Heat exchanger and heat exchange system comprising same

Abstract

Disclosed are a heat exchanger (100) and a heat exchange system (200) comprising same. The heat exchanger (100) comprises a heat exchanger unit. The heat exchanger unit comprises at least one first heat exchanger unit (1). The first heat exchanger unit (1) comprises: two rows of first heat exchanger core bodies (10) arranged side by side in a first direction, wherein each row of first heat exchanger core bodies (10) comprise first heat exchange tubes (11) arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; two first flow collecting tubes (13) respectively connected to the first heat exchange tubes (11) of the two rows of first heat exchanger core bodies (10) in a first edge area (12) of the two rows of first heat exchanger core bodies (10) in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction; and a plurality of first connectors (15) respectively extending from the two first flow collecting tubes (13) toward two sides of the two rows of first heat exchanger core bodies (10) in the first direction. By using the heat exchanger (100) of the present disclosure, for example, space can be saved.

Description

Heat exchanger and heat exchange system having the same

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Chinese patent application No. 202322665648.8 filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on September 27, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a heat exchanger and a heat exchange system having the heat exchanger. Background Art

[0004] In the application of liquid working fluid systems such as water, ethylene glycol, and propylene glycol, multiple microchannel heat exchangers need to be connected in series to increase the heat transfer capacity.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] An object of embodiments of the present disclosure is to provide a heat exchanger and a heat exchange system having the same, whereby, for example, space can be saved.

[0007] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a heat exchanger, including a heat exchanger unit, wherein the heat exchanger unit includes at least one first heat exchanger unit, the first heat exchanger unit including: two rows of first heat exchanger cores arranged side by side in a first direction, each row of first heat exchanger cores including first heat exchange tubes arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; two first collecting pipes connected to the first heat exchange tubes of the two rows of first heat exchanger cores at first edge areas of the two rows of first heat exchanger cores in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction; and a plurality of first connectors extending from the two first collecting pipes toward both sides of the two rows of first heat exchanger cores in the first direction.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the heat exchanger unit also includes a second heat exchanger unit arranged side by side with the at least one first heat exchanger unit in the first direction, the second heat exchanger unit includes: a second heat exchanger core, the second heat exchanger core including second heat exchange tubes arranged in the second direction; two second collecting pipes connected to the second heat exchange tubes of the second heat exchanger core at two second edge areas opposite to each other in the third direction of the second heat exchanger core; and a plurality of second connectors extending from the two second collecting pipes toward both sides of the second heat exchanger core in the first direction.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one first heat exchanger unit includes a plurality of first heat exchanger units connected in series, and the plurality of first heat exchanger units are arranged side by side in the first direction.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one first heat exchanger unit is connected in series with the second heat exchanger unit.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first heat exchanger unit is formed by bending a flat plate-shaped heat exchanger.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of first connectors extend along a first direction.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a plurality of first connectors protrude in a first direction and a plurality of second connectors protrude in the first direction.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the heat exchanger further comprises an outer frame, which surrounds the heat exchanger units when viewed along the first direction, so that the plurality of heat exchangers can be attached to each other in at least one of the second direction and the third direction.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the outer frame has a rectangular ring shape when viewed along the first direction.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the angle between the two rows of first heat exchanger cores of the first heat exchanger unit is approximately 0 degree.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a size of the heat exchanger unit in the second direction is larger than a size of the heat exchanger unit in the third direction.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when viewed along the first direction, at least one first connector among the multiple first connectors extending toward one side of the two rows of first heat exchanger cores and at least one first connector among the multiple first connectors extending toward the other side of the two rows of first heat exchanger cores extend from the same position.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one of the plurality of second connectors and at least one of the plurality of first connectors on the same side of the heat exchanger unit in the third direction face each other in the first direction and extend from the same position when viewed along the first direction.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an angle between two rows of first heat exchanger cores of the first heat exchanger unit is in a range of 0 degrees to 45 degrees.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the two rows of first heat exchanger cores of the first heat exchanger unit are substantially symmetrical with respect to a plane defined by the second direction and the third direction.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first connector is a first connecting pipe.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first connector is a first pipe, and the second connector is a second pipe.

