THERMOSIPHON BLOCKS AND THERMOSIPHON SYSTEMS FOR HEAT TRANSFER

Abstract

The present invention relates to transfer of heat by thermosiphon blocks, thermosiphons or thermosiphon systems configured to be used or assembled to transfer heat. Thermosiphon block configured for a refrigerant to circulate between a first header and a second header interconnected with a fluid communicator arrangement comprising multiple MPE-tubes with fins in-between. The first header may have a receiving volume adapted to receive liquid refrigerant and to distribute the liquid refrigerant to the second header via a liquid communicator. The bock may be sealed. The invention also relates to a thermosiphon system comprising at least a first thermosiphon block. The first thermosiphon block may be configured as an evaporator with the receiving volume in the first header connected to a condenser. The thermodynamic system may have a piping between the first thermosiphon block and the condenser. The first thermosiphon block may be configured to be placed inside of a building, housing or a cabinet.

Claims

1. A thermosiphon block (1) configured for a refrigerant (12) to circulate between a first header (3I) and a second header (3II) interconnected with a fluid communicator arrangement (4) comprising multiple MPE-tubes (14) with fins (16) in-between and where the first header (3I) has a receiving volume adapted to receive liquid refrigerant (12) and to distribute the liquid refrigerant to the second header (3II) via a liquid communicator (5).

2. The thermosiphon block (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a valve (50) in the receiving volume (40) and configured to control the flow of refrigerant (12) to or from the first header (3I) through a separator(62), which valve (50) has a close (52) at a closing set-point (53) and an open (54) at an opening set point (55) as a function of a pressure in the receiving volume (40).

3. The thermositton block (1) according to claim 1, wherein the receiving volume (40) is formed as a bellow housing (65) and with a first header tube part (66) formed as a bellow washer.

4. The thermosiphonThermosiphon block (1) according to claim 1, wherein a bellow (60) is affixed to the first header part (66) and is expandable towards the separator (62) as a function of the pressure in the receiving volume (40).

5. The thermosiphon block (1) according to claim 2, wherein the valve (50) is integrated in the receiving volume (40).

6. The thermosiphon block (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a partition plate (8) to install the thermosiphon block (1) as a vertical thermosiphon (10A) with the first header (31) as a liquid header (34) and the second header (3II) as a vapour header (24), which partition plate (8) partitions the vertical thermosiphon (10) in an evaporator (30) and a condenser (20).

7. The thermosiphon block (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a partition plate (8) to install the thermosiphon block (1) as a horizontal thermosiphon (10B) with the first header (3I) as a liquid header (34) and the second header (3II) as a vapour header (24), which partition plate (8) partitions the horizontal thermosiphon (10) in an evaporator (30) with the first header (3I) having a evaporation section (80) and the second header (3II) having an evaporation section (84) and a condenser (20) with the first header (3I) having a condenser section (82) and the second header (3II) having a condenser section (86).

8. The thermosiphon block (1) according to claim 1, wherein at least some fins (16) has a width that is substantially half the width of the width of the MPE-tubes (14).

9. The thermosiphon block (1) according to claim 8, wherein the half-width fins (16) can be freely installed or adjustable in-between MPE-tubes (14) at different depths along the width of the MPE-Tubes (13) according to the section of the MPE-tubes (14) being an evaporator (20) or a condenser (30).

10. The thermosiphon block (1) according to claim 1, wherein the liquid communicator (5) is demountable and the receiving volume (40) re-sealable.

11. The thermosiphon (10) comprising at least a first thermosiphon block (11) according to claims 1, wherein the first thermosiphon block (1) is configured as an evaporator (30) with the receiving volume (40) in the first header (3I) connected to a condenser (20).

12. The thermosphon (10) according to claim 11, wherein the condenser (20) is a second thermosiphon block (1).

13. The thermosiphon (10) according to claim 11, wherein the condenser (20) is a second thermosiphon block (1II) with the receiving volume (40) first block (3I) is connected to the receiving volume (40) of the second block (3II) via a piping (9).

14. The thermosiphon (10) according to claim 11, wherein the first thermosiphon block (1I) is configured to be installed inside a wall, the second thermosiphon block (1II) is configured to be installed outside the wall and the piping (9) configured to penetrate the wall.

15. The thermosiphon (10) according to claim 11, comprising a valve (50) between the first (1I) and second (1II) thermosiphon blocks.

16. The thermosiphon (10) wherein the thermosiphon (10) comprises a condenser (20) and an evaporator (30) with a liquid header (34) and a vapour header (24) wherein the evaporator (30) is formed as a first thermosiphon block (1I) according to claim 1 with the first header (3I) of the first block (1I) forming an evaporator section (84) of the liquid header (34) and the second header (311) forming an evaporator section (84) of the vapour header (24).

17. thermosiphon (10) according to claim 16,, wherein the condenser (20) is formed as a second thermosiphon block (1II) with the first header (3I) or second header (3II) of the second block (1II) forming a condenser section (82) the liquid header (34) and the other second header (3II) or first header (3I) forming an condenser section (86) of the vapour header (24).

18. The therrnosiphon (10) according to claim 17, comprising a valve (50) configured to control the flow of the refrigerant (12) from the condenser (20) to the evaporator (30) and to close (52) at a closing set-point (53) and to open (54) at an opening set point (55) as a function of the pressure in the thermosiphon (10) wherein the valve (55) comprises a bellow (60) configured to act to open (54) and close (52) a separator (62) separating the condenser (20) and the evaporator (30) and which bellow (60) is located in a receiving volume (40) of the liquid header (34) and configured to receive the refrigerant (12) from the condenser (20).

