Heat exchanger

Abstract

Heat exchanger configured to be coupled to a vehicle cooler (4) (2) and to be mounted on the roof outside of said vehicle (2), the heat exchanger (1) comprising a housing (5), a first fluid circuit included in said housing (5), a cover (6) mounted on said housing (5) so as to close it removably, and means (20) for fixing the housing to said roof, the housing (5) comprising a front vent (7) forming an air inlet and a side vent (7) forming an air outlet, the heat exchanger (1) further comprising a cooling system (3) for a first heat transfer fluid included in said first fluid circuit and configured to allow heat exchange between said first heat transfer fluid and air entering through said air inlet and exiting through said air outlet. Figure for the abbreviation: Fig 1

Description

Title of the invention: Heat exchanger

[0001] The present invention relates to cooling devices enabling the user of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, such as a caravan, a van or a motorhome, to obtain cooling of the ambient air in the passenger compartment of said vehicle.

[0002] The present invention aims to provide a heat exchanger and a vehicle cabin cooling system that minimizes the temperature of the air entering an evaporative air cooler already installed on said vehicle, so as to increase the overall cooling provided and reduce energy consumption, by using the air naturally flowing towards the vehicle during its movement. Prior art

[0003] Cooling methods are known which allow air to be cooled in the passenger compartment of a vehicle by air, such as the heat exchanger described in document WO201908997, but none is coupled with a cooler to supplement upstream the cooling provided by the latter.

[0004] The known solutions are energy-intensive and complex to implement, and do not use the cooling provided by the airflow generated naturally by the movement of the vehicle. Description of the invention

[0005] The invention aims to overcome at least some of the aforementioned disadvantages and to offer a heat exchanger capable of combining advantages of speed, simplicity and reliability for its implementation, and this on a wide range of motor vehicles, in particular motorhomes, converted or unconverted vans, caravans and the like.

[0006] In view of the foregoing, the invention relates to a heat exchanger configured to be coupled to a vehicle evaporative air cooler and to be fixed to the roof outside of said vehicle, the heat exchanger comprising a housing, a first fluidic circuit included in said housing, a cover mounted on said housing so as to close it removably, and means for fixing the housing to said roof, the housing having a front vent forming an air inlet and a side vent forming an air outlet, the heat exchanger further comprising a cooling system for a first heat transfer fluid included in said first fluidic circuit and configured to allow heat exchange between said first heat transfer fluid and air entering through said air inlet and exiting through said air outlet.

[0007] Preferably, the heat exchanger includes a second fluid circuit having a tempered fluid inlet fitting for a second heat transfer fluid included in the second fluid circuit and passing through the housing and configured to be connected to a second heat transfer fluid inlet, the second fluid circuit further having a cooled fluid outlet fitting passing through the housing and configured to be connected to a second cooled heat transfer fluid outlet, said second cooled heat transfer fluid outlet being configured to be fluidly connected to the vehicle cooler inlet, the heat exchanger further being configured so that the first heat transfer fluid and the second heat transfer fluid cannot mix but can exchange heat in the housing through the cooling system.

[0008] For example, the second fluid circuit includes a reservoir of the second heat transfer fluid, and the cooling system includes a refrigerant element immersed in said reservoir of the second heat transfer fluid, a condenser positioned opposite the front ventilation and adapted to receive air from an airflow arriving on the casing and entering the front ventilation, a compressor configured to circulate said first heat transfer fluid when it is operating, said first fluid circuit being capable of circulating said first heat transfer fluid in the condenser so as to allow heat exchange between an airflow arriving in said condenser from the air inlet and said first heat transfer fluid, the heat exchanger further being such that the refrigerant element is part of the first fluid circuit and includes some of the first heat transfer fluid,said refrigerant element being configured to pass through said secondary heat transfer fluid reservoir in such a way as to permit heat exchange between the first fluid contained in said refrigerant element and the second fluid contained in said secondary heat transfer fluid reservoir without exchange of matter between said first and second fluids.

