Heat exchanger

Abstract

To improve heat exchange efficiency of a heat exchanger.SOLUTION: The heat exchange 10 includes a porous flat tube 12 in which a plurality of high-pressure flow path 12A through which a high-pressure fluid flows are arranged along one direction, a flow path forming member 14 that forms a low-pressure flow path 14A through which a low-pressure fluid flows in contact with the porous flat tube 12 between the porous flat tube 12 and the flow path forming member 14, and a pipe 16 having a circular cross section that covers and holds the porous flat tube 12 and the flow path forming member 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat exchanger. [Background technology]

[0002] Known examples of heat exchangers include those described in Patent Documents 1 and 2. The heat exchanger described in Patent Document 1 uses a porous flat tube in which a large number of fluid passage holes are arranged in multiple rows in the cross-sectional thickness direction, and performs heat exchange between a low-pressure fluid and a high-pressure fluid, with the row of fluid passage holes on one side serving as a low-pressure fluid passage and the row of fluid passage holes on the other side serving as a high-pressure fluid passage.

[0003] Furthermore, the heat exchanger described in Patent Document 2 has a configuration in which flat low-pressure tubes through which a low-pressure medium flows and flat high-pressure tubes through which a high-pressure refrigerant flows are stacked, and a configuration in which flat low-pressure tubes and flat high-pressure tubes are integrated together. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-101144 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-125340 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, there is room for improvement in the heat exchange efficiency of any of the heat exchangers.

[0006] The present disclosure aims to improve the heat exchange efficiency of a heat exchanger. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The heat exchanger according to the first aspect comprises a porous flat tube in which a plurality of high-pressure flow paths for carrying high-pressure fluid are arranged in one direction, a flow path forming member that forms a low-pressure flow path between the porous flat tube and the tube, for carrying low-pressure fluid in contact with the porous flat tube, and a pipe with a circular cross section that covers and holds the porous flat tube and the flow path forming member.

[0008] In this heat exchanger, heat exchange of fluid can be efficiently performed between the high-pressure flow path of the porous flat tube and the low-pressure flow path between the flow path forming member and the porous flat tube. Because the porous flat tube and the flow path forming member are covered by a pipe with a circular cross section, leakage of liquid to the outside of the pipe can be prevented.

[0009] In a second aspect, in the heat exchanger according to the first aspect, a groove that forms the low-pressure flow path is formed in the flow path forming member.

[0010] In this heat exchanger, the grooves formed in the flow path forming member form the low-pressure flow paths. Because the flow path forming member is placed inside the pipe, the structure of the flow path forming member does not affect the external shape of the heat exchanger. Therefore, the shape of the grooves in the flow path forming member can be freely set.

[0011] In a third aspect, in the heat exchanger according to the first aspect, the flow path forming member has fins in which convex portions that abut against the porous flat tubes and concave portions that do not abut against the porous flat tubes and form the low-pressure flow path are formed alternately.

[0012] In this heat exchanger, convex and concave portions are alternately formed on the fins that serve as flow path forming members. The convex portions abut against the perforated flat tubes, and the concave portions form low-pressure flow paths. Because the fins are placed inside the pipes, the fin structure does not affect the external shape of the heat exchanger. Therefore, the shapes of the convex and concave portions of the fins can be freely set.

[0013] In a fourth aspect, in the heat exchanger according to any one of the first to third aspects, a positioning member is provided between the porous flat tube, the flow path forming member, and the pipe.

[0014] In this heat exchanger, a positioning member is provided between the perforated flat tube, the flow path forming member, and the pipe, which allows the perforated flat tube and the flow path forming member to be positioned inside the pipe, thereby reducing variations in heat exchange efficiency between products.

[0015] In a fifth aspect, in the heat exchanger according to the fourth aspect, the positioning member and the flow path forming member are integrated together.

[0016] In this heat exchanger, the positioning member and the flow path forming member are integrated, which makes it even easier to position the perforated flat tube and the flow path forming member inside the pipe.

[0017] In a sixth aspect, in the heat exchanger according to the fourth aspect, the positioning member and the flow path forming member are separate members.