19. The thermosiphon (10) according to claim 18, wherein the valve (50) is integrated in the receiving volume (40).

20. A thermosiphon block (1) configured for a refrigerant (12) to circulate between a first header (3I) and a second header (3II) interconnected with a fluid communicator arrangement (4) comprising multiple MPE-tubes (14) with fins (16) having substantially the same width as the width of the MPE-tubes (14) in-between adjacent MPE-tubes (14) and each MPE-tube (14) connecting the first header (3I) and the second header (3II), wherein the thermosiphon block (1) is sealed and contains a refrigerant (12).

21. Thermosiphon block (1) according to claim 20, further comprising a partition plate (8) to install the thermosiphon block (1) as a vertical thermosiphon (10A) with the first header (3I) as a liquid header (34) and the second header (3II) as a vapour header (24), which partition plate (8) partitions the vertical thermosiphon (10) in an evaporator (30) and a condenser (20).

22. The thermosiphon block (1) according to claim 20, further comprising a partition plate (8) to install the thermosiphon block (1) as a horizontal thermosiphon (10B) with the first header (3I) as a liquid header (34) and the second header (3II) as a vapour header (24), which partition plate (8) partitions the horizontal thermosiphon (10B) in an evaporator (30) with the first header (3I) having a evaporation section (80) and the second header (3II) having an evaporation section (84) and a condenser (20) with the first header (3I) having a condenser section (82) and the second header (3II) having a condenser section (86).

23. A heat transporter comprising a thermosiphon block (1) according claim 21, installed with a partition plate (8) mounted in a wall separating a first volume from a second volume.

24. A thermosiphon (10) configured for a refrigerant (12) to interact with a condenser (20) and an evaporator (30) that are interconnected with means for guiding a flow of gaseous refrigerant from the evaporator (22) to the condenser (20), and at lower gravitational level, means for guiding a flow of liquid refrigerant to the evaporator (32), such as a liquid header (34), when the thermosiphon (10) operates as intended, which thermosiphon (10) comprises a valve (50) configured to control the flow of the refrigerant from the condenser (20) to the evaporator (30) and to close (52) at a closing set-point (53) and to open (54) at an opening set point (55) as a function of the pressure in the thermosiphon (10) wherein the valve (55) comprises a bellow (60) configured to act to open (54) and close (52) a separator (62) separating the condenser (20) and the evaporator (30) and which bellow (60) is located in a receiving volume (40) of the means for guiding a flow of liquid refrigerant (32), such as the liquid header (34), configured to receive the refrigerant (12) from the condenser (20) and wherein the valve (50) is integrated in the header (34) of the evaporator (30).

25. The thermosiphon (10) according to claim 24, wherein the means for guiding a flow of liquid refrigerant (12) is formed as a liquid header (34) with Micro Channel Heat Exchangers entering the liquid header (34) as multi-port extrusions (MPEs).

26. The thermosiphon (10) according to claim 24, wherein the receiving volume (40) is formed as a bellow housing (65), a header part (66) is formed as a bellow washer and the bellow (60) is affixed to the header part (66) and is expandable towards the separator (62) as a function of the pressure in the thermosiphon (10).

27. The thermosiphon (10) according to claim 24, wherein the valve parts including at least the bellow (60), the separator (62), and the header part (66) each are affixable to each other, and made as brazable, solderable, weldable, and/or glueable materials.

28. The thermosiphon (10) according to claim 24, wherein the bellow (60) comprises a non-condensable gas.

29. The thermosiphon (10) according to claim 24, wherein the condenser (20) and the evaporator (30) are interconnected with a gas pipe (70) configured to guide a flow of gaseous refrigerant from the evaporator (30) to the condenser (20) and a liquid pipe (72) configured to guide liquid refrigerant from the condenser (20) to the evaporator (30) and into the receiving volume (40).

30. The thermosiphon (10) according to claim 29, and configured so that, during intended operating, the condenser (20) is placed at a gravitational level that is higher than that of the evaporator (30) so that the refrigerant by gravity will be directed from the condenser (20) towards the evaporator (30) in the liquid pipe (72) and onto the bellow (60).

31. The thermosiphon (10) according to claim 24, wherein the evaporator and condenser have a common means for guiding a flow of liquid refrigerant (32) for guiding a flow of liquid refrigerant from the condenser (20) to the evaporator (30) or/and a common means for guiding a flow of gaseous refrigerant (22) for guiding a flow of gaseous refrigerant from the evaporator (30) to the condenser (20).

32. The themosiphon (10) according to claim 31, wherein the valve (50) is located in a receiving volume (40) of the common means for guiding a flow of liquid refrigerant (32) and wherein the separator (62) separates the common means for guiding a flow of liquid refrigerant (32) in a evaporator section (80) and a condenser section (82).

