Heat exchanger plate with fluid flow perturbing elements

Abstract

The invention relates to a plate (10) of a heat exchanger (1), having two opposite longitudinal edges connected to each other by two lateral edges (16), the longitudinal and lateral edges (16) surrounding a bottom wall (24), the angle (alpha, alpha1, alpha2) measured between this bottom wall (24) and any one of the edges (16) being between 103.5 DEG and 109.5 DEG, and the angle (alpha, alpha1, alpha2) measured between this bottom wall (24) and any one of the edges (16) being between 103.5 DEG and 109.5 DEG. The thickness of the plate (10) is between 0.20 mm and 0.45 mm, the bottom wall (24) is equipped with fluid flow perturbing elements (40), these fluid flow perturbing elements (40) having a vertical dimension (D, D1, D2) between 0.75 mm and 1.15 mm.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of heat exchangers, and more particularly to those heat exchangers equipped with fluid flow perturbation elements.

[0002] These heat exchangers may, for example, equip a vehicle. These heat exchangers are then arranged in this vehicle to allow thermal regulation of a first fluid circulating in a first space by means of the circulation of a second fluid in a second space separate from the first space, so that the two fluids do not mix. These fluids may in particular be a refrigerant fluid circulating in an air conditioning circuit of the vehicle or a coolant intended to regulate the temperature of an internal combustion engine.

[0003] In heat exchangers and thermodynamic circuits to which they are connected, fluids circulate while dissipating or absorbing thermal energy. The effectiveness of heat exchangers and thermodynamic circuits is mainly determined by the heat exchange between the fluids flowing through them. It is therefore sought to design heat exchangers in which the heat exchange between the fluids circulating inside the heat exchanger is optimized. To this end, it is known to equip heat exchangers with fluid flow disturbance devices in order to increase the heat exchange between the fluids.

[0004] One type of heat exchanger used in the automotive sector is the plate exchanger, which consists of a stack of plates fixed to each other by brazing, in which the space remaining between two adjacent plates after brazing defines a fluid circulation zone. These circulation zones are generally adapted to the fluid flowing through them, which implies that there are several different types of plates. The technical problem is that the means for producing and storing these plates are different, and this makes the logistics management during the manufacturing process of these plate heat exchangers more complicated.

[0005] The present invention aims to overcome this drawback by proposing a heat exchanger plate whose fluid flow disturbance means are configured so as to optimize on the one hand the fluid circulation disturbance while providing improved mechanical strength within the heat exchanger equipped with such a plate, the dimensions of these plates being configured so that the plate adapts, in particular by deformation, to the height of the fluid circulation space, this height being in particular defined by the disturbance means.

[0006] The main subject of the invention is therefore a plate for a heat exchanger having a barrel-like form, having two opposite longitudinal edges connected to one another by two lateral edges, these longitudinal edges and lateral edges surrounding a bottom wall of the plate, the angle measured between this bottom wall and any one of these edges being between 103.5° and 109.5°, the thickness of the bottom wall ranging between 0.20 mm and 0.45 mm, the bottom wall being provided with fluid flow disturbance elements, at least one of these fluid flow disturbance elements having a vertical dimension measured within the volume delimited by the bottom wall and these edges, ranging between 0.75 mm and 1.15 mm.

[0007] The heat exchanger plate according to the invention is configured for a fluid circulation which makes it possible to optimize the heat exchange via a fluid flow disturbance element. The fluid flow disturbance element is a deformation of the bottom wall. The fluid circulates within a volume of the heat exchanger plate which is delimited by the bottom wall and both longitudinal edges and lateral edges from which the fluid flow disturbance element projects, the longitudinal edges and lateral edges extending in planes intersecting the bottom wall. These intersecting planes are not necessarily perpendicular to the bottom wall and this gives the heat exchanger plate its barrel-like form.

[0008] More specifically, the angle measured between the bottom wall and any one of these edges (that is, the longitudinal edge or the lateral edge) ranges between 103.5° and 109.5°; preferably, this angle ranges between 105° and 108°; and more preferably still, this angle ranges between 105.5° and 107.5°.

