Thermal conditioning device, in particular for cooling

Abstract

The invention relates to a thermal conditioning device (1) for thermally conditioning, in particular for cooling, a component, in particular for an electrochemical energy storage module, which component is susceptible to release heat during operation, comprising a flow network (4) for a heat transfer fluid, the network comprises:-a primary heat transfer fluid flow channel (5),-a secondary heat transfer fluid flow channel (12),-a mixing zone (14) into which the primary channel (5) opens through a primary cross-section (15) and into which the secondary channel (12) opens through a secondary cross-section (16), the secondary cross-section (16) of the secondary channel being smaller than the primary cross-section (15) of the primary channel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a thermal conditioning device, in particular for cooling, in particular for electrical components which emit heat during operation, in particular for cooling at least one battery or battery cell of a vehicle, such as a motor vehicle. Background Art

[0002] The vehicle may be a land vehicle, a sea vehicle or an air vehicle.

[0003] A heat exchanger with plates is known from patent application WO2018109368, comprising a first plate and a second plate joined in a sealed manner. The first plate is punched to form a plurality of channels, which are separated by ribs and provided with spaced protrusions which act as flow disruptors. The flow disturbances which create turbulence enable a better heat exchange with the battery cells to be cooled. Summary of the invention

[0004] It is an object of the invention in particular to improve the heat exchange between the fluid channel and the component to be cooled.

[0005] The subject of the invention is therefore a thermal regulation device, in particular for cooling, for components capable of releasing heat during operation, in particular for electrochemical energy storage modules, comprising a circulation network for a heat transfer fluid, the network comprising:

[0006] - Main heat transfer fluid flow channel;

[0007] - secondary heat transfer fluid flow channels;

[0008] a mixing zone into which the primary channel opens via a primary cross section and into which the secondary channel opens via a secondary cross section which is smaller than the primary cross section of the primary channel, so that the fluid flows from these channels open into the mixing zone at different speeds.

[0009] The present invention is advantageous for the following reasons.

[0010] Due to the small secondary cross section of the secondary channel opening into the mixing zone, the secondary channel injects the fluid into the mixing zone with a velocity difference relative to the fluid obtained from the main channel. This velocity difference makes it possible to promote the generation of a chaotic type of mixture in the mixing zone.

[0011] The invention thus makes it possible to homogenize the temperature of the fluid over its entire cross section, which improves the thermal performance level of the device.

[0012] In the present invention, mixing can be carried out at relatively low fluid speeds, and due to the angles selected for the two streams leading to the mixing zone, the mixing is of chaotic type. The chaotic mixing principle is particularly useful for the mixing of low-speed viscous fluids. In a known manner, chaotic mixing is based on the "Boulanger transformation" of the mixing of different layers of fluids. For example, according to a way of performing this transformation, the fluid layer undergoes passive segmentation, then undergoes rotation in a bend with different chirality, and finally undergoes recombination to obtain stretching and folding to ensure uniform mixing.

[0013] In the present invention, the mixture is not necessarily turbulent if the velocity or Reynolds number does not exceed a certain threshold. Thus, the present invention can allow mixing at low velocities or low Reynolds numbers, typically at Reynolds numbers Re below 2000, and in particular between 100 and 1400. This is particularly advantageous when the thermal conditioning device is operated at a fluid flow velocity that is insufficient to generate turbulence.

[0014] The secondary channel is advantageously free of obstacles known as "soft pits" so as to give priority to high velocities in the secondary channel.

[0015] The channel cross section of the secondary channel is preferably smaller than the channel cross section of the main channel.

[0016] According to one aspect of the invention, the primary channel and the secondary channel are adjacent.

[0017] According to one aspect of the invention, the primary channel and the secondary channel are parallel to each other along at least a portion of their length, in particular along a majority of their length.

[0018] According to one of the aspects of the invention, the primary channel and the secondary channel share common lateral partitions.

[0019] According to one aspect of the invention, the separated flows have parallel sections before rejoining in the mixing zone.

