DEVICE FOR CENTERING IN A PIPE

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for heat exchange and positioning in a pipe, the device comprising: a central body containing a material for storing thermal energy by latent heat accumulation, to be placed in thermal exchange with a circulating surrounding fluid, and a structure for positioning the central body in the volume, the positioning structure being connected to the central body around which it extends and reserving passages enabling contact between the central body and the surrounding fluid and the circulation of said fluid.

Claims

1. A system for circulation and heat exchange with a fluid, the system comprising: a pipe having an internal volume for circulating the fluid, in which the fluid can circulate, between an inlet and an outlet, the pipe comprising a wall, several devices for heat exchange and positioning in said volume, with each device being arranged in said pipe surrounded by its wall and containing a material for storing thermal energy by latent heat accumulation, to be placed in heat exchange with the surrounding circulating fluid, at least some of said heat exchange devices being able to come into contact with the wall of the pipe, wherein each device includes: a central body containing said material for storing thermal energy by latent heat accumulation, and a structure for positioning the central body in the volume, with the positioning structure being connected to the central body around which it extends: by reserving passages enabling a contact between the central body and the fluid, and by ensuring a distance enabling the fluid to flow between the devices.

2. A system for circulation and heat exchange with a fluid, the system comprising: a pipe having an internal volume for circulating the fluid, in which the fluid can circulate, between an inlet and an outlet, the pipe comprising a wall and being locally divided into several branches in which the fluid circulates in parallel, several devices for heat exchange and positioning in said volume, with the devices being arranged in said branches surrounded by their walls, with each device containing a material for storing thermal energy by latent heat accumulation, to be placed in heat exchange with the surrounding circulating fluid, at least some of said heat exchange devices being able to come into contact with the wall of the pipe.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the pipe is a hose or one of flexible hoses that run through a vehicle.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein the devices for heat exchange and positioning in said volume define a string of such devices that follow each other in the volume and the central body positioning structures of which come into contact with the wall.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein the positioning structure comprises an external structure defining a cylinder and connected by transverse arms to the central body.

6. A system according to claim 1, wherein the positioning structure comprises an external structure defining a ring and connected by transverse arms to the central body.

7. A system according to claim 1, wherein the positioning structure includes an external structure: defining a discontinuous sphere, and connected by transverse arms to the central body.

8. A system according to claim 1, wherein the positioning structure is defined by a cellular structure surrounding the central body, in contact with it.

9. A system according to claim 1, wherein the positioning structure is defined by one or more linear bead(s) surrounding the central body, in contact with it, or of recesses formed in said body.

10. A system according to claim 3, wherein the devices are in line one behind the other.

11. A system according to claim 1, which is a one-piece casting including the positioning structure and the central body which contains the thermal energy storage material.

12. A system according to claim 1, wherein several of said devices are connected together in a string by a flexible link.

13. A vehicle comprising the assembly according to claim 3.

14. A pipe for circulating a fluid, the pipe having an internal volume and comprising a plurality of devices for heat exchange and positioning, with each device comprising: a central body containing a material for storing thermal energy by latent heat accumulation, to be placed in thermal exchange with a circulating surrounding fluid which circulates in said volume, and a structure for positioning the central body in the volume, the positioning structure being connected to the central body around which it extends and reserving passages enabling a contact between the central body and the surrounding fluid and the circulation of said fluid, the positioning structure comprising an external structure defining a cylinder and linked by arms transverse to the central body, the external structures of the devices: each being solid to define each a portion of a wall of the pipe, and being connected to each other in a fluid-tight manner.

15. A method for thermal management in a pipe having an internal volume for circulating a fluid, wherein: several devices for heat exchange and positioning in said volume are arranged in the internal volume, with each device comprising: a central body containing a material for storing thermal energy by latent heat accumulation, to be placed in thermal exchange with the fluid, and a structure for positioning the central body in said hollow interior, with the positioning structure being connected to the central body around which it extends and reserving passages enabling a contact between the central body and the surrounding fluid and the circulation of said fluid, and the fluid is circulated in the volume along the pipe in successive thermal exchanges with the thermal energy storage materials of the successive central bodies.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The invention will, if necessary, be better understood and other details, characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the following description given as a non-exhaustive example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0032] FIGS. 1, 2, 3 schematize the first three examples where a positioning structure ensures an axial centering of a central body in a volume,

[0033] FIG. 4 shows in a transparent view the solution of the device in FIG. 2 in place as a string in a pipe,

[0034] FIG. 5 shows a set of devices as shown in FIG. 3 in place in another pipe,

[0035] FIGS. 6, 7, 8 show three other examples (in cross-section and volume) where a positioning structure provides a spacing enabling the fluid flow between the devices illustrated positioned in a volume.

