Condenser

Abstract

The invention relates to a condenser of stacked-plate design, having a first flow duct for a refrigerant and having a second flow duct for a coolant.

Claims

1. A condenser of stacked plate design comprising: a first flow channel for a refrigerant, a second flow channel for a coolant, a receiver for storing the refrigerant, and a plurality of stacked plate elements wherein the stacked plate elements form a plurality of channels adjacent to each other arranged between the plate elements, wherein a first number of the plurality of channels is associated with the first flow channel and a second number of the plurality of channels is associated with the second flow channel, wherein the first flow channel has a first region for desuperheating and condensing the vaporous refrigerant and a second region for subcooling the condensed refrigerant, wherein a refrigerant transfer from the first region to the second region in the first flow channel leads through the receiver, wherein the receiver is in fluid communication with the first region through a first connection element which forms a first fluid connection of the receiver, wherein the receiver is in fluid communication with the second region through a second connection element which forms a second fluid connection of the receiver, wherein the first connection element or the second connection element is formed by a tube which passes through a number of plate elements through openings in the plate elements, wherein the first connection element and the second connection element are arranged at least partially within a single flange, wherein an inlet of the flange is connected to the first connection element and an outlet of the flange is connected to the second connection element, wherein the receiver is connected to the plurality of stacked plate elements through the flange.

2. The condenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tube is fluidically connected to the second region at a first end having a first opening, wherein the tube is fluidically connected to the receiver at a second end having a second opening, wherein the tube passes through at least a portion of the first region but is fluidically isolated from the first region.

3. The condenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the tubes has a tapered portion and/or a step and/or an at least partially encircling flange and/or an expanded portion via which said tube is supportable on one of the plate elements and is fixable in the condenser.

4. The condenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the plate elements is designed as a separating plate and/or one of the plate elements is designed as a deflecting plate.

5. The condenser as claimed in claim 4, wherein the tube is supported in the condenser on a deflecting plate.

6. The condenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tube has radial and/or axial openings.

7. The condenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tube is supported on one of outer plate elements of the second region.

8. The condenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein a second tube is provided at a fluid inlet and/or at a fluid outlet of a subsection of the first flow channel, said second tube being in fluid communication with another subsection of the first flow channel.

9. The condenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein a third tube is provided at a fluid inlet and/or at a fluid outlet of a subsection of the second flow channel, said third tube being in fluid communication with another subsection of the second flow channel.

10. The condenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one tube is passed through the openings in the plate elements and is brazed to at least a subset of the plate elements, in particular to rims.

11. The condenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the tubes is beveled at upper or lower end region or at both end regions of the tube.

12. The condenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the tubes has a flexible region, wherein the tube is compressible and/or extendable in an axial direction by means of the flexible region.

13. The condenser as claimed in claim 12, wherein the flexible region is formed by a concertina-like configuration of the tube.

14. The condenser as claimed in claim 12, wherein the flexible region is formed from an elastic material, wherein a compression or extension of the tube in an axial direction and/or in the radial direction is reversible.

15. The condenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the tubes is formed from a plurality of tube sections, wherein the tube sections are connected in a fluid-tight manner to one another.

16. The condenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein a first tube section tapers in a funnel-shaped manner in an axial direction and a second tube section widens in a funnel-shaped manner in the axial direction, wherein the two tube sections are inserted one inside the other in such a manner that the relative movement between the second tube section and the first tube section is limited by the widening region striking against the tapering region.

17. The condenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tube is accommodated in a connection element and is connected in a fluid-tight manner thereto.

18. The condenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second region has a plurality of flow routes through which the refrigerant can flow, wherein the flow routes are each formed by individual channels of the first flow channel and/or are formed by subregions of individual channels of the first flow channel.

