Heat exchanger for cooling electrical device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a heat exchanger for cooling an electrical device, and more specifically, to a heat exchanger for cooling an electrical device, the heat exchanger being mechanically assembled through connection blocks while stacking a cooling flow path, which forms a cooling water flow path, and the electrical devices, thereby facilitating the insertion of the electrical devices and enabling pressing force between the cooling flow path and the electrical device to increase, such that cooling performance is improved.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger for cooling an electrical device, comprising: a first cooling flow path and a second cooling flow path having cooling water flowing thereinto and alternately stacked to each other; an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe connected to both ends of the first cooling flow path and the second cooling flow path, the inlet pipe having the cooling water introduced thereinto and the outlet pipe discharging the cooling water therethrough; and a connection block fluidically communicating with the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe and connected between the first cooling flow path and the second cooling flow path stacked in plural to form a connection channel in a stacking direction; a 1-1-th protrusion wherein at least some area of one end thereof protrudes in a longitudinal direction of the first cooling flow path and a 1-2-th protrusion wherein at least some area of one end thereof protrudes in a longitudinal direction of the first cooling flow path; and a 2-1-th protrusion wherein at least some area of one end thereof protrudes in a longitudinal direction of the second cooling flow path and a 2-2-th protrusion wherein at least some area of one end thereof protrudes in a longitudinal direction of the second cooling flow path, wherein a plurality of electrical devices are inserted between the first cooling flow path and the second cooling flow path to be cooled, and the 1-1-th protrusion and the 2-1-th protrusion and the 1-2-th protrusion and the 2-2-th protrusion do not overlap with each other in a height direction.

2. The heat exchanger of claim 1, further comprising: an inlet block including an inlet passage communicating with the inlet pipe, a first inlet passage branched from the inlet passage so that the cooling water introduced through the inlet passage flows in the first cooling flow path, and a second inlet passage branched from the inlet passage so that the cooling water introduced through the inlet passage flows in the second cooling flow path; and an outlet block including a first outlet passage connected to the first cooling flow path, a second outlet passage connected to the second cooling flow path, and an outlet passage connecting between the first outlet passage, the second outlet passage, and the outlet pipe so that the cooling water discharged through the first outlet passage and the second outlet passage are joined to be discharged to the outlet pipe.

3. The heat exchanger of claim 2, further comprising: a 1-1-th connection pipe connected between the first inlet passage of the inlet block and the 1-1-th protrusion; a 2-1-th connection pipe connected between the second inlet passage of the inlet block and the 2-1-th protrusion; a 1-2-th connection pipe connected between the first outlet passage of the outlet block and the 1-2-th protrusion; and a 2-2-th connection pipe connected between the second outlet passage of the outlet block and the 2-2-th protrusion.

4. The heat exchanger of claim 3, further comprising: a first flange having the 1-1-th connection pipe and the 2-1-th connection pipe inserted thereinto and supporting the inlet block; and a second flange having the 1-2-th connection pipe and the 2-2-th connection pipe inserted thereinto and supporting the outlet block.

5. The heat exchanger of claim 4, further comprising: a connector that connects between the first cooling flow path, the 1-1-th connection pipe, and the 1-2-th connection pipe and connects between the second cooling flow path, the 2-1-th connection pipe, and the 2-2-th connection pipe.

6. The heat exchanger of claim 5, wherein the inlet block, the 1-1-th connection pipe, the 2-1-th connection pipe, and the connector are integrally formed, and the outlet block, the 1-2-th connection pipe, the 2-2-th connection pipe, and the connector are integrally formed.

7. The heat exchanger of claim 2, wherein the connection block includes: an upper connection block being in contact with the first cooling flow path or the second cooling flow path that is connected to the inlet block and the outlet block and including a first communication passage that communicates with the first inlet passage, the second inlet passage, the first outlet passage, or the second outlet passage; a lower connection block being in contact with the first cooling flow path or the second cooling flow path connected to the first connection block or the first cooling flow path or the second cooling flow path alternately stacked to each other, and including a second communication passage communicating with the first communication passage; and a sealing member coupled to a part where the upper connection block and the lower connection block are coupled to prevent the cooling water from being leaked.

8. The heat exchanger of claim 7, wherein the sealing member is an o-ring or a liquid gasket.

9. The heat exchanger of claim 8, wherein a height of the connection block is equal to a height of any one of the first cooling flow path and the second cooling flow path and a sum of heights of two electrical devices.

10. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the first cooling flow path and the second cooling flow path have an inner fin inserted thereinto.

11. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the first cooling flow path and the second cooling flow path are a plate type in which two plates are coupled to each other to form a channel therein or a tube type.

12. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the electrical devices are each inserted into a gap formed by the multiple stacking of the first cooling flow path and the second cooling flow path, and the gap between the first cooling flow path and the second cooling flow path is changed according to heights of the electrical devices inserted into the gap.

13. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the first cooling flow path and the second cooling flow path have a shape in which some areas thereof are bent.

14. The heat exchanger for cooling an electrical device according to claim 13, wherein the first cooling flow path and the second cooling flow path have a U shape.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating an example of the existing cooler for an electrical device.

(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a heat exchanger for cooling an electrical device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an inlet block in the heat exchanger for cooling an electrical device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

(4) FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a connection block in the heat exchanger for cooling an electrical device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

(5) FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a flow of cooling water in the heat exchanger for cooling an electrical device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

(6) FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a heat exchanger for cooling an electrical device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

(7) FIG. 7 is a front view illustrating the heat exchanger for cooling an electrical device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

(8) FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a heat exchanger for cooling an electrical device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE

(9) Hereinafter, a heat exchanger for cooling an electrical device according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(10) As illustrated in FIG. 2, a heat exchanger 1 for cooling an electrical device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention largely includes a first cooling flow path 110, a second cooling flow path 120, an inlet pipe 210, an outlet pipe 220, and a connection block 400.

(11) The first cooling flow path 110 and the second cooling flow path 120 which have cooling water flowing thereinto are alternately stacked to each other.

(12) At this time, the first cooling flow path 110 and the second cooling flow path 120 are assembled in an independently brazed state, and if necessary, an inner fin may be inserted into the first cooling flow path 110 and the second cooling flow path 120 to further improve cooling efficiency.

(13) In addition, the first cooling flow path 110 and the second cooling flow path 120 may be a plate type in which two plates are coupled to each other to form a channel therein or may be a tube type.

(14) The inlet pipe 210 is coupled to one side in the longitudinal direction of the first cooling flow path and the second cooling flow path to receive cooling water, and the outlet pipe 220 is coupled to the other side in the longitudinal direction of the first cooling flow path and the second cooling flow path to discharge the cooling water.

(15) The connection block 400 communicates with the inlet pipe 210 and the outlet pipe 220 and is connected between the first and second cooling flow paths which are stacked in plural to form a connection channel in the stacking direction.

(16) Briefly describing the overall structure, in the heat exchanger 1 for cooling an electrical device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first cooling flow path 110 and the second cooling flow path 120 are alternately stacked to each other. Among those, the connection block 400 is connected between the plurality of stacked channels to form, the connection channel in the stacking direction.

(17) In addition, as the heat exchanger 1 for cooling an electrical device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention has one side connected to the inlet pipe 210 in a longitudinal direction and the other side connected to the outlet pipe 220, the cooling water introduced through the inlet pipe 210 moves along the connection channel formed in the stacking direction through the connection block 400 and then flows in the other side in the longitudinal direction within each of the first cooling flow path 110 and the second cooling flow path 120, and finally is discharged to the outside through the outlet pipe 220.

(18) In this case, in the heat exchanger 1 for cooling an electrical device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of electrical devices 2 are inserted between the first cooling flow path 110 and the second cooling flow path 120, and the electrical devices 2 and the first cooling flow path 110 and the second cooling flow path 120 adhere to each other by forcing a force in the stacking direction while the electrical devices 2 are assembled with the first and second cooling flow paths by the connection block 400.

(19) The electrical device 2 may be inserted between the first cooling flow path 110 and the second, cooling flow path 120, and may be disposed in plural while being spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction within the same plane.

(20) More specifically, the first cooling flow path 110 includes a 1-1-th protrusion 111 whose some area of one end protrudes in a longitudinal direction and a 1-2-th protrusion 112 whose some area of the other end protrudes.

(21) In addition, the second cooling flow path 120 includes a 2-1-th protrusion 121 whose some area of one end protrudes in a longitudinal direction and a 2-2-th protrusion 122 whose some area of the other end protrudes.

(22) In particular, the 1-1-th protrusion 111 and the 2-1-th protrusion 122 are formed so as not to overlap each other in the height direction to be vertically connected to an inlet block 310 and an outlet block 320 to be described below.

