HEAT EXCHANGE DEVICE COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE COLLECTOR, AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM AND VEHICLE

Abstract

HEAT EXCHANGE DEVICE COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE COLLECTOR, AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM AND VEHICLE The invention relates to a heat exchange device comprising: a heat exchange matrix (50) housed in a circulation enclosure and formed of a plurality of heat exchange pipes, each pipe comprising at least one conduit extending mainly in a longitudinal direction, each conduit delimiting at least in part a circulation channel for a second heat transfer fluid, at least one collector (20) comprising at least one pipe portion (22, 23, 24) extending mainly in a plane orthogonal to said longitudinal direction, said collector comprising a plurality of orifices (30), at least one fluid distribution ramp (40) configured to allow the circulation of a second heat transfer fluid between at least one orifice of said collector and at least one conduit,each orifice of said collector opening onto a distribution manifold. The invention relates to an air conditioning system and an aircraft comprising such a heat exchange device. Figure for the abstract: figure 1,

Description

Title of the invention: HEAT EXCHANGE DEVICE COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE COLLECTOR, AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM AND VEHICLE Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a heat exchange device, such as a heat exchanger for an aircraft or a hydraulic cooling system, comprising at least one supply and / or outlet manifold. Technological background

[0002] Heat exchangers are used to enable heat transfer between at least two fluids, liquid and / or gaseous, in particular to cool or heat one of the fluids using another fluid. Heat exchangers are used in many contexts, in cooling systems for electronic devices for example or in air conditioning systems for air, rail or land vehicles.

[0003] An environmental control system for an aircraft cabin, better known by the acronym ECS for the English term "Environmental Control System", is intended to provide the aircraft cabin (which generally designates any interior space of the aircraft whose air pressure and / or temperature must be controlled, such as a passenger cabin, the pilot's cockpit, a hold, etc.) with air at controlled pressure and / or temperature.

[0004] Most heat exchangers currently used on board aircraft consist of fin or plate type heat exchangers. These exchangers are formed of a heat exchange chamber of generally parallelepipedal shape and comprise stacked layers of fins, for example corrugated, which form circulation channels between two plates and which extend alternately in perpendicular directions from one layer to another. Thus, the hot pass which feeds one face of the exchanger circulates in the channels of the different so-called hot layers and the cold pass which feeds a perpendicular face of the exchanger circulates in the transverse channels of the so-called cold layers intercalated between two hot layers. Such an architecture makes it possible to intercalate each hot layer between two cold layers over the entire length of the exchanger and therefore to ensure heat exchanges between the two fluids.

[0005] These heat exchangers allow the air taken from the engines or the ambient air compressed by dedicated compressors to be cooled, before being treated by the other equipment in the air conditioning system to be able to supply the cabin. the aircraft. The cooling capacity of an exchanger is directly proportional to its size.

[0006] However, the size and mass of a heat exchanger are two critical characteristics for aircraft manufacturers as in other applications, while seeking to achieve significant cooling performance.

[0007] As an alternative to plate heat exchangers integrated into atmospheric vehicles, document WO 2020 / 109707 proposes a heat exchanger making it possible to increase the exchange surfaces within the exchanger while limiting the size of the exchanger as much as possible thanks to a matrix formed of heat exchange tubes housed in a fluid circulation chamber, each tube comprising at least one inner conduit and one outer conduit nested within each other.

[0008] The inventors found that there was no supply and / or outlet collector suitable for such a matrix formed of tubes having satisfactory size and mass.

[0009] The invention therefore aims to propose a heat exchange device making it possible to propose a solution adapted to the distribution of each fluid at the inlet and / or outlet of a heat exchanger comprising such pipes. Objectives of the invention

[0010] The invention aims to provide a heat exchange device having excellent fluid distribution efficiency.

[0011] The invention aims in particular to provide a heat exchange device having excellent compactness, in particular limited size and mass.

