Heat regenerator and refrigerating machine
By using a regenerator with radial heat exchange units and fluid channels, the problems of low heat exchange efficiency and uneven flow are solved, resulting in more efficient refrigeration performance.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-31
AI Technical Summary
Existing regenerators have low heat exchange efficiency and insufficient heat storage capacity. Uneven flow of the working fluid leads to uneven local temperature, affecting the efficiency and power consumption of the refrigeration unit.
Multiple heat exchange units are arranged radially, with heat exchange rods distributed radially to form fluid channels. Combined with the inner and outer cylinder structures, the specific surface area is increased and the flow resistance is reduced. Heat exchange packing is manufactured by 3D printing to optimize fluid flow and temperature uniformity.
It improves the heat storage capacity and heat exchange efficiency of the regenerator, makes the working fluid flow more uniform, reduces flow resistance, and enhances the overall performance of the refrigeration unit.
Smart Images
Figure CN121761531A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of refrigeration machines, and more specifically, to a regenerator and a refrigeration machine including the regenerator. Background Technology
[0002] The regenerator is a key component of a refrigerator, typically located in the circulating gas path between the cold-end and hot-end heat exchangers. Its main function is to periodically store and release heat during the reciprocating flow of the working fluid (e.g., helium). Specifically, when the working fluid flows from the hot end to the cold end, it transfers heat to the regenerator's heat storage packing material for storage; when the working fluid flows in the opposite direction, it absorbs heat from the heat storage packing material, thereby improving the refrigerator's thermodynamic cycle efficiency. Therefore, the performance of the regenerator directly affects the refrigerator's cooling effect and power consumption.
[0003] Enhancing the heat storage capacity and improving the heat exchange efficiency of regenerators have become urgent technical problems to be solved in this field. Summary of the Invention
[0004] The present invention aims to address, to a certain extent, one of the technical problems in related technologies. To this end, the present invention provides a regenerator and a refrigerator including the regenerator.
[0005] As a first aspect of the present invention, a regenerator is provided, the regenerator comprising at least one regenerator section, the regenerator section comprising heat exchange packing and a regenerator shell having a heat exchange space, the heat exchange packing filling the heat exchange space, characterized in that the heat exchange packing comprises a plurality of heat exchange unit pairs, the heat exchange unit in the heat exchange unit pair comprising a plurality of heat exchange rods; In the heat exchange unit, a plurality of heat exchange rods are arranged radially, with the first ends of two adjacent heat exchange rods connected, and corresponding heat exchange rods in the two heat exchange units of the heat exchange unit pair connected.
[0006] Optionally, in the heat exchange unit, a plurality of the heat exchange rods are located on the same side of the reference datum plane.
[0007] Optionally, in the heat exchange unit pair, the reference reference planes of the two heat exchange units overlap, such that the two heat exchange units are located on opposite sides of the reference reference plane.
[0008] Optionally, the two heat exchange units in the heat exchange unit pair are symmetrically arranged about the reference datum plane.
[0009] Optionally, in the heat exchange unit pair, there is a gap between the reference reference planes of the two heat exchange units, such that the corresponding heat exchange rods in the two heat exchange units intersect, and the first end and the second end of the heat exchange rod are respectively located on both sides of the intersection.
[0010] Optionally, the heat exchange unit has a flow hole, and the first ends of a plurality of heat exchange rods in the heat exchange unit are arranged around the flow hole. The flow holes of the two heat exchange units in the same heat exchange unit pair are arranged opposite each other.
[0011] Optionally, in the heat exchange unit pair, a first reference plane is defined at multiple intersections, and the two heat exchange units in the heat exchange unit pair are symmetrically arranged about the first reference plane.
[0012] Optionally, adjacent heat exchange units are interconnected by corresponding heat exchange rods.
[0013] Optionally, adjacent heat exchange units are connected by the second ends of corresponding heat exchange rods.
[0014] Optionally, the connection between adjacent heat exchange unit pairs defines a second reference plane, and the adjacent heat exchange unit pairs are symmetrically arranged about the second reference plane.
