Heat exchanger, refrigeration or heating system with such a heat exchanger

Abstract

The present invention relates to a heat exchanger (2) having a jacket (10) through which a first medium (A) can flow and which has at least one first inlet (11) and at least one first outlet (12), at least one tube (30) through which a second medium (B) can flow, the tube (30) being guided through the jacket (10) and having at least one second inlet (31) and at least one second outlet (32), wherein a deflection segment (50) or a plurality of deflection segments (50) are arranged in a row in a longitudinal axis (X) in the jacket (10), wherein the deflection segment (50) is formed from at least two partial sections (51, 52), which are arranged so as to overlap and cross, in areas, transverse to the longitudinal axis (X).

Claims

1. A heat exchanger, comprising: a jacket, through which a first medium can flow and which has at least one first inlet and at least one first outlet; and at least one tube, through which a second medium can flow, the tube being guided through the jacket and having at least one second inlet and at least one second outlet, wherein a plurality of deflection segments are arranged in a row in a longitudinal axis in the jacket, wherein each of the deflection segments is formed from at least two partial sections which are arranged so as to overlap and cross, in some areas, transverse to the longitudinal axis, characterized in that the partial sections of each of the deflection segments intersect in a first mating area, and that the first mating area is formed by a recess in at least one of the two partial sections and the first mating area is arranged on the longitudinal axis, and wherein the partial sections of two of the deflection segments which are adjacent in the row intersect in at least one second mating area, the second mating area being formed by at least one second recess in at least one of the partial sections of at least one of the two deflection segments which are adjacent in the row.

2. The heat exchanger (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the two partial sections (51, 52) are fitted together and/or integrally bonded transverse to the longitudinal axis (X).

3. The heat exchanger (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the partial sections (51, 52) are arranged at an angle (α) relative to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X) in opposite directions and, for the angle (α), which extends on both sides of the plane between the partial sections (51, 52), 10°≤α≤150°.

4. The heat exchanger (2) according to claim 3, characterized in that the angle (α) between the partial sections (51, 52) of at least two of the deflection segments (50) in the row are different to widen or taper the flow channel through which the first medium flows.

5. The heat exchanger (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least two partial sections (51, 52) overlap with a degree of overlap (U), and that D/2≥U≥1 mm, where D is a distance between diametrical sides as measured transversely to the longitudinal axis (X).

6. The heat exchanger (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that each partial section (51, 52) is a partial section of an oval.

7. The heat exchanger (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least two partial sections (51, 52) of each of the deflection segments (50) are designed with mirror symmetry.

8. The heat exchanger (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that each partial section (51, 52) has a cut-out (55) which is adapted to the at least one tube (30) and through which the tube (30) can be passed.

9. The heat exchanger (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the jacket (10) has a deflector cover (18) and/or a collector cover (17) at one end area (14, 15).

10. The heat exchanger (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one first inlet (11) of the jacket (10) is oriented transverse to the longitudinal axis (X), and that the at least one first inlet (11) opens out between the at least two partial sections (51, 52) of a deflection segment (50).

11. The heat exchanger (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that a baffle element (80) is arranged between the longitudinal axis (X) and the at least one first inlet (11).

12. The heat exchanger (2) according to claim 11, characterized in that the baffle element (80) is diamond-shaped in a normal plane.

13. The heat exchanger (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the partial sections (51, 52) of each of the deflection segments (50) and/or the partial sections (51, 52) of adjacent deflection segments (50) in the row are rigidly connected to one another or form a part.

14. A refrigeration or heating system (1) having the heat exchanger (2) according to claim 1.

15. The heat exchanger (2) according to claim 10, wherein the at least one first inlet (11) is oriented to open out toward the first mating area (60).

