[0001] The present invention relates to a plate heat exchanger as well as to a refrigerating
machine including such an exchanger.
[0002] Figure 1 shows a brazed plate heat exchanger 100, provided with a set of superposed
plates 2A, 2B and 2C. Each plate 2A, 2B and 2C has its opposite surfaces corrugated
according to a precise scheme, for example, a chevron profile. The edges of the plates
are provided with gaskets to prevent fluid leaks. The plates 2A, 2B and 2C are arranged
against one another, between two end plates 11 and 12, so that the corrugated surfaces
of two adjacent plates together define channels 20 for the circulation of heat-exchanging
fluids.
[0003] Each plate 2A, 2B and 2C and each end plate 11 and 12 comprises four openings each
produced in one of their corners, namely a first opening 21 which is used as inlet
E1 for a first heat-exchanging fluid, a second opening 22 which is used as outlet
S1 for the first heat-exchanging fluid, a third opening 23 which is used as inlet
E2 for a second heat-exchanging fluid, and a fourth opening 24 which is used as outlet
S2 for the second heat-exchanging fluid. The channels 20 defined against each corrugated
surface receive the first or the second heat-exchanging fluid. In the example of Figure
1, the first heat-exchanging fluid circulates in a first circuit between the second
and third plates 2B and 2C. The second heat-exchanging fluid circulates in a second
circuit which extends between the plates 2A and 2B. Thus, the first and second heat-exchanging
fluids circulate alternately between two adjacent plates 2A, 2B and 2C so as to ensure
a transfer of thermal energy between the fluids.
[0004] Figure 2 shows a reversible refrigerating machine which includes a compressor 400,
a pressure reducing valve 200 and two exchangers 100 and 300 similar to the exchanger
of Figure 1. These four elements are mounted on a common circuit C of refrigerant
fluid. The exchangers 100 and 300 work alternately as condenser or evaporator depending
on whether the refrigerating machine operates in heating mode or in air conditioning
mode, the change in mode occurring by changing the direction of circulation of the
refrigerant fluid in the common circuit C.
[0005] The first exchanger 100 implements a heat transfer between the common circuit C and
a first exchange circuit C10. The second exchanger 300 implements a heat transfer
between the common circuit C and a second exchange circuit C20.
[0006] For each operating mode, for example, one of the exchangers 100 and 300 runs counter-currently
with respect to the exchange circuit C10 or C20 which interacts with this exchanger,
while the other exchanger runs co-currently with respect to the other exchange circuit
C10 or C20.
[0007] The performances of a plate heat exchanger are better counter-currently than co-currently,
so that for each operating mode, one of the exchangers 100 and 300 does not have an
optimized yield.
[0008] DE 10 2006 002 018 discloses a reversible refrigerating machine which makes it possible to change the
operating mode without reversing the direction of circulation of the refrigerant fluid,
using a three-way valve installed on the refrigerating circuit. This solution is complex
to implement, since it requires the installation of a device for distributing the
refrigerant fluid.
[0009] JP H10 288480 A shows a plate type heat-exchanger suitable for heat-exchange between two fluids of
different type. A plurality of heat transfer plates are laminated at a constant interval.
First through fourth openings are corresponding to the lead-in piping and lead-out
piping of coolant and water are made at four corners of the heat transfer plates.
A seal member is applied around a specified opening. Coolant channels, first water
channels and second water channels are formed repeatedly between respective heat transfer
plates.
[0010] JP 2008 000636 A shows a plate type apparatus for producing fresh water provided with a heater for
heating raw seawater by using warm water to produce steam, a condenser for cooling
the produced steam by using cooling water to produce distilled water, and a preheating
means for heating a part of the cooling water discharged from the condenser and introducing
the heated cooling water into the heater as raw seawater.
[0011] These are the disadvantages that the invention aims to remedy more particularly by
proposing a novel plate exchanger which is easy to use in a reversible refrigerating
machine and which has a satisfactory yield.
[0012] To this effect, the invention relates to a plate heat exchanger according to claim
1.