[0020] According to one aspect of the invention, the primary channel and the secondary channel are isolated from each other along the entire length of the secondary channel, the secondary channel having a length sufficient to allow fluid flowing therein to be accelerated to a higher velocity than the flow velocity in the primary channel.

[0021] According to the invention, the flow which is divided in the primary channel and the secondary channel and which is reunited in the mixing zone is maintained, ie no additional fluid flow is received on the path between the dividing zone and the mixing zone.

[0022] According to one aspect of the invention, the secondary channel has a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, the outlet opening into the mixing zone.

[0023] According to one of the aspects of the invention, the secondary channel comprises a plurality of successive fluid outlet nozzles opening into a plurality of zones for mixing with the primary channel.

[0024] According to one of the aspects of the invention, the secondary channel opens into the mixing zone via a converging nozzle defining said secondary cross section.

[0025] The nozzles of the secondary channels thus make it possible to accelerate the heat transfer fluid when it reaches the mixing zone.

[0026] According to one aspect of the present invention, the nozzle is conical.

[0027] According to one of the aspects of the invention, the injection angle of the fluid via the secondary channel is selected relative to the flow direction in the primary channel so as to help generate a chaotic type of flow.

[0028] According to one of the aspects of the invention, the angle is selected between 45° and 90°, the angle being defined in particular relative to an axis z, ie an axis intersecting the two plates perpendicularly.

[0029] According to one of the aspects of the invention, the injection angle relative to the flow direction of the main channel thus contributes to the generation of a chaotic type fluid mixture.

[0030] According to one aspect of the present invention, the fluid flow network comprises two secondary channels which open continuously into a main mixing zone, wherein the fluid flows from the main channel and the two secondary channels are mixed in the mixing zone.

[0031] According to one aspect of the present invention, two secondary channels are positioned on either side of the main channel.

[0032] According to one aspect of the invention, the two channels have outlets facing each other on either side of the mixing zone.

[0033] As a variant, over at least one section of the main channel, the circulation network comprises a single secondary channel positioned on one side of the main channel.

[0034] According to one aspect of the invention, the flow network has alternating secondary channels on a first section only on one side of a main channel and then on a second section only on the other side of the main channel, so that the fluid has a fluid outlet on one side of the main channel and then has a fluid outlet on the other side of the main channel.

[0035] According to one aspect of the invention, the flow network includes a section in which only one secondary channel exists, and another section in which two secondary channels exist on both sides of the main channel.

[0036] According to one aspect of the present invention, the secondary channel is shorter than the primary channel in the direction of fluid flow in the primary channel.

[0037] According to one aspect of the present invention, the inlet of the secondary channel communicates with the main channel so that the secondary channel can be supplied by the fluid from the main channel.

[0038] Thus, the secondary channel has a fluid connection in the main channel, and after the fluid in the secondary channel is accelerated, the fluid collected thereby is reinjected further into the main channel further downstream.

[0039] Thus, the fluid is divided between the primary and secondary channels and then reunited downstream, in the mixing zone, obtaining a chaotic type of mixing.

[0040] According to one aspect of the invention, the number of divided flows that rejoin in the mixing zone is exactly two or three, and these divided flows are obtained from the secondary channel only, or from two secondary channels and the main channel.

[0041] According to one aspect of the present invention, the inlet of the secondary channel has a converging form so as to accelerate the fluid flowing in the secondary channel.

[0042] According to one aspect of the invention, the inlet of the secondary channel is configured to collect fluid from one of the mixing zones of the primary channel.

[0043] The invention thus makes it possible to collect the fluid mixed in the mixing zone, thus having a uniform temperature, accelerate it in the secondary channel and reinject it downstream into the subsequent mixing zone of the primary channel. This makes it possible to achieve good thermal performances, in particular better cooling capabilities, since the temperature of the fluid is uniform without having layers of fluid with significant temperature gradients.

[0044] According to one aspect of the invention, the first secondary channel is upstream of a first mixing zone in the downstream succession of mixing zones, viewed in the flow direction in the main channel.