[0015] Optionally, the heat exchange rods in the heat exchange unit are arranged at equal intervals, and the lengths of the heat exchange rods are the same, with the first ends of the heat exchange rods in the heat exchange unit located on the same plane.
[0016] Optionally, the regenerator shell includes an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder, the inner cylinder is disposed in the inner cavity of the outer cylinder, and the gap between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder forms the heat exchange space; The heat exchange unit pairs are arranged in multiple layers in the heat exchange space; each layer of the heat exchange unit pairs includes multiple rings of the heat exchange unit pairs arranged radially along the regenerator shell.
[0017] Optionally, at least one fluid channel is formed on the regenerator, and the fluid channel penetrates the heat exchange packing along the height direction of the regenerator.
[0018] Optionally, the two ends of the opening of the fluid channel extend to connect with the regenerator housing.
[0019] Optionally, the regenerator includes a plurality of regenerator segments arranged sequentially along the axial direction, with the end faces of two adjacent regenerator segments attached to each other and fixedly connected, and the porosity of the regenerator segment located on the hot end side of the regenerator is greater than the porosity of the regenerator segment located on the cold end side of the regenerator.
[0020] Optionally, the heat exchange is achieved through 3D printing.
[0021] As a second aspect of the present invention, a refrigeration machine is provided, the refrigeration machine including a cold end heat exchanger, a hot end heat exchanger and a regenerator, wherein the regenerator is located between the cold end heat exchanger and the hot end heat exchanger, and the regenerator is the regenerator provided in the first aspect of the present invention.
[0022] When the regenerator provided in this embodiment of the invention is used in a refrigeration unit, one end of the regenerator is connected to the cold-end heat exchanger, and the other end is connected to the hot-end heat exchanger. In the regenerator provided in this embodiment of the invention, fluid channels are formed between the heat exchange rods of the heat exchange unit, which not only increases the specific surface area of the heat exchange packing but also reduces the flow resistance of the working fluid in the regenerator, thereby enhancing the heat storage capacity and improving the heat exchange efficiency of the regenerator. Attached Figure Description
[0023] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the regenerator provided by the present invention; Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of one optional implementation of a heat exchange unit pair; Figure 3 This is a plan view of a heat exchange unit pair; Figure 4a This is a schematic diagram of one implementation of a heat exchange unit; Figure 4b This is a schematic diagram of one implementation of a heat exchange unit; Figure 4c This is a schematic diagram of another implementation of the heat exchange unit pair; Figure 4d This is a schematic diagram of the arrangement of heat exchange unit pairs; Figure 4e This is a schematic diagram of the heat exchange unit within the spherical sector. Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the regenerator provided in this invention. Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the refrigeration machine provided in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures 100: Regenerator section; 110: Heat exchange packing 120: Regenerator shell; 121: Inner cylinder 122: Outer cylinder; 111: Heat exchange unit pair 111a: Heat exchange unit; 111a1: Heat exchange rod 112: Flow hole; 200: Fluid channel 300: Compressor; 400: Hot-end heat exchanger 500: Cold-end heat exchanger Detailed Implementation Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described are intended to explain the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the invention.
[0025] The terms "an embodiment," "example," or "trademark" used in this specification refer to a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment itself that may be included in at least one embodiment disclosed in this invention. The phrase "in an embodiment" appearing in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.
[0026] As a first aspect of the present invention, a regenerator is provided, wherein, as Figure 1 As shown, the regenerator includes at least one regenerator section 100, which includes heat exchange packing 110 and a regenerator shell 120 having a heat exchange space, wherein the heat exchange packing 110 fills the heat exchange space. Wherein, as Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4a , Figure 4b , Figure 4c As shown, the heat exchange packing 110 includes multiple heat exchange unit pairs 111, and the heat exchange unit 111a in the heat exchange unit pair 111 includes multiple heat exchange rods 111a1.
[0027] In the heat exchange unit 111a, multiple heat exchange rods 111a1 are arranged radially, and the first ends of two adjacent heat exchange rods 111a1 are connected.
