Microchannel heat exchanger with tree structure

Abstract

The application relates to a tree-shaped micro-channel heat exchanger. The tree-shaped micro-channel heat exchanger comprises a shell, an inlet pipe, an outlet pipe and a piercing piece. The shell is provided with the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe on two sides respectively. The shell comprises an upper shell and a lower shell. The upper shell is provided with a first trapezoidal channel and a containing channel respectively. The lower shell is provided with a second trapezoidal channel, a main micro-channel, a bifurcation channel, a branch micro-channel, an inclined channel and a third trapezoidal channel. The containing channels and the main micro-channels are arranged one by one, and the corresponding containing channels and the main micro-channels are in the same vertical plane. The inlet pipe is communicated with the other end of the second trapezoidal channel, and the outlet pipe is communicated with the other end of the third trapezoidal channel. The tree-shaped micro-channel heat exchanger has the advantages of preventing local overheating.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of heat exchangers, in particular to a micro-channel heat exchanger with a tree structure. BACKGROUND

[0002] A micro-channel heat exchanger is a high-efficiency heat exchange device, which is characterized by containing a large number of micro-channels inside. The size of these channels is usually in centimeters or millimeters. By increasing the heat transfer area between the fluid and the heat exchanger, the micro-channel heat exchanger significantly improves the heat exchange efficiency. This design makes the micro-channel heat exchanger perform excellently in many applications.

[0003] It has high heat exchange efficiency. The existence of micro-channels increases the ratio of flow surface area to volume of the fluid in the channel, greatly enhancing the heat exchange efficiency. Low heat transfer resistance. Micro-channel structure can reduce the temperature gradient in the heat transfer process, reduce the heat transfer resistance, and further improve the efficiency of the heat exchanger.

[0004] It has a compact structure. Small volume. Due to the high heat exchange capacity, the micro-channel heat exchanger can significantly reduce the volume and weight while maintaining the same heat exchange capacity. Lightweight, suitable for fields with strict requirements on equipment weight and space, such as aerospace, automotive and mobile applications.

[0005] It has fast response. Small size channel, the flow path of fluid in the micro-channel is short, which reduces the thermal inertia, so that the heat exchanger can respond faster to temperature changes in the system. Suitable for precise control, for industrial processes that require precise temperature control, such as chemical reaction processes, precision manufacturing and electronic equipment cooling, micro-channel heat exchangers are particularly important.

[0006] Micro-channel heat exchanger, due to its small structure and narrow channel size, liquid flowing in its interior will generate bubbles, which will block the pipeline. In the prior art, in order to solve this problem, a plurality of burrs for bursting bubbles are arranged at the bottom of the channel, so that the bubbles are burst when passing through the burrs after being formed. The existing technology has the problem of incomplete or inadequate bubble bursting, which makes the bubbles not fully burst; the bubble bursting of some channels is not in place, which will cause the corresponding channel to be blocked, and further, it will also cause the problem of local overheating of the micro-channel heat exchanger. SUMMARY

[0007] Therefore, the purpose of the present application is to provide a micro-channel heat exchanger with a tree structure, which has the advantages of ensuring the smoothness of the channel and preventing local overheating.

[0008] In one aspect of the present application, a micro-channel heat exchanger with a tree structure is provided, comprising a shell, an inlet pipe, an outlet pipe, and a bursting piece.

[0009] The housing is provided with the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe on two sides respectively;

[0010] The housing comprises an upper shell and a lower shell;

[0011] The first trapezoidal channel and the containing channel are formed in the upper shell respectively; the end of the containing channel is communicated with the first trapezoidal channel; the cross section of the containing channel is arc-shaped, and the arc length is greater than 270°, so as to place the piercing member in the containing channel;

[0012] The second trapezoidal channel, the main micro-channel, the bifurcated channel, the branch micro-channel, the inclined channel and the third trapezoidal channel are formed in the lower shell respectively;

[0013] One end of the second trapezoidal channel is connected with a plurality of the main micro-channels; the main micro-channels are connected with the bifurcated channel; the main micro-channels are connected with two branch micro-channels through the bifurcated channel; a plurality of the branch micro-channels are connected with the third trapezoidal channel; the inclined channel is arranged obliquely and communicates adjacent two branch micro-channels;

[0014] The containing channels and the main micro-channels are arranged one by one, and the corresponding containing channel and the main micro-channel are in the same vertical plane;

