Low-pressure-drop integrated plate type heat exchanger

Abstract

A heat exchanger includes a plurality of first plates and a plurality of second plates disposed between two end plates. The first plates and the second plates are alternately arranged in a stacked relationship. When in a stacked relationship, the arrangement of the first and second plates defines at least one of a first flow path for a first fluid and a second flow path for a second fluid and a third flow path for a third fluid.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to plate heat exchangers, and more particularly to low pressure drop integrated plate heat exchangers. Background Art

[0002] Conventional air conditioning and thermal management systems include heat exchangers, such as plate heat exchangers. Plate-type heat exchangers consist of stacked plates, wherein a refrigerant and / or a coolant flows through the intermediate spaces between adjacent plates, wherein the refrigerant flows from a first side of the plate heat exchanger to an opposite second side of the plate heat exchanger, while the coolant flows parallel to the refrigerant flow or flows in opposite directions from the same end of the plate heat exchanger, but from the opposite side or opposite end, to a first end of the plate heat exchanger. The length of the flow channel in the plate heat exchanger here corresponds substantially to the length of the plate heat exchanger from the first end to the second end. Thus, the outer dimensions of the plate heat exchanger and the locations of the connections of the plate heat exchanger define the length of the flow channel in the plate heat exchanger.

[0003] Typically, air conditioning and thermal management systems also include compressors, water-cooled condensers, chillers, integrated heat exchangers and economizers. The pressure drop caused by the individual components, especially on the refrigerant side, limits the operating range of the compressor and affects the efficiency of the system.

[0004] It is desirable to provide a system with a compact integrated plate heat exchanger design and an efficient refrigerant circuit for a vehicle, particularly an electric vehicle. Summary of the invention

[0005] Technical issues

[0006] The presently described subject matter relates to a plate heat exchanger for a vehicle for cooling a refrigerant or a coolant by means of a refrigerant or a coolant, having heat exchanger plates stacked one on top of the other and a refrigerant circuit for a vehicle, in particular for a vehicle with an electric motor.

[0007] The object of the present disclosure is to provide a working condition shared by at least two plate heat exchangers, and the working condition is designed to reduce the pressure drop of at least a first fluid (e.g., a refrigerant). A plurality of independent heat exchangers share the same refrigerant circuit. Two or more additional independent circuits (e.g., a refrigerant and / or coolant circuit) may exist and serve different functions. Preferably, the shared refrigerant circuit exchanges heat energy with the independent circuit to perform the functions of a water-cooled condenser, a cooler, an economizer, and a plate integrated heat exchanger.

[0008] Technical Solutions

[0009] The structure of the heat exchanger can be a nested stack of plates, wherein the refrigerant port is located in the middle of the plate rather than at the end of the plate. The position of the refrigerant port can be adjusted to control the performance of each function of the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger of the present disclosure may also include one or more elements (e.g., fins) formed therein to enhance the transfer of thermal energy.

[0010] According to and in accordance with the presently described subject matter, surprisingly a plate heat exchanger for a vehicle, in particular an electric vehicle, having a compact design and a highly efficient refrigerant circuit has been discovered.

[0011] In one embodiment, the heat exchanger comprises: at least one first plate; and at least one second plate disposed adjacent to the at least one first plate, wherein the arrangement of the at least one first plate and the at least one second plate forms a first flow path for a first fluid and at least one of a second flow path for a second fluid and a third flow path for a third fluid.

[0012] As an aspect of some embodiments, the at least one first plate is configured to define a first flow path for a first fluid.

[0013] As an aspect of some embodiments, the at least one first plate includes a first shaped section formed in the surface along a longitudinal axis of the at least one first plate.

[0014] As an aspect of some embodiments, a first shaped section of at least one first plate abuts a surface of at least one second plate.

[0015] As an aspect of some embodiments, the inlet opening and the outlet opening for the first fluid are located on opposite sides of the first shaped section of the at least one first plate.