[0012] The invention also aims to provide a heat exchange device having excellent efficiency. Statement of the invention

[0013] To do this, the invention relates to a heat exchange device comprising: - a circulation enclosure comprising a first inlet of a first heat transfer fluid into the circulation enclosure and a first outlet of said first heat transfer fluid outside the circulation enclosure, - a heat exchange matrix housed in said circulation enclosure and formed of a plurality of heat exchange pipes, each heat exchange pipe comprising at least one conduit and extending mainly in a longitudinal direction between two ends opposite one another, each conduit delimiting at least in part a circulation channel for a second heat transfer fluid, - a second inlet of said second heat transfer fluid into the circumferential enclosure culture, - a second outlet of said second heat transfer fluid outside the circulation enclosure,

[0014] characterized in that it further comprises: - at least one collector comprising at least one portion of pipe and comprising one of said second inlet of said second heat transfer fluid and said second outlet of said second heat transfer fluid, said collector extending substantially mainly in a plane orthogonal to said longitudinal direction of each heat exchange pipe, said collector comprising a plurality of orifices, each collector being configured to allow circulation of said second heat transfer fluid between one of said second inlet of said second heat transfer fluid and said second outlet of said second heat transfer fluid and said orifices, - at least one fluid distribution ramp configured to allow the circulation of said second heat transfer fluid between at least one orifice of said collector and at least two heat exchange pipes, each orifice of said collector opening onto a distribution ramp, and at least one longitudinal end of each heat exchange pipe being connected to a distribution ramp.

[0015] A heat exchange device according to the invention therefore makes it possible to provide a collection solution at the inlet and / or outlet of a heat exchange matrix that is as compact as possible. This results in a reduced size of the heat exchange device. This thus makes it possible to make numerous integration configurations possible in an air conditioning system, for example.

[0016] Advantageously and according to the invention, the heat exchange device according to the invention comprises: - a first passage, called the passage of the first heat transfer fluid, allowing the circulation of a flow of the first heat transfer fluid in the circulation enclosure between the first inlet and the first outlet, and - a second passage, called the passage of the second heat transfer fluid, allowing the circulation of a flow of the second heat transfer fluid in the circulation enclosure between the second inlet and the second outlet.

[0017] The combination according to the invention of a collector comprising one or more pipe portions and distribution ramps allowing the circulation of the fluid from said pipe portion(s) of the collector to each pipe of the tubes of the heat exchange matrix (or conversely from each pipe of the tubes of the heat exchange matrix via said distribution ramps to the orifices of the collector in the case of an outlet collector). Thus, advantage suitably and according to the invention, each portion of conduit of said collector extends so as to surround, at least in part, said heat exchange matrix.

[0018] Advantageously and according to the invention, said heat exchange matrix has a cross-section of polygonal shape. Advantageously and according to the invention, said cross-section of said heat exchange matrix has a quadrilateral shape.

[0019] In a particularly advantageous variant of a heat exchange device according to the invention, the collector extends opposite at least three main faces of said heat exchange matrix. Advantageously and according to the invention, said collector extends so as to surround, without interruption, three of said four main faces of said heat exchange matrix.

[0020] Advantageously and according to the invention, each collector has a general U-shape, or even a C-shape. In particular, advantageously and according to the invention, each free end of the wings of said U extends to an edge of a main face of said heat exchange matrix.

[0021] Said collector having a U shape is therefore composed of three portions connected to each other by two elbows. Advantageously and according to the invention, said collector comprises a central pipe portion extending in a main direction between a first end and a second end, a first end of said main pipe portion being extended by a first lateral pipe portion and a second end of said main pipe portion being extended by a second lateral pipe portion, said first lateral pipe portion and said second lateral pipe portion each extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the main direction of said central pipe portion.

[0022] Advantageously and according to the invention, each central conduit portion of said collector comprises one of said second inlet of said second heat transfer fluid and said second outlet of said second heat transfer fluid.

[0023] The orifices of the collector opening towards the outlet ramps can be provided in any portion of pipe of said collector. Advantageously and according to the invention, said plurality of orifices of each collector is provided in said first lateral pipe and said second lateral pipe, said central pipe portion of the collector being devoid of orifices.

[0024] Nothing also prevents provision being made, in the case of a heat exchange matrix having a cylindrical shape of revolution for example (the cross-section of the heat exchange matrix then being circular), for the orifices to be distributed over the whole of a single portion of conduit in an arc of a circle.