[0013] According to advantageous but non-obligatory aspects of the invention, such an exchanger
can incorporate one or more of the following features, considered in any technically
acceptable combination:
the first circuit comprises several intermediate branches each delimited between two
adjacent plates and connecting to one another in parallel a forward branch and a return
branch of the first circuit;
the second circuit comprises two adjacent zones, in which intermediate branches of
the second circuit belong, for one of these zones, to one of the two passes of the
second circuit, and for the other zone, to the other of the two passes of the second
circuit;
the exchanger includes a tube which is provided with a slot distributing the second
heat- exchanging fluid in several channels of the second circuit.
[0014] Another aspect of the invention relates to a reversible refrigerating machine including
a common circuit of refrigerating fluid, on which are arranged a compressor, a pressure
reducing valve and two exchangers which are each as defined above.
[0015] According to advantageous but non-obligatory aspects of the invention, such a refrigerating
machine can incorporate one or more of the following features, considered in any technically
acceptable combination:
the refrigerating machine comprises a four-way valve capable of changing the direction
of circulation of the refrigerant fluid in the common circuit;
the common circuit is formed by the second circuit of the exchangers;
the second circuit comprises an inlet and an outlet arranged at the top of the exchangers;
the second circuit comprises an inlet and an outlet arranged at the bottom of the
exchangers.
[0016] The invention will be understood better, and other advantages of said invention will
become clearer in light of the following description of a plate exchanger according
to the invention, which is given only as an example and in reference to the drawings
in which:
Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a plate exchanger of the prior art;
Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of a reversible refrigerating machine of the prior
art;
Figure 3 is an exploded diagrammatic view of an exchanger according to a first embodiment
of the invention;
Figures 4 and 5 are diagrams of the exchanger of Figure 3 with a first and a second
direction of circulation, respectively, of the heat-exchanging fluids;
Figures 6 and 7 are diagrams of refrigerating machines including the exchanger of
Figure 3;
Figure 8 is a diagram of the exchanger of Figure 3 according to another orientation;
Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of an exchanger according to a second embodiment
of the invention;
Figures 10 and 11 are diagrams of the exchanger of Figure 9 with a first and a second
direction of circulation, respectively, of the heat-exchanging fluids;
Figures 12 and 13 are diagrams of a tube for distributing fluid;
Figures 14 to 17 are diagrams of an exchanger according to a third embodiment of the
invention, with different directions of circulation of the heat-exchanging fluids;
Figures 18 to 21 are diagrams of an exchanger according to a fourth embodiment of
the invention, with different directions of circulation of the heat-exchanging fluids;
and
Figures 22 and 23 are diagrams of the tube of Figures 12 and 13, positioned for an
exchanger in one of the configurations of Figures 14, 15, 18 and 19 and for one of
the configurations of Figures 16, 17, 20 and 21, respectively.
[0017] Figures 3 to 8 and 18 to 21 do not fall under the scope claim 1.
[0018] Figure 3 shows a plate exchanger 1100. It includes a first end plate 11 which defines
a first external surface A of the exchanger 1100, and a second end plate 12 which
defines a second external surface B of the exchanger 1100 opposite the first surface
A.
[0019] Twelve plates 2A to 2L are superposed, that is to say arranged successively, one
against the other, between the end plates 11 and 12. The plate 2K is arranged against
the first end plate 11, and the plate 2L is arranged against the second end plate
12.
[0020] The end plates 11 and 12 and the plates 2A to 2L have an overall rectangular shape.
The exchanger 1100 has an overall parallelepiped shape with rectangular base. M is
used to designate an upper edge of the exchanger 1100 located at the top of Figure
3, and N is used to designate a lower edge of the exchanger 1100 parallel to the upper
edge M and located at the bottom of Figure 3. The edges M and N are of small length
and connect together long edges O and P of the end plates 11 and 12 and of the plates
2A to 2L, which are perpendicular to the short edges M and N. The long edge O is located
in the foreground of Figure 3 and the long edge P in the background.
