Protection device for a heat exchanger

Abstract

A protection device 1 for a heat exchanger, comprising a grid 10 with an upstream surface 11 and a downstream surface 12, both located on opposite sides of the grid 10, the grid 10 being attachable to the heat exchanger 40 with attachment means 11 so that the downstream surface 12 can face a side of the heat exchanger 40, wherein the protection device 1 further comprises a shock absorber 20 attached to the grid 10 so that the shock absorber 20 least partly protrudes from the downstream surface 12 of the grid 10.

Claims

1. A protection device for a heat exchanger, comprising: a grid with an upstream surface and a downstream surface, both located on opposite sides of the grid, the grid further comprising attachment means, the grid being configured to be attached to the heat exchanger via the attachment means so that the downstream surface faces a side of the heat exchanger; and a shock absorber attached to the grid so that the shock absorber at least partly protrudes from the downstream surface of the grid, wherein the attachment means are configured to provide a first distance between the downstream surface and the side of the heat exchanger after assembly, and wherein the shock absorber protrudes from the downstream surface of the grid at a second distance smaller than said first distance.

2. The protection device according to claim 1, wherein the attachment means are situated at the sides of the upstream and downstream sides of surfaces.

3. The protection device according to claim 1, wherein the shock absorber comprises an elastomeric contact portion.

4. The protection device according to claim 3, wherein the grid comprises a mounting point in which the shock absorber is mounted releasably.

5. The protection device according to claim 4, wherein the shock absorber further comprises a conical insert portion connected to the contact portion by a cylindrical connecting portion, the connecting portion having a diameter smaller than a base of the conical insert portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) Examples of the invention will be apparent from and described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a protection device according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 shows an example of a shock absorbing element;

(4) FIG. 3 shows an example of a mounting point for the shock absorbing element;

(5) FIG. 4 shows details of the exemplary protection device cooperating with a heat exchanger.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(6) FIG. 1 shows a protection device 1 according to the invention. The protection device 1 comprises a grid 10 attachable to a heat exchanger 40 and a shock absorber 20 attached to the grid 10.

(7) The grid 10 is configured to be arranged on a side of the heat exchanger 40, for example upstream the air flow direction, for example in front of the heat exchanger 40. The purpose of the grid 10 is to protect the selected side of the heat exchanger 40, while at the same time obstructing the flow of the fluid to a minimum extent. Such grid 10 can have first slates 13, arranged parallel to each other in a first direction while maintaining a distance between them, and second slates 14, arranged parallel to each other in a second direction, while maintaining a distance between them, so that the first slates 13 are traversed by the second slates 14. The first slates 13 and the second slates 14 can be perpendicular to each other. However, other shapes of the grid are also envisaged, as long as they allow the fluid to pass through the grid so that it can reach the face of the heat exchanger. Side walls of the slates form a front face of the grid and the rear face of the grid.

(8) Slates of the grid 10 can be replaced by circular rods, square rods or other longitudinal elements, as long as they provide a resistant, physical barrier for debris of certain minimum dimensions and allow to arrange them in spaced manner for enabling fluid flow.

(9) The grid 10 comprises an upstream face 11 and a downstream face 12, opposed to each other. The downstream face faces the heat exchanger 40 after attaching the grid 10 to the heat exchanger 40. The grid 10 can be attached to the heat exchanger 40 for example by means of attachment clips 11. Preferably, the attachment means 11 are situated at the sides of surfaces 11, 12. Advantageously, the attachment means 11 are located beyond slates 13, 14, so that the obstruction of incoming air is decreased. Further, such location facilitates operation of the shock absorber 20. The grid 10 can be attached to a heat exchanging module, i.e. the grid 10 can be attached to a casing which is a part of heat exchanging assembly comprising for example a condenser or a radiator or the like.

(10) FIG. 2 shows an example of a shock absorber, while FIG. 3 presents an example of a mounting point for the shock absorber. As can be seen, the shock absorber 20 can be in form of a shaped bumper, while the mounting point 30 can be in form of a socket, into which the bumper can be plugged in. In greater detail, the shock absorber 20 can have a contact portion 21, intended for protruding out of the downstream surface 12 of the grid 10. This contact portion 21 can have a hemispherical shape. This part of the shock absorber 20 is intended as an element which will contact the heat exchanger 40 when the downstream face 12 moves towards it. Preferably, the contact portion 22 is made of an elastomeric material. The bumper can have further an insert portion 22, shaped so as to allow introduction of the bumper into the opening 31 of the socket of the mounting point 30. The insert portion 22 can be for example of conical shape.

(11) Dimensions and shapes of this insert portion 22 are selected such that the insertion of the shock absorber into the socket is easier than removing said shock absorber from said socket. This can be achieved by pointing a top portion of the conical shape towards the opening of the socket, while arranging its wider part near the contact portion. In other words, the base of the conical insert portion 22 has a diameter larger than the diameter of the cylindrical connecting portion 23. Said contact portion is also of dimensions which make it hard or impossible to pass through the opening of the socket. Between the contact portion 21 and the insert portion 22 there is a connecting portion 23, which is passes through the opening of the socket after assembly, and thereby enables holding the bumper within the socket. Such arrangement allows a secure and easy mounting of the shock absorber, while at the same time providing a releasable nature of the connection. Thus an option of servicing or replacing the shock absorber is provided.

(12) FIG. 4 shows an details of the protection device 20 cooperating with a heat exchanger 40. The grid 10 has an upstream surface 11 (front surface) forming an entrance face of the air flow to the heat exchange device 40 and a downstream surface 12 (back surface), opposed to this upstream surface 14 and facing the inlet face of the heat exchanger 40. Both of them are located on opposite sides of the grid 10. The downstream surface 12 of the grid 10 can be substantially parallel to the face of the heat exchanger 40, that is to the face which is to be protected. This can be for example a front face of a condenser or a radiator.

(13) The downstream surface 12 of the grid 10 is configured to be distanced from the face of the heat exchanger by a predetermined distance D. In particular, the attachment means 11 can be configured to provide this distance. The shock absorber 20 protrudes from the downstream surface 12 of the grid 10 at part of this distance D. In other words, the shock absorber 20 protrudes from the downstream surface 12 of the grid 10 at a distance smaller than said distance D. In this manner, the grid 10 is provided with a space in which it can deform and dissipate energy, for example due to vibrations or shock, without touching the heat exchanger with its portions other than those serving as attachment means 11.

(14) Protection grid can be made in plastic injection process using composite materials. The shock absorber can be made in rubber vulcanization process using EPDM or during injection using silicone.

(15) Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to the advantage.