33. A method (100) of producing a thermosiphon (10) configured for a refrigerant (12) to interact with a condenser (20) and an evaporator (30) that are interconnected with means for guiding a flow of gaseous refrigerant from the evaporator (22) to the condenser (20), and at lower gravitational level means for guiding a flow of liquid refrigerant to the evaporator (32) when the thermosiphon (10) operates as intended, which thermosiphon (10) comprises a valve (50) configured to control the flow of the refrigerant from the condenser (20) to the evaporator (30) and to close (52) at a closing set-point (53) and to open (54) at an opening set point (55) as a function of the pressure in the thermosiphon (10); which method (100) comprises actions of: providing (110) valve parts (51) comprising a bellow (60), which valve parts (51) are configured to be affixed to the means for guiding a liquid refrigerant to the evaporator (32), such as liquid header (34); providing (120) condenser parts (21) configured to be assembled to be interconnected with an evaporator (30); providing (130) evaporator parts (31) configured to be assembled to be interconnected with the condenser (20) and to have the valve parts (51) affixed in a in a receiving volume (40) of the assembled evaporator (20); affixing (140) the valve parts (50) to at least some evaporator parts (31) to form an evaporator with an integrated valve (50) inside the evaporator (50) when assembled, and assembling (150) the thermosiphon of the evaporator parts (31) and condenser parts (21) interconnected with means for guiding gaseous refrigerant to the condenser (22), such as a vapour header (24), and means for guiding a liquid refrigerant to the evaporator (32), such as a liquid header (34); to form a thermosiphon (10) with the bellow (60) enabled to act to open (54) and close (52) the valve (50) and which bellow (60) is located in a receiving volume (40) of a liquid header (34) configured to receive the refrigerant (12) when operating the thermosiphon (10) as intended.

34. The rnethod according to claim 33, wherein the action of affixing (140) the valve parts (51) is performed by brazing the valve parts (51) to the evaporator parts (31) to form an evaporator (30) with an integrated valve (50).

35. The method (100) according to claim 33, wherein the action of affixing (140) comprises an act of baking or heating (150) the evaporator parts (31) with the valve part parts affixed.

36. The method according to claim 33, wherein the actions of providing condenser parts (120) and providing evaporator parts (130) involves providing parts (21, 31) to form a evaporator and condenser that have a common means for guiding a flow of gaseous refrigerant (22) for guiding a flow of gaseous refrigerant from the evaporator (30) to the condenser (20) and a common means for guiding a flow of liquid refrigerant (32) for guiding a flow of liquid refrigerant from the condenser (20) to the evaporator (30).

37. The method according to claim 36, wherein the act of affixing (140) involves actions of affixing the valve parts (51) in the receiving volume (40) of the common means for guiding a flow of liquid refrigerant (32) that separates the common means for guiding a flow of liquid refrigerant (32) in a evaporator section (80) and a condenser section (82).

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0114] Embodiments of the invention will be described in the figures, whereon:

[0115] The invention is described by example only and with reference to the drawings, whereon:

[0116] FIG. 1 illustrates a thermosiphon with a condenser at a gravitational level higher than the evaporator;

[0117] FIG. 2 illustrates a thermosiphon with a valve placed in an interconnecting pipe between the condenser and the evaporator;

[0118] FIG. 3 illustrates a thermosiphon where the valve is located in a receiving volume in a liquid header and a close-up of the receiving volume;

[0119] FIG. 4 illustrates A) a valve that is closed and B) a valve that is open;

[0120] FIG. 5 illustrates a thermosiphon with a common means for guiding a flow of liquid refrigerant here a common liquid header, for guiding a flow of liquid refrigerant from the condenser to the evaporator and an evaporator and condenser have a common means for guiding a flow of gaseous refrigerant here common vapour header;

[0121] FIG. 6 illustrates a thermosiphon with a common liquid header with a valve a in a receiving volume;

[0122] FIG. 7 illustrates actions of producing a thermosiphon with an integrated valve;

[0123] FIG. 8 shows a first embodiment of a thermosiphon according to the invention;

[0124] FIG. 9 shows a second embodiment of a thermosiphon according to the invention;

[0125] FIG. 10 shows the thermosiphon of FIG. 1 or 2 placed in a shelter;

[0126] FIG. 11 shows Zipper fins including Louver fins for use in a thermosiphon according to the invention;

[0127] FIG. 12 shows a third embodiment of a thermosiphon according to the invention;

[0128] FIG. 13 shows in continuation of FIG. 12 an embodiment with a valve;

[0129] FIG. 14 illustrates a thermosiphon block and vertical and horizontal installations;

[0130] FIG. 15 illustrates a thermosiphon block;

[0131] FIG. 16 illustrates a split thermosiphon system comprising a thermosiphon block as an evaporator and a thermosiphon block as a condenser;

[0132] FIG. 17 illustrates an alternative split thermosiphon system configuration;

[0133] FIG. 18 illustrates a split thermosiphon system with a valve;

[0134] FIG. 19 illustrates a split thermosiphon system with a valve in a piping between a thermosiphon block as an evaporator and a thermosiphon block as a condenser; and

TABLE-US-00001 Detailed Description of the Invention Item no Item 1 Thermosiphon block 3 Header - Fist (3I) and Second (3II) 4 Fluid communicator arrangement 5 Liquid communicator 8 Partition plate 9 Piping 10 Thermosiphon/Thermosiphon system 12 Refrigerant 14 MPE 16 Fins 20 Condenser 21 Condenser parts 22 Means for guiding gaseous refrigerant to the condenser 24 Vapor header 30 Evaporator 31 Evaporator parts 32 Means for guiding a liquid refrigerant to the evaporator 34 Liquid Header 40 Receiving volume 50 Valve 51 Valve parts 52 Closed 53 Closing set-point 54 Open 55 Open set-point 60 Bellow 62 Separator 65 Bellow housing 66 Bellow washer/header part 67 Affixed 70 Gas pipe 72 Liquid pipe 80 Evaporator section of liquid header 82 Condenser section of liquid header 84 Evaporator section of vapour header 86 Condenser section of vapour header 100 Method of producing 110 Providing valve parts 120 Providing condenser parts 130 Providing evaporator parts 140 Affixing the valve parts to the evaporator parts 150 Assembling the thermosiphon

[0135] FIG. 1 illustrates a thermosiphon 10 configured to circulate a refrigerant 12 between a condenser 20 and an evaporator 30. As the refrigerant 12 is circulated and distributed in MPEs 14 with fins 16 to cover a large area as possible to efficiently convert heat between the refrigerant 12 and the surroundings.

