Fluidic communication block of a heat exchange device

Abstract

Fluidic communication block of a heat exchange device. The invention relates to a fluidic communication block (10) of a first heat exchange device (100), said device (100) being configured to allow the exchange between a first and a second heat transfer fluid, said fluidic communication block (10) comprising a channel (1) configured for the admission or expulsion of the first heat transfer fluid into the first heat exchange device (100), said fluidic communication block (10) being characterized in that it comprises thermal insulation means (2) for the channel (1), said thermal insulation means (2) being configured to limit thermal radiation from the channel (1) to the outside of the fluidic communication block (10), in particular to a second heat exchange device (200) placed near the first heat exchange device (100). [Figure 2]

Description

Title of the invention: Fluidic communication block of a heat exchange device technical field

[0001] The invention relates to heat exchange devices provided with fluidic communication blocks configured to supply or collect one or more heat transfer fluids within said devices. Previous technique

[0002] In the context, particularly in the automotive industry, where several heat exchange devices are assembled in close proximity to one another, the problem encountered by the art is that certain fluids distributed at high temperatures within the heat exchange device will emit heat radiation from the fluid communication blocks. This radiation can then affect components sensitive to high temperatures, for example, around 180°C, such as heat exchange device manifolds made of plastic. Under the effect of the heat transmitted to these components, their structure can be weakened or even degraded. In the automotive industry, for example, it is common for a heat exchange device such as a front-end radiator of the vehicle to serve as a mounting structure for another heat exchange device such as an air-gas cooler.A fluidic communication block of the cooler may then be located near a plastic wall of the radiator, this plastic being of a grade having a heat tolerance of less than 180°C. By proximity, we mean a distance between these components of less than 10 millimeters, preferably less than or equal to 5 millimeters. Description of the invention

[0003] The present invention thus relates to a fluidic communication block of a first heat exchange device, said device being configured to allow the exchange between a first and a second heat transfer fluid, said fluidic communication block comprising a channel configured for the admission or expulsion of the first heat transfer fluid into the first heat exchange device, said fluidic communication block being characterized in that it comprises means for thermal insulation of the channel, said thermal insulation means being configured to limit the thermal radiation from the channel to the outside of the fluidic communication block, in particular to a second heat exchange device placed near the first heat exchange device.

[0004] Thus, thermal radiation is limited from the communication block when a hot fluid enters or exits this block and prevents degradation of the surrounding parts of other components located near the heat exchange device.

[0005] According to one aspect of the invention, the fluidic communication block comprises a single channel, the single channel being that previously described.

[0006] According to one aspect of the invention, the fluid communication block comprises at least two channels configured for the admission or expulsion of the first heat transfer fluid into the first device. The thermal insulation means may be specific to each channel or common to both.

[0007] According to one aspect of the invention, the thermal insulation means comprise a groove configured in particular to receive ambient air. It is thus understood that air, due to its known insulating properties, will serve as a means of thermal insulation for the channel.

[0008] According to one aspect of the invention, the groove comprises an insulating material, preferably a foam, for example a polyurethane foam.

[0009] According to one aspect of the invention, the groove can be closed so as to encapsulate an insulating material such as an insulating gas, for example ambient air.

[0010] According to one aspect of the invention, the groove is encapsulated by a sealing gasket.

[0011] According to one aspect of the invention, the channel opens onto one of the faces of the block communication and the groove consists of an obvious formed from said face including the mouth of the channel.

[0012] According to one aspect of the invention, the groove surrounds at least partially the channel, preferably completely. In the case of a plurality of channels, for example two channels, and whose thermal insulation means are common, said groove surrounds the plurality of channels.

[0013] According to one aspect of the invention, the groove has a shape homothetic to the mouth of the channel.

[0014] According to one aspect of the invention and according to an alternative, the groove consists of a recess formed from a lateral face of the fluidic communication block, said lateral face being devoid of the mouth of the channel and is arranged opposite a second heat exchange device placed near the first heat exchange device.

[0015] According to one aspect of the invention, the groove extends over the entire lateral face of the fluidic communication block. In this configuration, it may be advantageous for the groove not to be completely encapsulated in order to allow, at the ends longitudinal grooves allow for air circulation and thermal insulation, when such a choice of thermal insulation is preferred.

[0016] According to one aspect of the invention, the fluidic communication block includes means for fixing a conduit with the channel.

