Heat exchanger

Abstract

In order to correctly measure a temperature of a working fluid flowing through an outlet/inlet of a heat exchanger body, a flow adjustment ring is disposed within at least either one of a high-temperature inlet pipe and a low-temperature inlet pipe of the heat exchanger body. In this manner, a core region in which velocity and temperature of the working fluid becomes approximately constant is formed on a downstream side of the flow adjustment ring. A temperature sensor is provided in such a manner that a sensing point is arranged in this core region.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger, comprising: a heat exchanger body that includes a high-temperature channel through which a high-temperature fluid flows and a low-temperature channel through which a low-temperature fluid flows, and that exchanges heat between the high-temperature fluid flowing through the high-temperature channel and the low-temperature fluid flowing through the low-temperature channel; a high-temperature inlet pipe that is connected to an inlet of the high-temperature channel of the heat exchanger body and allows the high-temperature fluid to flow into the high-temperature channel from an outside; a low-temperature inlet pipe that is connected to an inlet of the low-temperature channel of the heat exchanger body and allows the low-temperature fluid to flow into the low-temperature channel from the outside; a flow adjustment ring that is disposed within at least either one of the high-temperature inlet pipe and the low-temperature inlet pipe and allows the high-temperature fluid or the low-temperature fluid to be mixed; and a temperature sensor provided in such a manner that a sensing point is arranged in a core region formed in a downstream region of the flow adjustment ring, wherein the flow adjustment ring includes an aperture that allows the high-temperature fluid or the low-temperature fluid to pass therethrough, and an opening diameter of the aperture is, on an upstream side, equal to an inside diameter of the high-temperature inlet pipe or the low-temperature inlet pipe, and is, on a downstream side, smaller than the opening diameter on the upstream side.

2. A heat exchanger wherein the heat exchanger according to claim 1 is a microchannel heat exchanger.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) [FIG. 1] A perspective view showing a microchannel heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(2) [FIG. 2] A perspective view showing the microchannel heat exchanger of FIG. 1 in a partially exploded state.

(3) [FIG. 3] A configuration of a perspective view showing a high-temperature heat transfer plate in the microchannel heat exchanger of FIG. 1.

(4) [FIG. 4] A configuration of a perspective view showing a low-temperature heat transfer plate in the microchannel heat exchanger of FIG. 1.

(5) [FIG. 5] A perspective view for describing high-temperature channels of a high-temperature channel layer in the microchannel heat exchanger of FIG. 1.

(6) [FIG. 6] A perspective view for describing low-temperature channels of a low-temperature channel layer in the microchannel heat exchanger of FIG. 1.

(7) [FIG. 7] A cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 1.

(8) [FIG. 8] A cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in FIG. 1.

(9) [FIG. 9] A cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C in FIG. 1.

(10) [FIG. 10] A diagram showing a velocity distribution of a working fluid in an upstream region and a downstream region of a flow adjustment ring, regarding the microchannel heat exchanger of FIG. 1.

MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(11) Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(12) <First Embodiment>

(13) FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a microchannel heat exchanger according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the microchannel heat exchanger of FIG. 1 in a partially exploded state.

(14) [Entire Configuration]

(15) As shown in those figures, this microchannel heat exchanger 1 includes a heat exchanger body 2 that is a stack of channel layers, a high-temperature-side outer case plate 3A, a low-temperature-side outer case plate 3B, a high-temperature inlet pipe 5A that allows a high-temperature fluid to flow in, a high-temperature outlet pipe 5B that allows the high-temperature fluid to flow out, a low-temperature inlet pipe 5C that allows a low-temperature fluid to flow in, and a low-temperature outlet pipe 5D that allows the low-temperature fluid to flow out. Note that, hereinafter, the high-temperature inlet pipe 5A, the high-temperature outlet pipe 5B, the low-temperature inlet pipe 5C, and the low-temperature outlet pipe 5D will be collectively referred to as outlet/inlet pipes.

