FLUID DISTRIBUTION DEVICE COMPRISING A COLLECTOR AND A SEALING EXCHANGER TUBE WITH A SHOULDER
The fluid distribution device with sealing means and a shoulder facilitates easy and secure connection of multiple exchanger tubes, addressing inefficiencies in existing devices by enhancing sealing and assembly efficiency.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023007390
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Utility models
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-07-10
- Publication Date
- 2025-01-17
- Estimated Expiration
- Not applicable · inactive patent
AI Technical Summary
Existing fluid distribution devices lack the ability to connect multiple tubes for multiple output connections and require precise mechanical adjustments, leading to inefficiencies and potential fluid leakage due to the presence of a shoulder that prevents gaps between tubes.
A fluid distribution device with a collector and exchanger tube assembly that includes sealing means and a shoulder, allowing easy installation and distribution of fluid across multiple tubes, utilizing a sticky agent and screw threads for secure connection without additional containment elements.
The device enhances sealing and facilitates efficient connection of multiple exchanger tubes, allowing for greater mechanical tolerance and simplified assembly, while maintaining effective fluid distribution.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Fluid distribution device comprising a manifold and a heat exchanger tube with a shoulder-type sealing means
[0001] The present invention relates to the general technical field of fluid distribution devices comprising a manifold and an exchange tube, the manifold dividing and distributing the fluid at the level of the exchange tube, the exchange tube receiving fluid from the distribution zone after its passage through the manifold and relates more particularly to a refrigerant fluid distribution device in which the distribution zone includes fastening means.
[0002] It is known, from patent application WO2005 / 043021A1, of a fluid distribution device comprising two tubes, the second tube receiving fluid from the first tube after passing through the connector consisting of two seals, a closed housing for assembling said tubes, and means for fixing, for example, an injection of resin allowing the tubes to be glued and joined together.
[0003] Such a device has the advantage of easily allowing the assembly of two tubes.
[0004] However, such a device has the disadvantage of not allowing for multiple tubes on the same manifold that could offer multiple outlet connections. Indeed, the assembly used is in-line and does not allow for connecting and distributing the fluid between different tubes or conduits downstream of the supply tube.
[0005] Furthermore, such a device also has the disadvantage of requiring precise mechanical adjustment by means of a shoulder against which the first tube comes to a stop. Indeed, the presence of the shoulder on the first tube prevents, by the positioning of the second tube, a gap from forming between the two tubes, so that some of the fluid remains in contact with the fastening means around the second tube.
[0006] Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide a connection device that overcomes this drawback by allowing for easy and efficient installation of fluid lines, and that is simple and economical to manufacture. Another object of the present invention is to provide a device that allows the fluid to be distributed by the manifold to a plurality of tubes, typically heat exchanger tubes, in the reservoir area.
[0007] To this end, the invention also relates to a fluid distribution device comprising a collector tube and an exchanger tube inserted into said collector tube, said insertion comprising a volume situated between the collector tube and the exchanger tube comprising sealing means and fastening means dividing the volume between said tubes between a fixing zone between said tubes and at least one mechanical holding zone said mechanical holding zone comprising sealing means characterized in that said sealing means comprise a shoulder.
[0008] Such a fluid distribution device has the advantage of being effective in increasing both the sealing at the level of the mechanical retention zone and also allows the sealing means, which can be only a sticky agent, to be contained in the mechanical retention zone without the need for the installation of a specific element to contain it in the mechanical retention zone.
[0009] According to another feature of the invention, the device comprises a plurality of exchange tubes.
[0010] According to another feature of the invention, the exchange tubes comprise at least one exchange fin.
[0011] According to another feature of the invention, the exchange fin has an orientation substantially perpendicular to the axis of said collector.
[0012] According to another feature of the invention, the mechanical holding zone comprises a mechanical contact zone 411 and a volume 412 receiving a fastening means.
[0013] According to another feature of the invention, the fastening means comprises a multi-component adhesive agent and at least one screw thread 52.
[0014] According to another feature of the invention, a method for assembling a fluid distribution device comprising a collector tube and an exchanger tube, comprising the steps of placing sealing means on said exchanger tube, advantageously guiding the exchanger tube into the cavity of said collector tube by the terminal area of said exchanger tube, holding it in place by one or more fastening means, continuing to manipulate it by a movement having a direction substantially parallel to the general plane of said exchanger tube, injecting said fastening means as a sticking agent through the lateral orifices of said collector tube, advantageously filling said volume intended to receive said fastening means between said sealing means, holding said assembly for the time required for the solidification of said fastening means of the sticking agent type, and repeating the assembly action for all the exchanger tubes.