[0009] The bottom wall has a determined thickness corresponding to its vertical dimension measured between the first face of the plate and the second face of the plate. This dimension is measured along a vertical direction extending perpendicularly to the plane in which the bottom wall mainly extends. Preferably, the thickness of the plate ranges between 0.20 mm and 0.45 mm, and ideally it ranges between 0.27 mm and 0.35 mm.

[0010] The vertical dimension of the fluid flow perturbation elements is also predetermined, which corresponds to their dimension measured in the vertical direction. Thus, the vertical dimension ranges between 0.75 mm and 1.15 mm. It will be understood that the fluid flow perturbation elements protrude from the plane in which the bottom wall extends and extend into the space defined between the longitudinal edge and the lateral edge, that is to say into the volume of the heat exchanger plate.

[0011] According to one feature of the invention, the vertical dimension of the fluid flow perturbing element is a first vertical dimension ranging between 0.75 mm and 0.85 mm.

[0012] According to another feature of the invention, the vertical dimension of the fluid flow perturbing element is a second vertical dimension ranging between 1.05 mm and 1.15 mm.

[0013] Thus, the fluid flow disturbance element may have a first vertical dimension ranging between 0.75 mm and 0.85 mm, or a second vertical dimension ranging between 1.05 mm and 1.15 mm; it will be understood that these two separate vertical dimensions corresponding to the height of the fluid flow disturbance element relate to two possible embodiments of the heat exchanger plate.

[0014] According to one feature, the bottom wall is provided with at least four fluid distribution openings, each of these fluid distribution openings being arranged in the vicinity of the junction between the longitudinal edge and the lateral edge.

[0015] The function of these fluid distribution openings is to convey or drain fluid to / from the volume of the heat exchanger plate.The fluid distribution openings are arranged on the plate such that at each corner of this plate there is a fluid distribution opening.

[0016] According to one feature of the invention, the fluid flow perturbing element comprises at least one truncated protrusion extending between a base and a top.

[0017] This truncated protrusion shape is defined in a cross-sectional view, which in this case corresponds to a vertical cross-sectional plane. These truncated protrusions extend between a base and a top, their base corresponding to their portion joined to the bottom wall, while their top is the portion furthest from this plane, the top forming the free end of the truncated protrusion before the heat exchanger is brazed. The top of the truncated protrusion is a flat portion that preferably extends parallel to the bottom wall.

[0018] The fluid flow perturbing elements are deformations of the bottom wall, for example formed by stamping.The mechanical strength of the heat exchanger plate depends in particular on the thinning of the material obtained during the deformation of the bottom wall to obtain these fluid flow perturbing elements.

[0019] According to one feature, the truncated protrusion has a maximum diameter measured at its base of 4.5 mm.

[0020] According to another feature of the invention, the truncated protuberance has a minimum diameter of 2 mm measured at its top.

[0021] It will be understood here that the base of the truncated protrusions (that is to say their bottom) are rounded and potentially have a larger diameter than their tops, which are also rounded.

[0022] According to one feature, the bottom wall is provided with a dividing strip extending from one of the lateral edges towards the other lateral edge, without however being in contact with the other lateral edge.

[0023] According to one feature, the dividing strip has a sinusoidal shape.

[0024] Like the fluid flow perturbing elements, the function of the spacer strips is to optimize the heat exchange within the heat exchanger plate by lengthening the path taken by the fluid within the volume of this plate.

[0025] According to a first embodiment, the present invention also relates to a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between a first fluid and a second fluid, the heat exchanger comprising a first plate as described above (that is, having a first vertical dimension) and a second plate as described above (that is, having a second vertical dimension).

[0026] According to one aspect of the present invention, the first fluid and the second fluid for heat exchange can be respectively a dielectric type heat transfer fluid, a cooling fluid (such as water, or a mixture of water and ethylene glycol), or a refrigerant fluid (such as R134a, R1234yf or R744).