[0018] In this heat exchanger, the positioning member and the flow path forming member are separate, so the capacity of the heat exchanger can be freely designed by changing the positioning member to match the structure of the perforated flat tubes and the flow path forming member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the present invention, the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a heat exchanger according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 1, showing a portion of the high-pressure first joint and the low-pressure first joint in the heat exchanger. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a heat exchanger. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a heat exchanger. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a heat exchanger according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a heat exchanger. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a heat exchanger. [Figure 9] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Components indicated by the same reference numerals in each drawing are the same or similar components. Note that duplicated descriptions and reference numerals may be omitted in the embodiments described below. Furthermore, all drawings used in the following description are schematic, and the dimensional relationships and ratios of elements shown in the drawings do not necessarily correspond to the actual ones. Furthermore, the dimensional relationships and ratios of elements between multiple drawings do not necessarily correspond to the actual ones.

[0022] [First embodiment] 1 to 5, a heat exchanger 10 according to this embodiment includes porous flat tubes 12, a flow path forming member 14, and a pipe 16. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the heat exchanger 10 also includes a first block 21 and a second block 22 connected to a high-pressure flow path 12A and a low-pressure flow path 14A, which will be described later. The high-pressure flow path 12A and the low-pressure flow path 14A open to both axial ends of the pipe 16, with the first block 21 provided at one axial end and the second block 22 provided at the other axial end.

[0023] The first block 21 is formed, for example, from a metal material, and includes a cylindrical portion 24, a cover member 26, a high-pressure joint 28, and a low-pressure joint 30. The cylindrical portion 24 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and is attached so as to cover the end of the pipe 16. The perforated flat tube 12 protrudes from the end of the pipe 16 and terminates by passing through a bottom portion 24B of the cylindrical portion 24.

[0024] The cover member 26 is attached to the end of the cylindrical portion 24 in the axial direction of the pipe 16, overlapping it. A space 26A is formed between the bottom 24B of the cylindrical portion 24 and the cover member 26. A high-pressure flow path 12A of the porous flat tube 12, which will be described later, opens into this space 26A. The space 26A communicates with a flow path port 28A through a passage 28B of the high-pressure joint 28. The high-pressure joint 28 is attached, for example, straddling the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 24 and the outer peripheral surface of the cover member 26. The high-pressure joint 28 is provided with a female thread portion 28C for fixing a piping connection part (not shown).

[0025] A space 24A is formed between the bottom 24B of the cylindrical portion 24 and the pipe 16. The low-pressure flow path 14A formed between the flow path forming member 14 and the porous flat tube 12 communicates with this space 24A. The space 24A communicates with a flow path opening 30A through a passage 30B of the low-pressure joint 30. The low-pressure joint 30, for example, straddles the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 24 and the outer peripheral surface of the cover member 26, and is attached to the opposite side (diametrically opposite side) of the high-pressure joint 28. The low-pressure joint 30 is provided with a female thread portion 30C for fixing a piping connection part (not shown).

[0026] Like the first block 21, the second block 22 is formed of, for example, a metal material, and is configured to include a cylindrical portion 24, a cover member 26, a high-pressure joint 28, and a low-pressure joint 30.

[0027] (Perforated flat tube) 2 to 5, the porous flat tube 12 is a tube formed in a flat shape, and has a plurality of high-pressure flow paths 12A arranged in one direction inside it, through which a high-pressure fluid flows. The high-pressure fluid is, for example, a high-temperature refrigerant. Carbon dioxide (CO2), for example, can be used as the refrigerant. The porous flat tube 12 can be formed using a metal such as aluminum.

[0028] In other words, the porous flat tube 12 has an external appearance like a thick strip, and inside thereof, a plurality of high-pressure flow paths 12A, each having a circular cross section and through which a high-pressure fluid passes, are arranged in a straight line at regular intervals along the width direction of the porous flat tube 12. In this embodiment, four porous flat tubes 12 are arranged parallel to one another in the thickness direction. Two relatively wide porous flat tubes 12 are arranged closer to the center of the pipe 16. Furthermore, relatively narrow porous flat tubes 12 are arranged on sides farther from the center of the pipe 16. The wide porous flat tubes 12 have a greater number of high-pressure flow paths 12A than the narrow porous flat tubes 12.