19. The condenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second region has a plurality of channels, wherein at least individual channels of the second region are in thermal contact with the second flow channel, wherein the coolant and the refrigerant are flowable in co-current flow and/or in countercurrent flow to each other through the channels of the second region and through the second flow channel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention is explained in detail below by means of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a condenser, illustrating two flow channels, wherein the refrigerant flows through the condenser in series and the coolant flows through the condenser in parallel,

(3) FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a condenser in accordance with FIG. 1, wherein, the refrigerant flows through the condenser in series and the coolant flows through the condenser in series,

(4) FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a condenser in accordance with FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein the refrigerant flows through the condenser in series and the coolant flows through the condenser both in series and in parallel,

(5) FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of a condenser in accordance with FIGS. 1 to 3, wherein the refrigerant flows through the condenser in series and the coolant flows through the condenser in series, wherein the coolant is passed through the condenser by means of a tube,

(6) FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of a condenser in accordance with FIGS. 1 to 4, wherein the refrigerant flows through the condenser in series and is introduced from above into the condenser by a tube, wherein the coolant flows through the condenser in parallel,

(7) FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of a condenser, wherein the subcooling region is enlarged in comparison to FIGS. 1 to 5,

(8) FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of a condenser, wherein the desuperheating region is enlarged in comparison to FIGS. 1 to 6,

(9) FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of a condenser, wherein an internal heat exchanger is provided in addition to the desuperheating region and the subcooling region,

(10) FIG. 9 shows a sectional view through the connection region at which the receiver is connected to the condenser,

(11) FIG. 10 shows a detailed sectional view of the connection region according to FIG. 9,

(12) FIG. 11 shows a sectional view through the connection region, wherein the tube has two beveled end regions, and

(13) FIG. 12 shows two different configurations of a tube according to the invention, wherein a tube with a flexible region is illustrated in the left part of the figure and a multi-part tube is illustrated in the right part of the figure.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

(14) Different embodiments of a condenser 1, 1a, 70, 80 of stacked plate design are shown in the following FIGS. 1 to 8. These are condensers 1, 1a, 70, 80 for use in an air-conditioning system for motor vehicles. All the condensers 1, 1a, 70, 80 shown are formed by a multiplicity of plate elements, which form a plate stack 11, 11a, 73, 93 when stacked on top of each other.

(15) The essential advantage of the construction as condenser 1, 1a, 70, 80 of stacked plate design is that the plate elements are largely identical and only the outer connection plates and individual deflecting or blocking plates which are installed in the stack and deflect or block the internal flow channels differ from the fundamentally identical shape of the plate elements. This allows low-cost and simple production.

(16) In FIGS. 1 to 8, the condensers 1, 1a, 70, 80 are indicated only by a schematic diagram. The individual subregions of the condensers 1, 1a, 70, 80, such as the desuperheating region 3, 72, 81 or the subcooling region 4, 71, 82 and the region of an internal heat exchanger 88, are represented in the figures only as cuboidal elements.

(17) In reality, each of these cuboidal elements consists of a multiplicity of plate elements. These plate elements are stacked on top of each other and, through a special arrangement of openings, which can have rims, form a multiplicity of individual channels which, by virtue of the configuration of the individual plate elements, are combined into flow channels which carry either coolant or refrigerant.

(18) In this case, the flow channels of the coolant and the flow channels of the refrigerant are arranged adjacent to one another. In simple embodiments, it may be provided that channels for the refrigerant and channels for the coolant are arranged in a uniformly distributed alternating sequence. It is likewise conceivable to select a distribution of refrigerant channels to coolant channels which differs from the uniform distribution. It is also possible to provide for implementation of the frequency of alternation between coolant channels and refrigerant channels to differ from a ratio of 1:1.

(19) The flow channels of the coolant and of the refrigerant are likewise indicated only schematically in FIGS. 1 to 8. In FIGS. 1 to 8, each of the cuboidal elements is traversed only once by a refrigerant channel, and a coolant channel. This illustration is intended to clarify only the principle of flow through the individual condensers 1, 1a, 70, 80 and has no delimiting or restrictive effect.

(20) The flow channels of the refrigerant 25, 25a, 60, 87 are each indicated by a dotted line. The flow channels of the coolant 26, 26a, 32, 42, 52, 85 are each indicated by a continuous line.