[0027] The first plate and the second plate then constitute a heating body in the heat exchanger, this heating body corresponding to a portion thereof in which a fluid circulates and thus heat exchange occurs. In the heat exchanger according to this first embodiment, a first fluid and a different second fluid circulate respectively between two adjacent plates, for example so as to alternate first fluid circulation zones and second fluid circulation zones, these circulation zones being vertically delimited by the bottom walls of adjacent plates. This heat exchanger in this case has first plates and second plates arranged alternately, the height of the fluid flow perturbation elements of the first plates ranging between 0.75 mm and 0.85 mm, and the height of the fluid flow perturbation elements of the second plates ranging between 1.05 mm and 1.15 mm. In the same heat exchanger, the spaces between the plates constituting the heat exchanger thus have varying vertical dimensions. This combination of first plates and second plates provides the heat exchanger with flexibility in the size of its circulation zones. Thus, for example, it is possible to obtain a first fluid circulation zone that is larger than the second fluid circulation zone, and vice versa.

[0028] According to this first embodiment, the angle measured between the bottom wall and any of the edges ranges between 105° and 108°. Preferably, this angle ranges between 105.5° and 107.5°. Such an angle provides flexibility, making it possible to deform the edges of the panels having the first vertical dimension or the second vertical dimension, while still ensuring the sealing between the panels at least at their edges.

[0029] As an alternative and according to a second embodiment, the invention relates to a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between a first fluid and a second fluid, this heat exchanger comprising a heating body consisting solely of plates as described above, that is to say of a first vertical dimension.

[0030] In this case, the heat exchanger has a heating body (that is to say the part dedicated to heat exchange) consisting only of the first plate (that is to say the plate whose fluid flow perturbation elements have a vertical dimension ranging between 0.75 mm and 0.85 mm).

[0031] According to this second embodiment, the angle measured between the bottom wall and any one of these edges ranges between 106.5° and 109.5°. This angle is particularly suitable for ensuring the stacking of plates having a first vertical dimension and also ensuring the sealing between two plates at least at their edges.

[0032] According to a third embodiment, the invention is understood to cover a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between a first fluid and a second fluid, this heat exchanger comprising a heating body consisting solely of plates as described above, that is to say of the second vertical dimension.

[0033] In this case, the heat exchanger has a heating body (that is to say the part dedicated to heat exchange) consisting only of the second plate (that is to say the plate whose fluid flow perturbation elements have a vertical dimension ranging between 1.05 mm and 1.15 mm).

[0034] According to this third embodiment, the angle measured between the bottom wall and any one of these edges ranges between 103.5° and 106.5°. This angle is particularly suitable for ensuring the stacking of plates having the second vertical dimension and also ensuring the sealing between two plates at least at their edges.

[0035] According to another feature, the plates are assembled by brazing.

[0036] Brazing ensures in particular the tightness of the heat exchanger, since the first fluid and the second fluid thus have separate circulation zones that are not in communication and which, moreover, are sealed with respect to the environment outside the heat exchanger.

[0037] According to one feature, the plates are stacked in a stacking direction, the fluid flow perturbing elements of two plates adjacent in the stacking direction being arranged in a staggered manner.

[0038] The stacking direction corresponds to the vertical direction; the stacking direction is the direction in which the plates are stacked one on top of the other so that their respective longitudinal edges and lateral edges are in contact. In this context, "arranged in a staggered manner" is understood to mean that the fluid flow perturbing elements of a given plate are not vertically aligned with the fluid flow perturbing elements of one or more plates adjacent to the given plate, in particular when the plates are viewed in a vertical section through the three fluid flow perturbing elements. In other words, when the plates are viewed from above, the fluid flow perturbing elements of a plate do not overlap with the fluid flow perturbing elements of an adjacent plate.

[0039] According to another feature, the top of the fluid flow perturbing element of a plate is in contact with the bottom wall of the plate adjacent to it in the stacking direction.