[0036] FIG. 9 shows one embodiment of a double-branch pipe with heat exchange function allowing flow rate preservation,

[0037] FIG. 10 shows a diagram of a pipe version with integrated heat exchange and positioning devices, with pull-out.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0038] Several configurations of the device 1 for heat exchange and positioning in a volume 3 can therefore be imagined.

[0039] Systematically, the device 1 will include:

a central body 5 containing a material 7 for storing thermal energy by latent heat accumulation, to be placed in thermal exchange with a circulating surrounding fluid 9, and
a structure 11 for positioning the central body in said volume, with the positioning structure 11 being connected to the central body 5, around which it therefore extends, and reserving passages 13 enabling fluid contact between the central body 5 and the surrounding fluid 9, with a maintained circulation of said fluid.

[0040] On the first three preferred examples below, the positioning structure 11 can ensure an axial centering of the central body 5 in the volume, when the positioning is in a pipe 15, therefore in a tubular means. The positioning structure 11 will reserve the passages 13 between same and the central body 5, transversely or radially to the general axis 15a of the pipe 15. And it is through this positioning structure 11 that the contact of device 1 with the wall 31 of pipe 15 is made.

[0041] In the first example, as shown in FIG. 1, the positioning structure 11 includes an external structure 17 (substantially or globally) defining a cylinder, to orientate along the axis 15a and connected by transverse arms 19 to the central body 5.

[0042] With this hollow external structure 17 and thin arms an axial self-centering, for example in the pipe 15 of FIG. 4, will be easy and relevant, providing then an orientation of the cylinder 17 along the axis 15a.

[0043] As in the following embodiments, the body 5 is here defined by a sphere. But it can be shaped like a shell, to further limit pressure drops, with a volume reserved for material 7 which can remain the same.

[0044] The cylinder 17 may not be solid, but consist of branches or lines defining such a cylindrical envelope, but with passages through it to lighten same.

[0045] In the second example, as shown in FIG. 2, the positioning structure 11 includes an external structure 170 defining a ring and also connected to the central body 5 by transverse, or radial, arms 19.

[0046] In the third example, as shown in FIG. 3, the positioning structure 11 includes an external structure, 270 defining a discontinuous sphere and connected by transverse or radial arms 190 to the central body 5 containing the material 7.

[0047] The first and third examples are self-centering solutions in a pipe, or even in a volume 3 which would be formed by the hollow interior 21 of a housing.

[0048] FIG. 5 shows a part of another pipe 23 (such as a hose) with a wall 31, which always has an inlet and an outlet for the fluid 9 (arrows) and here contains a multitude of devices 1 according to those in the third example. Several devices 1 could be provided in the pipe, abreast, and in contact with each other; with the fluid flowing through the successive passages 13.

[0049] In all the exemplary embodiments mentioned in this description, the material 7 may consist of at least one PCM.

[0050] It may particularly be PCMs encapsulated (typically microencapsulated) in a porous matrix, with open pores, preferably of the elastomer type, such as a silicone-, NBR- or HNBR-based one. For each body 5, a rubber composition as described in EP2690137 or EP2690141 may be used.

[0051] The material 7 may also be based on paraffin, eutectic (myristic-capric) fatty acid or eutectic hydrated salt (calcium chloride+potassium). Other possibilities still exist for each body 5, such as a PCM impregnated in a porous network.

[0052] It should be noted, however, that any PCM may have a change of phase or state at a predetermined temperature peak or which is established over a more or less wide temperature range. Thus, with a pure PCM (such as a paraffin) the state change temperature will be constant, while it may be non-constant with several PCMs, such as for example a mixture of paraffins.

[0053] In the second example as shown in FIG. 2, it should also be noted that, even if, for example, FIG. 4 shows a string of devices 1 each with an external diameter D1 of the positioning structure 11 approximately equal to, or just below, the internal diameter D2 of the wall 31 of the pipe 15 to pass freely therethrough, there may be problems with the passage of bends as in zones 25a, 25b.

[0054] It is therefore proposed to connect together a series of several devices 1 positioned in a line or a string, as shown in FIG. 2, using a flexible link 27 enabling at least some of the rings 170 to be oriented from outside the pipe 15 so as to bring them closer to a position where these rings are in a plane radial to the local axis 15a of the pipe.

