one or more embodiments, this does not necessarily mean that every reference relates to the same embodiment, or that a feature is applicable only to a single embodiment. Various features of different embodiments may also be combined and / or interchanged to provide other embodiments.

[0030] In this specification, some components or parameters may be indexed, for example, a first component or a second component, a first parameter and a second parameter, or even a first standard and a second standard, etc. In this case, the index is only used to distinguish and name similar but not identical components, parameters, or standards. Such indexing does not imply that one component, parameter, or standard is superior to another, and such naming can be easily interchanged without departing from the scope of this specification. Such indexing also does not imply chronological order, for example, the evaluation of this or that standard.

[0031] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A three-fluid heat exchanger 1 is shown, schematically illustrated in cross-section and exploded perspective views. The three-fluid heat exchanger 1 includes a stack of plates 20a, 20b, 20c, 30a, 30b, 30c (in... Figure 5 and 6 As can be seen in the image, these stacked plates form alternating first circulation spaces A and second circulation spaces B for the circulation of heat transfer fluids. These plates are stacked along the stacking direction of plates 20a, 20b, 20c, 30a, 30b, and 30c. The three-fluid heat exchanger 1 also includes a first loop 11 for the circulation of a first heat transfer fluid between a first inlet manifold 11a and a first outlet manifold 11b. The three-fluid heat exchanger 1 also includes a second loop 12 for the circulation of a second heat transfer fluid between a second inlet manifold 12a and a second outlet manifold 12b. The three-fluid heat exchanger 1 also includes a third loop 13 for the circulation of a third heat transfer fluid between a third inlet manifold 13a and a third outlet manifold 13b.

[0032] The first heat transfer fluid can be, for example, a refrigerant fluid used in an air conditioning circuit, such as CO2, R134a, or R1234y. The second heat transfer fluid can be, for example, ethylene glycol-water circulating in a thermal management circuit, such as in a battery for an electric or hybrid vehicle. The third heat transfer fluid can also be a heat transfer fluid circulating in another thermal management circuit, such as ethylene glycol-water.

[0033] The first circulation loop 11 is arranged within the first circulation space A, and the second circulation loop 12 and the third circulation loop 13 are arranged together within the second circulation space B. Therefore, the second circulation loop 12 and the third circulation loop 13 do not occupy circulation spaces A or B respectively, and each can allow heat energy to be exchanged with the first circulation loop 11. Therefore, the size of the heat exchanger 1 may be limited.

[0034] exist Figure 2 In the example, circulation loops 11, 12, and 13 include a single passage in each circulation space A and B. However, circulation loops 11, 12, and 13 may each include at least two passages within the same circulation space A and B in order to improve the heat exchange efficiency between the first heat transfer fluid and the second and third heat transfer fluids.

[0035] Figure 3 and Figure 4 A first embodiment is shown, comprising a first cyclic space A and a second cyclic space B, which include at least two pathways. Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a first circulation loop 11 within a first circulation space A is shown in more detail. The first circulation loop 11 includes a first passage 110a that originates from a first inlet manifold 11a and extends longitudinally through the first circulation space A. The first circulation loop 11 includes a second passage 110b connected to the end of the first passage 110a opposite to the first inlet manifold 11a. The second passage 110b extends longitudinally through the first circulation space A and meets the second inlet manifold 11b. The first passage 110a and the second passage 110b are side-by-side and separated by a wall 115.

[0036] First manifolds 11a and 11b are arranged on the same side of the first circulation space A. Second manifolds 12a and 12b and third manifolds 13a and 13b pass directly through the first circulation space A and are isolated, preventing them from fluidly communicating with the first circulation loop 11 or with each other. Figure 3 In the example shown, the second manifolds 12a, 12b and the third manifolds 13a, 13b are aligned and arranged in the first circulation space A, opposite to the first manifolds 11a, 11b.