[0025] Advantageously and according to the invention, said collector extends so as to surround, without interruption, at least two thirds, in particular at least half (50%), or even at least 70%, of the perimeter of said heat exchange matrix (measured in a plane orthogonal to said longitudinal direction of each heat exchange tube of the heat exchange matrix).

[0026] Said collector extending at least partly around said heat exchange matrix, it is possible to provide that each distribution ramp connects said collector at two separate points. Thus, in an advantageous embodiment according to the invention, said heat exchange device comprises a plurality of fluid distribution ramps, each fluid distribution ramp extending between at least one orifice of said first lateral pipe of said collector and at least one orifice of said second lateral pipe of said collector.

[0027] Advantageously and according to the invention, each fluid distribution ramp extends mainly in a direction orthogonal to said longitudinal direction of each heat exchange tube of said heat exchange matrix. In particular, said distribution ramps extend parallel to each other. Likewise, in particular, said distribution ramps extend mainly in the same plane orthogonal to said longitudinal direction of each heat exchange tube.

[0028] Advantageously and according to the invention, each heat exchange tube comprises at least one inner conduit and at least one outer conduit nested within each other, so as to define: - a fluid circulation channel, called an internal channel, delimited by said internal conduit, and adapted to be able to be supplied by said first heat transfer fluid, - a fluid circulation channel, called an intermediate channel, delimited by the inter-conduit space between said inner conduit and said outer conduit, and adapted to be able to be supplied by said second heat transfer fluid.

[0029] Advantageously and according to the invention, said heat exchange matrix is ​​adapted to allow the circulation of a first flow of heat transfer fluid in said circulation enclosure in a direction, called the main direction of circulation of the first fluid, between the first inlet and the first outlet.

[0030] A heat exchange device according to the invention may be counter-current or co-current (or parallel flow). Advantageously and according to the invention, the path of the first flow of heat transfer fluid and the path of the second flow of heat transfer fluid inside said circulation enclosure may each be substantially rectilinear. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment according to the invention, said heat exchange device is counter-current. The heat exchange device according to the invention is adapted to allow the circulation of the second heat transfer fluid in the passage of the second heat transfer fluid, in a direction, called the direction of circulation of the second fluid, substantially parallel to the main direction of circulation of the first fluid.

[0031] It is of course also possible to provide a heat exchange device in which the flow of one and / or the other of the first or second heat transfer fluid follows a path within the U-shaped or S-shaped heat exchange matrix (so-called multi-pass exchangers).

[0032] Advantageously and according to the invention, the circulation enclosure has a closed periphery which is sealed against heat transfer fluids (at least in operation and without taking into account the inlets and outlets for the first heat transfer fluid and for the second heat transfer fluid).

[0033] Advantageously and according to the invention, each heat transfer fluid may be in the liquid or gaseous state. In particular, the state of the first heat transfer fluid may be identical to or different from the state of the second heat transfer fluid. Advantageously and according to the invention, the heat exchange device is configured so that the first heat transfer fluid and the second heat transfer fluid are in the gaseous state. Alternatively, advantageously and according to the invention, the heat exchange device is configured so that the first heat transfer fluid is in the gaseous state and the second heat transfer fluid is in the liquid state.

[0034] The second heat transfer fluid may correspond to the fluid whose temperature is higher than the temperature of the first heat transfer fluid or vice versa. Thus, advantageously and according to the invention, the second heat transfer fluid corresponds to the heat transfer fluid whose temperature is higher than the temperature of the first heat transfer fluid. In other words, the first heat transfer fluid may be designated “cold” fluid and the second heat transfer fluid may be designated “hot” fluid.

[0035] Advantageously and according to the invention, said heat exchange device comprises a first collector, called the inlet collector, and a second collector, called the outlet collector. Advantageously and according to the invention, said inlet collector comprises an inlet mouth forming said second inlet of said second heat transfer fluid into the circulation enclosure. Advantageously and according to the invention, said outlet collector comprises an outlet mouth forming said second outlet of said second heat transfer fluid outside the circulation enclosure.

