Heat exchanger and manufacturing method thereof

Abstract

To provide a heat exchanger which suppresses the cost of manufacturing, and a manufacturing method thereof.SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a manufacturing method of a heat exchanger 1 comprising: two tabular members 2; an upper pipe member disposed in upper ends of the tabular members 2; a lower pipe member disposed in lower ends of the tabular members 2; a first channel 4a formed from the upper pipe member; a second channel 4b formed from the lower pipe member; and a third channel 4c which is formed between the two tabular members 2 and communicating with the first channel 4a and the second channel 4b. The manufacturing method includes: a press processing step of molding, by press processing, a plate 5 comprising one tabular member 2, an upper divided pipe part 6 disposed on the upper end of the tabular member 2 and obtained by dividing the upper pipe member in an axial direction, and a lower divided pipe part 7 disposed in the lower end of the tabular member 2 and obtained by dividing the lower pipe member in the axial direction; and a fixing step of fixing the two plates 5 in contact with each other in a state where the plates are opposed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat exchanger and a manufacturing method thereof, and more particularly to a heat exchanger and a manufacturing method thereof that can reduce manufacturing costs. [Background technology]

[0002] Various heat exchangers have been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses a heat exchanger configuration in which a large number of heat transfer tubes are arranged between a pair of headers, and the fluid passing through the inside of the heat transfer tubes is cooled by air.

[0003] The heat exchanger described in Patent Document 1 requires welding both ends of a large number of heat transfer tubes to a header. This means that the number of steps required for manufacturing the heat exchanger cannot be reduced, and therefore manufacturing costs cannot be reduced. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-080864 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a heat exchanger and a manufacturing method thereof that reduce manufacturing costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A manufacturing method for a heat exchanger to achieve the above-mentioned object is a manufacturing method for a heat exchanger comprising two plate-shaped members, an upper pipe member arranged at the upper end of the plate-shaped members, a lower pipe member arranged at the lower end of the plate-shaped members, a first flow path formed by the upper pipe member, a second flow path formed by the lower pipe member, and a third flow path formed between the two plate-shaped members and communicating with the first flow path and the second flow path, and is characterized in that the manufacturing method comprises a press processing step of forming a plate having one of the plate-shaped members, an upper split pipe section arranged at the upper end of the plate-shaped member and dividing the upper pipe member in the axial direction, and a lower split pipe section arranged at the lower end of the plate-shaped member and dividing the lower pipe member in the axial direction, and a fixing step of contacting and fixing the two plates in an opposing state.

[0007] Another method for manufacturing a heat exchanger for achieving the above object is a method for manufacturing a heat exchanger including two plate-like members, an upper pipe member disposed at the upper end of the plate-like members, a lower pipe member disposed at the lower end of the plate-like members, a first flow passage formed by the upper pipe member, a second flow passage formed by the lower pipe member, and a third flow passage formed between the two plate-like members and communicating with the first flow passage and the second flow passage, the method comprising the steps of: one of the plate-like members; a lower split pipe section disposed at the lower end of the plate-like member and dividing the lower pipe member in the axial direction; an upper split pipe section disposed at the upper end of the plate-like member and cutting open the upper pipe member in the axial direction; The method includes a press processing step of forming a plate having a second plate-like member placed at an upper end and a lower split pipe section placed at the upper end of the second plate-like member and dividing the lower pipe member in the axial direction by pressing; a bending step of bending the plate around the upper split pipe section to bring the lower split pipe sections into contact with each other; and a fixing step of fixing the folded portions of the upper split pipe section that are in contact with each other to form the upper pipe member, fixing two lower split pipe sections together to form the lower pipe member, and fixing side portions of the plate-like member on which the upper pipe member and the lower pipe member are not placed.

