Plate heat exchanger

Abstract

A plate heat exchanger is provided, comprising: a plurality of heat transfer plates stacked along a first direction; a first fluid passage and a second fluid passage formed between adjacent heat transfer plates and fluidically isolated from each other, wherein the first fluid passage has two edge regions opposite to each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; two first ports formed in the heat transfer plates respectively on two sides of the heat transfer plates opposite in the second direction and in fluid communication with the first fluid passage; and a fluid blocking structure forming an isolated region in the first fluid passage, fluidically isolating the isolated region of the first fluid passage from the remaining region of the first fluid passage; wherein the distance between the fluid blocking structure and one of the two first ports close to the fluid blocking structure is in the range of 2mm-50mm.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a plate heat exchanger. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional plate heat exchangers consist of multiple heat transfer plates. Fluid channels for two or more fluids are formed between adjacent heat transfer plates to facilitate heat exchange between the two or more fluids. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a plate heat exchanger that can, for example, improve the performance of the plate heat exchanger.

[0004] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a plate heat exchanger is provided, comprising: a plurality of heat transfer plates stacked along a first direction; a first fluid channel and a second fluid channel formed between adjacent heat transfer plates and fluidly isolated from each other, wherein the first fluid channel has two edge regions opposite to each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; two first ports formed in the heat transfer plates on opposite sides in the second direction and in fluid communication with the first fluid channel; and a fluid barrier structure forming an isolation region in the first fluid channel, such that the isolation region of the first fluid channel is fluidly isolated from the remaining region of the first fluid channel; wherein the distance between the fluid barrier structure and one of the two first ports adjacent to the fluid barrier structure is in the range of 2 mm to 20 mm.

[0005] According to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the outer periphery of each of the two first ports has a bottom outer periphery portion in the second direction near the edge of the heat transfer plate in the second direction, and the fluid blocking structure is disposed in the first fluid channel on the side of the bottom outer periphery portion of the outer periphery of one of the two first ports away from the other of the two first ports in the second direction, so as to form a corresponding edge region of the two edge regions as an isolation region.

[0006] According to some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, the distance between the fluid barrier structure and the one closer to the fluid barrier structure among the two first ports is the distance between the bottom outer periphery portion of the outer periphery of the fluid barrier structure and the corresponding one of the two first ports.

[0007] According to some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, in the operating state of the plate heat exchanger, the second direction is a vertical direction, and the corresponding edge region of the two edge regions of the first fluid channel is the bottom region of the first fluid channel.

[0008] According to some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, the fluid barrier structure includes a strip-shaped fluid barrier element.

[0009] According to some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, the fluid blocking member includes a baffle disposed in a first fluid channel between two adjacent heat transfer plates; and / or

[0010] The fluid barrier includes two strip-shaped protrusions protruding from two adjacent heat transfer plates defining a first fluid channel toward each other, the two strip-shaped protrusions being connected to each other.

[0011] According to some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, at least a portion of the fluid barrier has a linear shape.

[0012] According to some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, at least a portion of the fluid barrier is at an angle of 60-90 degrees to the second direction.

[0013] According to some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, the width of the top of the strip-shaped protrusion is from 0.5 mm to 50 mm.

[0014] According to some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, the strip-shaped protrusion has a circular, triangular, or trapezoidal cross-section.

[0015] According to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the plate heat exchanger further includes: two second ports, which are formed in the heat transfer plate on opposite sides in a second direction and are in fluid communication with the second fluid channel.

[0016] According to some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, the distance between the fluid barrier structure and one of the two first ports that is closer to the fluid barrier structure is less than or equal to the distance between the fluid barrier structure and one of the two second ports that is closer to the fluid barrier structure.

[0017] According to some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, one of the two first ports near the fluid barrier structure and one of the two second ports near the fluid barrier structure are located on the same side of the fluid barrier structure in a second direction.

[0018] According to some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, one of the two first ports near the fluid barrier structure and one of the two second ports near the fluid barrier structure are respectively located on opposite sides of the fluid barrier structure in a second direction.

