Heat exchanger
By designing multiple heat exchangers in the air conditioning loop, the pressure drop problem of the internal heat exchanger when the efficiency increases is solved, realizing flexible adjustment of efficiency and pressure drop, and optimizing resource utilization.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- VALEO ELECTRIFICATION
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-06
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-12
AI Technical Summary
As efficiency increases, the pressure drop problem in the internal heat exchanger of the existing air conditioning loop becomes difficult to optimize, leading to resource waste.
Design a heat exchanger that adjusts efficiency and pressure drop by switching fluid flow configurations, including first to third configurations, to optimize the fluid flow path to achieve a balance between high, medium, or low efficiency and pressure drop.
By switching the flow configuration, the efficiency and pressure drop of the heat exchanger can be flexibly adjusted, optimizing resource utilization and avoiding unnecessary waste.
Smart Images
Figure CN122206902A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to a heat exchanger. In particular, this invention relates to an internal heat exchanger in an air conditioning loop. Background Technology
[0002] Typically, an air conditioning loop includes a high-pressure fluid loop and a low-pressure fluid loop. An internal heat exchanger is located in the air conditioning loop to facilitate heat exchange between the high-pressure fluid from the high-pressure fluid loop and the low-pressure fluid from the low-pressure fluid loop. In one example, the internal heat exchanger may be a tube-in-tube heat exchanger, where it can be integrated into another component (e.g., an accumulator). In another example, the internal heat exchanger may be a plate heat exchanger, where it can have a plate-based construction, such as a plate cooler. The efficiency of the internal heat exchanger increases as the high-pressure fluid from the high-pressure fluid loop transfers heat to the low-pressure fluid from the low-pressure fluid loop. However, when the efficiency of the internal heat exchanger increases beyond a certain threshold, some undesirable problems arise in the air conditioning loop. Furthermore, the efficiency of the internal heat exchanger also increases when configured with a U-shaped flow configuration. While U-shaped flow may be advantageous in terms of efficiency, it can lead to disadvantages associated with increased pressure drop in the internal heat exchanger. Without proper optimization, this can negate all the benefits.
[0003] Therefore, it is advantageous to provide a heat exchanger in which efficiency and pressure drop can be adjusted as needed, making optimization easy and effective. Summary of the Invention
[0004] The object of this invention is to provide a heat exchanger that alleviates the problems of the prior art. More precisely, the object of this invention is to regulate the efficiency and pressure drop of the heat exchanger.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger for the flow of at least a first fluid and a second fluid comprises: a first manifold; a second manifold arranged spaced apart from the first manifold; a first set of pipes fluidly connected between the first manifold and the second manifold, wherein the first fluid flows from the first manifold to the second manifold through the first set of pipes; a second set of pipes fluidly connected between the first manifold and the second manifold, wherein the second fluid flows from the first manifold to the second manifold through the second set of pipes; and a third set of pipes fluidly connected between the first manifold and the second manifold, wherein, in a first configuration, the second fluid flows from the second manifold to the first manifold through the third set of pipes; in a second configuration, the second fluid flows from the first manifold to the second manifold through the third set of pipes; and in a third configuration, the second fluid does not flow through the third set of pipes.
[0006] In one aspect, the second set of tubes, together with the third set of tubes, is stacked alternately with the first set of tubes.
[0007] On the other hand, each tube from the second and third groups of tubes is in contact with a tube from the first group of tubes on both sides.
[0008] On the other hand, the first channel is disposed in the first manifold and fluidly connected to the first set of pipes.
[0009] On the other hand, the second channel is disposed in the second manifold and fluidly connected to the first set of pipes.
[0010] On the other hand, the first fluid flows through the first channel and the second channel.
[0011] On the other hand, a third channel is provided in the first manifold and fluidly connected to the second set of pipes.
[0012] On the other hand, the fourth channel is located in the first manifold and is fluidly connected to the third set of pipes.
[0013] On the other hand, the fifth channel is located in the second manifold and is fluidly connected to the second and third sets of pipes.
[0014] On the other hand, in the first configuration, the second fluid flows through the third and fourth channels, but not through the fifth channel.
[0015] On the other hand, in the second configuration, the second fluid flows through the third, fourth and fifth channels.