[0028] When the regenerator provided in this embodiment of the invention is used in a refrigeration unit, one end of the regenerator is connected to the cold-end heat exchanger, and the other end is connected to the hot-end heat exchanger. In the regenerator provided in this embodiment of the invention, fluid channels are formed between the heat exchange rods of the heat exchange unit, which not only increases the specific surface area of the heat exchange packing but also reduces the flow resistance of the working fluid in the regenerator, thereby enhancing the heat storage capacity and improving the heat exchange efficiency of the regenerator.
[0029] Specifically, the main reason for the low heat exchange efficiency of the regenerator is the uneven distribution of the working fluid flow rate. Furthermore, a major cause of temperature non-uniformity is the uneven distribution of gas flow, with some areas having more gas than others. In related technologies, wire mesh packing is often used as the heat exchange structure. However, the random structure of the wire mesh packing can lead to sudden expansion or narrowing of the inlet. After entering the regenerator, the working fluid naturally tends to follow the path of least resistance (usually the central region or some looser channels). This results in a high flow rate of the working fluid in the central region, a short contact time between the working fluid and the substrate, insufficient heat exchange, and a temperature deviation from the ideal value. Meanwhile, the flow rate is low in the edge regions, which may even form stagnant zones. Although the gas exchanges heat sufficiently, the overall contribution to the refrigeration mass flow rate is small, and temperature deviations may occur due to heat leakage from the walls.
[0030] In this embodiment of the invention, the multiple heat exchange rods of the heat exchange unit are arranged radially, like a "comb," to evenly "comb" the incoming working fluid onto each cross-section of the regenerator, resulting in a uniform velocity field distribution across the entire regenerator cross-section. This means that the regenerator matrix of each unit volume is processing an equal amount of working fluid with similar flow rates, thereby ensuring the radial consistency of the axial temperature field from the source.
[0031] In addition, the aforementioned undesirable flow channel shapes (such as right-angle turns) in related technologies can cause flow separation and eddies. These eddies are local dead zones in which gas circulates but does not effectively participate in mainstream heat exchange, leading to localized temperature anomalies. The radial heat exchange unit provided in this invention can smooth the flow and eliminate or reduce eddies.
[0032] In this embodiment of the invention, the size of the heat exchange packing is not specifically limited and can be determined according to the specific working fluid and application scenario. For the heat exchange packing, its characteristic dimensions include the regenerator wire diameter *d* and the hydraulic diameter *D* of the void channels. To improve the heat exchange efficiency of the regenerator, the characteristic dimensions of the heat exchange packing are required as follows: The characteristic dimension of the heat exchange packing is smaller than the material thermal penetration depth of the heat exchange packing. The hydraulic diameter of the pore channels of the heat exchange packing is smaller than the thermal penetration depth of the working fluid. The hydraulic diameter of the void channels in the heat exchange packing is smaller than the viscosity depth of the working fluid.
[0033] In this embodiment of the invention, multiple heat exchange rods 111a1 of the same heat exchange unit 111a can be distributed within the space defined by the same spherical sector, wherein the central angle of the spherical sector does not exceed 180°. Figure 4e As shown, all heat exchange rods are concentrated within the space defined by the corresponding spherical sector (shown by the dashed line), meaning that the included angle between any two heat exchange rods 111a1 does not exceed the central angle of the corresponding spherical sector.
[0034] To make the flow of the working fluid in the heat exchange packing more uniform, optionally, in the heat exchange unit 111a, multiple heat exchange rods 111a1 are located on the same side of the same reference plane O.
[0035] It should be pointed out that, as Figures 4a to 4c As shown, the reference datum plane O is not necessarily a solid surface that actually exists in the heat exchange unit 111a, but can be a surface that exists... so A plane is provided so that all the heat exchange rods in the heat exchange unit 111a are located on the same side of this plane, so that the multiple heat exchange rods 111a1 described above can be distributed in the same spherical sector-defined space.
[0036] Specifically, as an optional implementation method, such as Figure 4a As shown, the first ends of the plurality of heat exchange rods 111a1 of the heat exchange unit 111a are connected at the same point. As another embodiment, such as... Figure 2 As shown, multiple heat exchange rods 111a1 of the heat exchange unit 111a are arranged around the flow hole 112.