[0021] Each plate 2A to 2L comprises two opposite rectangular surfaces which are corrugated
according to a precise scheme which does not limit the invention, for example, a chevron
profile. These corrugations are not represented in Figure 3; they can be similar to
those of the exchanger of Figure 1. The edges M, N, O and P of the plates 2A to 2L
are provided with brazed gaskets, not shown, in order to prevent fluid leaks. The
corrugated surfaces facing one another of two adjacent plates 2A to 2L together define
channels for the turbulent circulation of heat-exchanging fluids, these channels not
being shown in Figure 3 but possibly similar to the channels 20 of Figure 1.
[0022] In the direction of its thickness, the exchanger 1100 comprises a first zone Z1,
between the first end plate 11 and the plate 2E, and a second zone Z2, between the
plate 2F and the second end plate 12. The zones Z1 and Z2 are adjoining. The first
zone Z1 is located on the side of the first surface A of the exchanger 1100, and the
second zone Z2 is located on the side of the second surface B. The zones Z1 and Z2
divide the exchanger 1100 in two in its thickness, that is to say in a direction perpendicular
to the end plates 11 and 12 and to the plates 2A to 2L.
[0023] The exchanger 1100 delimits two heat-exchanging fluid circuits C1 and C2. For use
in a refrigerating machine, the first circuit C1 is provided for water and the second
circuit C2 for a refrigerant fluid. The first circuit C1 corresponds to one of the
exchange circuits C10 or C20 of the refrigerating machine of Figure 2, and the second
circuit C2 corresponds to the common circuit C.
[0024] The circuits C1 and C2 are defined so that the water circuit C1 comprises a single
pass, that is to say the fluid circulates between the edges N and M in a single direction,
namely from bottom to top in the example of Figure 3. The refrigerant fluid circuit
C2 comprises two passes, namely an inlet pass in the zone Z2, where the refrigerant
fluid circulates in a first direction, namely from bottom to top between the edges
N and M, and an outlet pass in the zone Z1, where the refrigerant fluid circulates
in a second direction opposite from the first direction, that is to say from top to
bottom between the edges M and N.
[0025] This configuration results from the particular arrangement of the corrugations of
the plates 2A to 2L and of the holes 21 to 24 produced in the corners of the end plates
11 and 12 and of the plates 2A to 2L as described below. The end plates 11 and 12
and the plates 2A to 2L are each provided with a number of holes between one and four,
so as to guide the circulation of the fluids in the circuits C1 and C2.
[0026] The hole 21 is located in a first lower corner, at the junction between the edges
N and P. The hole 22 is located in a second lower corner, at the junction between
the edges N and O. The hole 23 is located in a first upper corner, at the junction
between the edges M and P. The hole 24 is located in a second upper corner, at the
junction between the edges M and O.
[0027] For a first direction of circulation of the fluids in the circuits C1 and C2, as
defined in Figure 3, an inlet E1 of the first circuit C1 is formed by a first hole
21 of the second end plate 12, in the zone Z2. The first circuit C1 comprises a first
lower branch or forward branch C11 in which the fluid circulates up to the plate 2K,
through holes 21 which are perforated in each plate 2A to 2J and 2L. The first end
plate 11 and the plate 2K have no hole 21. A second upper branch or return branch
C12 of the first circuit C1 is defined between the plate 2K and a hole 23 of the second
end plate 12, which defines an outlet S1 of the first circuit C1 in the second zone
Z2. The first end plate 11 and the plate 2K have no hole 23. Between the plates 2K
and 2L, the fluid circulates through holes 23 perforated in each plate 2A to 2J and
2L.
[0028] Between the branches C11 and C12, the first circuit C1 comprises several intermediate
branches C13 to C18 connected in parallel between the branches C11 and C12. The intermediate
branches C13 to C18 are represented in a rectilinear manner in the diagram of Figure
3, but in practice they meander in the pattern defined by the corrugations of the
plates 2A to 2L.
[0029] The branches C13 to C15 are part of the second zone Z2, and the branches C16 to C18
are part of the first zone Z1.
[0030] Thus, in the zones Z1 and Z2, the first circuit C1 has a single pass from the edge
N and towards the edge M. In other words, between the edges N and M and for the two
zones Z1 and Z2, the fluid circulates in the first circuit C1 in a single direction,
namely from bottom to top.