(16) A surface of the heat exchanger body 2, which is in a direction opposite to a direction of an arrow of a Z-axis in the figure, will be referred to as a surface on a high-temperature side or a lower surface. A surface of each member, which is in the direction of the arrow of the Z-axis, will be referred to as a surface of a low-temperature side or an upper surface. The high-temperature-side outer case plate 3A is bonded to the surface on the high-temperature side of the heat exchanger body 2 is bonded and the low-temperature-side outer case plate 3B is bonded to the surface of the low-temperature side of the heat exchanger body 2.

(17) The heat exchanger body 2 is formed by alternately stacking two types of heat transfer plates 2A, 2B each including a plurality of heat transfer plates. Configurations of the two types of heat transfer plates will be described later.

(18) The two types of heat transfer plates 2A, 2B, the high-temperature-side outer case plate 3A, and the low-temperature-side outer case plate 3B that form the heat exchanger body 2 are formed of the same kind of metal plates having high heat conductivity, for example. More specifically, stainless steel or the like is used. These metal plates are stacked and then bonded to each other by diffusion welding to become an approximately rectangular paralleled-shaped stack. Note that the heat transfer plates 2A, 2B can have any plate thickness as long as the heat transfer plates 2A, 2B can form high-temperature channels or low-temperature channels and be diffusion-welded.

(19) Hereinafter, surfaces of the microchannel heat exchanger 1, which are perpendicular to the Z-axis, will be referred to as main surfaces and four surfaces other than the main surfaces, which are perpendicular to the X-axis and the Y-axis, will be referred to as side surfaces in a manner that depends on needs for description.

(20) As shown in FIG. 2, a high-temperature inlet header 21, a high-temperature outlet header 22, a low-temperature inlet header 23, and a low-temperature outlet header 24 are formed in the side surfaces of the microchannel heat exchanger 1, respectively. The high-temperature inlet header 21 allows a high-temperature fluid that is one of working fluids to flow into the high-temperature channels within the heat exchanger body 2. The high-temperature outlet header 22 allows the high-temperature fluid to flow out of the high-temperature channels within the heat exchanger body 2. The low-temperature inlet header 23 allows a low-temperature fluid that is another one of the working fluids to flow into the low-temperature channels within the heat exchanger body 2. The low-temperature outlet header 24 allows the low-temperature fluid to flow out of the low-temperature channels within the heat exchanger body 2.

(21) As shown in FIG. 1, the high-temperature inlet pipe 5A is inserted into the high-temperature inlet header 21 from an outside and bonded to the heat exchanger body 2 by welding or the like. To an outer end portion of this high-temperature inlet pipe 5A, an outside pipe (not shown) for allowing the high-temperature fluid to flow in is detachably connected.

(22) The high-temperature outlet pipe 5B is inserted into the high-temperature outlet header 22 from the outside and bonded to the heat exchanger body 2 by welding or the like. To this high-temperature outlet pipe 5B, an outside pipe (not shown) for allowing the high-temperature fluid to flow out is detachably connected. The low-temperature inlet pipe 5C is inserted into the low-temperature inlet header 23 from the outside and bonded to the heat exchanger body 2 by welding or the like. To this low-temperature inlet pipe 5C, an outside pipe (not shown) for allowing the low-temperature fluid to flow in is detachably connected. The low-temperature outlet pipe 5D is inserted into the low-temperature outlet header 24 from the outside and bonded to the heat exchanger body 2 by welding or the like. To this low-temperature outlet pipe 5D, an outside pipe (not shown) for allowing the low-temperature fluid to flow out is detachably connected.

(23) [Configuration of Heat Exchanger Body 2]

(24) Next, a configuration of the heat exchanger body 2 will be described.

(25) As described above, the heat exchanger body 2 is formed by alternately stacking two types of heat transfer plates 2A, 2B, each including a plurality of heat transfer plates. Channels and cutouts are formed in these heat transfer plates 2A, 2B by etching. The fluids flowing into the channels are different between the heat transfer plates 2A, 2B. Therefore, the channels have different patterns. Meanwhile, the cutouts are formed to be header portions after the heat transfer plates 2A and 2B are stacked. Therefore, the cutouts have an identical shape. Note that processing for forming the channels and the cutouts in the heat transfer plates 2A and 2B includes not only etching but also laser beam machining, precision press processing, and cutting, for example. Further, edges of the channels may be formed by using an additive manufacturing technology such as a 3D printer.