[0136] The condenser 20 is made of condenser parts 21. There are means for guiding gaseous refrigerant to the condenser 20. Those means 22 may include a vapour header 24. The evaporator 30 is made of evaporator parts 31. There are means for guiding a liquid refrigerant to the evaporator 32. Those means 32 may include a liquid header 34.

[0137] In the shown embodiment of the thermosiphon 10, the condenser 20 is placed at a gravitational level above the evaporator 30 and the means for guiding gaseous refrigerant to the condenser 22 with the vapour header 24 fed with a gaseous refrigerant 12 via a gas pipe 70 from the evaporator 30. On the return side the evaporator 30 is placed at a gravitational level below the condenser 20 and the means for guiding a liquid refrigerant to the evaporator 32 with the liquid header 34 fed with a liquid refrigerant 12 via a liquid pipe 72 from the condenser 20.

[0138] In continuation of FIG. 1 FIG. 2 illustrates a similar configuration of a thermosiphon 10 in which there is a valve 50 inserted in the liquid pipe 72.

[0139] The valve 50 comprises valve parts 51 and is configured to close 52 at a closing set point 53 and to open 54 at an open set point 55.

[0140] The opening 54 and closing 52 of the valve 50 may be as a function of the pressure in the thermosiphon 10. A person skilled in the art will be able to work between temperature and pressure for different refrigerants 12.

[0141] FIG. 3 illustrates a thermosiphon 10 with a condenser 20 and an evaporator 30 and configured with a liquid pipe 72 connecting the condenser 20 and the evaporator 30. The means for guiding a liquid refrigerant to the evaporator 32 includes the liquid header 34 that is configured with a receiving volume 40 receiving the liquid refrigerant 12 from the liquid pipe 72.

[0142] The receiving volume 40 includes a separator 63 that separates the condenser 20 and at least a substantial part of the evaporator 30.

[0143] The receiving volume 40 is configured with or as a valve 50. In this embodiment the valve 50 function is an integral part of the receiving volume 40 with the separator 62 configured with a hole or a passage from the receiving volume 40 to liquid header 34 or generally the means for guiding a liquid refrigerant to the evaporator 32.

[0144] The valve 50 is configured with a bellow 60 and the receiving volume 40 is configured as a bellow housing 65 enclosing the bellow 60. Opposite to the separator 62 there is valve part 51 with the function of a bellow washer in a standard bellow valve. In this embodiment the bellow washer 66 is a header. The bellow 60 is affixed 67 to the bellow washer 66.

[0145] Further illustrated is the MPE 14 entering the liquid header 34 of the evaporator 30, extending to the condenser 20 as well as the fins 16.

[0146] FIG. 4 illustrates a valve 50 configured to A) close 52 the opening in the separator 62 and to B) open 54 the opening in the separator as the bellow 60 expands or contracts as a function of the pressure in the thermosiphon 10 or the receiving volume 40.

[0147] The bellow 60 may comprise or contain a non-condensable gas designed to contribute to open 54 and close 52 at given closing 53 and opening 55 set points.

[0148] FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative configuration of a thermosiphon 10 according the invention. There is a condenser 20 and an evaporator 30 configured to circulate a refrigerant 12 by means for guiding gaseous refrigerant to the condenser 22 here configured as a vapour header 24 and by means for guiding a liquid refrigerant to the evaporator 32 here configured as a liquid header 34. Some elements will be recognisable from previous figures.

[0149] The evaporator 20 and the condenser 30 share a common liquid header 34 having an evaporator section of the liquid header 80 and a condenser section of the liquid header 82.

[0150] In this embodiment the evaporator 20 and the condenser 30 share a common vapour header 24 having an evaporator section of the vapour header 84 and a condenser section of the vapour header 86.

[0151] There is a receiving volume 40 with a valve 50 in the evaporator section 80 of the liquid header 34.

[0152] FIG. 6 illustrates a cross sectional view of a thermosiphon 10 from FIG. 5 where FIG. 6A illustrates the valve 50 closed 52 and FIG. 6B illustrates the valve 50 open 54.

[0153] The receiving volume 40 is adapted as a bellow housing 65 where the bellow 60 is affixed 67 to a bellow washer 66 and configured to expand towards a separator 62 formed to separate the liquid header 34 in a evaporator section 80 and a condenser section 82.

[0154] The bellow 60 with a non-condensable gas will expand and contract as a function of the pressure in the liquid header and expand towards the separator 62 to close the connection between the evaporator section 80 and the condenser section 82.

[0155] In this configuration there is a gas filling pipe extending from the exterior of the thermosiphon 10 along the liquid header and into the bellow 60.

[0156] This gas filling pipe may be configured to adjust the design or composition of the gas inside the bellow to alter or tune the opening and closing of the valve 50. The gas filling pipe may also be configured to adjust the pressure inside the valve thereby allowing for adjusting or tuning of the opening and closing of the valve. The adjustment may be mechanically by a screw.

[0157] FIG. 7 illustrates a method 100 of producing a thermosiphon as disclosed in the previous FIGS. 1 to 6.

[0158] The method 100 comprises of actions that will be disclosed in the following and which action a person skilled in the art will know can be performed in different sequences.

[0159] One action is providing 110 valve parts. The valve parts 51 may comprise or include a bellow 60 and the valve parts 51 are configured to be affixed to the means for guiding a liquid refrigerant to the evaporator 34 that may be the liquid header 34.