(23) As illustrated in FIG. 3, the heat exchanger 1 for cooling an electrical device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further include the inlet block 310 connected to the inlet pipe 210, the outlet block 320 connected to the outlet pipe 220, a 1-1-th connection pipe 331 and a 2-1-th connection pipe 332 connected to the inlet block 310, and a 1-2-th connection pipe 341 and a 2-2-th connection pipe 342 connected to the outlet block 320.

(24) First, the inlet block 310 may have an inlet passage 311, a first inlet passage 312, and a second inlet passage 313 penetrating therethrough, the inlet passage 311 communicating with the inlet pipe 210, the first inlet passage 312 branched from the inlet passage 311 so that the cooling water introduced through the inlet passage 311 flows in the first cooling flow path, and the second inlet passage 313 branched from the inlet passage 311 so that the cooling water introduced through the inlet passage 311 flows in the second cooling flow path. At this time, it is preferable that the first inlet, passage 312 and the second inlet passage 313 are formed to be perpendicular to the inlet passage 311 formed in the horizontal direction.

(25) The outlet block 320 may include a first outlet passage 322 connected to the first cooling flow path 110, a second outlet passage 323 connected to the second cooling flow path, and an outlet passage 321 connecting between the first outlet passage 322, the second outlet passage 323, and the outlet pipe 220 so that the cooling water discharged through the first outlet passage 322 and the second outlet passage 323 are joined to be discharged to the outlet pipe 220. Like the inlet block 310, the first outlet passage 322 and the second outlet passage 323 may be formed to be perpendicular to the outlet passage 321 formed in the horizontal direction.

(26) Next, the 1-1-th connection pipe 331 is formed to connect between the first inlet passage 312 of the inlet block 310 and the 1-1-th protrusion 111 in the vertical direction, and the 2-1-th connection pipe 332 is formed, to connect between the second inlet passage 313 of the inlet block 310 and the 2-1-th protrusion 121 in the vertical direction.

(27) In this case, the 1-1-th and 2-1-th connection pipes 331 and 332 may be inserted into the lower part of the inlet block 310 and a first flange 330 supporting the inlet block 310 may be coupled thereto.

(28) Next, the 1-2 connection pipe 341 is formed to connect between the first outlet passage 322 of the outlet block 320 and the 1-2th protrusion 112 in the vertical direction, and the 2-2-th connection pipe 342 is formed to connect between the second outlet passage 323 of the outlet block 320 and the 2-2-th protrusion 122 in the vertical direction.

(29) In this case, the 1-2-th and 2-2-th connection pipes 341 and 342 may be inserted into the lower part of the outlet block 320 and a second flange 340 supporting the outlet block 320 may be coupled thereto.

(30) As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the heat exchanger 1 for cooling an electrical device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a connector 350 that connects between the first cooling flow path 110, the 1-1-th connection pipe 331, and the 1-2-th connection pipe 341 and connects between the second cooling flow path 120, the 2-1-th connection pipe 332, and the 2-2-th connection pipe 342.

(31) The connector 350 may be brazed to a hole formed on the first cooling flow path 110 or the second cooling flow path 120 so that cooling water may be introduced or discharged. In this state, the 1-1-th connection pipe 331, the 1-2-th connection pipe 341, the 2-1-th connection pipe 332, and the 2-2-th connection pipe 342 may be fitted in the connector 350.

(32) At this time, in the heat exchanger 1 for cooling an electrical device, the inlet block 310, the 1-1-th connection pipe 331, the 2-1-th connection pipe 332 and the connector 350 may be integrally formed, and the outlet block 320, the 1-2-th connection pipe 341, the 2-2-th connection pipe 342, and the connector 350 may be integrally formed.

(33) Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the connection block 400 may include an upper connection block 410, a lower connection block 420, and a sealing member 430.

(34) The upper connection block 410 is in contact with the first cooling flow path 110 or the second cooling flow path 120 that is connected to the inlet block 310 and the outlet block 320, and may include a first communication passage 411 that communicates with the first inlet passage 312, the second inlet passage 313, the first outlet passage 322, or the second outlet passage 323.

(35) In addition, the lower connection block 420 may be in contact with the first cooling flow path 110 or the second cooling flow path 120 connected to the first connection block 400 or the first cooling flow path 110 or the second cooling flow path 120 alternately stacked to each other, and including a second communication passage 421 communicating with the first communication passage 411.

