Heat exchanger beam

Abstract

Title of the invention: Heat exchange bundle of a heat exchanger. The present invention relates to a heat exchange bundle (4) comprising a plurality of chambers (20) superimposed one on the other, at least each chamber of the plurality of chambers (20) being delimited by a wall, the first chambers of the plurality of chambers (20) delimiting at least partially a first circuit intended to be traversed by a refrigerant fluid, the first circuit being at least partially delimited by a fluid conduit (32) which includes an opening (34) through which the fluid is able to pass through the conduit (32), the conduit (32) extending from at least one of the walls delimiting one of the first chambers to said opening (34), the conduit (32) and each wall delimiting the chambers of the plurality of chambers (20) having a continuity of material. (Figure 3)

Description

Title of the invention: Heat exchange beam of a heat exchanger

[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 exchange bundle of these heat exchangers, the heat transfer fluid circulates in a first circuit and a fluid, classically a refrigerant fluid, circulates in a second circuit, the heat transfer fluid being able to transfer heat to the refrigerant fluid within 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 heat exchange bundle that is inexpensive to manufacture and suitable for prototyping. More specifically, the present invention aims to provide such a heat exchange bundle in which heat exchange is maximized by circulating at least one fluid through superimposed passes.

[0007] Thus, the present invention relates to a heat exchange beam of a heat exchanger intended to equip a vehicle, the heat exchange bundle comprising a plurality of chambers superimposed one on the other, at least each chamber of the plurality of chambers being delimited by a wall, 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 first circuit being at least in part delimited by a fluid channeling element which includes an opening through which the fluid is able to pass through the channeling element, the channeling element extending from at least one of the walls delimiting one of the first chambers to said opening,The piping component and each wall delimiting the chambers of the plurality of chambers exhibiting a continuity of material.

[0008] Within the heat exchange 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.

[0009] Each chamber in the plurality of chambers is delimited by a wall. All the walls delimiting the chambers in the plurality of chambers are formed from one another, that is to say, there is a continuity of material between each of said walls. Furthermore, the channeling element and each wall delimiting the chambers in the plurality of chambers exhibit a continuity of material. It is understood that each of said walls and the channeling element are formed from a single material. It is further understood that the first and second chambers are not formed from a plurality of stamped plates.

[0010] It should be noted that the term "made of material" means that these elements are directly formed from one another without a junction zone between these elements where the walls and the ducting component would be joined together. In other words, the heat exchange bundle is formed from a single piece.

[0011] According to one feature of the invention, at least the wall from which the piping member protrudes extends in a principal elongation plane, the piping member extending perpendicularly to said principal elongation plane.

[0012] This piping element forms a portion of the first circuit, allowing the refrigerant to be directed through at least some of the chambers of the plurality of chambers. To this end, the piping element extends in a direction that is perpendicular to the direction along which the walls delimiting the chambers of the plurality of chambers extend.

[0013] According to one feature of the invention, the opening extends beyond the plurality of chambers. This opening allows the heat exchange bundle, and more specifically the first circuit, to be fluidly connected to a refrigerant supply circuit. To this end, the opening of the piping element extends beyond the plurality of chambers in a direction parallel to the direction along which the piping element extends. It is understood that the opening is provided at a portion of the piping element that is not adjacent to any chamber of the plurality of chambers.

[0014] According to one feature of the invention, the channeling element extends perpendicularly to the main elongation plane of the wall from which it extends over a distance of at least 50 mm.

[0015] According to one feature of the invention, the wall from which the channeling element extends is separated from the mouth of the channeling element by at least two chambers of the plurality of chambers.

[0016] According to one feature of the invention, at least a first circuit comprises at least three passes through which the fluid flows, each pass being superimposed on one another, the piping element being configured to supply fluid to the pass of said first circuit furthest from the mouth.

[0017] The distance between the inlet and the wall from which the piping element extends allows the piping element to supply the pass of the heat exchange bundle furthest from the inlet. It is understood that this length between the wall from which the piping element extends and the inlet must be sufficient to allow the piping element to extend through at least one pass without being directly fluidically connected to that pass.