[0024] An embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a heat exchange system, comprising: a heat-releasing heat exchanger; and a heat-absorbing heat exchanger, wherein at least one of the heat-releasing heat exchanger and the heat-absorbing heat exchanger is the above-mentioned heat exchanger.

[0025] Using the heat exchanger according to the embodiments of the present disclosure and the heat exchange system having the same, for example, space can be saved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] 1 and 2 are schematic front views of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the heat exchanger shown in FIG1 does not have an outer frame, and the heat exchanger shown in FIG2 has an outer frame;

[0027] 3 and 4 are schematic side views of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the heat exchanger shown in FIG3 does not have an outer frame, and the heat exchanger shown in FIG4 has an outer frame;

[0028] 5 and 6 are schematic side views of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the heat exchanger shown in FIG5 does not have an outer frame, and the heat exchanger shown in FIG6 has an outer frame;

[0029] 7 and 8 are schematic front views of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the heat exchanger shown in FIG7 does not have an outer frame, and the heat exchanger shown in FIG8 has an outer frame;

[0030] 9 and 10 are schematic side views of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the heat exchanger shown in FIG9 does not have an outer frame, and the heat exchanger shown in FIG10 has an outer frame;

[0031] 11 and 12 are schematic side views of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the heat exchanger shown in FIG11 does not have an outer frame, and the heat exchanger shown in FIG12 has an outer frame;

[0032] FIG13 is a schematic front view of a plurality of heat exchangers arranged in a matrix according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] FIG14 is a schematic top view of the plurality of heat exchangers shown in FIG13;

[0034] FIG15 is a schematic side view of the plurality of heat exchangers shown in FIG13; and

[0035] FIG16 is a schematic diagram of a heat exchange system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The present disclosure will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods.

[0037] Referring to Figures 1 to 12 , a heat exchanger 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a heat exchanger unit HU, which includes at least one first heat exchanger unit 1. Referring to Figures 1-6 and 9-12 , the first heat exchanger unit 1 includes two rows of first heat exchanger cores 10 arranged side by side in a first direction D1, each row of first heat exchanger cores 10 including first heat exchange tubes 11 arranged in a second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1; two first headers 13 connected to the first heat exchange tubes 11 of the two rows of first heat exchanger cores 10 at first edge regions 12 of the two rows of first heat exchanger cores 10 in a third direction D3 perpendicular to the first and second directions D1 and D2; and a plurality of first connectors 15 extending from the two first headers 13 toward opposite sides of the two rows of first heat exchanger cores 10 in the first direction D1. The angle between the two rows of first heat exchanger cores 10 in the first heat exchanger unit 1 can be in the range of 0 to 45 degrees. The plane defined by the second direction D2 and the third direction D3 can be parallel to a row of first heat exchanger cores 10, or the two rows of first heat exchanger cores 10 of the first heat exchanger unit 1 can be substantially symmetrical with respect to the plane defined by the second direction D2 and the third direction D3. The plurality of first connectors 15 include one or more first connectors 15 for allowing heat exchange medium to flow into the first heat exchanger unit 1, and one or more first connectors 15 for allowing heat exchange medium to flow out of the first heat exchanger unit 1. The two first manifolds 13 include a first manifold 13 for allowing heat exchange medium to flow into the first heat exchanger unit 1, and a first manifold 13 for allowing heat exchange medium to flow out of the first heat exchanger unit 1. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one first heat exchanger unit 1 can include a plurality of first heat exchanger units 1 connected in series, the plurality of first heat exchanger units 1 being arranged side by side in the first direction D1. The first heat exchanger unit 1 can be formed by bending a flat plate, or the first heat exchange tubes 11 of the two rows of first heat exchanger cores 10 of the first heat exchanger unit 1 can be connected together by connecting pipes, manifolds, etc. Each row of the first heat exchanger cores 10 further includes first fins 16 arranged alternately with the first heat exchange tubes 11 in the second direction D2. The first heat exchange tubes 11 may be flat tubes. The first connector 15 may be a first connecting tube or include a first connecting tube.

