Plate heat exchanger and distributor

Abstract

The application discloses a plate heat exchanger, which comprises an inner cylinder and a bottom wall. The inner cylinder is at least partially located in a distribution flow channel, and the bottom wall is located at one end of the distribution flow channel and serves as a partial wall of the distribution flow channel. The inner cylinder is provided with a first channel, and the wall of the inner cylinder is at least partially located between the first channel and the distribution flow channel. The inner cylinder is provided with a first opening and a second opening, both of which are in communication with the first channel and the distribution flow channel. The second opening is in communication with the distribution flow channel. In the height direction of the plate heat exchanger, the second opening is closer to the bottom wall than the first opening, and the second opening is at least partially arranged opposite to the bottom wall with a spacing between the second opening and the bottom wall. The inner cylinder is provided with the first channel, which reduces the volume of the distribution flow channel and enables the refrigerant gas-liquid two-phase mixture in the first channel, that is, the refrigerant is premixed in the first channel before distribution, so that the refrigerant distribution uniformity is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of heat exchange technology, and in particular to a plate heat exchanger and a distributor. Background Technology

[0002] A plate heat exchanger consists of multiple plates stacked together to form multiple inter-plate channels. Fluids at different temperatures flow from the outside of the plate heat exchanger into different inter-plate channels, and the fluids exchange heat with adjacent fluids at different temperatures through the plates.

[0003] The plate heat exchanger of the related technology has a distribution channel, a first inter-plate channel, and at least two second inter-plate channels. The at least two second inter-plate channels are all connected to the distribution channel. The plate heat exchanger includes an inlet and a bottom wall. Along the height direction of the plate heat exchanger, the inlet and the bottom wall are located at the two ends of the distribution channel, respectively. When the plate heat exchanger is working, the fluid enters the distribution channel from the inlet and is then distributed to the second inter-plate channels. Improving the uniformity of fluid distribution can improve the heat exchange efficiency of the plate heat exchanger. How to improve the uniformity of fluid distribution is an important issue in plate heat exchangers. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, this application provides a plate heat exchanger, which includes multiple plates stacked along the height direction of the plate heat exchanger. The plate heat exchanger has a distribution channel, a first inter-plate channel, and at least two second inter-plate channels, all of which communicate with the distribution channel. The plate heat exchanger includes an inner cylinder and a bottom wall. The inner cylinder is at least partially located within the distribution channel. Along the height direction of the plate heat exchanger, the bottom wall is located at one end of the distribution channel and is a portion of the wall of the distribution channel. The inner cylinder has a first channel, and the wall of the inner cylinder is a portion of the first channel. The inner cylinder wall, along a direction perpendicular to the height of the plate heat exchanger, is at least partially located between the first channel and the distribution channel; the inner cylinder has a first opening and a second opening, along the height of the plate heat exchanger, the first opening and the second opening are respectively located at both ends of the inner cylinder, both the second opening and the first opening are connected to the first channel, and the second opening is connected to the distribution channel; along the height of the plate heat exchanger, the second opening is closer to the bottom wall than the first opening, the second opening is at least partially facing the bottom wall, and there is a gap between the second opening and the bottom wall.

[0005] The inner cylinder has a first channel, which reduces the volume of the distribution channel compared to related technologies, allowing the refrigerant gas and liquid phases to mix in the first channel. In other words, the refrigerant is pre-mixed in the first channel before distribution, thereby improving the uniformity of refrigerant distribution and thus improving the heat exchange efficiency of the plate heat exchanger.

[0006] This application provides a dispenser comprising a housing and an inner cylinder connected to the inner cylinder. The dispenser has a distribution channel on its bottom wall, located at least partially between the inner cylinder and the housing along a direction perpendicular to the height of the dispenser. The housing includes a bottom wall and a side wall. Along the height of the dispenser, the bottom wall is located at one end of the distribution channel, forming a portion of the distribution channel wall. The inner cylinder has a first channel, with its wall forming a portion of both the first channel and the distribution channel wall. Along a direction perpendicular to the height of the dispenser, the inner cylinder wall is at least partially located between the first channel and the distribution channel. The inner cylinder has a first opening and a second opening. Along the height of the dispenser, the first opening and the second opening are located at opposite ends of the inner cylinder, communicating with both the first and second channels. The second opening communicates with the distribution channel. Along the height of the dispenser, the second opening is closer to the bottom wall than the first opening, and at least partially faces the bottom wall, with a gap between the second opening and the bottom wall.