[0016] On the other hand, in the third configuration, the second fluid flows through the third and fifth channels, but not through the fourth channel.
[0017] In another embodiment, the present invention provides an air conditioning loop. The air conditioning loop includes at least one heat exchanger as described in any of the foregoing embodiments.
[0018] On the other hand, the first fluid is a low-pressure fluid from the low-pressure fluid circuit of the air conditioning loop, and the second fluid is a high-pressure fluid from the high-pressure fluid circuit of the air conditioning loop.
[0019] According to the above embodiments, the efficiency and pressure drop of the heat exchanger are adjusted by switching the heat exchanger to any one of the first, second, and third configurations. When high efficiency and pressure drop are desired, the heat exchanger is switched to the first configuration. When moderate efficiency and pressure drop are desired, the heat exchanger is switched to the second configuration. When low efficiency and pressure drop are desired, the heat exchanger is switched to the third configuration. Attached Figure Description
[0020] Other features, details, and advantages of the invention can be inferred from the following description of the invention. A more complete understanding of the invention and its many accompanying advantages will readily become apparent, as the invention and its many accompanying advantages can be better understood by referring to the following description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0021] Figure 1 A heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.
[0022] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 The first manifold of the heat exchanger;
[0023] Figure 3 It shows Figure 2 Another view of the first manifold;
[0024] Figure 4 It shows Figure 2 An exploded view of the first manifold;
[0025] Figure 5 It shows Figure 1 The second manifold of the heat exchanger;
[0026] Figure 6 It shows Figure 5 Another view of the second manifold;
[0027] Figure 7 It shows Figure 5 An exploded view of the second manifold;
[0028] Figure 8 The first fluid is shown in Figure 1 Flow in the heat exchanger;
[0029] Figure 9 The second fluid is shown in the first configuration. Figure 1 Flow in the heat exchanger;
[0030] Figure 10 The second fluid is shown in the second configuration. Figure 1 Flow in a heat exchanger; and
[0031] Figure 11 The second fluid is shown in the third configuration. Figure 1 The flow in the heat exchanger. Detailed Implementation
[0032] It should be noted that the accompanying drawings disclose the invention in sufficient detail for implementation, and the drawings help to better define the invention if necessary. However, the invention should not be limited to the embodiments disclosed in the specification.
[0033] In this specification, some elements or parameters may be indexed, such as first element and second element. In this case, unless otherwise stated, the index only means to distinguish and name similar but not identical elements. The concept of priority should not be inferred from such an index, as these can be interchanged without departing from the invention. Furthermore, the index does not imply any order in which the elements of the invention are installed or used.
[0034] Figure 1 A heat exchanger 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The heat exchanger 100 includes a first manifold 200 and a second manifold 300. The heat exchanger 100 also includes a first set of pipes 400, a second set of pipes 500 and a third set of pipes 600 fluidly connected between the first manifold 200 and the second manifold 300.
[0035] In one embodiment, the heat exchanger 100 may include a first manifold 200 and a second manifold 300 arranged spaced apart from the first manifold 200. The heat exchanger 100 may include a first set of pipes 400 fluidly connected at one end to the first manifold 200 and at the other end to the second manifold 300. Furthermore, a first fluid can flow from the first manifold 200 to the second manifold 300 through the first set of pipes 400. The heat exchanger 100 may include a second set of pipes 500 fluidly connected at one end to the first manifold 200 and at the other end to the second manifold 300. Furthermore, a second fluid can flow from the first manifold 200 to the second manifold 300 through the second set of pipes 500. The heat exchanger 100 may include a third set of pipes 600 fluidly connected at one end to the first manifold 200 and at the other end to the second manifold 300. Furthermore, the second fluid can flow through the third set of tubes 600 in different configurations under different configurations of the heat exchanger 100.
[0036] In one aspect, the second fluid can flow from the second manifold 300 to the first manifold 200 via the third set of pipes 600 in a first configuration, wherein the heat exchanger 100 has high efficiency in the first configuration. In another aspect, the second fluid can flow from the first manifold 200 to the second manifold 300 via the third set of pipes 600 in a second configuration, wherein the heat exchanger 100 has moderate efficiency in the second configuration. In yet another aspect, the second fluid does not flow through the third set of pipes 600 in a third configuration, wherein the heat exchanger 100 has low efficiency in the third configuration.