[0015] The inlet pipe is communicated with the other end of the second trapezoidal channel; the outlet pipe is communicated with the other end of the third trapezoidal channel.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the outer wall of the housing is attached to the object to be cooled; the liquid phase enters from the inlet pipe and finally flows out from the outlet pipe; between the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe, the liquid sequentially flows through the second trapezoidal channel, the main micro-channel, the bifurcated channel, the branch micro-channel and the third trapezoidal channel; when passing through the branch micro-channel, part of the liquid also enters the inclined channel; the inclined channel communicates two adjacent branch micro-channels, so that the liquid is transported obliquely between two adjacent branch micro-channels; at the same time, the liquid sequentially flows through the first trapezoidal channel and the containing channel; the liquid flowing through the containing channel flows downward into the main micro-channel.

[0017] In the application, the piercing member is arranged in the containing channel, which is used to pierce the bubbles in the main micro-channel and guide the liquid in the containing channel into the main micro-channel. The bubbles in the main micro-channel are broken by the piercing member; since the total cross-sectional area of the branch micro-channel is greater than that of the main micro-channel, the probability of bubble formation in the branch micro-channel is reduced; after the bubbles are formed, the liquid in the adjacent branch micro-channel can flow through the inclined channel, which prevents the channel from being blocked and avoids the problem of blockage caused by overheating, thereby preventing local overheating.

[0018] Further, the length of the accommodating channel is greater than the length of the main microchannel.

[0019] The bottom surface of the accommodating channel is in communication with the main microchannel.

[0020] Further, the shell is in the shape of a sheet.

[0021] Further, the piercing member is in the shape of a cylinder.

[0022] The outer surface of the piercing member is formed with a strip-shaped groove along the axial direction, and is also formed with a spiral groove along the axial direction.

[0023] Further, one end of the piercing member is in the shape of a plane, and the other end is in the shape of a sphere.

[0024] The plane end of the piercing member is located at the end of the first trapezoidal channel, and the spherical end of the piercing member is located at the end of the accommodating channel.

[0025] Further, the piercing member is in the shape of a tube.

[0026] The piercing member is formed with a plurality of inclined holes.

[0027] Further, one end of the piercing member is provided with a spherical end cap, which is located at the end of the accommodating channel.

[0028] The plurality of inclined holes on the piercing member are formed in multiple groups at equal intervals along the axial direction of the piercing member.

[0029] Each group of the inclined holes is distributed along the radial direction of the piercing member.

[0030] Further, the middle branch microchannel is in communication with the two branch channels.

[0031] Further, the diameter of the inlet pipe is equal to the sum of the diameters of the main microchannel and the outlet pipe.

[0032] The diameter of the inlet pipe is equal to the diameter of the outlet pipe.

[0033] Further, the shell is made of metal.

[0034] The cross-sectional area of the branch microchannel is greater than the cross-sectional area of the main microchannel.

[0035] In order to better understand and implement, the following will be described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0036] Figure 1 Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of a microchannel heat exchanger with an exemplary tree structure according to the present application;

[0037] Figure 2This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the partial structure of the lower shell of the present application;

[0038] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of an exemplary tree-shaped microchannel heat exchanger of the present application;

[0039] Figure 4 This is a front view of an exemplary upper shell of the present application;

[0040] Figure 5 This is a front view of an exemplary lower shell of the present application;

[0041] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a three-dimensional structure of an exemplary piercing element of the present application;

[0042] Figure 7 A side view of an exemplary piercing member of the present application;

[0043] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of another exemplary piercing member of the present application;

[0044] Figure 9 This is a front view of another exemplary piercing member of the present application;

[0045] Figure 10 for Figure 9 AA cross-sectional view of the structure shown;

[0046] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the assembly relationship between the branch microchannel and the protruding pin of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "up," "down," "front," "back," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inside," "outside," etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are intended only to facilitate the description of this application and simplify the description. They do not indicate or imply that the devices or elements referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operate in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as limiting this application. In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, "plurality" means two or more.