[0009] Advantageously, the first fluidic circuit includes an expansion valve configured to absorb the mechanical stresses of the first fluidic circuit occurring during changes in temperature and expansion of the first heat transfer fluid and / or components of said first fluidic circuit during the operation of the cooling system.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the refrigerant element takes the form of a coil configured to maximize the exchange surface between said refrigerant element and the second heat transfer fluid included in the tank.

[0011] In one embodiment, the cover has an aerodynamic shape configured to facilitate airflow arriving on the housing and bypassing the front vent.

[0012] Advantageously, the heat exchanger includes solar panels on the roof of the vehicle and / or on the cover.

[0013] The heat exchanger may further provide that the second fluid circuit is coupled to a sanitary water network of the vehicle, said sanitary water network comprising a sanitary water tank and a pump, the second heat transfer fluid being sanitary water from said sanitary water tank.

[0014] The invention also relates to a heat exchange system for a vehicle, comprising a heat exchanger as described above, a vehicle cooler, the domestic water network comprising the domestic water tank and the vehicle pump.

[0015] The invention further relates to a vehicle which includes a cooling system as described above. Brief description of the figures

[0016] The invention will be better understood upon detailed study of an embodiment taken by way of non-limiting example and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0017] [Fig-1] represents a heat exchanger according to the invention, installed on a vehicle, in view, in perspective.

[0018] [Fig.2] schematically represents the heat exchanger coupled to a vehicle network, in lateral view.

[0019] [Fig.3] represents the heat exchanger closed by its aerodynamic cover, in front perspective view.

[0020] [Fig.4] represents the heat exchanger closed by its aerodynamic cover, in rear perspective view.

[0021] [Fig.5] schematically represents the operation of the heat exchanger cooling circuit.

[0022] [Fig.6] represents the open heat exchanger, without its cover, in rear perspective view. Detailed description of the figures

[0023] Fig. 1 illustrates the heat exchanger of the invention, which is configured to be coupled to a vehicle evaporative air cooler 4, in particular of the passenger compartment air of said vehicle 2 and to be fixed on the roof outside of said vehicle 2.

[0024] The heat exchanger 1 comprises a housing 5, a first fluidic circuit included in said housing 5, a cover 6 mounted on said housing 5 so as to close it in a removable manner.

[0025] The housing 5 has, for example, a dimension within a parallelepiped of length between twenty and thirty centimeters, a height between ten and fifteen centimeters, and a width between ten and twenty centimeters.

[0026] The housing 5 includes a front vent 7 forming an air inlet and a side vent 7 forming an air outlet.

[0027] The heat exchanger 1 differs from all known vehicle-mounted fluid cooling devices in that it further comprises a cooling system 3 for a first heat transfer fluid included in said first fluidic circuit and configured to allow heat exchange between said first heat transfer fluid and air entering through said air inlet and exiting through said air outlet.

[0028] Thus, the cooling takes place between ambient air arriving from the front of the housing 5 and entering through said air inlet, and a heat transfer fluid.

[0029] This first heat transfer fluid is a cooling refrigerant which may be, for example, water, but any suitable fluid for transporting heat may be used, in particular a refrigerant liquid, or a fluid under pressure.

[0030] As illustrated by [Fig.2], the heat exchanger 1 is installed as an additional component near the air cooler 4.

[0031] Its main function is to reduce the temperature of the fluid, in particular water, entering said cooler 4, which allows for more efficient air cooling by this cooler 4.

[0032] By lowering the water temperature, the air cooler 4 can blow cooler air, thus creating a more comfortable environment for the user in the passenger compartment.

[0033] For optimal performance, it is recommended to install the heat exchanger as close as possible to the air cooler 4.

[0034] In addition, its installation on the roof has the added advantage of being able to harness solar energy through solar panels for power supply, to further optimize the cooling potential provided.