[0015] The objects, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following description of several particular embodiments of the invention presented by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Fig. 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a fluid distribution device comprising a collector tube and a heat exchanger tube and including means of seals comprising a shoulder according to a particular embodiment of the invention, - Figure [Fig. 2] is a cross-sectional view of a fluid distribution device comprising a collector tube and an exchanger tube and its fin, according to a particular embodiment of the invention. - Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a fluid distribution device comprising two collector tubes and a plurality of finned exchanger tubes 20 to 27 according to a particular embodiment of the invention.
[0016] Only the elements necessary for understanding the invention have been shown. To facilitate reading the drawings, the same elements bear the same reference numerals from one figure to another.
[0017] Fig. 1 represents a refrigerant-type fluid distribution device comprising a collector tube 1 and an exchanger tube 2 inserted into said collector tube, said insertion comprising a volume 3 located between the collector tube 1 and the exchanger tube 2 comprising sealing means 311, 312 and fixing means 32 dividing the volume 3 between said tubes into a fixing zone 4 between said tubes and at least one mechanical holding zone 41 said mechanical holding zone 41 comprising sealing means characterized in that said sealing means comprise a shoulder 313.
[0018] According to [Fig.1], the device advantageously has a conical shape at the end of the heat exchanger tube 2 to facilitate the insertion of the heat exchanger tube 2 into the housing provided for this purpose in the collector tube 1. A second shoulder 202 on the heat exchanger tube 2 can advantageously be arranged between the beginning of the fin and the mechanical retaining zone 41, in order to mechanically limit the insertion of the heat exchanger tube 2 into its housing.The device advantageously presents, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the general axis of the exchange tube 2 and the outlet plane of the part containing and / or acting as a collector tube 1, a plurality of tubular-type orifices 11, 12 allowing opening into the volume 3 at the mechanical retention zone 4L. Thus, during assembly, the filling operation with a sticky agent can be carried out simply by injecting said agent through these orifices until the volume is fully filled, which can be checked by the evacuation of said agent through the orifice opposite to the one used for its injection.
[0019] Fig. 2 represents a refrigerant-type fluid distribution device comprising a collector tube 1 and an exchanger tube 2 inserted into said collector tube, said exchanger tube 2 comprising at least one fin 201 for heat exchange with at least one fluid disposed around said distribution device typically at the fin 201.
[0020] Figure 3 represents a refrigerant distribution device comprising two collector tubes and a plurality of heat exchanger tubes 2 inserted within said collector tubes. Each heat exchanger tube 2 has at least one fin 201 for exchanging heat with at least one fluid disposed around said distribution device, typically at the fin 201 and / or between the plurality of fins. This arrangement thus allows the refrigerant to be distributed between each heat exchanger tube. Furthermore, each heat exchanger tube is mechanically connected at each of its ends to a collector.Thus, installation within a larger assembly such as a storage tank is facilitated by simply handling and positioning the manifolds. The connection made with the adhesive allows for the advantageous orientation of the heat exchanger tubes so that the fins are positioned approximately perpendicular to the main plane formed by the tubes before the adhesive solidifies. The arrangement of the tubes allows for the distribution of the fluid, typically water, between the fins. Furthermore, this type of assembly, involving the simultaneous bonding of the tubes to the two manifolds, effectively resolves both mechanical and manufacturing constraints. One advantage of this assembly technique is the ability to implement greater mechanical tolerances, particularly regarding the lengths of the various finned heat exchanger tubes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, ...
Claims
Claims
1. Fluid distribution device comprising a collector tube (1) and an exchanger tube (2) inserted into said collector tube (1), said insertion comprising a volume (3) located between the collector tube (1) and the exchanger tube (2) comprising sealing means (311, 312) and fixing means (32) dividing the volume (3) between said tubes (1, 2) between a fixing zone (4) between said tubes (1, 2) and at least one mechanical holding zone (41), said mechanical holding zone (41) comprising sealing means (311) characterized in that said sealing means (311) comprise a shoulder (313).
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said device comprises a plurality of exchanger tubes (20, 21, 22, ...).
3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that said exchanger tubes (20, 21, 22, ...) comprise at least one exchange fin (201).
4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that said exchange fin (201) has an orientation substantially perpendicular to the axis of said collector tube (1).
5. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said mechanical holding zone (41) comprises a mechanical contact zone (411) and a volume (412) receiving a fixing means (5).
6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that said fixing means (5) comprises a multi-component adhesive agent (51) and at least one screw thread (52).