[0007] The inner cylinder has a first channel, which reduces the volume of the distribution channel compared to related technologies, allowing the refrigerant gas and liquid phases to mix in the first channel. In other words, the refrigerant is pre-mixed in the first channel before distribution, thereby improving the uniformity of refrigerant distribution. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a plate heat exchanger provided in one embodiment of this application;

[0009] Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view of a dispenser provided in one embodiment of this application;

[0010] Figure 3 An exploded view of a dispenser provided for one embodiment of this application;

[0011] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the distributor from another angle of explosion. Detailed Implementation

[0012] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description relates to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings denote the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with this application. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with some aspects of this application as detailed in the appended claims.

[0013] The terminology used in this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application. The singular forms “a,” “the,” and “the” used in this application and the appended claims are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0014] It should be understood that the terms "first," "second," and similar terms used in this application specification and claims do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different components. Similarly, "a" or "one," and similar terms do not indicate a quantity limitation, but rather indicate the presence of at least one; "multiple" indicates two or more. Unless otherwise specified, this is not limited to a single location or spatial orientation. The terms "comprising," "including," and similar terms mean that the elements or objects preceding "comprising" or "including" encompass the elements or objects listed following "comprising" or "including" and their equivalents, but do not exclude other elements or objects.

[0015] The heat exchanger of an exemplary embodiment of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the features of the following embodiments and implementations may complement or combine with each other.

[0016] The plate heat exchanger 100 includes a plurality of plates 101, which are stacked along the height direction H1 of the plate heat exchanger 100. The plate heat exchanger 100 has a distribution channel 102, a first inter-plate channel 103, and at least two second inter-plate channels 104. The at least two second inter-plate channels 104 are all connected to the distribution channel 102. During use, the distribution channel 102 and the second inter-plate channels 104 are fluidly isolated from the first inter-plate channel 103. Fluids of different temperatures flow from the outside of the plate heat exchanger 100 into the second inter-plate channels 104 and the first inter-plate channels 103. The fluids exchange heat with adjacent fluids of different temperatures through the plates.

[0017] The inventor discovered that, as Figure 1As shown, the plate heat exchanger 100 includes an inner cylinder 2 and a bottom wall 3. The distribution channel is along the height direction H1 of the plate heat exchanger 100. The bottom wall 3 is located at one end of the distribution channel 102 and is a part of the wall of the distribution channel 102. The inner cylinder 2 has a first channel 21. The wall of the inner cylinder 2 is a part of the wall of the first channel 21 and a part of the wall of the distribution channel 102. Along the direction perpendicular to the height direction H1 of the plate heat exchanger 100, the wall of the inner cylinder 2 is at least partially located between the first channel 21 and the distribution channel 102. When the plate heat exchanger 100 is in use, the first channel 21 is partially fluid isolated from the distribution channel 102. The inner cylinder 2 has a first opening 22 and a second opening 23. Along the height direction H1 of the plate heat exchanger 100, the first opening 22 and the second opening 23 are located at both ends of the inner cylinder 2. Both the second opening 23 and the first opening 22 are connected to the first channel 21, and the second opening 23 is connected to the distribution channel 102. Along the height direction H1 of the plate heat exchanger 100, the second opening 23 is closer to the bottom wall 3 than the first opening 22. When the plate heat exchanger 100 is working, the fluid enters the first channel 21 from the first opening 22, reaches the second opening 23 along the first channel 21, flows out from the second opening 23, and enters the distribution channel 102 for fluid distribution. The second opening 23 is at least partially facing the bottom wall 3, and there is a gap between the second opening 23 and the bottom wall 3. The fluid passes through the first channel 21 and then enters the distribution channel 102. This is equivalent to the fluid being directly distributed after entering the first opening 22. Instead, the fluid passes through the first channel 21 and enters the distribution channel 102 through the second opening 23. The first channel reduces the volume of the distribution channel, allowing the refrigerant gas and liquid phases in the first channel to mix. In other words, the refrigerant is pre-mixed in the first channel before distribution, thereby improving the uniformity of refrigerant distribution.

[0018] Meanwhile, the flow path is increased by extending the flow path of the first channel 21. A longer flow path reduces fluid accumulation in the flow channel, thereby improving the uniformity of fluid distribution and enhancing the heat exchange efficiency of the plate heat exchanger. In one embodiment, the fluid is a refrigerant.

