Vortex tubes and heat exchange systems with gradually expanding rectifiers

Abstract

This invention provides a vortex tube with a gradually expanding rectifier and a heat exchange system. The vortex tube includes a vortex chamber, a cold end assembly, a hot end assembly, and a gradually expanding rectifier disposed within the hot end tube of the hot end assembly. Due to the gradually expanding rectifier disposed within the hot end tube, the gas flowing within the hot end tube can be gradually rectified, thereby optimizing the flow field of the gas flow at that location. Compared with vortex tubes without a gradually expanding rectifier, the vortex tube of this invention can improve the overall energy separation efficiency, and the temperature difference between the cooled gas flowing out from the cold end and the hot gas flowing out from the hot end is greater.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of vortex tube technology, specifically relating to a vortex tube with a gradually expanding rectifier and a heat exchange system using the vortex tube. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, with the intensification of global warming and record-breaking summer temperatures, the demand for energy separation technology is gradually increasing, especially for portable refrigeration tools. Meanwhile, in response to the national call for energy conservation and emission reduction, how to achieve refrigeration with low energy consumption and low carbon emissions has become a key research topic. Eddy tubes are small, lightweight, and portable refrigeration devices, making eddy tube energy separation technology a natural focus of attention.

[0003] A vortex tube is a compact and ingeniously designed energy separation device, first discovered by the French engineer Ranque. This device can convert high-pressure gas into two streams of lower pressure and different temperatures. One stream, with a temperature lower than the inlet air temperature, is called the cold fluid, while the other stream, with a temperature higher than the inlet air temperature, is called the hot fluid. Therefore, using a vortex tube, refrigeration can be achieved simply by compressing air, without the need for electricity or other refrigerants. This demonstrates the broad potential of vortex tube energy separation technology in the field of portable refrigeration devices.

[0004] As mentioned above, vortex tubes have attracted much attention in the refrigeration field due to their unique portability and adaptability to harsh environments. However, compared with traditional refrigeration technologies, current vortex tube energy separation technology still has its own unique drawbacks, such as low refrigeration efficiency due to low energy separation efficiency and unclear refrigeration principles. Among these, the low refrigeration efficiency due to low energy separation efficiency is the most significant problem, which severely limits the application of vortex tubes. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention addresses the aforementioned problems and aims to provide a vortex tube that improves energy separation efficiency, thereby enhancing refrigeration efficiency, as well as a heat exchange system employing this vortex tube. The invention utilizes the following technical solution:

[0006] This invention provides a vortex tube with a gradually expanding rectifier, characterized in that it comprises: a vortex chamber for gas to enter and form a vortex; a cold end assembly disposed at one end of the vortex chamber for cooled gas to flow out; a hot end assembly disposed at the other end of the vortex chamber for heated gas to flow out; and a gradually expanding rectifier for gradually expanding and rectifying the gas, wherein the hot end assembly includes at least one end of a hot end tube communicating with the vortex chamber, and the gradually expanding rectifier is disposed within the hot end tube.

[0007] The vortex tube with a gradually expanding rectifier provided by the present invention may also have the following technical features, wherein the gradually expanding rectifier includes: a main body portion, which is cylindrical and whose outer peripheral surface is in close contact with the inner wall of the hot end tube; and a plurality of blade portions formed in the inner ring of the main body portion for rectifying the gas flowing in the hot end tube.

[0008] The vortex tube with a gradually expanding rectifier provided by the present invention may also have the following technical features, wherein a plurality of blade portions are evenly distributed along the inner ring of the main body portion, the width direction of each blade portion is consistent with the radial direction of the main body portion, each blade portion has a gradually changing width, and the narrower end of the blade portion faces the end of the hot end tube that connects to the vortex chamber.

[0009] The vortex tube with a gradually expanding rectifier provided by the present invention may also have the following technical features: each blade portion has the same shape and size, each blade portion is a right-angled trapezoidal plate, its right-angled side is connected to the inner ring of the main body portion, and the length of each blade portion is consistent with the length of the main body portion.

