Connection block for a heat exchanger bundle

Abstract

Title of the invention: Connection block for a heat exchanger bundle. The present invention relates to a connection block (6) of a heat exchanger for fluidically connecting a heat exchange bundle of the heat exchanger to a fluid circuit. The connection block (6) comprises at least one conduit (22) through which the fluid flows. At least a portion of the conduit (22) has at least one cross-section whose shape comprises at least a first side (36) and a second side (38). The first side (36) extends along a first direction, and the second side (38) extends along a second direction, the first and second directions intersecting. (Figure 4)

Description

Title of the invention: Connection block for a heat exchanger bundle

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of heat exchangers, particularly those intended for use in heating, ventilation, and / or air conditioning systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to a heat exchanger bundle in which superimposed chambers define at least one fluid circulation duct.

[0002] In various technical fields, and particularly in the automotive sector, the thermal regulation of components used for the operation of a system or device is a common practice. These systems or devices generate heat during their operation, which must be dissipated to ensure optimal performance.

[0003] It is known, for example, to remove this heat by carrying out a heat exchange between said systems or devices and a heat transfer fluid. This heat transfer fluid must in turn be cooled in order to be reused to recover heat from the aforementioned systems or devices. For this purpose, it is known to implement heat exchangers specifically dedicated to cooling said heat transfer fluid.

[0004] Within a heat exchanger bundle of these heat exchangers, the heat transfer fluid circulates in a first circuit and a fluid, typically a refrigerant, circulates in a second circuit. The heat transfer fluid is capable of transferring heat to the refrigerant within the heat exchange bundle. The heat exchange bundle is connected to a fluid supply circuit by a connection block that must be specifically adapted to the heat exchange bundle.

[0005] Manufacturers of such heat exchangers are constantly seeking to improve the heat exchange between the heat transfer fluid and the refrigerant. In this regard, numerous prototypes are developed to test new technological advances. However, the manufacturing of heat exchangers is not designed for small-scale production, such as prototyping. Consequently, the development of prototypes is currently very expensive and impractical.

[0006] The present invention falls within this context and aims to resolve at least some of the drawbacks of the prior art. In particular, the present invention aims to provide a connecting block whose low-cost production in small quantities is better suited to prototyping.

[0007] Thus, the present invention relates to a connection block for an exchanger of heat intended to fluidly connect a heat exchange bundle of the heat exchanger to a fluid circuit, the connecting block comprising at least one conduit through which the fluid flows, at least a part of the conduit having at least one section whose shape comprises at least a first side and a second side, the first side extending along a first direction, the second side extending along a second direction, the first direction and the second direction being intersecting.

[0008] The connection block allows the entry and / or exit of a fluid into a heat exchanger bundle of the heat exchanger. To this end, the connection block includes at least one conduit fluidically connected to the heat exchanger bundle so that said fluid can flow from a fluid supply circuit to the heat exchanger bundle by means of said conduit and / or from the heat exchanger bundle to said fluid supply circuit.

[0009] It is understood that the connecting block can include two conduits, one for the fluid entry into the heat exchange bundle and the other for the fluid exit from the heat exchange bundle.

[0010] The conduit has a cross-section whose sides are derived from the wall delimiting said conduit. In other words, these sides form segments derived from the geometric shape of the conduit visible at said cross-section. These walls form an angle with respect to each other at the first and second sides. It should be noted that each segment extends along a single direction; it is understood that the cross-section of the conduit is not circular.

[0011] According to a feature of the invention, at least a part of the conduit extends parallel to a main elongation plane of the connecting block, the section being observed in a plane passing through said part of the conduit and transversely to the main elongation plane of the connecting block.

[0012] According to a feature of the invention, the section of the conduit forms a polygon.

[0013] According to a feature of the invention, the section is a parallel- grammar.

[0014] According to one feature of the invention, the conduit is delimited by a single wall defining the connecting block. It is understood that this single wall is directly formed in the material of the connecting block.