[0029] (flow path forming member) The flow path forming member 14 forms a low-pressure flow path 14A between the porous flat tubes 12 and the flow path forming member 14, through which a low-pressure fluid flows while in contact with the porous flat tubes 12. Grooves 14B that form the low-pressure flow path 14A may be formed in the flow path forming member 14. The area surrounded by the grooves 14B and the outer surfaces of the porous flat tubes 12 is the low-pressure flow path 14A. A plurality of grooves 14B may be formed. In the illustrated example, the arrangement of the grooves 14B provides the low-pressure flow paths 14A on both ends in the width direction and on both surfaces in the thickness direction of the porous flat tubes 12. In other words, the grooves 14B are arranged to surround the periphery of the porous flat tubes 12.

[0030] (pipe) The pipes 16 are members with a circular cross section that cover and hold the porous flat tubes 12 and the flow path forming members 14. The pipes 16 are integrated with the porous flat tubes 12 and the flow path forming members 14 by drawing. A positioning member 18 is provided between the porous flat tubes 12, the flow path forming members 14, and the pipes 16. In this embodiment, the positioning member 18 and the flow path forming members 14 are integrated. That is, the flow path forming members 14 form the low-pressure flow paths 14A by the grooves 14B and fill the gaps between the pipes 16 and the porous flat tubes 12. In this embodiment, three types of flow path forming members 14-1 to 14-3 are arranged. The flow path forming member 14-1 is sandwiched between two wide porous flat tubes 12. The flow path forming member 14-2 is arranged between the wide porous flat tube 12 and the narrow porous flat tube 12. The flow path forming member 14-3 is disposed between the narrow porous flat tube 12 and the pipe 16. The outer surfaces of the combined flow path forming members 14-1 to 14-3 have a cylindrical shape that conforms to the inner surface of the pipe 16.

[0031] (action) This embodiment is configured as described above, and its operation will be described below. In Fig. 1, in the heat exchanger 10 according to this embodiment, a high-pressure, high-temperature fluid flows in through the high-pressure joint 28 of the first block 21 and flows out through the high-pressure joint 28 of the second block 22. A low-temperature, low-pressure fluid flows in through the low-pressure joint 30 of the first block 21 and flows out through the low-pressure joint 30 of the second block 22. The high-temperature, high-pressure fluid flows through a high-pressure flow path 12A in the porous flat tubes 12. The low-temperature, low-pressure fluid flows through a low-pressure flow path 14A formed between the flow path forming member 14 and the porous flat tubes 12. This allows efficient heat exchange between the high-temperature, high-pressure fluid and the low-temperature, low-pressure fluid.

[0032] The porous flat tubes 12 and the flow path forming member 14 are covered by the pipe 16 having a circular cross section, which prevents liquid from leaking outside the pipe 16. Furthermore, by making the pipe 16 circular in cross section, it is also possible to use a CO2 refrigerant, which is used at a relatively high pressure.

[0033] Because the flow path forming member 14 is disposed inside the pipe 16, the structure of the flow path forming member 14 does not affect the outer shape of the heat exchanger 10. Therefore, the shape of the grooves 14B of the flow path forming member 14 can be freely set.

[0034] The positioning member 18 is provided between the porous flat tubes 12, the flow path forming member 14, and the pipe 16, so that it is possible to position the porous flat tubes 12 and the flow path forming member 14 inside the pipe 16. Therefore, it is possible to suppress variations in heat exchange efficiency between products.

[0035] Since the positioning member 18 and the flow path forming member 14 are integrated, it is even easier to position the perforated flat tube 12 and the flow path forming member 14 inside the pipe 16.

[0036] According to this embodiment, the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger 10 can be improved.