[0019] According to some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, a plurality of heat transfer plates include a plurality of first heat transfer plates and a plurality of second heat transfer plates that are stacked crosswise on each other. Along a first direction, a first fluid channel is defined between each first heat transfer plate and an adjacent second heat transfer plate, and a second fluid channel is defined between each second heat transfer plate and an adjacent first heat transfer plate, such that the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel are alternately arranged in the first direction. Each first heat transfer plate further includes a drain hole formed in a corresponding first heat transfer plate. The drain hole is fluidly isolated from the second fluid channel, and the drain hole fluidly communicates the isolated area of ​​the first fluid channel with the external fluid of the plate heat exchanger.

[0020] According to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, each second heat transfer plate further includes: a discharge hole formed in the respective second heat transfer plate, the discharge hole being fluidly isolated from the second fluid channel, and the discharge hole communicating the isolated area of ​​the first fluid channel with the external fluid of the plate heat exchanger; the discharge hole is formed at the edge of each heat transfer plate in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the discharge hole extends through the edge of the respective heat transfer plate in the first direction.

[0021] According to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, each heat transfer plate further includes a flange that bends from an edge of each heat transfer plate in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction toward the first direction, and a discharge hole penetrates the flange of the corresponding first heat transfer plate in the first direction.

[0022] According to some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, the distance between the fluid barrier structure and the one of the two first ports closest to the fluid barrier structure is in the range of 2mm-20mm.

[0023] According to some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, a fluid barrier structure includes a first side and a second side of the fluid barrier structure, the first side of the fluid barrier structure being close to one of the two first ports in a second direction, and the second side of the fluid barrier structure being away from the one of the two first ports in a second direction; the bottom outer peripheral portion includes a first side and a second side of the bottom outer peripheral portion, the first side of the bottom outer peripheral portion being away from the isolation region in a second direction, and the second side of the bottom outer peripheral portion being close to the isolation region in a second direction; the distance between the fluid barrier structure and the one of the two first ports is the distance between the first side of the fluid barrier structure and the first side of the bottom outer peripheral portion in a second direction passing through the center of the one of the two first ports.

[0024] The plate heat exchanger provided according to the foregoing exemplary embodiments of this disclosure can improve the performance of the plate heat exchanger, for example, it can improve the antifreeze performance of the plate heat exchanger.

[0025] Other objects and advantages of this disclosure will become apparent from the following description of the disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings, and will help to provide a comprehensive understanding of the disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0026] The above and other aspects and features of this disclosure will become more apparent from the detailed description of exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic perspective view of a plate heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 2 This is a schematic front view of the heat transfer plate in a plate heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 3 This is a schematic front view of the heat transfer plate in a plate heat exchanger according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 4 This is a schematic front view of the heat transfer plate in a plate heat exchanger according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 5 This is a schematic front view of the heat transfer plate in a plate heat exchanger according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 6 This is a schematic perspective view of a plurality of heat transfer plates in a plate heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 7 This is a schematic perspective view of the first heat transfer plate among a plurality of heat transfer plates in a plate heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 8 This is a schematic perspective view of a plurality of heat transfer plates in a plate heat exchanger according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 9 This is a schematic perspective view of the first heat transfer plate among a plurality of heat transfer plates in a plate heat exchanger according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 10 This is a schematic perspective view of a plurality of heat transfer plates in a plate heat exchanger according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 11 This is a schematic perspective view of the first heat transfer plate among a plurality of heat transfer plates in a plate heat exchanger according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 12This is a schematic perspective view of a plurality of heat transfer plates in a plate heat exchanger according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 13 This is a schematic perspective view of the first heat transfer plate among a plurality of heat transfer plates in a plate heat exchanger according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 14 for Figure 6 , Figure 10 , Figure 12 The plate heat exchanger shown is a partial cross-sectional view taken along a straight line parallel to the bottom edge of the heat transfer plate, passing through the drain hole. Detailed Implementation

[0041] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the following descriptions of the exemplary embodiments are merely illustrative and are in no way intended to limit the present disclosure or its application or use. Those skilled in the art will understand that these embodiments merely illustrate exemplary ways in which the present disclosure can be implemented, and are not exhaustive. Furthermore, unless specifically stated otherwise, the relative arrangement of components, numerical expressions, and values ​​set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0042] In this specification, the same or similar reference numerals indicate the same or similar components. The following description of embodiments of this disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings is intended to explain the technical content of this disclosure and should not be construed as a limitation thereof. Furthermore, in the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of this disclosure for ease of explanation. However, it will be apparent that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and apparatuses are illustrated to simplify the drawings.