[0045] According to one aspect of the present invention, at least one of the secondary channels comprises, in sequence in the flow direction of the fluid in the secondary channel, a single fluid inlet and a single fluid outlet towards a mixing zone in the primary channel.

[0046] Thus, fluid entering the secondary channel exits the primary channel via a single fluid outlet downstream.

[0047] As a variant, at least one of the secondary channels comprises, in sequence in the direction of flow of the fluid in this secondary channel, a fluid inlet and at least two fluid outlets, each facing the mixing zone in the main channel.

[0048] Thus, the secondary channel distributes the fluid to multiple points of the main channel.The total number of mixing zones may be greater than the number of fluid inlets, for example two or three times that number.

[0049] According to one aspect of the invention, the main channel comprises at least one dividing obstacle designed to divide the fluid flow in the main channel into two flows.

[0050] According to one of the aspects of the invention, the separation barrier extends along the entire height of the passage.

[0051] According to one aspect of the present invention, in the case of assembling the panels, the separation barrier joins the upper and lower panels.

[0052] As a variant, the separating obstacle extends along only part of the height of the passage.

[0053] According to one aspect of the invention, the main channel comprises a plurality of dividing obstacles designed to divide the fluid flow in the main channel into two flows, some obstacles extending along the entire height of the channel and some other obstacles extending along only part of the height of the channel.

[0054] According to one of the aspects of the invention, a dividing obstacle is placed in the main channel upstream of the mixing zone.

[0055] According to one aspect of the present invention, the separation obstacle is V-shaped, with a point located upstream in the flow direction of the fluid so as to separate the fluid into two flows.

[0056] According to one of the aspects of the invention, the separation obstacle has two branches positioned in a "V" shape, at least one of the two branches being oriented towards one of the outlets of the secondary channel.

[0057] According to one aspect of the present invention, when two secondary channel outlets face each other, the branches of the V-shape of the separator are oriented toward the two outlets, respectively.

[0058] When the secondary channel is provided on only one side of the primary channel, the primary channel may include at least one redirecting obstacle configured to redirect the fluid towards the mixing zone, the redirecting obstacle facing an outlet of the secondary channel injecting the fluid into the mixing zone.

[0059] Thus, the mixing zone is configured to mix the fluid from the outlet of the secondary channel and the fluid redirected by the redirecting obstacle. In other words, in this example, instead of having two secondary channel outlets facing each other, only a single secondary channel outlet and a redirecting obstacle are provided to recombine the fluids together into a mixture, in particular a chaotic type of mixture.

[0060] The redirection obstacle is in the form of a rod.

[0061] According to one of the aspects of the invention, the redirecting obstacle extends parallel to one of the V-shaped branches of the separating obstacle.

[0062] According to one of the aspects of the invention, the redirecting obstacle extends along the entire height of the channel or, as a variant, only along part of the height of the channel.

[0063] According to one of the aspects of the invention, the main channel comprises one or more additional obstacles in order to disturb the fluid, in particular for the purpose of generating turbulence for the purpose of improving heat exchange with one or more components.

[0064] According to one of the aspects of the invention, the additional obstacles, in particular V-shaped, are positioned outside the mixing zone, in particular between one of the mixing zones and one of the separation obstacles.

[0065] According to one of the aspects of the invention, these additional obstacles have reduced dimensions relative to the separating obstacles.

[0066] These additional obstacles are configured to induce turbulence and ensure that the fluid is well directed to the middle of the separation obstacles so that it can be separated there.

[0067] According to one aspect of the invention, the additional obstacle is V-shaped, which is inverted relative to the V-shape of the separating obstacle.

[0068] According to one aspect of the invention, one or more of the secondary passages are free of internal obstructions.

[0069] According to one of its aspects, the device comprises two assembled plates.

[0070] According to one of the aspects of the invention, at least one of the plates has a stamped portion.

[0071] According to one of the aspects of the present invention, one of the plates is a lower plate provided with a punched portion so as to form at least one partition for separating the primary channel and the secondary channel.

[0072] According to one of the aspects of the invention, one of the plates is an upper plate provided with a punched portion in order to form at least one partition obstacle in the main channel.