[0037] Figure 4A schematic diagram of a second circulation loop 12 and a third circulation loop 13 within a second circulation space B is shown. The second circulation loop 12 includes a first passage 120a that originates from a second inlet manifold 12a and extends longitudinally through the second circulation space B. The second circulation loop 12 includes a second passage 120b connected to the end of the first passage 120a opposite to the second inlet manifold 12a. The second passage 120b extends longitudinally through the second circulation space B and meets the second inlet manifold 12b. The first passage 120a and the second passage 120b are side-by-side and separated by a wall 125.

[0038] The third circulation loop 13 includes a first passage 130a that begins at the third inlet manifold 13a and extends longitudinally through the second circulation space B. The third circulation loop 13 includes a second passage 130b connected to the end of the first passage 130a opposite to the third inlet manifold 13a. The second passage 130b extends longitudinally through the second circulation space B and meets the second inlet manifold 13b. The first passage 130a and the second passage 130b are side-by-side and separated by a wall 135.

[0039] Within the second circulation space B, the second circulation loop 12 and the third circulation loop 13 are arranged side by side, such that the second circulation loop 12 is vertically aligned with the first passage 110a of the first circulation loop 11, and the third circulation loop 13 is vertically aligned with the second passage 110b of the first circulation loop 11. The second circulation loop 12 and the third circulation loop 13 are separated by another wall 145.

[0040] The second and third manifolds 12a, 12b, 13a, and 13b are arranged on the same side of the second circulation space B. The first manifolds 11a and 11b pass directly through the second circulation space B and are isolated, preventing them from fluidly communicating with the second circulation loop 12 and the third circulation loop 13, or with each other. Figure 4 In the example shown, the second manifolds 12a, 12b and the third manifolds 13a, 13b are aligned and arranged in the second circulation space B, opposite to the first manifolds 11a, 11b.

[0041] Figure 5 and Figure 6 Cross-sectional views of cyclic spaces A and B are shown. According to... Figure 5A first variation of the plates 20a, 20b, 30a, 30b shown, wherein each loop space A, B comprises a first plate 20a, 30a and a second plate 20b, 30b adjacent to each other, thereby defining the loop space A, B. The first loop space A may be formed by the first plate 20a and the second plate 20b. Similarly, the second loop space B may be formed by the first plate 30a and the second plate 30b. In the stack, the second plates 20b, 30b of loop spaces A, B are in contact with the first plates 20a, 30a of adjacent loop spaces A, B, and vice versa. Walls 115, 125, 135, and 145 may be ribs formed on plates 20a, 20b, 30a, and 30b, and are configured to define paths for passages 110a, 110b, 120a, 120b, 130a, 130b.

[0042] according to Figure 6 A second variation of plates 20c and 30c is shown, wherein plates 20c and 30c may have curved profiles with side edges 21c and 31c. Plates 20c and 30c mate with each other, and the side edges 21c and 31c of two adjacent plates 20c and 30c overlap to form circulation spaces A and B. As previously described, walls 115, 125, 135, and 145 may be ribs formed on plates 20c and 30c and are configured to define paths for passages 110a, 110b, 120a, 120b, 130a, and 130b.

[0043] Figures 7 to 9 A second embodiment is shown, comprising a first circulation space A and a second circulation space B, which include at least two pathways. In this second embodiment, circulation spaces A and B may be formed by two plates 20a, 20b, 30a, 30b or even a single plate 20c, 30c, as described above.

[0044] like Figure 7 and Figure 8As shown, within the second circulation space B, the second circulation loop 12 and the third circulation loop 13 are not arranged side-by-side, but rather interlocked, such that the passages 110a and 110b of the first circulation loop 11 are simultaneously vertically aligned with the passages 120a, 120b, 130a, and 130b of the second and third circulation loops 12 and 13, respectively. For this purpose, one of the passages 130a and 130b of the third circulation loop 13 is arranged between the first passage 120a and the second passage 120b of the second circulation loop 13. Therefore, the various passages 120a, 130a, 120b, and 130b can be separated by a single wall 155 forming a zigzag path in the second circulation space B. As previously described, this wall 155 can be a rib formed on one or more plates 30a, 30b, and 30c forming the second circulation space B. The second manifolds 12a and 12b are no longer aligned with the third manifolds 13a and 13b, but are offset due to the interlocking of passages 120a, 120b, 130a, and 130b. The first manifolds 11a and 11b pass through the second circulation space B and are isolated, so that they cannot be in fluid communication with the second circulation loop 12 and the third circulation loop 13 or with each other.