[0018] According to one feature of the invention, the channeling element extends into at least one manifold joining at least two passes of the first circuit, the wall from which the channeling element extends is configured to prohibit the passage of fluid from one pass to an adjacent pass.

[0019] According to one feature of the invention, at least the plurality of walls and the channeling element are obtained by additive manufacturing. In accordance with the present invention, the channeling element and each wall delimiting the chambers of the plurality of chambers together exhibit a continuity of material. Additive manufacturing makes it possible to obtain such a heat exchange bundle while taking into account the changes. Alternatively, the heat exchange beam could, for example, be obtained using a foundry mold.

[0020] The invention also relates to a heat exchanger comprising a heat exchanger bundle conforming to at least one of the characteristics mentioned above and a connection block allowing the inlet and / or outlet of at least one fluid from said heat exchanger bundle, the connection block comprising a connecting channel in which at least a portion of the piping element extends. The connection block allows the first circuit to be fluidly connected to the refrigerant supply circuit. To this end, the connection block comprises a connecting channel connected at one end to the supply circuit and at the opposite end to the first circuit.

[0021] According to one feature of the invention, the connecting block comprises at least one collar in which extends the connecting channel fluidly connected to a conduit and a part of the piping element, the collar comprising a first groove extending peripherally with respect to the collar and a second groove opposite to the first groove and extending peripherally with respect to the collar, a first sealing means being housed in the first groove, the first sealing means being configured to ensure sealing between the heat exchange bundle and the connecting block, a second sealing means being housed in the second groove, the second sealing means being configured to ensure sealing between the piping element and the connecting block.

[0022] 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:

[0023] [Fig. 1] represents a general perspective view of a heat exchanger according to the present invention;

[0024] [Fig.2] represents a cross-sectional view of a heat exchange bundle of the heat exchanger visible on [Fig.1], this heat exchange bundle allowing a refrigerant fluid to perform a heat exchange with a heat transfer fluid;

[0025] [Fig.3] represents a cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger visible in [Fig.1], the heat exchange bundle being connected to a connecting block allowing the refrigerant to enter the heat exchange bundle;

[0026] [Fig.4] represents a local cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger centered on a channeling element of the heat exchange bundle.

[0027] The features, variants and different embodiments of the invention can be combined with one another, according to various ways combinations, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be conceived comprising only a selection of features, described hereafter in isolation from the other described features, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0028] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0029] 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 4.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] Figure 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the heat exchange beam 4 along a plane of a cut extending longitudinally and vertically, that is to say parallel to the L axis and the V axis.

[0035] The heat exchange beam 4 is formed by additive manufacturing. Such a manufacturing method for the heat exchange beam 4 allows all the constituent elements of the heat exchange beam 4 to be joined together in material. This characteristic makes it possible to obtain a heat exchange beam 4 in which the constituent elements exhibit material continuity with one another. In other words, the heat exchange beam 4 is devoid of junction zones between the constituent elements of said heat exchange beam 4.

[0036] Among these elements, the heat exchange bundle 4 comprises a plurality of chambers 20 superimposed one on top of the other. Each chamber of the plurality of chambers 20 is delimited by a wall 22. It should be noted that the walls 22 are formed from one another. It is understood that each wall 22 has at least one portion where said walls 22 are formed from a continuous material.

[0037] In addition, the heat exchange bundle 4 includes among the plurality of chambers 20 the first chambers 24 and the second chambers 26.

[0038] The first chambers 24 of the plurality of chambers 20 define at least partially a first circuit, and the second chambers 26 of the plurality of chambers 20 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.

[0039] The first chambers 24 and the second chambers 26 are separated from each other by at least one wall 22. Thus, this wall 22 delimits a first chamber 24 on one side and a second chamber 26 on the opposite side. As a result, heat exchange can take place between the refrigerant circulating in a first chamber 24 and the heat transfer fluid circulating in a second chamber 26 adjacent to these walls 22.