[0073] The subject of the invention is also an assembly comprising at least one component to be cooled and a thermal conditioning device as described above, on which the component is placed for cooling it.

[0074] According to one of its aspects, the assembly comprises a housing designed to accommodate a component to be cooled.

[0075] According to one aspect of the present invention, the heat transfer fluid circulating in the channel is selected from a coolant fluid and ethylene glycol water. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0076] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent on reading the following description, given by way of non-limiting illustration, and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0077] Figure 1 A heat regulating device is schematically and partially shown;

[0078] Figure 2 A cross section of a heat regulating device is shown schematically and partially;

[0079] Figure 3 Schematically and partially illustrates a heat conditioning device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0080] Figure 4 A heat conditioning device according to another embodiment of the invention is schematically and partially shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0081] Figure 1 An assembly 100 is shown, comprising battery cells 101 to be cooled, in this case positioned along a plurality of parallel rows, and a thermal conditioning device 1 designed to cool the battery cells 101, which are in thermal contact with a first plate 2 or upper plate 2 of the cooling device 1, as described below. This first plate 2 is flat, on the outside of which the components 101 to be cooled, in this case the battery cells, are placed.

[0082] like Figure 2 As shown, the heat conditioning device 1 comprises an upper plate 2 and a lower plate 3, which are assembled with the upper plate 2 so as to form together a circulation network 4 having a plurality of main flow channels 5 for a liquid heat transfer fluid, in particular glycol water. Figure 2 Only the main channel 5 is shown.

[0083] The channel 5 is supplied with fluid via a fluid distribution area (not shown) which is connected to the Figure 1 A fluid inlet 7 is shown in communication. A fluid outlet 8 is also provided. Flanges 9 can be connected to the inlet 7 and the outlet 8 to ensure connection to an external fluid circuit, which in particular comprises a pump.

[0084] Each channel 5 has a cooling surface 10 facing the component 101 to be cooled.

[0085] like Figure 3As shown, as a non-limiting example, for each main channel 5, the network 4 includes two secondary channels 12 and a mixing zone 14, the main channel 5 leading to the mixing zone 14 via a main cross-section 15, and each secondary channel 12 leading to the mixing zone 14 via a secondary cross-section 16, the secondary cross-section 16 of the secondary channel being smaller than the main cross-section 15 of the main channel, so that the fluid flows from these channels 5 and 12 lead to the mixing zone 14 at different speeds.

[0086] The mixing zone 14 receives fluid from the primary channel 5 and the two secondary channels 12 .

[0087] Due to its smaller secondary cross section 16 opening into the mixing zone 14, each secondary channel 12 injects fluid into this mixing zone 14 with a velocity difference relative to the fluid obtained from the main channel 5. This velocity difference makes it possible to contribute to the generation of a chaotic type mixture in the mixing zone 14.

[0088] Along most of its length in the flow direction, the channel cross section of each secondary channel 12 is smaller than the channel cross section of the main channel 5 .

[0089] The main channel 5 is adjacent to two secondary channels 12 on both sides of the main channel 5 .

[0090] Thus, the primary channel 5 and the secondary channel 12 are parallel to each other along most of their length, which is measured in the general flow direction FM of the fluid.

[0091] The primary channel 5 and each secondary channel 12 share a common lateral partition 17, so that the primary channel 5 and the secondary channels 12 are isolated from each other along the entire length of the secondary channels 12. The partition 17 extends from one plate 2 to the other plate 3. The partition 17 may be stamped or added to one of the plates 2, 3.

[0092] Each secondary channel 12 in turn has a fluid inlet 18 and two fluid outlets 19 , each outlet 19 being in the form of an outlet nozzle which opens into one of the mixing zones 14 .

[0093] The two opposing secondary channels 12 have outlets 19 facing each other on either side of the respective mixing zone 14 .

[0094] Each outlet nozzle 19 is in the form of a converging cone defining said second cross section 16 .

[0095] The nozzles 19 of the secondary channels 12 thus make it possible to accelerate the heat transfer fluid when it reaches the mixing zone 14 .