[0010] The vortex tube with a gradually expanding rectifier provided by the present invention may also have the following technical features: the number of blade portions is ten; the height of the gradually expanding rectifier is 15 mm, the diameter is 10 mm, the thickness of each blade portion is 0.5 mm, the length is 15 mm, the width at one end is 1 mm, the width at the other end is 3 mm, the length of the hot end tube is 200 mm, and the distance between the gradually expanding rectifier and the end of the hot end tube away from the vortex chamber is 40 mm.

[0011] The vortex tube with a gradually expanding rectifier provided by the present invention may also have the following technical features, wherein the hot end assembly further includes: a hot end outlet component, installed on one end of the hot end tube; and a hot end flange, installed on the hot end outlet component, the hot end outlet component having a hot end outlet extending through its axial direction, and a hot end air outlet communicating with the hot end outlet on one side of the hot end outlet component.

[0012] The vortex tube with a gradually expanding rectifier provided by the present invention may also have the following technical features: a control valve disposed at the hot end outlet of the hot end outlet component for cooperating with the hot end outlet.

[0013] The vortex tube with a gradually expanding rectifier provided by the present invention may also have the following technical features, wherein the cold end assembly includes: a cold end outlet component disposed on one end of the vortex chamber; and a cold end flange installed on the cold end outlet component, the cold end outlet component having a cold end outlet extending through its axial direction, and a cold end groove communicating with the cold end outlet, one end of the vortex chamber being fitted into the cold end groove.

[0014] The vortex tube with a gradually expanding rectifier provided by the present invention may also have the following technical features: a vortex chamber housing having a groove and a through hole communicating with the groove, wherein the hot end tube is fitted in the through hole, one end of the cold end outlet member having the cold end groove is fitted in the groove, the vortex chamber is housed in the vortex chamber housing, and one end is fitted in the cold end groove of the cold end outlet member, and the other end abuts against the end of the hot end tube.

[0015] The present invention provides a heat exchange system, characterized in that it includes: the aforementioned vortex tube; and a heat exchanger connected to the vortex tube via a pipeline.

[0016] Invention Function and Effect

[0017] According to the present invention, a vortex tube with a gradually expanding rectifier and a heat exchange system are provided. The vortex tube includes a vortex chamber, a cold end assembly, a hot end assembly, and a gradually expanding rectifier disposed in the hot end tube of the hot end assembly. Because it has a gradually expanding rectifier disposed in the hot end tube, it can gradually rectify the gas flowing in the hot end tube, thereby optimizing the flow field of the gas flow at that location. Compared with a vortex tube without a gradually expanding rectifier, the vortex tube of the present invention can improve the overall energy separation efficiency, and the temperature difference between the cooled gas flowing out of the cold end and the hot gas flowing out of the hot end is greater. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a side view of the vortex tube in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the vortex tube in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a top view of the gradually expanding rectifier in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a side view of the gradually expanding rectifier in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the gradually expanding rectifier in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 6 This is a comparison diagram of the cold end temperature difference of five vortex tubes in the comparative example of this invention;

[0024] Figure 7 This is a comparison diagram of the hot-end temperature difference of five vortex tubes in the comparative example of this invention;

[0025] Figure 8 This is a comparison chart of the cooling performance efficiency of five vortex tubes in the comparative examples of this invention.

[0026] Figure 9 This is a comparison chart of the thermal performance efficiency of five eddy current tubes in the comparative example of this invention.

[0027] Figure label:

[0028] The system includes: a vortex tube 10 with a gradually expanding rectifier; a cold end assembly 11; a cold end flange 111; a cold end outlet 112; a cold end outlet 112a; a hot end assembly 12; a hot end flange 121; a hot end outlet 122; a hot end outlet 122a; a hot end air outlet 122b; a hot end pipe 123; a cavity 123a; a vortex chamber 13; a vortex tube 13a; a vortex chamber shell 14; a regenerating medium inlet 14a; a gradually expanding rectifier 15; a main body 151; a blade section 152; and a control valve 16. Detailed Implementation

[0029] To make the technical means, creative features, objectives and effects of the present invention easy to understand, the following describes the vortex tube and the gradual expansion rectification method of the airflow in the vortex tube in detail with reference to the embodiments and accompanying drawings.