[0160] One action is providing 120 the condenser parts 21 that are configured to be assembled to be interconnected with an evaporator 30.

[0161] One action is providing 130 the evaporator parts 31 that are configured to be assembled to be interconnected with the condenser 20 and to have the valve parts 51 affixed in a receiving volume 40 of the assembled evaporator 20.

[0162] One action is affixing 140 the valve parts 50 to at least some evaporator parts 31 or the condenser to form an evaporator with an integrated valve 50 inside the evaporator 50 when assembled.

[0163] One action is assembling 150 the thermosiphon of the evaporator parts 31 and condenser parts 21 interconnected with means for guiding gaseous refrigerant to the condenser 22, which may be the vapour header 24, and means for guiding a liquid refrigerant to the evaporator 32, which may be the liquid header 34.

[0164] Such actions will form a thermosiphon 10 with the bellow 60 enabled to act to open 54 and close 52 the valve 50. The bellow 60 will be located in a receiving volume 40 of a liquid header 34 configured to receive the refrigerant 12 when operating the thermosiphon 10 as intended.

[0165] FIGS. 8 to 13 represent embodiment with features listed in the previous table and features that are equivalents or identical to the previous figures, but are described with equivalent or identical terms, but different numerals. To maintain the same numerals, but to distinguish the numbers, the terms in FIGS. 8 to 13 starts with an X.

TABLE-US-00002 no X no FIGS. Hem no 1 X1 thermosiphon 10 2 X2 evaporator section 30 3 X3 condenser section 20 4 X4 fluid 12 5 X5 evaporator section MPE tubes 31 6 X6 evaporator section micro-channels of the MPE tube 7 X7 evaporator section Zipper fins 16 8 X8 filling opening 9 X9 condenser section MPE tubes 21 10 X10 condenser section micro-channels of the MPE tube 11 X11 condenser section Zipper fins 16 12 X12 first header  3I 13 X13 second header   3II 14 X14 area without Zipper fins 15 X15 IP plate  8 16 X16 Louver fins 16 17 X17 end plates 18 X18 one end edge of MPE tubes 19 X19 other end edge of MPE tubes 20 X20 hot air arrow 21 X21 cold air arrow 22 X22 shelter 23 X23 fluid movement 24 X24 first position 25 X25 second position

[0166] FIGS. 8 and 9 show a first and a second example embodiment, respectively, of a thermosiphon 1 according to the invention which will be explained with reference to these two figures.

[0167] The thermosiphon X1 comprises an upper part which is a condenser section X3, and a lower part which is an evaporator section X2. The evaporator section X2 includes a first header X12 being a hollow tube in which is provided a filling opening X8 for supplying fluid X4 to the thermosiphon. The filling opening X8 may well be provided at other points, such as in a second header X13 belonging to the condenser section X3. From the first header X12 is provided communication/fluid connection with MPE tubes X5 that extend perpendicularly from the first header X12 and perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the latter. The MPE tubes X5 is an abbreviation of Multi-Port Extrusion (MPE) tubes, also termed “micro-channel tubes”. With their large internal surface area they provide efficient heat transmission and are therefore ideal for a thermosiphon.

[0168] Zipper fins X7 are fastened between the MPE tubes to the adjacent outer walls of the MPE tubes X5.

[0169] FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of Zipper fins X7, X11 that are metal lamellae laid in a corrugated pattern, being a commonly known term within the technical field. Each lamella is equipped with Louver fins X16 which in principle are lamellae projecting from the surface of one of the lamellae of a Zipper fin and with an opening in the Zipper fin where the Louver fin directs the airflow down through the opening. Louver fin is also a well-known technical term within the technical area.

[0170] Referring again to FIGS. 8 and 9, the laterally outermost positioned Zipper fins X7, X11 are covered on their lateral side with a plate X17 which is removed at one side for showing the geometry of the Zipper fins X7, X11.

[0171] The condenser section X3 is constructed in the same way as the evaporator section, thus including MPE tubes X9 that are a continuation of the MPE tubes X5 provided in the evaporator section X2. The MPE tubes open op in the second header X13.

[0172] The difference between FIGS. 8 and 9 is the dimension of the Zipper fins. In FIG. 8, the width of the Zipper fins X7, X11 is substantially identical to the width of the MPE tubes X9, and the Zipper fins X7, X11 in the condenser section X3 and the evaporator section X2 are geometrically identical and disposed in the same way in relation to the MPE tubes X5, X9. In order that the thermosiphon X1 can operate, the hot air supplied to the evaporator section X2 can optionally be supplied to one side of the Zipper fins, and the cold air be supplied to the condenser section X3 opposite the side from where the hot air comes.

[0173] In FIG. 9, the Zipper fins X7, X11 in both sections have substantially half the width of the MPE tubes X5, X9, and they are disposed mutually offset such that Zipper fins X7 in the evaporator section X2 can be placed so that their outer end edge is flush with one end edge X18 of the MPE tubes. Zipper fins X11 in the condenser section X3 are then placed with their outer end edge flush with the other end edge X19 of the MPE tubes. In this case, the hot air—shown by arrow X20—is to be fed to evaporator section X2 to the surface where Zipper fins are flush with the end edge X18 of the MPE tubes, and the cold air—shown by arrow X21—is fed in the condenser section 3 to the opposite surface of the thermosiphon X1. The movement of the fluid inside the thermosiphon is shown by arrow X23. There is an area X14 without any Zipper fins between Zipper fins in the condenser section X3 and evaporator section X2. An IP plate X15 can be inserted here, as shown on FIG. 10. This is a partition plate separating the two sections.

