Liquid distributor and arrangement

Abstract

The application relates to a liquid distributor (1) for supplying a liquid in a pressure-free manner over a surface area, having a distributor trough (2) with a trough base (3) which, for the purpose of discharging liquid, has an arrangement of holes (5), which extends over at least part of the surface of the trough base (3), having an inflow (4), via which a liquid which is to be distributed can be introduced in the distributor trough (2) such that the liquid introduced accumulates on the trough base (3), and having a retaining device with a retaining plate (7), which is arranged opposite the trough base (3) and at a distance apart therefrom, wherein distributing elements (6), which project from the retaining plate (7) in the direction of the trough base (3), each engage through an associated hole of the arrangement of holes (5) in the trough base (3) and are accommodated loosely therein such that the liquid accumulating on the trough base (3) can be discharged through free hole regions (10), which are not affected by the distributing elements (6) extending through the holes (5).

Claims

1. A liquid distributor for supplying a liquid in a pressure-free, planar manner, having a distributor trough with a trough base, which for the purpose of discharging the liquid, has an arrangement of holes, which extends over at least part of the surface of the trough base, an inflow, via which the liquid which is to be distributed can be introduced in the distributor trough such that the liquid introduced accumulates on the trough base, and a retaining device with a retaining plate, which is arranged opposite the trough base and at a distance apart therefrom, wherein distributing elements, which project from the retaining plate in the direction of the trough base, each engage through an associated hole of the arrangement of holes in the trough base and are accommodated loosely therein such that the liquid accumulating on the trough base can be discharged through free hole regions, which are not affected by the distributing elements extending through the holes.

2. The liquid distribution according to claim 1, wherein in the free hole areas, through which the liquid can be discharged, the hole wall and the outer surface of the distributing elements are spaced apart so as to ensure the capillary effect.

3. The liquid distributor according to claim 1, wherein the distributing element, in a distributing element section engaging through the hole and associated hole have different cross-sectional shapes.

4. The liquid distributor according to claim 1, wherein the distributing elements are detachably attached to the retaining plate.

5. The liquid distributor according to claim 1, wherein the distributing elements are arranged on the retaining plate, each in an associated opening.

6. The liquid distributor according to claim 5, wherein the distributing elements on the retaining plate are each pushed through the associated opening such that a distributing element head is arranged on the rear-side.

7. The liquid distributor according to claim 6, wherein the rear-side of the retaining plate is arranged opposite a cover plate, which rests on the distributing element head sections of the pushed through distributing elements.

8. The liquid distributor according to claim 1, wherein the retaining plate is arranged so as to be spaced apart from the trough base by means of one or more spacers.

9. The liquid distributor according claim 1, wherein the retaining plate together with the distributing elements arranged thereon is arranged so as to be displaceable relative to the trough base with the arrangement of holes.

10. The liquid distributor according to claim 9, wherein the retaining plate is displaceable based on the liquid entering the distributor trough and/or the liquid accumulating in the distributor trough.

11. The liquid distributor according to claim 1, wherein the retaining plate is arranged in the distributor trough.

12. The liquid distributor according to claim 1, wherein the distributing elements, in the area of a section projecting from the retaining plate which section engages through the associated hole in the trough base is realised as a pin or mandrel.

13. The liquid distributor according to claim 1, wherein the retaining plate comprises at least one outlet opening, through which the liquid can reach the trough base.

14. An arrangement with a liquid distributor according to claim 1 and with a material exchanging surface or heat exchanging surface, onto which a liquid to be distributed can be areally discharged by means of the liquid distributor.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

(1) Exemplary embodiments will now be explained in detail with reference to figures of a drawing, in which

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a liquid distributor in cross-section,

(3) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a liquid distributor from obliquely below and

(4) FIG. 3 shows schematic views of sections of a trough base of the liquid distributor, where holes of distributing elements of various cross-sectional shapes are being engaged through.

(5) FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a liquid distributor 1 in cross-section. A distributor trough 2 with a trough base 3 is formed. The distributor trough in the form shown is closed at the top by means of a cover 2a. A liquid to be distributed in the distributor trough 2 can be introduced via an inflow 4. An arrangement of holes 5 is provided in the trough base 3. The holes of the arrangement 5 are being engaged each by a distributing element 6, which extends from a retaining plate 7 in direction of the trough base 3 and then engages through the holes of arrangement 5.

(6) With the embodiment shown a distributing element head section 8 rests on top of the retaining plate 7. The distributing elements 6 engage through breakthroughs 7a in the retaining plate 7. A cover plate 9 is arranged opposite the distributing element head section 8, which cover plate contributes to securing the distributing elements 6 on the retaining plate 7.

(7) The distributing elements 6 are loosely received in the holes 5 of the arrangement such that in the cross-sectional area of holes 5 of the arrangement, free hole areas 10 (see FIG. 3 below) are formed, through which the introduced liquid can be discharged.

(8) The retaining plate 7 as well as the cover plate 9 have outlet openings 11, 12 formed in them, for allowing the introduced liquid to pass through to the trough base 3, so that the liquid to be discharged accumulates above the trough base 7. The distance between the trough base 3 and the retaining plate 7 in the embodiment shown is determined with the aid of spacers 13.

(9) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the liquid distributor 1 obliquely from below.

(10) FIG. 3 shows schematic views of sections of the trough base 3 with holes 5, through each of which a distributing element 6 engages. It is shown that both the cross-section of the holes 5 and the cross-section of the distributing elements 6 in the area of the engaged holes can be different. The important point is that free hole areas 10 are formed, through which the liquid to be supplied can pass through the trough base 3, be it with or without the influence of the capillary effect.

(11) The liquid can be supplied continually or regularly by means of the liquid distributor. In order to ensure an even distribution of the liquid, a multitude of drip-off points is provided. The drip-off amount, which among others is a function of the free cross-section between the trough base hole and the distributing element 6 engaging through, may be different from one drip-off point to another based on a combination of different embodiments within an arrangement.

(12) In one embodiment all distributing elements 6 and holes are identical. Expedient variations, even within an arrangement, may be: shape/diameter of the distributing element 6; shape, diameter of the hole; distance trough base 3 relative to retaining plate 7; and thickness of the trough base 3.

(13) There exists a non-rigid, loose connection between the retaining plate 7 (including cover plate) and the trough base 3 so that the retaining plate 7 can be easily shifted in relation to the floor plate. Due to this movability cleaning may be effected of the free cross-sections between the distributing elements 6 and the trough base 3, which is dictated by the design of the holes and the distributing elements 6.

(14) A further advantageous embodiment could consist in that the liquid supply is designed such that the retaining plate 7 moves in dependence of the liquid supply. For example the retaining plate 7 could rest like a lid on the liquid supply so that it must lift in order to allow the liquid to enter. This movement would encourage the cleaning effect of the open cross-sections on the holes to the drip-off points.

(15) One embodiment could provide for the distributing elements 6 to comprise different diameters and/or different shapes, so that the amounts of liquid exiting locally at each distributing element 6 are different. This can be a means, in the case of small amounts of liquid to be distributed, for wetting the heat exchanger unit below more evenly across the entire surface, independently of the distance to the liquid inflow.

(16) The features disclosed in the above description, the claims and the drawing can be of importance for the realisation of different embodiments, both individually and in any combination.