[0017] According to one aspect of the invention, the means for fixing said conduit with the channel include positioning means, configured to allow good positioning and facilitate the mounting of the conduit with the channel.

[0018] According to one aspect of the invention, the channel includes at its mouth an enlarged section configured to receive a portion of the conduit supplying the channel. By enlarged, we mean a section with a width greater than the width of the channel without the enlarged section.

[0019] According to one aspect of the invention, the groove is of a greater depth than the depth of the enlarged section.

[0020] According to one aspect of the invention, the groove has a depth of at least one-third, preferably at least half, of the length of the channel in the fluidic communication block. By length is meant the principal elongation dimension of the channel which corresponds to the direction of flow of the first heat transfer fluid.

[0021] According to one aspect of the invention, the fluidic communication block is made of a single piece of heat-conducting material such as aluminum.

[0022] The invention also relates to a first heat exchange device comprising the fluidic communication block as described above.

[0023] According to one aspect of the invention, the first heat exchange device comprises at least one mounting plate, preferably two mounting plates, configured to fix the first heat exchange device onto a second heat exchange device.

[0024] According to one aspect of the invention, at least one mounting plate is separated from the fluidic communication block. This has the advantage of thermally decoupling the fluidic communication block from the second heat exchange device and thus limiting heat exchange between them.

[0025] According to one aspect of the invention, one of the mounting plates is a single piece with the fluid communication block. Therefore, it is preferable for thermal insulation means, such as a groove, to be interposed between the mounting plate and the fluid communication block. These thermal insulation means have the advantage of thermally decoupling the fluid communication block and the mounting plate, thus avoiding the problems of the prior art, and also reducing the number of components in the primary heat exchange device, thereby reducing costs.

[0026] The invention further relates to a heat exchange module, in particular for a vehicle, comprising a first heat exchange device and a second heat exchange device fixed to said first heat exchange device, the first heat exchange device being configured to allow the exchange between a first and a second heat transfer fluid and comprising a fluid communication block including a channel configured for the admission or expulsion of the first heat transfer fluid into the first heat exchange device, said fluid communication block being characterized in that it includes means for thermal insulation of the channel, said thermal insulation means being configured to limit the thermal radiation from the channel to the outside of the fluid communication block, in particular to the second heat exchange device fixed to said first heat exchange device.

[0027] According to one aspect of the invention, the second heat exchange device includes means for fixing the second heat exchange device to the first heat exchange device, said fixing means are in particular configured to be fixed to the first heat exchange device by the fluidic communication block.

[0028] According to one aspect of the invention, the means for fixing the second heat exchange device to the first heat exchange device comprise at least a deformable clip, a stop and a counter-stop, these three elements interacting with each other to lock the second heat exchange device to the first heat exchange device.

[0029] According to one aspect of the invention, the clip, stop, and counter-stop of the fastening means are made of a material with a collector box, in particular made of plastic. The thermal insulation means for the channel have the advantage of thermally decoupling this channel from the fastening means that are directly connected to the fluid communication block. Thus, even in the event of contact between the elements of the first and second heat exchange devices, the heat exchange through the channel is limited.

[0030] According to one aspect of the invention, the clip, the stop and the counter-stop of the fastening means can be reversible mounting elements of the second heat exchange device on the first heat exchange device and can be used in addition to fastening means such as screws which cooperate with the mounting plates of the first heat exchange device.

[0031] The invention also relates to a method for obtaining a fluidic communication block for a first heat exchange device, said device being configured to allow exchange between a first and a second heat transfer fluid, said fluidic communication block comprising a configured channel for the admission or expulsion of the first heat transfer fluid in the first heat exchange device, said process comprising at least the following steps: • Create a thermal insulation groove for the channel in the fluidic communication block, • Fill the thermal insulation groove with insulating material.

[0032] According to one aspect of the invention, the method comprises, after filling the thermal insulation groove, the following optional step: • Sealing an upper portion of the thermal insulation groove so as to encapsulate the insulating material within the thermal insulation groove.

[0033] According to one aspect of the invention, the method is characterized in that the thermal insulation groove of the channel is formed by at least partially surrounding said single channel, preferably by completely surrounding it.

