Turbulence generator, heat exchanger, and water heater

Abstract

A turbulence generator including a turbulence plate, and first and second flow deflectors disposed at the turbulence plate. A first end of the first flow deflector is connected to the turbulence plate, and a second end of the first flow deflector, that is opposite to the first end of the first flow deflector, is inclined in a first inclination direction away from the turbulence plate. A first end of the second flow deflector is connected to the turbulence plate, and a second end of the second flow deflector, that is opposite to the first end of the first flow deflector, is inclined in a second inclination direction away from the turbulence plate. The second inclination direction is opposite to the first inclination direction.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This patent application claims priority to Chinese patent application No. 202411391138.9, filed on Sep. 30, 2024 and entitled “TURBULENCE GENERATOR, HEAT EXCHANGER, AND WATER HEATER,” which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the field of heat exchange device technologies, and particularly, to a turbulence generator, a heat exchanger, and a water heater.BACKGROUND

[0003] In the related art, a turbulence generator or the like is typically arranged inside a heat exchange tube to improve heat exchange efficiency. However, a conventional turbulence generator has a complex structure, resulting in high manufacturing and mounting costs. In addition, due to unreasonable design, the actual heat exchange efficiency during use is low. Further, the complex structure not only increases production difficulty and costs but may also lead to an increased fluid resistance, further affecting heat exchange performance. Also, the unreasonable design leads to a limited noise reduction effect on vaporization noises in practical applications.SUMMARY

[0004] A main objective of the present disclosure is to provide a turbulence generator, a heat exchanger, and a water heater, aiming to improve heat exchange efficiency of a heat exchange tube and reduce vaporization noises.

[0005] To achieve the above objective, the turbulence generator provided by the present disclosure includes: a turbulence plate extending in a longitudinal direction of the heat exchange tube; a first flow deflector arranged at the turbulence plate and extending in a fluid direction within the heat exchange tube, the first flow deflector having a first end and a second end that are opposite to each other, the first end of the first flow deflector being connected to the turbulence plate and the second end of the first flow deflector being inclined in an inclination direction away from the turbulence plate; and a second flow deflector arranged at the turbulence plate and extending in the fluid direction within the heat exchange tube. The second flow deflector has a first end and a second end that are opposite to each other. The first end of the second flow deflector is connected to the turbulence plate. The second end of the second flow deflector is inclined in an inclination direction away from the turbulence plate. An inclination direction of the second end of the second flow deflector is opposite to an inclination direction of the second end of the first flow deflector.

[0006] In an embodiment, a plurality of first flow deflectors are provided and arranged at intervals in a longitudinal direction of the turbulence plate. A plurality of second flow deflectors are provided and arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the turbulence plate.

[0007] In an embodiment, in the longitudinal direction of the turbulence plate, the plurality of first flow deflectors are offset from the plurality of second flow deflectors.

[0008] In an embodiment, the turbulence plate has a first side and a second side that are opposite to each other. At least one of the first side and the second side is provided with the plurality of first flow deflectors, and at least one of the first side and the second side is provided with the plurality of second flow deflectors.

[0009] In an embodiment, the plurality of first flow deflectors and the plurality of second flow deflectors are arranged at both the first side and the second side. In the longitudinal direction of the turbulence plate, first flow deflectors, arranged at the first side, of the plurality of first flow deflectors alternate with and are spaced apart from first flow deflectors, arranged at the second side, of the plurality of first flow deflectors; and / or in the longitudinal direction of the turbulence plate, second flow deflectors, arranged at the first side, of the plurality of second flow deflectors alternate with and are spaced apart from second flow deflectors, arranged at the second side, of the plurality of second flow deflectors; and / or in the longitudinal direction of the turbulence plate, first flow deflectors, arranged at the first side, of the plurality of first flow deflectors alternate with and are spaced apart from second flow deflectors, arranged at the first side, of the plurality of second flow deflectors; and / or in the longitudinal direction of the turbulence plate, first flow deflectors, arranged at the second side, of the plurality of first flow deflectors alternate with and are spaced apart from second flow deflectors, arranged at the second side, of the plurality of second flow deflectors.

[0010] In an embodiment, the turbulence plate has a plurality of through openings each having two opposite ends. At least one of the plurality of first flow deflectors is arranged at one end of each of the plurality of through openings, and at least one of the plurality of second flow deflectors is arranged at the other end of the through opening.

[0011] In an embodiment, a plurality of through openings are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the turbulence plate. An interval between two adjacent through openings of the plurality of through openings is defined as x, wherein x≥4.0 mm.

[0012] In an embodiment, an angle between the first flow deflector and the turbulence plate is defined as α1, wherein 30°<α1<80°; and / or an angle between the second flow deflector and the turbulence plate is defined as α2, wherein 30°<α2<80°.