Description

(1) An embodiment of the heat exchanger according to the invention and three further developments thereof are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic and greatly simplified refrigeration system with two heat exchangers, a compressor and an expansion element,

(3) FIG. 2 shows a schematic sectional view of one of the heat exchangers according to FIG. 1, the heat exchanger having a jacket space formed by a jacket, in which deflection segments and a single tube or a bundle of several tubes are arranged,

(4) FIG. 3 shows a simplified perspective illustration of the components arranged in the jacket space,

(5) FIG. 4 shows a simplified perspective illustration of the deflection segments arranged in a row, which are each formed from a first partial section and a second partial section,

(6) FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of the heat exchanger according to FIG. 2,

(7) FIG. 6a shows a detailed representation according to FIG. 5,

(8) FIG. 6b shows a second detailed representation according to FIG. 5,

(9) FIG. 7a shows a plan view of the first partial section and the second partial section,

(10) FIG. 7b shows a view in direction X of a deflection segment which is formed by fitting together and pivoting the first and second partial section according to FIG. 7a,

(11) FIGS. 8a-d are sectional views of further developments of the heat exchanger according to the invention,

(12) FIG. 9a shows a simplified perspective illustration of a further development of an integrally formed deflection segment, and

(13) FIG. 9b shows a simplified perspective illustration of a deflection segment according to FIG. 9a arranged in a row.

(14) Identical or functionally identical components are identified with the same reference symbols. In addition, not all identical or functionally identical components are provided with a reference number in the Figures.

(15) FIG. 1 shows a refrigeration system 1, having a compressor 3, two heat exchangers 2 and an expansion element 4. The medium coming from the compressor 3 is guided to a first heat exchanger 2 and liquefied by emitting heat. The medium is then guided via an expansion element 4 to the second heat exchanger 2, with the heat from a second medium B to be cooled being able to be absorbed by the first medium A in the second heat exchanger 2, whereby the medium A of the refrigeration cycle evaporates again and is sucked in by the compressor for renewed compression 3.

(16) The heat exchanger 2 can be used both in the refrigeration system shown in FIG. 1 and in a heating system—also called a heat pump. The heat exchanger 2 can also be used to desuperheat oil or other liquid or gaseous media, wherein the relevant medium can also undergo a phase change from liquid to vapor and vice versa in the heat exchanger 2.

(17) The sectional illustration according to FIG. 2 shows that the heat exchanger 2 has a jacket 10 with a first inlet 11 and a first outlet 12. The jacket 10 defines a longitudinal axis X and is thus arranged coaxially with respect to it. In the illustrated embodiment, the jacket 10 is substantially hollow and circular-cylindrical with an inner diameter D. In addition, the jacket 10 has a first end area 14 and a second end area 15, the jacket space 20 formed by the jacket 10 being closed at the end areas 14, 15.

(18) A first medium A can be introduced into the jacket 10 or its jacket space 20 through the first inlet 11 and exit again through the first outlet 12, it being possible to for the first inlet 11 to be arranged adjacent to the first end area 14 and the first outlet 12 to be arranged adjacent to the second end area 15. The first inlet 11 and the first outlet 12 can be arranged on diametrical sides of the jacket 10.

(19) Furthermore, the heat exchanger 2 comprises a bundle, formed from a plurality of tubes 30, which are guided through the jacket 10 or the jacket space 20 parallel to the longitudinal axis X and extend between the first end area 14 and the second end area 15. Each tube 30 is connected to a second inlet 31 and a second outlet 32 and a second medium B can flow through it. Each tube 30 is configured to separate the first medium A in the jacket space 20 from the second medium B in the relevant tube 30 and to transfer a heat flow {dot over (Q)} through the wall of the tube 30 between the two media A, B. The two directions in which the heat flow {dot over (Q)} can develop are shown symbolically in FIG. 6a by means of a double arrow line.

(20) The first inlet 11 and the second inlet 31 as well as the first outlet 12 and the second outlet 32 can also be arranged on diametrical sides of the jacket 10, whereby the heat exchanger 2 guides the first medium A and the second medium B in opposite directions along the longitudinal axis X past each other according to the counterflow principle.

(21) Each tube 30 opens in the first end area 14 and in the second end area 15 in a distributor or collector cover 17 which, depending on the direction of flow of the medium B, distributes the second medium B from the second inlet 31 to the tubes 30 or collects the second medium B from the bundle of tubes 30 and guides it to the second outlet 32.

(22) The jacket 10 or the jacket space 20 is closed in the first end area 14 and in the second end area 15 in each case by a tube base 16, whereby the second medium B in the distributor or collector cover 17 is separated from the first medium A in the jacket space 20. The tubes 30 can penetrate the tube bases 16 and are connected to them, for example, by welding, soldering, crimping or gluing.