[0016] As an aspect of some embodiments, the first shaped section of the at least one first plate divides the first flow path into a plurality of secondary flow paths for the first fluid.

[0017] As an aspect of some embodiments, the at least one first plate comprises at least one second shaped section surrounding at least one of an inlet opening and an outlet opening for at least one of the second fluid and the third fluid.

[0018] As an aspect of some embodiments, at least one second shaped section of at least one first plate abuts a surface of at least one second plate to prevent leakage of the second fluid and / or the third fluid into the first flow path.

[0019] As an aspect of some embodiments, at least one second plate is configured to define a second flow path and / or a third flow path.

[0020] As an aspect of some embodiments, the at least one second plate includes a first shaped section formed in the surface substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the at least one second plate.

[0021] As an aspect of some embodiments, a first shaped section of at least one second plate abuts a surface of at least one first plate to define the second flow path and / or the third flow path.

[0022] As an aspect of some embodiments, the first shaped section of the at least one second plate surrounds at least one of an inlet opening and an outlet opening for the first fluid.

[0023] As an aspect of some embodiments, the first shaped section of the at least one second plate abuts a surface of the at least one first plate to prevent leakage of the first fluid into the second flow path and / or the third flow path.

[0024] As an aspect of some embodiments, the at least one second plate includes at least one second shaped section formed in the surface along a longitudinal axis of the at least one second plate.

[0025] As an aspect of some embodiments, at least one second shaped section of at least one second plate abuts a surface of at least one first plate to form a substantially circular second flow path and / or a substantially circular third flow path.

[0026] As an aspect of some embodiments, the inlet opening and the outlet opening for the second fluid are located on opposite sides of the at least one second shaped section of the at least one second plate.

[0027] As an aspect of some embodiments, at least one second shaped section of at least one second plate divides the second flow path into a plurality of secondary flow paths for the second fluid and / or divides the third flow path into a plurality of secondary flow paths for the third fluid.

[0028] As an aspect of some embodiments, each of at least one first plate and at least one second plate includes an inlet opening and an outlet opening for at least one of a first fluid, a second fluid, and a third fluid, wherein the inlet opening for the first fluid is fluidically connected to form an inlet manifold for the first fluid, the inlet opening for the second fluid is fluidically connected to form an inlet manifold for the second fluid, and / or the inlet opening for the third fluid is fluidically connected to form an inlet manifold for the third fluid, and wherein the outlet opening for the first fluid is fluidically connected to form an outlet manifold for the first fluid, the outlet opening for the second fluid is fluidically connected to form an outlet manifold for the second fluid, and / or the outlet opening for the third fluid is fluidically connected to form an outlet manifold for the third fluid.

[0029] In another embodiment, the heat exchanger includes: a plurality of plates arranged to define a first flow path for a first fluid, a second flow path for a second fluid, and a third flow path for a third fluid, wherein an inlet opening of the first flow path is disposed in a first region of the first flow path between an inlet opening of the second flow path and an inlet opening of the third flow path, and wherein an outlet opening of the first flow path is disposed in a second region of the first flow path between an outlet opening of the second flow path and an outlet opening of the third flow path.

[0030] In yet another embodiment, a fluid regulating system comprises a heat exchanger fluidly connected to a first circuit through which a first fluid flows, a second circuit through which a second fluid flows, and a third circuit through which a third fluid flows, wherein the heat exchanger comprises a plurality of plates arranged to define a first flow path for the first fluid, a second flow path for the second fluid, and a third flow path for the third fluid, and wherein the first circuit is in heat exchange relationship with at least one of the second circuit and the third circuit within the heat exchanger.

