CYLINDER HEAD AND HEAT EXCHANGER ASSEMBLY.

Abstract

The present invention discloses a header assembly for a heat exchanger and a heat exchanger. The header assembly comprises: a header, comprising: a header wall and a recess in the header wall or an opening penetrating the header wall at one end of the header wall; an end cap disposed at the end of the header wall to close the end of the header, the end cap having an orifice, the opening or recess being on one side of the end cap facing an end face of the end of the header wall; a distribution pipe, comprising a distribution portion and a connecting portion, the connecting portion projecting from the end cap through the orifice of the end cap from the distribution portion;and a positioning element having a first end and a second end, the first end of the positioning element being connected to the connection portion of the distribution pipe and the second end of the positioning element being coupled to the opening or recess in the header wall of the header. By using the header assembly and the heat exchanger according to the embodiments of the present invention, the quality of the heat exchanger can be improved.

Description

CYLINDER HEAD AND HEAT EXCHANGER ASSEMBLY FIELD OF INVENTION The embodiments of the present invention refer to a header assembly for a plate heat exchanger and a heat exchanger. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A heat exchanger comprises a header assembly and heat exchange tubes; the header assembly comprises a distribution pipe and a header, and the heat exchange tubes are connected to the header. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the embodiments of the present invention to provide a header assembly for a heat exchanger and a heat exchanger, by means of which, for example, the quality of the heat exchanger can be improved. The embodiments of the present invention provide a header assembly for a heat exchanger. The header assembly comprises: a header, comprising: a header wall and an opening penetrating the header wall at one end of the header wall; an end cap disposed in the header wall at the end of the header wall, the end cap having an orifice, the opening or recess being on one side of the end cap Ref. 340085 facing towards an end face of the end wall of the head; a distribution pipe, comprising a distribution portion and a connection portion, the connection portion protruding from the end cap through the hole in the end cap from the distribution portion; and a positioning element, the positioning element having a first end and a second end, the first end of the positioning element being connected to the connection portion of the distribution pipe and the second end of the positioning element being coupled to the opening or recess in the head wall of the head. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first end of the positioning element has a hole or a notch and the connection portion of the distribution pipe is inserted into the hole or notch of the first end of the positioning element. According to one embodiment of the invention, the opening or recess in the headwall is a recessed notch from the end face of the headwall end. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the positioning element extends in a direction that intersects with the axial direction of the head. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the distribution pipe connection portion has an opening that penetrates the pipe wall of the connection portion, and the first end of the positioning element is inserted into the opening of the distribution pipe connection portion in a direction that intersects with the axial direction of the distribution pipe connection portion. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the opening of the connection portion of the distribution pipe is a recessed notch from an end face of the connection portion. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the distribution pipe connection portion comprises a first connection portion, which extends in the axial direction of the distribution pipe, and a second connection portion that is connected to the first connection portion and bent at a predetermined angle relative to the first connection portion; and the first end of the positioning element is connected to the second connection portion of the distribution pipe connection portion. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the positioning element also has an intermediate part between the first end and the second end, and the second end of the positioning element has a bent part that is bent at a predetermined angle relative to the intermediate part of the positioning element, the bent part being coupled in the opening or recess in the head wall of the head. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the distribution pipe connection portion comprises a first connection portion, extending in the axial direction of the distribution pipe, and a second connection portion that is connected to the first connection portion and bent at a predetermined angle relative to the first connection portion; and the header further comprises a groove penetrating the header wall at the end of the header wall, the groove comprising a first groove portion recessed from the end face of the end of the header wall, and the second distribution pipe connection portion being in the first portion of the groove. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the distribution pipe connection portion comprises a first connection portion, extending in the axial direction of the distribution pipe, and a second connection portion that is connected to the first connection portion and bent at a predetermined angle relative to the first connection portion; and the header further comprises a groove penetrating the header wall at the end of the header wall, the groove comprising a first groove portion and a second groove portion; the second groove portion is recessed from the end face of the end of the header wall, and the first groove portion extends in a direction intersecting the second groove portion from that end of the second groove portion, which is away from the end face of the end of the header wall;The first groove part has groove walls opposite each other in the axial direction of the head, and the second part, the distribution pipe connection, is in the first groove part. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the opening or recess in the headwall is a recessed notch from the first groove portion in the headwall in a direction away from the end face of the headwall end. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the opening or recess in the headwall is a recessed notch from the second groove portion in the headwall in a direction away from the end face of the headwall end. The embodiments of the present invention also provide a heat exchanger, comprising a heat exchange tube and further comprising the header assembly as described in the previous embodiments, one end of the heat exchange tube being connected to the header of the header assembly. By using the head assembly and heat exchanger according to the embodiments of the present invention, for example, the quality of the heat exchanger can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1 is a partial enlarged and schematic perspective view of a heat exchanger according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a partial enlarged and schematic cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a partial, schematic, enlarged right-hand view of the heat exchanger head shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a partial enlarged and schematic perspective view of a heat exchanger according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is a partial enlarged schematic cross-section view of the heat exchanger shown in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a partial enlarged right-hand schematic view of the heat exchanger head shown in Figure 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 is a partial enlarged right-hand schematic view of the heat exchanger head shown in Figure 4 according to another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 is a partial enlarged and schematic perspective view of a heat exchanger according to a third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9 is a partial enlarged and schematic cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger shown in Figure 8; Figure 10 is an enlarged, schematic perspective view of the heat exchanger positioning element shown in Figure 8; Figure 11 is a partial enlarged and schematic perspective view of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 12 is an enlarged, schematic perspective view of the heat exchanger positioning element shown in Figure 11; Figure 13 is a partial enlarged and schematic perspective view of a heat exchanger according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; Figure 14 is a partial enlarged schematic section view of the heat exchanger shown in Figure 13; Figure 15 is an enlarged, schematic perspective view of the heat exchanger positioning element shown in Figure 13; Figure 16 is a partial enlarged and schematic perspective view of a heat exchanger according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; Figure 17 is a partial enlarged schematic section view of the heat exchanger shown in Figure 16; Figure 18 is a partial enlarged and schematic perspective view of a heat exchanger according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention; Figure 19 is a partial enlarged schematic section view of the heat exchanger shown in Figure 18; Figure 20 is an enlarged, schematic perspective view of the heat exchanger positioning element shown in Figure 18; Figure 21 is a partial enlarged and schematic perspective view of a heat exchanger according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention; Figure 22 is a partial enlarged schematic section view of the heat exchanger shown in Figure 21; Figure 23 is an enlarged, schematic perspective view of the heat exchanger positioning element shown in Figure 21; Figure 24 is a partial enlarged and schematic perspective view of a heat exchanger according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention; Figure 25 is a partial enlarged schematic section view of the heat exchanger shown in Figure 24; and Figure 26 is an enlarged, schematic perspective view of the heat exchanger positioning element shown in Figure 24. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is further explained below together with the accompanying figures and specific implementations. Referring to Figures 1 to 26, a heat exchanger 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: heat exchange tubes 9; and a header assembly 8, wherein the ends of the heat exchange tubes 9 are connected to a header 81 of the header assembly 8. The heat exchanger 100 further comprises fins arranged alternately with the heat exchange tubes 9. Referring to Figures 1 to 26, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the head assembly 8 comprises: a head 81, the head 81 comprising: a head wall 810 and a recess 8101 in the head wall or an opening 8101 penetrating the head wall 810 at one end of the head wall 810; an end cap 82, the end cap 82 being disposed at the end of the head wall 810 (for example, in the head wall 810) to close the end of the head 81, the end cap 82 having an opening 820, and the opening or recess 8101 on one side of the end cap 82 being oriented towards an end face of the end of the head wall 810;a distribution pipe 7, the distribution pipe 7 comprising a distribution part 70 and a connection part 71, the connection part 71 projecting from the end cap 82 through the hole 820 of the end cap 82 from the distribution part 70; and a positioning element 6, the positioning element 6 having a first end 61 and a second end 62, the first end 61 of the positioning element 6 being connected to the connection part 71 of the distribution pipe 7, and the second end 62 of the positioning element 6 being engaged in the opening or recess 8101 of the head wall 810 of the head 81. Referring to Figures 2, 5 and 8 to 17, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the first end 61 of the positioning element 6 has a hole or notch 610, and the connecting part 71 of the distribution pipe 7 is inserted into the hole or notch 610 of the first end 61 of the positioning element 6. The second end 62 of the positioning element 6 may have a rectangular cross-section. Figures 8 to 12 show embodiments in which the distribution pipe 7 is located in the axial direction of the head 81; Figures 8, 9, and 10 show an embodiment in which the first end 61 of the positioning element 6 has a hole, while Figures 11 and 12 show an embodiment in which the first end 61 of the positioning element 6 has a notch. For other types of positioning elements 6 with a hole at the first end 61, the hole can also be replaced by a notch. Referring to figures 2, 3, 8, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16 to 19 and 21, according to the embodiments of the present invention, the opening or recess 8101 of the head wall 810 is a recessed notch from an end face of the end