[0008] A heat exchanger for achieving the above-mentioned object is a heat exchanger comprising two plate-shaped members, an upper pipe member arranged at the upper end of the plate-shaped members, a lower pipe member arranged at the lower end of the plate-shaped members, a first flow path formed by the upper pipe member, a second flow path formed by the lower pipe member, and a third flow path formed between the two plate-shaped members and communicating with the first flow path and the second flow path, characterized in that the heat exchanger comprises one of the plate-shaped members, an upper split pipe section arranged at the upper end of the plate-shaped member and dividing the upper pipe member in the axial direction, and a lower split pipe section arranged at the lower end of the plate-shaped member and dividing the lower pipe member in the axial direction, the plate being formed by press working, and a fixing section that fixes the two plates in contact with each other in an opposing state. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, since the upper and lower split pipe sections are manufactured by pressing the plate-like member integrally, there is no need to weld the boundary between the upper and lower pipe members and the plate-like member. Since the heat exchanger is manufactured by fixing two plates in contact with each other, this is advantageous in reducing manufacturing costs. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an outline of a heat exchanger. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the heat exchanger in FIG. 1 in an exploded state. [Diagram 3] 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an AA end face in FIG. 1; [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a modified example of the heat exchanger. [Diagram 5] 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the BB end surface of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a modified example of FIG. 2. [Figure 7] 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the heat exchangers in FIG. 1 are connected in parallel. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a modified example of FIG. 7. [Figure 9] 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the heat exchangers in FIG. 1 are connected in series. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a position where a heat exchanger is installed in a tank container. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, a heat exchanger and its manufacturing method will be described based on the embodiment shown in the drawings. In the drawings, the width direction of the heat exchanger is indicated by arrow x, the vertical direction perpendicular to the width direction x is indicated by arrow y, and the thickness direction perpendicular to the width direction x and the vertical direction y is indicated by arrow z.

[0012] 1, the heat exchanger 1 includes two plate-like members 2, an upper pipe member 3a disposed at the upper end of the plate-like members 2, and a lower pipe member 3b disposed at the lower end of the plate-like members 2. The upper pipe member 3a and the lower pipe member 3b (hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to as pipe members 3) are formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape. A first flow path 4a is formed inside the upper pipe member 3a, and a second flow path 4b is formed inside the lower pipe member 3b. The shape of the pipe member 3 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may be any shape, such as a square tube, in which a flow path 4 is formed inside.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 2, the two plate-like members 2 are arranged so as to overlap each other in the thickness direction z and to be spaced apart from each other in the thickness direction z. A third flow path 4c is formed between the two plate-like members 2. The third flow path 4c is connected to the first flow path 4a and the second flow path 4b. It can also be said that the two plate-like members 2 are arranged so as to face each other.

[0014] The heat exchanger 1 is made of, for example, aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The heat exchanger 1 may be made of a metal other than aluminum, such as stainless steel, copper, or a copper alloy, taking into consideration heat transfer, strength, corrosion resistance, and the like. The heat exchanger 1 is configured to be, for example, 1.00 m in the width direction, 0.30 m in the vertical direction y, and 0.05 m in the thickness direction z. The size of the heat exchanger 1 is not limited to the above and can be changed as appropriate.

[0015] This heat exchanger 1 is an air-cooled heat exchanger, and a fluid such as liquefied gas flows through a flow path 4 of the heat exchanger 1. For example, the fluid supplied to the second flow path 4b of the lower pipe member 3b exchanges heat with the outside air via the plate member 2 as it passes through the third flow path 4c. The fluid heated by the heat exchange is discharged from the first flow path 4a of the upper pipe member 3a.

[0016] For example, when liquefied gas at -160°C is supplied to the heat exchanger 1, if the outside air temperature is 20°C, the liquefied gas is heated and discharged from the heat exchanger 1. The heat exchanger 1 can heat the liquefied gas and discharge it as room temperature gas, which is approximately the same as the outside air temperature.