[0037] [Second embodiment] 6 to 9, in the heat exchanger 20 according to this embodiment, for example, four porous flat tubes 12 of equal width are arranged. Furthermore, fins 32 are provided as an example of flow path forming members. For example, two fins 32 are arranged between each porous flat tube 12. Furthermore, one fin 32 is arranged between the porous flat tube 12 and the positioning member 18 located at both ends of the porous flat tubes 12 in the overlapping direction.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 9 , the fins 32 are alternately formed with convex portions 32A that contact the porous flat tubes 12 and concave portions 32B that do not contact the porous flat tubes 12 and form the low-pressure flow paths 14A. Specifically, the convex portions 32A and concave portions 32B are arranged in a staggered pattern. The fins 32 are formed, for example, by pressing a metal plate. The back side of the convex portion 32A forms a concave portion 32C, and the back side of the concave portion 32B forms a convex portion 32D. In the illustrated example, the top surfaces of the convex portions 32A and 32D and the bottoms of the concave portions 32B and 32C are continuous in the direction of arrow A. Both ends of the convex portion 32A in the direction of arrow A are open, and these openings communicate with the concave portion 32C on the back side. The fluid flows in the direction of arrow B, for example, perpendicular to the direction of arrow A. This allows the fluid to flow through the openings of the convex portions 32A and 32D, moving back and forth between the front-side concave portion 32B and the rear-side concave portion 32C in a generally zigzag manner in the direction of arrow B. The portion through which the fluid flows becomes the low-pressure flow path 32E.

[0039] 6 and 7, in this embodiment, the positioning member 18 and the fins 32 (flow path forming members) are separate bodies. The stacked porous flat tubes 12 and fins 32 have a rectangular cross section as a whole, and the positioning member 18 has a flat portion 18A and a cylindrical portion 18B so as to fill the space between this rectangular shape and the pipe 16, and has, for example, a solid structure.

[0040] In this heat exchanger, convex portions 32A, 32D and concave portions 32B, 32C are alternately formed on fins 32 serving as flow path forming members 14. The convex portions 32A, 32D abut against the porous flat tubes 12, and the concave portions 32B, 32C form the low-pressure flow paths 14A. Because the fins 32 are disposed inside the pipes 16, the structure of the fins 32 does not affect the external shape of the heat exchanger. Therefore, the shapes of the convex portions 32A, 32D and the concave portions 32B, 32C of the fins 32 can be freely set.

[0041] Furthermore, since the positioning member 18 and the fins 32 (flow path forming members) are separate bodies, the capacity of the heat exchanger 20 can be freely designed by changing the positioning member 18 to match the structure of the perforated flat tubes 12 and the fins 32.

[0042] Other parts are the same as those in the first embodiment, so the same parts are given the same reference numerals in the drawings and the explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0043] [Other embodiments] The above describes one example of an embodiment of the present invention, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0044] The configuration and number of the porous flat tubes 12, and the configuration and number of the flow path forming member 14 and the fins 32 are not limited to those described above and can be changed as appropriate. The number and arrangement of the high-pressure flow paths 12A and the low-pressure flow paths 14A, 32E can also be changed as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 10 Heat exchanger 12 Perforated flat tube 12A High pressure flow path 14 Flow path forming member 14A Low pressure flow path 14B Groove 16 Pipe 18 Positioning member 20 Heat exchanger 32 Fin (flow path forming member) 32A convex part 32B Recess 32C recess 32D convex part

Claims

1. a porous flat tube in which a plurality of high-pressure flow paths for passing a high-pressure fluid are arranged in one direction; a flow path forming member that forms, between the porous flat tube and the flow path forming member, a low-pressure flow path through which a low-pressure fluid flows while being in contact with the porous flat tube; a pipe having a circular cross section that covers and holds the perforated flat tube and the flow path forming member; A heat exchanger having

2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1 , wherein the flow path forming member is formed with a groove that forms the low-pressure flow path.

3. 2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the flow path forming member has fins in which convex portions that abut against the porous flat tubes and concave portions that do not abut against the porous flat tubes and form the low-pressure flow path are alternately formed.

4. The heat exchanger according to claim 1 , further comprising a positioning member provided between the perforated flat tube, the flow path forming member, and the pipe.

5. The heat exchanger according to claim 4 , wherein the positioning member and the flow path forming member are integral with each other.

6. The heat exchanger according to claim 4 , wherein the positioning member and the flow path forming member are separate members.

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