Variable diameter plate-fin oil cooler

Abstract

The application discloses a variable-diameter plate-fin oil cooler, which comprises an oil cooler core and a connecting plate. The oil cooler core is formed with a plurality of first cavities and a plurality of second cavities. The first cavities and the second cavities are alternately distributed and arranged along the thickness direction of the oil cooler core. The inlet end and the outlet end of each first cavity are respectively connected with a first variable-diameter channel to form a cooling flow path. The inlet end and the outlet end of each second cavity are respectively connected with a second variable-diameter channel to form an oil flow path. The connecting plate is used for mounting the oil cooler core. The diameters of the first variable-diameter channels and the second variable-diameter channels are reduced from the opposite sides of the oil cooler core provided with the connecting plate to the direction of the connecting plate. The first variable-diameter channels and the second variable-diameter channels are arranged to control the flow rate of each layer and then control the flow velocity. The flow velocity of each layer is uniform to reduce the local pressure and heat.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of oil cooler technology, and in particular to a variable diameter plate-fin oil cooler. Background Technology

[0002] Plate-fin oil coolers were first used for cooling aircraft engines. Due to their compact structure, light weight, and good heat transfer performance, they have been widely used in petrochemical, aerospace, and automotive industries. However, in actual operation, the heat exchange performance of plate-fin oil coolers is consistently lower than the design value. This is mainly due to three factors: uneven velocity distribution within the heat exchange gas, uneven temperature distribution, and longitudinal heat conduction. Among these three factors, uneven velocity distribution within the oil cooler exacerbates uneven temperature distribution and longitudinal heat conduction, thus being the fundamental cause of the overall performance reduction. Related experiments show that the performance reduction of oil coolers caused by uneven velocity distribution ranges from 5% to 25%.

[0003] Current methods for achieving uniform flow velocity across different flow channels in oil coolers typically involve placing high-resistance fins in high-velocity regions and low-resistance fins in low-velocity regions to reduce velocity differences between layers. However, introducing high-resistance fins into high-velocity regions significantly increases pressure drop, potentially leading to localized flow blockage and negatively impacting fluid distribution uniformity. Furthermore, while high-resistance fins can slow down flow velocity, they may reduce heat transfer efficiency in those regions, ultimately affecting the overall heat transfer performance of the oil cooler. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The main objective of this invention is to provide a variable diameter plate-fin oil cooler, which aims to solve the problems of uneven flow velocity in each layer of the oil cooler, reduced heat exchange efficiency, and the overall heat exchange performance of the oil cooler being affected.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention proposes a variable diameter plate-fin oil cooler, comprising an oil cooler core and a connecting plate;

[0006] The oil cooler core has multiple first cavities and multiple second cavities, which are alternately distributed and arranged along the thickness direction of the oil cooler core. Each first cavity has a first variable-diameter channel connected to its inlet and outlet ends to form a cooling flow path, through which the cooling medium flows. Each second cavity has a second variable-diameter channel connected to its inlet and outlet ends to form an oil flow path, through which high-temperature oil flows. The inlet and outlet of the cooling flow path and the inlet and outlet of the oil flow path are located on the same side. A connecting plate is disposed on the surface of the oil cooler core and corresponds to the inlet and outlet of the cooling flow path and the inlet and outlet of the oil flow path, for mounting the oil cooler core.

[0007] The diameters of the first and second variable diameter channels decrease from the opposite side of the oil cooler core with the connecting plate toward the connecting plate. The connecting plate has openings that communicate with the inlet and outlet of the cooling flow path and the inlet and outlet of the oil flow path.

[0008] Preferably, the oil cooler core includes a first fin and a second fin, which are alternately stacked to form the first cavity and the second cavity.

[0009] Preferably, the first fin has a first convex edge, the second fin has a second convex edge, the first fin is connected to the surface of the second fin facing away from the second convex edge through the first convex edge, and the surface of the first fin facing away from the first convex edge is disposed toward the connecting plate.

[0010] Preferably, the surface of the first fin with the first protruding edge is provided with two first abutting members, and the surface of the first fin opposite to the first protruding edge is provided with two second abutting members. The first abutting members are provided with first through holes, and the second abutting members are provided with second through holes.

[0011] And / or, the first abutment and the second abutment respectively abut against two adjacent second fins.

[0012] Preferably, the diameters of the first through holes and the second through holes of two adjacent first fins are the same or different.

[0013] Preferably, the surface of the second fin with the second protruding edge is provided with two third abutting members, and the surface of the second fin away from the second protruding edge is provided with two fourth abutting members. The third abutting members are provided with third through holes, and the fourth abutting members are provided with fourth through holes.

[0014] And / or, the third abutment and the fourth abutment respectively abut against the two adjacent first fins.

[0015] Preferably, the diameters of the third through hole and the fourth through hole of two adjacent second fins are the same or different.