[0043] See Figures 1 to 14According to an embodiment of the present invention, a plate heat exchanger 100 includes: a plurality of heat transfer plates 2 stacked along a first direction D1; a first fluid channel 11 and a second fluid channel 12 formed between adjacent heat transfer plates 2 and fluidly isolated from each other. The plate heat exchanger 100 further includes: two first ports 31 and a fluid barrier structure 4; the two first ports 31 are respectively formed on opposite sides of the heat transfer plates 2 in a second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1, and are fluidly connected to the first fluid channel 11 and fluidly isolated from the second fluid channel 12; the fluid barrier structure 4 forms an isolation region in the first fluid channel 11, thereby fluidly isolating the isolation region of the first fluid channel 11 from the remaining region of the first fluid channel 11. For example, the fluid barrier structure 4 itself surrounds the isolation region in the first fluid channel 11, or surrounds the isolation region together with the edge of the first fluid channel 11. According to the present invention, the distance d between the fluid barrier structure 4 and one of the two first ports 31 closest to the fluid barrier structure 4 is in the range of 2mm-50mm. Preferably, the distance d between the fluid barrier structure and the one of the two first ports closest to the fluid barrier structure is in the range of 2mm-20mm.

[0044] See Figures 1 to 14 In an embodiment according to the present invention, the first fluid channel 11 has two edge regions or end regions 110 that are opposite to each other in a second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1. Two first ports 31 are respectively disposed at the two edge regions or end regions 110. Two outer peripheral portions (annular sealing portions) are formed on the heat transfer plate 2, respectively surrounding the two first ports 31, to fluidly isolate the first ports 31 from the second fluid channel 22. The outer periphery of each of the two first ports 31 has a bottom outer peripheral portion 313 in the second direction D2 near the edge of the heat transfer plate 2 in the second direction D2. A fluid blocking structure 4 is disposed in the first fluid channel 11 on the side of the bottom outer peripheral portion 313 of the outer periphery of one of the two first ports 31 that is away from the other of the two first ports 31 in the second direction D2, to form a corresponding edge region 110 of the two edge regions as an isolation region.

[0045] According to this invention, by setting a fluid barrier structure 4, the isolation area is fluidly isolated from the first fluid channel 11 to prevent fluid in the first fluid channel 11 from entering the isolation area. According to this invention, by setting the fluid barrier structure 4 such that there is a distance d between it and the first port 31 near the fluid barrier structure 4, and this distance d is within a certain range, on the one hand, when the heat exchange medium (e.g., water) is discharged from the first fluid channel 11 when not in use (e.g., in winter or when the ambient temperature is low), less heat exchange medium remains in the bottom region of the first fluid channel 11, or no heat exchange medium remains in the bottom region of the first fluid channel 11, thereby avoiding freezing at low temperatures or static freezing, and minimizing the waste of heat exchange area. On the other hand, it also prevents the heat exchange medium (e.g., refrigerant) in the second fluid channel 12 adjacent to the first fluid channel 11 from gas-liquid separation near the first port 31 of the fluid barrier structure 4, reducing the impact of the fluid barrier structure 4 on the initial liquid separation within the heat transfer plate. Furthermore, since the first port 31 near the fluid barrier structure 4 is far from the welding area, the product strength of the plate heat exchanger 100 can be improved. At the same time, the deformation caused by the forming of the first port 31 by the fluid barrier structure 4 and the resulting uneven stress distribution around the hole can be avoided.