(26) FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views showing the two types of heat transfer plates 2A, 2B. Here, the heat transfer plate 2A shown in FIG. 3 is a high-temperature heat transfer plate 2A, and the heat transfer plate 2B shown in FIG. 4 is a low-temperature heat transfer plate 2B.

(27) (Configuration of High-Temperature Heat Transfer Plate 2A)

(28) As shown in FIG. 3, the high-temperature heat transfer plate 2A is provided with each of channels 25A, 30A, 31A and cutouts 26A, 27A, 28A, 29A that form channels of the high-temperature fluid. The channels 25A, 30A, 31A are provided only in one surface of the high-temperature heat transfer plate 2A. The depth of the channels 25A, 30A, 31A may be equal at any points. The cutouts 26A, 27A, 28A, 29A are formed by removing predetermined sites respectively corresponding to four sides of a base material of the high-temperature heat transfer plate 2A by an amount corresponding to the thickness of the base material.

(29) Hereinafter, the cutouts 26A, 27A, 28A, 29A of the high-temperature heat transfer plate 2A will be respectively referred to as a first cutout 26A (high-temperature distribution portion), a second cutout 27A (high-temperature merging portion), a third cutout 28A, and a fourth cutout 29A in a manner that depends on needs for description.

(30) The plurality of channels 25A, 30A, 31A that communicate between these first cutout 26A and second cutout 27A are formed in a region between the first cutout 26A and the second cutout 27A provided at both end portions of the high-temperature heat transfer plate 2A in a Y-axis direction in the figure. Note that, although the number of channels 25A is three in FIG. 3, a larger number of channels smaller in width may be formed.

(31) Each of the above-mentioned channels 25A, 30A, 31A of the high-temperature heat transfer plate 2A includes the plurality of channels 25A formed along an X-axis direction and the two channels 30A, 31A formed along the Y-axis direction. The one channel 30A of the two channels 30A, 31A formed along the Y-axis direction communicates with the first cutout 26A at an end thereof. The other channel 31A communicates with the second cutout 27A at an end thereof. The plurality of channels 25A formed along the X-axis direction each communicate between the two channels 30A, 31A. With this, regarding a positional relationship between the high-temperature inlet header 21 and high-temperature outlet header 22 of the high-temperature heat transfer plate 2A and the low-temperature inlet header 23 and low-temperature outlet header 24 of the low-temperature heat transfer plate 2B, which are formed as will be described later, they are different from each other by 90 degrees.

(32) (Configuration of Low-Temperature Heat Transfer Plate 2B)

(33) As shown in FIG. 4, the low-temperature heat transfer plate 2B is provided with channels 25B and cutouts 26B, 27B, 28B, 29B that form channels of the low-temperature fluid. The channels 25B are provided only in one surface of the low-temperature heat transfer plate 2B. The depth of the channels 25B may be equal at any points. The cutouts 26B, 27B, 28B, 29B are formed by removing predetermined sites respectively corresponding to four sides of a base material of the low-temperature heat transfer plate 2B by an amount corresponding to the thickness of the base material.

(34) Hereinafter, the cutouts 26B, 27B, 28B, 29B of the low-temperature heat transfer plate 2B will be respectively referred to as a fifth cutout 26B, a sixth cutout 27B, a seventh cutout 28B (low-temperature distribution portion), and an eighth cutout 29B (low-temperature merging portion) in a manner that depends on needs for description.

(35) In a region between the seventh cutout 28B and the eighth cutout 29B provided at both end portions of the low-temperature heat transfer plate 2B in the X-axis direction in the figure, the plurality of channels 25B that communicate between these seventh cutout 28B and eighth cutout 29B are formed. The plurality of channels 25B are formed at the same positions in the Y-axis direction as the plurality of channels 25A formed in the high-temperature heat transfer plate 2A, respectively.