(21) The flow directions of the refrigerant, and of the coolant which are shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 each represent only an example and can equally well be implemented opposite to the directions shown in FIGS. 1 to 8.

(22) FIG. 1 shows a condenser which consists of desuperheating region and a subcooling region 4. The desuperheating region 3 is used to desuperheat a refrigerant and to condense the refrigerant from the vaporous phase thereof into a liquid phase. For the purpose of desuperheating, the refrigerant is made to undergo heat exchange with a coolant, which likewise flows through the desuperheating region 3. A subcooling region 4 is upwardly connected to the desuperheating region 3. In this subcooling region 4, the fully liquid refrigerant is cooled down further under the condensation temperature by a further heat exchange with a coolant.

(23) Arranged underneath the condenser 1 is a receiver 2, through which the refrigerant flows. The function of the receiver 2 is to store, filter and dry the refrigerant. Introducing a receiver 2 into the refrigerant circuit makes it possible to compensate for the volume in the refrigerant circuit since the receiver 2 represents compensating reservoir, thereby making it possible to compensate for fluctuations in the volume of refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit.

(24) The fluid outlet 12 of the receiver 2 has a tube 5, which is passed through the desuperheating region 3 and is in fluid communication with the flow channel 25 of the refrigerant in the subcooling region 4. The fluid inlet 6 of the receiver 2 is, in turn, in fluid communication with the flow channel 25 of the refrigerant in the desuperheating region 3.

(25) After flowing through the receiver 2, all of the refrigerant is passed into the subcooling region 4. The receiver 2 thus represents the point of fluid transfer from the desuperheating region 3 to the subcooling region 4.

(26) Openings 8, 9, 10 are arranged at the upper end region of the plate stack 11 of the condenser 1. Depending on the configuration of the internal flow channels, said openings can form fluid inlets and fluid outlets. An opening 7 is likewise shown at the lower end of the plate stack 11, and said opening can likewise be a fluid inlet or a fluid outlet, depending on the configuration of the internal flow channels.

(27) Flow channels 25, 26 for a refrigerant and a coolant are illustrated in the interior of the condenser 1. The refrigerant flows through the fluid inlet 7, which is arranged at the lower end region of the plate stack 11, into the desuperheating region 3 of the condenser 1. The refrigerant flows there through the channels which are formed by the plate elements and which belong to the flow channel 25 of the refrigerant.

(28) After flowing through the desuperheating region 3, the refrigerant flows via the fluid inlet 6 into the receiver 2. The refrigerant flows there through the receiver 2 for the purpose of storage, filtration and drying, and then flows via the fluid outlet 12 through the tube 5 into the subcooling region 1 of the condenser 1. After flowing through the subcooling region 4, the refrigerant flows out of the condenser 1 through the fluid outlet 8 at the upper end region.

(29) The coolant flows into the subcooling region 4 through the fluid inlet 9 at the upper end region of the condenser 1. In contrast to the refrigerant, which flows through the individual, channels in series, the coolant flows through the individual channels of the subcooling region 4 and of the desuperheating region 3 in parallel. For this purpose, the coolant flows from the top down through the plate stack 11, through internal openings, and is distributed over the width of the condenser 1. After the coolant has flowed over the entire width of the condenser 1, the coolant then flows from the bottom up through a plurality of openings in the plate elements, through the fluid outlet 10 and out of the condenser 1. The openings through which the coolant flows downward in the condenser 1 and the openings through which the coolant flows upward in the condenser 1 are each aligned with one another here.

(30) By means of the construction, regions through which the flow passes in a countercurrent flow and regions through which the flow passes in a co-current flow are produced in the condenser 1.

(31) FIG. 2 shows a construction similar to that already illustrated in FIG. 1. The flow channel 25 of the refrigerant is arranged through the condenser 1 of FIG. 2 in a manner similar FIG. 1. As a departure from FIG. 1, the coolant in FIG. 2 now no longer flows through the channels of the condenser 1 in a parallel arrangement but, like the refrigerant, flows through the condenser 1 in series.