[0055] The flexible link 27 may include three filamentary strands passing through three openings (such as the one marked 29), provided each in one arm 19, near the ring 170 considered.

[0056] An overlength of the filamentary strands will make it possible to operate same from a distance, once the string has been slipped into the pipe 15.

[0057] In the embodiment of the system 30 for circulation and heat exchange with the fluid 9 illustrated in FIG. 4, it should also be noted that the solid wall 31 which delimits the volume 15 is surrounded by a thermal insulator 33 which will promote thermal management at the location of this pipe, with the devices 1 placed inside. The same could be true in the case of FIG. 5 where not all devices 1 are in line one behind the other.

[0058] In the case of the examples in FIGS. 3 and 5 and following, these are omnidirectionally self-centering solutions in a pipe.

[0059] In the example shown in FIG. 6, the positioning structure 11 of each device 1 is defined by several beads 35 surrounding the central body 5 containing the material 7 for storing thermal energy by latent heat accumulation.

[0060] The beads 35 can define at least two intersecting strips so as to maintain a free space 37 between several devices 1, each having a spherical shape here, so that, when placed in the hollow interior 21, these shapes 1 accumulate in the highest possible number, without loss of space, while enabling the fluid 9 to flow with a heat exchange between them.

[0061] The same comment can be applied to the second and third examples in FIGS. 7, 8 where, respectively, the positioning structure 11 is defined by:

recesses 39 formed in said body 5,
and a honeycomb structure 41 surrounding the central body 5, when in contact therewith.

[0062] The free spaces 37 between the devices 1 placed in the hollow interior 21 will still exist, each having a general spherical shape.

[0063] The recesses 39 will form blind cavities, for example each as a portion of a sphere.

[0064] In both cases, the central body 5 will extend at the bottom of said recesses and cells, or even between them.

[0065] The honeycomb structure 41 will also be open to the outside.

[0066] For producing any of these structures, it may be preferable to use a single-piece casting between the positioning structure 11 and the body 5. With reference to the above, the central body 5 could therefore be a porous matrix, with open pores, for example of the elastomer type.

[0067] In terms of heat exchange coefficient with comparable diameters, the solution in FIG. 8 is the most efficient one, followed by FIG. 7 and FIG. 6.

[0068] It should be noted that FIG. 7 also schematises in dotted lines an alternative solution to the recesses 39, namely orifices 40 going through the body 5, the lips 40a of these orifices which lead to the outside (and which extend around the central body, locally) having little risk of being blocked by a solid wall part of another, here spherical device 1. The orifices 40 will define the above passages through which the surrounding fluid passes.

[0069] Yet another exemplary embodiment is shown in FIG. 9.

[0070] It is again a system for circulation and heat exchange with a fluid, with such system comprising:

a fluid circulation pipe 15, with the pipe comprising a wall 31 and being locally separated into several branches 31a, 31b wherein the fluid 9 from the upstream part 31c of the pipe flows in parallel,
and a plurality of devices 1, with such devices being positioned in said branches, for example in a string, surrounded by their common wall 31.

[0071] Another scenario has also been provided for, which is schematically shown in FIG. 10, where the fluid 9 circulation pipe 150 comprises, and indeed integrates, a string of several devices 1 arranged in series, thus with its external structures 11, which are each solid to define each a portion of the wall 310 of the pipe and are connected to each other in a fluid-tight manner.

[0072] So it is s a one-piece structure that is used here.

[0073] The devices 1 of the string follow one another axially (axis 15a). This is individually the solution of FIG. 1, with the external structure defining a cylinder oriented along the axis 15a, and linked by transverse arms 19 to the central body 5. These cylinder sections each form a portion of the cylindrical wall 310 of the pipe 150.

[0074] The external structure 11 of each device 1 may have two cylindrical end pieces 110a, 110b axially connected by an intermediate part 110c which, although substantially or generally cylindrical, will be curved outwards or inwards to form an axial stop against inter-engagement with either adjacent devices 1 or tubular connections 43 axially interposed between two successive devices 1 and defining, like these (with the structures 11), a portion of the generally cylindrical wall 310 of the pipe 150.

[0075] Such a modular assembly will be practical to use and will make it possible to create pipes of various shapes, especially if the connections via the end pieces 110a, 110b are sockets leaving a relative pivoting free, with tubular connections 43 for some angled fittings (see illustration in FIG. 10).

[0076] Said generally cylindrical wall 310 could also be surrounded by another, thin, flexible, wall 45 made of a flexible plastic material which the wall 310 will give its shape to.