[0013] In an embodiment, the turbulence plate is provided with two bent portions, each of the two bent portions extending in the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange tube. In a lateral direction of the turbulence plate, the first flow deflector and the second flow deflector are arranged between the two bent portions.

[0014] The present disclosure further provides a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes: a heat exchange tube; and the turbulence generator according to any of the above embodiments, the turbulence generator being arranged in the heat exchange tube.

[0015] The present disclosure further provides a water heater. The water heater includes the heat exchanger according to any of the above embodiments.

[0016] In technical solutions of the present disclosure, a main turbulence body is arranged in a plate shape, and the first flow deflector and the second flow deflector are obliquely arranged at the main turbulence body in the plate shape and face in opposite directions. In this way, when a fluid flows through the heat exchange tube equipped with the turbulence generator provided by the present disclosure, longitudinal vortices can be generated at the first flow deflector and the second flow deflector, which disturbs both a fluid in a core region of the heat exchange tube and a fluid at a boundary layer near a tube wall, reducing a thickness of a thermal boundary layer inside the heat exchange tube. Consequently, a hot fluid at the tube wall and a cold fluid at the central core region can be sufficiently mixed to reduce a temperature gradient, which in turn enhances heat transfer performance of the heat exchange tube, improving heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchange tube.

[0017] In addition, since the present disclosure is developed in the context of gas water heaters, bubbles are generated and grow within the high-temperature thermal boundary layer at the tube wall of the heat exchange tube during heat exchange in the heat exchange tube. In the technical solutions of the present disclosure, through an arrangement of the first flow deflector and the second flow deflector, a high-speed fluid can be generated within the heat exchange tube. Under a scouring action of the high-speed fluid, the bubbles can be detached from the tube wall of the heat exchange tube quickly, which suppresses bubble growth, reducing vaporization noises.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] In order to clearly explain technical solutions according to embodiments of the present disclosure, drawings used in the description of the embodiments are briefly described below. Obviously, the drawings as described below are merely some embodiments of the present disclosure. Based on structures illustrated by these drawings, other drawings can be obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view of a turbulence generator provided by the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a schematic structural view of a turbulence generator provided by the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a side view of the turbulence generator shown in FIG. 2.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a schematic structural view of a turbulence generator provided by the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a side view of the turbulence generator shown in FIG. 4.

[0024] FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view of a part of the turbulence generator shown in FIG. 5.

[0025] FIG. 7 is a schematic structural view of a turbulence generator provided by the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 8 is a side view of the turbulence generator shown in FIG. 7.

[0027] FIG. 9 is a schematic structural view of a heat exchanger provided by the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 10 is a surface temperature distribution diagram of a smooth heat exchange tube and a heat exchange tube provided with the turbulence generator according to the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 11 is a surface pressure distribution diagram of a smooth heat exchange tube and a heat exchange tube provided with the turbulence generator according to the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 12 is a comparison diagram of a convective heat transfer coefficient and a pressure drop inside a tube between a smooth heat exchange tube and a heat exchange tube provided with the turbulence generator according to the present disclosure.DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS1: heat exchanger;

[0032] 10: turbulence generator; 100: turbulence plate; 101: through opening; 200: first flow deflector; 300: second flow deflector;

[0033] 20: heat exchange tube.

[0034] The realization of objectives, functional features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0035] Technical solutions according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below in combination with accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Obviously, the embodiments described below are only a part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, rather than all embodiments of the present disclosure. On a basis of the embodiments of the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0036] It should be noted that all directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, rear, etc.) in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only used to explain relative positions between various components, movements of various components, or the like under a predetermined posture. When the predetermined posture changes, the directional indications also change accordingly.

[0037] In addition, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, descriptions associated with “first,”“second,” or the like are only used for descriptive purposes, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, the features associated with “first” and “second” may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. The term “and / or” in the present disclosure represents three parallel solutions. For example, “A and / or B” may mean three situations: A only, B only, or both A and B. In this disclosure, unless otherwise specified, phrases like “at least one of A, B, and C” and “at least one of A, B, or C” both mean only A, only B, only C, or any combination of A, B, and C. Further, combinations can be performed on the technical solutions according to various embodiments, but these combinations must be based on the fact that they can be realized by those skilled in the art.

[0038] A turbulence generator is provided by the present disclosure, which is applied in a heat exchange tube to improve heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchange tube. For ease of understanding and explanation, in FIG. 1 to FIG. 9 of the specification of the present disclosure, solid-line arrows indicate openings.