[0017] This heat exchanger 1 does not require a rubber gasket or a silicon gasket, and therefore can perform heat exchange for low-temperature fluids such as liquefied gas. In addition, the heat exchanger 1 does not require a power source, etc. The heat exchanger 1 may be used to cool the supplied fluid.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 2, the heat exchanger 1 is made up of two plates 5. Each plate 5 has one plate-like member 2, an upper split pipe section 6 arranged at the upper end of the plate-like member 2 and dividing the upper pipe member 3a in its axial direction, and a lower split pipe section 7 arranged at the lower end of the plate-like member 2 and dividing the lower pipe member 3b in its axial direction. The upper split pipe section 6 and the lower split pipe section 7 have a shape in which the pipe member 3 is divided into two along a direction parallel to the width direction x and the vertical direction y. The direction in which the pipe member 3 is divided is not limited to the above, and any configuration can be used as long as the pipe member 3 is divided into two along the axial direction (width direction x).

[0019] Here, the width direction x is a direction parallel to the axial direction of the pipe member 3. The vertical direction y is a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the pipe member 3, and is a direction from the upper pipe member 3a to the lower pipe member 3b. The thickness direction z is a direction in which the two plate-like members 2 are arranged with a gap between them, and is a direction perpendicular to both the width direction x and the vertical direction y.

[0020] When manufacturing the heat exchanger 1, first, one metal plate is pressed to form the plate 5 (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the press working process). In the press working process, one plate 5 may be formed in one process, or multiple plates 5 may be formed. The two plates 5 formed in the press working process are brought into contact with each other in an opposing state and fixed to each other by welding or the like (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the fixing process). The state in which the two plates 5 face each other refers to a state in which one plate 5 is rotated 180° around the vertical direction y with respect to the other plate 5, as illustrated in FIG. 2. When the two plates 5 are brought into contact with each other in an opposing state, the two upper split pipe parts 6 are joined to form the first flow path 4a, and the two lower split pipe parts 7 are joined to form the second flow path 4b.

[0021] As illustrated in FIG. 1, in the fixing process, a fixing portion 8 is formed at the portion where the two plates 5 come into contact with each other. The fixing portion 8 is formed, for example, by welding or an adhesive. The two upper split pipe portions 6 are fixed together to form the upper pipe member 3a. A first fixing portion 8a is formed between the two upper split pipe portions 6. The first fixing portion 8a is not formed at the boundary between the upper split pipe portion 6 and the plate-like member 2. At the boundary between the upper split pipe portion 6 and the plate-like member 2, the first flow path 4a and the third flow path 4c are connected.

[0022] Similarly, the two lower split pipe sections 7 are fixed together by the second fixing portion 8b to form the lower pipe member 3b. At the boundary between the lower split pipe sections 7 and the plate-like member 2, the second fixing portion 8b is not formed, and the second flow path 4b and the third flow path 4c communicate with each other.

[0023] The third fixing portion 8c is formed between side portions 9 of the plate-like member 2 where the pipe member 3 is not arranged. In the width direction x, the portions that become the ends of the plate-like member 2 become the side portions 9. By forming the third fixing portion 8c between the two side portions 9 that face each other in the thickness direction z, it is possible to prevent the fluid from flowing out from the third flow path 4c in the width direction x. The first fixing portion 8a and the second fixing portion 8b are formed along the width direction x, and the third fixing portion 8c is formed along the vertical direction y.

[0024] Fig. 3 shows an end face AA in Fig. 1. As illustrated in the upper part of Fig. 3, a third flow path 4c is formed between two plate-like members 2. In the width direction x, at side portions 9 which are both ends of the plate-like member 2, the gap between the two plate-like members 2 is closed by a third fixing portion 8c. In this embodiment, the third fixing portion 8c is formed by a welded portion disposed between the two opposing side portions 9.