[0040] Each wall 22 delimiting the first chambers 24 extends in a principal elongation plane. This principal elongation plane is parallel to the longitudinal principal elongation direction of the heat exchanger 2. More specifically, this principal elongation plane of the walls 22 extends longitudinally and transversely, that is to say parallel to the axes L and T.

[0041] Each of the first chambers 24 is connected to at least one other first chamber 24 so that the refrigerant can circulate from one first chamber 24 to another first chamber 24 through the plurality of chambers 20. This configuration allows the refrigerant to circulate within the heat exchanger bundle. thermal 4 between the refrigerant fluid inlet 12 and the refrigerant fluid outlet 14 of the heat exchanger 2.

[0042] Like the first chambers 24, the second chambers 26 are similarly interconnected so that the heat transfer fluid can circulate from one second chamber 26 to another second chamber 26 within the heat exchange bundle 4.

[0043] Furthermore, it should be noted that the first circuit and the second circuit are two separate circuits. In other words, the refrigerant circulates strictly in the first circuit and the heat transfer fluid circulates strictly in the second circuit.

[0044] To obtain the heat exchange beam 4 according to the invention and produced by additive manufacturing, the heat exchange beam 4 is manufactured from one longitudinal end to an opposite longitudinal end. Thus, the walls 22 can be obtained by additive manufacturing by being formed from one longitudinal end to an opposite longitudinal end of said walls 22.

[0045] Furthermore, the first circuit comprises a plurality of passes 28, visible in more detail in [Fig. 3], through which the refrigerant flows. This [Fig. 3] more specifically illustrates a cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger 2 obtained from the same cutting plane as that of [Fig. 2]. In the embodiment shown, the heat exchange bundle 4 comprises three passes 28; of course, this number of passes 28 can be greater without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0046] Each pass 28 comprises a plurality of first chambers 24 and is connected at least at one end to a manifold 29. Thus, the refrigerant is able to flow from one pass 28 to another pass 28 by way of a manifold 29.

[0047] The heat exchange bundle 4 comprises several manifolds 29 extending perpendicularly to the main elongation plane of the walls 22. Each manifold 29 is associated and connected to at least one pass 28 and is connected to a plurality of first chambers 24. This connection of each manifold 29 to at least one pass 28 makes it possible to ensure the circulation of the refrigerant in at least one of said passes 28 or to allow the refrigerant to exit the heat exchange bundle 4.

[0048] More particularly, each collector 29 extends perpendicularly to the main elongation plane from a wall 22 and / or to a wall 22 by being superimposed with respect to at least one other collector 29. More specifically, in the embodiment shown, each collector 29 extends radially around an elongation axis 30, several collectors 29 sharing the same elongation axis 30.

[0049] The heat exchange beam 4 comprises a number of 30 elongation axes equal to the number of passes 28 minus one. In the present case, the heat exchange bundle 4 comprises three passes 28 and two elongation axes 30. These elongation axes 30 are distributed longitudinally on either side of the first chambers 24 so that the refrigerant circulates in the heat exchange bundle 4 by passing through the collectors 29 in a zigzag pattern.

[0050] The refrigerant circulates strictly within said manifolds 29. For this purpose, the walls 22 delimiting a second chamber 26, in which the heat transfer fluid circulates, meet at the level of a manifold 29 so as to prevent the passage of the refrigerant from the manifold 29 to said second chamber 26.

[0051] In addition, the collectors 29 are delimited by a plurality of walls 22. Each wall 22 delimiting a collector 29 has an opening, the openings of said walls 22 are aligned perpendicularly to the principal elongation plane of the walls 22 and centered on the same elongation axis 30 so as to delimit said collector 29.

[0052] Furthermore, one of the walls 22 of the plurality of walls 22 delimiting a collector 29 is solid, that is to say, without an opening centered on the elongation axis 30 associated with said collector. This solid wall 22 contributes, on the one hand, to delimiting the collector and, on the other hand, to delimiting a pass 28.