[0040] The fluid flow perturbation element is thus a point of contact between two adjacent plates. Furthermore, this connection contributes to defining a circulation path of the fluid within the circulation zone of the heat exchanger plate and thus perturbing the flow of this fluid in the volume of the plate. Furthermore, the contact between the fluid flow perturbation element of a first plate and the bottom wall of the plate superposed with the first plate contributes to the mechanical reinforcement of the heat exchanger, serving to fix the two plates and allowing the distribution of forces between all the contact points formed by the fluid flow perturbation element.

[0041] Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will become more apparent on reading the following description and by means of exemplary embodiments given by way of non-limiting illustration, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0042] [ Figure 1 ] schematically shows a perspective view of a heat exchanger according to the present invention;

[0043] [ Figure 2 ] is based on the first embodiment Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the exchanger in FIG.

[0044] [ Figure 3 ]yes Figure 1 A perspective view of two plates of a heat exchanger in FIG.

[0045] [ Figure 4 ] is based on the first embodiment Figure 1 A close-up view of a cross section of an exchanger in FIG.

[0046] [ Figure 5 ] is according to the second embodiment Figure 1 A close-up view of a cross section of an exchanger in FIG.

[0047] [ Figure 6 ] is according to the third embodiment Figure 1 Close-up view of a cross section of an exchanger in FIG.

[0048] The features, variants and different embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other in various combinations, as long as they are compatible with each other or not mutually exclusive. In particular, it will be possible to envision a variant of the present invention comprising only a selection of features described below in isolation from other features described, provided that such selection of features is sufficient to provide a technical advantage and / or to distinguish the present invention from the prior art.

[0049] In the drawings, elements common to several figures have the same reference numerals.

[0050] In the following detailed description, the terms "longitudinal", "transverse" and "vertical" refer to the orientation of the heat exchanger plate according to the invention. The longitudinal direction corresponds to the main direction of extension of this plate, this longitudinal direction being parallel to the longitudinal axis L in the coordinate system L, V, T shown in the figures. The vertical direction corresponds to the direction measured according to the plane in which the bottom wall of the heat exchanger plate mainly extends, this vertical direction being parallel to the vertical axis V in the coordinate system L, V, T and this vertical axis V being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. Finally, the transverse direction corresponds to the direction parallel to the transverse axis T of the coordinate system L, V, T, this transverse axis T being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L and the vertical axis V.

[0051] therefore, Figure 1 and Figure 2 A heat exchanger 1 according to the invention is shown, which heat exchanger 1 is intended to equip a motor vehicle. Figure 1 is a stereogram, and Figure 2 is along Figure 1 . The heat exchanger 1 contributes to heating or cooling at least one element of the motor vehicle with which it is equipped. To this end, the heat exchanger is configured to produce a heat exchange, that is to say an exchange of thermal energy, between a first fluid and a second fluid, both of which flow through the heat exchanger. This other fluid may, for example, be a heat transfer liquid, such as glycol water or oil.

[0052] The heat exchanger 1 extends mainly in a longitudinal direction L. The heat exchanger comprises a plurality of plates 10 extending mainly in a plane comprising the longitudinal direction L and a transverse direction T. More specifically, the heat exchanger 1 is formed by a stack of plates 10 which are stacked one on top of another in a stacking direction E which is perpendicular to a plane cut by the longitudinal direction L and corresponds to a vertical direction V.

[0053] like Figure 2 In particular, the stack of plates 10 is covered by a cover plate 2 which forms the end plate of the heat exchanger 1. This cover plate 2 is Figure 1 The cover plate has a rectangular shape and its surface is smooth. Apart from the cover plate 2 and possible further cover plates located opposite to the cover plate in the stacking direction E, a set of plates 10 constitutes the heating body of the heat exchanger 1, that is to say the part in which the heat exchange between the first fluid and the second fluid takes place.

[0054] like Figure 1 As shown, the heat exchanger 1 includes two connecting pipes 4, 6 at the first longitudinal end of the longitudinal ends thereof and a connecting block 8 at the second longitudinal end of the longitudinal ends thereof. These connecting pipes 4, 6 and the connecting block 8 enable the fluid to be delivered to the fluid distribution openings of the heat exchanger 1 and the fluid to be discharged through these fluid distribution openings.