[0037] In this embodiment of the invention, no special restrictions are placed on how the two heat exchange units 111a in the same heat exchange unit 111 are configured.
[0038] As an optional implementation method, such as Figure 4b As shown, the reference plane O of the two heat exchange units 111a in the heat exchange unit 111 overlaps, so that the two heat exchange units 111a are located on both sides of the reference plane. For ease of configuration, the two heat exchange units 111a on both sides of the reference plane O can optionally be symmetrical about the reference plane O.
[0039] As another alternative implementation method, such as Figure 2 and Figure 4c As shown, there is a gap between the reference plane O of the two heat exchange units 111a in the heat exchange unit pair 111. In this embodiment, the heat exchange rods 111a1 corresponding to each other in the two heat exchange units intersect, such that the first end and the second end of the heat exchange rod 111a1 are located on both sides of the intersection.
[0040] To further reduce the resistance to the flow of the working fluid in the regenerator, optionally, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, heat exchange unit 111a has a flow hole 112, and the first ends of multiple heat exchange rods 111a1 in heat exchange unit 111a are arranged around the flow hole 112. The flow holes 112 of two heat exchange units 111a in the same heat exchange unit 111a are arranged opposite to each other. By setting the flow hole 112, the dead zone of the heat exchange packing is reduced and the specific surface area of the heat exchange packing is increased.
[0041] Compared with wire mesh packing in related technologies, the heat exchange packing provided in this embodiment of the invention increases the surface area, i.e., the specific surface area, within the same volume. Taking 500-mesh packing as an example, for the same heat exchange unit volume, the heat exchange unit volume of traditional wire mesh packing in related technologies is approximately a cube of 0.0508 mm, with a specific surface area of 62800 / m². In contrast, the specific surface area of the heat exchange unit provided in this embodiment of the invention is 131384 / m².
[0042] To facilitate manufacturing and ensure a more uniform distribution of heat exchange units within the heat exchange packing, as well as to guarantee that the working fluid flows sufficiently and uniformly through all parts of the regenerator, optionally, as follows: Figure 4c As shown, in the heat exchange unit pair 111, multiple intersections define a first reference plane A, and the two heat exchange units 111a in the heat exchange unit pair 111 are symmetrically arranged about the first reference plane A.
[0043] In this embodiment of the invention, adjacent heat exchange units 111 are linked by corresponding heat exchange rods 111a1, so that the heat exchange packing 110 forms a whole structure, thereby improving the stability of the heat exchange packing 110 structure. Optionally, as Figure 4d As shown, the second ends of the corresponding heat exchange rods 111a1 of adjacent heat exchange units 111 are connected.
[0044] To improve the uniformity of the structure, such as Figure 4d As shown, the connection point of adjacent heat exchange units 111 defines a second reference plane B, and adjacent heat exchange units 111 are symmetrically arranged about the second reference plane A.
[0045] The heat exchange units 111 can be arranged in an array structure, that is, the heat exchange units 111 are arranged in multiple layers.
[0046] As an optional implementation, the regenerator shell 120 includes an inner cylinder 121 and an outer cylinder 122. The inner cylinder 121 is disposed in the inner cavity of the outer cylinder 122, and the gap between the inner cylinder 121 and the outer cylinder 122 forms the heat exchange space.
[0047] Multiple heat exchange unit pairs 111 are arranged in multiple layers in the heat exchange space, and each layer of heat exchange unit pairs 111 includes multiple rings of heat exchange unit pairs arranged radially along the regenerator shell 120.
[0048] In this embodiment of the invention, multiple heat exchange units are arranged in an orderly manner, which can integrate the flow channels inside the heat exchange packing, so that the working fluid can flow through all parts of the regenerator fully and evenly, reduce the resistance loss and dead volume inside the regenerator, and enhance the temperature uniformity inside the regenerator.
[0049] In this embodiment of the invention, the specific structure of the heat exchange unit 111a is not specifically limited. In order to make the flow of the working fluid in the regenerator more uniform, optionally, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, multiple heat exchange rods 111a1 in the heat exchange unit are arranged at equal intervals, and the multiple heat exchange rods have the same length. The first ends of the heat exchange rods in the heat exchange unit are located on the same plane.