[0015] According to one feature of the invention, the connecting block comprises a first zone delimiting the conduit which is arranged in alignment with an axis of elongation of the conduit, the connecting block comprising a second zone opposite to the first zone with respect to the conduit, the second zone being in alignment with the axis of elongation of the conduit, the first zone and the second zone being unitary with the rest of the connecting block.

[0016] The first and second zones each comprise a portion of the single wall delimiting the conduit. It is understood that the conduit is directly formed during the manufacture of the connecting block. In other words, the conduit is not produced by machining it from the outside of the connecting block. This manufacturing process eliminates the need for a plug to fill the opening created outside the connecting block when the conduit is produced by machining the connecting block.

[0017] According to one feature of the invention, the connecting block comprises a collar in which extends a connecting channel fluidically connected to the conduit. The collar includes a groove extending peripherally from the collar, a sealing means being housed in the groove, the sealing means being configured to ensure a seal between the heat exchanger and the connecting block. This collar is configured to fit into the heat exchanger in a leak-proof manner. Thus, the assembly of the connecting block with the heat exchanger, and more specifically the passage of the fluid from the connecting block to the heat exchanger, is achieved in a leak-proof manner.

[0018] According to one feature of the invention, the conduit extends between a refrigerant inlet and the connecting channel, forming a zigzag. This zigzag allows the connecting block to be adapted to several heat exchange bundles by lengthening or shortening the length of the conduit along its elongation axis to connect with a specific heat exchange bundle.

[0019] According to one feature of the invention, the connecting block is obtained by additive manufacturing. Such a manufacturing method makes it possible to obtain the conduit in accordance with the present invention. Alternatively, the connecting block can be obtained by a molding process. It should be noted that additive manufacturing makes it possible to produce connecting blocks according to the present invention, including those with slight differences in shape, easily and inexpensively.

[0020] The present invention also relates to a heat exchanger comprising a connecting block conforming to any one of the aforementioned characteristics and a heat exchange bundle comprising a plurality of chambers superimposed one on the other in a direction of superposition, the first chambers of the plurality of chambers delimiting at least in part a first circuit intended to be traversed by a refrigerant fluid and the second chambers of the plurality of chambers delimiting at least in part a second circuit intended to be traversed by a heat transfer fluid, the connecting block allowing the entry and / or exit into the first circuit of the refrigerant fluid.

[0021] According to a feature of the invention, the first circuit is at least partly delimited by a refrigerant conduit which includes an opening through which said refrigerant is able to pass through the conduit, the conduit being fluidly connected to the conduit.

[0022] Within the heat exchanger bundle, the refrigerant is capable of recovering heat from the heat transfer fluid in order to lower the latter's temperature. The refrigerant and heat transfer fluid circulate respectively in the first circuit and a second circuit, these first and second circuits being two separate circuits. At least a portion of the first circuit is delimited by the piping element in which only the refrigerant circulates. This portion of the first circuit delimited by the piping element is concentric with another portion of the first circuit. Consequently, no direct heat exchange occurs between the refrigerant and the heat transfer fluid at the piping element.

[0023] The connection block allows the refrigerant to enter and / or exit the first circuit. The refrigerant enters the first circuit at the point of the piping component so that the latter allows the refrigerant to be specifically distributed within the first circuit.

[0024] Other features, details and advantages of the invention will become clearer upon reading the following description on the one hand, and the illustrative and non-limiting examples of embodiments given with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0025] [Fig. 1] represents a general perspective view of a heat exchanger according to the present invention;

[0026] [Fig.2] represents a general perspective view of a connecting block of the heat exchanger represented by [Fig.1];

[0027] [Fig.3] represents a cross-sectional view passing through the connecting block of the heat exchanger visible in [Fig.1], this connection block allowing a refrigerant fluid to enter or exit a heat exchanger bundle;

[0028] [Fig.4] represents a cross-sectional view of the connecting block by a cutting plane perpendicular to the cutting plane of [Fig.3], this cross-sectional view allows us to highlight a section of a conduit of the connecting block;

[0029] [Fig.5] represents a cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger represented by the [Fig.1] by a cutting plane passing through an axis of elongation of the conduit represented by [Fig.4].