[0055] Two of the plates 10 of the heat exchanger 1 according to the invention are Figure 3 2 . The two plates 10 are adjacent and superposed in the stacking direction E, one of the plates 10 having been pivoted half a turn relative to the other. The stacking of the plates 10 within the heat exchanger 1 is such that a first fluid circulates between two directly adjacent plates 10, and a second fluid itself circulates between each of the two plates 10 and the other plates directly adjacent to them. Each plate 10 of the heat exchanger 1 is intended to be joined by brazing to the plates 10 adjacent to it in the stacking direction E and / or to the cover plate 2, in order to ensure the tightness of the heat exchanger 1.

[0056] One of the plates 10 of the heat exchanger 1 will now be described in more detail, the features of this plate 10 being applicable to each of the plates 10 forming the heating body of the heat exchanger 1 .

[0057] The plate 10 has a generally rectangular shape and four rounded corners. The plate 10 is delimited by two oppositely positioned longitudinal edges 12, 14 extending in the longitudinal direction L and two oppositely positioned lateral edges 16, 18 perpendicular to these longitudinal edges 12, 14. One of the lateral edges 16, 18 is thus arranged at a first longitudinal end 20 of the plate 10 and the other of these lateral edges 16, 18 is arranged at a second longitudinal end 22 thereof. It will be understood here that the longitudinal edges 12, 14 and the lateral edges 16, 18 constitute a raised edge or perimeter of the plate 10.

[0058] The longitudinal edges 12, 14 and the lateral edges 16, 18 define between them the volume of the plate 10. In addition, the volume of the plate 10 is defined in particular by a bottom wall 24, which extends mainly in a longitudinal-transverse plane. This bottom wall 24 is connected to each of the longitudinal edges 12, 14 and the lateral edges 16, 18. More specifically, the bottom wall 24 is connected to these longitudinal edges 12, 14 and the lateral edges 16, 18 so that the angle α measured between this bottom wall 24 and any one of the edges 12, 14, 16, 18 ranges between 103.5° and 109.5°. Preferably, the range of this angle α ranges between 105° and 108°. The longitudinal edges 12, 14 and the lateral edges 16, 18 therefore extend in a plane intersecting but not perpendicular to the longitudinal-transverse plane in which the bottom wall 24 extends, thereby giving the plate 10 a barrel-like form.

[0059] The plate 10 also has a determined thickness corresponding to its dimension taken at the bottom wall 24 measured along the vertical direction V. According to the invention, the thickness of this bottom wall 24 of the plate 10 ranges between 0.20 mm and 0.45 mm, preferably between 0.27 mm and 0.35 mm.

[0060] As mentioned above, the fluid is delivered to the fluid distribution openings of the heat exchanger 1. In this case, these fluid distribution openings are arranged near each of the four corners of the plate 10, that is to say at the junction between its longitudinal edges 12, 14 and the lateral edges 16, 18 on the bottom wall 24. It will therefore be understood that in this case there are four fluid distribution openings, namely the first fluid distribution opening 26, the second fluid distribution opening 28, the third fluid distribution opening 30 and the fourth fluid distribution opening 32, namely two fluid distribution openings 26, 28 at the first longitudinal end 20 and two fluid distribution openings at the second longitudinal end 22. These fluid distribution openings 26, 28, 30, 32 are intended to supply or discharge fluid to / from each of the zones defined by two adjacent plates 10 of the heat exchanger 1. These fluid distribution openings extend in particular in the continuation of the connecting pipes 4, 6 or the connecting block 8. The two fluid dispensing openings 30, 32 arranged near the second longitudinal end 22 have a raised ring 33 corresponding to the deformation of the constituent material of the bottom wall 24 by stamping around the contour of these fluid dispensing openings 30, 32. In contrast, the two fluid dispensing openings 26, 28 arranged at the first longitudinal end 20, 26, 28 do not have such a raised ring 33.