[0031] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein.The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a fluid conditioning system including a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the presently described subject matter;

[0035] Figure 3A yes Figure 2 a top plan view of a high pressure plate of a heat exchanger showing the flow path of the high pressure fluid;

[0036] Figure 3B yes Figure 3A A three-dimensional diagram of a high-voltage board;

[0037] Figure 3C yes Figure 3A and Figure 3B A top plan view of a high voltage board;

[0038] Figure 4A yes Figure 2A top plan view of a medium / low pressure plate of a heat exchanger showing a flow path of a low pressure fluid and a flow path of a medium pressure fluid;

[0039] Figure 4B yes Figure 4A A three-dimensional diagram of the medium / low voltage panel;

[0040] Figure 4C yes Figure 4A and Figure 4B A top view of the medium / low voltage board;

[0041] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 A top plan view of a heat exchanger;

[0042] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger taken along section line AA;

[0043] Figure 7 yes Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger taken along the section line BB;

[0044] Figure 8 yes Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of a heat exchanger taken along section line CC;

[0045] Fig. 9 yes Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger taken along the section line DD;

[0046] Fig.10 yes Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger taken along section line EE; and

[0047] Fig.11 yes Figure 5 Cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger taken along section line FF. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] The following technical descriptions of one or more of the subject matter, manufacture and use of the present disclosure are merely exemplary in nature and are not intended to limit the scope, application or use of any particular invention claimed in the present disclosure or in other such applications that may claim priority for the present application or be filed based on the priority of a patent granted by the present application. With respect to the disclosed method, the order of the steps presented is exemplary in nature, and therefore, the order of the steps may be different in various embodiments. As used herein, "one" and "a" represent "at least one" of the items in the present project; where possible, there may be multiple such items. Except where otherwise expressly indicated, when describing the broadest scope of the present technology, all numerical quantities in this description will be understood to be modified by the word "approximately", and all geometric and spatial descriptors are understood to be modified by the word "substantially". When applied to numerical values, "approximately" means that the calculation or measurement allows the value to have some slight imprecision (approximate to a certain extent the exact value of the value; approximately or reasonably close to the value; approximately). If for some reason the imprecision provided by "about" and / or "substantially" is not understood with its ordinary meaning in the art, then "about" and / or "substantially" as used herein at least represents the variation that may result from ordinary methods of measuring or using these parameters.

[0049] Unless otherwise expressly indicated, all documents cited in this detailed description, including patents, patent applications, and scientific literature, are incorporated herein by reference. In the event of any conflict or ambiguity between a document incorporated by reference and this detailed description, the latter shall prevail.

[0050] Although the open-ended term "comprising" is used herein as a synonym for non-limiting terms such as includes, contains, or having to describe and claim embodiments of the present technology, alternatively, more restrictive terms such as "consisting of" or "consisting essentially of" may be used to describe embodiments. Thus, for any given embodiment reciting materials, components, or processing steps, the present technology also specifically includes embodiments consisting of or consisting essentially of those materials, components, or processing steps, without including additional materials, components, or processes (for consisting of) and without including additional materials, components, or processes (for consisting essentially of) that affect significant properties of the embodiment, even if such additional materials, components, or processes are not expressly described in this application. For example, a description of a composition or process reciting elements A, B, and C specifically contemplates an embodiment consisting of A, B, and C and an embodiment consisting essentially of A, B, and C without including element D that may be described in the art, even if element D is not expressly described herein as not included.

[0051] As described herein, unless otherwise stated, all composition percentages are by weight of total composition. Unless otherwise stated, the disclosure of ranges includes endpoints and includes all different values ​​and further divided ranges within the entire range. Therefore, for example, the range of "from A to B" or "from about A to about B" includes A and B. The value and range of values ​​of a specific parameter (such as amount, weight percentage, etc.) disclosed do not exclude other values ​​and ranges of values ​​used herein. It is conceivable that two or more specific exemplified values ​​for a given parameter can define the endpoints of the range of values ​​that may be claimed for the parameter. For example, if parameter X is exemplified herein as having a value A, and is also exemplified as having a value Z, it is conceivable that parameter X may have a value range from about A to about Z. Similarly, it is conceivable that the disclosure of two or more value ranges for a parameter (whether these ranges are nested, overlapping or different) includes all possible range combinations of values ​​that may be claimed using the endpoints of the disclosed ranges. For example, if parameter X is illustrated herein as having a value in the range of 1 to 10, or 2 to 9, or 3 to 8, it is also contemplated that parameter X may have other ranges of values, including 1 to 9, 1 to 8, 1 to 3, 1 to 2, 2 to 10, 2 to 8, 2 to 3, 3 to 10, 3 to 9, etc.