(23) The second inlet 31 is arranged at the second end area 15 and the second outlet 32 is arranged at the first end area 14. For a better understanding the individual flow paths of the first medium A and of the second medium B are shown in FIG. 2 by means of arrow lines.

(24) A plurality of deflection segments 50 are arranged in a row along the longitudinal axis X in the jacket space 20. Each deflection segment 50 consists of at least one first partial section 51 and one second partial section 52, which are arranged overlapping at least in some areas transversely to the longitudinal axis X and are arranged crossed in a pivot axis Y transversely to the longitudinal axis X. In this embodiment, the first partial section 51 and the second partial section 52 are crossed in the pivot axis Y transversely to the longitudinal axis X and are arranged so as to fit into one another. Both the first partial section 51 and the second partial section 52 as well as the adjacent deflection segments 50 are connected to one another and form a cage—as will be explained in more detail below.

(25) The tubes 30 are guided through cut-outs 55 in the deflection segments 50, the cut-outs 55 being adapted to the size of the tubes 30 and encompassing them at least in some areas.

(26) It can be seen from the perspective representations in FIGS. 3 and 4 that the row of deflection segments 50 forms the helical or spiral cage. The first medium A flowing in through the first inlet 11 is guided through the cage along helical or spiral flow paths from the first inlet 11 to the first outlet 12.

(27) The first inlet 11 is directed perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis X and is furthermore preferably arranged in the longitudinal axis X in the center of a deflection segment 50. Between the longitudinal axis X and the first inlet 11, a baffle element 80 designed as a baffle plate is arranged with a normal plane. The normal vector of the normal plane points to the first inlet 11, as a result of which the first medium A flowing in through the first inlet 11 hits the baffle element 80 and is divided into two flow paths—see FIG. 2—to form a double helix.

(28) The first partial section 51 and the second partial section 52 intersect in a first mating area 60 which is arranged on the pivot axis Y. Each first mating area 60 is formed—as shown in particular in FIGS. 6a to 7b—by a recess 62 both in the first partial section 51 and in the second partial section 52. The two recesses 62 of the first partial section 51 and of the second partial section 52 correspond to one another in shape and position and are taken out of the respective partial sections 51, 52 in the shape of a cuboid.

(29) The partial sections 51, 52 are planar—preferably made of a weldable plastic or a metal—and in FIG. 7a lie mirror-symmetrically to a line of symmetry S in a common plane. It can be seen from this illustration that the first partial section 51 and the second partial section 52 can be constructed identically.

(30) Each partial section 51, 52 is formed from a partial section of an oval or an ellipse and has an arcuate section 56 and a secant section 57. The arc length of the arcuate section 56 is greater than 0.5 times the circumference of the oval or ellipse. Furthermore, the cut-outs 55 are incorporated or molded into the partial sections 51, 52, the cut-outs 55 also being oval or elliptical.

(31) It can also be seen from FIGS. 7a and 7b that the partial sections 51, 52 each have two second recesses 72. The second recesses 72 are arranged symmetrically around the recess 62 in the secant section 57, the recess 62 being arranged in the center of the secant section 57. The distance between the recess 62 and the respective second recesses 72 is preferably 0.4 to 0.5 times the total length of the secant section 57.

(32) A view in direction X of the assembled deflection segment 50 is shown in FIG. 7b. The recesses 62 of the two partial sections 51, 52 engage around the other partial section 51, 52, as a result of which the partial sections 51, 52—as seen in the longitudinal axis X—overlap with a degree of overlap U in some areas. The degree of overlap U describes the mean distance between the secant sections 57 of the two partial sections 51, 52, the degree of overlap U being measured parallel to the pivot axis Y. The degree of overlap U thus indicates the degree by which the at least two partial sections 51, 52 of the deflection segment 50 overlap or cover each other. The degree of overlap U is greater than 1 mm and should be less than or equal to D/2. The following applies to the degree of overlap U: 1 mm≤U≤D/2.