[0035] Thus, the heat exchanger 1 advantageously includes solar panels 30 on the roof of the vehicle 2 and / or on the cover 6, said solar panels 30 being configured to electrically supply the cooling system 3 and / or the cooler 4, in particular with a power of 12A / 220V.

[0036] Preferably, the heat exchanger 1 includes a second fluidic circuit.

[0037] The second fluidic circuit includes a tempered fluid inlet fitting for a second heat transfer fluid 16 included in the second fluidic circuit and passing through the housing 5 and configured to be connected to a second heat transfer fluid inlet 17.

[0038] The second fluidic circuit further includes a cooled fluid outlet fitting 18 passing through the housing 5 and configured to be connected to a second cooled heat transfer fluid outlet 19.

[0039] Said outlet of second cooled heat transfer fluid 19 is configured to be fluidly connected to the inlet of the cooler 4 of the vehicle 2, for example via a tubular connection 13, the heat exchanger 1 being further configured to that the first heat transfer fluid and the second heat transfer fluid cannot mix but can exchange heat in the housing 5 thanks to the cooling system 3.

[0040] For example, the second fluid circuit includes a reservoir of the second heat transfer fluid 23, and the cooling system 3 includes a refrigerant element 25 immersed in said reservoir of the second heat transfer fluid 23, a condenser 26 positioned opposite the front vent 7 and adapted to receive air from an airflow arriving on the housing 5 and entering the front vent 7, a compressor 24 configured to circulate said first heat transfer fluid when it is operating, said first fluid circuit being capable of circulating said first heat transfer fluid in the condenser 26 so as to allow heat exchange between an airflow 14 arriving in said condenser 26 from the air inlet and said first heat transfer fluid, the heat exchanger 1 further being such that the refrigerant element 25 is part of the first fluid circuit and includes some of the first heat transfer fluid,said refrigerant element 25 being configured to pass through said secondary heat transfer fluid reservoir 23 in such a way as to permit heat exchange between the first fluid contained in said refrigerant element 25 and the second heat transfer fluid contained in said secondary heat transfer fluid reservoir 23 without exchange of matter between said first and second fluids.

[0041] As illustrated by [Fig.5], the first fluidic circuit comprises a cooled portion 21.., and a hot portion 22 being cooled by the condenser 26, whereas the second fluidic circuit comprises only a cooled portion transporting the second heat transfer fluid between the inlet 17 and the outlet 19 from and to the fittings 16 and 18, in heat exchange in the tank 23 with the first heat transfer fluid included in the first fluidic circuit, in particular in the refrigerant element 25.

[0042] The condenser 26 removes excess heat from the cooling system 3, maintaining a constant and invigorating freshness.

[0043] The compressor 24 is like the heart of this product, since it compresses and pumps the first heat transfer fluid used as a cooling refrigerant through the first fluid circuit, making it very cold.

[0044] The compressor 24 is for example coupled to an expansion valve 28 which promotes its energy performance and releases the mechanical stresses due to the different thermal expansions of the components, in the manner of the expansion valve 27.

[0045] It is therefore essential to keep everything cool and in good working order.

[0046] The condenser 26 may include an added fan to promote heat exchange with the air arriving from the air inlet.

[0047] The compact design of the condenser 26 and its advanced cooling technology make it an essential element for providing chilled water on demand.

[0048] A heat exchanger 1 is thus produced which provides a cooling improvement solution specifically designed for evaporative air coolers, which integrates a refrigerant-based system and uses a cold heat exchanger to achieve water cooling efficiency, with particularly increased profitability and very ergonomic integration.

[0049] The heat exchanger 1 could also be compatible with portable evaporative air coolers used inside vehicle 2.

[0050] Advantageously, the first fluidic circuit includes an expansion valve 27 configured to absorb the mechanical stresses of the first fluidic circuit occurring during changes in temperature and expansion of the first heat transfer fluid and / or components of said first fluidic circuit during the operation of the cooling system 3, as illustrated by Figures 5 and 6.