[0030] <Example>

[0031] This embodiment provides a heat exchange system, which includes a vortex tube and a heat exchanger connected to the vortex tube via a pipeline.

[0032] Figure 1 This is a side view of the vortex tube in this embodiment. Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the vortex tube in this embodiment.

[0033] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the vortex tube 10 with a gradually expanding rectifier (hereinafter referred to as vortex tube 10) includes a cold end assembly 11, a hot end assembly 12, a vortex chamber 13, a vortex chamber shell 14, a gradually expanding rectifier 15, and a control valve 16.

[0034] The cold end assembly 11 includes a cold end flange 111 and a cold end outlet 112. The cold end outlet 112 is an axisymmetric irregular-shaped component whose edge structure is adapted to fit the cold end flange 111. One axial end of the cold end outlet 112 has a mounting groove for connecting with other pipe fittings, and the other axial end has a cold end recess for embedding into one end of the vortex chamber 13. The middle of the cold end outlet 112 has a cold end outlet 112a extending axially, with a circular cross-section. The cold end outlet 112a communicates with both the mounting groove and the vortex chamber recess. The cold end outlet 112a is used for the outlet of cooled gas.

[0035] The hot-end assembly 12 includes a hot-end flange 121, a hot-end outlet 122, and a hot-end pipe 123. The hot-end outlet 122 is an axisymmetric irregularly shaped component whose edge structure is adapted to fit the hot-end flange 121. One axial end of the hot-end outlet 122 has a hot-end groove for embedding into one end of the hot-end pipe 123. The middle of the hot-end outlet 122 has a hot-end outlet 122a extending axially, with a circular cross-section larger than that of the cold-end outlet 112a. The hot-end outlet 122a communicates with the hot-end groove. Furthermore, one side of the hot-end outlet 122 has a hot-end air outlet 122b communicating with the hot-end outlet 122a, allowing heated gas to flow out.

[0036] The hot-end tube 123 is a tube with a uniform diameter and a flange at one end for connection with the outer shell 14 of the vortex chamber. The interior of the hot-end tube 123 is a cylindrical cavity 123a.

[0037] The vortex chamber 13 has a cylindrical shape, and a vortex tube 13a runs through it along its axial direction. The diameter of one end of the vortex tube 13a is basically the same as the diameter of the cold end outlet 112a, and the diameter of the other end of the vortex tube 13a is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the hot end tube 123. The vortex chamber 13 also has an air inlet (not shown in the figure) on one side for gas to enter, and the air inlet is connected to the vortex tube 13a.

[0038] The vortex chamber housing 14 is an axisymmetric irregular-shaped component with multi-level grooves and through holes communicating with the grooves. The flanged end of the hot-end tube 123 is fitted into the through hole of the vortex chamber housing 14 and is limited by the multi-level grooves. The end of the cold-end outlet component 112 with a cold-end groove is fitted into the groove. The vortex chamber 13 is housed within the vortex chamber housing 14, with one end abutting against the end of the hot-end tube 123 and the other end embedded in the cold-end groove of the cold-end outlet component 112.

[0039] The edge structure at one axial end of the vortex chamber shell 14 is adapted to the cold end flange 111. The cold end flange 111, the cold end outlet part 112, and the edge portion of the vortex chamber shell 14 are overlapped and fixed together by fasteners. The hot end flange 121 and the hot end outlet part 122 are fixed in the same way.

[0040] In addition, a regenerating medium inlet 14a, a regenerating medium outlet, and a gas inlet (not shown in the figure) for supplying gas into the vortex chamber 13 are respectively provided on the side wall of the vortex chamber shell 14.