[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 1 to FIG. 9, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, a turbulence generator 10 includes a turbulence plate 100, a first flow deflector 200, and a second flow deflector 300. The turbulence plate 100 extends in a longitudinal direction of a heat exchange tube 20. The first flow deflector 200 is arranged at the turbulence plate 100 and extends in a fluid direction within the heat exchange tube 20. The first flow deflector 200 has a first end and a second end that are opposite to each other. The first end of the first flow deflector 200 is connected to the turbulence plate 100. The second end of the first flow deflector 200 is inclined in an inclination direction away from the turbulence plate 100. The second flow deflector 300 is arranged at the turbulence plate 100 and extends in the fluid direction within the heat exchange tube 20. The second flow deflector 300 has a first end and a second end that are opposite to each other. The first end of the second flow deflector 300 is connected to the turbulence plate 100. The second end of the second flow deflector 300 is inclined in an inclination direction away from the turbulence plate 100. An inclination direction of the second end of the second flow deflector 300 is opposite to an inclination direction of the second end of the first flow deflector 200.

[0040] Regarding the turbulence plate 100, the turbulence plate 100 has a shape adapted to that of the heat exchange tube 20. Since the heat exchange tube 20 is usually in an oblong shape or an elongated oval shape, the turbulence plate 100 is generally formed in an elongated plate shape. The turbulence plate 100 has two opposite plate surfaces, which form flow channels with a tube wall of the heat exchange tube 20.

[0041] The turbulence plate 100 is provided with the first flow deflector 200. The first flow deflector 200 has the first end and the second end that are oppositely arranged in a longitudinal direction of the first flow deflector 200. The first flow deflector 200 has the first end connected to the turbulence plate 100 and the second end inclined in the direction away from the turbulence plate 100. That is, when the turbulence generator 10 is mounted at the heat exchange tube 20, the second end of the first flow deflector 200 is obliquely arranged towards the tube wall of the heat exchange tube 20. It may be understood in some embodiments that, the first end of the first flow deflector 200 serves as a connection end, while the second end of the first flow deflector 200 serves as a free end. In this way, the first flow deflector 200 is capable of guiding a fluid flowing through the first flow deflector 200 towards the tube wall of the heat exchange tube 20 to disturb the fluid at the tube wall of the heat exchange tube 20, reducing a thickness of a boundary layer at the tube wall.

[0042] The turbulence plate 100 is provided with the second flow deflector 300. The second flow deflector 300 also has the first end and the second end that are oppositely arranged in a longitudinal direction of the second flow deflector 300. The second flow deflector 300 has the first end connected to the turbulence plate 100 and the second end inclined in a direction away from the turbulence plate 100. That is, after the turbulence generator 10 is mounted at the heat exchange tube 20, the second end of the second flow deflector 300 is obliquely arranged towards the tube wall of the heat exchange tube 20. It should be understood in some embodiments that, the first end of the second flow deflector 300 serves as a connection end, while the second end of the second flow deflector 300 serves as a free end. In this way, the second flow deflector 300 is capable of guiding the fluid flowing through the second flow deflector 300 towards the tube wall of the heat exchange tube 20 to disturb the fluid at the tube wall of the heat exchange tube 20, reducing the thickness of the boundary layer at the tube wall.

[0043] The shape and structure of the first flow deflector 200 may be identical with or different from those of the second flow deflector 300. Each of the first flow deflector 200 and the second flow deflector 300 may be in a regular shape such as a rectangular sheet-like shape or an elliptical sheet-like shape, or in other irregular shapes. In some embodiments, each of the first flow deflector 200 and the second flow deflector 300 is designed in a rectangular sheet-like shape.

[0044] Further, as illustrated in FIG. 4 to FIG. 6, the inclination direction of the second end of the second flow deflector 300 being opposite to the inclination direction of the second end of the first flow deflector 200 should be understood as that the second flow deflector 300 is inclined in a direction opposite to that of the first flow deflector 200. For example, if one of the first flow deflector 200 and the second flow deflector 300 is inclined to the left, the other of the first flow deflector 200 and the second flow deflector 300 is inclined to the right. Alternatively, if an upper end of one of the first flow deflector 200 and the second flow deflector 300 is inclined to the left, an upper end of the other of the first flow deflector 200 and the second flow deflector 300 is inclined to the right. However, angles of inclination of the first flow deflector 200 and the second flow deflector 300 do not necessarily have to be equal. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the first flow deflector 200 is inclined to the right, forming an angle α1 with the turbulence plate 100, wherein α1 equals 40 degrees. The second flow deflector 300 is inclined to the left, forming an angle α2 with the turbulence plate 100, wherein α2 equals 45 degrees.

[0045] In the technical solutions of the present disclosure, a main turbulence body is arranged in a plate shape, and the first flow deflector 200 and the second flow deflector 300 are obliquely arranged at the main turbulence body in the plate shape and extend in opposite directions. In this way, when the fluid flows through the heat exchange tube 20 equipped with the turbulence generator 10 provided by the present disclosure, longitudinal vortices can be generated in the heat exchange tube 20, which disturbs both a fluid in a core region of the heat exchange tube and a fluid at a boundary layer near a tube wall, reducing a thickness of a thermal boundary layer inside the heat exchange tube. Consequently, a hot fluid at the tube wall and a cold fluid at the central core region can be sufficiently mixed to reduce a temperature gradient, which in turn enhances heat transfer performance of the heat exchange tube 20, improving heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchange tube 20.