[0030] The features, variants and different embodiments of the invention can be combined with one another in various ways, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. others. In particular, variants of the invention may be imagined comprising only a selection of features described subsequently in isolation from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0031] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0032] In the description that follows, reference will be made to an orientation as a function of the Longitudinal, Vertical and Transverse axes as defined by the trihedron L, V, T represented in figures 1 to 5.

[0033] Figure 1 represents a heat exchanger 2 according to the present invention and intended for use in a vehicle. The heat exchanger 2 is configured to cool a heat transfer fluid which is itself configured to exchange heat with a heat-generating device. To this end, a refrigerant flows through the heat exchanger 2 to recover heat from the heat transfer fluid so as to lower its temperature.

[0034] The heat exchanger 2 extends along a main longitudinal elongation direction, parallel to the axis L, and comprises a heat exchange bundle 4, a connecting block 6, a first connecting member 8 and a second connecting member 10.

[0035] The connecting block 6 forms the element of the heat exchanger 2 through which the refrigerant is both able to enter the heat exchanger bundle 4 and able to exit the heat exchanger bundle 4. For this purpose, the connecting block 6 includes a refrigerant inlet 12 and a refrigerant outlet 14. The connecting block 6 is thus configured so that the refrigerant enters the heat exchanger 2 through the refrigerant inlet 12 of the connecting block 6, circulates in the heat exchanger bundle 4 and exits the heat exchanger 2 through the refrigerant outlet 14 of the connecting block 6.

[0036] The first connecting member 8 and the second connecting member 10 form the elements of the heat exchanger 2 through which the heat transfer fluid is able to enter and exit the heat exchanger 2. More specifically, the first connecting member 8 includes a heat transfer fluid inlet 16 through which the heat transfer fluid is able to enter the heat exchanger 2 and the second connecting member 10 includes a heat transfer fluid outlet 18 through which the heat transfer fluid is able to exit the heat exchanger 2 after circulating in the heat exchange bundle 4.

[0037] Figure 2 shows a more detailed view of the connecting block 6. The connecting block 6 extends along a main longitudinal elongation direction, that is, parallel to the L axis.

[0038] The connecting block 6 includes a conduit 22, visible in Figures 3 to 5, extending through the connecting block 6. This conduit 22 is fluidly connected to a connecting channel 24, visible in [Fig. 5], extending through a collar 20. The connecting channel 24 is connected, via the conduit 22, to the refrigerant inlet 12. In addition, the connecting channel 24 is intended to house a channeling element for the heat exchange bundle 4, which will be described in more detail in connection with [Fig. 5]. Thus, the refrigerant is able to enter the heat exchange bundle 4 by means of the connection block 6 from a refrigerant supply circuit by circulating successively through the refrigerant inlet 12, the conduit 22, the connecting channel 24 and the piping element of the heat exchange bundle 4.

[0039] The connecting block 6 also includes a passage 25, visible in [Fig.3], extending vertically through the connecting block 6 between another collar 20 and the refrigerant outlet 14. This passage 25 allows the refrigerant circulating in the heat exchange bundle 4 to exit the heat exchange bundle 4 and be returned to the refrigerant supply circuit.

[0040] The collar 20 associated with the connecting channel 24 is configured to fit hermetically into the heat exchange bundle 4. For this purpose, the collar 20 associated with the connecting channel 24 includes a groove 26 extending peripherally with respect to said collar 20. This groove 26 is intended to house a sealing means configured to ensure sealing between the heat exchange bundle 4 and the connecting block 6.

