heat exchanger

Abstract

Heat exchanger (1), in particular for a motor vehicle (2), wherein the heat exchanger (1) has at least one first stacking plate (3), characterized in that at least one turbulence element (4) consisting of a metal-sponge structure (5) is arranged in the at least one first stacking plate (3).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a heat exchanger, in particular for a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle with at least one heat exchanger.

[0002] DE 103 36 657 A1 discloses an open-pore metal sponge structure that can be used as a cooling element.

[0003] From EP 1 678 455 B1 a stacked-plate heat exchanger is known which uses embossed channel structures in the individual stacked plates to achieve swirling of the fluid to be cooled.

[0004] The present invention is concerned with using an open-pore metal-sponge structure for a heat exchanger in order to achieve improved heat transfer from a first fluid to a second fluid.

[0005] The heat exchanger according to the invention with the features of the independent patent claims has the advantage over the prior art that by using an open-pore metal sponge as a turbulence element, a significantly improved turbulence of the fluid to be cooled can be achieved and thus the efficiency of the heat exchanger can be significantly increased.

[0006] Therefore, a heat exchanger, in particular for a motor vehicle according to the features of claim 1 and the dependent claims, as well as a motor vehicle according to claim 13 with a heat exchanger according to the invention is proposed here.

[0007] A heat exchanger is a cooling structure that is suitable for exchanging heat between a first and a second fluid. Such heat exchangers are usually used in refrigerant or coolant circuits in motor vehicles. They are used, for example, to transfer heat from a refrigerant to a coolant, or to exchange heat between two coolant circuits, or to transfer heat from an oil circuit to a coolant. But they can also be used, for example, to release heat from a coolant or refrigerant to the ambient air or to absorb it from there. A heat exchanger can be designed, for example, as an oil cooler, coolant cooler, indirect condenser, chiller, or battery cooler. In an indirect condenser, refrigerant is cooled by means of a coolant.In a chiller, heat is exchanged between a coolant and a refrigerant, so that, for example, a cooling circuit is actively cooled by a refrigerant circuit.

[0008] Coolants, especially water-glycol mixtures, oils, or air can be used as fluids. It is also conceivable that known refrigerants such as R123yf, R290, or R744 could be used as fluids.

[0009] A heat exchanger, particularly a stacked plate heat exchanger, is constructed from individual stacked plates that, when stacked on top of one another, form fluid channels between the stacked plates, through which a first and second fluid can be conducted. Such heat exchangers have multiple connections for the fluids that establish the connection to the refrigerant and cooling circuits in a motor vehicle. The stacked plates are usually soldered or glued together, thus sealing themselves off from one another and from the environment. A stacked plate usually has a channel structure that serves to optimally guide the fluids between the stacked plates and to improve heat transfer between the fluids by generating turbulence. The stacked plates are usually made of a metallic sheet, in particular of an aluminum material, and then have deep-drawn or embossed channel structures.The sides of the stacked plates are provided with a rim to accommodate the additional stacked plates and stack them on top of each other. Openings in the individual stacked plates serve to conduct fluid from one stacked plate level to the next. Typically, a first fluid flows through a first stacked plate level and a second fluid flows through a second stacked plate level, so that a reciprocal heat exchange can always take place. The openings in the stacked plates are designed such that the fluid can flow separately to the individual levels.

[0010] Such a stacked plate heat exchanger is usually also provided with a cover plate that accommodates the necessary connections to the vehicle.

[0011] A heat exchanger, also known as a battery cooler, can consist of a single stacked disc covered by a cover plate. Here, the fluid flows in only one plane and exchanges heat through the outer surfaces of the heat exchanger with the ambient air or with battery elements mounted on the battery cooler.

[0012] The heat exchanger according to the invention consists of at least one first stacked disc, on which at least one turbulence element consisting of a metal-sponge structure is arranged. The heat exchanger can thus be formed, for example, by several first stacked discs stacked one above the other.

[0013] A metal sponge structure is an open-pored sponge structure made of a metallic material, which is designed in such a way that optimal turbulence of the flowing fluid can be achieved, with the lowest possible pressure losses in the fluid.