[0041] Figure 3 This is a top view of the gradually expanding rectifier in this embodiment. Figure 4 This is a side view of the gradually expanding rectifier in this embodiment. Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the gradually expanding rectifier in this embodiment.

[0042] like Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the gradually expanding rectifier 15 has an overall cylindrical shape, which includes an integrally formed main body 151 and multiple blade sections 152.

[0043] The main body 151 is cylindrical, and multiple blade portions 152 are formed within the inner ring of the main body 151. Each blade portion 152 is a right-angled trapezoidal blade with a gradually changing width. One side of its right-angled waist is connected to the inner ring of the main body 151, and its upper and lower bases are located at opposite ends of the axial direction of the main body 151. The thickness direction of the blade portion 152 is perpendicular to the axial direction of the main body 151. The multiple blade portions 152 are evenly distributed along the inner ring of the main body 151, and the width direction of each blade portion 152 is consistent with the radial direction of the main body 151.

[0044] In this embodiment, the overall length of the hot-end tube 123 is 200 mm. The height (i.e., its axial length) of the expanding rectifier 15 is 15 mm, and its diameter is 10 mm. The expanding rectifier 15 has ten blade sections 152, each blade section 152 having a thickness of 0.5 mm, a length (i.e., the height of the trapezoid) of 15 mm, a width at one end (i.e., the length of the upper base of the trapezoid) of 1 mm, and a width at the other end (i.e., the length of the lower base of the trapezoid) of 3 mm. The expanding rectifier 15 is installed inside the cavity 123a of the hot-end tube 123, and the distance between it and the opening at one end of the hot-end tube 123 (the lower opening in the figure) is 40 mm.

[0045] The diffuser rectifier 15 is installed inside the cavity 123a of the hot-end tube 123 and is in close contact with the inner wall of the hot-end tube 123 to rectify the gas passing through the cavity 123a of the hot-end tube 123. The narrower end of the blade portion 152 of the diffuser rectifier 15 faces the end of the hot-end tube 123 that connects to the vortex chamber 13.

[0046] The control valve 16 is movably fitted at the hot end outlet 122a of the hot end outlet member 122, and is used to cooperate with the hot end gas outlet 122b on the hot end outlet member 122 to control the gas. When the control valve 16 moves outward to connect the hot end outlet 122a and the hot end gas outlet 122b, hot gas can flow out from the heat pipe end 123.

[0047] The heat exchanger inlet is connected to the hot end outlet 122a, the heat exchanger outlet is connected to the regenerating medium inlet 112b, and the regenerating medium outlet is connected to the cold end outlet 112a through a pipeline and then connected to an external pipeline.

[0048] During use, high-pressure gas enters the vortex chamber 13 through the inlet and expands and rotates at high speed within the vortex chamber 13. Since the aperture of the cold end outlet 112a is relatively smaller, it obstructs the rotating airflow. Therefore, most of the gas entering will flow in a spiral manner along the cavity 123a of the hot end pipe 123 towards the control valve 16 side.

[0049] During the above process, the high-pressure gas undergoes energy separation within the vortex tube 10. The gas near the outer end of the hot-end tube 123 has a higher overall temperature. This portion of the gas is rectified by the diffuser 15 and flows out from the hot-end outlet 122a, forming a hot gas flow. Meanwhile, the gas near the axial center of the vortex tube 10 has a relatively lower overall temperature. This portion of the gas, under the combined effect of the control valve 16 and the axial pressure gradient within the hot-end tube 123, experiences backflow and flows out from the cold-end outlet 112a, forming a cold gas flow, thus achieving a cooling effect.

[0050] Furthermore, by rectifying the gas flowing inside the hot end tube 123 through the gradually expanding rectifier 15, the overall energy separation efficiency of the vortex tube 10 can be improved, thereby increasing the temperature difference between the cold end outlet 112a and the hot end outlet 122a, which in turn improves the energy separation efficiency.