[0096] The injection angle A of the fluid through the secondary channel 12 is chosen relative to the general flow direction FM in the main channel 5 so as to contribute to the generation of a chaotic type of flow.

[0097] The angle A is selected between 45° and 90°.

[0098] It should be noted that in the flow direction FM of the fluid, the secondary channel 12 is shorter than the main channel 5 .

[0099] The inlet 18 of each secondary channel 12 communicates with the main channel 5 , so that the secondary channel 12 can be supplied by the fluid from the main channel 5 .

[0100] Thus, each secondary channel 12 has a fluid connection in the main channel 5 and, after the fluid in the secondary channel 12 is accelerated, the fluid collected thereby is reinjected into the main channel 5 further downstream.

[0101] Thus, the fluid is divided between the primary channel 5 and the secondary channel 12 and then recombined downstream in the mixing zone 14. This allows a chaotic type of mixing to take place.

[0102] The inlet 18 of each secondary channel 12 has a converging form in order to accelerate the fluid circulating in the secondary channel 12 .

[0103] The inlet 18 of the secondary channel 12 is configured to collect fluid from one of the mixing zones 14 of the primary channel 5 .

[0104] The invention thus makes it possible to collect the fluid mixed in the mixing zone 14 and therefore of uniform temperature, accelerate it in the secondary channel 12 and reinject it downstream into the subsequent mixing zone 14 of the main channel 5 .

[0105] The first secondary channel 12 is upstream of a first mixing zone 14 of the downstream series of mixing zones 14 , viewed in the flow direction FM in the main channel.

[0106] In a variant not shown, at least one of the secondary channels 12 comprises, in sequence in the flow direction of the fluid in the secondary channel, a single fluid outlet 19 and a single fluid inlet 18, both directed towards the mixing zone 14 in the main channel 5. Thus, the fluid entering the secondary channel 12 leaves into the main channel 5 via the single fluid outlet 19 downstream.

[0107] In the example described, the main channel 5 comprises, at each cross section 15 , a separation obstacle 25 designed to separate the fluid flow entering the main channel 5 into two flows FS.

[0108] Each separation obstacle 25 extends only along part of the height of the channel 5. This height is measured perpendicularly to a plane containing the primary channel 5 and the secondary channel 12.

[0109] Each dividing obstacle 25 is placed in the main channel 5 upstream of the mixing zone 14 .

[0110] The partition obstacle 25 is V-shaped, with its point located upstream in the flow direction of the fluid, so as to separate the fluid into two flows FS.

[0111] Each dividing obstacle 25 thus has two branches positioned in a “V” shape relative to two outlets 19 facing each other.

[0112] The main channel 5 comprises a plurality of additional obstacles 27 in order to disturb the fluid, in particular in order to generate turbulence, for the purpose of improving the heat exchange with the component 101 to be cooled.

[0113] These additional obstacles, which are V-shaped, are positioned outside the mixing zones 14 , each obstacle being positioned between one of the mixing zones 14 and one of the separation obstacles 25 .

[0114] These additional obstacles 27 have reduced dimensions relative to the separating obstacles 25 .

[0115] These additional obstacles 27 are configured to induce turbulence and ensure that the fluid is well directed to the middle of the separation obstacles 25 in order to be separated there.

[0116] In the example described, the additional obstacles 27 are positioned in pairs, facing each separating obstacle 25 .

[0117] The additional obstacle is V-shaped, which is inverted relative to the V-shape of the separating obstacle 25 .

[0118] The secondary passage 12 has no internal obstructions.

[0119] At least one of the plates, ie the lower plate 3 , has portions that are punched out to form obstacles 25 and 27 , and define a plurality of main channels 5 .

[0120] The lower plate 3 is provided with punched portions in order to form lateral dividing partitions 17 of the primary channel 5 and of the secondary channel 12 .

[0121] As a variation, Figure 4 As shown, the flow network 4 includes, on each section 20 of the main channel 5 , a single secondary channel 12 positioned on one side of the main channel 5 .