[0061] Between two adjacent plates 10 or between an end plate 10 and a cover plate 2, there is a circulation zone 34 dedicated to the circulation of a first fluid or a second fluid. When this circulation zone 34 is defined by two adjacent plates 10, a portion of this circulation zone is defined between the longitudinal edges 12, 14 and the lateral edges 16, 18 of one of the two adjacent plates 10, and another portion is defined vertically between the bottom walls 24 of each of the two adjacent plates 10. When the circulation zone 34 is included between a plate 10 and a cover plate 2, the circulation zone is defined vertically by the bottom wall 24 of the plate 10 and the cover plate 2. This circulation zone 34 is in fluid communication with the fluid distribution openings 26, 28, 30, 32. The fluid circulation zone 34 is therefore a space between two plates 10 adjacent in the stacking direction E, in which the fluid circulates.

[0062] Each plate 10 may comprise a dividing strip 38 extending from the first longitudinal end 20 towards the second longitudinal end 22. This dividing strip 38 protrudes substantially equidistantly from the bottom wall 24 of the plate 10 and from its longitudinal edges 12, 14. The dividing strip 38 has, for example, a sinusoidal shape which contributes to disturbing the fluid flow within the fluid circulation zone 34. Thus, the dividing strip 38 makes it possible to prolong the path taken by the fluid which circulates in a U-shape within this fluid circulation zone 34.

[0063] The plate 10 has fluid flow disturbing elements 40 which are located at Figures 3 to 6 It is particularly shown that Figures 4 to 6is a view of section AA of the heat exchanger 1. The fluid flow perturbation elements 40 are protrusions or undulations which are deformations of the bottom wall 24 of the plate 10. Such a deformation can be obtained in particular by stamping the bottom wall 24 towards the inside of the volume of the plate 10 delimited by its longitudinal edges 12, 14 and lateral edges 16, 18. The plate 10 thus has an uneven surface compared to the flat-surfaced cover plate 2, which avoids a laminar flow of the fluid in question within the circulation zone 34.

[0064] The fluid flow disturbing element 40 is in this case a truncated protrusion 41 protruding from the plate 10. If there are a plurality of truncated protrusions 41, they are distributed in a regular pattern and at a predetermined spacing.

[0065] As in Figures 4 to 6 As particularly shown in FIG. 4 , these truncated protrusions 41 extend between a base 42 closest to the longitudinal-transverse plane in which the bottom wall 24 extends primarily and a top 44 at a distance from the base. The top 44 of each of the truncated protrusions 41 is a flat portion extending preferably parallel to the bottom wall 24.

[0066] According to the invention, the fluid flow perturbation element 40 has a vertical dimension D, i.e. its dimension measured between its base 42 and its top 44, ranging between 0.75 mm and 1.15 mm. This vertical dimension corresponds to the height of the truncated protrusions 41. In addition, the maximum diameter of the truncated protrusions 41 measured at their base 42 is 4.5 mm, while the minimum diameter of these truncated protrusions 41 measured at their top 44 is 2 mm. Seen from above, the truncated protrusions 41 have a circular profile, just like the top 44 and / or the base 42.

[0067] When two plates 10 adjacent in the stacking direction E are assembled to form the heat exchanger 1, the top 44 of the fluid flow perturbing element 40 of one of these plates 10 is in contact with the bottom wall 24 of the other plate 10. Since each plate 10 is provided with a plurality of fluid flow perturbing elements 40, it will be understood that when two adjacent plates 10 are stacked, there are a plurality of contact points between them. Such contact points are particularly at Figures 4 to 6 Shown in.

[0068] Due to these contact points, the fluid flow perturbation elements 40 constitute retention means when the plates 10 are pressed together in order to be assembled into the heat exchanger 1. During this assembly, the plates 10 are stacked in particular in the stacking direction E before being pressed together and then brazed, thereby helping to ensure the tightness of the heat exchanger 1. This retention is ensured in particular by the tops 44 of the truncated protrusions 41, which, as described above, are in contact with the bottom wall 24 of the adjacent plate 10. In addition, pressing the plates 10 together causes them to deform, for example tilt, at their longitudinal edges 12, 14 and lateral edges 16, 18. This deformation, as will be explained below, depends on the angle α measured between these longitudinal edges 12, 14 and lateral edges 16, 18 and the bottom wall 24.