[0050] The regularly shaped heat exchange unit 111a is more conducive to the uniform flow of the working fluid.
[0051] Alternatively, the middle portions of corresponding heat exchange rods 111a1 in the two heat exchange units 111a in the heat exchange unit pair 111 are connected.
[0052] In this embodiment of the invention, each heat exchange unit pair is a topological unit. The construction process of the heat exchange unit pair is described below: Define a reference plane, with the geometric center of the reference plane as the base point, and define the normal of the reference plane as the axis of rotation; extend along the direction of the axis of rotation pointing to one side of the reference plane to form a columnar topological edge (denoted as Edge-R).
[0053] Define the two ends of the columnar topological edge Edge-R as the center node Node-C and the ordinary node Node-E respectively: establish a spatial coordinate system with the direction from the ordinary node Node-E to the center node Node-C as the X-axis, the direction perpendicular to the X-axis and located in the reference plane as the Y-axis, and the direction perpendicular to the XY plane as the Z-axis.
[0054] Keep the position of the central node Node-C fixed, and rotate and copy the initial columnar topological edge Edge-R with the X-axis as the rotation axis: each rotation angle is M (unit: degree), and the rotation and copying are carried out (N-1) times in total, finally forming N columnar topological edges (Edge-R); where the rotation angle M and the number of copies N satisfy the relationship M×N=360, and N≥2 (N is an integer).
[0055] The basic topological unit formed by the above steps is a star-shaped radiator, whose topological structure is clear: it contains 1 central node (Node-C), N columnar topological edges (Edge-R), and 2N ordinary nodes (Node-E, one at each end of each Edge-R), with no additional independent nodes or isolated components (all nodes and edges satisfy the connection relationship).
[0056] The principles of symmetric extension and transformation of topological elements are introduced below: Using the star-shaped radiator as the initial topology, select K mutually perpendicular symmetrical sections in space (K≥1, K is an integer), and perform mirror symmetry operations along each symmetrical section in sequence, completing a total of K symmetrical expansions; the resulting spatial topology has the following number of topological components: Number of central nodes (Node-C): 1~2 k indivual; Number of columnar topological edges (Edge-R): N~2 k ×N items; Number of ordinary nodes (Node-E): 2N~2^( k+ ²) × N; Number of independent loops: N to (K+1) (a loop is formed by the columnar topological edges and nodes). Furthermore, the expanded structure still has no additional independent nodes or isolated components, and the overall structure is a multi-connected topology.
[0057] The connection method between the topologies formed by the above symmetrical expansion is as follows: at least two topologies are directly connected through their respective ordinary nodes Node-E. The typical connection path is "the central node Node-C1 of the first topology → the ordinary node Node-E1 of the first topology → the ordinary node Node-E2 of the second topology → the central node Node-C2 of the second topology". After the connection, the whole still satisfies the topology relationship of no isolated components.
[0058] The following section introduces further variations and topological feature constraints of the above topology: For the above topology, the shape of the region where the central node Node-C is located can be adjusted (including but not limited to the fusion, opening, extension and other deformations of the node region); after deformation, the number of genus (denoted as Genus) of the topology is equal to the number of central nodes (Node-C), that is, Genus = number of central nodes (Node-C).
[0059] After further transformation, we obtain the Euler characteristic (denoted as χ) satisfying χ∈[N, 2^( k+ ²)×N], Genus (Genus) satisfies Genus∈[1,2 k The topology of ]; After performing homeomorphic transformations (including but not limited to stretching, bending, translation, and rotation, but excluding tearing and adhesion) on the above topology, a structure with the same core topological relationships (node-edge connection pattern, connectivity, and genus) as the topology described in this application is obtained.
[0060] To reduce the flow resistance of the regenerator, such as Figure 5As shown, at least one fluid channel 200 is formed on the regenerator, and the fluid channel 200 penetrates the heat exchange packing 110 along the height direction of the regenerator.
[0061] Setting up fluid channels allows the working fluid to flow in the designed direction, further reduces the dead volume of the regenerator, and further improves the temperature uniformity inside the regenerator.