of the head wall 810. Referring to figures 2 and 13 to 26, according to the embodiments of the present invention, the positioning element 6 extends in a direction that intersects the axial direction of the head 81, thereby positioning the distribution pipe 7 in a radial direction of the head 81. Referring to Figures 18 to 26, according to the embodiments of the present invention, the connecting portion of the distribution pipe 7 has an opening 7110 that penetrates a pipe wall 710 of the connecting portion 71. The positioning element 6 is rod-shaped, and the first end 61 of the positioning element 6 is inserted into the opening 7110 of the connecting portion 71 of the distribution pipe 7 in a direction that intersects the axial direction of the connecting portion 71 of the distribution pipe 7. The opening 7110 of the connecting portion 71 of the distribution pipe 7 may be a recessed notch from an end face of the connecting portion 71. The positioning element 6 may have a rectangular, circular, or trapezoidal cross-section. Referring to figures 2, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24 and 25, according to the embodiments of the present invention, the connection part 71 of the distribution pipe 7 comprises a first connection part 711 that extends in the axial direction of the distribution pipe 7. Referring to Figures 8, 9 and 11, according to the embodiments of the present invention, the connection part 71 of the distribution pipe 7 comprises a first connection part 711, extending in the axial direction of the distribution pipe 7, and a second connection part 712 that is connected to the first connection part 711 and bent at a predetermined angle (e.g., 90 degrees) with respect to the first connection part 711; and the first end 61 of the positioning element 6 is connected to the second connection part 712 of the connection part 71 of the distribution pipe 7.The positioning element 6 also has an intermediate portion 63 between the first end 61 and the second end 62, and the second end 62 of the positioning element 6 has a bent portion 64 that is bent at a predetermined angle relative to the intermediate portion 63 of the positioning element 6, the bent portion 64 being engaged in the opening or recess 8101 of the head wall 810 of the head 81. Referring to Figures 1 to 7, according to the embodiments of the present invention, the connection portion 71 of the distribution pipe 7 comprises a first connection portion 711 extending in the axial direction of the distribution pipe 7, and a second connection portion 712 that is connected to the first connection portion 711 and bent at a predetermined angle (e.g., 90 degrees) relative to the first connection portion 711; and the header 81 further comprises a groove 5 penetrating the header wall 810 at the end of the header wall 810, the groove 5 comprising a first groove portion 51 recessed from the end face of the end of the header wall 810, and the second connection portion 712 of the distribution pipe 7 is in the first portion of the groove 51.Referring to Figure 3, the opening or recess 8101 in the headwall 810 can be a notch cut from the first portion of groove 51 in the headwall 810 in a direction away from the end face of the headwall 810. The distribution pipe 7 may not be in contact with a wall of the groove 5. Extending the headwall so that the distribution pipe is positioned in groove 5 can have the effect of protecting the distribution pipe. The distribution pipe can be positioned by means of the positioning element 6. The distribution pipe can also be engaged in groove 5 to provide additional positioning for the distribution pipe. Referring to Figures 1 to 7, in particular Figure 7, according to the embodiments of the present invention, the connection portion 71 of the distribution pipe 7 comprises a first connection portion 711, extending in the axial direction of the distribution pipe 7, and a second connection portion 712 that is connected to the first connection portion 711 and bent at a predetermined angle (e.g., 90 degrees) with respect to the first connection portion 711; and the header 81 further comprises a groove 5 penetrating the header wall 810 at the end of the header wall 810, the groove 5 comprising a first groove portion 51 and a second groove portion 52; the second groove portion 52 is recessed from the end face of the end of the header wall 810, and the first groove portion 51 extends in a direction that intersects the second groove portion 52 (e.g., in a direction perpendicular to the second groove portion 52) from that end of the second groove portion 52 that is away from the end face of the end of the headwall 810; the first groove portion 51 has groove walls opposite each other in the axial direction of the headwall 81, and the second connection portion 712 of the distribution pipe 7 is in the first groove portion 51. Referring to Figure 3, the opening or recess 8101 in the headwall 810 is a notch recessed from the second groove portion 52 in the headwall 810 in a direction away from the end face of the end of the headwall 810. In the embodiment shown in Figures 4 to 6, there is no positioning element 6; the distribution pipe is coupled in the groove 5, and the groove 5 serves a positioning function and also serves to protect the distribution pipe.In addition, providing the first slot part 51 and the second slot part 52 can facilitate the insertion of one end of the positioning element 6 into the opening or recess of the head. By using the head assembly and heat exchanger according to the embodiments of the present invention, the quality of the heat exchanger can be improved. In the assembly of the header and heat exchanger according to the embodiments of the present invention, since the positioning element is arranged between the distribution pipe and the header, the installation position of the distribution pipe is predetermined by the positioning element during installation. During the process of placing the heat exchanger in a furnace and welding it, the positioning element prevents the distribution pipe from experiencing positional deflection, even under the influence of high temperatures and gravity. This improves the installation accuracy of the distribution pipe and enhances heat exchange performance. Although the above modalities have been described, certain characteristics in the above modalities can be combined to form new modalities. It is hereby stated that, as of this date, the best method known to the applicant for putting the aforementioned invention into practice is the one that is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims

1. A header assembly for a heat exchanger, characterized in that it comprises: a header, comprising: a header wall and a recess in the header wall or an opening penetrating the header wall at one end of the header wall; an end cap disposed at the end of the header wall to close the end of the header, the end cap having an orifice, the opening or recess on one side of the end cap being oriented towards an end face of the end of the header wall; a distribution pipe, comprising a distribution portion and a connecting portion, the connecting portion projecting from the end cap through the orifice of the end cap from the distribution portion;and a positioning element, the positioning element having a first end and a second end, the first end of the positioning element being connected to the connection part of the distribution pipe, and the second end of the positioning element being coupled to the opening or recess in the headwall of the head.; 2. The header assembly for a heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that: the first end of the positioning element has a hole or notch and the connection portion of the distribution pipe is inserted into the hole or notch of the first end of the positioning element.

3. The header assembly for a heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that: the opening or recess in the header wall is a recessed notch from the end face of the header wall end.

4. The header assembly for a heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that: the positioning element extends in a direction that intersects the axial direction of the header.

5. The header assembly for a heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that: the distribution pipe connection portion has an opening that penetrates the pipe wall of the connection portion, and the first end of the positioning element is inserted into the opening of the distribution pipe connection portion in a direction that intersects with the axial direction of the distribution pipe connection portion.

6. The header assembly for a heat exchanger according to claim 5, characterized in that: the opening of the distribution pipe connection portion is a recessed notch from an end face of the connection portion.

7. The header assembly for a heat exchanger according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: the distribution pipe connection portion comprises a first connection portion, extending in the axial direction of the distribution pipe, and a second connection portion that is connected to the first connection portion and bent at a predetermined angle relative to the first connection portion, and the first end of the positioning element is connected to the second connection portion of the distribution pipe connection portion.

8. The header assembly for a heat exchanger according to claim 7, characterized in that: the positioning element also has an intermediate portion between the first end and the second end, and the second end of the positioning element has a bent portion that is bent at a predetermined angle relative to the intermediate portion of the positioning element, the bent portion being engaged in the opening or recess in the header wall of the header.

9. The header assembly for a heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: the distribution pipe connection portion comprises a first connection portion, extending in the axial direction of the distribution pipe, and a second connection portion that is connected to the first connection portion and bent at a predetermined angle relative to the first connection portion, and the header further comprises a groove penetrating the header wall at the end of the header wall, the groove comprising a first groove portion recessed from the end face of the end of the header wall, and the second distribution pipe connection portion being in the first groove portion.

10. The header assembly for a heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: the distribution pipe connection portion comprises a first connection portion, extending in the axial direction of the distribution pipe, and a second connection portion that is connected to the first connection portion and bent at a predetermined angle relative to the first connection portion, and the header further comprises a groove penetrating the header wall at the end of the header wall, the groove comprising a first groove portion and a second groove portion; the second groove portion is recessed from the end face of the end of the header wall, and the first groove portion extends in a direction intersecting the second groove portion from that end of the second groove portion, which is away from the end face of the end of the header wall;The first groove part has groove walls opposite each other in the axial direction of the head, and the second part of the distribution pipe connection is in the first groove part.

11. The header assembly for a heat exchanger according to claim 9, characterized in that: the opening or recess in the header wall is a recessed notch from the first groove portion in the header wall in a direction away from the end face of the header wall end.

12. The header assembly for a heat exchanger according to claim 10, characterized in that: the opening or recess in the header wall is a recessed notch from the second groove portion in the header wall in a direction away from the end face of the header wall end.

13. A heat exchanger, characterized in that it comprises: a heat exchange tube; and the header assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, one end of the heat exchange tube being connected to the header of the header assembly.

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