[0037] On the other hand, the second group of tubes 500 and the third group of tubes 600 can be stacked alternately with the first group of tubes 400. Furthermore, the second group of tubes 500 and the third group of tubes 600 can be arranged one after another, wherein each tube from the second group of tubes 500 and the third group of tubes 600 is arranged coplanarly. In one example, each tube from the second group of tubes 500 and the third group of tubes 600 can contact one tube from the first group of tubes 400 on both sides. In another example, each tube from the first group of tubes 400 can contact one tube from the second group of tubes 500 and the third group of tubes 600 on both sides.
[0038] On the other hand, the first group of tubes 400, the second group of tubes 500, and the third group of tubes 600 can be any type of tube. In another example, the first group of tubes 400, the second group of tubes 500, and the third group of tubes 600 can be multi-port tubes. In yet another example, the first group of tubes 400, the second group of tubes 500, and the third group of tubes 600 can be sandwiched tubes, wherein each sandwiched tube may include two tubes, wherein a spacer is sandwiched between the two tubes, and the respective ends of the two tubes can be fluidly connected to a single orifice.
[0039] Figure 2 and Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 Two different views of the first manifold 200 of the heat exchanger 100. Figure 4 It shows Figure 2 An exploded view of the first manifold 200. In another example, the first manifold 200 may include a first connecting block 210, a first cover 220, at least one first intermediate plate 230, and a first header plate 240 assembled together. In another example, the first manifold 200 may include one first intermediate plate 230. In yet another example, the first manifold 200 may include two first intermediate plates 230.
[0040] On the other hand, the first connecting block 210 may be adapted to be fluidly connected to the first cover 220. The first connecting block 210 may include a first connecting port 214, a third connecting port 212, and a fourth connecting port 216. The first connecting port 214 is adapted to be fluidly connected to a first fluid circuit outside the heat exchanger 100, and the third connecting port 212 and the fourth connecting port 216 are adapted to be fluidly connected to a second fluid circuit outside the heat exchanger 100. The first cover 220 may include a first channel 224, a third channel 222, and a fourth channel 216, which are respectively adapted to be fluidly connected to the first connecting port 214, the third connecting port 212, and the fourth connecting port 216.
[0041] On the other hand, the first cover 220 may be adapted to be fluidly connected to the at least one first intermediate plate 230. The first cover 220 may include a first set of channel openings 224A, a third set of channel openings 222A, and a fourth set of channel openings 226A, respectively, fluidly connected to the first channel 224, the third channel 222, and the fourth channel 226. The at least one first intermediate plate 230 may include a first set of intermediate plate openings 234, a third set of intermediate plate openings 232, and a fourth set of intermediate plate openings 236, respectively, adapted to be fluidly connected to the first set of channel openings 224A, the third set of channel openings 222A, and the fourth set of channel openings 226A.
[0042] In another aspect, the at least one first intermediate plate 230 may be adapted to be fluidly connected to the first manifold 240. The first manifold 240 may include a first set of manifold orifices 244, a third set of manifold orifices 242 and a fourth set of manifold orifices 246, which are respectively adapted to be fluidly connected to the first set of intermediate plate orifices 234, the third set of intermediate plate orifices 232 and the fourth set of intermediate plate orifices 236.
[0043] On the other hand, the first manifold 240 may be adapted to be fluidly connected to the first group of pipes 400, the second group of pipes 500, and the third group of pipes 600. The first manifold orifice 244, the third manifold orifice 242, and the fourth manifold orifice 246 of the first manifold 240 may be adapted to be fluidly connected to the first group of pipes 400, the second group of pipes 500, and the third group of pipes 600, respectively.
[0044] Figure 5 and Figure 6 It shows Figure 1 Two different views of the second manifold 300 of the heat exchanger 100. Figure 7 It shows Figure 5 An exploded view of the second manifold 300. In another aspect, the second manifold 300 may include a second connecting block 310, a second cover 320, at least one second intermediate plate 330, and a second manifold plate 340 assembled together. In another example, the second manifold 300 may include one second intermediate plate 330. In yet another example, the second manifold 300 may include two second intermediate plates 330.