[0025] As illustrated in the lower part of FIG. 3, the third fixing portion 8c may be configured to fix two side portions 9 by contacting each other. In this embodiment, the two opposing side portions 9 are brought into contact by deformation and fixed by seam welding. The portion fixed by seam welding becomes the third fixing portion 8c. The first fixing portion 8a or the second fixing portion 8b may be formed similarly to the third fixing portion 8c. At this time, a welded portion is formed in advance along the axial direction on the outside of the upper split pipe portion 6 or the lower split pipe portion 7. The first fixing portion 8a or the second fixing portion 8b may be formed by overlapping the welded portion of one plate 5 and the welded portion of the other plate 5 and fixing the welded portion by seam welding.

[0026] The configuration of the fixing portion 8 is not limited to the above, and may be any configuration that can fix the two plates 5 together and prevent fluid from leaking from the flow path 4. For example, the fixing portion 8 may be formed by a brazing material or an adhesive.

[0027] Since the upper split pipe section 6 and the lower split pipe section 7 are manufactured by pressing in a state where they are integrated with the plate-like member 2, there is no need to weld the boundary portions between the upper pipe member 3a and the lower pipe member 3b and the plate-like member 2. Since the heat exchanger 1 can be manufactured by fixing the two plates 5 together, the number of steps in manufacturing the heat exchanger 1 can be reduced. In addition, the two plates 5 have the same shape and can be manufactured using one type of mold. This is advantageous in reducing the manufacturing costs of the heat exchanger 1.

[0028] In manufacturing a heat exchanger, if welding between the plate-like member 2 and the pipe member 3 is required, the plate-like member 2 and the like must be made thick enough to allow welding. However, with the heat exchanger 1 of the present invention, welding between the plate-like member 2 and the pipe member 3 is not necessary, so it is possible to make the material constituting the plate 5 thinner. This is advantageous in improving the performance of the heat exchanger 1.

[0029] The shape of the plate-like member 2 is not limited to a flat plate. As illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the plate-like member 2 may have projections and recesses. The projections and recesses of the plate-like member 2 are formed by a press working process. As illustrated in the upper part of FIG. 5, the plate-like member 2 has recesses 11 and projections 12 formed alternately in the width direction x. The positions of the recesses 11 formed on one plate 5 and the recesses 11 formed on the other plate 5 coincide in the width direction x. Similarly, the positions of the projections 12 formed on the two plates 5 coincide in the width direction x. The protruding directions of the projections 12 in the thickness direction z are opposite to each other in the two plates 5. Therefore, the third flow path 4c becomes large at the position where the projections 12 overlap each other, and the recesses 11 come into contact with each other at the position where the recesses 11 overlap each other, resulting in no flow path being formed. The recesses 11 may be spaced apart from each other in the thickness direction z, and the third flow path 4c may be formed between the two recesses 11.

[0030] In this embodiment, the recesses 11 are in contact with each other on the side portion 9 of the plate-shaped member 2. The recesses 11 are fixed to each other by seam welding to form the third fixing portion 8c.

[0031] Since the surface area of ​​the plate-shaped member 2 is increased, this is advantageous for improving the performance of the heat exchanger 1. In addition, depending on the shape and arrangement of the projections and recesses, the strength of the plate-shaped member 2 can be improved compared to the flat plate-shaped member 2 exemplified in FIG. 1. This makes it possible to avoid problems such as partial blockage of the third flow passage 4c due to deformation of the plate-shaped member 2. This is advantageous for maintaining the performance of the heat exchanger 1.

[0032] When the pipe member and the uneven plate member are fixed by welding in the conventional method, the welding distance becomes long, the manufacturing man-hours increase significantly, and the manufacturing cost of the heat exchanger increases. If the uneven shape of the plate member 2 is made complex, welding to the pipe member may become difficult. In contrast, in this embodiment, the uneven plate member 2 is formed by pressing together with the upper split pipe section 6 and the lower split pipe section 7. Since welding between the pipe member 3 and the uneven plate member 2 is not necessary, the uneven plate member 2 can be used in the heat exchanger 1 while suppressing the manufacturing cost.