[0174] The thermosiphon X1 therefore operates by hot air being supplied to the evaporator section X2. The liquid in the evaporator section X2 will hereby be heated and transformed into gas, rising from the lower part of the evaporator section 2 of the thermosiphon and up into the MPE tubes X5 in the part of the micro-channels lying against the heated outer surface. For this reason it is important that the hot air is supplied to the proper side in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9. The gas reaches the second header X13, is cooled in the MPE tubes X9 and transformed into liquid. The liquid will by the action of gravity drop down through the MPE tubes X5, X9 at the side opposite the part of the micro-channels at which the gas rose up. The liquid is collected in the first header X12, and a new cycle can be initiated.

[0175] As mentioned, FIG. 10 shows a thermosiphon XI as shown in FIG. 8 or 9 provided in a shelter X22. It may suitably be supplemented with ventilators that are provided at position X24 in the evaporator section X2 and at position X25 in the condenser section X3, and therefore at each their side of the thermosiphon.

[0176] FIG. 12 shows a third embodiment of a thermosiphon X1 according to the invention where the two sections, condenser section X3 and evaporator section X2, are disposed side by side. The first header X12 thus communicates with the MPE tubes X5, X9 in the condenser section X3 as well as in the evaporator section X2, and the second header X13 is communicating with the MPE tubes X5, X9 in the condenser section X3 as well as in the evaporator section X2. This is in contrast to the two previous examples where the first header X12 is in fluid communication with the MPE tubes X5 belonging to the evaporator section X2, and the second header X13 is communicating with the MPE tubes X9 belonging to the condenser section X3. The principle in the operation is the same for the thermosiphon X1 shown in FIG. X5 as for the previously described examples as heat is supplied to the evaporator section X2 and cold is supplied to the condenser section X3. The liquid rises up in the MPE tubes in the evaporator section from the first header X12 to the second header X13 and is transformed into gas under way to the second header X13, and from here the gas seeks towards the cold area in the second header X13. The gas condenses in the condenser section X3 and drops by the action of gravity down through the MPE tubes belonging to the condenser section X3 and down into the first header X12.

[0177] The remaining reference numbers indicated on the figure represent the same technical components as indicated above.

[0178] FIG. 13 shows in continuation of FIG. 12 an alternative embodiment with a filling opening X8 at the end of the first header X12 and a valve 50. The valve is shown as closed 52 and as open 54. The valve 50 is a bellow 60 type of valve with the bellow 60 mounted on a bellow washer 66 and operating against a separator 62. The bellow washer 66 may be an integrated part of the header and the separator may be an integrated part of the header.

[0179] FIG. 14A shows a thermosiphon block 1 configured for a refrigerant 12 to circulate between a first header 3I and a second header 3II interconnected with a fluid communicator arrangement 4 comprising multiple MPE-tubes 14 with fins 16 in-between where the thermosiphon block 1 is sealed and contains a refrigerant 12.

[0180] FIG. 14B shows a thermosiphon block 1 with a partition plate 8 installed between the first and second headers 3I,3II and essentially parallel. The shown embodiment is a vertical thermosiphon system 10A where the transfer of heat is essentially in the vertical direction.

[0181] FIG. 14C shows a thermosiphon block 1 with a partition plate 8 installed to divide the headers 3I,3II and essentially being parallel with the MPE-tubes in the communicator arrangement 4. The shown embodiment is a horizontal thermosiphon system 10B where the transfer of heat is essentially in the horizontal direction.

[0182] FIG. 15A shows a thermosiphon block 1 configured for a refrigerant 12 to circulate between a first header 3I and a second header 3II interconnected with a fluid communicator arrangement 4 comprising multiple MPE-tubes 14 with fins 16 in-between. The thermosiphon block 1 has a receiving volume 40 in the first header 3I and a communicator 5 between the receiving volume 40 and the second header 3II.

[0183] FIG. 15B shows cross section of a thermosiphon block I with only the MPE-tubes 14 shown. The receiving volume 40 is part of an extension of the first header 3I. The liquid communicator 5 is seen to enter the first header 3I in the receiving volume 40 so that refrigerant in the liquid phase can run through the communicator 5 or pipe directly into the second header 3II.

[0184] FIG. 16 illustrates a split thermosiphon system 10 comprising thermosiphon block 1 as an evaporator 30 and a condenser 20. The condenser 20 may be thermosiphon block 20 which in this embodiment is shown without the liquid communicator 5.

[0185] FIG. 16 also illustrates the thermosiphon system 10 installed in a housing with a first thermosiphon block 1I as an evaporator 30 and a second thermosiphon block 1II as a condenser 20. This system only requires a relatively small hole in the wall.

[0186] FIG. 17 illustrates an alternative configuration of a split thermosiphon system 10 with additional piping 9. The piping 9 may be bent as shown to allow for the first and second thermosiphon 1I, 1II facing the wall taking up less space away from the wall. In his embodiment the evaporator 30 is a first thermosiphon block 1I with the first header 3I via the piping 9 connected to the second header 3II of a second thermosiphon 1II forming the condenser 20.

[0187] FIG. 18 illustrates a split thermosiphon system 10 in continuation of FIG. 3 and with a valve. The valve 50 may be installed in the receiving volume 40 of the first thermosiphon block as the evaporator. The valve 50 may be a bellow type of valve 50 configured to operate as a function of the temperature/pressure in the receiving volume 40.