[0045] On the other hand, the second connecting block 310 may be adapted to be fluidly connected to the second cover 320. The second connecting block 310 may include a second connecting port 312 and a fifth connecting port 314, the second connecting port 312 being adapted to be fluidly connected to a first fluid circuit outside the heat exchanger 100, and the fifth connecting port 314 being adapted to be fluidly connected to a second fluid circuit outside the heat exchanger 100. The second cover 320 may include a second channel 322 and a fifth channel 324, which are adapted to be fluidly connected to the second connecting port 312 and the fifth connecting port 314, respectively.
[0046] On the other hand, the second cover 320 may be adapted to be fluidly connected to the at least one second intermediate plate 330. The second cover 320 may include a second set of channel openings 322A and a fifth set of channel openings 324A, which are fluidly connected to the second channel 322 and the fifth channel 324, respectively. The at least one second intermediate plate 330 may include a second set of intermediate plate openings 332 and a fifth set of intermediate plate openings 334, which are adapted to be fluidly connected to the second set of channel openings 322A and the fifth set of channel openings 324A, respectively.
[0047] On the other hand, the at least one second intermediate plate 330 may be adapted to be fluidly connected to the second manifold 340. The second manifold 340 may include a second set of manifold orifices 342 adapted to be fluidly connected to the second set of intermediate plate orifices 332, and a fifth set of manifold orifices 344 and a sixth set of manifold orifices 346 may be adapted to be fluidly connected to the fifth set of intermediate plate orifices 334, respectively.
[0048] On the other hand, the second manifold 340 can be fluidly connected to the first group of pipes 400, the second group of pipes 500, and the third group of pipes 600. The second manifold orifice 342, the fifth manifold orifice 344, and the sixth manifold orifice 346 of the second manifold 340 can be fluidly connected to the first group of pipes 400, the third group of pipes 600, and the second group of pipes 500, respectively.
[0049] Figure 8 The first fluid is shown in Figure 1 The flow in the heat exchanger 100. Alternatively, the first fluid can flow through the first channel 224 and the second channel 322. Alternatively, the first fluid can flow in an I-shaped flow configuration, wherein the first fluid flows in through the first connection port 214 of the first manifold 200, then through the first channel 224, the first set of pipes 400, the second channel 322, and then out through the second connection port 312 of the second manifold 300.
[0050] Figure 9 This illustrates the second fluid in the first configuration. Figure 1 The flow in the heat exchanger 100. In another configuration, the second fluid flows through the third channel 222 and the fourth channel 226, but not through the fifth channel 324. Alternatively, the second fluid can flow in a U-shaped configuration in the first configuration, wherein the second fluid flows in through the third connection port 212 of the first manifold 200, then through the third channel 222 and the second set of pipes 500, then makes a U-turn in the second manifold 300, then flows through the third set of pipes 600 and the fourth channel 226, and then flows out through the fourth connection port 216 of the first manifold 200.
[0051] Figure 10 This illustrates the second fluid in the second configuration. Figure 1 The flow in the heat exchanger 100. In another aspect, the second fluid flows through the third channel 222, the fourth channel 226, and the fifth channel 324 in the second configuration. In yet another aspect, the second fluid can flow in a first I-shaped flow configuration in the second configuration, wherein the second fluid can flow in through the third connection port 212 and the fourth connection port 216 of the first manifold 200, then flow through the third channel 222 and the fourth channel 226 respectively, then through the second set of pipes 500 and the third set of pipes 600 respectively, then through the fifth channel 324, and then out through the fifth connection port 314 of the second manifold 300.
[0052] Figure 11 This illustrates the second fluid in the third configuration. Figure 1 The flow in the heat exchanger 100. On the other hand, in the third configuration, the second fluid flows through the third channel 222 and the fifth channel 324, but not through the fourth channel 226. On the other hand, the second fluid can flow in the third configuration in a second I-shaped flow configuration, wherein the second fluid can flow in through the third connection port 212 of the first manifold 200, then through the third channel 222, the second set of pipes 500, the fifth channel 324, and then out through the fifth connection port 314 of the second manifold 300.