[0062] The heat exchange packing provided in this embodiment of the invention contains a number of tiny voids. In this embodiment of the invention, the fluid channel can be set to offset the increase in flow resistance caused by the tiny voids, thereby reducing the resistance when the working fluid flows.
[0063] As an alternative implementation, the two ends of the opening of the fluid channel extend to connect with the regenerator housing.
[0064] In this embodiment of the invention, there is no special limitation on the way the fluid channel 200 is extended. For example, the axis of the fluid channel 200 can be helical, thereby increasing the overall length of the fluid channel 200 and making heat exchange more efficient.
[0065] Of course, as another alternative implementation, the axis of the fluid channel 200 can be parallel to the axis of the heat exchanger.
[0066] In a specific embodiment including an inner cylinder 121 and an outer cylinder 122, one end of the opening is connected to the inner cylinder 121, and the other end is connected to the outer cylinder 122. Furthermore, as an optional embodiment, such as... Figure 5 As shown, there is an angle α between the opening direction D1 of the fluid channel and the radial direction R of the regenerator shell 120.
[0067] In this embodiment of the invention, the number of fluid channels 200 is not specifically limited. In the embodiment shown in the figure, a total of 4 fluid channels 200 are provided on the heat exchange packing.
[0068] As mentioned above, the regenerator includes at least one regenerator section 100. Axial heat conduction (heat transfer along the direction of fluid flow) in the regenerator is a common source of energy loss in thermodynamic systems, especially in high-efficiency heat exchange equipment (such as gas turbine regenerators, Stirling engine heat exchangers, and cryogenic refrigerator regenerators), where its negative impact can directly reduce system efficiency and performance stability.
[0069] To reduce axial heat conduction, as an optional implementation, the regenerator includes multiple regenerator segments 100 arranged sequentially along the axial direction, with the end faces of adjacent regenerator segments 100 touching and fixedly connected. The cross-section between adjacent regenerator segments 100 generates contact thermal resistance, thereby further reducing the axial heat conduction of the regenerator.
[0070] In this embodiment of the invention, there are no special limitations on how adjacent regenerator sections 100 are fixedly connected. For example, adjacent regenerator sections 100 can be fixedly connected by an adhesive or by a mechanical connector.
[0071] To further improve the efficiency of the regenerator, the porosity of the regenerator section 100 located on the hot end side of the regenerator is further selected to be greater than the porosity of the regenerator section 100 located on the cold end side of the regenerator.
[0072] As an optional implementation, the heat exchange packing is made of stainless steel, and the alloying elements in the stainless steel include at least one of gadolinium, erbium, and lead.
[0073] Adding at least one of gadolinium, erbium, and lead can increase the specific heat capacity of stainless steel, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchange packing.
[0074] The heat exchange packing provided in the embodiments of the present invention can be manufactured using additive manufacturing (i.e., 3D printing).
[0075] As a second aspect of the present invention, a refrigeration machine is provided, such as... Figure 6 As shown, the refrigeration unit includes a cold-end heat exchanger 500, a hot-end heat exchanger 400, and a regenerator, which is located between the cold-end heat exchanger 500 and the hot-end heat exchanger 400. The regenerator is the regenerator provided in the first aspect of the present invention.
[0076] As described above, one end of the regenerator is connected to the cold-end heat exchanger, and the other end is connected to the hot-end heat exchanger. In the regenerator provided in this embodiment of the invention, not only are fluid channels formed between the heat exchange rods of the heat exchange unit, but flow holes are also formed on the heat exchange unit. This not only increases the specific surface area of the heat exchange packing, but also reduces the flow resistance of the working fluid when flowing in the regenerator, thereby enhancing the heat storage capacity of the regenerator and improving its heat exchange efficiency.
[0077] exist Figure 6 In the embodiment shown, the refrigeration unit may further include a compressor 300.
[0078] The above are merely specific embodiments of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention includes, but is not limited to, the contents described in the accompanying drawings and the specific embodiments above. Any modifications that do not depart from the functional and structural principles of the present invention will be included within the scope of the claims.