[0046] According to this utility model, such as Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, the distance d between the fluid blocking structure 4 and the one closer to the fluid blocking structure 4 of the two first ports 31 is the distance between the bottom outer periphery portion 313 of the outer periphery of the fluid blocking structure 4 and the corresponding one of the two first ports 31. The fluid barrier structure 4 includes a first side 4a and a second side 4b. The first side 4a of the fluid barrier structure 4 is close to one of the two first ports 31 in the second direction D2, and the second side 4b of the fluid barrier structure 4 is far away from the one of the two first ports 31 in the second direction D2. The bottom outer peripheral portion 313 includes a first side 313a and a second side 313b. The first side 313a of the bottom outer peripheral portion 313 is far away from the isolation area in the second direction D2, and the second side 313b of the bottom outer peripheral portion 313 is close to the isolation area in the second direction D2. The distance d between the fluid barrier structure 4 and the one of the two first ports 31 is the distance between the first side 4a of the fluid barrier structure 4 and the first side 313a of the bottom outer peripheral portion 313 in the second direction D2 passing through the center of the one of the two first ports 31.

[0047] See Figures 1 to 14In an embodiment of the present invention, when the plate heat exchanger 100 is in use, the second direction D2 is vertical, and the corresponding edge region 110 of the two edge regions of the first fluid channel 11 is the bottom region of the first fluid channel 11. That is, the fluid blocking structure 4 is disposed in or near the bottom region of the first fluid channel 11. Of course, in other embodiments of the present invention not shown, the fluid blocking structure 4 can also be disposed in or near each of the two edge regions of the first fluid channel 11. In this way, when the plate heat exchanger 100 is in use, regardless of which edge region is the bottom region of the first fluid channel 11, the fluid blocking structure 4 is present in or near the bottom region of the first fluid channel 11.

[0048] See Figure 1-14 In embodiments of this invention, the fluid blocking structure 4 includes a strip-shaped fluid blocking member 4. According to one example of this invention, the fluid blocking member includes a baffle strip disposed between two adjacent heat transfer plates 2 in a first fluid channel 11. According to another example of this invention, the fluid blocking member includes two strip-shaped protrusions projecting from two adjacent heat transfer plates 2 defining the first fluid channel 11 toward each other, the two strip-shaped protrusions being connected to each other. According to yet another example of this invention, the fluid blocking member includes: two strip-shaped protrusions projecting from two adjacent heat transfer plates 2 defining the first fluid channel 11 toward each other; and a baffle strip disposed between two strip-shaped protrusions 42 of the two adjacent heat transfer plates 2 in the first fluid channel 11. The width of the top of the strip-shaped protrusion can be 0.5 mm to 50 mm, 0.5 mm to 10 mm, or 1 mm to 3 mm, or other suitable dimensions. The width of the baffle strip can be greater than, less than, or equal to the width of the top of the strip-shaped protrusion. The top of the strip-shaped protrusion may have a varying width along its length, for example, being wider and / or narrower along a portion of the protrusion's length, as long as it effectively blocks the fluid in the first fluid channel 11. The material of the baffle may be the same as or different from that of the heat transfer plate 2. The strip-shaped protrusion may have a circular, triangular, trapezoidal, or any other suitable cross-section, as long as it effectively blocks the fluid in the first fluid channel 11.

[0049] See Figure 1-14 In embodiments of this invention, the fluid blocking member 4 can take any suitable shape. According to one example of this invention, such as... Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, at least a portion of the fluid blocking member 4 has a straight shape, and the straight portion of the fluid blocking member 4 is substantially perpendicular to the second direction D2. According to another example of the present invention, such as... Figure 3As shown, the fluid blocking member 4 can have a linear shape, and the linear fluid blocking member 4 can form an angle of 60-90 degrees with the second direction D2. According to another example of this invention, such as... Figure 5 As shown, at least a portion of the fluid blocking member 4 forms an angle of positive 60-90 degrees with the second direction D2, while at least another portion of the fluid blocking member 4 forms an angle of negative 60-90 degrees with the second direction D2. Furthermore, in addition to having a straight shape, the fluid blocking member 4 can have a wavy shape, a zigzag shape, or other suitable shapes in terms of length.

[0050] See Figures 1 to 14 In an embodiment according to the present invention, the plate heat exchanger 100 further includes two second ports 32. These two second ports 32 are formed on opposite sides of the heat transfer plate 2 in the second direction D2, and are in fluid communication with the second fluid channel 12 and fluidly isolated from the first fluid channel 11. Thus, the two second ports 32 are only in fluid communication with the second fluid channel 12.