(32) For this purpose, the coolant flows through the fluid inlet 30 at the upper region of the condenser 1 into the subcooling region 4. The coolant is distributed there over the width of the condenser 1 and flows downward via an internal opening into a further channel of the subcooling region 4. The coolant is again distributed there over the entire width before flowing downward through a further opening into the desuperheatng region 3. Finally, after renewed distribution over the width of the condenser 1, the coolant flows out of the condenser 1 through the fluid outlet 31 at the lower end region.

(33) In FIG. 2, the flow channel 32 of the coolant, like the flow channel 25 of the refrigerant, passes in a series through the individual channels in the interior of the condenser 1. Through the illustration shown in FIG. 2, the refrigerant flow is in a countercurrent configuration with respect to the coolant flow throughout the condenser 1.

(34) FIG. 3 shows a condenser 1 similar to FIGS. 1 and 2. The refrigerant flow channel 25 is embodied in a manner similar to FIGS. 1 and 2. As a departure from FIGS. 1 and 2, the flow channel 42 of the coolant is now arranged within the condenser 1 in such a way that there are both regions in which the flow passes through in parallel and regions in which the flow passes through in series.

(35) For this purpose, the coolant flows through the fluid inlet 40 into the subcooling region 4 of the condenser 1. The coolant is distributed there both over the width of the condenser 1 and downward through internal openings within the subcooling region 4. The flow passes through the subcooling region 4 entirely in parallel. The coolant then flows out of the subcooling region 4 through openings into the desuperheating region 3. From there, the coolant flows out of the condenser 1 via the fluid outlet 41. The flow passes through the desuperheating region 3 only in series.

(36) In this way, some of the coolant flows through the condenser 1 in parallel and some of it flows through the condenser 1 in series. There are thus regions in which the coolant flows in a countercurrent flow with respect to the refrigerant and regions in which the coolant flows in co-current flow with respect to the refrigerant.

(37) FIG. 4 likewise shows a condenser 1 similar to the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 3. The flow channel 25 of the refrigerant is unchanged relative to FIGS. 1 to 3. As a departure from the previous figures, the coolant is now passed through the condenser 1 entirely in series. The coolant flows here through the fluid inlet 50 into the condenser 1 and out of the condenser 1 via the fluid outlet 51. Fluid inlet 50 and fluid outlet 51 are located here at a common end region of the condenser 1.

(38) The coolant flows here into the subcooling region 4 where it is distributed over the width of the condenser 1. The coolant then flows through openings into a part of the subcooling region 4 that is located therebelow and is likewise distributed again over the entire width of the condenser. The coolant subsequently passes via openings in the interior of the condenser 1 into the desuperheating region 3. After being distributed over the width of the condenser 1, the coolant flows through the tube 53 and out of the condenser 1 via the fluid outlet 51.

(39) The tube 53 is in fluid communication here with one of the channels of the second flow channel 52. By means of the tube 53, the coolant can be discharged from the desuperheating region 3 through the entire subcooling region 4 and out of the condenser 1 without the coolant being able to be mixed with the refrigerant.

(40) The coolant thus flows entirely in series through the regions 3 and 4 of the condenser 1. The coolant which flows in the flow channel 52 thus flows in a countercurrent flow with respect to the refrigerant in the flow channel 25 at all times.

(41) FIG. 5 shows a condenser 1. The course and the orientation of the coolant channel 26 correspond to the course already shown in FIG. 1. The course of the refrigerant channel 60 likewise substantially corresponds to the course of the flow channel 25 from FIG. 1.

(42) In a departure from the fluid inlet 7 arranged at the lower end region of the condenser 1, the fluid inlet 61, like the fluid outlet 62, is now arranged at the upper end region of the condenser 1. In order to permit such a routing of the flow, the condenser 1 has a tube 63 which connects a channel of the desuperheating region 3 to the fluid inlet 61.

(43) The refrigerant therefore flows through the tube 63 into the desuperheating region 3 and from there, as already described in the previous figures, in series through the individual channels of the first flow channel in the desuperheating region 3 and in the subcooling region 4.