[0046] In addition, since the present disclosure is developed in the context of gas water heaters, bubbles are generated and grow within the high-temperature thermal boundary layer at the tube wall of the heat exchange tube during heat exchange in the heat exchange tube. In the technical solutions of the present disclosure, through an arrangement of the first flow deflector and the second flow deflector, a high-speed fluid can be generated within the heat exchange tube. Under a scouring action of the high-speed fluid, the bubbles can be detached from the tube wall of the heat exchange tube quickly, which suppresses bubble growth, reducing vaporization noises.

[0047] It should be noted that the angles formed between the turbulence plate 100 and each of the first flow deflector 200 and the second flow deflector 300 directly affect heat exchange performance of the heat exchange tube 20 and a resistance experienced by the fluid. If the angle is too small, the first flow deflector 200 and the second flow deflector 300 are unable to direct enough flow towards the tube wall of the heat exchange tube 20, resulting in unsatisfactory heat transfer enhancement. On the other hand, the resistance experienced by the fluid increases as the angles between the turbulence plate 100 and each of the first flow deflector 200 and the second flow deflector 300 increase. Accordingly, if excessively large angles are formed between the turbulence plate 100 and each of the first flow deflector 200 and the second flow deflector 300, a large resistance to the fluid flow would be generated.

[0048] In this embodiment, since the first flow deflectors 200 and the second flow deflectors 300 are alternately distributed in an up-down direction and a front-rear direction, each of the first flow deflector 200 and the second flow deflector 300 has a relatively small flow guide area. Therefore, by controlling the angle between the first flow deflector 200 and the turbulence plate 100 to range from 30° to 80° and controlling the angle between the second flow deflector 300 and the turbulence plate 100 to range from 30° to 80°, the heat transfer performance can be ensured to be enhanced while reducing the resistance to the fluid flow.

[0049] In an exemplary embodiment, taking FIG. 6 as an example, the angle between the first flow deflector 200 and the turbulence plate 100 is defined as α1, wherein 30°<α1<80°. A value of α1 includes but is not limited to 31°, 33°, 37°, 39°, 42°, 45°, 50°, 52°, 56°, 60°, 63°, 68°, 70°, 72°, 75°, or 79°.

[0050] In another exemplary embodiment, taking FIG. 6 as an example, the angle between the second flow deflector 300 and the turbulence plate 100 is defined as α2, wherein 30°<α2<80°. A value of α2 includes but is not limited to 31°, 33°, 37°, 39°, 42°, 45°, 50°, 52°, 56°, 60°, 63°, 68°, 70°, 72°, 75°, or 79°.

[0051] Since the heat exchange tube 20 generally has a predetermined length, to ensure satisfactory heat exchange performance across the entire heat exchange tube 20, a plurality of first flow deflectors 200 are provided, and normally a plurality of second flow deflectors 300 are also provided. The plurality of first flow deflectors 200 are arranged at intervals in a longitudinal direction of the turbulence plate 100. The plurality of second flow deflectors 300 are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the turbulence plate 100.

[0052] In an embodiment, the turbulence plate 100 has a first side and a second side that are opposite to each other. At least one of the first side and the second side is provided with the first flow deflector 200, and at least one of the first side and the second side is provided with the second flow deflector 300. When the turbulence generator 10 is placed as illustrated in FIG. 5, the first side and the second side opposite to the first side of the turbulence plate 100 should be understood as follows: with the turbulence plate 100 as a separating interface, the first side is an upper side and the second side is a lower side.

[0053] In an embodiment, in the longitudinal direction of the turbulence plate 100, the first flow deflectors 200 is offset from the second flow deflectors 300. The first flow deflectors 200 being offset from the second flow deflectors 300 should be understood as that, in an orthographic projection in the longitudinal direction of the turbulence plate 100, the first flow deflector 200 and the second flow deflector 300 have parts that do not overlap.

[0054] Based on the above embodiments, the first flow deflectors 200 and the second flow deflectors 300 are arranged at both the first side and the second side. The first flow deflectors 200 arranged at the first side and the first flow deflectors 200 arranged at the second side are alternately distributed and spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the turbulence plate 100.

[0055] Based on any of the above embodiments, the first flow deflectors 200 and the second flow deflectors 300 are arranged at both the first side and the second side. The second flow deflectors 300 arranged at the first side and the second flow deflectors 300 arranged at the second side are alternately distributed and spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the turbulence plate 100.