[0051] The expansion valve 27 thus helps to control the flow rate of the first heat transfer fluid. It allows the water to be cooled quickly and efficiently by expanding the mixture of air and first heat transfer fluid that may be present in the first fluid circuit.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the refrigerant element 25 takes the form of a coil configured to maximize the exchange surface between said refrigerant element 25 and the second heat transfer fluid included in the second heat transfer fluid reservoir 23.

[0053] The second heat transfer fluid thus circulates through a kind of copper coil inside the second heat transfer fluid reservoir 23, which transfers the cold from the refrigerant element 25 into the second heat transfer fluid as it passes over this coil and through the second heat transfer fluid reservoir 23.

[0054] The second heat transfer fluid reservoir 23 can in particular be a thermally insulated reservoir, for example thermally insulated, capable of maintaining very low temperatures.

[0055] As illustrated by [Fig.2], the heat exchanger 1 may further provide that the second fluidic circuit is coupled to a domestic water network 11 of the vehicle 2, said domestic water network 11 comprising a domestic water tank 9 and a pump 10, the second heat transfer fluid being domestic water from said domestic water tank 9.

[0056] This heat exchanger 1 is specifically designed for evaporative air coolers, rather than for air conditioners, because, unlike air conditioners which use a refrigerant to cool the air, this heat exchanger 1 uses a refrigerant 25 to cool the water which enters the second heat transfer fluid tank 23, which is in particular a domestic hot water tank 23.

[0057] As illustrated by Figures 3 and 4, the cover 6 may have an aerodynamic shape configured to facilitate an airflow arriving on the housing 5 and bypassing the front vent 7.

[0058] The cover 26 may include thermal insulation to prevent heat loss and warming from the sun.

[0059] The design of the casing 5 and especially of its cover 6 aims to reduce aerodynamic drag through smooth curves and a lower bottom section so that air passes over it, which allows the user to fix the product on the roof of his vehicle 2, in particular his motorhome, as close as possible to his air cooler 4 already installed on the roof, thus ensuring better results.

[0060] The heat exchanger 1 can also be fixed to any type of vehicle: a motorhome, a van, a truck...

[0061] The finish of this case 5 and cover 6 could be modified to allow users to adapt it to their vehicle style, in particular motorhome.

[0062] The heat exchanger 1 could be sold in a single color or offer a range of colors for users.

[0063] The side vent 8 can also be used to stylize the housing 5.

[0064] The heat exchanger 1 may include means for fixing the housing 5 to said roof, visible in [Fig.4].

[0065] The invention also relates to a heat exchange system for a vehicle, comprising a heat exchanger 1 as described above and a cooler 4 of vehicle 2, the domestic water network 11 comprising the domestic water tank 9 and the pump 10 of vehicle 2.

[0066] It can be foreseen that these internal connections 12 of the domestic water network 11 internal to vehicle 2, between the domestic hot water tank 9 and / or the pump 10 and / or the heat exchanger 1, are thermally insulated, so as to avoid unwanted heat losses, in particular untimely heating.

[0067] The invention also relates to a vehicle 2 which includes such a cooling system.

[0068] The fastening means 20 allow the heat exchanger 1 to be fixed on the roof of the vehicle 2 or in the preferred location.

[0069] It is then sufficient to connect the inlet 16 to the water tank 9 of the vehicle 2 via the second heat transfer fluid inlet 17 and the pre-existing pump 10 in the vehicle, then to connect the outlet 18 to the air cooler 4 of the vehicle 2, and to connect the heat exchanger 1 to the electrical supply, for example by means of an electrical cable 15.

[0070] The electronics of the heat exchanger 1, comprising for example an electronic board 29, is arranged for example inside the housing 5, and allows control of the power supply, timing, sensors, etc.

[0071] Thus, when the vehicle 2 is moving, the air cooler 4 can be switched on to cool the water when it is pumped into the air cooler 4, with prior cooling by the heat exchanger 1 thanks to the air entering at more or less high speed from the front of the vehicle 2.