(44) FIG. 6 shows a further view of condenser 1a, with the fluid inlet 9a and fluid outlet 10a, as in the previous FIGS. 1 to 5. In addition, the condenser 1a now has a further subcooling section. The subcooling region 4a is therefore larger and has more channels than the subcooling region 4 of the previous FIGS. 1 to 5.

(45) The routing of the flow through the first flow channel 25a, through which the refrigerant flows, is entirely in series. The routing of the flow through the second or channel 26a is entirely in parallel. Regions of the condenser 1a through which the flow passes in a countercurrent flow and regions of the condenser 1a through which the flow passes in a co-current flow are thereby produced.

(46) By means of the additional deflection of the refrigerant in the third subcooling section, the positioning of the fluid outlet 8a is changed in comparison to the arrangement of the fluid outlet 8 in FIG. 1. In contrast to FIG. 1, the fluid outlet 8a is arranged on the opposite side of the condenser 1a. The fluid inlet 7 and the fluid outlet 8a are in mutual alignment.

(47) By changing the number of channels, the position and positioning of the fluid inlet 7 and of the fluid outlet 8a can therefore also be affected.

(48) The number of channels which are associated with the first flow channel 25a and the second flow channel 26a depends primarily on the number of plate elements used in the plate stack 11a. A higher number or a lower number can always be provided. The exemplary embodiments illustrated here do not have any limiting character in this respect.

(49) FIG. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of a condenser 70, wherein the subcooling region 71 is illustrated by two cuboidal elements. By contrast, in a departure from the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 6, the desuperheating region 72 is illustrated by three cuboidal elements. An increase or reduction in the number of cuboidal elements can be achieved by changing the number of plate elements in the plate stack 73.

(50) At the fluid inlet 74 of the receiver 75 and the fluid outlet 76, FIG. 7 illustrates tubes 77 of differing length which each produce a fluidic connection to the channels of the first flow channel.

(51) Both serial throughflows and parallel throughflows can achieved in the desuperheating region 72 and in the subcooling region 71. This essentially depends on the connection of the channels to one another.

(52) FIG. 8 shows a condenser 80 with a desuperheating region 81 at the lower end region of the condenser 80 and two subcooling regions 82 located thereabove. The condenser 80 here is substantially formed by the plate stack 93.

(53) The coolant flows both through the subcooling region 82 and through the desuperheating region 81 in parallel. Both the fluid inlet 83 and the fluid outlet 84 of the second flow channel 8 are arranged at the lower end region of the condenser 80.

(54) Furthermore, the fluid inlet 86 of the first flow channel 87 is arranged at the lower end region. The refrigerant flows through, the desuperheating region 81 and the subcooling region 82 in series in a manner similar to the illustrations of FIGS. 1 to 4.

(55) A further cuboidal element is illustrated above the subcooling region 82. Said cuboidal element forms an internal heat exchanger 88.

(56) The internal heat exchanger 88 has a third flow channel 89. At the same time, the refrigerant is also led out of the flow channel 87 into the internal heat exchanger 88. A heat transfer between the fluid of the third flow channel 89 and the refrigerant of the first flow channel 87 can thus take place in the internal heat exchanger 88.

(57) Either refrigerant or a coolant can flow here through the third flow channel 89. As also in the remaining regions of the condensers shown, the flow can also pass through the internal heat exchanger 88 in a co-current flow and/or in a countercurrent flow. By flowing therethrough in a countercurrent flow, a higher heat transfer between the two fluid flows can be achieved.

(58) Both the fluid inlet 90 and the fluid outlet 91 of the third flow channel 89 are arranged at the upper end region of the condenser 80. Also arranged there is the fluid outlet 92 of the first flow channel 87.

(59) The positions of the fluid inlets and fluid outlets shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 are in each case by way of example. Orientations that differ therefrom, e.g. laterally on the condenser, can be provided, as can the arrangement of a fluid inlet or fluid outlet in a central region of the condensers.