[0053] It should be noted that in the embodiment shown, the openings are, once the heat exchange bundle 4 has been entirely obtained by additive manufacturing, machined so that each opening is circular. To this end, an electrical discharge machining (EDM) process is implemented to machine the openings and obtain circular openings. To do this, the heat exchange bundle 4 is machined from the outside around the elongation axes 30 to a solid wall 22 delimiting a collector 29.

[0054] As a result, some manifolds 29 are open to the outside of the heat exchange bundle 4 at a window 31, visible in [Fig. 2]. These windows 31 are closed by a plug 33, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. Of course, the windows 31 associated with the manifolds 29 through which the fluid can directly or indirectly enter or exit the heat exchange bundle 4 are not closed by a plug 33. Where appropriate, these plugs 33 may be fitted with a sealing element to ensure the sealing of the associated manifolds 29.

[0055] As shown in more detail in [Fig. 4], the heat exchange bundle 4 includes a channel element 32 that partially delimits the first circuit. This channel element 32 extends perpendicularly to the main elongation plane of the walls 22 from a wall 22 delimiting a pass 28, i.e., a solid wall 22. More specifically, the channel element 32 extends within a collector 29 and includes a cylindrical portion 36 which, in the The embodiment shown has a circular cross-section. The cylindrical portion 36 is centered on the elongation axis 30 associated with said collector 29 and extends from the wall 22 to an opening 34 through which the refrigerant is able to flow through the piping element 32. Although the piping element 32 extends into a collector 29, the refrigerant is able to flow through this collector 29 to reach a passage 28.

[0056] The pipe element 32 is formed from the material of the wall 22 from which it extends. That is to say, there is a continuity of material between the wall 22 from which the pipe element 32 extends and the pipe element 32. It is understood that the pipe element 32 is not a separate element from said wall 22.

[0057] It should be noted that continuity of material means that the walls 22 of the heat exchange bundle 4 and the channeling element 32 are formed in one piece and therefore without junction zones at which the walls 22 and the channeling element 32 are joined together.

[0058] Furthermore, the channel element 32 extends perpendicularly to the principal elongation plane of the wall 22 from which it extends for a distance of at least 50 mm. The opening 34 of the channel element 32 extends beyond the plurality of chambers 20 in the direction along which the channel element 32 extends. Moreover, this opening 34 is separated from the wall 22 from which the channel element 32 extends by at least two first chambers 24.

[0059] The manifold 29, within which the cylindrical portion 36 extends, allows the refrigerant to flow from one pass 28 to another pass 28. The length of the cylindrical portion 36 allows the refrigerant to reach a pass 28 that is not connected to the manifold 29, in which the channel element 32 extends. In the embodiment shown, this pass 28 is the pass 28 of the heat exchange bundle 4 furthest from the inlet 34. It is understood from the above that the wall 22 from which the channel element 32 extends allows the manifold 29 to be vertically delimited. Thus, the refrigerant circulating in the channel element 32 reaches a pass 28 distinct from the passes 28 fluidically connected to said manifold 29.

[0060] The overhang of the mouth 34 relative to the plurality of chambers 20 allows the piping element 32 to be connected to the connecting block 6 as seen in Figures 3 and 4. For this purpose, the mouth 34 of the piping element 32 is housed in a connecting channel 38 of the connecting block 6. This connecting channel 38 extends from the refrigerant fluid inlet 12 to the mouth 34 when the heat exchange bundle 4 is fluidly connected to the connecting block 6.

[0061] More specifically, the connecting block 6 includes a collar 40 that delimits the portion of the connecting channel 38 in which the inlet 34 of the pipe element 32 is housed. This collar 40 extends radially around the portion of the connecting channel 38 in which the inlet 34 is housed. In addition, the collar 40 includes a first groove 42 extending peripherally around the collar 40. This first groove 42 is formed in the collar 40 such that it is directly opposite the pipe element 32. The collar 40 includes a second groove 44, opposite the first groove 42, extending peripherally around the collar 40.

[0062] The first groove 42 is intended to house a first sealing means, this first sealing means being configured to ensure sealing between the piping element 32 and the connecting block 6. This first sealing means more specifically prevents the passage of the refrigerant fluid from the manifold 29 in which the piping element 32 extends to the connecting channel 38.