[0016] Preferably, the oil cooler core further includes a first sealing plate and a second sealing plate. The first sealing plate is disposed between the connecting plate and the bottom first fin, and encloses to form the first cavity. The second sealing plate is connected to the first protruding edge of the top first fin, and encloses to form the second cavity.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0018] By setting two first variable diameter channels and two second variable diameter channels, which are connected to each first cavity, the flow rate of coolant in the first cavity is changed. The two second variable diameter channels are connected to each second cavity, which changes the flow rate of engine oil in the second cavity, thereby controlling the flow rate into each layer and thus controlling the flow rate. By making the flow rate uniform in each layer, the local pressure and heat are reduced, thereby improving the performance and service life of the oil cooler. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the variable diameter plate-fin oil cooler of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a side view of the variable diameter plate-fin oil cooler of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Cross-sectional view at point A-A';

[0023] Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the variable diameter plate-fin oil cooler of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the cooling flow path of an embodiment of the variable diameter plate-fin oil cooler of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the oil flow path of an embodiment of the variable diameter plate-fin oil cooler of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 7 This is an exploded view of another embodiment of the variable diameter plate-fin oil cooler of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the simulated flow velocity of the variable diameter plate-fin oil cooler of the present invention.

[0028] In the attached diagram, 1-oil cooler core, 11-first fin, 111-first protruding edge, 112-first abutting member, 113-second abutting member, 114-first through hole, 115-second through hole, 12-second fin, 121-second protruding edge, 122-third abutting member, 123-fourth abutting member, 124-third through hole, 125-fourth through hole, 13-first cavity, 14-second cavity, 15-first sealing plate, 151-third protruding edge, 152-fifth abutting member, 153-fifth through hole, 154-sixth through hole, 16-second sealing plate, 161-sealing member, 162-fourth protruding edge, 2-first variable diameter channel, 3-second variable diameter channel, 4-cooling flow path, 5-oil flow path, 6-connecting plate, 61-opening, 62-connecting hole. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0030] It should be understood that, when used in this specification and the appended claims, the terms "comprising" and "including" indicate the presence of the described features, integrals, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, components and / or collections thereof.

[0031] It should also be understood that the terminology used in this specification is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0032] It should also be further understood that the term "and / or" as used in this specification and the appended claims refers to any combination of one or more of the associated listed items and all possible combinations, and includes such combinations.

[0033] To solve the above problems, such as Figures 1 to 7 As shown, the present invention provides a variable diameter plate-fin oil cooler, including an oil cooler core 1 and a connecting plate 6; as Figure 3As shown, the oil cooler core 1 has multiple first cavities 13 and multiple second cavities 14, which are alternately distributed and arranged along the thickness direction of the oil cooler core 1. Each first cavity 13 has a first variable-diameter channel 2 connected to its inlet and outlet ends, forming a cooling flow path 4, through which the cooling medium flows. Each second cavity 14 has a second variable-diameter channel 3 connected to its inlet and outlet ends, forming an oil flow path 5, through which the high-temperature oil flows. The inlet and outlet of the cooling flow path 4 and the oil flow path 5... The inlet and outlet are located on the same side. The connecting plate 6 is disposed on the surface of the oil cooler core 1 and corresponds to the inlet and outlet of the cooling flow path 4 and the inlet and outlet of the oil flow path 5, for mounting the oil cooler core 1. The diameters of the first variable diameter channel 2 and the second variable diameter channel 3 decrease from the opposite side of the oil cooler core 1 where the connecting plate 6 is located towards the connecting plate 6. The connecting plate 6 has openings 61 communicating with the inlet and outlet of the cooling flow path 4 and the inlet and outlet of the oil flow path 5. Furthermore, the connecting plate 6 also has connecting holes 62 through which the oil cooler is mounted on the application component. Further, as... Figure 4 and Figure 7 As shown, the two first variable diameter channels can be distributed diagonally or on the same side, and the two second variable diameter channels can be distributed diagonally or on the same side. The positions of the corresponding first abutment to the fifth abutment and the sealing element are set according to the distribution of the first variable diameter channels and the second variable diameter channels. Figures 3 to 6 Both examples use two first variable-diameter channels and two second variable-diameter channels that are diagonally distributed.

[0034] In optional embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the oil cooler core 1 includes a first fin 11 and a second fin 12, which are alternately stacked to form the first cavity 13 and the second cavity 14. Specifically, in this embodiment, the second sealing plate 16 can be connected to either the first fin 11 or the second fin 12, and the number of the first fin 11 or the second fin 12 can be designed according to different usage scenarios or environments.