[0038] Referring to Figures 7 to 12 , in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the heat exchanger unit HU further includes a second heat exchanger unit 2 arranged side by side with the at least one first heat exchanger unit 1 in a first direction D1. The second heat exchanger unit 2 includes: a second heat exchanger core 20 including second heat exchange tubes 21 arranged in a second direction D2; two second headers 23 connected to the second heat exchange tubes 21 of the second heat exchanger core 20 at two second edge regions 22 of the second heat exchanger core 20 that oppose each other in a third direction D3; and a plurality of second connectors 25 extending from the two second headers 23 toward both sides of the second heat exchanger core 20 in the first direction D1. The plurality of second connectors 25 include one or more second connectors 25 for allowing heat exchange medium to flow into the second heat exchanger unit 2, and one or more second connectors 25 for allowing heat exchange medium to flow out of the second heat exchanger unit 2. The two second headers 23 include a second header 23 for the heat exchange medium to flow into the second heat exchanger unit 2, and a second header 23 for the heat exchange medium to flow out of the second heat exchanger unit 2. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one first heat exchanger unit 1 is connected in series with the second heat exchanger unit 2. The second heat exchanger core 20 also includes second fins 26 that are alternately arranged with the second heat exchange tubes 21 in the second direction D2. The second heat exchange tubes 21 can be flat tubes. The second heat exchanger unit 2 or the second heat exchanger core 20 can have a flat plate shape. The second connector 25 can be a second connecting pipe or include a second connecting pipe.

[0039] Referring to Figures 1 to 12 , in embodiments of the present disclosure, multiple first connectors 15 extend along a first direction D1. For example, when the angle between two rows of first heat exchanger cores 10 in the first heat exchanger unit 1 is approximately 0 degrees, the first connecting pipes serving as the multiple first connectors 15 are perpendicular to the plane in which the corresponding first heat exchanger cores 10 are located, or perpendicular to the plane defined by the second direction D2 and the third direction D3. In some embodiments of the present invention, the multiple first connectors 15 may extend along a direction forming an acute angle with the first direction D1.

[0040] Referring to Figures 7 to 12 , in the embodiments of the present disclosure, multiple first connectors 15 extend along a first direction D1, and multiple second connectors 25 extend along the first direction D1. For example, when the angle between two rows of first heat exchanger cores 10 in the first heat exchanger unit 1 is approximately 0 degrees, the first connecting pipes serving as the multiple first connectors 15 are perpendicular to the plane in which the corresponding first heat exchanger cores 10 are located, or perpendicular to the plane defined by the second direction D2 and the third direction D3. For example, the second connecting pipes serving as the multiple second connectors 25 are perpendicular to the plane in which the second heat exchanger core 20 is located, or perpendicular to the plane defined by the second direction D2 and the third direction D3.

[0041] Referring to Figures 1 to 12 , in an embodiment of the present disclosure, when viewed along a first direction D1, at least one of the plurality of first connectors 15 extending toward one side of the two rows of first heat exchanger cores 10 and at least one of the plurality of first connectors 15 extending toward the other side of the two rows of first heat exchanger cores 10 extend from the same location. For example, at least one first connector 15 of one of the two first heat exchanger units 1 and at least one first connector 15 of the other of the two first heat exchanger units 1 facing each other can be conveniently connected. For example, in the embodiment shown in Figure 3 , the first connector 15 on the right side of the left first heat exchanger unit 1 can be conveniently connected to the first connector 15 on the left side of the right first heat exchanger unit 1. If the first connectors 15 include one first connector 15 for heat exchange medium flowing into the first heat exchanger unit 1 and one first connector 15 for heat exchange medium flowing out of the first heat exchanger unit 1, the first connector 15 on the right side of the left first heat exchanger unit 1 can be conveniently connected to the first connector 15 on the left side of the right first heat exchanger unit 1.