(36) The sealing member 430 is coupled to a part where the upper connection block 410 and the lower connection block 420 are coupled to prevent the cooling water from being leaked. Here, the sealing member 430 may be an O-ring or may also be a member that is hardened like a liquid gasket.

(37) Describing the connection block 400 connected to the left in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the upper connection block 410 is connected to a lower surface of the first cooling flow path 110 connected to the inlet block 310, the first communication passage 411 communicates with the first inlet passage 312, and the lower connection block 420 is coupled to the upper side of the first cooling flow path 110 stacked on the lowermost side.

(38) At this time, considering the pressure in the stacking direction, the height of the connection block 400 may be equal to a height of any one of the first cooling flow path 110 and the second cooling flow path 120 and a sum of heights of two electrical devices 2.

(39) Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 6, the first cooling flow path 110 and the second cooling flow path 120 may be stacked in multiple stages. As shown in FIG. 7, in the heat exchanger for cooling an electrical device, the electrical devices 2 are each inserted into a gap formed by the multiple stacking of the first cooling flow path 110 and the second cooling flow path 120, and the gap between the first cooling flow path 110 and the second cooling flow path 120 may be changed according to the heights of the electrical devices 2 inserted into each layer.

(40) In other words, when the height of the electrical device 2 interposed between the respective layers is different, in the heat exchanger 1 for cooling an electrical device, the electrical device 2 may adhere to the first cooling flow path 110 and the second cooling flow path 120 by adjusting the spacing distance between the first cooling flow path 110 and the second, cooling flow path 120 alternately stacked to the height of the electrical device 2.

(41) According to another exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the first cooling flow path 110 and the second cooling flow path 120 may have a shape in which some areas thereof are bent, that is, a U-letter shape. In this case, the electrical device 2 may be arranged in two rows in the same plane.

(42) All the other components are the same as those illustrated in FIG. 2. However, the heat exchanger for cooling an electrical device may further include an interval maintaining means (not illustrated) that can maintain the gap between the first cooling flow path 110 and the second cooling flow path 120 positioned in the bent area and maintain the pressing force.

(43) Describing the flow of the cooling water in the heat exchanger 1 for cooling an electrical device with reference to FIG. 5.

(44) First of all, the cooling water introduced through the inlet pipe 210 is branched into the first inlet passage 312 and the second inlet passage 313 from the inlet block 310 through the inlet passage 311 and some of the cooling water flows in the first cooling flow path 110 through the 1-1-th connection pipe 331 connected thereto and flows in the second cooling flow path 120 through the 2-1-th connection pipe 332.

(45) At this time, the connection block 400 is coupled between the first cooling flow paths 110 configured of two layers, and the cooling water flows even in the first cooling flow path 110 of each layer therethrough.

(46) The cooling water distributed to the respective channels flows into the other side in the longitudinal direction of the first cooling flow path 110 and the second cooling flow path 120 and then is discharged to the outlet pipe 220 connected to the outlet block 320 through the 1-2-th connection pipe 341 and the 2-2-th connection pipe 342.

(47) Therefore, according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchanger 1 for cooling an electrical device is mechanically assembled through the first and second cooling flow paths 110 and 120, which forms the cooling water flow path and the electrical devices 2, thereby facilitating the insertion of the electrical devices and enabling the pressing force between the first and second cooling flow paths 110 and 120 and the electrical device 2 to increase, such that the cooling performance is improved.

(48) Further, according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to easily cool the plurality of electrical devices 2 and expand the application range by increasing the stacked number of first and second cooling flow paths as illustrated in FIG. 6 when the number of electrical devices 2 to be cooled is increased.

(49) The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments but may be variously applied, and may be variously modified by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from the gist of the present invention claimed in the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF MAIN ELEMENTS

(50) 1: Heat exchanger for cooling electrical device 2: Electrical device 110: First cooling flow path 111: 1-1-th protrusion 112: 1-2-th protrusion 120: Second cooling flow path 121: 2-1-th protrusion 122: 2-2-th protrusion 210: Inlet pipe 220: Outlet pipe 310: Inlet block 311: Inlet passage 312: First inlet passage 313: Second inlet passage 320: Outlet block 321: Outlet passage 322: First outlet passage 323: Second outlet passage 330: First flange 331: 1-1-th connection pipe 332: 2-1-th connection pipe 340: Second flange 341: 1-2-th connection pipe 342: 2-2-th connection pipe 350: Connector 400: Connection block 410: Upper connection block 411: First communication passage 420: Lower connection block 421: Second communication passage 430: Sealing member