[0051] Furthermore, see, for example, Figure 4 or Figure 5 In some embodiments of the present invention, the plate heat exchanger 100 may further include: a third fluid channel formed between adjacent heat transfer plates 2 and fluidly isolated from the first fluid channel 11 and the second fluid channel 12; and two third ports 33, which are respectively formed on opposite sides of the heat transfer plates 2 in the second direction D2, and are fluidly connected to the third fluid channel but fluidly isolated from both the first fluid channel 11 and the second fluid channel 12. Thus, the two third ports 33 are only fluidly connected to the third fluid channel.

[0052] Furthermore, according to one example of this utility model, such as Figure 2 As shown, the distance (e.g., distance d) between the fluid blocking structure 4 and one of the two first ports 31 closest to the fluid blocking structure 4 can be substantially equal to the distance between the fluid blocking structure 4 and one of the two second ports 32 closest to the fluid blocking structure 4. According to another example of the present invention, such as... Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the distance between the fluid blocking structure 4 and the one of the two first ports 31 closest to the fluid blocking structure 4 can be greater than the distance between the fluid blocking structure 4 and the one of the two second ports 32 (and / or two third ports 33 closest to the fluid blocking structure 4). According to another example of the present invention, such as... Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, one of the two first ports 31 near the fluid barrier structure 4 is located on the same side of the fluid barrier structure 4 in the second direction D2, as is one of the two second ports 32 (and / or two third ports 33) near the fluid barrier structure 4. According to yet another example of the present invention, such as... Figure 3 As shown, one of the two first ports 31 near the fluid blocking structure 4 and one of the two second ports 32 near the fluid blocking structure 4 are located on opposite sides of the fluid blocking structure 4 in the second direction D2. In any case, the isolation area of ​​the fluid channel (the first fluid channel 11 in this embodiment of the invention) that needs to be isolated by the fluid blocking structure 4 is set in the edge region 110 of the fluid channel.

[0053] According to an example of this invention, a first fluid channel 11 is used for a first heat exchange medium, a second fluid channel 12 is used for a second heat exchange medium, and a third fluid channel is used for a third heat exchange medium. The first heat exchange medium can be a liquid such as water, ethylene glycol, or propylene glycol, while the second and third heat exchange media can be refrigerants. According to an example of this invention, the first heat exchange medium can also be a refrigerant.

[0054] The plate heat exchanger 100 can be a soft-brazed plate heat exchanger, a hard-brazed plate heat exchanger, a gasketed plate heat exchanger, or any other type of plate heat exchanger. The plate heat exchanger 100 may also include a cover plate and a base plate, with the heat transfer plate 2 disposed between the cover plate and the base plate. The plate heat exchanger 100 can be... Figure 1-14 The heat exchanger shown is a plate heat exchanger or other types thereof. Plate heat exchanger 100 can also be a double-wall heat exchanger.

[0055] Furthermore, in embodiments where the fluid blocking element employs strip-shaped protrusions, these protrusions can be obtained by embossing the main body of the heat transfer plate 2. In this case, a strip-shaped protrusion is formed on one side of each heat transfer plate 2 constituting the first fluid channel 11, and correspondingly, a strip-shaped recess is formed on one side of each heat transfer plate 2 constituting the second fluid channel 12 (or third fluid channel) adjacent to the first fluid channel 11. The strip-shaped recesses of two adjacent heat transfer plates 2 further form guide channels in the second fluid channel 12 (or third fluid channel). As a result, the heat exchange medium (e.g., refrigerant) in the second fluid channel 12 (or third fluid channel) can flow in the guide channels, further optimizing the distribution of the heat exchange medium (e.g., refrigerant) in the second fluid channel 12 (or third fluid channel), thereby improving the flow characteristics and heat exchange characteristics of the heat exchange medium (e.g., refrigerant).

[0056] According to embodiments of this invention, the fluid barrier structure is disposed within the heat transfer plate, requiring no additional cost or process and easily implemented in products. Furthermore, the strip-shaped protrusions of the fluid barrier structure are disposed within the first fluid channel 11, causing the guide channel to be formed within the second fluid channel 12 (or the third fluid channel), thereby improving heat transfer efficiency and compensating for the reduction in heat transfer area. Moreover, the fluid barrier structure has no impact on the user.