[0019] Furthermore, in one embodiment, such as Figure 2 As shown, along the height direction H1 of the plate heat exchanger 100, the distance between the second opening 23 and the bottom wall 3 is 3mm to 4.4mm. If the distance between the second opening 23 and the bottom wall 3 is too large, the path of the fluid through the first channel 21 will be shortened, the overall flow path of the fluid will be shortened, and thus the uniformity of fluid distribution will be affected. When the fluid flow rate is large, if the distance between the second opening 23 and the bottom wall 3 is too small, the fluid velocity will decrease between the bottom wall 3 and the second opening 23 due to the small distance, resulting in fluid accumulation, which will also affect the uniformity of fluid distribution.

[0020] During normal use, the fluid flow rate is relatively high near the bottom wall 3. In one embodiment, such as... Figure 3 As shown, the plane perpendicular to the height direction H1 of the plate heat exchanger 100 is defined as the projection plane. The inner diameter of the wall of the first opening 22 projected onto the projection plane is smaller than the inner diameter of the wall of the second opening 23 projected onto the projection plane. In other words, the inner cylinder 2 is cylindrical, with the opening of the inner cylinder 2 being smaller at the top and larger at the bottom, that is, the opening near the bottom wall 3 is larger, in order to accommodate a larger flow rate.

[0021] In one embodiment, to ensure that the inner cylinder does not affect the fluid flow rate, the inner cylinder 2 is made of an elastic material. Because of its inherent elasticity, the inner cylinder 2 can undergo elastic deformation. When the fluid flow rate in the first channel 21 is high, the inner cylinder 2 can deform, increasing the fluid flow area. Furthermore, the elastic modulus of the elastic material is 0.5 MPa to 6 MPa, and the elastic material is generally one of polyester resin, rubber, or silicone.

[0022] In one embodiment, in order to improve the service life of the inner cylinder 2, such as Figure 3 As shown, the plate heat exchanger 100 includes a distributor 4, which includes a shell 41 and an inner cylinder 2. The shell 41 is connected to the inner cylinder 2, and the inner cylinder 2 is at least partially located inside the shell 41. The distributor 4 has a distribution channel 102, which is located at least partially between the inner cylinder 2 and the shell 41 along a direction perpendicular to the height direction H1 of the plate heat exchanger 100. The shell 41 has a through hole 43, which connects the second inter-plate channel 104 and the distribution channel 102. The inner cylinder 2 is at least partially aligned with the through hole 43. The shell 41 includes a side wall 42 and a bottom wall 3, which are connected. The through hole 43 penetrates the side wall 42.

[0023] The outer shell 41 can serve as a protective shell for the inner cylinder 2. Furthermore, the outer shell 41 is made of aluminum, which makes it more robust.

[0024] Specifically, the fluid enters the first channel 21 through the first opening 22, enters the distribution channel 102 through the second opening 23, and enters the distribution channel 102 through the through hole 43 for fluid distribution.

[0025] To further increase the fluid flow path length, in one embodiment, such as Figure 2 As shown, along the height direction H1 of the plate heat exchanger 100, the distance from the through hole 43 to the bottom wall 3 is greater than the distance from the second opening 23 to the bottom wall 3. Because the distance from the through hole 43 to the bottom wall 3 is greater than the distance from the second opening 23 to the bottom wall 3, the flow path of fluid from the bottom wall 3 to the through hole 43 is increased, the length of the fluid flow path is increased, and the uniformity of fluid distribution in the plate heat exchanger 100 is improved.

[0026] In one embodiment, the outer shell 41 is detachably connected to the inner cylinder 2.

[0027] In order to fix the inner cylinder 2 inside the outer shell 41, in one embodiment, the outer shell 41 is fixedly connected or limitedly connected to the inner cylinder 2; specifically, such as Figure 3 As shown, the inner cylinder 2 includes a snap-fit ​​portion 46, which is at least partially located around the first opening 22. The plane perpendicular to the height direction H1 of the plate heat exchanger 100 is the projection plane. The orthographic projection of the snap-fit ​​portion 46 on the projection plane at least partially coincides with the orthographic projection of the side wall 42 on the projection plane. Along the height direction H1 of the plate heat exchanger 100, the snap-fit ​​portion 46 is away from the bottom wall 3 relative to the outer shell 41. The inner cylinder 2 is fixed to the outer shell 41 by the snap-fit ​​portion 46.

[0028] When there is no distributor 4, the orthographic projection of the snap-fit ​​part 46 on the projection plane at least partially coincides with the orthographic projection of the wall of the distribution channel 102 on the projection plane. The snap-fit ​​part 46 is used to fix the position of the inner cylinder 2 in the distribution channel 102.

[0029] In order to further uniformly distribute the fluid, in one embodiment, such as Figure 2 As shown, the distributor 4 includes fins 48, which are located on the periphery of the outer shell 41 and connected to the outer shell 41. The fins 48 extend protruding from the outer shell 41 in a direction away from the inner cylinder 2. Specifically, the fins 48 and the outer shell 41 can be integrally formed.