[0052] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on another element or layer," "engaged to," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, the element or layer may be directly on, engaged to, connected to, or coupled to another element or layer, or there may be an intervening element or layer. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly engaged to," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intermediate element or intermediate layer. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a similar manner (e.g., "between" versus "directly between," "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.). As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0053] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. can be used to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or parts in this article, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or parts should not be limited by these terms. These terms can only be used to distinguish an element, component, region, layer or part from another region, layer or part. Unless the context clearly indicates, terms such as "first", "second" and other numerical terms do not imply order or sequence when used in this article. Therefore, the first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below can be referred to as the second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

[0054] Spatially relative terms, such as "inside," "outside," "below," "beneath," "down," "above," "upper," etc., may be used herein to facilitate description of the relationship of one element or feature to another element or feature as shown in the accompanying drawings. Spatially relative terms may be intended to cover different orientations of the device in use or operation other than the orientation depicted in the accompanying drawings. For example, if the device in the accompanying drawings is turned over, elements described as "below other elements or features" or "below other elements or features" will be oriented to be "above other elements or features." Therefore, the exemplary term "below" may include both above and below orientations. The device may be oriented in other ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may be interpreted accordingly.

[0055] Figure 1 A fluid regulating system 2 including a heat exchanger 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is depicted. The heat exchanger 10 will be described in detail below. The fluid regulating system 2 may include more or fewer components and devices depending on operational needs. For example, the fluid regulating system 2 may also include a compressor, an evaporator, and an expansion valve. The fluid regulating system 2 may be used in a vehicle. The vehicle may, for example, be a vehicle with an electric motor, particularly a hybrid vehicle or a pure electric vehicle, having a battery cooled by the fluid regulating system 2. However, it will be understood that the fluid regulating system 2 may be used in a variety of applications, including but not limited to commercial, industrial, automotive, and residential applications.

[0056] As illustrated, the heat exchanger 10 can be in fluid communication with a first circuit 12 having a first fluid 14 (e.g., a refrigerant, a coolant, etc.) flowing therethrough, a second circuit 16 having a second fluid 18 (e.g., a refrigerant, a coolant, etc.) flowing therethrough, and / or a third circuit 20 having a third fluid 22 (e.g., a refrigerant, a coolant, etc.) flowing therethrough. In a preferred embodiment, the first fluid 14 can be a relatively high pressure fluid, the second fluid 18 can be a relatively medium pressure fluid, and the third fluid 22 can be a relatively low pressure fluid. However, it will be understood that the first fluid 14, the second fluid 18, and the third fluid 22 can each have any pressure as desired.

[0057] The heat exchanger 10 integrated into the first loop 12 and the second loop 16 and / or the third loop 20 allows the first fluid 14 to transfer thermal energy between it and the second fluid 18 and / or between it and the third fluid 22. Therefore, the first loop 14 can be in a heat exchange relationship with the second loop 16 and / or the third loop 20 within the heat exchanger 10.

[0058] In some embodiments, the heat exchanger 10 can be used as a condenser, economizer, and integrated heat exchanger in at least one of the first loop 12 and the second loop 16 of the fluid conditioning system 2. In a preferred embodiment, the heat exchanger 10 allows the first fluid 14 (e.g., refrigerant) to be cooled by the second fluid 18 (e.g., refrigerant) and / or the third fluid 22 (e.g., coolant).

[0059] In some embodiments, the heat exchanger 10 may be as follows Figure 2 as well as Figures 5 to 9 The integrated plate heat exchanger 10 shown in FIG. A plurality of first plates 40 and a plurality of second plates 41 are alternately arranged one above the other in a stacked relationship between opposite end plates 42, 44. It will be understood that one or more of the end plates 42, 44 may be part of the housing of the heat exchanger 10 if desired.