[0051] When the vortex tube 10 operates under different cold flow rates, the gas will be rectified by the gradually expanding rectifier 15 during the process of flowing from the hot end tube 123 to the hot end outlet 122a.

[0052] Functions and effects of the embodiments

[0053] According to the vortex tube with a gradually expanding rectifier and the heat exchange system provided in this embodiment, the vortex tube includes a vortex chamber, a cold end assembly, a hot end assembly, and a gradually expanding rectifier disposed in the hot end tube of the hot end assembly. Since it has a gradually expanding rectifier disposed in the hot end tube, it can gradually rectify the gas flowing in the hot end tube, thereby optimizing the flow field of the gas flow at that point. Compared with the vortex tube without a gradually expanding rectifier, the vortex tube of the present invention can improve the overall energy separation efficiency, and the temperature difference between the cooled gas flowing out of the cold end and the hot gas flowing out of the hot end is greater.

[0054] In this embodiment, the gradually expanding rectifier has an integrally formed main body and multiple blade sections. Gradual expansion rectification is achieved through the gradually varying width of the blade sections, resulting in a simple structure that is easy to manufacture. Furthermore, the guiding effect of the multiple blade sections parallel to the axial direction of the hot-end tube ensures excellent gradual expansion rectification of the gas flowing in the hot-end tube.

[0055] In this embodiment, the vortex tube is further enclosed in a vortex chamber shell, and the vortex chamber is housed within the shell. The hot end assembly includes a hot end flange and a hot end outlet component, and the cold end assembly includes a cold end flange and a cold end outlet component. They are fitted together by interlocking and fastened by fasteners at the edges. The overall structure has a small number of components, is compact, and is firmly and stably connected.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the expanding rectifier has ten blade sections, and each blade section is trapezoidal. In an alternative, the expanding rectifier may also have a relatively smaller number or more blade sections, and each blade section may also be in other shapes with a gradually changing width.

[0057] <Comparative Example>

[0058] This comparative example provides three types of vortex tubes for comparison with the vortex tube with a gradually expanding rectifier in the embodiment. The structures of these three vortex tubes are largely the same as those of the vortex tube in the embodiment, the difference being that the hot-end tubes of these three vortex tubes respectively do not have a rectifier, have an I-type dual rectifier, and have a tapered rectifier. The I-type dual rectifier is a rectifier in the prior art, and the tapered rectifier can be roughly considered as the gradually expanding rectifier in the embodiment installed in reverse in the hot-end tube.

[0059] The three types of vortex tubes and the vortex tube of the embodiment were compared under the same environment, and the following results were obtained.

[0060] Figure 6 This is a comparison chart of the cold-end temperature difference of the four types of vortex tubes in this comparative example. Figure 7 This is a comparison diagram of the temperature difference at the hot end of the four vortex tubes in this comparative example.

[0061] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the vortex tube with a gradually expanding rectifier in this embodiment exhibits optimized cold-end and hot-end temperature differences compared to the other three types of vortex tubes when the cold flow ratio is small. With a cold flow ratio less than 0.4, the maximum cold-end temperature difference of the vortex tube in this embodiment can reach 31.90 K.

[0062] Figure 8 This is a comparison chart of the cooling performance efficiency of four types of vortex tubes in this comparative example. Figure 9 This is a comparison chart of the thermal performance efficiency of four eddy current tubes in this comparative example.

[0063] from Figure 8 The cooling performance efficiency curve and Figure 9 The heating performance efficiency curves show that as the cooling-to-flow ratio increases, the effect of various rectifiers on improving cooling / heating performance efficiency first increases and then decreases. When the cooling-to-flow ratio reaches around 0.90, the performance efficiency of vortex tubes with various rectifiers and vortex tubes without rectifiers tends to be consistent. Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, the vortex tube in this embodiment exhibits superior cooling efficiency compared to the other three types of vortex tubes, with a maximum cooling efficiency of 0.098, which is 0.025 higher than that of the vortex tube without a rectifier, representing a 34% improvement. Similarly, the vortex tube in this embodiment also demonstrates superior heating efficiency compared to the other three types of vortex tubes, with a maximum heating efficiency of 0.114, compared to the maximum heating efficiency of only 0.084 for the vortex tube with a tapered rectifier.