(60) The condensers 1, 1a, 70, 80 can furthermore be produced selectively from a combination of a desuperheating region 3, 72, 81, a subcooling region 4, 71, 82 and an internal heat exchanger 88. Here, optimum configurations which all have a simple construction consisting of individual plate elements and are thus very flexible in their construction can be produced, depending on the intended use.

(61) The tubes 5, 53, 63, 77 shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 can likewise be produced at low cost and, in the simplest case, are inserted into the plate stacks 11, 11a, 73, 92, passing through internal openings in the plate elements. It is advantageous if this takes place at an early stage of the production process, allowing the plate elements to be brazed to the individual tubes 5, 53, 63, 77 in one operation. In this connection, the tubes 5, 53, 63, 77 are brazed in particular to the openings, which have rims.

(62) FIG. 9 shows sectional view of a condenser 100 according to the invention. FIG. 9 in particular shows the connection region at which a receiver (not shown) is connected to the plate stack of the condenser 100 is a flange 102. The flange 102 has an inlet 104 and an outlet 103. Via the latter, a fluid can pass out of the condenser 100 into a receiver and pass back from the receiver into the condenser 100.

(63) The outlet 103 opens here into a tube 101 which itself opens into a flow channel 107. The flow channel 107 here is one of the channels which is produced between, for example, two stacked plate elements 105 and 106. A detailed view of the connection of the tube 101 to the plate element 105 is shown in the following FIG. 10.

(64) A fluid can flow from the inlet 104 around the tube 101 and can continue upward into a region below the plate element 105. The precise configuration of the channels is likewise shown in FIG. 10.

(65) FIG. 10 shows a detailed view of the arrangement of the tube 101, as has already been shown in FIG. 9. It can seen in FIG. 10 in particular how the tube 101 is inserted into an outlet 103 of the flange 102.

(66) The outlet 103 is formed here by a horizontally running bore within the flange 102. The tube 101 is inserted via a bore opening the bore of the outlet 103 vertically from above. The inlet 104 likewise opens into a bore within the flange 102.

(67) The bore which is of larger diameter and into which the inlet 104 opens is oriented concentrically with respect to the bore which opens into the outlet 103. The fluid which flows along the inlet 104 therefore flows around the tube 101, while the fluid which flows to the outlet 103 flows through said tube. There is no fluid communication of the fluid flow outside the tube 101 with the fluid flow within the tube 101.

(68) The tube 101 has an at least partially encircling flange 108 in the upper end region thereof. Said flange 108 is produced in FIG. 10 by compression and a resulting doubling of the material of the tube 101. The flange 108 bears against the lower side of the plate element 105.

(69) The plate element 105 furthermore has a rim 112 which is formed around the opening through which the tube 101 is inserted. A flow channel 107 is formed above the plate element 105, and a flow channel 109 is formed below the plate element 105.

(70) In differing configurations, pluralities of flow channels can also be provided above and below the plate element 105. The illustration in FIG. 10 is by way of example.

(71) The tube 101 is primarily connected to the plate element 105 in particular in the region of the rim 112. This can be achieved, for example, by an adhesive bonding operation or a brazing operation.

(72) The flange 102 is fastened to a lower plate element 110 by means of connecting elements 111. The plate element 110 has an opening which has a downwardly directed rim. The connecting means 111 are formed in FIG. 10 by means of material extensions of the flange 102, which reach behind the rim of the plate element 110 and thereby prevent the flange 102 from slipping out of the opening in the plate element 110. It is likewise possible for, for example, an adhesive joint or a brazed joint to be provided between the flange 102 and the plate element 110 for the permanent connection.

(73) FIG. 11 likewise shows a connection of a flange 120 to a condenser formed from a plurality of plate elements 128, 129 and 132. The construction of the flange 120 substantially corresponds here to the flange 102 already shown. The flange 120 is likewise again connected to the condenser at a rim of an opening of the lower plate element 132.

(74) The tube 125 has a bevel both at the upper end region 126 and the lower end region 127. Said bevel is achieved by a cut which has been produced in a plane located at a predeterminable angle with respect to the center axis of the tube 125. By means of the beveled end regions 126, 127, the tube has an arrow configuration at both ends.