[0036] Said heat exchange device according to the invention can be formed from at least one material chosen from metallic materials, composite materials, polymer materials, ceramic materials, in particular graphite, glass, etc. In particular, in a particularly advantageous embodiment of a heat exchange device according to the invention, the conduits of the exchange matrix thermal are formed from metallic material, in particular from at least one material chosen from the group consisting of steels, copper, aluminum, metal alloys (superalloys in particular) and their mixtures.

[0037] The invention extends to an air conditioning system comprising at least one heat exchange device according to the invention. It may in particular be a counter-current contactless exchanger.

[0038] The invention extends to a vehicle, in particular an aircraft, comprising at least one air conditioning system according to the invention.

[0039] The invention also relates to a heat exchange device, an air conditioning system and a vehicle comprising at least one such air conditioning system characterized in combination by all or part of the characteristics mentioned above or below. List of figures

[0040] Other aims, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description given solely for non-limiting purposes and which refers to the appended figures in which:

[0041] [Fig-1] is a schematic perspective view of a heat exchange device according to the invention,

[0042] [Fig.2] is a schematic perspective view of a part of a heat exchange device according to the invention, a part of which is a sectional view,

[0043] [Fig.3] is a schematic sectional view of a part of a collector and distribution ramps of a heat exchange device according to the invention.

[0044] Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention

[0045] In the figures, the scales and proportions are not strictly respected, for the purposes of illustration and clarity.

[0046] Furthermore, identical, similar or analogous elements are designated by the same references in all the figures.

[0047] Figures 1 and 2 schematically illustrate a heat exchange device according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0048] Such a heat exchange device comprises a circulation enclosure (not shown). The heat exchange device comprises a first inlet 2 and a first outlet 4 for a first heat transfer fluid in the circulation enclosure, as well as a second inlet 6 and a second outlet 8 for a second heat transfer fluid in the circulation enclosure.

[0049] The heat exchange device comprises a heat exchange matrix 50 housed in the circulation enclosure and formed of a plurality of heat exchange pipes. Each heat exchange pipe comprises at least one conduit extending mainly in a longitudinal direction between two ends. opposite each other. Each conduit delimits at least in part a circulation channel for a second heat transfer fluid.

[0050] The heat exchange matrix 50 therefore allows the circulation of the first heat transfer fluid and the second heat transfer fluid in and through the circulation enclosure and the transfer of calories between them.

[0051] The first heat transfer fluid, called the “cold” fluid, circulates in circulation zones of the first heat transfer fluid according to a main direction of circulation of the first fluid between the first inlet 2 and the first outlet 4. The second heat transfer fluid, called the “hot” fluid, circulates in circulation zones of the second heat transfer fluid, distinct from the circulation zones of the first heat transfer fluid, between the second inlet and the second outlet.

[0052] The heat exchange matrix 50 has a general shape having four main faces substantially parallel to said longitudinal direction. In the embodiment shown, the heat exchange matrix has substantially a general shape of a right block (contained in a right block). The cross-section of the heat exchange matrix 50 therefore has a rectangular shape, each collector 20 extending around the heat exchange matrix 50 so as to surround three sides of said rectangle. In the embodiment shown, each collector 20 has a general U-shape.

[0053] In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, each heat exchange tube comprises an inner conduit 53 and an outer conduit 52 nested one inside the other, so as to define an inner channel, delimited by the inner conduit, adapted to be able to be supplied by said first heat transfer fluid, and an intermediate channel, delimited by the inter-conduit space between said inner conduit 53 and said outer conduit 52, adapted to be able to be supplied by the second heat transfer fluid.

[0054] The heat exchange device comprises two fluid collectors 20. The collector 20 comprises the second inlet 6 of the second heat transfer fluid and the second outlet of the second heat transfer fluid. Each collector 20 extends substantially mainly in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and at least partly surrounds three of said four main faces of the heat exchange matrix 50. Each collector 20 comprises a plurality of orifices 30 allowing the passage of fluid. In the embodiment shown, each orifice 30 has an oblong shape.