[0034] According to one aspect of the invention and alternatively, the method is characterized in that the thermal insulation groove of the channel is made from a lateral face of the fluidic communication block, said lateral face being devoid of the mouth of the channel and is arranged opposite a second heat exchange device placed near the first heat exchange device. Brief description of the drawings

[0035] Other features, details and advantages of the invention will become clearer upon reading the following description, which is provided by way of example in conjunction with drawings in which: - [Fig.1] is a schematic view of a heat exchange module according to the invention, comprising a first heat exchange device including a fluidic communication block according to the invention and the first heat exchange device is mounted on the second heat exchange device; - [Fig.2] is a schematic view of the fluidic communication block according to a first embodiment of the invention; - [Fig.3] is a schematic cross-sectional view of [Fig.2]; - Fig. 4 is a schematic view of the fluidic communication block according to a second embodiment of the invention; - [Fig.5] is a schematic view of the fluidic communication block according to a variant of [Fig.4]; - [Fig.6] is an enlarged view of the heat exchange module of [Fig.1] - [Fig.7] is an enlarged view of a heat exchange module according to a variant of [Fig.1].

[0036] It should first be noted that while the figures illustrate the invention in detail for its implementation, these figures can of course also be used to further define the invention where appropriate. It should also be noted that these figures only show a few examples of embodiments of the invention. Detailed description

[0037] Figure 1 illustrates a heat exchange module 300 according to the invention. This heat exchange module 300 comprises two heat exchange devices 100, 200. The first heat exchange device 100 comprises a fluidic communication block 10 according to the invention.

[0038] Figures 2 to 5 show the fluidic communication block 10 alone. This fluidic communication block 10 is mounted on a first heat exchange device 100, said device 100 being configured to allow the exchange between a first and a second heat transfer fluid, said fluidic communication block 10 comprising a channel 1 configured for the admission or expulsion of the first heat transfer fluid into the first heat exchange device 100, said fluidic communication block 10 being characterized in that it comprises thermal insulation means 2 of the channel 1, said thermal insulation means 2 being configured to limit the thermal radiation from the channel 1 to the outside of the fluidic communication block 10, in particular to a second heat exchange device 200 placed near the first heat exchange device 100.Thus, thermal radiation is limited from the communication block when a hot fluid enters or exits this block, preventing damage to surrounding parts of other components located near the heat exchange device. In the figures, the fluid communication block 10 comprises a single channel 1, but alternatively, and not shown, the fluid communication block 10 may comprise at least two channels 1 configured for the inlet or outlet of the first heat transfer fluid in the first device 100. The thermal insulation means 2 may be specific to each channel 1 or common to all channels.

[0039] In the example of [Fig. 1], the heat exchange device 100 is a gas cooler. This heat exchange device 100 comprises the fluid communication block 10, which is fixed to a collector box that distributes the first heat transfer fluid into a bundle of channels. This bundle of channels exchanges heat with a second heat transfer fluid, for example, air, which circulates between the channels of the bundle, which are spaced apart from each other.

[0040] The thermal insulation means 2 comprise a groove 21 configured in particular to receive ambient air. It is thus understood that air, due to its known insulating properties, will serve as a means of thermal insulation for the channel. Alternatively, the groove 21 may comprise an insulating material, preferably a foam, for example polyurethane foam.

[0041] The groove 21, as shown in [Fig. 3], can also be closed to encapsulate an insulating material such as an insulating gas, for example, ambient air. The encapsulation of the groove 21 is achieved by a sealing gasket 22.

[0042] According to a first embodiment of the invention particularly illustrated in figures 2 and 3, the channel 1 opens onto one of the faces 11 of the communication block and the groove 21 consists of a recess formed from said face 11 comprising the mouth of the channel 1.

[0043] The groove 21 surrounds at least partially the channel 1, preferably completely. In the case of a plurality of channels 1, for example two channels 1, and whose thermal insulation means 2 are common, said groove 21 surrounds the plurality of channels 1.

[0044] The groove 21 has a homothetic shape of the mouth of the channel 1.