[0031] The remainder of the description concerns the second circuit C2. An inlet E2 of the
second circuit C2 is formed by a hole 22 of the second end plate 12, in the second
zone Z2. The second circuit C2 comprises a first lower branch C21, which extends exclusively
in the second zone Z2 and which connects the second inlet E2 to a first and a second
intermediate branch C22 and C23 connected in parallel between the lower branch C21
and an upper branch C24. In the intermediate branches C22 and C23, the fluid circulates
from bottom to top, from the edge N to the edge M. The plates 2F and 2G have no hole
22.
[0032] The upper branch C24 extends through holes 24 perforated in the plates 2B to 21 in
zones Z1 and Z2, and it is connected to two other intermediate branches C25 and C26
in which the fluid circulates from top to bottom, from the edge M to the edge N. The
intermediate branches C25 and C26 connect in parallel the upper branch C24 to a second
lower branch C27, which extends exclusively in the first zone Z1, through holes 22
perforated in the plates 2A to 2C, 2K and in the first end plate 11, up to an outlet
S2 of the second circuit C2 formed by the hole 22 of the end plate 11, in the first
zone Z1.
[0033] Thus, in the zone Z2, the second circuit C2 has an inlet pass where the fluid circulates
in a first direction, namely from the lower edge N and towards the upper edge M. In
the zone Z1, the second circuit C2 has an outlet pass where the fluid circulates in
a second direction opposite from the first direction, namely from the upper edge M
and towards the lower edge N.
[0034] Figures 4 and 5 more diagrammatically again show the arrangement of the circuits
C1 and C2 of the exchanger 1100. Figure 4 corresponds to the first direction of circulation
of Figure 3 for the circuit C2, and Figure 5 to a second opposite direction of circulation.
[0035] The first direction of circulation of Figures 3 and 4 corresponds to a first operating
mode, in which the exchanger 1100 operates by evaporation. In the second zone Z2,
the refrigerant fluid of the circuit C2 performs a first pass that is co-current with
respect to the water of the circuit C1, it circulates from bottom to top between the
edges N and M and, in the first zone Z1, the refrigerant fluid of the circuit C2 performs
a second pass that is counter-current with respect to the water of the circuit C1,
it circulates from top to bottom between the edges M and N.
[0036] In Figure 5, the direction of circulation of the refrigerant fluid in the second
circuit C2 is reversed. The direction of circulation of the water in the circuit C1
remains unchanged. The inlet E2 of the circuit C2 becomes the outlet S2 and vice versa.
The exchanger 1100 then operates in a second mode, by condensation.
[0037] In this second mode, for the first zone Z1, the refrigerant fluid in the second circuit
C2 performs a first pass that is co-current with respect to the water of the first
circuit C1, it circulates from bottom to top from the lower edge N towards the upper
edge M, and, in the second zone Z2, the refrigerant fluid in the second circuit C2
performs a second pass that is counter-current with respect to the water of the first
circuit C1, it circulates from top to bottom from the upper edge M towards the lower
edge N.
[0038] Thus, for each operating mode, the exchanger 1100 makes it possible for the refrigerant
fluid of the circuit C2 to perform a first pass that is co-current and a second pass
that is counter-current with respect to the water of the circuit C1. In this manner,
the thermal yield of the exchanger 1100 is improved, since, in each operating mode,
the fluids of the circuits C1 and C2 circulate counter-currently for the zone corresponding
to the outlet pass of the circuit C2.
[0039] Figures 6 and 7 show a reversible refrigerating machine which includes a compressor
400, a pressure reducing valve 200, and two exchangers 1100 and 1200 each similar
to the exchanger of Figures 3 to 5. These four elements 400, 200, 1100 and 1200 are
mounted on a common circuit C of refrigerant fluid.
[0040] The first exchanger 1100 implements a heat transfer between the common circuit C
and a first exchange circuit C10. The second exchanger 1200 implements a heat transfer
between the common circuit C and a second exchange circuit C20.
[0041] The exchangers 1100 and 1200 operate alternately as condenser or evaporator depending
on whether the refrigerating machine operates in heating mode or in air conditioning
mode. The change in mode occurs by changing the direction of circulation of the refrigerant
fluid in the common circuit C using a four-way valve V1.