Claims

1.

2. Demands Heat exchanger (1) configured to be coupled to a vehicle (2) evaporative air cooler (4) and to be fixed to the roof outside of said vehicle (2), the heat exchanger (1) comprising a vehicle (2) evaporative air cooler (4), a housing (5), a first fluid circuit included in said housing (5), a cover (6) mounted on said housing (5) so as to close it removably, and means for fixing (20) the housing to said roof, the housing (5) comprising a front vent (7) forming an air inlet and a side vent (7) forming an air outlet,the heat exchanger (1) being characterized in that it further comprises a cooling system (3) for a first heat transfer fluid included in said first fluidic circuit and configured to allow heat exchange between said first heat transfer fluid and air entering through said air inlet and exiting through said air outlet, said heat exchanger (1) further comprising a second fluidic circuit comprising a tempered fluid inlet fitting for a second heat transfer fluid (16) included in the second fluidic circuit and passing through the casing (5) and configured to be connected to a second heat transfer fluid inlet (17), the second fluidic circuit further comprising a cooled fluid outlet fitting (18) passing through the casing (5) and configured to be connected to a second cooled heat transfer fluid outlet (19),said outlet of second cooled heat transfer fluid (19) being configured to be fluidly connected to the inlet of the cooler (4) of the vehicle (2), the heat exchanger (1) being further configured so that the first heat transfer fluid and the second heat transfer fluid cannot mix but can exchange heat in the casing (5) by means of the cooling system (3). Heat exchanger (1) according to claim 1, wherein the second fluid circuit comprises a reservoir of the second heat transfer fluid (23), and the cooling system (3) comprises a refrigerant element (25) immersed in said reservoir of the second heat transfer fluid (23), a condenser (26) positioned opposite the front vent (7) and adapted to receive air from an airflow arriving on the housing (5) and entering the vent before (7), a compressor (24) configured to circulate said first heat transfer fluid when it is operating, said first fluid circuit being capable of circulating said first heat transfer fluid in the condenser (26) so as to permit heat exchange between an airflow arriving in said condenser (26) from the air inlet and said first heat transfer fluid, the heat exchanger (1) further being such that the refrigerant element (25) is part of the first fluid circuit and comprises some of the first heat transfer fluid, said refrigerant element (25) being configured to pass through said second heat transfer fluid reservoir (23) so as to permit heat exchange between the first fluid included in said refrigerant element (25) and the second fluid included in said second heat transfer fluid reservoir (23) without exchange of matter between said first and second fluids.

3. Heat exchanger (1) according to claim 2, wherein the first fluidic circuit includes an expansion valve (27) configured to absorb the mechanical stresses of the first fluidic circuit occurring during changes in temperature and expansions of the first heat transfer fluid and / or components of said first fluidic circuit during the operation of the cooling system (3).

4. Heat exchanger (1) according to any one of claims 2 and 3, wherein the refrigerant element (25) takes a coiled form configured to maximize the exchange surface between said refrigerant element (25) and the second heat transfer fluid included in the tank (23).

5. Heat exchanger (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cover (6) has an aerodynamic shape configured to facilitate airflow arriving on the housing (5) and bypassing the front vent (7).

6. Heat exchanger (1) according to claim 2 and any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second fluid circuit is coupled to a domestic water network (11) of the vehicle (2), said domestic water network (11) comprising a domestic water tank (9) and a pump (10), the second heat transfer fluid being domestic water from said domestic water tank (9).

7. Vehicle heat exchange system, comprising a heat exchanger (1) according to claim 6, the water network sanitary (11) comprising the sanitary water tank (9) and the pump (10) of the vehicle (2).

8. Vehicle heat exchange system according to claim 7, further comprising solar panels (30) configured to electrically power the cooling system (3).

9. Vehicle (2) comprising a cooling system according to any one of claims 7 and 8.

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