[0041] The collar 20 associated with the refrigerant outlet 18 also includes a groove 26 extending peripherally relative to the collar 20, this groove 26 also being intended to house a sealing means configured to ensure sealing between the heat exchange bundle 4 and the connection block 6.

[0042] Furthermore, as can be seen in [Fig.2], the connecting block 6 includes a plurality of holes 28 provided through the connecting block 6 and intended to house a means for fixing the connecting block 6 to the heat exchange bundle 4. These holes 28 are, when the connecting block 6 is assembled to the heat exchange bundle 4, opposite other holes provided in the heat exchange bundle 4. Thus, the fixing means associated with each hole 28 makes it possible to secure the connecting block 6 to the heat exchange bundle 4.

[0043] Figure 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the connecting block 6 along a cutting plane extending longitudinally and transversely, i.e., parallel to the axes L and T. As seen in Figure 3, the connecting block 6 is assembled to the heat exchange bundle 4, and the collars 20 are housed within the heat exchange bundle. thermal 4 and the holes 28 of the connection block 6 are opposite the associated holes of the heat exchange bundle 4.

[0044] This [Fig.3] makes the conduit 22 more clearly visible. The conduit 22 extends along a main elongation direction along an elongation axis 30. Furthermore, the conduit 22 is entirely delimited by a single wall formed by the connecting block 6. It is understood that the conduit 22 forms a cavity inside the connecting block 6.

[0045] To obtain such a conduit 22, the connecting block 6 is formed by additive manufacturing. This manufacturing method makes it possible to obtain the conduit 22 without having to machine it from the outside, as would be the case if the connecting block 6 were obtained by molding. It is understood that the elements forming the connecting block 6 are formed from one another, meaning that there is a continuity of material between each constituent element of the connecting block 6. In other words, the connecting block 6 is devoid of junction zones that would allow two distinct elements of the connecting block 6 to be joined together.

[0046] This feature of the connection block 6 is particularly visible in [Fig. 3]. Indeed, the connection block 6 comprises a first zone 32 arranged in line with the elongation axis 30 and forming the part of the connection block 6 delimiting the conduit 22 at the level of the connection channel 24. Opposite this first zone 32, the connection block 6 comprises a second zone 34 arranged in line with the elongation axis 30 and forming the part of the connection block 6 delimiting the conduit 22 at the level of the refrigerant inlet 12. It should be noted that the alignment of the first zone 32 and the second zone 34 with the elongation axis 30 is such that the elongation axis 30 intersects the first zone 32 and the second zone 34.

[0047] The first zone 32 and the second zone 34 are integral with the rest of the connecting block 6, i.e., there is a continuity of material between the first zone 32 and the second zone 34. Such a continuity of material is achieved by additive manufacturing of the connecting block 6. Indeed, the design of the connecting block 6 by additive manufacturing makes it possible to produce the conduit 22 without having to machine the conduit 22 from outside the connecting block 6. As a result, the length, width, and orientation of the conduit 22 can be modulated by additive manufacturing independently of the shape of the connecting block 6.

[0048] It is understood from the above that the additive manufacturing of the connecting block 6 makes it possible to generate the conduit 22 directly in the material of the connecting block 6 and thus to do without a plug to obstruct the conduit 22 when the latter is machined from the outside of the connecting block 6.

[0049] In addition, the fact that the conduit 22 is directly formed in the material of the connecting block 6 saves space and, for example, as can be seen in [Fig.3], allows a hole 28 to be placed at the level of the first zone 32 for the attachment of the connecting block 6 to the heat exchange bundle 4.

[0050] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the connecting block 6 along a plane of section extending vertically and transversely, that is to say parallel to the axis V and the axis T, and being secant to the conduit 22. This cutting plane makes visible a section of the connecting block 6 and more specifically of the conduit 22.