[0014] The metal sponge structure is created from an aqueous solution containing at least metal-containing molecules. Various metals such as iron (Fe) or titanium (Ti), or other metallic elements, are conceivable, even in combination. The production of the metal sponge structure is separate from this invention, so the essential aspect is the presence of an open-pore metal sponge structure.

[0015] The heat exchanger can also have at least one second stacked plate on which no turbulence element consisting of a metal-sponge structure is arranged. Depending on the fluid used, the use of the turbulence element according to the invention may or may not be appropriate. It is conceivable that with a coolant, in particular a water-glycol mixture, a significantly improved heat transfer can be achieved using such a turbulence element according to the invention, but not with a refrigerant, for example.

[0016] Thus, the at least one second stacking disc can also have known turbulence-generating channel structures that are more optimally suited for use, for example, in a gaseous refrigerant.

[0017] In a further embodiment of the invention, first and second stacked plates are alternately stacked on top of each other, thus forming a heat exchanger. A first and second fluid flow through each of the first and second stacked plates.

[0018] In a further embodiment of the invention, the turbulence element arranged on the at least one first stacking disc has a varying height h as seen in the flow plane. Such a design can influence the pressure loss of the fluid passing through the metal-sponge structure.

[0019] In a further embodiment according to the invention, the at least one first stacking disc has, in addition to the turbulence element formed from a metal-sponge structure, also an embossed channel structure at least in partial areas.

[0020] In a further advantageous embodiment according to the invention, the at least one first stacking disc has at least one second turbulence element formed from a metal-sponge structure, which is thus arranged in two partial regions of the first stacking disc.

[0021] Thus, a first stacking disc would be conceivable that has a turbulence element made of a metal-sponge structure in some areas and an embossed channel structure in others. Thus, the first stacking disc can be designed in a particularly advantageous manner with a shape that is subject to low pressure losses while still providing maximum heat transfer.

[0022] It is conceivable that the turbulence element is loosely inserted into the first stacking plate as a separate component, or that it forms a single component with the first stacking plate. For example, the turbulence element can be glued, welded, or soldered in, or even formed integrally with the first stacking plate. For example, the turbulence element can be formed directly on a metallic plate, thus creating a direct metallic connection with it. However, it would also be conceivable for the turbulence element to be sealed on one or more sides in such a way that it is fluid-tight, thus forming a combined stacking plate-turbulence element.

[0023] Such a designed heat exchanger can be used advantageously in a motor vehicle and serve there for heat exchange in a cooling or refrigerant circuit.

[0024] Further embodiments of the inventions cannot be presented exhaustively and may also result from a combination of the individual features shown.

[0025] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the following figures. These show: Fig. 1 a heat exchanger according to the invention Fig. 2 a first stacked disc with turbulence element Fig. 3 a schematic representation of a turbulence element with metal sponge structure Fig. 4 a second stacking disc with channel structure Fig. 5 Top view of a first stacking disc Fig. 6 a heat exchanger according to the invention as a battery cooler Fig. 7 a motor vehicle with a heat exchanger according to the invention Preferred embodiment of the invention

[0026] The Fig. 1 shows a heat exchanger 1 according to the invention as a stacked-plate heat exchanger. The heat exchanger 1 consists of first and second stacked plates 3, 6, wherein a turbulence element 4 in the form of an open-pore metal-sponge structure 5 is arranged on the first stacked plate 3. The turbulence element 4 can be inserted into the first stacked plate 3, or molded or glued, welded, or soldered thereto. The second stacked plates 6 do not have a turbulence element 4, but can have channel structures 7 as turbulence-generating structures. The heat exchanger 1 has connections 11 for the supply and discharge of a first fluid F1 and a second fluid F2, which are arranged on a cover plate 10. The cover plate 10 closes off the heat exchanger on the upper side.

