Three-fluid plate heat exchanger

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of heat exchangers and more particularly to the field of three-fluid plate heat exchangers for motor vehicles allowing the exchange of heat energy between two separate heat transfer fluids and a third heat transfer fluid.

[0002] Plate heat exchangers typically consist of a stack of plates forming several superimposed circulation spaces through which different heat transfer fluids flow. Each circulation space carries a distinct heat transfer fluid. The first heat transfer fluid usually circulates alternately through these spaces along the entire height of the plate stack. The second and third heat transfer fluids, however, circulate in separate spaces between two circulation spaces containing the first heat transfer fluid. Thus, the second and third heat transfer fluids each circulate along a portion of the plate stack's height.

[0003] However, this type of architecture can lead to a large size of the three-fluid heat exchanger, which can pose an integration problem within the motor vehicle.

[0004] One of the aims of the present invention is therefore to remedy at least partially the drawbacks of the prior art and to provide an improved three-fluid heat exchanger. Documents [WO 2019 / 081994 A1], [WO 2019 / 073322 A1], [DE 10 2016 113469 A1], [US 5 462 113 A] and [WO2022010313A1] disclose a design similar to that described in the preamble of claim 1.

[0005] The present invention therefore relates to a three-fluid heat exchanger having the characteristics of claim 1.

[0006] According to another aspect of the invention, within the second circulation spaces, the second and third circulation circuits are intertwined so that a pass of the first circulation circuit is disposed simultaneously in line with a pass of the second (12) t of the third circulation circuit.

[0007] According to another aspect of the invention, the circulation of the first heat transfer fluid in the first circulation spaces is counter-current to the circulation of the second and third heat transfer fluids in the second circulation spaces.

[0008] According to another aspect of the invention, the plates include at least one rib configured to define the path of the passes.

[0009] According to another aspect of the invention, each circulation space comprises a first and a second plate joined to each other defining said circulation space, in the stacking, the second plate of a circulation space being in contact with the first plate of the adjacent circulation space and vice versa.

[0010] According to another aspect of the invention, the plates have a curved profile with lateral edges, the plates being fitted into one another, the lateral edges of two adjacent plates overlapping so as to form the circulation spaces.

[0011] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following description, provided by way of illustration and not limitation, and the accompanying drawings in which: [ Fig 1 ] There figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of a three-fluid heat exchanger according to a first embodiment, [ Fig 2 ] there figure 2 is a schematic exploded perspective representation of a three-fluid heat exchanger, [ Fig 3 ] there figure 3 is a schematic top-view representation of a first circulation space according to the first embodiment, [ Fig 4 ] there figure 4 is a schematic top-view representation of a second circulation space according to the first embodiment, [ Fig 5 ] there figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of the first and second circulation spaces according to a first variant, [ Fig 6 ] there figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of the first and second circulation spaces according to a second variant, [ Fig 7 ] there figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of a three-fluid heat exchanger according to a second embodiment, [ Fig 8 ] there figure 8 is a schematic top-view representation of a first circulation space according to the second embodiment, [ Fig 9 ] there figure 9 is a schematic top-view representation of a second circulation space according to the second embodiment.

[0012] In the different figures, identical elements bear the same reference numbers.

[0013] The following are examples. Although the description refers to one or more embodiments, this does not necessarily mean that each reference relates to the same embodiment, or that the features apply only to a single embodiment. Simple features from different embodiments can also be combined and / or interchanged to provide other embodiments.

[0014] In this description, certain elements or parameters can be indexed, such as first element or second element, first parameter and second parameter, first criterion and second criterion, and so on. In this case, it is simply a matter of indexing to differentiate and name similar, but not identical, elements, parameters, or criteria. This indexing does not imply any priority of one element, parameter, or criterion over another, and such designations can easily be interchanged without departing from the scope of this description. Nor does this indexing imply any order in time, for example, for evaluating one criterion over another.

[0015] THE figures 1 et 2 They show a three-fluid heat exchanger 1, respectively represented schematically in cross-section and exploded view. This three-fluid heat exchanger 1 comprises a stack of plates 20a, 20b, 20c, 30a, 30b, 30c (visible on the figures 5 et 6 forming an alternating series of first A and second B heat transfer fluid circulation spaces stacked in the direction of the stacking of plates 20a, 20b, 20c, 30a, 30b, 30c. The three-fluid heat exchanger 1 also includes a first circulation circuit 11 of a first heat transfer fluid between a first inlet manifold 11a and a first outlet manifold 11b of the first heat transfer fluid. The three-fluid heat exchanger 1 further includes a second circulation circuit 12 of a second heat transfer fluid between a second inlet manifold 12a and a second outlet manifold 12b of the second heat transfer fluid. The three-fluid heat exchanger 1 further includes a third circulation circuit 13 of a third heat transfer fluid between a third inlet manifold 13a and a third outlet manifold 13b of the third heat transfer fluid.