[0035] In an optional embodiment, the edge of the first fin 11 is provided with a first protruding edge 111, and the edge of the second fin 12 is provided with a second protruding edge 121. The first fin 11 is connected to the surface of the second fin 12 away from the second protruding edge 121 through the first protruding edge 111, and the surface of the first fin 11 away from the first protruding edge 111 is disposed toward the connecting plate 6.

[0036] In optional embodiments, such as Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, the surface of the first fin 11 with the first protruding edge 111 is provided with two first abutting members 112, and the surface of the first fin 11 facing away from the first protruding edge 111 is provided with two second abutting members 113. The first abutting member 112 has a first through hole 114, and the second abutting member 113 has a second through hole 115. Furthermore, the first abutting member 112 and the second abutting member 113 respectively abut with two adjacent second fins 12. Specifically, the first protruding edge 111, the first fin 11, the first abutting member 112 and the second abutting member 113 are integrally formed structures with high connection strength. Furthermore, the diameters of the first through hole 114 and the second through hole 115 of two adjacent first fins 11 are the same or different.

[0037] In optional embodiments, such as Figure 6 As shown, the surface of the second fin 12 with the second protruding edge 121 is provided with two third abutting members 122, and the surface of the second fin 12 facing away from the second protruding edge 121 is provided with two fourth abutting members 123. The third abutting members 122 have a third through hole 124, and the fourth abutting members 123 have a fourth through hole 125. Furthermore, the third abutting members 122 and the fourth abutting members 123 respectively abut with two adjacent first fins 11. Specifically, the second protruding edge 121, The third abutment 122, the fourth abutment 123, and the second fin 12 are integrally formed, which improves the connection strength between the four. The diameters of the third through hole 124 and the fourth through hole 125 of two adjacent second fins 12 are the same or different. After multiple first fins 11 and second fins 12 are alternately stacked, the abutment parts of each part abut against each other, and form the first variable diameter channel 2 and the second variable diameter channel 3 through the corresponding through holes, so as to achieve the purpose of controlling the fluid flow rate in the first cavity 13 and the second cavity 14 to be uniform.

[0038] In optional embodiments, such as Figure 4As shown, the oil cooler core 1 also includes a first sealing plate 15 and a second sealing plate 16. The first sealing plate 15 is disposed between the connecting plate 6 and the bottom first fin 11, and encloses to form the first cavity 13. The second sealing plate 16 is connected to the first protruding edge 111 of the top first fin 11, and encloses to form the second cavity 14. Specifically, the surface of the first sealing plate 15 facing away from the connecting plate 6 is provided with a third protruding edge 151, and the third protruding edge 151 is connected to the surface of the first fin 11 facing away from the first protruding edge 111. The first sealing plate 15 is provided with two fifth abutting members 152 corresponding to the second abutting member 113, and has a fifth through hole 153 and two sixth through holes 154. The coolant enters the first variable diameter channel 2 at the inlet end through the sixth through hole 154 and flows into each of the first cavities 13. Then the coolant passes through... The first variable diameter channel 2 at the outlet end flows into the first cavity 13 formed between the first sealing plate 15 and the first fin 11, and flows out from the sixth through hole 154. The second sealing plate 16 is provided with a sealing member 161 corresponding to the first abutment member 112. A fourth protruding edge 162 is provided on the surface away from the sealing member 161. The sealing member 161 seals the corresponding first through hole 114. The first abutment member 112 and the fourth protruding edge 162 are brazed together to achieve the sealing layer of the oil cooler core 1.

[0039] The oil cooler core 1 is assembled as follows: the bottom first fin 11 is placed on a flat surface with its first protruding edge 111 facing away from the flat surface; the second fin 12 is placed on the surface of the first fin 11 with the first protruding edge 111 in the same orientation and is brazed to the first protruding edge 111. At this time, the first abutting member 112 and the fourth abutting member 123 abut against each other; the second abutting member 113 of the bottom first fin 11 abuts against the fifth abutting member 152 of the first sealing plate 15; and the third abutting member of the second fin 12... 122 abuts against the second contact member 113 of the next first fin 11. In this embodiment, a total of six first fins 11 and five second fins 12 are provided. Each first fin 11 and second fin 12 is alternately arranged and connected according to the above arrangement. In addition, the corresponding combination of first fins 11 and second fins 12 needs to be selected according to the law that the diameters of the first variable diameter channel 2 and the second variable diameter channel 3 decrease from the opposite side of the oil cooler core 1 where the connecting plate 6 is provided towards the connecting plate 6; the cooling flow path is as follows. Figure 5 As shown, the oil flow path is as follows Figure 6 As shown, this scheme controls the flow rate of fluids such as engine oil or cooling water entering each layer through the first variable diameter channel 2 and the second variable diameter channel 3, thereby controlling the flow rate of fluids in each layer to achieve uniform fluid flow rate in each layer.