[0056] In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 4 to FIG. 6, the first flow deflectors 200 and the second flow deflectors 300 are provided at both the first side and the second side. The first flow deflectors 200 arranged at the first side and the first flow deflectors 200 arranged at the second side are alternately distributed and spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the turbulence plate 100. The second flow deflectors 300 arranged at the first side and the second flow deflectors 300 arranged at the second side are also alternately distributed and spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the turbulence plate 100. Therefore, in this embodiment, the first flow deflectors 200 and the second flow deflectors 300 that are distributed in a staggered manner in the up-down direction can effectively guide a hot fluid at a wall surface of the heat exchange tube 20 towards a cold fluid in the rear, allowing for mixing of the cold fluid and the hot fluid in a flow space to enhance the heat transfer performance of the heat exchange tube 20.

[0057] In an embodiment, the turbulence plate 100 has the first side and the second side that are opposite to each other. At least one of the first side and the second side is provided with the first flow deflector 200, and at least one of the first side and the second side is provided with the second flow deflector 300. When the turbulence generator 10 is placed as illustrated in FIG. 5, the first side and the second side opposite to the first side of the turbulence plate 100 should be understood as follows: with the turbulence plate 100 as the separating interface, the first side is the upper side and the second side is the lower side. In addition, a part of the turbulence plate 100 close to a water inlet is considered as the front part, while a part of the turbulence plate 100 close to a water outlet is considered as the rear part. In some embodiments, it should be understood that, as illustrated in FIG. 5, a left side is regarded as the front, and a right side is regarded as the rear.

[0058] Based on the above embodiments, each of the first side and the second side is provided with the first flow deflectors 200 and the second flow deflectors 300. The first flow deflectors 200 arranged at the first side and the second flow deflectors 300 arranged at the first side are alternately distributed and spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the turbulence plate 100.

[0059] Alternatively, based on the above embodiments, each of the first side and the second side is provided with the first flow deflectors 200 and the second flow deflectors 300. The first flow deflectors 200 arranged at the second side and the second flow deflectors 300 arranged at the second side are alternately distributed and spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the turbulence plate 100.

[0060] For example, each of the first side and the second side is provided with the first flow deflectors 200 and the second flow deflectors 300. The first flow deflectors 200 arranged at the first side and the second flow deflectors 300 arranged at the first side are alternately distributed and spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the turbulence plate 100. The first flow deflectors 200 arranged at the second side and the second flow deflectors 300 arranged at the second side are alternately distributed and spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the turbulence plate 100. Therefore, in this embodiment, the first flow deflectors 200 and the second flow deflectors 300 that are alternately distributed in the front-rear direction can continuously guide the hot fluid near a front part of the heat exchange tube 20 to a central cold fluid region of a rear part of the heat exchange tube 20, which achieves more uniform mixing of the fluid from the front part and the rear part, achieving more uniform heat transfer of the heat exchange tube 20.

[0061] Based on any of the above embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 9, in an exemplary embodiment, the first flow deflectors 200 and the second flow deflectors 300 are provided at both the first side and the second side. The first flow deflectors 200 arranged at the first side and the first flow deflectors 200 arranged at the second side are alternately distributed and spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the turbulence plate 100. The second flow deflectors 300 arranged at the first side and the second flow deflectors 300 arranged at the second side are alternately distributed and spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the turbulence plate 100. The first flow deflectors 200 arranged at the first side and the second flow deflectors 300 arranged at the first side are alternately distributed and spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the turbulence plate 100. The first flow deflectors 200 arranged at the second side and the second flow deflectors 300 arranged at the second side are alternately distributed and spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the turbulence plate 100.

[0062] In this way, the first flow deflectors 200 and the second flow deflectors 300 themselves can direct the fluid towards the tube wall of the heat exchange tube 20 to promote mixing between the hot fluid near the tube wall of the heat exchange tube 20 and the cold fluid at a central part of the heat exchange tube 20, enhancing heat transfer. In addition, an arrangement of the first flow deflectors 200 and the second flow deflectors 300 increases time for the fluid to flow within the heat exchange tube 20, further enhancing the heat transfer. Further, since the first flow deflector 200 and the second flow deflector 300 are oriented to extend in opposite directions, the flow inside the heat exchange tube 20 can continuously guide the hot fluid near the front part of the heat exchange tube 20 to the central cold fluid region of the rear part of the heat exchange tube 20, which achieves more uniform mixing of the fluid from the front part and the rear part, achieving more uniform heat transfer of the heat exchange tube 20. In this way, the heat exchange efficiency is prevented from being affected by subcooled boiling and vaporization due to localized overheating of the heat exchange tube 20, which can further enhance the heat transfer performance.