(36) (Stacked Structure of High-Temperature Heat Transfer Plate 2A and Low-Temperature Heat Transfer Plate 2B)

(37) A plurality of high-temperature heat transfer plates 2A and a plurality of low-temperature heat transfer plates 2B having configurations as described above are alternately superimposed and stacked with the surfaces provided with the channels 25A, 25B, 30A, 31A of both are oriented in the same direction as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In this manner, the heat exchanger body 2 is formed.

(38) In this heat exchanger body 2, the first cutout 26A of the high-temperature heat transfer plate 2A and the fifth cutout 26B of the low-temperature heat transfer plate 2B are form the high-temperature inlet header 21 in such a manner that the plurality of high-temperature heat transfer plates 2A and the plurality of low-temperature heat transfer plates 2B are alternately stacked.

(39) The second cutout 27A of the high-temperature heat transfer plate 2A and the sixth cutout 27B of the low-temperature heat transfer plate 2B form the high-temperature outlet header 22 in such a manner that the plurality of high-temperature heat transfer plates 2A and the plurality of low-temperature heat transfer plates 2B are alternately stacked.

(40) The third cutout 28A of the high-temperature heat transfer plate 2A and the seventh cutout 28B of the low-temperature heat transfer plate 2B form the low-temperature inlet header 23 in such a manner that the plurality of high-temperature heat transfer plates 2A and the plurality of low-temperature heat transfer plates 2B are alternately stacked.

(41) The fourth cutout 29A of the high-temperature heat transfer plate 2A and the eighth cutout 29B of the low-temperature heat transfer plate 2B form the low-temperature outlet header 24 in such a manner that the plurality of high-temperature heat transfer plates 2A and the plurality of low-temperature heat transfer plates 2B are alternately stacked.

(42) (Regarding High-Temperature Channels and Low-Temperature Channels)

(43) FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the high-temperature channels in the heat exchanger body 2.

(44) The high-temperature channels are formed between the respective channels 25A, 30A, 31A of the high-temperature heat transfer plate 2A and a lower surface of the low-temperature heat transfer plate 2B. The high-temperature fluid flows in from the high-temperature inlet header 21 and is distributed into the plurality of channels 25A through the channel 30A. The high-temperature fluid passing through the plurality of channels 25A merges in the channel 31A, and flows out through the high-temperature outlet header 22. Such a flow of the high-temperature fluid occurs in a high-temperature channel layer corresponding to each of the high-temperature heat transfer plates 2A. Note that the high-temperature channel layer is formed by the respective channels 25A, 30A, 31A, the first cutout 26A, and the second cutout 27A of the high-temperature heat transfer plate 2A.

(45) FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the low-temperature channels in the heat exchanger body 2.

(46) The low-temperature channels are formed between the channels 25B of the low-temperature heat transfer plate 2B and each of a lower surface of the low-temperature-side outer case plate 3B and a lower surface of the high-temperature heat transfer plate 2A. The low-temperature fluid flows in from the low-temperature inlet header 23, and flows out of the low-temperature outlet header 24 through the plurality of channels 25B. Such a flow of the low-temperature fluid occurs in a low-temperature channel layer corresponding to each of the low-temperature heat transfer plates 2B. Note that the low-temperature channel layer is formed of each of the channels 25B, the seventh cutout 28B, and the eighth cutout 29B of the low-temperature heat transfer plate 2B.

(47) The high-temperature channel layers and the low-temperature channel layers are alternately stacked in the heat exchanger body 2. Therefore, heat is exchanged between the high-temperature fluid and the low-temperature fluid via the high-temperature heat transfer plate 2A and the low-temperature heat transfer plate 2B.

(48) [Detection Structure of Fluid Temperature of Outlet/Inlet of Heat Exchanger Body]

(49) The microchannel heat exchanger 1 of this embodiment employs the following configuration in order to make it possible to directly measure temperatures of the high-temperature fluid and the low-temperature fluid flowing through the inlet and the outlet of the heat exchanger body 2.