[0048] See also Figures 1-11 , an exemplary tree-shaped microchannel heat exchanger of the present application includes a shell 10, an inlet pipe 20, an outlet pipe 30, and a piercing member 40;

[0049] The inlet pipe 20 and the outlet pipe 30 are respectively installed on both sides of the housing 10;

[0050] The housing 10 includes an upper shell 11 and a lower shell 12;

[0051] A first trapezoidal channel B2 and an accommodating channel B1 are formed in the upper shell 11; the end of the accommodating channel B1 is connected to the first trapezoidal channel B2; the cross-section of the accommodating channel B1 is arcuate with an arc length greater than 270°, so as to accommodate the piercing member 40 in the accommodating channel B1;

[0052] The lower shell 12 is respectively formed with a second trapezoidal channel A5, a main microchannel A1, a bifurcated channel A2, a branch microchannel A3, an oblique channel A4, and a third trapezoidal channel A6;

[0053] One end of the second trapezoidal channel A5 is connected to a plurality of the main microchannels A1, the main microchannels A1 are connected to the bifurcated channel A2, and the main microchannel A1 is connected to two branch microchannels A3 through the bifurcated channel A2, and the plurality of branch microchannels A3 are connected to the third trapezoidal channel A6; the oblique channel A4 is arranged obliquely and connects two adjacent branch microchannels A3;

[0054] The accommodating channels B1 are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the main microchannels A1, and the corresponding accommodating channels B1 and the main microchannels A1 are in the same vertical plane;

[0055] The inlet pipe 20 is communicated with the other end of the second trapezoidal channel A5 , and the outlet pipe 30 is communicated with the other end of the third trapezoidal channel A6 .

[0056] Compared with the prior art, the tree-shaped microchannel heat exchanger described in the present application has an outer wall of the shell 10 attached to the object to be cooled; the liquid phase enters from the inlet pipe 20 and finally flows out from the outlet pipe 30. Between the inlet pipe 20 and the outlet pipe 30, the liquid flows through the second trapezoidal channel A5, the main microchannel A1, the bifurcated channel A2, the branch microchannel A3, and the third trapezoidal channel A6 in sequence. When passing through the branch microchannel A3, part of the liquid also enters the inclined channel A4; the inclined channel A4 connects two adjacent branch microchannels A3, so oblique liquid transportation is carried out between the two adjacent branch microchannels A3; at the same time, the liquid also flows through the first trapezoidal channel B2 and the accommodating channel B1 in sequence, and the liquid flowing through the accommodating channel B1 flows downward into the main microchannel A1.

[0057] In the present application, a puncturing member 40 is provided in the accommodating channel B1 for puncturing bubbles in the main microchannel A1 and guiding the liquid in the accommodating channel B1 into the main microchannel A1.

[0058] The bubbles in the main micro-channel A1 are broken by the piercing member 40, and due to the total cross-sectional area of the branch micro-channel A3 being greater than the total cross-sectional area of the main micro-channel A1, the probability of bubble formation in the branch micro-channel A3 is reduced. After the bubbles are formed, the liquid in the adjacent branch micro-channel A3 can flow through the inclined channel A4, preventing channel blockage and avoiding blockage caused by overheating, thereby preventing local overheating.

[0059] In the present application, the liquid for flow can be water, oil or other fluid medium.

[0060] For the convenience of processing and manufacturing, the main micro-channel A1, each branch of the bifurcated channel A2 and the branch micro-channel A3 all have a rectangular cross-sectional structure. Due to the compact structure of the micro-channel heat exchanger, the channel structure is more conducive to the flow of liquid if it is circular. However, the square structure of the channel is more convenient for processing.

[0061] In some preferred embodiments, the length of the containing channel B1 is greater than the length of the main micro-channel A1.

[0062] The bottom surface of the containing channel B1 is in communication with the main micro-channel A1.

[0063] The length of the containing channel B1 is greater than the length of the main micro-channel A1, which not only avoids bubbles in the main micro-channel A1, but also avoids bubbles at the connection between the main micro-channel A1 and the bifurcated channel A2, thereby preventing blockage of the starting end of the bifurcated channel A2.

[0064] The bottom surface of the containing channel B1 is in communication with the main micro-channel A1, and the liquid in the containing channel B1 flows vertically downward.

[0065] In some preferred embodiments, the shell 10 is in the form of a sheet. The upper and lower surfaces of the shell 10 are respectively flat; in use, the upper shell 11 is placed upward, and the lower shell 12 is placed downward, with the lower surface of the lower shell 12 attached to the object to be cooled. The sheet-like structure is thinner, occupies less space, and is better attached to the object to be cooled, making installation more compact and the heat exchange effect better.

[0066] As shown in Figure 6 and Figure 7 In some preferred embodiments, the piercing member 40 is in the form of a cylinder.

[0067] The outer surface of the piercing member 40 is formed with a strip-shaped groove 41 along the axial direction; and the outer surface is also formed with a spiral groove 42 along the axial direction.