[0063] Based on the above embodiments, the turbulence plate 100 has a plurality of through openings 101 each having two opposite ends. At least one first flow deflector 200 is arranged at one end of each of the plurality through opening 101 and at least one second flow deflector 300 is arranged at the other end of each of the through opening 101. In this way, fluid communication is enabled between the first side and the second side, which can enlarge a space between the first flow deflector 200 and the second flow deflector 300 so as to generate longitudinal vortices. Further, the mixing of the hot fluid at the tube wall and the cold fluid at the central part can be promoted, resulting in a more uniform temperature distribution.

[0064] The two opposite ends correspond to the two ends of the turbulence plate 100. The part of the turbulence plate 100 close to the water inlet is considered as the front part, while the part of the turbulence plate 100 close to the water outlet is considered as the rear part. In some embodiments, it may be understood that, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the left side is regarded as the front, and the right side is regarded as the rear. The through opening 101 may be a rectangular opening or other polygonal opening. In some embodiments, the through opening 101 is a rectangular opening, which facilitates processing and reduces production complexity. It should be noted that the rectangular opening includes an oblong opening and a square opening.

[0065] In an embodiment, a plurality of through openings 101 are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the turbulence plate 100. It should be noted that, since each of the first flow deflector 200 and the second flow deflector 300 is arranged at an edge of the through opening 101, if a too small interval is formed between two adjacent through openings 101, a large number of first flow deflectors 200 and second flow deflectors 300 would be provided, resulting in an increased resistance to the fluid flow.

[0066] Based on the above embodiments, an interval between two adjacent through openings 101 is defined as x, wherein x≥4.0 mm. Specifically, x may be 4.0 mm, 5.0 mm, 6.0 mm, 7.0 mm, 8.0 mm, or more than 8.0 mm.

[0067] It should be understood that, if a too large interval is formed between two adjacent through openings 101, a small number of first flow deflectors 200 and the second flow deflectors 300 would be provided, which fails to guide sufficient flow towards the tube wall of the heat exchange tube 20, worsening the enhanced heat transfer performance. However, this also needs to be determined in conjunction with a diameter of the heat exchange tube 20, and thus no specific limitation is made here.

[0068] In the present embodiment, in a manufacturing implementation of the turbulence generator 10, the first flow deflector 200, the second flow deflector 300, and the through opening 101 are stamped from an elongated substrate, and then the first flow deflector 200 and the second flow deflector 300 are made by pressing them based on their respective angles and inclination directions. Such a design offers a simple structure, ease of processing, and strong practicality.

[0069] To demonstrate superiority of the present disclosure, numerical simulations were conducted by selecting a smooth tube in the related art and four schemes applying the technical concept of the present disclosure as cases. Boundary conditions and overall sizes were kept identical across all simulation cases.

[0070] Ansys Fluent was used to perform numerical calculations on flow and heat transfer performance of a spatially staggered sinusoidal plate-type vortex generator turbulator, a variant structure thereof, and the corresponding smooth heat exchange tube 20. Calculation conditions were as follows: the fluid was water, an inlet mass flow rate was 0.7 kg / s, an inlet temperature was 20° C., an outlet pressure was 0, and a wall surface convective heat transfer coefficient was 1,500 W / (m2·K); a steady-state, Realizable k-ε model was adopted, and algorithm SIMPLE was used for pressure and velocity. For a momentum equation and an energy equation, central difference scheme was used for diffusion terms, and a second-order upwind difference scheme was used for convective terms. When residuals of a continuity equation, the momentum equation, and the energy equation were all less than 10−6, the numerical calculation was considered converged. Numerical simulation results are shown in FIG. 10 to FIG. 12.

[0071] FIG. 10 is a surface temperature distribution diagram of a smooth heat exchange tube and a heat exchange tube provided with the turbulence generator according to the above four embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a surface pressure distribution diagram of a smooth heat exchange tube and a heat exchange tube provided with the turbulence generator according to the above four embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 12 is a comparison diagram of a convective heat transfer coefficient and a pressure drop inside a tube between a smooth heat exchange tube and a heat exchange tube provided with the turbulence generator according to the above four embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0072] In FIG. 10 to FIG. 12, (a) corresponds to the smooth heat exchange tube, (b) corresponds to the first embodiment (as illustrated in FIG. 1), (c) corresponds to the second embodiment (as illustrated in FIG. 2), (d) corresponds to the third embodiment (as illustrated in FIG. 4), and (e) corresponds to the fourth embodiment (as illustrated in FIG. 7).