(50) As shown in FIG. 1, in the heat exchanger body 2, there are provided a first temperature sensor 31A, a second temperature sensor 31B, a third temperature sensor 31C, and a fourth temperature sensor 31D. The first temperature sensor 31A measures the temperature of the high-temperature fluid flowing through the high-temperature inlet pipe 5A inserted into the high-temperature inlet header 21. The second temperature sensor 31B measures the temperature of the high-temperature fluid flowing through the high-temperature outlet pipe 5B inserted into the high-temperature outlet header 22. The third temperature sensor 31C measures the temperature of the low-temperature fluid flowing through the low-temperature inlet pipe 5C inserted into the low-temperature inlet header 23. The fourth temperature sensor 31D measures the temperature of the low-temperature fluid flowing through the low-temperature outlet pipe 5D inserted into the low-temperature outlet header 24.

(51) FIGS. 7 and 8 are cross-sectional views of the heat exchanger body 2, which are taken along the cutting line A-A and the cutting line B-B shown in FIG. 1, showing an attachment structure of the first temperature sensor 31A. FIG. 7 is an X-Z cross-sectional view as the attachment structure of the temperature sensor 31A is viewed in an axis direction of the high-temperature inlet pipe 5A (flow direction of fluid). FIG. 8 is a Y-Z cross-sectional view thereof. Attachment structures of the other temperature sensors 31B, 31C, 31D are similar to the attachment structure of the first temperature sensor 31A, and hence only the attachment structure of the first temperature sensor 31A will be described here.

(52) A hole 32 is provided in the low-temperature-side outer case plate 3B of the heat exchanger body 2. The hole 32 is for inserting a thermocouple that is the first temperature sensor 31A into the heat exchanger body 2. A hole 33 is provided in a site of the high-temperature inlet pipe 5A inserted into the inlet of the heat exchanger body 2, the site being on the side of the low-temperature-side outer case plate 3B. The hole 33 communicates with the hole 32 of the low-temperature-side outer case plate 3B. In each of the holes 32, 33 of the low-temperature-side outer case plate 3B and the high-temperature inlet pipe 5A, a metal protection pipe 34 made of, for example, stainless steel is arranged. The lead wires 35, 35 of the first temperature sensor 31A are covered with electrical insulation/thermal insulation members 36, and retained within the metal protection pipe 34. One having diameter of approximately 0.5 mm to 1 mm, for example, can be used as each of the lead wires 35, 35 of the first temperature sensor 31A. It is desirably increased in durability with a ceramic thin film or the like. Temperature-measuring junctions 36 (sensing points of the temperature sensor), which are provided at leading ends of the lead wires 35, 35 of the first temperature sensor 31A, are arranged to be in direct contact with a fluid flowing in the high-temperature inlet pipe 5A. It is desirable that the temperature-measuring junctions 36 have a spherical shape having a diameter of approximately 0.5 mm or 1 mm, for example, not to receive pressure from the fluid as much as possible.

(53) The lead wires 35, 35 of the first temperature sensor 31A are protruded above an upper end of the metal protection pipe 34 for electrical connection with the outside. At upper surfaces of the electrical insulation/thermal insulation layers 36 from which the lead wires 35, 35 of the first temperature sensor 31A are protruded, clearances from the electrical insulation/thermal insulation layers 36 in outer peripheries of the lead wires 35, 35 are closed by seal materials 41. Further, at the upper end of the metal protection pipe 34, clearances between the electrical insulation/thermal insulation layers 36 and the metal protection pipe 34 are closed by other seal materials 42. In addition, clearances between the hole 32 of the high-temperature-side outer case plate 3A and the metal protection pipe 34 are also closed by other seal materials 43.

(54) These seal materials 41, 42, 43 are selected in a manner that depends on the pressure of the working fluid.

(55) For example, if the pressure of the working fluid is equal to or lower than 0.5 MP, an adhesive seal can be used. If the pressure of the working fluid is equal to or lower than 2 MP, a strip-shaped seal tape is desirably used. If the pressure of the working fluid is equal to or lower than 6.5 MP, a circular seal washer having a hole is desirably used.

(56) Hereinabove, the attachment structure of the first temperature sensor 31A has been described. The attachment structures of the second temperature sensor 31B, the third temperature sensor 31C, and the fourth temperature sensor 31D are similar to the attachment structure of the first temperature sensor 31A.