[0053] On the other hand, by controlling the flow of the first and second fluids in the heat exchanger 100, the heat exchanger 100 can be switched to any of the first, second, and third configurations. In another example, a flow control valve can be used to control the flow of the first and second fluids in the heat exchanger 100.
[0054] In another embodiment, the heat exchanger 100 may be an internal heat exchanger of an air conditioning loop that facilitates heat exchange between a high-pressure fluid from a high-pressure fluid loop of the air conditioning loop and a low-pressure fluid from a low-pressure fluid loop of the air conditioning loop. In another aspect, the first fluid of the heat exchanger 100 may be a low-pressure fluid from the low-pressure fluid loop of the air conditioning loop, while the second fluid of the heat exchanger 100 may be a high-pressure fluid from the high-pressure fluid loop of the air conditioning loop.
[0055] According to the above embodiments, the efficiency and pressure drop of the heat exchanger 100 can be adjusted by switching the heat exchanger 100 to any one of the first, second, and third configurations. When high efficiency and pressure drop are desired, the heat exchanger 100 can be switched to the first configuration. When moderate efficiency and pressure drop are desired, the heat exchanger 100 can be switched to the second configuration. When low efficiency and pressure drop are desired, the heat exchanger 100 can be switched to the third configuration.
[0056] All the above embodiments are for illustrative purposes only, and more embodiments and combinations thereof may exist. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited to the above embodiments.
Claims
1. A heat exchanger (100) for the flow of at least a first fluid and a second fluid, comprising: First manifold (200); The second manifold (300) is arranged at a distance from the first manifold (200); A first set of pipes (400) is fluidly connected between the first manifold (200) and the second manifold (300), wherein the first fluid flows from the first manifold (200) to the second manifold (300) through the first set of pipes (400). A second set of pipes (500) is fluidly connected between the first manifold (200) and the second manifold (300), wherein the second fluid flows from the first manifold (200) to the second manifold (300) through the second set of pipes (500); and A third set of pipes (600) is fluidly connected between the first manifold (200) and the second manifold (300), wherein, In the first configuration, the second fluid flows from the second manifold (300) to the first manifold (200) through the third set of pipes (600). In the second configuration, the second fluid flows from the first manifold (200) to the second manifold (300) through the third set of pipes (600); and In the third configuration, the second fluid does not flow through the third set of pipes (600).
2. The heat exchanger (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein, The second group of tubes (500) and the third group of tubes (600) are stacked alternately with the first group of tubes (400).
3. The heat exchanger (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein, Each tube from the second group of tubes (500) and the third group of tubes (600) is in contact with a tube from the first group of tubes (400) on both sides.
4. The heat exchanger (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The first channel (224) is disposed in the first manifold (200) and fluidly connected to the first group of pipes (400).
5. The heat exchanger (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein, The second channel (322) is disposed in the second manifold (300) and fluidly connected to the first manifold (400).
6. The heat exchanger (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein, The first fluid flows through the first channel (224) and the second channel (322).
7. The heat exchanger (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The third channel (222) is disposed in the first manifold (200) and fluidly connected to the second set of pipes (500).
8. The heat exchanger (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein, The fourth channel (226) is disposed in the first manifold (200) and fluidly connected to the third set of pipes (600).
9. The heat exchanger (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein, The fifth channel (324) is disposed in the second manifold (300) and fluidly connected to the second set of pipes (500) and the third set of pipes (600).
10. The heat exchanger (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein, In the first configuration, the second fluid flows through the third channel (222) and the fourth channel (226), but does not flow through the fifth channel (324).
11. The heat exchanger (100) according to claim 9, wherein, In the second configuration, the second fluid flows through the third channel (222), the fourth channel (226), and the fifth channel (324).
12. The heat exchanger (100) according to claim 9, wherein, In the third configuration, the second fluid flows through the third channel (222) and the fifth channel (324), but does not flow through the fourth channel (226).
13. An air conditioning loop, comprising: At least one heat exchanger (100) according to any one of the preceding claims.
14. The air conditioning loop according to the preceding claim, wherein, The first fluid is a low-pressure fluid from the low-pressure fluid circuit of the air conditioning loop, and the second fluid is a high-pressure fluid from the high-pressure fluid circuit of the air conditioning loop.