[0068] In this embodiment, the piercing element 40 provides at least two flow paths: an axial flow path, namely the strip grooves 41, and a spiral flow path, namely the spiral grooves 42. Liquid enters the first trapezoidal channel B2 from the inlet pipe 20 and then into the receiving channel B1. The liquid then flows in at least two directions: along the strip grooves 41 and along the spiral grooves 42. The liquid even flows along the gap between the outer wall of the piercing element 40 and the receiving grooves. As the liquid flows along the strip grooves 41 and spiral grooves 42 of the piercing element 40, it flows downward from the receiving groove into the main microchannel A1, flowing diagonally. This facilitates the puncturing of bubbles within the main microchannel A1 and allows for more angular puncture of bubbles within the main microchannel A1. Furthermore, due to the presence of the spiral grooves 42, the liquid can also drive the piercing element 40 to rotate, causing the liquid to rotate and enter the main microchannel A1, further puncturing bubbles at a wider range of angles.

[0069] Thereby, the present application is able to fully puncture the bubbles.

[0070] In some preferred embodiments, one end of the piercing member 40 is flat, and the other end thereof is spherical;

[0071] One flat end of the piercing member 40 is located at the end of the first trapezoidal channel B2, and one spherical end of the piercing member 40 is located at the end of the accommodating channel B1.

[0072] One end of the piercing member 40 is spherical, which makes it easier for the piercing member 40 to rotate in the receiving groove with less resistance.

[0073] like Figures 8-10 As shown, in other preferred embodiments, the piercing member 40 is tubular;

[0074] The piercing member 40 is formed with a plurality of oblique holes 43 .

[0075] In this embodiment, the liquid in the piercing member 40 flows in at least two directions: one is within the tube, and the other is diagonally flowing from the tube to the outside along the inclined hole 43. In addition, due to the gap between the piercing member 40 and the receiving groove, the liquid also flows axially between the piercing member 40 and the receiving groove.

[0076] and Figure 6 The embodiments are different. Figure 8 In the embodiment of the piercing member 40, the liquid first flows in the tube and then flows obliquely outward, with a sequential order; Figure 6 In the embodiment, the axial and spiral flows of the liquid occur simultaneously.

[0077] exist Figure 8In some preferred embodiments, the liquid flows in the inclined holes 43, and then enters the main micro-channel A1 obliquely, the oblique piercing breaks the bubbles. Even, the liquid flushes out of the inclined holes 43, at the same time, the piercing member 40 generates a circumferential rotation force, so that the piercing member 40 rotates, and then dynamically enters the main micro-channel A1 obliquely, and breaks the bubbles at a larger angle.

[0078] In some preferred embodiments, one end of the piercing member 40 has a spherical end cap (not labeled in the figure), which is arranged at the end of the containing channel B1;

[0079] The plurality of inclined holes 43 on the piercing member 40 are evenly distributed in multiple groups along the axial direction of the piercing member 40;

[0080] Each group of the piercing member 40 is evenly distributed with a plurality of inclined holes 43 along the radial direction of the piercing member 40.

[0081] The spherical end cap makes the friction between the piercing member 40 and the containing groove small, and facilitates the rotation of the piercing member 40.

[0082] In some preferred embodiments, the intermediate branch micro-channel A3 is in communication with the two bifurcated channels A2.

[0083] In some preferred embodiments, the sum of the pipe diameter of the inlet pipe 20 and the pipe diameter of the main micro-channel A1 is equal;

[0084] The pipe diameter of the inlet pipe 20 is equal to the pipe diameter of the outlet pipe 30.

[0085] The same caliber makes the flow rate the same and the flow rate the same.

[0086] In some preferred embodiments, the shell 10 is made of metal;

[0087] The cross-sectional area of the branch micro-channel A3 is greater than the cross-sectional area of the main micro-channel A1, which refers to the cross-sectional area of a single branch micro-channel A3, which is greater than the cross-sectional area of a single main micro-channel A1.

[0088] In some preferred embodiments, the material of the shell 10 is one of stainless steel, copper alloy, and aluminum alloy.

[0089] In some preferred embodiments, the tree-shaped structure micro-channel heat exchanger is generated by 3D printing or casting.

[0090] In some preferred embodiments, the shell 10 is an integrally formed structure. In other words, the upper shell 11 and the lower shell 12 are integrally formed.

[0091] In some preferred embodiments, the bottom surface of the branch micro-channel A3 is formed with a plurality of studs 50.