(57) As described above, the temperature-measuring junctions 36 of the first temperature sensor 31A are held in direct contact with the high-temperature fluid flowing in the high-temperature inlet pipe 5A. In this manner, the temperature of the high-temperature fluid that flows in the heat exchanger body 2 can be directly measured. Similarly, the temperatures of the high-temperature fluid that flows out of the heat exchanger body 2, the low-temperature fluid that flows into the heat exchanger body 2, and the low-temperature fluid that flows out of the heat exchanger body 2 can be directly measured by the second temperature sensor 31B, the third temperature sensor 31C, and the fourth temperature sensor 31D, respectively.

(58) However, the working fluid flowing within each of the outlet/inlet pipes 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D is reduced in velocity near the inner wall of each of the outlet/inlet pipes 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, and a non-uniform temperature distribution is thus formed. Therefore, even when the temperature of the working fluid is directly measured, an accurate temperature cannot necessarily be obtained as the result of measurement.

(59) In view of this, in this embodiment, a flow adjustment ring is disposed within each of the outlet/inlet pipes 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D of the outlet/inlet of the heat exchanger body 2. The flow adjustment ring is for forming a core region in which the velocity and the temperature of the working fluid becomes approximately constant. The temperature-measuring junctions of the temperature sensor are arranged in the core region formed in a downstream region of this flow adjustment ring.

(60) As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a flow adjustment ring 52 is disposed within the high-temperature inlet pipe 5A. The flow adjustment ring 52 includes an aperture 52a coaxially with respect to the high-temperature inlet pipe 5A. A diameter D on an inlet side of this aperture 52a is equal to an inside diameter of the high-temperature inlet pipe 5A. The diameter D on an outlet side is about two-thirds of the diameter D on the inlet side. Then, a portion between the inlet side and the outlet side of the aperture 52a has a mortar-like taper surface shape. This structure is also applied to the low-temperature inlet pipe 5C connected to the inlet of the heat exchanger body 2, into which the low-temperature fluid flows.

(61) FIG. 9 is a Y-Z cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line C-C shown in FIG. 1, showing the high-temperature outlet pipe 5B connected to the outlet of the heat exchanger body 2, of which the high-temperature fluid flows out, and the flow adjustment ring 52.

(62) As shown in the figure, the flow adjustment ring 52 is also disposed within the high-temperature outlet pipe 5B connected to the outlet of the heat exchanger body 2, of which the high-temperature fluid flows out.

(63) This structure is also applied to the low-temperature outlet pipe 5D connected to the outlet of the heat exchanger body 2, of which the low-temperature fluid flows out.

(64) FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a velocity distribution of the working fluid in an upstream region and a downstream region of the flow adjustment ring 52. In a case where the flow adjustment ring 52 is provided in the inlet pipe, an outlet side 52c of the aperture 52a becomes a boundary 53 with the inlet of the heat exchanger body 2.

(65) The working fluid flowing into each of the outlet/inlet pipes 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D from the outside or the heat exchanger body 2 is reduced in velocity near the inner wall of each of the outlet/inlet pipes 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D in the upstream region of the flow adjustment ring 52. As a result, a non-uniform velocity distribution occurs. Specifically, in this non-uniform velocity distribution, the velocity decreases as the distance from the center axis of each of the outlet/inlet pipes 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D increases. In the upstream region of the flow adjustment ring 52, the working fluid flowing near the inner wall of each of the outlet/inlet pipes 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D is guided in a direction to the center axis of each of the outlet/inlet pipes 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D by a taper surface 52b of the aperture 52a of the flow adjustment ring 52, and mixed into other flows passing near a center of the aperture 52a of the flow adjustment ring 52. As a result, a core region C is generated in the downstream region just behind the outlet side 52c of the aperture 52a of the flow adjustment ring 52. In this core region C, the velocity of the working fluid is approximately constant and higher than an average velocity of the working fluid within the outlet/inlet pipe 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D in the upstream region of the flow adjustment ring 52. Assuming that the diameter on the inlet side of the flow adjustment ring 52 is D and the diameter on the outlet side is 2/3 D as an example, the core region C is formed between the outlet side 52c of the aperture 52a of the flow adjustment ring 52 and a position spaced away from the outlet side 52c by 6 D downstream (approximately uniform temperature distribution region can be formed both radially and axially, and hence mounting of the thermocouple is facilitated and also fluid temperature measurement becomes correct). There are a velocity boundary layer and a temperature boundary layer outside the core region C. In this core region C, the velocity of the working fluid is approximately constant and also temperature distribution is approximately uniform. Therefore, by arranging the temperature-measuring junctions 36 of the temperature sensor in this core region C, the temperature of the working fluid can be correctly measured without being influenced by the velocity boundary layer and the temperature boundary layer.