(33) When the two partial sections 51, 52 are fitted together, the edge areas of the recesses 62 form an angle stop 65 which can specify an angle α at which the first partial section 51 and the second partial section 52 intersect in the pivot axis Y. The angle α, see FIG. 6b, is established between the two partial sections 51, 52 on both sides about a plane E which is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X and in the pivot axis Y. The following applies to the angle α: 10°≤α≤150° and preferably 30°≤α≤90.

(34) The second recesses 72 are designed analogously to the recesses 62 and form the aforementioned connection between two adjacent deflection segments 50 in a second mating area 70. The baffle element 80 described above can be attached to the second recesses 72 in the mating area 70 and support the deflection segment 50.

(35) The side surfaces of the arcuate section 56, the secant section 57, the recesses 62, the second recesses 72 and/or the cut-outs 55 can be formed orthogonally to the main surfaces of the partial sections 51, 52.

(36) In the first mating area 60, the first partial section 51 and the second partial section 52 can be rigidly connected to one another and/or, in the second mating area 70, adjacent deflection segments 50 can be rigidly connected to one another. For the rigid connection, integral bonds, in particular welding or gluing, are preferably used. The connection can also be achieved by a force fit and/or form fit.

(37) The heat exchanger 2 can be designed in different, not conclusively illustrated, variants according to FIGS. 8a to 8d.

(38) The heat exchanger 2 according to FIG. 8a corresponds to the previously described embodiment, while the heat exchangers 2 according to FIGS. 8b to 8d differ in the way the second medium B is guided through the jacket 10. The second medium B is guided there repeatedly through the jacket for heat transfer, such repetitions also being referred to as a “pass”.

(39) By attaching a deflector cover 18 according to FIG. 8b, the second medium B can be deflected in the first end area 14 and guided through the jacket 10 or the jacket space 20 once more. Both the second inlet 31 and the second outlet 32 are located in the second end area 15. Such a heat exchanger 2 is also called a “2-pass”.

(40) FIG. 8c shows a heat exchanger 2 with a “4-pass”. Both in the first end area 14 and in the second end area 15, the second medium B is deflected and passed through the jacket 10 again for the exchange of heat Q.

(41) A so-called “U-tube” is shown in FIG. 8d, the tubes 30 of the bundle being U-shaped and leading the second medium B from the second end area 15 to the first end area 14 and back.

(42) FIG. 9a shows a further development of a deflection segment 50. In contrast to the previously described deflection segment 50, the deflection segment 50 is formed integrally. In other words: the deflection segment 50 is manufactured as one part. The first partial section 51 and the second partial section 52 are integrally bonded to one another in the pivot axis Y in a first connection area 53. The connection area 53 can be reinforced with corresponding material thickenings in order to have a sufficiently high loadbearing capacity. The one-piece deflection segment 50 or the first partial section 51 and the second partial section 52 can be produced with a primary shaping process or in an additive process, e.g. 3D printing, 3D laser sintering or similar.

(43) The deflection segment 50 according to FIG. 9a can have second recesses 72 (not shown) which form the second mating area 70. In the second mating area 70, two integrally formed deflection segments 50 or one integral and one multi-part deflection segment 50 can be fitted together to form a row.

(44) Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 9b, a plurality of deflection segments 50 can be integrally formed, it being advantageous if the baffle element 80 is or are also integrally formed with the deflection element 50 or the deflection elements 50. Adjacent deflection elements 50 are connected to one another in a second connection area 54. Alternatively, the entirety of all deflection segments and optionally the baffle plate can be designed as an integral component.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(45) 1 Refrigeration system 2 Heat exchanger 3 Compressor 4 Expansion element 10 Jacket 11 First inlet 12 First outlet 14 First end area 15 Second end area 16 Tube base 17 Collector cover 18 Deflector cover 30 Tube 31 Second inlet 32 Second outlet 50 Deflection segment 51 First partial section 52 Second partial section 53 First connection area 54 Second connection area 55 Cut-out 56 Arcuate section 57 Secant section 60 First mating area 62 Recess 65 Angle stop 70 Second mating area 72 Second recess 80 Baffle element A First medium B Second medium D Distance S Line of symmetry U Degree of overlap X Longitudinal axis Y Pivot axis