[0045] like Figure 9 As shown, except that the second manifolds 12a, 12b and the third manifolds 13a, 13b are arranged in different positions, the first circulation space A remains the same as in the first embodiment. As a result, due to the positions of the second manifolds 12a, 12b and the third manifolds 13a, 13b, the passages 110a and 110b have less straight paths than in the first embodiment, but rather more curved paths.

[0046] To improve heat exchange, the circulation of the first heat transfer fluid in the first circulation space A can flow countercurrently to the circulation of the second and third heat transfer fluids in the second circulation space B. For this purpose, the first passage 110a of the first circulation loop 11 can be vertically aligned with the second passage 120b of the second circulation loop 12 and the first passage 130a of the third circulation loop 13. Similarly, the second passage 110b of the first circulation loop 11 can be vertically aligned with the first passage 120a of the second circulation loop 12 and the second passage 130b of the third circulation loop 13.

[0047] Therefore, it is clear that arranging the second circulation loop 12 and the third circulation loop 13 in the same circulation space allows for an improvement in the size of the three-fluid heat exchanger 1.

Claims

1. A three-fluid heat exchanger (1), comprising a stack of plates (20a, 20b, 20c, 30a, 30b, 30c) and: A first loop (11) for circulating the first heat transfer fluid between the first inlet manifold (11a) and the first outlet manifold (11b) of the first heat transfer fluid. A second loop (12) for circulating the second heat transfer fluid between the second inlet manifold (12a) and the second outlet manifold (12b) of the second heat transfer fluid. A third loop (13) for circulating the third heat transfer fluid between the third inlet manifold (13a) and the third outlet manifold (13b) of the third heat transfer fluid. Its features are, Stacked plates (20a, 20b, 20c, 30a, 30b, 30c) form alternating first circulation spaces (A) and second circulation spaces (B) for heat transfer fluid circulation, stacked along the direction of the stacked plates (20a, 20b, 20c, 30a, 30b, 30c). A first loop (11) is arranged in the first circulation space (A), and a second loop (12) and a third loop (13) are arranged together in the second circulation space (B). The first circulation loop (11) includes at least two passages (110a, 110b, 110c) within the same first circulation space (A). (b) The second loop (12) and the third loop (13) each include at least two pathways (120a, 120b, 130a, 130b) within the same second loop space (B). Within the second loop space (B), the second loop (12) and the third loop (13) are arranged side-by-side, such that the second loop (12) is vertically aligned with the first pathway (110a) of the first loop (11), and the third loop (13) is vertically aligned with the second pathway (110b) of the first loop (11). The second circulation loop has a U-shape connecting the second inlet manifold and the second outlet manifold, and the third circulation loop has a U-shape connecting the third inlet manifold and the third outlet manifold.

2. The three-fluid heat exchanger (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, The circulation of the first heat transfer fluid in the first circulation space (A) is countercurrent to the circulation of the second and third heat transfer fluids in the second circulation space (B).

3. The three-fluid heat exchanger (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The plates (20a, 20b, 20c, 30a, 30b, 30c) include at least one rib (115, 125, 135, 145, 155) configured to define the path of the passage (110a, 110b, 120a, 120b, 130a, 130b).

4. The three-fluid heat exchanger (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Each loop space (A, B) includes a first plate (20a, 30a) and a second plate (20b, 30b) adjacent to each other, defining the loop space (A, B) in a stack, wherein the second plate (20b, 30b) of the loop space (A, B) contacts the first plate (20a, 30a) of the adjacent loop space (A, B), and vice versa.

5. The three-fluid heat exchanger (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The plates (20c, 30c) have curved profiles with side edges (21c, 31c) that fit together, with the side edges (21c, 31c) of two adjacent plates (20c, 30c) overlapping to form a loop space (A, B).

Images