[0033] Since the two plates 5 have the same shape, they can be manufactured using one type of mold, which is advantageous in reducing the manufacturing costs of the heat exchanger 1.

[0034] In the embodiment illustrated in the upper part of Fig. 5, the recessed portion 11 and the protruding portion 12 each have a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the vertical direction y. The shape of the unevenness is not limited to this. The unevenness may have any shape that changes in a direction perpendicular to the plate surface of the plate-like member 2. The plate surface of the plate-like member 2 refers to a surface that is parallel to the width direction x and the vertical direction y. When unevenness is formed on the plate-like member 2, a virtual plane that is parallel to the width direction x and the vertical direction y becomes the plate surface of the plate-like member 2. The unevenness can also be said to have a shape that changes in the thickness direction z.

[0035] The shape of the plate-like member 2 is not limited to a uniform shape along the vertical direction y. The unevenness may have a shape that changes along the vertical direction y. For example, in the plate-like member 2 illustrated in Fig. 4, the unevenness may be formed so that the thickness in the thickness direction z increases toward the lower side in the vertical direction y.

[0036] 5, the protruding directions of the convex portions 12 in the thickness direction z may be the same for the two plates 5. In this embodiment, the third flow paths 4c are formed in both the positions where the concave portions 11 overlap with each other and the positions where the convex portions 12 overlap with each other in the width direction x.

[0037] In the side portion 9 of the plate-shaped member 2, the gap between the two opposing recesses 11 is closed by the third fixing portion 8c. In this embodiment, the third fixing portion 8c is formed by a welded portion disposed between the two opposing side portions 9.

[0038] The two plates 5 require two types of dies because the orientations of the upper split pipe section 6 and the lower split pipe section 7 relative to the plate-like member 2 are different. Even when two types of dies are required, the manufacturing costs of the heat exchanger 1 can be reduced compared to the conventional method of welding between the plate-like member 2 and the pipe member 3. Note that the embodiment illustrated at the top of Fig. 5, which can be manufactured using one type of die, is more advantageous in reducing the manufacturing costs of the heat exchanger 1 than this embodiment, which requires two types of dies.

[0039] As illustrated in Fig. 6, the two plates 5 illustrated in Fig. 2 may be previously integrated together and configured as one plate 5. In comparison with the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 2, this embodiment can be said to be in a state in which the two plates 5 are connected at the upper separate pipe section 6. In this embodiment, the upper separate pipe section 6 is formed by cutting open the upper pipe member 3a in the axial direction, and is not divided into two.

[0040] Each plate 5 has one upper split pipe section 6, a plate-like member 2 arranged at the lower end of the upper split pipe section 6, and a lower split pipe section 7 arranged at the lower end of the plate-like member 2. Similarly, the plate 5 has the plate-like member 2 arranged at the upper end of the upper split pipe section 6, and a lower split pipe section 7 arranged at the upper end of the plate-like member 2. Here, the upper and lower sides of the plate 5 refer to one side and the other side along the vertical direction y. The lower split pipe section 7 has a shape in which the lower pipe member 3b is divided into two along a direction parallel to the width direction x and the vertical direction y.

[0041] In the press working process, one metal sheet is pressed to form one plate 5 as shown in Fig. 6. Next, the plate 5 is bent around the upper split pipe section 6, so that the lower split pipe sections 7 come into contact with each other (hereinafter, this may be referred to as the bending process).

[0042] The pressing process and the bending process may be performed simultaneously. In this case, the metal plate may be deformed to fit a die to form the upper split pipe section 6, and then bent to bring the lower split pipe sections 7 into contact with each other.

[0043] In the fixing process, the portions of the upper split pipe sections 6 that come into contact with each other after being bent are fixed together to form the upper pipe member 3a. Similarly, the two lower split pipe sections 7 are fixed together to form the lower pipe member 3b. Additionally, the side sections 9 of the two plate-like members 2 are fixed together.