[0122] Thus, the flow network 4 has alternating secondary channels with a first section 20 only on one side of the main channel and then a second section 20 only on the other side of the main channel, so that there is a fluid outlet 19 on one side of the main channel 5 and then a fluid outlet 19 on the other side of the main channel.

[0123] The primary channel 5 comprises a series of redirecting obstacles 29 configured to redirect the fluid towards the associated mixing zone 14 , the redirecting obstacles 29 facing the outlet 19 of the secondary channel injecting the fluid into the mixing zone 14 from one side of the channel 5 .

[0124] Thus, the mixing zone 14 is configured to mix the fluid coming from the outlet 19 of the secondary channel 12 and the fluid redirected by the redirecting obstacle 29. In other words, in this example, instead of having two secondary channel outlets 19 facing each other, a single secondary channel outlet 19 and a redirecting obstacle 29 are provided so as to recombine the fluids together into a mixture, in particular a chaotic type of mixture.

[0125] The redirection obstacle 29 is in the form of a rod.

[0126] The redirecting obstacle 29 extends parallel to one of the V-shaped branches of the separating obstacle 25 .

[0127] The redirecting obstacle 29 extends along the entire height of the passage 5 or, as a variant, only over part of the height of the passage 5 .

Claims

1. A heat regulating device (1), in particular for cooling, for a component (101) capable of releasing heat during operation, in particular for an electrochemical energy storage module, comprising a circulation network (4) for a heat transfer fluid, the network comprising: - a main heat transfer fluid flow channel (5); - a secondary heat transfer fluid flow channel (12); - a mixing zone (14), the main channel (5) opening into the mixing zone (14) via a main cross section (15), the secondary channel (12) opening into the mixing zone (14) via a secondary cross section (16), the secondary cross section (16) of the secondary channel being smaller than the main cross section (15) of the main channel, so that the fluid flows from these channels open into the mixing zone (14) at different speeds.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The primary channel (5) and the secondary channel (12) are adjacent to each other.

3. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein: The primary channel (5) and the secondary channel (12) share a common lateral partition (17).

4. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The secondary channel (12) comprises a plurality of successive fluid outlet nozzles (19) opening into a plurality of mixing zones (14), each nozzle being in particular convergent.

5. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The fluid injection angle of the secondary channel (12) is chosen relative to the general flow direction (FM) in the main channel (5) so as to contribute to the generation of a chaotic type of flow, this angle (A) being in particular chosen to be between 45° and 90°.

6. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The fluid circulation network (4) comprises two secondary channels (12) which successively open into a common mixing zone (14) in which the fluid flows coming from the two secondary channels (12) and the main channel (5) are mixed.

7. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: On at least one section (20) of the main channel (5), the flow network (4) comprises a single secondary channel (12) positioned on one side of the main channel (5).

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein: The flow network (4) has alternating secondary channels (12) on a first section (20) only on one side of the main channel and then on a second section (20) only on the other side of the main channel, so that a fluid (19) flows on one side of the main channel and then on the other side of the main channel.

9. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The inlet (18) of the secondary channel is configured to collect fluid from one of the mixing zones (14) of the primary channel.

10. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein: The main channel (5) comprises at least one dividing obstacle (25), in particular V-shaped, which is designed to divide the fluid flow in the main channel (5) into two flows (FS).

11. The device of claim 7 and optionally any other claim, wherein: When the secondary channel (12) is arranged only on one side of the main channel, the main channel comprises at least one redirecting obstacle (29), in particular in the form of a rod, which is configured to redirect the fluid towards the mixing zone, the redirecting obstacle facing the outlet of the secondary channel injecting the fluid into the mixing zone.

12. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein: The main channel comprises one or more additional obstacles (27), in particular V-shaped, in order to disturb the fluid, in particular to generate turbulence for the purpose of improving heat exchange with one or more of the components.

13. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The device comprises two assembled plates (2; 3).

14. An assembly (100) comprising at least one component to be cooled and a thermal conditioning device (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, on which the component is placed in order to cool it.

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