[0073] The above numerical simulation results indicate that, compared with the smooth heat exchange tube 20, the four schemes applying the technical concept of the present disclosure can effectively reduce a surface temperature of the heat exchange tube 20 and enhance heat transfer inside the tube. From the perspective of a surface temperature distribution of the heat exchange tube 20 in FIG. 10, the heat exchange tube 20 according to the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 has a low surface temperature, indicating that these two structures provide stronger enhancement of the heat exchange performance within the heat exchange tube 20. However, from the perspective of a surface pressure distribution of the heat exchange tube 20 illustrated in FIG. 11 and a comparison of a convective heat transfer coefficient and a pressure drop in FIG. 12, the pressure drop according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 is smaller than that according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2. Considering both the temperature and the pressure, the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 has stronger overall enhanced heat transfer performance. Partial improvements are performed on the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 9 based on the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. The overall enhanced heat transfer performance according to the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 9 is substantially identical to that according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0074] In an embodiment, the turbulence plate 100 is provided with two bent portions. Each of the two bent portions extends in the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange tube 20. In a lateral direction of the turbulence plate 100, the first flow deflector 200 and the second flow deflector 300 are arranged between the two bent portions.

[0075] In this way, an arrangement of the bent portions facilitates an insertion of the turbulence generator 10 into the heat exchange tube 20, preventing a cut surface of the turbulence plate 100 from being attached to the tube wall of the heat exchange tube 20. Given that the cut surface of the turbulence plate 100 may be rougher than a plate surface of the turbulence plate 100, direct contact between the turbulence plate 100 and the tube wall is likely to introduce a thermal stress, leading to a mechanical stress concentration. Additionally, when the turbulence plate 100 is connected to the heat exchange tube 20 through welding, the arrangement of the bent portions can increase a connection region (such as a welding region) between the turbulence plate 100 and the tube wall of the heat exchange tube 20. That is, the turbulence plate 100 can be better fixedly connected to the tube wall of the heat exchange tube 20 using the bent portions. Of course, the bent portions should not be too large, otherwise, they would affect the heat transfer of the heat exchange tube 20.

[0076] The present disclosure further provides a heat exchanger 1, which includes the heat exchange tube 20 and the turbulence generator 10. Reference to a specific structure of the turbulence generator 10 can be made to the above embodiments. Since all the technical solutions of the above embodiments are adopted by the heat exchanger 1, the heat exchanger 1 at least possesses all the advantageous effects brought about by the technical solutions of the above embodiments, and thus details thereof will be omitted here.

[0077] In this embodiment, one heat exchange tube 20 or a plurality of heat exchange tubes 20 may be provided in the heat exchanger 1. The plurality of heat exchange tubes 20 may be arranged in parallel or in series. At least one of the heat exchange tubes 20 is internally provided with the turbulence generator 10. In some embodiments, all heat exchange tubes 20 are internally provided with the turbulence generator 10.

[0078] In an embodiment, the turbulence generator 10 may be fixedly connected to the tube wall of the heat exchange tube 20 through welding. In other embodiments, the turbulence generator 10 may also be connected to the tube wall of the heat exchange tube 20 through an interference fit.

[0079] The present disclosure further provides a water heater, which includes the heat exchanger 1. Reference to a specific structure of the heat exchanger 1 can be made to the above embodiments. Since all the technical solutions of the above embodiments are adopted by the water heater, the water heater at least possesses all the advantageous effects brought about by the technical solutions of the above embodiments, and thus details thereof will be omitted here.

[0080] In this embodiment, the water heater is usually a gas water heater. The water heater may further include an outer casing, an inner casing, a burner, and a heat exchanger 1. The burner and the heat exchanger 1 are arranged inside the inner casing and form a combustion chamber. The inner casing is arranged inside the outer casing. The burner is configured to burn a gas to produce a high-temperature flue gas in the combustion chamber. The high-temperature flue gas flows towards the heat exchanger 1 and exchanges heat with water inside the heat exchange tube 20 of the heat exchanger 1, for heating the water flowing through the heat exchange tube 20.

[0081] Although example embodiments of the present disclosure are described above, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. Within the technical concept of the present disclosure, any equivalent structure transformation made using the contents of the specification and the accompanying drawings, or any direct or indirect application of the contents of the specification and the accompanying drawings in other related fields, shall equally fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A turbulence generator comprising:a turbulence plate;a first flow deflector arranged at the turbulence plate, a first end of the first flow deflector being connected to the turbulence plate, and a second end of the first flow deflector, that is opposite to the first end of the first flow deflector, being inclined in a first inclination direction away from the turbulence plate; anda second flow deflector arranged at the turbulence plate, a first end of the second flow deflector being connected to the turbulence plate, and a second end of the second flow deflector, that is opposite to the first end of the first flow deflector, being inclined in a second inclination direction away from the turbulence plate;wherein the second inclination direction is opposite to the first inclination direction.

2. The turbulence generator according to claim 1, wherein:the first flow deflector is one of a plurality of first flow deflectors arranged at intervals in a longitudinal direction of the turbulence plate; andthe second flow deflector is one of a plurality of second flow deflectors arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the turbulence plate.

3. The turbulence generator according to claim 2, wherein in the longitudinal direction of the turbulence plate, the plurality of first flow deflectors are offset from the plurality of second flow deflectors.