[0063] The second groove 44 is intended to house a second sealing means, this second sealing means being configured to ensure sealing between the heat exchange bundle 4 and the connection block 6. This second sealing means more specifically prevents the passage of the refrigerant fluid from the manifold 29 in which the piping element 32 and the connection block 6 extend. In the embodiment shown, the first and second sealing means are formed of an O-ring surrounding the collar 40.

[0064] The present invention achieves its objective by proposing a heat exchange bundle for a heat exchanger suitable for prototyping, by designing the heat exchange bundle using additive manufacturing. This design is made possible by means of a channeling element that fluidly connects the heat exchange bundle to a connecting block while circulating the refrigerant fluid in the heat exchange bundle in a specific manner.

Claims

Claims

1. Heat exchange bundle (4) of a heat exchanger (2) intended to equip a vehicle, the heat exchange bundle (4) comprising a plurality of chambers (20) superimposed on one another, at least each chamber of the plurality of chambers (20) being delimited by a wall (22), first chambers (24) of the plurality of chambers (20) delimiting at least in part a first circuit intended to be traversed by a refrigerant fluid and second chambers (26) of the plurality of chambers (20) delimiting at least in part a second circuit intended to be traversed by a heat transfer fluid, the first circuit being at least in part delimited by a channeling member (32) of the fluid which comprises a mouth (34) through which the fluid is able to pass through the channeling member (32),the channeling member (32) extending from at least one of the walls (22) delimiting one of the first chambers (24) to said mouth (34), the channeling member (32) and each wall (22) delimiting the chambers of the plurality of chambers (20) having a continuity of material.,

2. Heat exchange bundle (4) according to the preceding claim, wherein at least the wall (22) from which the channeling member (32) projects extends in a main elongation plane, the channeling member (32) extending perpendicular to said main elongation plane.

3. Heat exchange bundle (4) according to the preceding claim, wherein the mouth (34) extends beyond the plurality of chambers (20).

4. Heat exchange bundle (4) according to any one of claims 2 and 3, in which the channeling member (32) extends perpendicular to the main elongation plane of the wall (22) from which it extends over a distance of at least 50 mm.

5. A heat exchange bundle (4) according to any preceding claim, wherein the wall (22) from which the channeling member (32) extends is separated from the mouth (34) of the channeling member (32) by at least two of the plurality of chambers (20).

6. Heat exchange bundle (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the at least one first circuit comprises at least three passes (28) in which the fluid circulates, each pass (28) being superimposed on one another, the channeling member (32) being configured to supply fluid to the pass (28) of said first circuit furthest from the mouth (34).

7. Heat exchange bundle (4) according to the preceding claim, in which the pipe member (32) extends in at least one collector (29) joining at least two passes (28) of the first circuit, the wall (22) from which the pipe member (32) extends is configured to prevent the passage of fluid from one pass (28) to an adjacent pass (28).

8. Heat exchange bundle (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which at least the plurality of walls (22) and the channeling member (32) are obtained by additive manufacturing.

9. Heat exchanger (2) comprising a heat exchange bundle (4) according to any one of the preceding claims and a connection block (6) allowing the entry and / or exit of at least one fluid from said heat exchange bundle (4), the connection block (6) comprising a connection channel (38) in which at least a portion of the channeling member (32) extends.

10. Heat exchanger (2) according to the preceding claim, wherein the connection block (6) comprises at least one collar (40) in which the connection channel (38) fluidically connected to a conduit and a portion of the pipe member (32) extends, the collar (40) comprising a first groove (42) extending peripherally relative to the collar (40) and a second groove (44) opposite the first groove (42) and extending peripherally relative to the collar (40), a first sealing means being housed in the first groove (42), the first sealing means being configured to ensure sealing between the heat exchange bundle (4) and the connection block (6), a second sealing means being housed in the second groove (44), the second sealing means being configured to ensure sealing between the pipe member (32) and the connection block (6).

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