[0045] According to a second embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the groove 21 consists of a recess formed from a lateral face 12 of the fluidic communication block 10, said lateral face 12 being devoid of the opening of the channel 1 and is positioned opposite a second heat exchange device 200 located near the first heat exchange device 100. Figure 4 shows in particular a lateral face 12 comprising the groove 21 alone, while Figure 5 shows the same groove 21, however, encapsulated by the sealing gasket 22. As illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the groove 21 extends over the entire lateral face 12 of the fluidic communication block 10.In this configuration, it can be advantageous for the groove 21 not to be completely encapsulated in order to allow, at the longitudinal ends 210 of the groove 21, circulation of thermal insulation air, when such a choice of thermal insulation is preferred. However, it is possible to have, on the fluidic communication block 10 and according to this second embodiment (not illustrated in the figures), a groove 21 that does not extend over the entire height of the lateral face 12, thus allowing, when a sealing gasket 22 is used, the formation of a chamber that can be completely closed by it.

[0046] The following description applies to both the first and second embodiments of the invention. The fluidic communication block 10, as shown in the figures, comprises means 13 for fixing a conduit to the channel 1. The duct, however, is not shown in the figures in order to leave channel 1 visible.

[0047] The means for fixing said conduit with the channel 1 include positioning means 14, configured to allow good positioning and facilitate the mounting of the conduit with the channel 1.

[0048] The channel 1 includes at its mouth an enlarged section 3 configured to receive part of the conduit supplying the channel 1. By enlarged means a section with a width greater than the width of the channel 1 without the enlarged section.

[0049] The groove 21 is deeper than the depth of the enlarged section.

[0050] The groove 21 has a depth of at least one third, preferably at least half, of the length of the channel 1 in the fluidic communication block 10. By length is meant the principal elongation dimension of the channel 1 which corresponds to the direction of circulation of the first heat transfer fluid.

[0051] The fluidic communication block 10 is made of a single piece of heat-conducting material such as aluminum.

[0052] Figures 1, 6 and 7 illustrate a first heat exchange device 100 comprising the fluidic communication block 10 as previously described.

[0053] The first heat exchange device 100 comprises at least one mounting plate 110, preferably two mounting plates 110, configured to fix the first heat exchange device 100 onto a second heat exchange device 200.

[0054] At least one mounting plate 110 is separated from the fluidic communication block 10. This has the advantage of thermally decoupling the fluidic communication block 10 from the second heat exchange device 200 and thus limiting heat exchange between them.

[0055] Alternatively, and not illustrated in the figures, it is possible according to the invention that one of the mounting plates 110 is monobloc of the fluidic communication block 10. Then, it is preferable that the thermal insulation means 2 such as the groove 21 be interposed between the fluidic communication block 10 and the mounting plate 110 made of the same material as said fluidic communication block 10.

[0056] The invention also relates to a heat exchange module 300, illustrated in Figures 1, 6 and 7, particularly for vehicles, comprising a first heat exchange device 100 and a second heat exchange device 200 fixed to said first heat exchange device 100, the first heat exchange device 100 being configured to allow the exchange between a first and a second heat transfer fluid and comprising a fluid communication block 10 comprising a channel 1 configured for the admission or expulsion of the first heat transfer fluid into the first heat exchange device 100, said fluid communication block 10 being characterized in that it comprises thermal insulation means 2 of the channel 1, said thermal insulation means 2 being configured to limit thermal radiation from the channel 1 to the outside of the fluid communication block 10, in particular to the second heat exchange device 200 fixed to said first heat exchange device 100.

[0057] Figures 6 and 7 show that the second heat exchange device 200 includes means for fixing the second heat exchange device 200 to the first heat exchange device 100, said fixing means 210 are in particular configured to be fixed to the first heat exchange device 100 by the fluidic communication block 10. In the example of these figures, the second heat exchange device 200 is in particular a radiator, preferably for a front of a vehicle.

[0058] In [Fig.6], the means for fixing the second heat exchange device 200 to the first heat exchange device 100 comprise at least a deformable clip 211, a stop 212 and a counter-stop 213, these three elements interacting with each other to lock the second heat exchange device 200 to the first heat exchange device 100.

[0059] The clip 211, the stop 212, and the counter-stop 213 of the fastening means 210 are made of material with a collector box 220, notably produced of plastic. The thermal insulation means of the channel have the advantage of thermally decoupling this channel from the fastening means directly connected to the fluid communication block. Thus, even in the event of contact between the elements of the first and second heat exchange devices, the heat exchange due to the channel is limited.

[0060] The clip 211, the stop 212 and the counter-stop 213 of the fastening means 210 can be reversible mounting elements of the second heat exchange device 200 on the first heat exchange device 100 and can be used in addition to fastening means such as screws which cooperate with the mounting plates 110 of the first heat exchange device 100.