[0060] The inlet ports 46, 48, 50 of each of the first circuit 12, the second circuit 16, and the third circuit 20 are fluidly coupled to one of the end plates 42, 44, respectively. The corresponding outlet ports 56, 58, 60 of each of the first circuit 12, the second circuit 16, and the third circuit 20 are also fluidly coupled to one of the end plates 42, 44, respectively. In some embodiments, the inlet ports 46, 48, 50 and the outlet ports 56, 58, 60 are formed as an integral structure and coupled to the end plate 42. However, it will be understood that one or more of the inlet ports 46, 48, 50 and one or more of the outlet ports 56, 58, 60 may be separate and distinct components and / or coupled to the end plate 44.

[0061] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C One of the first plates 40 of the heat exchanger 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The first plate 40 may be substantially elongated and rectangular. However, it will be understood that the first plate 40 may have a variety of shapes, sizes, and configurations as desired.

[0062] Each of the first plates 40 may be configured to define a first flow path (defined by Figure 3A 61 and dashed lines in FIG. 4 ). In the illustrated embodiment, each of the first plates 40 includes an elongated, elliptical shaped section 62 formed in at least a first surface 64 along a longitudinal axis of the first plate 40. Figure 7 as well as Figures 9 to 11 As depicted in FIG. 1 , the shaped section 62 abuts against the lower surface of the end plate 42 and is adjacent to one of the second plates 41 to form a generally circular flow path. Each of the first plates 40 also includes an inlet opening 72 for the fluid of the first flow path connected to the inlet port 46 and an outlet opening 74 for the fluid of the first flow path connected to the outlet port 56.

[0063] like Figure 3A , the inlet opening 72 for the first flow path may be disposed in the first region 75 of the first flow path between an inlet opening 86 of the second flow path for the second fluid 18, which will be described in more detail below, and an inlet opening 90 of the third flow path for the third fluid 22, which will also be described in more detail below. Similarly, the outlet opening 74 of the first flow path may be disposed in the second region 77 of the first flow path between an outlet opening 88 of the second flow path for the second fluid 18, and an outlet opening 92 of the third flow path for the third fluid 22.

[0064] In a preferred embodiment, the inlet opening 72 and the outlet opening 74 are located on opposite sides of the shaped section 62, so that the shaped section 62 divides the first flow path into a pair of secondary flow paths, namely, a secondary flow path having a generally C-shaped shape and another secondary flow path having a generally inverse C-shaped shape. Therefore, the first fluid 14 can flow from the inlet opening 72 through the secondary flow paths in opposite directions to the outlet opening 74, thereby shortening the distance that the first fluid 14 must travel from the inlet opening 72 to the outlet opening 74. In some embodiments, the portion of each of the secondary flow paths adjacent to the inlet opening 72 and the outlet opening 74 can be further separated by the shaped sections 76, 78, 80, 82, which surround the periphery of the inlet opening 86 and the outlet opening 88 formed in the first plate 40 for the second fluid 18 and the periphery of the inlet opening 90 and the outlet opening 92 formed in the first plate 40 for the third fluid 22. As shown in FIG. Figure 6 , Figure 8 , Fig. 9 and Fig.11 As depicted in FIG. 8 , the shaped sections 76 , 78 , 80 , 82 abut against lower surfaces of the end plate 42 and the first plate 41 to prevent the second fluid 18 and the third fluid 22 from leaking into the first flow path.

[0065] One or more thermal energy transfer elements (not depicted), such as fins, may be disposed in at least a portion of the first flow path, and preferably at least one of the secondary flow paths, to enhance and improve the rate of thermal energy transfer between the first fluid 14 and the second fluid 18 and / or the third fluid 22 within the heat exchanger 10.