[0064] In summary, the vortex tube with a gradually expanding rectifier provided in the embodiment has significantly better performance than the three vortex tubes in the comparative example.

[0065] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of specific implementations of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the scope of the description of the above embodiments. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are only for illustrating the principles of the present invention. Various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the present invention as claimed. The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A vortex tube with a gradually expanding rectifier, characterized in that, include: A vortex chamber is used to allow gas to enter and form a vortex. A cold end assembly is disposed at one end of the vortex chamber for the outlet of cooling gas; A hot-end assembly, located at the other end of the vortex chamber, from which heating gas flows out; and A diffuser rectifier is used for the gradual rectification of gas flow. The hot-end assembly includes at least one hot-end pipe that is connected at one end to the vortex chamber. The gradually expanding rectifier is disposed inside the hot-end tube. The gradually expanding rectifier includes: The main body is cylindrical, with its outer circumference tightly attached to the inner wall of the hot-end tube; and Multiple blade sections are integrally formed within the inner ring of the main body and are evenly distributed along the inner ring of the main body, for rectifying the gas flowing inside the hot-end pipe. The width of each blade portion is aligned with the radial direction of the main body portion. Each of the blade portions is a right-angled trapezoidal blade with a gradually changing width, the narrower end of the blade portion facing the end of the hot-end tube that connects to the vortex chamber.

2. The vortex tube with a gradually expanding rectifier according to claim 1, characterized in that: in, Each of the blade sections has the same shape and size. The right-angled side of each blade portion is connected to the inner ring of the main body portion. The length of each blade portion is the same as the length of the main body portion.

3. The vortex tube with a gradually expanding rectifier according to claim 2, characterized in that: in, The number of blade sections is ten. The gradually expanding rectifier has a height of 15mm and a diameter of 10mm. Each blade section is 0.5 mm thick, 15 mm long, 1 mm wide at one end, and 3 mm wide at the other end. The length of the hot end tube is 200mm, and the distance between the gradually expanding rectifier and the end of the hot end tube furthest from the vortex chamber is 40mm.

4. The vortex tube with a gradually expanding rectifier according to claim 1, characterized in that: in, The hot-end assembly also includes: A hot-end outlet component is installed on one end of the hot-end pipe; and The hot-end flange is installed on the hot-end outlet component. The hot end outlet component has a hot end outlet that extends through its axial direction. One side of the hot end outlet component has a hot end air outlet that communicates with the hot end outlet.

5. The vortex tube with a gradually expanding rectifier according to claim 4, characterized in that, Also includes: A control valve is disposed at the hot end outlet of the hot end outlet component and is used to cooperate with the hot end air outlet.

6. The vortex tube with a gradually expanding rectifier according to claim 1, characterized in that: in, The cold end component includes: A cold-end outlet component is disposed at one end of the vortex chamber; and The cold end flange is installed on the cold end outlet component. The cold end outlet component has a cold end outlet extending through its axial direction and a cold end groove communicating with the cold end outlet. One end of the vortex chamber is fitted into the cold end groove.

7. The vortex tube with a gradually expanding rectifier according to claim 6, characterized in that, Also includes: The vortex chamber housing has a groove and a through hole communicating with the groove. The hot-end tube is fitted into the through hole. The end of the cold-end outlet component having the cold-end groove is fitted into the groove. The vortex chamber is housed within the vortex chamber housing, with one end fitted into the cold end groove of the cold end outlet component and the other end abutting against the end of the hot end tube.

8. A heat exchange system, characterized in that, include: Vortex tube; as well as The heat exchanger is connected to the vortex tube via a pipeline. The vortex tube is the vortex tube described in any one of claims 1-7.

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