(75) In the upper end region, the tube 125 is supported by the point on the plate element 128 located at the top. The plate element 128 here forms a deflecting plate for the flow channel 123 shown. The lower plate element 129 forms a separating plate between the flow channel 123 and 124.

(76) The tube 125 thus represents a fluid communication between the outlet 121 and the flow channel 123, while the fluid which flows along the inlet 122 flows around the said tube. Owing to the arrow configuration, the tube 125 can both bear at an end region 126 against a surface and can thereby position the tube 125 and can also form a suitable transfer surface for a fluid from the tube 125 into the flow channel or from a flow channel into the tube 125.

(77) The tube 125 is connected to the plate element 129 likewise at a rim 131, which is formed around the opening 130 in the plate element 129.

(78) In the lower end region, the tube 125 likewise has a beveled end region 127. The tube can be supported in the flange 120 via said beveled end region and at the same time can represent a suitable flow cross section for the transfer of fluid from the outlet 121 into the tube 125.

(79) FIG. 12 shows two exemplary embodiments of a tube 140 and 150. The tube 140 is illustrated in the left part of FIG. 12. Said tube has, in the lower region, an encircling flange 143 with which said tube can be supported in relation to plate elements or a flange.

(80) The tube 140 has a flexible region 141 in the center. Said flexible region 141 is produced by a concertina-like configuration of the tube 140. The concertina-like region here has a plurality of material folds 142. In this way, the tube 140 can particularly preferably absorb both compressions and extensions in particular in the axial direction. In the event of a compression, the material folds 142 are moved toward one another, and are pulled apart from one another in the event of an extension.

(81) Depending on the selected, material and selected dimensioning of the flexible region 141, the possible length compensation which can be achieved via the tube 140 can turn out to differ in size.

(82) In particular during the brazing process of a condenser, settling occurs within the condenser, as a result of which the overall length of the condenser is shortened. By means of the provision of a flexible region 141 in a tube 140, said resulting change in length can be absorbed in such a manner that the production, of mechanical or thermal stresses within the condenser is avoided.

(83) The right part of FIG. 12 shows an alternative configuration of a tube 150. The tube 150 is formed by a first tube section 151 and a second tube section 152. The tube sections 151, 152 are inserted here one inside the other in such a manner that they are movable relative to each other. At the same time, the tube sections 151, 152 are fluid tight with respect to each other in such a manner that no inadvertent mixing between a fluid flowing around the tube 150 and a fluid flowing through the tube 150 arises.

(84) The second tube section 152 has a cross section 154 widening in a funnel-shaped manner upward in the axial direction. The first tube section 151 has a cross section 153, tapering in a funnel-shaped manner, as viewed downward in the axial direction. At the same time, the inside diameter of the first tube section 151 is selected in such a manner that it is larger than the outside diameter of the second tube section 152. The two tube sections 151, 152 can thereby be moved relative to each other. By means of the configuration of the funnel-shaped regions of the tube section 151 and of the tube section 152, a stop is realized at the same time, said stop defining a limit of the maximum possible movement of the tube sections 151, 152 relative to each other.

(85) The configuration of the tubes 140 and 150 in FIG. 12 is by way of example. In an advantageous manner, metallic materials can be used for the tube 140 or 150, but more flexible materials, such as plastics or elastomers, can also used. The embodiments of FIG. 12 do not have any limiting character in respect of the configuration of the tube.

(86) The illustrations of a condenser that are shown FIGS. 1 to 8 likewise have an exemplary character and do not have any limiting effect. They can be combined with one another and clarify the inventive concept.

(87) The illustration of the connection of a tube or a flange to a condenser that is shown in FIGS. 9 to 12 is likewise by way of example. In particular, the various tubes shown in FIGS. 9 to 12 can be combined as desired with the various condensers of FIGS. 1 to 8. The tubes shown in FIGS. 9 to 12 can be used here both for connecting the receivers and for connecting channels to fluid inlets and fluid outlets in the remaining region of the condensers.