[0044] A first fixing portion 8a is formed at the portions of the upper split pipe portions 6 that come into contact with each other after being bent. A second fixing portion 8b is formed between the two lower split pipe portions 7. Furthermore, a third fixing portion 8c is formed at the side portions 9 of the two opposing plate-like members 2.

[0045] There is no need to form the first fixing portion 8a in the bent portion of the upper split pipe section 6. Therefore, the range of the first fixing portion 8a in the upper pipe member 3a is smaller than in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 2. Since the overall range of the fixing portion 8 is smaller, it becomes easier to suppress leakage of the fluid passing through the inside of the heat exchanger 1. Since the man-hours required for the work of forming the fixing portion 8, such as welding, are reduced, this is advantageous in suppressing the manufacturing costs of the heat exchanger 1.

[0046] As shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9, a plurality of heat exchangers 1 may be used in combination. In this case, after the fixing step, the upper pipe member 3a or the lower pipe member 3b of the heat exchanger 1 is directly or indirectly connected to the upper pipe member 3a or the lower pipe member 3b of another heat exchanger 1 (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the assembly step). Note that the heat exchanger 1 may be used alone.

[0047] As illustrated in FIG. 7, in the assembly process, for example, three heat exchangers 1 are connected in parallel. Specifically, a connecting pipe 13 is connected to one side (left side in FIG. 7) of the lower pipe member 3b of the first heat exchanger 1. A fluid to be subjected to heat exchange is supplied to the heat exchanger 1 from this connecting pipe 13. The other side (right side in FIG. 7) of the lower pipe member 3b of the first heat exchanger 1 is connected to the lower pipe member 3b of the second heat exchanger 1 via the connecting pipe 13. Similarly, the lower pipe members 3b of the second heat exchanger 1 and the third heat exchanger 1 are connected to each other by the connecting pipe 13. A cap 14 is disposed on the other side (right side in FIG. 7) of the lower pipe member 3b of the third heat exchanger 1. This cap 14 prevents leakage of the fluid.

[0048] The upper pipe members 3a of adjacent heat exchangers 1 are connected to each other by connecting pipes 13. A cap 14 is disposed on one side (the left side in FIG. 7) of the upper pipe member 3a of the first heat exchanger 1. The connecting pipe 13 is connected to the other side (the right side in FIG. 7) of the upper pipe member 3a of the third heat exchanger 1. Fluid to be subjected to heat exchange is discharged from this connecting pipe 13. The heat exchangers 1 may be connected to each other directly without using the connecting pipe 13.

[0049] A portion of the fluid supplied from the lower pipe member 3b of the first heat exchanger 1 passes through the third flow path 4c of the plate-like member 2 and flows to the upper pipe member 3a. The remaining fluid passes through the lower pipe member 3b and flows to the lower pipe member 3b of the second heat exchanger 1. After passing through the third flow path 4c of the plate-like member 2 of one of the three heat exchangers 1, the fluid is discharged from the upper pipe member 3a of the third heat exchanger 1. For the sake of explanation, the flow of the fluid is shown by arrows in FIG. 7.

[0050] As illustrated in FIG. 8, in the assembly process, for example, three heat exchangers 1 may be connected in parallel to a branched connecting pipe 13. Specifically, the three branched connecting pipes 13 are connected to one side (left side in FIG. 8) of the lower pipe members 3b of the three heat exchangers 1. Fluid is supplied to the heat exchangers 1 from the connecting pipes 13. A cap 14 is disposed on the other side (right side in FIG. 8) of the lower pipe member 3b. Similarly, the three branched connecting pipes 13 are connected to the other side (right side in FIG. 8) of the upper pipe members 3a of the three heat exchangers 1. The connecting pipes 13 are configured so that fluids discharged from the three heat exchangers 1 join together. A cap 14 is disposed on one side (left side in FIG. 8) of the upper pipe member 3a.