Claims
1. A regenerator comprising at least one regenerator section (100), the regenerator section (100) comprising heat exchange packing (110) and a regenerator shell (120) having a heat exchange space, the heat exchange packing (110) being filled in the heat exchange space, characterized in that, The heat exchange packing (110) includes a plurality of heat exchange unit pairs (111), and the heat exchange unit (111a) in the heat exchange unit pair (111) includes a plurality of heat exchange rods (111a1). In the heat exchange unit (111a), a plurality of heat exchange rods (111a1) are arranged radially, and the first ends of two adjacent heat exchange rods (111a1) are connected, and the corresponding heat exchange rods (111a1) in the two heat exchange units (111a) of the heat exchange unit pair (111) are connected.
2. The regenerator according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the heat exchange unit (111a), a plurality of the heat exchange rods (111a1) are located on the same side of the reference reference plane.
3. The regenerator according to claim 2, characterized in that, In the heat exchange unit pair (111), the reference reference planes of the two heat exchange units (111) overlap, so that the two heat exchange units (111) are located on both sides of the reference reference plane.
4. The regenerator according to claim 3, characterized in that, The two heat exchange units in the heat exchange unit pair are symmetrically arranged about the reference datum plane.
5. The regenerator according to claim 2, characterized in that, In the heat exchange unit pair (111), there is a gap between the reference reference planes of the two heat exchange units (111) so that the corresponding heat exchange rods (111a1) in the two heat exchange units (111) intersect, and the first end and the second end of the heat exchange rod (111a1) are located on both sides of the intersection.
6. The regenerator according to claim 5, characterized in that, The heat exchange unit (111a) has a flow hole (112), and the first ends of a plurality of heat exchange rods (111a1) in the heat exchange unit are arranged around the flow hole (112). The flow holes (112) of the two heat exchange units (111a) in the same heat exchange unit pair (111) are arranged opposite each other.
7. The regenerator according to claim 5, characterized in that, In the heat exchange unit pair, multiple intersections define a first reference plane, and the two heat exchange units in the heat exchange unit pair are symmetrically arranged about the first reference plane.
8. The regenerator according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, Adjacent heat exchange unit pairs (111) are connected to each other by corresponding heat exchange rods (111a1).
9. The regenerator according to claim 8, characterized in that, Adjacent heat exchange units are connected by the second ends of their corresponding heat exchange rods.
10. The regenerator according to claim 9, characterized in that, The connection point of adjacent heat exchange unit pairs defines a second reference plane, and the adjacent heat exchange unit pairs are arranged symmetrically about the second reference plane.
11. The regenerator according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The heat exchange unit has multiple heat exchange rods that are equally spaced apart and have the same length. The first ends of the heat exchange rods in the heat exchange unit are located on the same plane.
12. The regenerator according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The regenerator shell (120) includes an inner cylinder (121) and an outer cylinder (122). The inner cylinder (121) is disposed in the inner cavity of the outer cylinder (122), and the gap between the inner cylinder (121) and the outer cylinder (122) forms the heat exchange space. Multiple heat exchange unit pairs (111) are arranged in multiple layers in the heat exchange space; each layer of heat exchange unit pairs (111) includes multiple rings of heat exchange unit pairs arranged radially along the regenerator shell (120).
13. The regenerator according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, At least one fluid channel is formed on the regenerator, and the fluid channel penetrates the heat exchange packing along the height direction of the regenerator.
14. The regenerator according to claim 13, characterized in that, The two ends of the opening of the fluid channel extend to connect with the regenerator shell.
15. The regenerator according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The regenerator includes a plurality of regenerator segments arranged sequentially along the axial direction. The end faces of two adjacent regenerator segments are attached to each other and fixedly connected. The porosity of the regenerator segment located on the hot end side of the regenerator is greater than that of the regenerator segment located on the cold end side of the regenerator.
16. The regenerator according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The heat exchange is achieved through 3D printing.
17. A refrigeration machine, the refrigeration machine comprising a cold-end heat exchanger, a hot-end heat exchanger, and a regenerator, the regenerator being located between the cold-end heat exchanger and the hot-end heat exchanger, characterized in that, The regenerator is the regenerator described in any one of claims 1 to 16.