[0040] Changing the orifice diameter of various connecting parts can control the flow rate into the first cavity 13 and the second cavity 14, thereby controlling the flow velocity. According to the relationship between flow rate (Q) and flow velocity (v): Q = vA, where A is the cross-sectional area through which the fluid passes, and is related to the size of the orifice diameters of the first through-hole 114, the second through-hole 115, the third through-hole 124, and the second through-hole 115. The smaller the orifice diameter, the less flow rate into the first cavity 13 or the second cavity 14, and the slower the flow velocity. Based on this principle, a first fin 11 and a second fin 12 are considered as one flow channel. The sixth flow channel consists of a first fin 11 and a second sealing plate 16. The orifice diameters are divided into three groups: 10mm, 12mm, and 14mm, as shown in Table 1.

[0041] Table 1. Hole diameters corresponding to the through holes in each flow channel.

[0042]

[0043] Furthermore, the first abutting member 112, the second abutting member 113, the third abutting member 122, the fourth abutting member 123 and the fifth abutting member 152 have the same shape and the same outer diameter, which will not change with the change of the corresponding through hole diameter, so that the two corresponding abutting members can fit tightly together when the corresponding through hole diameter changes. In addition, a sealing gasket can be provided on the surface of each abutting member to improve the sealing performance of the oil cooler core 1.

[0044] like Figure 3 and Figure 8 As shown, the flow velocity is fastest in the first layer and decreases with each subsequent layer. Therefore, the first fin 11 and the second fin 12 with a through-hole diameter of 10mm are designated as the first layer. The flow velocity in the second layer is similar to that in the first layer, so the first fin 11 and the second fin 12 with a through-hole diameter of 10mm are designated as the second layer. This process continues until the sixth layer, which is the first fin 11 and the second fin 12 with a through-hole diameter of 14mm. This is to control the flow velocity difference between channels and achieve uniform flow velocity across all layers. According to the simulation results, the fluid flow velocity in the first cavity 13 and the second cavity 14 of the first layer, where coolant or engine oil enters, is the fastest, and the fluid flow velocity in the first cavity 13 or the second cavity 14 decreases with each subsequent layer.

[0045] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structural transformations made using the contents of the present invention's specification and drawings under the inventive concept of the present invention, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A variable plate-fin oil cooler characterized by, The oil cooler core and the connecting plate are included. The oil cooler core is formed with a plurality of first cavities and a plurality of second cavities, the first cavities and the second cavities are alternately distributed and arranged along the thickness direction of the oil cooler core, the inlet end and the outlet end of each first cavity are respectively connected with a first variable-diameter passage to form a cooling flow path along which the cooling medium flows, the inlet end and the outlet end of each second cavity are respectively connected with a second variable-diameter passage along which the high-temperature engine oil flows, the inlet and outlet of the cooling flow path and the inlet and outlet of the engine oil flow path are arranged on the same side, the connecting plate is arranged on the surface of the oil cooler core and corresponds to the inlet and outlet of the cooling flow path and the inlet and outlet of the engine oil flow path for mounting the oil cooler core. The oil cooler core includes first fins and second fins, the first fins and the second fins are alternately arranged and form the first cavities and the second cavities, the edge of the first fin is provided with a first convex edge, the edge of the second fin is provided with a second convex edge, the surface of the first fin away from the first convex edge is arranged towards the connecting plate, the surface of the first fin provided with the first convex edge is provided with two first abutting members, the surface of the first fin away from the first convex edge is provided with two second abutting members, the first abutting member is provided with a first through hole, and the second abutting member is provided with a second through hole, and / or the first abutting member and the second abutting member respectively abut against two adjacent second fins. The oil cooler core further includes a first sealing plate and a second sealing plate, the first sealing plate is arranged between the connecting plate and the first fin at the bottom layer and encloses to form the first cavity, and the second sealing plate is connected with the first convex edge of the first fin at the top layer and encloses to form the second cavity. The diameter of the first variable-diameter passage and the second variable-diameter passage is reduced from the opposite side of the oil cooler core provided with the connecting plate towards the connecting plate, and the connecting plate is provided with an opening in communication with the inlet and outlet of the cooling flow path and the inlet and outlet of the engine oil flow path.

2. The variable-gap plate-fin oil cooler of claim 1, wherein, The hole diameters of the first through hole and the second through hole of two adjacent first fins are the same or different.

3. The variable-plate-fin oil cooler of claim 1, wherein, The surface of the second fin towards the second abutting member is provided with two third abutting members, the surface of the second fin away from the second convex edge is provided with two fourth abutting members, the third abutting member is provided with a third through hole, and the fourth abutting member is provided with a fourth through hole. And / or the third abutting member and the fourth abutting member respectively abut against two adjacent first fins.

4. The variable-plate-fin oil cooler according to claim 3, characterized by, The hole diameters of the third through hole and the fourth through hole of two adjacent second fins are the same or different.

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