Heat exchanger unit for a refrigerant circuit, and refrigerant circuit

Abstract

The invention relates to a heat exchanger unit (100) for a refrigerant circuit (200), the heat exchanger unit comprising: an inlet connection (101) for receiving a compressed, in particular gaseous, refrigerant, in particular a propane-containing refrigerant; a first heat exchanger (110) which is designed to at least partially condense the compressed, in particular gaseous, refrigerant and is arranged downstream of the inlet connection (101); a second heat exchanger (120) which is designed to heat and / or at least partially evaporate the at least partially condensed refrigerant against a temperature-control medium and is arranged downstream of the first heat exchanger (110); and an outlet connection (102) for discharging the heated and / or at least partially evaporated refrigerant, wherein the second heat exchanger (120) is arranged downstream of the first heat exchanger (110) and the outlet connection (102) is arranged downstream of the second heat exchanger (120), and wherein the inlet connection (101), the first heat exchanger (110), the second heat exchanger (120), and the outlet connection (102) are mechanically rigidly connected to one another, and wherein the inlet connection (101) and the outlet connection (102) have a mechanically fixed relative geometrical arrangement. The invention also relates to a refrigerant circuit unit (200) comprising such a heat exchanger unit (100).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] title

[0003] Heat exchanger unit for a refrigerant circuit and refrigerant circuit

[0004] The present invention relates to a heat exchanger unit for a refrigerant circuit and to a refrigerant circuit unit with such a heat exchanger unit.

[0005] Background of the invention

[0006] Typical refrigerant circuits comprise, in addition to a compressor for compressing a suitable refrigerant, a first heat exchanger (e.g., air-cooled and / or liquid-cooled) for dissipating the heat of compression and for at least partially condensing the compressed refrigerant, and a second heat exchanger for heating and re-evaporating the refrigerant before it is returned to the compressor. An expansion valve is typically located between the first and second heat exchangers to expand the compressed (and possibly partially condensed) refrigerant. Depending on the specific application, such a refrigerant circuit can be used as a heat source and / or a heat sink. Useful heat can be extracted from the first heat exchanger and / or waste heat can be supplied to the second heat exchanger (or "useful cooling" can be extracted).The various components (first heat exchanger, expansion valve, second heat exchanger, compressor) can be fluidically connected to each other via pipes.

[0007] Disclosure of the invention: According to the invention, a heat exchanger unit for a refrigerant circuit and a refrigerant circuit unit with the features of the independent claims are proposed. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims and the following description.

[0008] The heat exchanger unit according to the invention for a refrigerant circuit comprises an inlet connection for receiving a compressed, in particular gaseous, refrigerant, a first heat exchanger configured to at least partially condense the compressed, in particular gaseous, refrigerant and arranged downstream of the inlet connection, a second heat exchanger configured to heat the at least partially condensed refrigerant against a temperature control medium and / or at least partially evaporate it, and an outlet connection for discharging the heated and / or at least partially evaporated refrigerant. The second heat exchanger is arranged downstream of the first heat exchanger, and the outlet connection is arranged downstream of the second heat exchanger.The inlet connection, the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, and the outlet connection are rigidly mechanically connected, and the inlet connection has a mechanically fixed relative geometric arrangement to the outlet connection, or is arranged accordingly. The at least partially integrated design of the heat exchanger unit significantly simplifies the assembly of the refrigerant circuit compared to conventional individual components. At the same time, hose lines become at least partially obsolete, allowing the required volume of refrigerant to be reduced or minimized to an absolute minimum. This is particularly advantageous when using refrigerants that pose a potential hazard. For example, propane (R290), which is highly flammable and therefore represents a fire hazard in the event of a leak, such as in the automotive sector, can be used as a refrigerant.

[0009] The first heat exchanger can also be called a liquid-cooled condenser (LCC), while the second heat exchanger is also called a chiller. In at least one embodiment, the heat exchanger unit also includes a refrigerant distribution unit that comprises the inlet and / or outlet connections. This allows for the particularly efficient elimination of one or more hose connections.

[0010] In at least one embodiment, the refrigerant distribution unit includes a refrigerant storage tank for receiving the compressed refrigerant, in particular the at least partially condensed refrigerant. This represents an even deeper level of integration, which in turn reduces the required refrigerant volume.

[0011] In at least one embodiment, the heat exchanger unit further comprises a support to which the first heat exchanger and / or the second heat exchanger and / or the inlet connection and / or the outlet connection are mechanically fixed. For example, the support can consist of or comprise a substantially plate-shaped element, such as a sheet metal part.

[0012] In at least one embodiment, the support is designed to be rigidly attached to a compressor of the refrigerant circuit. This further simplifies installation. Preferably, no, and in particular no flexible, or preferably additional / separate, pipes and / or hoses are required or used between the compressor and the support. The compressor is rigidly and, in particular, directly attached to the support.