[0055] Each collector 20 comprises a central pipe portion 22 extending in a main direction between a first end 27 and a second end 28, a first lateral pipe portion 23 and a second lateral pipe portion 24. The first lateral pipe portion 23 and the second lateral pipe portion lateral pipe 24 each extend in a direction substantially orthogonal to the main direction of the central pipe portion 22. The collector thus extends in a U-shape from a first distal end 25 to a second distal end 26, the first lateral pipe portion 23 extending to the distal end 25 and the second lateral pipe portion 24 extending to the distal end 26. The collector 20 therefore makes it possible to distribute the second heat transfer fluid all around the heat exchange matrix while having minimal bulk and without hindering the circulation of the first heat transfer fluid which penetrates into the spaces left free around the pipes 52 as well as, through the openings 46 inside the internal pipes 53.

[0056] The heat exchange device comprises a plurality of fluid distribution ramps 40 configured to allow the circulation of the second heat transfer fluid between at least one orifice 30 of the collector 20 and at least one conduit 52 of the plurality of heat exchange pipes. Each orifice 30 of the collector opens towards a distribution ramp 40. In the embodiment shown, each fluid distribution ramp 40 extends between an orifice 30 of the first lateral pipe portion 23 of the collector and an orifice of the second lateral pipe portion 24 of the collector. The central pipe portion 22 of the collector is devoid of orifices 30, the orifices here being provided only in the first lateral pipe 23 and the second lateral pipe 24 of the collector 20. It can be seen in [Fig.2] that a portion of the distribution ramp 40 visible in the foreground of the heat exchange matrix 50 is shown in a cutaway view in which the walls of the conduits 52 have been removed for illustration purposes. Similarly, in [Fig.2], a portion of the pipes is shown in longitudinal section so as to allow the visualization of the internal channels and the intermediate channels of the external conduits 52 and the internal conduits 53. Each heat exchange pipe therefore has a longitudinal end connected to a distribution ramp 40. The distribution ramps 40 extend parallel to each other and in the same plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of each heat exchange pipe.

[0057] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates in section a portion of the collector 20 and a portion of two distribution ramps 40 of the heat exchange device. More precisely, the detail shown in [Fig.3] shows a portion of the first lateral pipe 23 and of the central pipe portion 22 of the collector 20. Two orifices 30 can be seen formed within the first lateral pipe portion 23 each connected to a distribution ramp 40, each distribution ramp 40 comprising a channel 42 connecting to a plurality of conduits 52. Each distribution ramp 40 has openings 44 having substantially the same dimensions as the dimensions of each orifice 30 of the collector opposite which it is positioned. also on [Fig.3] reinforcements 70 making it possible to improve the stiffness of the distribution ramps 40. In the embodiment shown, all of the distribution ramps 40 of the heat exchange device are formed from a single part (for example by three-dimensional printing (or additive manufacturing) or even by molding).

[0058] In the embodiment shown, at the outlet (lower part of the heat exchange matrix 50 in FIGS. 1 and 2), the second heat transfer fluid is discharged from all of the conduits 52 via a central arm having the second outlet 8. However, nothing prevents providing at the outlet an outlet manifold identical to the inlet manifold 20. Nothing also prevents providing that the second outlet is not arranged substantially in the center of the heat exchange matrix 50 but more or less offset towards an edge of the heat exchange matrix 50 according to the desired configuration.

[0059] As can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, the second outlet 8 is not arranged on the same side of the heat exchange matrix as the second inlet 6, but diametrically opposite it (without being arranged in the same plane). This makes it possible to promote the distribution and the distribution of the second heat transfer fluid in all of the heat exchange pipes of the heat exchange matrix 50. Thus, in the embodiment shown, the fluid inlet 6 of the collector 20 and the second outlet 8 of the central arm are configured so as to be arranged on two faces distinct from each other and parallel to each other of the four main faces of the heat exchange matrix substantially parallel to said longitudinal direction.

[0060] Each collector 20 can further be connected to an inlet or outlet conduit for the first heat transfer fluid or the second heat transfer fluid.

[0061] A heat exchange device according to the invention therefore effectively makes it possible to efficiently distribute a fluid in a heat exchange matrix 50 comprising conduits while having a small footprint. The configuration of each collector 20 of a heat exchange device according to the invention makes various integration configurations possible in an air conditioning system.