[0016] The first heat transfer fluid could be, for example, a refrigerant used in an air conditioning system, such as CO2, R134a, or R1234y. The second heat transfer fluid could be glycol water circulating in a thermal management circuit, such as the batteries of an electric or hybrid vehicle. The third heat transfer fluid could also be a heat transfer fluid, like glycol water, circulating in another thermal management circuit.

[0017] The first circulation circuit 11 is arranged within the first circulation spaces A and the second 12 and third 13 circulation circuits are arranged jointly within the second circulation spaces B. As a result, the second 12 and third 13 circulation circuits do not each occupy a circulation space A or B and can each allow the exchange of heat energy with the first circulation circuit 11. The size of the heat exchanger 1 can thus be contained.

[0018] In the example of the figure 2 , the circulation circuits 11, 12, 13 have only one pass per circulation space A, B. The circulation circuits 11, 12, 13 may nevertheless each have at least two passes within the same circulation space A, B in order to improve the efficiency of heat exchanges between the first heat transfer fluid and the second and third heat transfer fluids.

[0019] THE figures 3 et 4 show a first embodiment of the first A and second B circulation spaces comprising at least two passes. figure 3 This diagram shows, in particular, a representation of the first circulation circuit 11 within the first circulation space A. The first circulation circuit 11 comprises a first pass 110a originating from the first inlet collector 11a and traversing the first circulation space A along its length. The first circulation circuit 11 comprises a second pass 110b connected to the end of the first pass 110a opposite the first inlet collector 11a. This second pass 110b traverses the first circulation space A along its length and joins the second inlet collector 11b. The first 110a and second 110b passes are side by side and separated by a wall 115.

[0020] The first collectors 11a and 11b are arranged on the same side of the first circulation space A. The second 12a, 12b and third 13a, 13b collectors, on the other hand, pass completely through the first circulation space A and are isolated so that they cannot be in fluidic communication with the first circulation circuit 11 or with each other. In the example illustrated in the figure 3 , the second 12a, 12b and third 13a, 13b collectors are aligned and arranged on the first circulation space A opposite the first collectors 11a, 11b.

[0021] There figure 4 Figure 12 shows a representation of the second 12 and third 13 circulation circuits within the second circulation space B. The second circulation circuit 12 comprises a first pass 120a originating from the second inlet collector 12a and traversing the second circulation space B along its length. The second circulation circuit 12 comprises a second pass 120b connected to the end of the first pass 120a opposite the second inlet collector 12a. This second pass 120b traverses the second circulation space B along its length and rejoins the second inlet collector 12b. The first 120a and second 120b passes are side by side and separated by a wall 125.

[0022] The third circulation circuit 13 includes a first pass 130a originating from the third inlet collector 13a and traversing the second circulation space B along its length. The third circulation circuit 13 includes a second pass 130b connected to the end of the first pass 130a opposite the third inlet collector 13a. This second pass 130b traverses the second circulation space B along its length and rejoins the second inlet collector 13b. The first 130a and second 130b passes are side by side and separated by a wall 135.

[0023] Within the second circulation spaces B, the second 12 and third 13 circulation circuits are arranged side by side so that the second circulation circuit 12 is positioned above a first pass 110a of the first circulation circuit 11 and the third circulation circuit 13 above a second pass 110b of the first circulation circuit 11. The second 12 and third 13 circulation circuits are separated by another wall 145.

[0024] The second and third collectors 12a, 12b, 13a, and 13b are located on the same side of the second circulation space B. The first collectors 11a and 11b, on the other hand, pass completely through the second circulation space B and are isolated so that they cannot communicate fluidically with the second 12 and third 13 circulation circuits 11 or with each other. In the example illustrated in the figure 4 , the second 12a, 12b and third 13a, 13b collectors are aligned and arranged on the second circulation space B opposite the first collectors 11a, 11b.

[0025] THE figures 5 et 6 show a cross-sectional view of circulation spaces A and B. According to a first variant of plates 20a, 20b, 30a, 30b illustrated in the figure 5 Each circulation space A, B comprises a first 20a, 30a and a second 20b, 30b plate placed side by side, defining said circulation space A, B. The first circulation space A can be formed by a first 20a and a second 20b plate. Similarly, the second circulation space B can be formed by a first 30a and a second 30b plate. In the stacking, the second plate 20b, 30b of a circulation space A, B is in contact with the first plate 20a, 30a of the adjacent circulation space A, B, and vice versa. The walls 115, 125, 135 and 145 can be ribs made on the plates 20a, 20b, 30a and 30b and configured to define the path of the passes 110a, 110b, 120a, 120b, 130a, 130b.

[0026] According to a second variant of the 20c, 30c plates illustrated in the figure 6 The said plates 20c, 30c may have a curved profile with lateral edges 21c, 31c. The plates 20c, 30c are nested one inside the other and the lateral edges 21c, 31c of two adjacent plates 20c, 30c overlap so as to form the circulation spaces A, B. As before, the walls 115, 125, 135 and 145 may be ribs made on the plates 20c and 30c and configured to define the path of the passes 110a, 110b, 120a, 120b, 130a, 130b.