[0051] Furthermore, at least a portion of the conduit 22 extends parallel to a principal elongation plane of the connecting block 6. This principal elongation plane of the connecting block 6 extends longitudinally and transversely, i.e., parallel to the axes L and T. It should be noted that this principal elongation plane of the connecting block 6 is parallel to the cross-sectional plane of [Fig. 3]. The cross-section of the conduit 22 visible in [Fig. 4] is observed in a plane passing through the portion of the conduit 22 and transversely to the principal elongation plane of the connecting block 6.

[0052] Furthermore, the section of the conduit 22 has a shape comprising at least a first side 36 and a second side 38. The first side 36 extends along a first direction and the second side 38 extends along a second direction, the first and second directions being intersecting. It should be noted that the first and second directions are distinct from each other.

[0053] More specifically, the cross-section of the conduit 22 has a polygonal shape. This polygonal shape is specifically obtained by means of additive manufacturing. It should be noted that in an alternative embodiment of the invention, this polygonal shape of the cross-section of the conduit 22 can be obtained by a molding process of the connecting block 6.

[0054] In the embodiment shown, the section of the conduit 22 comprises a third side 40 and a fourth side 42. The third side 40 extends along a third direction and the fourth side 42 extends along a fourth direction. Each direction associated with the first, second, third, and fourth sides 36, 38, 40, 42 intersects the directions associated with the adjacent sides such that the section of the conduit 22 is parallelogrammatic.

[0055] Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger 2 along a plane of a section extending vertically and parallel to the elongation axis 30. As can be seen in this [Fig. 5], the heat exchange bundle 4 comprises a plurality of chambers 44 superimposed on one another. Each chamber of the plurality of chambers 44 is delimited by a wall 46. It should be noted that the walls 46 are made of one material with one another. It is understood that each wall 46 has at least one portion at which said walls 46 are formed of a continuity of material.

[0056] In addition, the heat exchange bundle 4 includes among the plurality of chambers 44 the first chambers 48 and the second chambers 50.

[0057] The first chambers 48 of the plurality of chambers 44 define at least partially a first circuit, and the second chambers 50 of the plurality of chambers 44 define at least partially a second circuit. The first circuit allows the refrigerant to circulate in the heat exchanger bundle 4. The second circuit allows the heat transfer fluid to circulate in the heat exchanger bundle 4.

[0058] The first chambers 48 and the second chambers 50 are separated from each other by at least one wall 46. Thus, this wall 46 delimits on one side a first chamber 48 and on the opposite side a second chamber 50. It results in a heat exchange taking place between the refrigerant circulating in a first chamber 48 and the heat transfer fluid circulating in a second chamber 50 adjacent at the level of these walls 46.

[0059] Each of the first chambers 48 is connected to at least one other first chamber 48 so that the refrigerant can flow from one first chamber 48 to another first chamber 48 through the plurality of chambers 44. This configuration allows the refrigerant to flow within the heat exchange bundle 4 between the refrigerant inlet 12 and the refrigerant outlet 14 of the heat exchanger 2.

[0060] Furthermore, the first circuit comprises a plurality of passes 52 through which the refrigerant flows. In the embodiment shown in [Fig. 5], the heat exchange bundle 4 comprises three passes 52; of course, this number of passes 52 can be greater without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0061] Each pass 52 comprises a plurality of first chambers 48 and is connected at least at one end to a manifold 54. Thus, the refrigerant is able to flow from one pass 52 to another pass 52 by way of a manifold 54.

[0062] The collectors 54 are delimited by a plurality of walls 46. Each wall 46 delimiting a collector 54 has an opening, the openings of said walls 46 are aligned perpendicularly to a principal elongation plane of the walls 46 and centered with respect to each other so as to delimit said collector 54.

[0063] Furthermore, one of the walls 46 of the plurality of walls 46 delimiting a collector 54 is solid, that is to say, without an opening. This solid wall 46 contributes, on the one hand, to delimiting the collector 54 and, on the other hand, to delimiting a pass 52.