[0062] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described. In particular, nothing prevents the provision of non-rectilinear conduits or even non-cylindrical and non-concentric interior and exterior conduits. Furthermore, the invention is not limited only to heat exchangers intended for air conditioning systems, but also advantageously applies to heat exchangers intended for all types of heat exchange applications such as fluid cooling systems.

[0063] It is also possible to provide for laterally joining two heat exchange devices according to the invention (or more), a portion of lateral conduit of the collector being able to be common to the two juxtaposed collectors, this portion of lateral conduit having orifices opening on the one hand, towards a first heat exchange matrix and, on the other hand, towards a second heat exchange matrix.

Claims

1. Claims Heat exchange device comprising: • a circulation enclosure comprising a first inlet (2) for a first heat transfer fluid into the circulation enclosure and a first outlet (4) for said first heat transfer fluid outside the circulation enclosure, • a heat exchange matrix (50) housed in said circulation enclosure and formed of a plurality of heat exchange pipes, each heat exchange pipe comprising at least one conduit (52) and extending mainly in a longitudinal direction between two ends opposite one another, each conduit delimiting at least in part a circulation channel for a second heat transfer fluid, • a second inlet (6) of said second heat transfer fluid into the circulation enclosure, • a second outlet (8) of said second heat transfer fluid outside the circulation enclosure, characterized in that it further comprises: • at least one manifold (20) comprising at least one pipe portion and comprising one of said second inlet of said second heat transfer fluid and said second outlet of said second heat transfer fluid, said manifold extending substantially mainly in a plane orthogonal to said longitudinal direction of each heat exchange tube of said heat exchange matrix, said manifold comprising a plurality of orifices (30), each manifold being configured to allow circulation of said second heat transfer fluid between one of said second inlet of said second heat transfer fluid and said second outlet of said second heat transfer fluid and said orifices (30), • at least one fluid distribution ramp (40) configured to allow circulation of said second heat transfer fluid between at least one orifice (30) of said manifold and at least two heat exchange tubes, each orifice (30) said collector (20) opening towards a distribution ramp (40) and at least one longitudinal end of each heat exchange pipe being connected to a distribution ramp.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that each portion of conduit of said collector (20) extends so as to surround, at least in part, said heat exchange matrix.

3. Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that each collector (20) has a general U shape.

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each collector (20) comprises a central pipe portion (22) extending in a main direction between a first end (27) and a second end (28), said first end of said main pipe portion (22) being extended by a first lateral pipe portion (23) and said second end (28) of said main pipe portion (22) being extended by a second lateral pipe portion (24), said first lateral pipe portion (23) and said second lateral pipe portion (24) each extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to said main direction of said central pipe portion (22).

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that said central conduit portion (22) of said collector (20) comprises said second inlet (6) of said second heat transfer fluid.

6. Device according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that said plurality of orifices (30) of each collector is provided in said first lateral pipe (23) and said second lateral pipe (24), said central pipe portion (22) of the collector being devoid of orifices (30).

7. Device according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of fluid distribution ramps (40), each fluid distribution ramp (40) extending between at least one orifice (30) of said first lateral pipe (23) of said collector and at least one orifice (30) of said second lateral pipe (24) of said collector.

8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that each fluid distribution ramp (40) extends mainly along a direction orthogonal to said longitudinal direction of each heat exchange tube of said heat exchange matrix.

9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that each heat exchange tube comprises at least one inner conduit and at least one outer conduit nested one inside the other, so as to define: a channel for circulating a fluid, called the inner channel (53), delimited by said inner conduit, and adapted to be able to be supplied by said first heat transfer fluid, a channel for circulating a fluid, called the intermediate channel, delimited by the inter-conduit space between said inner conduit and said outer conduit, and adapted to be able to be supplied by said second heat transfer fluid.

10. Air conditioning system characterized in that it comprises at least one heat exchange device according to one of claims 1 to Q.

11. id y. Vehicle - in particular aircraft - characterized in that it comprises at least one air conditioning system according to claim 10.

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