[0066] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C One of the second plates 41 of the heat exchanger 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The second plate 41 may be substantially elongated and rectangular. However, it will be understood that the second plate 41 may have a variety of shapes, sizes, and configurations as desired.

[0067] like Figure 4A As illustrated in FIG. 1 , each of the second plates 41 can be configured to define a second flow path (depicted by arrow 93 and dashed lines) for the second fluid 18 and a third flow path (depicted by arrow 94 and dashed lines) for the third fluid 22. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the second plates 41 includes a shaped section 96 formed in at least a first surface 98 substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the second plate 41. Figures 6 to 8 as well as Fig.10As depicted in FIG. 1 , the shaped section 96 abuts against the lower surface of the adjacent first plates 40 to form a pair of separate and different flow paths. In addition to abutting against the lower surface of the first plate 40, the shaped section 96 also surrounds the periphery of each of the inlet opening 97 and the outlet opening 99 formed in the second plate 41 to prevent the first fluid 14 from leaking into the flow path formed in the second plate 41.

[0068] In the illustrated embodiment, each of the second plates 41 includes an elongated shaped section 101, 103 formed in at least the first surface 98 along the longitudinal axis of the second plate 41. Figure 7 , Fig. 9 and Fig.11 As best seen in FIG. 1 , each of the shaped sections 101, 103 abuts the lower surface of an adjacent first plate of the first plates 40 to form a generally circular second flow path and a third flow path. Each of the second plates 41 also includes an inlet opening 102 for a second flow path of the second fluid 18 and an outlet opening 104 for a second flow path of the second fluid 18, the inlet opening 102 being fluidly connected to the inlet port 48 and the outlet opening 104 being fluidly connected to the outlet port 58. Each of the second plates 41 may also include an inlet opening 106 for a third flow path of the third fluid 22 and an outlet opening 108 for a third flow path of the third fluid 22, the inlet opening 106 being fluidly connected to the inlet port 50 and the outlet opening 108 being fluidly connected to the outlet port 60.

[0069] like Figure 4A , the inlet opening 97 of the first flow path may be disposed between the inlet opening 102 of the second flow path for the second fluid 18 and the inlet opening 106 of the third flow path for the third fluid 22. Similarly, the outlet opening 99 of the first flow path may be disposed between the outlet opening 104 of the second flow path for the second fluid 18 and the outlet opening 108 of the third flow path for the third fluid 22.

[0070] In a preferred embodiment, the inlet opening 102 and the outlet opening 104 are located on opposite sides of the forming section 101, so that the forming section 101 divides the second flow path into a pair of secondary flow paths, namely, a secondary flow path having a substantially C-shaped shape and another secondary flow path having a substantially inverse C-shaped shape. Therefore, the second fluid 18 can flow from the inlet opening 102 through the secondary flow path in the opposite direction to the outlet opening 104, thereby shortening the distance that the second fluid 18 must travel from the inlet opening 102 to the outlet opening 104. Additionally, the inlet opening 106 and the outlet opening 108 are located on opposite sides of the forming section 103, so that the forming section 103 divides the third flow path into a pair of secondary flow paths, namely, a secondary flow path having a substantially C-shaped shape and another secondary flow path having a substantially inverse C-shaped shape. Therefore, the third fluid 22 can flow from the inlet opening 106 through the secondary flow path in the opposite direction to the outlet opening 108, thereby shortening the distance that the third fluid 22 must travel from the inlet opening 106 to the outlet opening 108.

[0071] One or more thermal energy transfer elements (not depicted), such as fins, may be disposed in at least a portion of at least one of the second flow path and the third flow path to enhance and improve the thermal energy transfer rate between the first fluid 14 and at least one of the second fluid 18 and the third fluid 22 within the heat exchanger 10.