[0042] Referring to Figures 7 to 12 , in an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one of the plurality of second connectors 25 and at least one of the plurality of first connectors 15 on the same side of the heat exchanger unit HU in the third direction D3 face each other in the first direction D1 and extend from the same position when viewed along the first direction D1. For example, the at least one first connector 15 of the first heat exchanger unit 1 and the at least one second connector 25 of the second heat exchanger unit 2 facing each other can be conveniently connected. For example, in the embodiment shown in Figure 9 , the first connector 15 on the right side of the first heat exchanger unit 1 on the left can be conveniently connected to the second connector 25 on the left side of the second heat exchanger unit 2 on the right. When the first connector 15 includes a first connector 15 for the heat exchange medium to flow into the first heat exchanger unit 1, and a first connector 15 for the heat exchange medium to flow out of the first heat exchanger unit 1, and the second connector 25 includes a second connector 25 for the heat exchange medium to flow into the second heat exchanger unit 2, and a second connector 25 for the heat exchange medium to flow out of the second heat exchanger unit 2, a first connector 15 on the right side of the first heat exchanger unit 1 on the left can be conveniently connected to a second connector 25 on the left side of the second heat exchanger unit 2 on the right.

[0043] Referring to Figures 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the heat exchanger 100 further includes an outer frame 3 that surrounds the heat exchanger unit HU in both the second direction D2 and the third direction D3, enabling the multiple heat exchangers 100 to fit together in at least one of the second direction D2 and the third direction D3. That is, when viewed along the first direction D1, the outer frame 3 surrounds the heat exchanger unit HU. For example, when viewed along the first direction D1, the outer frame 3 has a rectangular ring shape, or any other suitable shape corresponding to the shape of the heat exchanger unit HU. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the heat exchanger is designed to have a regular geometric shape, i.e., a building block-like structure. Several heat exchangers can fit together like building blocks, allowing users to freely expand and combine the heat exchangers. Furthermore, to maximize the use of heat exchange space, connectors (e.g., pipes) extend perpendicular to the plane of the heat exchanger cores (in this case, for the first heat exchanger unit 1, the angle between the two rows of first heat exchanger cores 10 is approximately 0 degrees). The pipes do not occupy heat exchange space, allowing the heat exchangers to be arranged compactly and minimizing air leakage between them.

[0044] Referring to Figures 13 to 15 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, multiple heat exchangers are combined to form a heat exchanger matrix. The heat exchanger matrix shown consists of 3 rows x 5 columns, for a total of 15 heat exchanger assemblies. The heat exchangers are closely aligned, maximizing heat exchange area while preventing air from fan 100A from leaking between the heat exchangers.

[0045] Referring to Figures 1, 2, 7, and 8, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, when the angle between the two rows of first heat exchanger cores 10 in the first heat exchanger unit 1 is approximately 0 degrees, the dimension of the heat exchanger unit HU in the second direction D2 is greater than the dimension of the heat exchanger unit HU in the third direction D3. That is, the dimension of the heat exchanger unit HU in the direction in which the heat exchange tubes are arranged is greater than the dimension of the heat exchanger unit HU in the direction in which the heat exchange tubes extend. This means that the longest side of the heat exchanger unit HU is used as the length of the header. This maximizes the number of heat exchange tubes, reduces flow resistance, and improves energy efficiency.

[0046] Referring to Figure 16 , an embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a heat exchange system 200. The heat exchange system 200 includes: a heat-releasing heat exchanger 201; a fan 201A for providing air flow to the heat-releasing heat exchanger 201; a heat-absorbing heat exchanger 202; and a fan 202A for providing air flow to the heat-absorbing heat exchanger 202. At least one of the heat-releasing heat exchanger 201 and the heat-absorbing heat exchanger 202 is the aforementioned heat exchanger 100. Furthermore, the heat exchange system 200 also includes a pump 203 for driving a heat exchange medium to circulate in a loop; a cold source 205; and a fan 206. In the heat exchange system 200, when the capacity of the heat-absorbing heat exchanger 202 is insufficient, the cold source 205 provides cooling. Common cold sources can be those provided by refrigeration machinery such as chillers, or natural cold sources such as groundwater or water from rivers, lakes, or seas with relatively low temperatures. The heat exchange medium can be a liquid working fluid. The heat exchange medium can be a coolant, such as water, brine, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol and other liquids.

[0047] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first heat exchanger unit 1 is formed by bending a flat plate-shaped heat exchanger, thereby minimizing the number of intermediate connectors, saving space, reducing flow resistance, and improving energy efficiency.