[0092] AsFigure 11 As shown, a plurality of protrusions 50 are arranged in the branch microchannel A3, and the protrusions 50 are arranged on the bottom surface of the branch microchannel A3, which on one hand increases the heat exchange area of the bottom surface of the branch microchannel A3, and on the other hand facilitates the breaking of the bubbles.

[0093] The tree-shaped microchannel heat exchanger of the present application breaks the bubbles sufficiently through at least four aspects of structure, so as to ensure the smooth flow of the liquid and sufficiently take away the heat, thereby preventing local overheating. Specifically, first, the accommodating groove and the breaking member 40 are arranged; second, the branch channel A2 is arranged to increase the flow cross-sectional area; third, the inclined channels A4 are arranged between the branch microchannels A3, which increases the inclined flow direction, thereby complementing the liquid and countercurrently breaking the bubbles; and fourth, the protrusions 50 are arranged to further prevent the bubbles in the branch microchannels A3 and take away more heat.

[0094] The above four aspects of structure are arranged in a sequence, because the heat is mainly concentrated in the middle part of the heat exchanger, and the temperature of the liquid gradually increases when flowing through the heat exchanger, so the arrangement of the bubble breaking structure is related to this feature, and the sequence of the bubble breaking structure of the present application should not be reversed.

[0095] Compared with the prior art, the present application is suitable for the microchannel heat exchanger, and sufficiently ensures the breaking of the bubbles, thereby effectively preventing local overheating.

[0096] The above-described embodiments only express several embodiments of the present application, and the description is relatively specific and detailed, but it should not be understood as a limitation on the scope of the application. It should be noted that for ordinary skilled in the art, without departing from the concept of the present application, a number of modifications and improvements can be made, which are all within the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A tree structured microchannel heat exchanger, characterized by: The shell, the inlet pipe, the outlet pipe and the piercing member are included. The inlet pipe and the outlet pipe are respectively arranged on two sides of the shell. The shell includes an upper shell and a lower shell. A first trapezoidal channel and a containing channel are respectively formed in the upper shell. The containing channel has an arc length greater than 270 degrees. The lower shell includes a second trapezoidal channel, a main micro-channel, a bifurcated channel, a branch micro-channel, an inclined channel and a third trapezoidal channel. The second trapezoidal channel is connected with the main micro-channels. The main micro-channels are connected with the bifurcated channels.

2. The tree structured microchannel heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein: The bifurcated channels are connected with the branch micro-channels. The inclined channel is arranged obliquely and connects adjacent branch micro-channels.

3. The tree structured microchannel heat exchanger of claim 2, wherein: The containing channel corresponds to the main micro-channel.

4. The tree structured micro-channel heat exchanger of claim 2, wherein: The inlet pipe is connected with the other end of the second trapezoidal channel. The outlet pipe is connected with the other end of the third trapezoidal channel. The length of the containing channel is greater than that of the main micro-channel.

5. The tree structured microchannel heat exchanger of claim 4, wherein: The bottom surface of the containing channel is connected with the main micro-channel. The shell is in a sheet shape.

6. The tree structured micro-channel heat exchanger of claim 2, wherein: The piercing member is in a cylindrical shape. The outer surface of the piercing member is formed with a strip-shaped groove along the axial direction.

7. The tree structured microchannel heat exchanger of claim 6, wherein: The outer surface of the piercing member is further formed with a spiral groove along the axial direction. One end of the piercing member is in a plane shape and the other end is in a spherical shape. The plane end of the piercing member is located at the end of the first trapezoidal channel.

8. The tree structured microchannel heat exchanger of any of claims 1-7, wherein: The spherical end of the piercing member is located at the end of the containing channel.

9. The tree structured microchannel heat exchanger of claim 8, wherein: The piercing member is in a tubular shape. The piercing member is formed with a plurality of inclined holes.

10. The tree structured microchannel heat exchanger of claim 8, wherein: One end of the piercing member has a spherical end cap which is arranged at the end of the containing channel. The plurality of inclined holes of the piercing member are formed in multiple groups along the axial direction of the piercing member. Each group of the piercing member is distributed with multiple inclined holes along the radial direction of the piercing member. The branch micro-channel is connected with the bifurcated channels. The diameter of the inlet pipe is equal to the sum of the diameters of the main micro-channels. The diameter of the inlet pipe is equal to the diameter of the outlet pipe. The shell is made of metal. The cross-sectional area of the branch micro-channel is greater than that of the main micro-channel.

Images