[0057] Although the above embodiments describe the fluid blocking structure 4 being disposed in the first fluid channel 11, the fluid blocking structure 4 may also be disposed in at least one of the second fluid channel 12 and the third fluid channel, or in each of the first fluid channel 11, the second fluid channel 12, and the third fluid channel. Furthermore, the area and size of the fluid blocking structure 4 in each fluid channel may be the same or different; for example, in some fluid channels, the fluid blocking element is narrower, while in others it is wider.

[0058] In embodiments of this invention, the fluid barrier structure 4 may further include a filler material. The filler material may be a solid material or a liquid material that is then solidified. For example, after brazing the plate heat exchanger 100, an adhesive is filled into the edge region (bottom region) 110 of at least one of the first fluid channel 11, the second fluid channel 12, and the third fluid channel to provide a barrier effect. The adhesive may be epoxy resin. The filler material may also be a low-melting-point metal or alloy, oil, wax, plastic, or any kind of liquid.

[0059] According to an embodiment of the present invention, since a fluid barrier structure 4 is provided in the bottom region of the first fluid channel 11, when the heat exchange medium (e.g., water) is discharged from the first fluid channel 11 when it is not in use (e.g., in winter or when the ambient temperature is low), less or no heat exchange medium remains in the bottom region of the first fluid channel 11, thereby preventing freezing at low temperatures or preventing static freezing. Simultaneously, since the fluid barrier structure 4 is provided in the bottom region of the first fluid channel 11, the bottom of the second fluid channel 12 (or third fluid channel) adjacent to the first fluid channel 11 has little or no heat exchange, thus preventing the generation of a large amount of vaporized gas after heat exchange, thereby promoting the distribution of the second fluid (or third fluid) in the fluid channel 12 (or third fluid channel). Furthermore, since a guide channel 6 is formed in the second fluid channel 12 (or third fluid channel), the heat exchange medium (e.g., refrigerant) in the second fluid channel 12 (or third fluid channel) is better distributed, especially for plate heat exchangers with a larger width (the dimension in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions). Furthermore, since the fluid barrier structure 4 is provided in the first fluid channel 11, there will be little or no heat transfer in the edge region 110 (bottom region and / or top region), thus avoiding dynamic freezing during heat transfer. In addition, for some applications, providing the fluid barrier structure 4 in the edge region 110 (bottom region and / or top region) of the first fluid channel 11 does not negatively impact heat transfer efficiency, but can reduce the charge amount of the heat transfer medium (e.g., refrigerant). Moreover, forming an isolation region in the fluid channel through the fluid barrier structure can reduce the charge amount of the heat transfer medium (e.g., refrigerant).

[0060] See Figures 1 to 14 In an embodiment according to the present invention, the plurality of heat transfer plates 2 include a plurality of first heat transfer plates 21 and a plurality of second heat transfer plates 22 stacked crosswise on each other. Along a first direction D1, a first fluid channel 11 is defined between each first heat transfer plate 21 and an adjacent second heat transfer plate 22, and a second fluid channel 12 is defined between each second heat transfer plate 22 and an adjacent first heat transfer plate 21, such that the first fluid channel 11 and the second fluid channel 12 are alternately arranged in the first direction D1.

[0061] See Figures 6 to 13 In embodiments according to the present invention, each first heat transfer plate 21 further includes a drain hole 5. The drain hole 5 is formed in the corresponding first heat transfer plate 21, is fluidly isolated from the second fluid channel 12 (or the third fluid channel), and fluidly communicates the isolated area of ​​the first fluid channel 11 with the external environment of the plate heat exchanger 100. In some alternative embodiments, for example, as... Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown, each second heat transfer plate also includes a drain hole 5. The drain hole 5 is formed in the corresponding second heat transfer plate 22, the drain hole 5 is fluidly isolated from the second fluid channel 12, and the drain hole 5 connects the isolated area of ​​the first fluid channel 11 to the external fluid of the plate heat exchanger 200.

[0062] See Figure 14 R represents the second heat exchange medium, which is connected by an annular sealing portion around the discharge hole 5 on the adjacent heat transfer plate to fluidly isolate the discharge hole 5 from the second fluid channel 12 (or the third fluid channel).