(66) In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the temperature sensors 31A, 31B are arranged in such a manner that the temperature-measuring junctions 36 are located at positions spaced away from the position of the outlet side 52c of the aperture 52a of the flow adjustment ring 52 by a distance of 2 D on the downstream side. With this, the temperature of the working fluid that flows in or flows out of the inlet or the outlet of the heat exchanger body 2 can be correctly measured without being influenced by the velocity boundary layer and the temperature boundary layer. With this, calculation of the quantity of heat of heat exchange, control of the flowing-out working fluid to a desired temperature, and the like can be more correctly performed.

(67) Note that, regarding the shape of the aperture 52a of the flow adjustment ring 52, the taper surface 52b of the aperture 52a may be a constant tilt surface in a cross-section, though the present invention is not limited thereto. It is only necessary to gradually narrow the area of the aperture 52a, and hence it may be a sine-curve surface, a paraboloid surface, or hyperboloid surface.

(68) Further, in this embodiment, two working fluids flowing within the heat exchanger body 2 are parallel flows. However, if they need to be counter flows, the temperature-measuring junctions of the temperature sensor can be arranged within the core region C formed by the flow adjustment ring, by exchanging the inlet pipes and the outlet pipes. Alternatively, the two working fluids may be changed into orthogonal flows by changing the pattern of the channels of the high-temperature heat transfer plate 2A and the low-temperature heat transfer plate 2B.

(69) In addition, in this embodiment, in order to measure the temperatures of the working fluids flowing through the inlets of the heat exchanger body 2, the temperature-measuring junctions 36 of the temperature sensors 31A, 31B are arranged within the inlet pipes 5A, 5C, though the present invention is not limited thereto. The temperature-measuring junctions 36 of the temperature sensors 31A, 31B may be arranged within the inlets of the headers 21, 23 of the heat exchanger body 2. Further, in this embodiment, the flow adjustment rings are provided in all the outlet/inlet pipes 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, though the present invention is not limited thereto. The flow adjustment rings may be provided only in the inlet pipes or only in the outlet pipes.

(70) Hereinabove, the embodiment in the case where the present invention is applied to the stacked microchannel heat exchanger has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to another type of the heat exchanger such as a plate-type heat exchanger.

(71) In addition, the present technology is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present technology as a matter of course.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

(72) C . . . core region

(73) 1 . . . microchannel heat exchanger

(74) 2 . . . heat exchanger body

(75) 2A . . . high-temperature heat transfer plate

(76) 2B . . . low-temperature heat transfer plate

(77) 3A . . . high-temperature-side outer case plate

(78) 3B . . . low-temperature-side outer case plate

(79) 5A . . . high-temperature inlet connection pipe

(80) 5B . . . high-temperature outlet connection pipe

(81) 5C . . . low-temperature inlet connection pipe

(82) 5D . . . low-temperature outlet connection pipe

(83) 21 . . . high-temperature inlet header

(84) 22 . . . high-temperature outlet header

(85) 23 . . . low-temperature inlet header

(86) 24 . . . low-temperature outlet header

(87) 31A . . . first temperature sensor

(88) 31B . . . second temperature sensor

(89) 31C . . . third temperature sensor

(90) 31D . . . fourth temperature sensor

(91) 36 . . . temperature-measuring junction

(92) 52 . . . flow adjustment ring