[0061] As illustrated in [Fig. 7], it is also possible that the means for attaching the second heat exchange device 200 to the first heat exchange device 100 comprise only screws, not shown, which cooperate with the mounting plates 110 of the first heat exchange device 100. In the same figure, the distance D illustrates the proximity between the fluid communication block 10 and the second heat exchange device 200.

[0062] The invention also includes a method for obtaining a fluidic communication block 10 of a first heat exchange device 100, said device 100 being configured to allow the exchange between a first and a second heat transfer fluid, said fluidic communication block 10 comprising a channel 1 configured for the admission or expulsion of the first heat transfer fluid into the first heat exchange device 100, said method comprising at least the following steps: Create a thermal insulation groove 21 for channel 1 in the block of fluidic communication 10, Fill the thermal insulation groove 21 with insulating material.

[0063] The method comprises, after filling the groove 21 with thermal insulation, the following optional step: Sealing of an upper part of the thermal insulation groove 21 so as to encapsulate the insulating material in the thermal insulation groove 21.

[0064] The method is characterized in that the thermal insulation groove 21 of the channel 1 is made by at least partially surrounding said single channel 1, preferably by completely surrounding it.

[0065] The method is characterized in that the thermal insulation groove 21 of the channel 1 is made from a lateral face 12 of the fluidic communication block 10, said lateral face 12 being devoid of the mouth of the channel 1 and is arranged opposite a second heat exchange device 200 placed near the first heat exchange device 100.

Claims

Demands

1. Fluidic communication block (10) of a first heat exchange device (100), said device (100) being configured to permit the exchange between a first and a second heat transfer fluid, said fluidic communication block (10) comprising a channel (1) configured for the admission or expulsion of the first heat transfer fluid into the first heat exchange device (100), said fluidic communication block (10) being characterized in that it comprises thermal insulation means (2) of the channel (1), said thermal insulation means (2) being configured to limit the thermal radiation from the channel (1) to the outside of the fluidic communication block (10), in particular to a second heat exchange device (200) placed near the first heat exchange device (100).

2. Fluidic communication block (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the thermal insulation means (2) include a groove (21) configured in particular to receive ambient air.

3. Fluidic communication block (10) according to the preceding claim, in which the groove (21) comprises an insulating material, preferably a foam, for example a polyurethane foam.

4. Fluidic communication block (10) according to any one of claim 2 or 3, in which the groove (21) can be closed so as to encapsulate an insulating material such as an insulating gas, for example ambient air.

5. Fluidic communication block (10) according to the preceding claim, in which the encapsulation of the groove (21) is made by a sealing gasket (22).

6. Fluidic communication block (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the channel (1) opens onto one of the faces (11) of the communication block and the groove (21) consists of a recess formed from said face (11) comprising the mouth of the channel (1).

7. Fluidic communication block (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the groove (21) consists of a recess formed from a lateral face (12) of the block of fluidic communication (10), said lateral face (12) being devoid of the mouth of the channel (1) and is arranged opposite a second heat exchange device (200) placed near the first heat exchange device (100).

8. First heat exchange device (100) comprising the fluidic communication block (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

9. Heat exchange module (300), particularly for vehicles, comprising a first heat exchange device (100) and a second heat exchange device (200) fixed to said first heat exchange device (100), the first heat exchange device (100) being configured to permit the exchange between a first and a second heat transfer fluid and comprising a fluid communication block (10) comprising a channel (1) configured for the admission or expulsion of the first heat transfer fluid into the first heat exchange device (100), said fluid communication block (10) being characterized in that it comprises thermal insulation means (2) for the channel (1), said thermal insulation means (2) being configured to limit thermal radiation from the channel (1) to the outside of the fluid communication block (10),particularly towards the second heat exchange device (200) attached to said first heat exchange device (100).

10. Method of obtaining a fluidic communication block (10) of a first heat exchange device (100), said device (100) being configured to allow the exchange between a first and a second heat transfer fluid, said fluidic communication block (10) comprising a channel (1) configured for the admission or expulsion of the first heat transfer fluid into the first heat exchange device (100), said method comprising at least the following steps: • Making a thermal insulation groove (21) of the channel (1) in the fluidic communication block (10), • Filling the thermal insulation groove (21) with insulating material.

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