[0063] See Figures 6 to 13 In an embodiment of the present invention, each first heat transfer plate 21 further includes: an edge 101 on a second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1 (in the operating state of the plate heat exchanger 100, this edge 101 is located at the edge region of the bottom region serving as the first fluid channel 11), and a flange 102 bending from the edge 101 on the second direction D2 of each first heat transfer plate 21 toward the first direction D1. According to one embodiment of the present invention, as... Figure 6 and 7 As shown, the discharge hole 5 is formed at the edge 101 in the second direction D2 of each first heat transfer plate 21, and the discharge hole 5 penetrates the edge 101 of the corresponding first heat transfer plate 21 in the first direction D1. Simultaneously, the discharge hole 5 is also formed at the edge 101 in the second direction D2 of each second heat transfer plate 22, and the discharge hole 5 penetrates the edge 101 of the corresponding second heat transfer plate 22 in the first direction D1 and is configured to communicate with the discharge hole 5 provided in each first heat transfer plate 21. According to another embodiment of the present invention, as... Figure 8 and 9 As shown, the discharge hole 5 is formed at the flange 102 that bends from the edge 101 toward the first direction D1 on the second direction D2 of each first heat transfer plate 21, and the discharge hole 5 penetrates the flange 102 of the corresponding first heat transfer plate 21 in the first direction D1. According to another embodiment of the present invention, as... Figure 10 and 11 As shown, a portion of the discharge hole 5 is formed at the edge 101 in the second direction D2 of each first heat transfer plate 21, and another portion is formed at the flange 102 in the second direction D2 of each first heat transfer plate 21, which bends from the edge 101 toward the first direction D1. Furthermore, the discharge hole 5 simultaneously penetrates both the edge 101 and the flange 102 of the corresponding first heat transfer plate 21 in the first direction D1. According to another embodiment of the present invention, as... Figure 12 and 13As shown, a portion of the discharge hole 5 is formed at the edge 101 in the second direction D2 of each first heat transfer plate 21, and another portion is formed at the flange 102 in the second direction D2 of each first heat transfer plate 21 that bends from the edge 101 toward the first direction D1. Furthermore, the discharge hole 5 penetrates the edge 101 of the corresponding first heat transfer plate 21 in the first direction D1, but does not penetrate the flange 102 of the corresponding first heat transfer plate 21. It should be noted that although only one discharge hole 5 exists in the illustrated embodiment, the number of discharge holes 5 can be one or more.

[0064] According to this invention, the drain hole 5 can be used for leak detection in production lines or applications. During production, if the fluid barrier structure malfunctions, the heat exchange medium in the first fluid channel may flow into the isolation area defined by the fluid barrier structure, causing freezing problems during use. Therefore, the drain hole can be used to check for faults. Furthermore, the drain hole can be connected to the application piping system or covered with insulation material during application.

[0065] The dimensions and values ​​described herein should not be construed as strictly limited to the precise numerical values ​​cited. Rather, unless otherwise stated, each dimension is intended to represent the listed value and a range of functionally equivalent values ​​around that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “10 mm” is intended to represent “approximately 10 mm”.

[0066] While some embodiments of this disclosure have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of this disclosure, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A plate heat exchanger (100), characterized in that include: Multiple heat transfer plates (2) stacked along the first direction (D1); A first fluid channel (11) and a second fluid channel (12) are formed between adjacent heat transfer plates and are fluidly isolated from each other, wherein the first fluid channel has two edge regions opposite each other in a second direction (D2) perpendicular to the first direction; Two first ports (31) are formed in the heat transfer plate on opposite sides in the second direction and are in fluid communication with the first fluid channel; and The fluid barrier structure (4) forms an isolation region in the first fluid channel, thereby isolating the isolation region of the first fluid channel from the rest of the first fluid channel. The distance (d) between the fluid barrier structure and the one of the two first ports closest to the fluid barrier structure is in the range of 2mm-50mm.

2. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the two first ports has a bottom outer peripheral portion (313) on the edge of the heat transfer plate in the second direction. The fluid barrier structure is disposed in the first fluid channel on the side of the bottom outer periphery portion of the outer periphery of one of the two first ports away from the other of the two first ports in a second direction, so as to form a corresponding edge region of the two edge regions as an isolation region.

3. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 2, characterized in that: The distance between the fluid barrier structure and the one of the two first ports closest to the fluid barrier structure is the distance between the bottom outer periphery portion of the outer periphery of the fluid barrier structure and the corresponding one of the two first ports.

4. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 2, characterized in that: In the operating state of the plate heat exchanger, the second direction is vertical, and the corresponding edge region of the two edge regions of the first fluid channel is the bottom region of the first fluid channel.

5. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fluid barrier structure includes a strip-shaped fluid barrier element.

6. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 5, characterized in that: The fluid blocking element includes a baffle disposed between two adjacent heat transfer plates in the first fluid channel; and / or The fluid barrier includes two strip-shaped protrusions protruding from two adjacent heat transfer plates defining a first fluid channel toward each other, the two strip-shaped protrusions being connected to each other.

7. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 5, characterized in that: At least a portion of the fluid barrier has a straight shape.

8. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 5, characterized in that: At least a portion of the fluid barrier is at an angle of 60-90 degrees to the second direction.

9. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 5, characterized in that: The width of the top of the strip-shaped protrusion ranges from 0.5 mm to 50 mm.

10. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 5, characterized in that: The strip-shaped protrusions have a circular, triangular, or trapezoidal cross-section.

11. The plate heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that... Also includes: Two second ports (32, 33) are formed in the heat transfer plate on opposite sides in the second direction and are in fluid communication with the second fluid channel.

12. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 11, characterized in that: The distance between the fluid barrier structure and the one of the two first ports closest to the fluid barrier structure is less than or equal to the distance between the fluid barrier structure and the one of the two second ports closest to the fluid barrier structure.

13. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 11, characterized in that: One of the two first ports, which is closer to the fluid barrier structure, and one of the two second ports, which is closer to the fluid barrier structure, are located on the same side of the fluid barrier structure in the second direction.

14. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 11, characterized in that: One of the two first ports, which is closer to the fluid barrier structure, and the other of the two second ports, which is closer to the fluid barrier structure, are located on opposite sides of the fluid barrier structure in the second direction.

15. The plate heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: The multiple heat transfer plates include multiple first heat transfer plates (21) and multiple second heat transfer plates (22) that are stacked crosswise on each other. Along a first direction, a first fluid channel is defined between each first heat transfer plate and an adjacent second heat transfer plate, and a second fluid channel is defined between each second heat transfer plate and an adjacent first heat transfer plate, such that the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel are alternately arranged in the first direction. Each first heat transfer plate further includes a drain hole (5) formed in the corresponding first heat transfer plate, the drain hole being fluidly isolated from the second fluid channel, and the drain hole communicating the isolated area of ​​the first fluid channel with the external fluid of the plate heat exchanger.

16. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 15, characterized in that: Each second heat transfer plate further includes: a drain hole (5), the drain hole being formed in the corresponding second heat transfer plate, the drain hole being fluidly isolated from the second fluid channel, and the drain hole communicating the isolated area of ​​the first fluid channel with the external fluid of the plate heat exchanger; The vent hole is formed at the edge (101) of each heat transfer plate in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the vent hole extends through the edge of each heat transfer plate in the first direction.

17. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 15, characterized in that: Each heat transfer plate further includes: a flange (102) that bends from the edge of each heat transfer plate in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction toward the first direction, and The discharge port penetrates the flange of the corresponding first heat transfer plate in the first direction.

18. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that: The distance (d) between the fluid barrier structure and the one of the two first ports closest to the fluid barrier structure is in the range of 2mm-20mm.

19. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 2, characterized in that: The fluid barrier structure (4) includes a first side and a second side of the fluid barrier structure, wherein the first side of the fluid barrier structure is close to one of the two first ports in a second direction, and the second side of the fluid barrier structure is far away from the one of the two first ports in a second direction; The bottom outer peripheral portion (313) includes a first side and a second side of the bottom outer peripheral portion, wherein the first side of the bottom outer peripheral portion is away from the isolation area in a second direction, and the second side of the bottom outer peripheral portion is close to the isolation area in a second direction; The distance (d) between the fluid barrier structure (4) and one of the two first ports is the distance between the first side of the first side of the fluid barrier structure and the first side of the bottom outer peripheral portion in a second direction passing through the center of the one of the two first ports.

Images