[0013] In at least one embodiment, at least two components—the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, the inlet connection, the outlet connection, and, if present, the refrigerant distribution unit, and, if present, the support—have a metallurgical bond with each other. This prevents or reliably eliminates refrigerant leakage.

[0014] The material-bonded connection can comprise one or more components from the group consisting of a weld, a brazed joint, a vacuum brazed joint, and a soft brazed joint, and / or be realized at least partially through the monolithic integration of two or more of these components. These connections are already used, for example, in the manufacture of heat exchangers, so extending them to other components may not entail any significant additional effort.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the compressor is directly connected fluidically to the outlet connection on the suction side and to the inlet connection of the heat exchanger unit on the pressure side.

[0016] The refrigerant circuit unit according to the invention includes a heat exchanger unit according to the invention and therefore benefits analogously from its advantages. Preferably, the refrigerant circuit unit comprises a heat exchanger unit and a compressor. In particular, no hoses or pipes, especially no additional hoses or pipes, are provided between the compressor and the heat exchanger unit for guiding and / or directing the refrigerant. The compressor and the heat exchanger unit are directly connected by fluid lines.

[0017] Further advantages and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the description and the accompanying drawing.

[0018] The invention is schematically illustrated in the drawing using an exemplary embodiment and is described below with reference to the drawing.

[0019] Brief description of the drawings

[0020] Figure 1 schematically shows an embodiment of a heat exchanger unit according to the invention in a perspective exploded view.

[0021] Figure 2 schematically shows the heat exchanger unit depicted in Figure 1 in an exploded view from a different perspective. Figure 3 schematically shows an embodiment of a refrigerant circuit unit according to the invention in a perspective view.

[0022] Embodiment(s) of the invention

[0023] Figures 1 and 2 show a schematic embodiment of a heat exchanger unit according to the invention, each depicted in a perspective exploded view and collectively designated 100. In the illustrated example, the heat exchanger unit 100 comprises an inlet connection 101, a first heat exchanger 110, a second heat exchanger 120, and a refrigerant distribution unit 130. An outlet connection 102 is monolithically integrated into the refrigerant distribution unit 130.

[0024] The inlet port 101 is designed to receive a compressed, in particular gaseous, refrigerant, for example propane (R290) or propane-containing refrigerant.

[0025] Downstream of the input connection 101 is an input 112 of the first heat exchanger 110, in which the refrigerant is cooled against a temperature control medium, for example cooling water or a thermal oil, and partially condensed.

[0026] An outlet 114 of the first heat exchanger 110 is connected to the refrigerant distribution unit 130, which in the example shown here includes a refrigerant storage tank for condensed refrigerant. A filter and / or dryer 140 is installed in the refrigerant storage tank, which is designed to remove impurities, especially water, from the refrigerant.

[0027] In the example shown here, the refrigerant distribution unit 130 is designed as a monolithic component, for example, as a metal block with functional bores. In this example, the refrigerant storage unit is inserted into the material block from below as a (in the installed state) vertical bore, into which an inlet bore opens laterally for connecting the outlet 114 of the first heat exchanger 110 to the refrigerant storage unit. After the filter / dryer 140 is installed, the lower end of the bore is sealed during the assembly of the refrigerant distribution unit 130, for example, by welding in a plug. The upper end of the bore forming the refrigerant storage unit can be closed, for example, by means of a service port 160, which can be used to fill the heat exchanger unit 100 with refrigerant and / or to replace the refrigerant or to adjust the appropriate refrigerant quantity. At the lower end of the refrigerant storage unit (i.e.,h. below the filter / dryer 140) in the example shown here, an outlet bore branches off laterally, which also serves as a valve seat for an expansion valve 150.

[0028] The compressed and partially condensed refrigerant is fed from the refrigerant distribution unit 130 via the expansion valve 150, which can be, for example, electrically or electronically controlled, to an inlet 122 of the second heat exchanger 120. In the example shown here, a further bore is provided in the refrigerant distribution unit 130 as the outlet of the valve seat. In the second heat exchanger 120, the refrigerant is heated against a (further), in particular liquid (e.g., water or oil), temperature control medium and is at least partially evaporated in the process.

[0029] From outlet 124 of the second heat exchanger 120, the heated refrigerant is returned to the refrigerant distributor 130 and to outlet 102. In the example shown here, the connection between outlet 124 of the second heat exchanger 120 and outlet 102 of the heat exchanger unit 100 is implemented as a through-hole through the refrigerant distributor unit 130, which has no connection to the previously described bores forming the refrigerant reservoir and the valve seat. In the example shown here, a sensor 180 for determining at least one physical state variable, in particular pressure and / or temperature, of the refrigerant is connected in the path between outlet 124 of the second heat exchanger 120 and outlet 102 (i.e., in the through-hole). For this purpose, a pilot hole is provided in the through-hole, which serves as a connection point for the sensor 180.In the example shown here, the inlet port 101, the first heat exchanger 110, the second heat exchanger 120, and the refrigerant distribution unit 130 are each metallurgically bonded to a support 170, for example, by a brazing process, preferably a vacuum brazing joint. This results in a mechanically fixed geometric arrangement of the inlet port 101 and the outlet port 102 relative to each other. In the example shown here, the support consists of, or comprises, a substantially plate-shaped element, for example, a sheet metal part.