[0051] The fluid separated by the connecting pipe 13 passes through one of the three heat exchangers 1 and is heated or cooled. The fluids discharged from the three heat exchangers 1 join together at the connecting pipe 13. For the sake of explanation, the flow of the fluid is indicated by arrows in Fig. 8. The number of heat exchangers 1 connected in parallel to the connecting pipe 13 is not limited to three, and may be two, four or more.

[0052] As illustrated in FIG. 9, in the assembly process, for example, three heat exchangers 1 are connected in series. Specifically, a connecting pipe 13 is connected to one side (left side in FIG. 9) of the lower pipe member 3b of the first heat exchanger 1. Fluid is supplied to the heat exchanger 1 from this connecting pipe 13. A cap 14 is disposed on the other side (right side in FIG. 9) of the lower pipe member 3b. A cap 14 is disposed on one side (left side in FIG. 9) of the upper pipe member 3a of the first heat exchanger 1, and the connecting pipe 13 is connected to the other side (right side in FIG. 9). This connecting pipe 13 is connected to the lower pipe member 3b of the second heat exchanger 1.

[0053] In adjacent heat exchangers 1, the upper pipe member 3a of the upstream heat exchanger 1 and the lower pipe member 3b of the downstream heat exchanger 1 are sequentially connected by a connecting pipe 13. A cap 14 is disposed at a location of the end of the pipe member 3 to which the connecting pipe 13 is not connected.

[0054] The fluid supplied to the first heat exchanger 1 flows from the lower pipe member 3b through the third flow path 4c of the plate-like member 2 to the upper pipe member 3a. Similarly, in the other heat exchangers 1, the fluid flows from the lower pipe member 3b through the third flow path 4c to the upper pipe member 3a. After passing through the third flow paths 4c of the plate-like members 2 of the three heat exchangers 1, the fluid is discharged from the heat exchanger 1. In Figure 9, the flow of the fluid is shown by arrows for the purpose of explanation.

[0055] A configuration in which multiple heat exchangers 1 are connected in parallel can increase the flow rate of fluid that can be processed by the heat exchanger 1. A configuration in which multiple heat exchangers 1 are connected in series can increase the time during which the fluid is heat exchanged. The temperature difference between the fluid at the inlet and outlet of the heat exchanger 1 can be increased.

[0056] A plurality of heat exchangers 1 may be connected in a combination of parallel and series. The number of heat exchangers 1 to be connected and the connection method (parallel or series) can be changed depending on the performance required of the heat exchanger 1. The number of heat exchangers 1 to be combined is not limited to three as described above, and may be two, four or more. This is advantageous in reducing the manufacturing costs of the heat exchanger 1, since it is possible to manufacture heat exchangers 1 that meet various requirements using the same mold.

[0057] The heat exchanger 1 can be applied to a tank container 15 as shown in FIG. 10, for example. The tank container 15 is used, for example, when transporting liquefied gas. The tank container 15 is composed of a frame 16 assembled so that the outer shape is a rectangular parallelepiped, and a tank 17 of a generally cylindrical shape placed inside the frame 16. The heat exchanger 1 is placed in a gap 18 between the frame 16 and the tank 17. The range in which the heat exchanger 1 can be placed is, for example, the range indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 10. A plurality of small heat exchangers 1 are combined and placed according to the size and shape of the gap 18.

[0058] Liquefied gas in the tank 17, for example at -160°C, is heated by the heat exchanger 1 to become room temperature gas, for example at approximately the same temperature as the outside air temperature. Gas can be supplied from the tank container 15. This heat exchanger 1 does not require a power source or the like, so gas can be taken out of the tank container 15 and used at any location. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1 heat exchanger 2 Plate-shaped members 3 Pipe members 3a Upper pipe member 3b Lower pipe member 4 Flow Path 4a First flow path 4b Second flow path 4c Third flow path 5 Plate 6 Upper split pipe section 7 Lower split pipe section 8 Fixed part 8a First fixed part 8b Second fixed part 8c Third fixed part 9 Side 11 Recess 12 Convex part 13 Connecting pipe 14 Cap 15 Tank Container 16 Frames 17. Tank 18 Gap x width direction y Vertical direction z thickness direction