[0048] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the heat exchanger has a building block-like appearance, and the connector extends along the first direction D1, thereby the heat exchanger can be arranged compactly without air leakage, and the heat exchanger is easy to expand and easy to maintain.

[0049] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, for example, two first heat exchanger units 1, three first heat exchanger units 1, or more first heat exchanger units 1 may be connected in series; one first heat exchanger unit 1 and one second heat exchanger unit 2, two first heat exchanger units 1 and one second heat exchanger unit 2, or more first heat exchanger units 1 and one second heat exchanger unit 2 may be connected in series. Thus, different heat exchange requirements in different application environments can be met.

[0050] It should be noted that the connecting pipe or connector can be provided at any suitable position on the header, and is not limited to the positions mentioned in the embodiments and shown in the drawings.

[0051] Although the above embodiments have been described, some features of the above embodiments and the above embodiments may be combined to form new embodiments.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger, comprising: A heat exchanger unit, wherein the heat exchanger unit includes at least one first heat exchanger unit, the first heat exchanger unit including: two rows of first heat exchanger cores arranged side by side in a first direction, each row of first heat exchanger cores including first heat exchange tubes arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; two first collecting pipes connected to the first heat exchange tubes of the two rows of first heat exchanger cores at first edge areas of the two rows of first heat exchanger cores in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction; and a plurality of first connectors extending from the two first collecting pipes toward both sides of the two rows of first heat exchanger cores in the first direction.

2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein: The heat exchanger unit also includes a second heat exchanger unit arranged side by side with the at least one first heat exchanger unit in the first direction, the second heat exchanger unit including: a second heat exchanger core, the second heat exchanger core including second heat exchange tubes arranged in the second direction; two second collecting pipes connected to the second heat exchange tubes of the second heat exchanger core at two second edge areas opposite to each other in the third direction of the second heat exchanger core; and a plurality of second connectors extending from the two second collecting pipes toward both sides of the second heat exchanger core in the first direction.

3. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one first heat exchanger unit includes a plurality of first heat exchanger units connected in series, and the plurality of first heat exchanger units are arranged side by side in a first direction.

4. The heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein: The at least one first heat exchanger unit is connected in series with the second heat exchanger unit.

5. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein: The first heat exchanger unit is formed by bending a flat plate-shaped heat exchanger.

6. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein: A plurality of first connectors extend along a first direction.

7. The heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein: A plurality of first connectors extend in a first direction and a plurality of second connectors extend in the first direction.

8. The heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: The outer frame surrounds the heat exchanger unit when viewed along the first direction, so that the plurality of heat exchangers can be attached to each other in at least one of the second direction and the third direction.

9. The heat exchanger according to claim 8, wherein: When viewed along a first direction, the outer frame has a rectangular ring shape.

10. The heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The angle between the two rows of first heat exchanger cores of the first heat exchanger unit is approximately 0 degree.

11. The heat exchanger according to claim 10, wherein: A size of the heat exchanger unit in the second direction is greater than a size of the heat exchanger unit in the third direction.

12. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein: When viewed along the first direction, at least one first connector among the multiple first connectors extending toward one side of the two rows of first heat exchanger cores and at least one first connector among the multiple first connectors extending toward the other side of the two rows of first heat exchanger cores extend from the same position.

13. The heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein: At least one of the plurality of second connectors and at least one of the plurality of first connectors on the same side of the heat exchanger unit in the third direction face each other in the first direction and protrude from the same position when viewed in the first direction.

14. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein: The included angle between the two rows of first heat exchanger cores of the first heat exchanger unit is in the range of 0 degrees to 45 degrees.

15. The heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 14, wherein: The two rows of first heat exchanger cores of the first heat exchanger unit are substantially symmetrical with respect to a plane defined by the second direction and the third direction.

16. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein: The first connector is a first connecting pipe.

17. The heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein: The first connector is a first nozzle, and the second connector is a second nozzle.

18. A heat exchange system comprising: heat exchanger; as well as Heat exchanger, At least one of the heat-releasing heat exchanger and the heat-absorbing heat exchanger is the heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

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