[0030] Figure 3 schematically illustrates an embodiment of a refrigerant circuit unit according to the invention in a perspective sketch and is designated 200 in its entirety. The refrigerant circuit unit 200 comprises a heat exchanger unit, in particular the heat exchanger unit 100 shown in Figures 1 and 2, and a compressor 210.

[0031] The compressor is designed to compress a refrigerant, particularly propane (R290) in its gaseous state, and is fluidically connected on the suction side to the outlet port 102 and on the pressure side to the inlet port 101 of the heat exchanger unit 100. The compressor 210 and / or the expansion valve 150 can be controlled based on a sensor signal from sensor 180 to adjust the heating capacity provided by the first heat exchanger 110 and / or the cooling capacity provided by the second heat exchanger 120. Alternatively or additionally, a signal from another sensor 280, located elsewhere, can be used for such control. For example, such an additional sensor 280 can be located on the pressure side of the compressor 210, e.g., directly upstream of the inlet port 101 or integrated into the inlet port 101.

[0032] Preferably, the compressor 210 is directly connected on the suction side to the outlet port 102 and on the pressure side directly to the inlet port 101 of the heat exchanger unit 100. "Directly" means that no additional flexible pipes, in particular hoses, are used in between.

[0033] Preferably, no separate lines, in particular flexible lines, preferably hoses, are formed between the heat exchanger unit 100 and the compressor 210. A fluid-conducting connection exists directly between the compressor 210 and the outlet port 102 and the inlet port 101. The ports 101 and 102 are connected directly to the compressor 210. Preferably, the ports 101 and 102 are in contact with the compressor 210.

[0034] The refrigerant can be, in particular, propane (R290), CO2 (R744), R-1234yf, or a refrigerant blend, preferably comprising propane. Preferably, it is a propane-containing refrigerant, which consists, for example, of at least 90%, 95%, 98%, or 99% propane.

Claims

Claims 1. Heat exchanger unit (100) for a refrigerant circuit (200), comprising - an inlet connection (101) for receiving a compressed, in particular gaseous, refrigerant, in particular a refrigerant containing propane, - a first heat exchanger (110) which is designed to at least partially condense the compressed, in particular gaseous, refrigerant and which is arranged downstream of the inlet connection (101), - a second heat exchanger (120) designed to heat the at least partially condensed refrigerant against a temperature control medium and / or to at least partially evaporate it, and - an outlet port (102) for the discharge of the heated and / or at least partially evaporated refrigerant, wherein the second heat exchanger (120) is arranged downstream of the first heat exchanger (110) and the outlet port (102) is arranged downstream of the second heat exchanger (120), and wherein the inlet port (101), the first heat exchanger (110), the second heat exchanger (120) and the outlet port (102) are rigidly connected to each other mechanically and wherein the inlet port (101) has a mechanically fixed relative geometric arrangement to the outlet port (102).

2. Heat exchanger unit (100) according to claim 1, further comprising a refrigerant distribution unit (130) comprising the inlet port (101) and / or the outlet port (102).

3. Heat exchanger unit (100) according to claim 2, wherein the refrigerant distribution unit (130) has a refrigerant storage unit for receiving the compressed refrigerant, in particular the at least partially condensed refrigerant.

4. Heat exchanger unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, which further comprises a support (170) on which the first heat exchanger (110) and / or the second heat exchanger (120) and / or the inlet connection (101) and / or the outlet connection (102) and / or, if according to claim 2, the refrigerant distribution unit (130) are mechanically fixed.

5. Heat exchanger unit (100) according to claim 4, wherein the support (170) is configured to be rigidly mechanically attached to a compressor (210) of the refrigerant circuit (200).

6. Heat exchanger unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two components comprising the first heat exchanger (110), the second heat exchanger (120), the inlet connection (101), the outlet connection (102) and, if according to claim 2, the refrigerant distribution unit (130), and, if according to claim 4, the support (170), have a materially bonded connection with each other.

7. Heat exchanger unit (100) according to claim 6, wherein the materially bonded connection comprises one or more from the group consisting of a welded joint, a brazed joint, a vacuum brazed joint and a soft brazed joint and / or is realized at least partially by monolithically integrated design of two or more of the components.

8. Heat exchanger unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a compressor (210) can be fluidically connected, in particular connected, to the outlet port (102) on the suction side and to the inlet port (101) of the heat exchanger unit (100) on the pressure side.

9. Refrigerant circuit unit (200) comprising a heat exchanger unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims and a compressor (210) which is equipped for compressing a refrigerant, in particular a refrigerant containing propane.

Images