[0069] Figures 4 to 6 It is also shown that the fluid flow perturbing elements 40 of two plates 10 adjacent in the stacking direction E are arranged in a staggered manner. In other words, there is an offset between the respective fluid flow perturbing elements 40 of two adjacent plates 10, this offset being observed in a cross-sectional view along a longitudinal-vertical plane.

[0070] Figures 4 to 6 Three separate embodiments corresponding to the heat exchanger 1 according to the invention will now be described in turn. Figure 4 The embodiment shown corresponds to a first embodiment of a heat exchanger 1 according to the invention. In this case, the plate 10 corresponding to the heating body stacked below the cover 2 in the stacking direction E is a first plate 10A, in which a second plate 10B is interposed. The first plate 10A and the second plate 10B differ significantly in the vertical dimension D of their respective fluid flow perturbation elements 40; thus, the fluid flow perturbation element 40 of the first plate 10A has a vertical dimension D ranging between 0.75 mm and 0.85 mm, i.e. a first vertical dimension D1, while the fluid flow perturbation element 40 of the second plate 10B has a vertical dimension D ranging between 1.05 mm and 1.15 mm, i.e. a second vertical dimension D2. In other words, the heat exchanger 1 according to the first embodiment is realized by repeating a sequence of alternating between a first plate 10A having a first vertical dimension D1 and a second plate 10B having a second vertical dimension D2. In this case, it will be understood that this heat exchanger 1 has a fluid flow perturbation element 40, the dimensions of which are different from one plate 10 to the next. As a result, the fluid circulation area 34 defined between two given adjacent plates 10 will be able to have a greater extent than the fluid circulation area 34 defined by one of the two plates 10 and the other plate 10 adjacent thereto.

[0071] Furthermore, in this first embodiment, the angle α measured between any of the longitudinal edges 12, 14 or the lateral edges 16, 18, advantageously all of them, on the one hand, and the bottom wall 24, on the other hand, is in this case a first angle α1 ranging between 105° and 108°. Such a first angle α1 is selected to ensure that during assembly of the heat exchanger 1 and more particularly during deformation of the plates 10 forming the heat exchanger, the longitudinal edges 12, 14 and the lateral edges 16, 18 can be deformed so that the top 44 of each of the fluid flow perturbing elements 40 of a given plate 10 is in contact with the bottom wall 24 of the plate 10 adjacent to the given plate. The first angle α1 also helps to ensure the sealing between the longitudinal edges 12, 14 and the lateral edges 16, 18 of two adjacent plates 10, even when they have fluid flow perturbing elements 40 of different sizes, that is to say both the first size D1 and the second size D2.

[0072] Compared with the heat exchanger 1 according to the first embodiment, Figure 5 The heat exchanger 1 of the second embodiment shown in comprises a heating body consisting only of a first plate 10A. It will therefore be understood that, according to this second embodiment, the heat exchanger 1 has a stack of plates 10 which all have fluid flow perturbation elements 40 having a first dimension D1. In other words, the heat exchanger 1 in this case comprises only fluid flow perturbation elements 40 having a vertical dimension D ranging between 0.75 mm and 0.85 mm.

[0073] In this second embodiment, the angle α is a second angle α2 ranging between 106.5° and 109.5°. This second angle α2 is applicable to the assembly of the plates 10 all having the fluid flow perturbing elements 40 of the first size D1. It will be understood here that this angle α2 allows the first plate 10A to deform so as to ensure the contact between the fluid flow perturbing elements 10 of the first plate 10A and the bottom wall 24 of the first plate 10A adjacent to the first plate, and also ensures the sealing of the heat exchanger 1 comprising only such first plates 10A.