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a heat exchanger comprising two plate-like members, an upper pipe member disposed at an upper end of the plate-like members, a lower pipe member disposed at a lower end of the plate-like members, a first flow passage formed by the upper pipe member, a second flow passage formed by the lower pipe member, and a third flow passage formed between the two plate-like members and communicating with the first flow passage and the second flow passage, comprising: a press working process for forming, by press working, a plate having one of the plate-like members, an upper split pipe section disposed at an upper end of the plate-like member and dividing the upper pipe member in the axial direction, and a lower split pipe section disposed at a lower end of the plate-like member and dividing the lower pipe member in the axial direction; and a fixing step of fixing the two plates in contact with each other in an opposing state.

2. The method for manufacturing a heat exchanger according to claim 1 , wherein the press working step includes forming projections and recesses on the plate-like member.

3. 3. The method for manufacturing a heat exchanger as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the fixing process includes fixing two of the upper split pipe sections together to form the upper pipe member, fixing two of the lower split pipe sections together to form the lower pipe member, and fixing side portions of the plate-shaped member on which the upper pipe member and the lower pipe member are not arranged.

4. 3. The method for manufacturing a heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the fixing step includes fixing the plates having the same shape to each other.

5. 3. The method for manufacturing a heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising, after the fixing step, an assembly step of directly or indirectly connecting the upper pipe member or the lower pipe member of the heat exchanger to the upper pipe member or the lower pipe member of another heat exchanger.

6. A method for manufacturing a heat exchanger comprising two plate-like members, an upper pipe member disposed at an upper end of the plate-like members, a lower pipe member disposed at a lower end of the plate-like members, a first flow passage formed by the upper pipe member, a second flow passage formed by the lower pipe member, and a third flow passage formed between the two plate-like members and communicating with the first flow passage and the second flow passage, comprising: a press working process for forming, by press working, a plate having one of the plate-like members, a lower split pipe section arranged at a lower end of the plate-like member and dividing the lower pipe member in the axial direction, an upper split pipe section arranged at an upper end of the plate-like member by cutting open the upper pipe member in the axial direction, a second plate-like member arranged at an upper end of the upper split pipe section, and a lower split pipe section arranged at the upper end of the second plate-like member by dividing the lower pipe member in the axial direction; a bending process of bending the plate around the upper split pipe portion to bring the lower split pipe portions into contact with each other; a fixing step of fixing the bent portions of the upper split pipe section that are in contact with each other to form the upper pipe member, fixing two of the lower split pipe sections together to form the lower pipe member, and fixing side portions of the plate-shaped member on which the upper pipe member and the lower pipe member are not positioned.

7. A heat exchanger comprising two plate-like members, an upper pipe member disposed at an upper end of the plate-like members, a lower pipe member disposed at a lower end of the plate-like members, a first flow passage formed by the upper pipe member, a second flow passage formed by the lower pipe member, and a third flow passage formed between the two plate-like members and communicating with the first flow passage and the second flow passage, a plate formed by pressing, the plate having one of the plate-like members, an upper split pipe section disposed at an upper end of the plate-like member and dividing the upper pipe member in the axial direction, and a lower split pipe section disposed at a lower end of the plate-like member and dividing the lower pipe member in the axial direction; and a fixing portion that fixes the two plates in contact with each other in an opposing state.

8. The heat exchanger as described in claim 7, comprising: a first fixing portion that fixes two of the upper split pipe sections together to form the upper pipe member; a second fixing portion that fixes two of the lower split pipe sections together to form the lower pipe member; and a third fixing portion that fixes side portions of the plate-shaped member on which the upper pipe member and the lower pipe member are not arranged.

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