[0064] Furthermore, the heat exchange bundle 4 includes a conduit element 56 which helps to partially delimit the first circuit. This conduit element 56 extends perpendicularly to the main elongation plane of the walls 46 from a wall 46 delimiting a pass 52, that is to say a solid wall 46.

[0065] More specifically, the piping element 56 extends within a manifold 54 and comprises a cylindrical portion 58 which, in the illustrated embodiment, has a circular cross-section. The cylindrical portion 58 extends from a wall 46 to an opening 60 through which the refrigerant is able to flow through the piping element 56.

[0066] The inlet 60 is housed in the connecting channel 24 formed in the collar 20 associated with the refrigerant inlet 12. Thus, the connecting block 6 allows the refrigerant to enter the first circuit. It is understood that the heat exchange bundle 4 is fluidly connected to the conduit 22 by means of the piping component 56, and more specifically by the inlet 60 of the piping component 56 housed in the connecting channel 24.

[0067] The present invention achieves its objective by providing a connection block for a heat exchanger suitable for prototyping, by designing the connection block using additive manufacturing. This additive manufacturing process makes it possible to obtain a conduit formed directly within the material of the connection block without the need for machining the latter.

Claims

Claims

1. Connection block (6) of a heat exchanger (2) intended to fluidically connect a heat exchange bundle (4) of the heat exchanger (2) to a fluid circuit, the connection block (6) comprising at least one conduit (22) through which the fluid circulates, at least a portion of the conduit (22) having at least one section whose shape comprises at least a first side (36) and a second side (38), the first side (36) extending along a first direction, the second side (38) extending along a second direction, the first direction and the second direction being intersecting.

2. Connection block (6) according to the preceding claim, in which at least a part of the conduit (22) extends parallel to a main elongation plane of the connection block (6), the section being observed in a plane passing through said part of the conduit (22) and transversely to the main elongation plane of the connection block (6).

3. Connection block (6) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the section of the conduit (22) forms a polygon.

4. Connection block (6) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the conduit (22) is delimited by a single wall defining the connection block (6).

5. Connection block (6) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a first zone (32) delimiting the conduit (22) which is arranged in alignment with an axis of elongation (30) of the conduit (22), the connection block (6) comprising a second zone (34) opposite the first zone (32) relative to the conduit (22), the second zone (34) being in alignment with the axis of elongation (30) of the conduit (22), the first zone (32) and the second zone (34) being unitary with the rest of the connection block (6).

6. Connection block (6) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a collar (20) in which extends a connection channel (24) fluidly connected to the conduit (22), the collar (20) comprising a groove (26) extending peripherally relative to the collar (20), a sealing means being housed in the groove (26), the sealing means being configured to ensure sealing between the heat exchange bundle (4) and the connection block (6).

7. Connection block (6) according to the preceding claim, in which the conduit (22) extends between a refrigerant fluid inlet (12) and the connection channel (24) in a zigzag formation.

8. Connection block (6) according to any one of the preceding claims, obtained by additive manufacturing.

9. Heat exchanger (2) comprising a connection block (6) according to any one of the preceding claims, and a heat exchange bundle (4) comprising a plurality of chambers (44) superimposed on one another in a direction of superposition, first chambers (48) of the plurality of chambers delimiting at least in part a first circuit intended to be traversed by a refrigerant fluid and second chambers (50) of the plurality of chambers (44) delimiting at least in part a second circuit intended to be traversed by a heat transfer fluid, the connection block (6) allowing the entry and / or exit into the first circuit of the refrigerant fluid.

10. Heat exchanger (2) according to the preceding claim, in which the first circuit is at least partly delimited by a channeling member (56) for the refrigerant fluid which comprises an opening (60) through which said refrigerant fluid is able to pass through the channeling member (56), the channeling member (56) being fluidically connected to the conduit (22).

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