[0027] Fig. 2 shows, by way of example, a first stacking disc 3 and the turbulence element 4 arranged therein, which is formed from a metal-sponge structure 5. The turbulence element 4 can be inserted loosely or can be firmly connected to the first stacking disc 3, so that they form a single component.

[0028] Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a section of a turbulence element 4 according to the invention. The open-pore structure of the metal-sponge structure 5 can be seen. It is shaped as a type of metallic support framework that forms openings and pores that are fluidically connected to one another, thus enabling a fluid to flow through the structure. This allows a large number of fluid deflections, leading to good heat transfer. The heat transfer from the first fluid F1 is further supported by the metal-sponge structure 5, as it can also absorb the heat and transfer it to the second fluid F2.

[0029] Fig. 4 shows a section of a second stacked disc that does not have a turbulence element 4, but has channel structures 7 for generating turbulence, which were embossed or deep-drawn into the second stacked disc 6. These channel structures 7 serve to conduct fluid and swirl the fluid flowing through it, thus improving heat transfer. The second stacked discs 6 can be used, for example, for the flow of a refrigerant, while the first stacked discs 3 are used for the flow of a coolant.

[0030] Fig. Figure 5 shows a top view of a first stacked disc 3. The first stacked disc 3 is divided into several subregions 8, with channel structures 7 incorporated in one subregion 8 and turbulence elements 4 arranged in further subregions of the first stacked disc. The first stacked disc also has openings 9, which serve to introduce, discharge, or pass a fluid.

[0031] Fig. Figure 6 shows the exemplary structure of a battery cooler 1, which consists of a first stacked plate 3 and a cover plate 10, which delimit a space through which fluid flows. A turbulence element 4 in the form of a metal-sponge structure 5 is arranged on the first stacked plate 3. The metal-sponge structure 5 has a height h, the extent of which can also be varied. This makes it possible to specifically adapt the heat transfer and pressure loss to the specific application in the heat exchanger 1. Here, too, a combination with channel structures 7 introduced directly into the first stacked plate 3 would be conceivable in order to realize further fluid-conducting and / or turbulence-generating structures.

[0032] Fig. 7 shows a motor vehicle with a heat exchanger according to the invention. List of reference symbols 1 heat exchanger 2 motor vehicle 3 first stacking disc 4 Turbulence element 5 Metal sponge structure 6 second stacking disc 7 Channel structure 8 sub-area 9 openings 10 Cover plate 11 connections F1 first fluid F2 second fluid h Height of the turbulence element QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 103 36 657 A1

[0002] EP 1 678 455 B1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Heat exchanger (1), in particular for a motor vehicle (2), wherein the heat exchanger (1) has at least one first stacked disc (3), characterized by that in the at least one first stacking disc (3) at least one turbulence element (4) is arranged, which consists of a metal-sponge structure (5). [2] Heat exchanger (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the heat exchanger (1) has at least one second stacking disc (6) which does not have a turbulence element (4) consisting of a metal-sponge structure (5). [3] Heat exchanger (1) according to claim 2, characterized by that the second stacking disc (6) has a channel structure (7) which is suitable for generating turbulence and / or for conducting a fluid. [4] Heat exchanger (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the at least one turbulence element (4) in the first stacking disc (3) varies in its height (h). [5] Heat exchanger (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that several turbulence elements (4) are arranged in the first stacking disc (3). [6] Heat exchanger (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the first stacking disc (3) has, at least in a first partial region (8), a channel structure (7) which is suitable for generating turbulence and / or for conducting a fluid (F1, F2). [7] Heat exchanger (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , - that the turbulence element (4) is a separate insert inserted into the at least one first stacking disc (3), or - that the turbulence element (4) forms a component with the at least one first stacking disc (3). [8] Heat exchanger (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the heat exchanger (1) is suitable for carrying out a heat exchange between a first fluid (F1) and a second fluid (F2). [9] Heat exchanger (1) according to claim 8, characterized by that the first fluid (F1) is a coolant, in particular a water-glycol mixture, or air and the second fluid (F2) is an oil or a coolant, or a refrigerant. [10] Motor vehicle (2) with at least one heat exchanger (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

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