[0188] FIG. 19 illustrates a split thermosiphon system 10 in continuation of FIGS. 3 and 4 with a valve 50 in a piping 9 between a first thermosiphon block 1I as an evaporator 30 and a second thermosiphon block 1II as a condenser 20. Here the valve 50 is configured to operate as a function of the pressure/temperature in the pipe 9. The pipe 9 with the valve 50 may be a common volume with the receiving volume 40.

[0189] Certain specific aspects of the invention may be expressed in terms of the following ITEMS.

[0190] Item 1: A thermosiphon X1 including an evaporator section X2 and a condenser section X3, the sections X2, X3 containing a fluid X4 occurring in gas form as well as in liquid form, the evaporator section X2 including MPE tubes X5 for conducting the fluid X4 in its gas form in the micro-channels of the MPE tube X5, and also including Zipper fins X7 projecting from at least one surface of the MPE tubes X5, the condenser section X3 including MPE tubes X9 for conducting the fluid X4 in its liquid form in the micro-channels of the MPE tube X9 and also including Zipper fins X11 projecting from at least one surface of the MPE tubes X9 of the condenser section X3, characterised in that the thermosiphon XI includes a first header X12 and a second header X13, and that the MPE tubes X5 of the evaporator section X2 are connected to the first header X12 such that the first header X12 and the micro-channels are in liquid communication with each other, and that the MPE tubes X9 of the condenser section X3 are connected to the second header X13 such that the second header X13 and the micro-channels in the MPE tubes X9 belonging to the condenser section X3 are in gaseous communication with each other, the first header X12 and the second header X13 communicating fluidly directly with each other by the micro-channels from the MPE tubes X5 of the evaporator section X2 as well as the MPE tubes X9 of the condenser section X3.

[0191] Item 2: A thermosiphon X1 according to item 1, characterised in that between the Zipper fins X11 located in the condenser section X3 and the Zipper fins X7 located in the evaporator section 2X there is provided an area X14 without any Zipper fins X7, 11X and only comprising MPE tubes X5, X9.

[0192] Item 3: A thermosiphon X1 according to item 1 or item 2, characterised in that the MPE tubes X5 of the evaporator section X2 are in direct fluid communication with the MPE tubes X9 of the condenser section X3, by which the condenser section 3 of the thermosiphon is disposed above the evaporator section X2.

[0193] Item 4: A thermosiphon X1 according to any preceding items, characterised in that the Zipper fins X7 of the evaporator section X2 and the Zipper fins X11 of the condenser section X3 have substantially the same width as the width of the MPE tubes X5, X9.

[0194] Item 5: A thermosiphon X1 according to item 1, item 2 or item 3, characterised in that the Zipper fins X7 of the evaporator section X2 and the Zipper fins X11 of the condenser section X3 have a width that is substantially half of the width of the MPE tubes X5, X9, and that the Zipper fins X11 of the condenser section X3 are offset in relation to the Zipper fins X7 of the evaporator section X2 in direction perpendicularly to the micro-channels of the MPE tubes X5, X9.

[0195] Item 6: A thermosiphon X1 according to any preceding item, characterised in that the circumscribed circumference of the thermosiphon X1 is a box-shaped body with a width substantially corresponding to the length of the first X12 or the second X13 header, and a height substantially corresponding to a distance measured between the outer sides of the first header X12 and the second header X13, and a thickness substantially corresponding to the diameter of the first header X12 or the second header X13.

[0196] Item 7: A thermosiphon X1 according to any preceding item, characterised by comprising several MPE tubes X5, X9 in the condenser section X3 as well as in the evaporator section X2, and that the thermosiphon X1 is terminated in width at each side by a plate piece X17 ending against the most laterally positioned Zipper fins X7, X11.

[0197] Item 8: A thermosiphon X1 according to any preceding item, characterised in that it comprises an IP-plate X15, which IP-plate X15 is located in the area between Zipper fins X7, X11 of the condenser section X3 and Zipper fins of the evaporator section X2.

[0198] Item 9: A method for temperature regulation of an ambient medium by a thermosiphon XI according to any preceding items, wherein hot air is supplied to the evaporator section X2 and cold air is supplied to the condenser section X3, characterised in that the liquid from the first header X12 is heated in the evaporator section X2, rises in the MPE tube X5 belonging to the evaporator section X2, and reaches the second header X13 in gas form, and that the gas is condensed into liquid in the condenser section X3 of the thermosiphon, preferably from the side from where air is entering, and thus drops from an area exiting the second header X13 down into the first header X12 via the MPE tubes X9 belonging to the condenser section X3.

[0199] Item 10: Use of a thermosiphon X1 according to any of item 1 to 8 and the method according to item 9 for recycling heat in housing and for cooling, preferably cooling of electronic components.

[0200] Item 11: Thermosiphon or system 10 configured for a refrigerant 12 to interact with a condenser 20 and an evaporator 30 that are interconnected with means for guiding a flow of gaseous refrigerant from the evaporator 22 to the condenser 20, and at lower gravitational level, means for guiding a flow of liquid refrigerant to the evaporator 32, such as a liquid header 34, when the thermosiphon 10 operates as intended, which thermosiphon 10 comprises a valve 50 configured to control the flow of the refrigerant from the condenser 20 to the evaporator 30 and to close 52 at a closing set-point 53 and to open 54 at an opening set point 55 as a function of the pressure in the thermosiphon 10 wherein the valve 55 comprises a bellow 60 configured to act to open 54 and close 52 a separator 62 separating the condenser 20 and the evaporator 30 and which bellow 60 is located in a receiving volume 40 of the means for guiding a flow of liquid refrigerant 32, such as the liquid header 34, configured to receive the refrigerant 12 from the condenser 20.