4. The turbulence generator according to claim 2, wherein:the turbulence plate has a first side and a second side that are opposite to each other; andat least one of the first side and the second side is provided with the plurality of first flow deflectors.

5. The turbulence generator according to claim 2, wherein:the turbulence plate has a first side and a second side that are opposite to each other; andat least one of the first side and the second side is provided with the plurality of second flow deflectors.

6. The turbulence generator according to claim 2, wherein:the turbulence plate has a first side and a second side that are opposite to each other; andthe plurality of first flow deflectors and the plurality of second flow deflectors are arranged at both the first side and the second side.

7. The turbulence generator according to claim 6, wherein in the longitudinal direction of the turbulence plate, first flow deflectors, arranged at the first side, of the plurality of first flow deflectors alternate with and are spaced apart from first flow deflectors, arranged at the second side, of the plurality of first flow deflectors.

8. The turbulence generator according to claim 6, wherein in the longitudinal direction of the turbulence plate, second flow deflectors, arranged at the first side, of the plurality of second flow deflectors alternate with and are spaced apart from second flow deflectors, arranged at the second side, of the plurality of second flow deflectors.

9. The turbulence generator according to claim 6, wherein in the longitudinal direction of the turbulence plate, first flow deflectors, arranged at the first side, of the plurality of first flow deflectors alternate with and are spaced apart from second flow deflectors, arranged at the first side, of the plurality of second flow deflectors.

10. The turbulence generator according to claim 6, wherein in the longitudinal direction of the turbulence plate, first flow deflectors, arranged at the second side, of the plurality of first flow deflectors alternate with and are spaced apart from second flow deflectors, arranged at the second side, of the plurality of second flow deflectors.

11. The turbulence generator according to claim 6, wherein the turbulence plate has a plurality of through openings each having two opposite ends, at least one of the plurality of first flow deflectors is arranged at one end of each of the plurality of through openings, and at least one of the plurality of second flow deflectors is arranged at another end of each of the plurality of through openings.

12. The turbulence generator according to claim 11, wherein:the plurality of through openings are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the turbulence plate; andan interval between two adjacent through openings of the plurality of through openings is greater than or equal to 4.0 mm.

13. The turbulence generator according to claim 1, wherein an angle between the first flow deflector and the turbulence plate greater than 30° and smaller than 80°.

14. The turbulence generator according to claim 1, wherein an angle between the second flow deflector and the turbulence plate is greater than 30° and smaller than 80°.

15. The turbulence generator according to claim 1, wherein:the turbulence plate is provided with two bent portions each extending in a longitudinal direction of the turbulence plate; andin a lateral direction of the turbulence plate, the first flow deflector and the second flow deflector are arranged between the two bent portions.

16. A heat exchanger comprising:a heat exchange tube; anda turbulence generator arranged in the heat exchange tube and including:a turbulence plate extending in a longitudinal direction of the heat exchange tube;a first flow deflector disposed at the turbulence plate, a first end of the first flow deflector being connected to the turbulence plate, and a second end of the first flow deflector, that is opposite to the first end of the first flow deflector, being inclined in a first inclination direction away from the turbulence plate; anda second flow deflector disposed at the turbulence plate, a first end of the second flow deflector being connected to the turbulence plate, and a second end of the second flow deflector, that is opposite to the first end of the first flow deflector, being inclined in a second inclination direction away from the turbulence plate;wherein the second inclination direction is opposite to the first inclination direction.

17. The heat exchanger according to claim 16, wherein:the first flow deflector is one of a plurality of first flow deflectors arranged at intervals in a longitudinal direction of the turbulence plate; andthe second flow deflector is one of a plurality of second flow deflectors arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the turbulence plate.

18. The heat exchanger according to claim 17, wherein in the longitudinal direction of the turbulence plate, the plurality of first flow deflectors are offset from the plurality of second flow deflectors.

19. The heat exchanger according to claim 17, wherein:the turbulence plate has a first side and a second side that are opposite to each other; andat least one of the first side and the second side is provided with the plurality of first flow deflectors.

20. A water heater comprising a heat exchanger including:a heat exchange tube; anda turbulence generator arranged in the heat exchange tube and including:a turbulence plate extending in a longitudinal direction of the heat exchange tube;a first flow deflector disposed at the turbulence plate, a first end of the first flow deflector being connected to the turbulence plate, and a second end of the first flow deflector, that is opposite to the first end of the first flow deflector, being inclined in a first inclination direction away from the turbulence plate; anda second flow deflector disposed at the turbulence plate, a first end of the second flow deflector being connected to the turbulence plate, and a second end of the second flow deflector, that is opposite to the first end of the first flow deflector, being inclined in a second inclination direction away from the turbulence plate;wherein the second inclination direction is opposite to the first inclination direction.

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