[0027] THE figures 7 à 9 They show a second embodiment of the first A and second B circulation spaces comprising at least two passes. For this second embodiment, the circulation spaces A, B can be formed by two plates 20a, 20b, 30a, 30b or by a single plate 20c, 30c as described previously.

[0028] As illustrated on the figures 7 et 8 Within the second circulation spaces B, the second 12 and third 13 circulation circuits are not arranged side by side but are intertwined so that a pass 110a, 110b of the first circulation circuit 11 is positioned simultaneously above a pass 120a, 120b, 130a, 130b of the second 12 and third 13 circulation circuits 13. To achieve this, one of the passes 130a, 130b of the third circulation circuit 13 is positioned between the first 120a and the second 120b pass of the second circulation circuit 13. The various passes 120a, 130a, 120b, and 130b can thus be separated by a single wall 155 following a zigzag path within the second circulation space B. This wall 155 can, as before, be a rib. carried out on plate(s) 30a, 30b, 30c forming the second circulation space B.The second collectors 12a, 12b are no longer aligned with the third collectors 13a, 13b but are offset due to the intermingling of passes 120a, 120b, 130a, 130b. The first collectors 11a, 11b, on the other hand, cross the second circulation space B completely and are isolated so that they cannot be in fluidic communication with the second 12 and third 13 circulation circuits 11 or with each other.

[0029] As illustrated in the figure 9 The first circulation space A remains identical to the first embodiment, except that the second 12a, 12b and third 13a, 13b collectors are located in different positions. Consequently, passes 110a and 110b have a less straight path than in the first embodiment, but a more tortuous path due to the positions of the second 12a, 12b and third 13a, 13b collectors.

[0030] To improve heat exchange, the circulation of the first heat transfer fluid in the first circulation spaces A can be counter-current to the circulation of the second and third heat transfer fluids in the second circulation spaces B. For this purpose, the first pass 110a of the first circulation circuit 11 can be positioned directly above the second pass 120b of the second circulation circuit 12 and the first pass 130a of the third circulation circuit 13. The second pass 110b of the first circulation circuit 11 can be positioned directly above the first pass 120a of the second circulation circuit 12 and the second pass 130b of the third circulation circuit 13.

[0031] Thus, we can clearly see that the fact that the second 12 and third 13 circulation circuits are arranged on the same circulation space allows a gain in size of the three-fluid heat exchanger 1.

Claims

1. A three-fluid heat exchanger (1) comprising a stack of plates (20a, 20b, 20c, 30a, 30b, 30c) and: a first circulation circuit (11) for a first heat transfer fluid between a first inlet manifold (11a) and a first outlet manifold (11b) for the first heat transfer fluid, a second circulation circuit (12) for a second heat transfer fluid between a second inlet manifold (12a) and a second outlet manifold (12b) for the second heat transfer fluid, a third circulation circuit (13) for a third heat transfer fluid between a third inlet manifold (13a) and a third outlet manifold (13b) for the third heat transfer fluid, in which the stack of plates (20a, 20b, 20c, 30a, 30b, 30c) forms an alternation of first (A) and second (B) heat transfer fluid circulation spaces stacked in the direction of the stack of plates (20a, 20b, 20c, 30a, 30b, 30c), the first circuit (11) being arranged within the first circulation spaces (A) and the second (12) and third (13) circuits being arranged together within the second circulation spaces (B), and the first circulation circuit (11) comprising at least two passes (110a, 110b) within the same first circulation space (A) and that the second (12) and third (13) circulation circuits each comprise at least two passes (120a, 120b, 130a, 130b) within the same second circulation space (B), characterised in that within the second circulation spaces (B), the second (12) and third (13) circulation circuits are arranged side by side so that the second circulation circuit (12) is arranged directly above a first passage (110a) of the first circulation circuit (11) and the third circulation circuit (13) is arranged directly below a second pass (110b) of the first circulation circuit (11).

2. The three-fluid heat exchanger (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the circulation of the first heat transfer fluid in the first circulation spaces (A) is countercurrent to the circulation of the second and third heat transfer fluids in the second circulation spaces (B).

3. The three-fluid heat exchanger (1) according to any of claims 1 to 2, characterised in that the plates (20a, 20b, 20c, 30a, 30b, 30c) comprise at least one rib (115, 125, 135, 145, 155) configured to define the path of the passes (110a, 110b, 120a, 120b, 130a, 130b).

4. The three-fluid heat exchanger (1) according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that each circulation space (A, B) comprises a first (20a, 30a) and a second (20b, 30b) plates joined together defining said circulation space (A, B), in the stack, the second plate (20b, 30b) of a circulation space (A, B) being in contact with the first plate (20a, 30a) of the adjacent circulation space (A, B) and vice versa.

5. The three-fluid heat exchanger (1) according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the plates (20c, 30c) have a curved profile with side edges (21c, 31c), the plates (20c, 30c) being nested within one another, the side edges (21c, 31c) of two adjacent plates (20c, 30c) overlapping so as to form the circulation spaces (A, B).