[0201] Item 12: Thermosiphon 10 according to item 11, wherein the means for guiding a flow of liquid refrigerant 12 is formed as a liquid header 34 with Micro Channel Heat Ex-changers entering the liquid header 34 as multi-port extrusions (MPEs).

[0202] Item 13: Thermosiphon 10 according to item 11 or 12 wherein the receiving volume 40 is formed as a bellow housing 65, a header part 66 is formed as a bellow washer and the bellow 60 is affixed to the header part 66 and is expandable towards the separator 62 as a function of the pressure in the thermosiphon 10.

[0203] Item 14: Thermosiphon 10 according to item 11 or 12 wherein the valve 50 is integrated in the header 34 of the evaporator 30.

[0204] Item 15: Thermosiphon 10 according to any of item 11 to 15 wherein the valve parts including at least the bellow 60, the separator 62, and the header part 66 each are affixable to each other, and made as brazable, solderable, weldable, and/or glueable materials.

[0205] Item 16: Thermosiphon 10 according to any of item 11 to 16 wherein the bellow 60 comprises a non-condensable gas.

[0206] Item 17: Thermosiphon 10 according to any of item 11 to 16, wherein the condenser 20 and the evaporator 30 are interconnected with a gas pipe 70 configured to guide a flow of gaseous refrigerant from the evaporator 30 to the condenser 20 and a liquid pipe 72 configured to guide liquid refrigerant from the condenser 20 to the evaporator 30 and into the receiving volume 40.

[0207] Item 18: Thermosiphon 10 according to item 17 and configured so that, during intended operating, the condenser 20 is placed at a gravitational level that is higher than that of the evaporator 30 so that the refrigerant by gravity will be directed from the condenser 20 towards the evaporator 30 in the liquid pipe 72 and onto the bellow 60.

[0208] Item 19: Thermosiphon 10 according to any of item 11 to 16, wherein the evaporator and condenser have a common means for guiding a flow of liquid refrigerant 32 for guiding a flow of liquid refrigerant from the condenser 20 to the evaporator 30 or/and a common means for guiding a flow of gaseous refrigerant 22 for guiding a flow of gaseous refrigerant from the evaporator 30 to the condenser 20.

[0209] Item 20: Thermosiphon 10 according to item 19, wherein the valve 50 is located in a receiving volume 40 of the common means for guiding a flow of liquid refrigerant 32 and wherein the separator 62 separates the common means for guiding a flow of liquid refrigerant 32 in a evaporator section 80 and a condenser section 82.

[0210] Item 21: Method 100 of producing a thermosiphon 10 configured for a refrigerant 12 to interact with a condenser 20 and an evaporator 30 that are interconnected with means for guiding a flow of gaseous refrigerant from the evaporator 22 to the condenser 20, and at lower gravitational level means for guiding a flow of liquid refrigerant to the evaporator 32 when the thermosiphon 10 operates as intended, which thermosiphon 10 comprises a valve 50 configured to control the flow of the refrigerant from the condenser 20 to the evaporator 30 and to close 52 at a closing set-point 53 and to open 54 at an opening set point 55 as a function of the pressure in the thermosiphon 10; which method 100 comprises actions of: [0211] providing 110 valve parts 51 comprising a bellow 60, which valve parts 51 are configured to be affixed to the means for guiding a liquid refrigerant to the evaporator 32, such as liquid header 34; [0212] providing 120 condenser parts 21 configured to be assembled to be interconnected with an evaporator 30; [0213] providing 130 evaporator parts 31 configured to be assembled to be interconnected with the condenser 20 and to have the valve parts 51 affixed in a in a receiving volume 40 of the assembled evaporator 20; [0214] affixing 140 the valve parts 50 to at least some evaporator parts 31 to form an evaporator with an integrated valve 50 inside the evaporator 50 when assembled, and [0215] assembling 150 the thermosiphon of the evaporator parts 31 and condenser parts 21 interconnected with means for guiding gaseous refrigerant to the condenser 22 , such as a vapour header 24, and means for guiding a liquid refrigerant to the evaporator 32, such as a liquid header 34;

[0216] to form a thermosiphon 10 with the bellow 60 enabled to act to open 54 and close 52 the valve 50 and which bellow 60 is located in a receiving volume 40 of a liquid header 34 configured to receive the refrigerant 12 when operating the thermosiphon 10 as intended.

[0217] Item 22: Method according to item 21 wherein the action of affixing 140 the valve parts 51 is performed by brazing the valve parts 51 to the evaporator parts 31 to form an evaporator 30 with an integrated valve 50.

[0218] Item 23: Method 100 according to item 21 or 22 wherein the action of affixing 140 comprises an act of baking or heating 150 the evaporator parts 31 with the valve part parts affixed.

[0219] Item 24: Method according to any of item 21 to 23, wherein the actions of providing condenser parts 120 and providing evaporator parts 130 involves providing parts 21, 31 to form a evaporator and condenser that have a common means for guiding a flow of gaseous refrigerant 22 for guiding a flow of gaseous refrigerant from the evaporator 30 to the condenser 20 and a common means for guiding a flow of liquid refrigerant 32 for guiding a flow of liquid refrigerant from the condenser 20 to the evaporator 30.

[0220] Item 25: Method according to item 24 wherein the act of affixing 140 involves actions of affixing the valve parts 51 in the receiving volume 40 of the common means for guiding a flow of liquid refrigerant 32 that separates the common means for guiding a flow of liquid refrigerant 32 in a evaporator section 80 and a condenser section 82.