[0072] exist Figures 6 to 11 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the first flow path, the second flow path, and the third flow path are alternately formed between the plates 40, 41 and the end plates 42, 44. Fig.10 4, the inlet openings 72, 97 of the plates 40, 41 are respectively fluidly connected to form an inlet manifold 110 for the first fluid 14, the inlet manifold 110 being fluidly coupled to the inlet port 46, and the outlet openings 74, 99 of the plates 40, 41 are respectively fluidly connected to form an outlet manifold 112 for the first fluid 14, the outlet manifold 112 being fluidly coupled to the outlet port 56. Thus, the first fluid 14 of the first circuit 12 flows into the inlet port 46, flows through the inlet manifold 110 and the associated first flow paths defined by the first plate 40 in which heat energy exchange occurs between the first fluid 14 and each of the second fluid 18 and / or the third fluid 22, respectively, flows through the outlet manifold 112, and flows from the outlet port 56 back into the first circuit 12.

[0073] Similarly, if Fig. 9, the inlet openings 86, 102 of the plates 40, 41 are respectively fluidly connected to form an inlet manifold 114 for the second fluid 18, the inlet manifold 114 being fluidly coupled to the inlet port 48, and the outlet openings 88, 104 of the plates 40, 41 are respectively fluidly connected to form an outlet manifold 116 for the second fluid 18, the outlet manifold 116 being fluidly coupled to the outlet port 58. Thus, the second fluid 18 of the second circuit 16 flows into the inlet port 48, flows through the inlet manifold 114 and the associated second flow path defined by the second plate 41 in which heat energy exchange occurs between the first fluid 14 and the second fluid 18, flows through the outlet manifold 116, and flows from the outlet port 58 back into the second circuit 16.

[0074] In addition, if Fig.11 , the inlet openings 90, 106 of the plates 40, 41 are respectively fluidly connected to form an inlet manifold 118 for the third fluid 22, the inlet manifold 118 being fluidly coupled to the inlet port 50, and the outlet openings 92, 108 of the plates 40, 41 are respectively fluidly connected to form an outlet manifold 120 for the third fluid 22, the outlet manifold 120 being fluidly coupled to the outlet port 60. Thus, the third fluid 22 of the third circuit 20 flows to the inlet port 50, flows through the inlet manifold 118 and the associated third flow path defined by the second plate 41 in which heat energy exchange occurs between the first fluid 14 and the third fluid 22, flows through the outlet manifold 120, and flows from the outlet port 60 back into the third circuit 20.

[0075] The performance of the heat exchanger 10 can be optimized in various ways. For example, the heat exchanger 10 can be optimized by adjusting the position of at least one of the inlet ports 46, 48, 50, at least one of the outlet ports 56, 58, 60, at least one of the inlet openings 72, 86, 90, 97, 102, 106, and / or at least one of the outlet openings 74, 88, 92, 99, 104, 108; by providing different flow resistances (i.e., providing more or fewer heat transfer elements in the flow paths); and / or by changing the cross-sectional flow area of ​​at least one of the flow paths.

[0076] Example embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and the scope will be fully conveyed to those skilled in the art. Many specific details, such as examples of specific parts, devices and methods, are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be adopted, the example embodiments can be implemented in many different forms, and neither the specific details nor the example embodiments should be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures and well-known technologies are not described in detail. Equivalent changes, modifications and variations of some embodiments, materials, components and methods can be made within the scope of the present technology with substantially similar results.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger, comprising: at least one first plate; as well as At least one second plate is disposed adjacent to the at least one first plate, wherein the arrangement of the at least one first plate and the at least one second plate forms a first flow path for a first fluid and at least one of a second flow path for a second fluid and a third flow path for a third fluid.

2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one first plate is configured to define the first flow path for the first fluid.

3. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one first plate comprises a first shaped section formed in a surface along a longitudinal axis of the at least one first plate.

4. The heat exchanger according to claim 3, wherein: The first shaped section of the at least one first plate abuts a surface of the at least one second plate.

5. The heat exchanger according to claim 3, wherein: An inlet opening and an outlet opening of a first flow path for the first fluid are located on opposite sides of the first shaped section of the at least one first plate.