[0074] exist Figure 6In the third embodiment shown, the heating body of the heat exchanger 1 comprises only the second plates 10B; therefore, all the fluid flow perturbing elements 40 of this heat exchanger 1 have the second vertical dimension D2, that is to say ranging between 1.05 mm and 1.15 mm. For this third embodiment, the angle α between the bottom plate 24 and any of the longitudinal edges 12, 14 or any of the lateral edges 16, 18 is a third angle α3 ranging between 103.5° and 106.5°. The third angle α3 allows the second plates 10B to be sufficiently deformed so that during assembly of the heat exchanger 1 according to the third embodiment, the fluid flow perturbing elements 40 having the second dimension D2 come into contact with the bottom wall 24 of the adjacent second plate 10B. Furthermore, such an angle α3 contributes to the sealing of the second plates 10B after they have been stacked and brazed, in particular at their longitudinal edges 12, 14 and lateral edges 16, 18.

[0075] The present invention therefore proposes a heat exchanger plate and an associated heat exchanger comprising a plurality of such plates, the fluid flow disturbance means of which are configured to optimize the disturbance of the fluid circulation within the heat exchanger and to provide the heat exchanger with improved mechanical strength, the plates being able to deform to absorb dimensional deviations when the heating body consists only of plates having a first vertical dimension, of alternating plates having a first vertical dimension and a second vertical dimension, or of plates having a second vertical dimension.

[0076] However, the invention is not limited to the devices and configurations described and illustrated here, but also extends to all equivalent devices or configurations and any technically operable combination of these devices.

Claims

1. A plate (10) for a heat exchanger (1), said plate having a barrel-like form, said plate having two opposite longitudinal edges (12, 14) connected to one another by two lateral edges (16, 18), said longitudinal edges (12, 14) and lateral edges (16, 18) surrounding a bottom wall (24) of said plate (10), said angles (α, α1, α2) being measured between said bottom wall (24) and any one of said edges (12, 14, 16, 18) 2, α3) ranges between 103.5° and 109.5°, the thickness of the bottom wall (24) ranges between 0.20 mm and 0.45 mm, the bottom wall (24) is equipped with fluid flow disturbing elements (40), at least one of these fluid flow disturbing elements (40) has a vertical dimension (D, D1, D2) measured in the volume defined by the bottom wall (24) and the edges (12, 14, 16, 18) and ranges between 0.75 mm and 1.15 mm.

2. Plate (10) of a heat exchanger (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein The vertical dimension (D, D1, D2) of the fluid flow disturbing element (40) is a first vertical dimension (D1) ranging between 0.75 mm and 0.85 mm.

3. The plate (10) of the heat exchanger (1) according to claim 1, wherein The vertical dimension (D, D1, D2) of the fluid flow disturbing element (40) is a second vertical dimension (D2) ranging between 1.05 mm and 1.15 mm.

4. A plate (10) of a heat exchanger (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The bottom wall (24) is provided with at least four fluid dispensing openings (26, 28, 30, 32), each of the fluid dispensing openings (26, 28, 30, 32) being arranged near a junction between a longitudinal edge (12, 14) and a lateral edge (16, 18).

5. A plate (10) of a heat exchanger (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The fluid flow disrupting element (40) includes at least one truncated protrusion (41) extending between a base (42) and a top (44).

6. Plate (10) of a heat exchanger (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein The maximum diameter of the truncated protrusion (41) measured at its base (42) is 4.5 mm.

7. A plate (10) of a heat exchanger (1) according to any one of the preceding claims in combination with claim 5, wherein The minimum diameter of the truncated protrusion (41) measured at its top (44) is 2 mm.

8. A heat exchanger (1) configured to perform heat exchange between a first fluid and a second fluid, the heat exchanger (1) comprising the first plate (10A) according to claim 2 and / or the second plate (10B) according to claim 3.

9. Heat exchanger (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein An angle (α, α1) measured between the bottom wall (24) and any one of the edges (12, 14, 16, 18) ranges between 105° and 108°.

10. Heat exchanger (1) according to the preceding claim in combination with claim 5, wherein The top portion (42) of the fluid flow disturbing element (40) of a plate (10) is in contact with the bottom wall (24) of a plate (10) adjacent to the plate in the stacking direction (E).

Images