[0030] In another embodiment, there is a distance between the through hole 43 and the fin 48 along the height direction H1 of the plate heat exchanger 100. Specifically, as shown... Figure 2 As shown, the outer casing 41 has at least two through holes 43 arranged sequentially on the sidewall 42 along the height direction H1 of the plate heat exchanger 100. The fins 48 are at least partially located between two adjacent through holes 43. Fluid flows out from the through holes 43 and flows into the distribution channel 102 along the fins 48 for fluid distribution.

[0031] A dispenser 4 includes a housing 41 and an inner cylinder 2, the housing 41 being connected to the inner cylinder 2. The dispenser 4 has a dispensing channel 102, which, along a direction perpendicular to the height of the dispenser 4, is at least partially located between the inner cylinder 2 and the housing 41. The housing 41 includes a bottom wall 3 and a side wall 42. Along the height of the dispenser 4, the bottom wall 3 is located at one end of the dispensing channel 102 and forms part of the wall of the dispensing channel 102. The inner cylinder 2 has a first channel 21, the wall of the inner cylinder 2 forming part of the wall of the first channel 21 and the wall of the inner cylinder 2 forming part of the wall of the dispensing channel 102. In the height direction of the distributor 4, the wall of the inner cylinder 2 is at least partially located between the first channel 21 and the distribution channel 102. The inner cylinder 2 has a first opening 22 and a second opening 23. Along the height direction of the distributor 4, the first opening 22 and the second opening 23 are located at both ends of the inner cylinder 2, respectively. Both the second opening 23 and the first opening 22 are connected to the first channel 21, and the second opening 23 is connected to the distribution channel 102. Along the height direction of the distributor 4, the second opening 23 is closer to the bottom wall 3 than the first opening 22. The second opening 23 is at least partially facing the bottom wall 3, and there is a gap between the second opening 23 and the bottom wall 3. Specifically, the first channel reduces the volume of the distribution channel, allowing the refrigerant gas and liquid phases in the first channel to mix. That is, the refrigerant is pre-mixed in the first channel before distribution, thereby improving the uniformity of refrigerant distribution.

[0032] In order to adapt the distributor 4 to various plate heat exchangers 100, in one embodiment, such as Figure 4 As shown, the distributor 4 includes an intermediate component 47, which is sleeved outside the inner cylinder 2. The intermediate component 47 includes a first wall 471 and a second wall 472. Along the height direction H2 of the distributor 4, which is parallel to the plate stacking direction, the first wall 471 and the second wall 472 are located at opposite ends of the intermediate component 47. The first wall 471 is connected to the snap-fit ​​part 46, and the second wall 472 is partially connected to the outer shell 41. The second wall 472 is part of the wall of the distribution channel 102. Along the height direction H2 of the distributor 4, the intermediate component 47 is at least partially located between the snap-fit ​​part 46 and the outer shell 41. The intermediate component 47 can more firmly fix the outer shell 41 and the inner cylinder 2, while adapting to various plate heat exchangers 100.

[0033] Although embodiments of this application have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of this application, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A plate heat exchanger (100) comprising a plurality of plates (101) stacked along the height direction of the plate heat exchanger (100), the plate heat exchanger (100) having a distribution channel (102), a first inter-plate channel (103), and at least two second inter-plate channels (104), the at least two second inter-plate channels (104) being connected to the distribution channel (102), characterized in that, The plate heat exchanger (100) includes an inner cylinder (2) and a bottom wall (3). Along the height direction of the plate heat exchanger (100), the bottom wall (3) is located at one end of the distribution channel (102), and the bottom wall (3) is part of the wall of the distribution channel (102). The inner cylinder (2) has a first channel (21), the wall of the inner cylinder (2) is a portion of the wall of the first channel (21), and the wall of the inner cylinder (2) is a portion of the wall of the distribution channel (102). Along the direction perpendicular to the height of the plate heat exchanger (100), the wall of the inner cylinder (2) is at least partially located between the first channel (21) and the distribution channel (102). The inner cylinder (2) has a first opening (22) and a second opening (23). Along the height of the plate heat exchanger (100), the first opening (22) and the second opening (23) are located at both ends of the inner cylinder (2). The second opening (23) and the first opening (22) are both connected to the first channel (21), and the second opening (23) is connected to the distribution channel (102). Along the height direction of the plate heat exchanger (100), the second opening (23) is close to the bottom wall (3) relative to the first opening (22), the second opening (23) is at least partially facing the bottom wall (3), and there is a gap between the second opening (23) and the bottom wall (3); The plate heat exchanger (100) includes a distributor (4), which includes a shell (41) and an inner cylinder (2). The shell (41) is connected to the inner cylinder (2), and the inner cylinder (2) is at least partially located inside the shell (41). The distributor (4) has the distribution channel (102) in a direction perpendicular to the height of the plate heat exchanger (100), and the distribution channel (102) is at least partially located between the inner cylinder (2) and the outer shell (41); The outer casing (41) has a through hole (43) that connects the second inter-plate flow channel (104) and the distribution flow channel (102). The outer casing (41) includes a side wall (42) and a bottom wall (3) that are connected. The through hole (43) penetrates the side wall (42).

2. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, Along the height direction of the plate heat exchanger (100), the distance from the second opening (23) to the bottom wall (3) is 3mm to 4.4mm.

3. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner cylinder (2) is made of elastic material, and the inner cylinder (2) is at least partially aligned with the through hole (43); Along the height direction of the plate heat exchanger (100), the distance from at least one of the through holes (43) to the bottom wall (3) is greater than the distance from the second opening (23) to the bottom wall (3).

4. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plane perpendicular to the height direction of the plate heat exchanger (100) is defined as the projection plane. The inner diameter of the wall of the first opening (22) in the projection plane is smaller than the inner diameter of the wall of the second opening (23) in the projection plane.

5. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer shell (41) is detachably connected to the inner cylinder (2).

6. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer shell (41) is fixedly connected or limited to the inner cylinder (2); the inner cylinder (2) includes a snap-fit ​​part (46), which is at least partially located around the first opening (22). A plane perpendicular to the height direction of the plate heat exchanger (100) is defined as the projection plane. The orthographic projection of the snap-fit ​​part (46) on the projection plane is at least partially coincided with the orthographic projection of the side wall (42) on the projection plane.

7. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 6, characterized in that, The dispenser (4) includes an intermediate component (47) which is sleeved outside the inner cylinder (2). The intermediate component (47) includes a first wall (471) and a second wall (472). Along the height direction of the dispenser (4), the first wall (471) and the second wall (472) are respectively located at both ends of the intermediate component (47). The first wall (471) is connected to the snap-fit ​​part (46), and the second wall (472) is partially connected to the outer shell (41). The second wall (472) is part of the wall of the distribution channel (102). Along the height direction of the dispenser (4), the intermediate component (47) is at least partially located between the snap-fit ​​part (46) and the outer shell (41).

8. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The dispenser (4) includes fins (48) located around the outer shell (41), the fins (48) being connected to the outer shell (41), and the fins (48) extending protruding from the outer shell (41) in a direction away from the inner cylinder (2). Along the height direction of the plate heat exchanger (100), there is a distance between the through hole (43) and the fin (48).

9. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 8, characterized in that, The outer casing (41) has at least two of the through holes, and along the height direction of the plate heat exchanger (100), the fins (48) are at least partially located between two adjacent through holes (43); The outer shell (41) is made of aluminum.

10. A dispenser, characterized in that, The dispenser (4) includes a housing (41) and an inner cylinder (2), the housing (41) being connected to the inner cylinder (2), and the dispenser (4) having a dispensing channel (102) along a direction perpendicular to the height of the dispenser (4), the dispensing channel (102) being at least partially located between the inner cylinder (2) and the housing (41); The outer casing (41) has a through hole (43), the outer casing (41) includes a bottom wall (3) and a side wall (42), along the height direction of the distributor (4), the bottom wall (3) is located at one end of the distribution channel (102), and the bottom wall (3) is part of the wall of the distribution channel (102); The inner cylinder (2) has a first channel (21), the wall of the inner cylinder (2) is part of the wall of the first channel (21), and the wall of the inner cylinder (2) is part of the wall of the distribution channel (102). Along the direction perpendicular to the height direction of the distributor (4), the wall of the inner cylinder (2) is at least partially located between the first channel (21) and the distribution channel (102). The inner cylinder (2) has a first opening (22) and a second opening (23). Along the height direction of the distributor (4), the first opening (22) and the second opening (23) are located at both ends of the inner cylinder (2). The second opening (23) and the first opening (22) are both connected to the first channel (21), and the second opening (23) is connected to the distribution channel (102). Along the height direction of the distributor (4), the second opening (23) is close to the bottom wall (3) relative to the first opening (22), the second opening (23) is at least partially facing the bottom wall (3), and there is a gap between the second opening (23) and the bottom wall (3).

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