6. The heat exchanger according to claim 3, wherein: The first shaped section of the at least one first plate divides the first flow path into a plurality of secondary flow paths for the first fluid.

7. The heat exchanger according to claim 3, wherein: The at least one first plate includes at least one second shaped section surrounding at least one of an inlet opening and an outlet opening of at least one of the second flow path for the second fluid and the third flow path for the third fluid.

8. The heat exchanger according to claim 7, wherein: The at least one second shaped section of the at least one first plate abuts against a surface of the at least one second plate to prevent the second fluid and / or the third fluid from leaking into the first flow path.

9. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one second plate is configured to define the second flow path and / or the third flow path.

10. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one second plate comprises a first shaped section formed in a surface substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the at least one second plate.

11. The heat exchanger according to claim 10, wherein: The first shaped section of the at least one second plate abuts a surface of the at least one first plate to define the second flow path and / or the third flow path.

12. The heat exchanger according to claim 10, wherein: The first shaped section of the at least one second plate surrounds at least one of an inlet opening and an outlet opening of the first flow path for the first fluid.

13. The heat exchanger according to claim 10, wherein: The first shaped section of the at least one second plate abuts against a surface of the at least one first plate to prevent the first fluid from leaking into the second flow path and / or the third flow path.

14. The heat exchanger according to claim 10, wherein: The at least one second plate comprises at least one second shaped section formed in the surface along the longitudinal axis of the at least one second plate.

15. The heat exchanger according to claim 14, wherein: The at least one second shaped section of the at least one second plate abuts a surface of the at least one first plate to form a substantially circular second flow path and / or a substantially circular third flow path.

16. The heat exchanger according to claim 14, wherein: An inlet opening and an outlet opening of the second flow path for the second fluid are located on opposite sides of the at least one second shaped section of the at least one second plate.

17. The heat exchanger according to claim 14, wherein: The at least one second shaped section of the at least one second plate divides the second flow path into a plurality of secondary flow paths for the second fluid and / or divides the third flow path into a plurality of secondary flow paths for the third fluid.

18. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the at least one first plate and the at least one second plate comprises an inlet opening and an outlet opening for at least one of the first flow path for the first fluid, the second flow path for the second fluid, and the third flow path for the third fluid, wherein the inlet opening of the first flow path for the first fluid is fluidically connected to form an inlet manifold for the first fluid, the inlet opening of the second flow path for the second fluid is fluidically connected to form an inlet manifold for the second fluid, and / or the inlet opening of the third flow path for the third fluid is fluidically connected to form an inlet manifold for the third fluid, and wherein the outlet opening of the first flow path for the first fluid is fluidically connected to form an outlet manifold for the first fluid, the outlet opening of the second flow path for the second fluid is fluidically connected to form an outlet manifold for the second fluid, and / or the outlet opening of the third flow path for the third fluid is fluidically connected to form an outlet manifold for the third fluid.

19. A heat exchanger, comprising: A plurality of plates are arranged to define a first flow path for a first fluid, a second flow path for a second fluid, and a third flow path for a third fluid, wherein an inlet opening of the first flow path is disposed between an inlet opening of the second flow path and an inlet opening of the third flow path in a first region of the first flow path, and wherein an outlet opening of the first flow path is disposed between an outlet opening of the second flow path and an outlet opening of the third flow path in a second region of the first flow path.

20. The heat exchanger according to claim 19, wherein An elongated, elliptical shaped section divides the first flow path into a pair of secondary flow paths, and wherein the inlet opening and the outlet opening of the first flow path are located on opposite sides of the shaped section.

21. A fluid regulating system, comprising: A heat exchanger fluidly connected to a first circuit through which a first fluid flows, a second circuit through which a second fluid flows, and a third circuit through which a third fluid flows, wherein the heat exchanger comprises a plurality of plates arranged to define a first flow path for the first fluid, a second flow path for the second fluid, and a third flow path for the third fluid, and wherein the first circuit is in heat exchange relationship with at least one of the second circuit and the third circuit within the heat exchanger.

Images