[0042] In Figure 6, for the first operating mode, the exchanger 1100 operates by condensation,
and the second exchanger it operates by evaporation. The valve V1 is in a first position.
The refrigerant fluid of the common circuit C circulates in a first direction. The
first exchange circuit C10 is a hot water circuit, and the second exchange circuit
C20 is a cold water circuit.
[0043] In Figure 7, for the second operating mode, the exchanger 1100 operates by evaporation,
and the second exchanger operates by condensation. The valve V1 is in a second position.
The refrigerant fluid of the common circuit C circulates in a second direction opposite
from the first direction of Figure 6. The first exchange circuit C10 is a cold water
circuit, and the second exchange circuit C20 is a hot water circuit.
[0044] For each operating mode, each of the exchangers 1100 and 1200 operates, for one of
the zones Z1 and Z2, counter-currently, while for the other zone Z2 or Z1, the exchangers
1100 and 1200 operate co-currently.
[0045] More precisely, in the first operating mode represented in Figure 6, and for each
exchanger 1100 and 1200, the first pass or inlet pass of the common circuit C in the
zone Z2 is performed co-currently with respect to the corresponding exchange circuit
C10 or C20, and the second pass or outlet pass of the common circuit C in the zone
Z1 is carried out counter-currently with respect to the corresponding exchange circuit
C10 or C20. This configuration corresponds to that of Figure 4.
[0046] In the second operating mode represented in Figure 7 and for each exchanger 1100
and 1200, the first pass or inlet pass of the common circuit C in the zone Z1 is performed
co-currently with respect to the corresponding exchange circuit C10 or C20, and the
second pass or outlet pass of the common circuit C in the zone Z2 is carried out counter-currently
with respect to the corresponding exchange circuit C10 or C20. This configuration
corresponds to that of Figure 5.
[0047] In Figures 3 to 7, the exchanger 1100 is arranged according to a first orientation,
in which the inlets E1 and E2 of the circuits C1 and C2 are arranged at the bottom
of the exchanger 1100, along the lower edge N. The fluid of the circuit C1, in the
two zones Z1 and Z2, and the fluid of the circuit C2, in the zone Z2 for the configuration
of Figure 4, and in the zone Z1 for the configuration of Figure 5, circulate upwards,
against the force exerted by gravity.
[0048] Figure 8 shows the exchanger 1100 according to a second orientation, in which the
edge M is oriented towards the bottom, while the edge N is oriented towards the top.
The inlets E1 and E2 of the circuits C1 and C2 are arranged at the top of the exchanger
1100, along the upper edge M. The fluid of the circuit C1, in the two zones Z1 and
Z2, and the fluid of the circuit C2, in the zone Z1, circulate downward in the direction
of the force exerted by gravity.
[0049] For the two orientations of the exchanger 1100, the flow of the water in the circuit
C1 is counter-current with respect to the flow of the refrigerant fluid in the outlet
pass of the circuit C2, that is to say the flow of the water is directed upward when
the inlet E2 and the outlet S2 are at the bottom, as shown in Figures 4 to 7, and
is directed downward when the inlet E2 and the outlet S2 are at the top, as shown
in Figure 8.
[0050] Figure 9 shows an exchanger 2100 according to a second embodiment of the invention,
of the dual-circuit exchanger type. The elements of the exchanger 2100 similar to
those of the exchanger 1100 bear the same reference numbers. Below, the elements of
the exchanger 2100 that are similar to those of the exchanger 1100 are not described
in detail.
[0051] As described below and in contrast to the exchanger 1100, the exchanger 2100 comprises
two independent refrigerant fluid circuits C2 and C'2, which can implement two passes
when they are connected to one another appropriately by means of a duct C3 represented
with dotted lines in Figure 9. The duct C3 is represented diagrammatically in Figures
10 and 11 which are described in greater detail below.
[0052] The exchanger 2100 comprises two end plates 11 and 12 and eight corrugated plates
2A to 2H arranged between the end plates 11 and 12. The exchanger 2100 also has an
intermediate end plate 13 inserted between the plates 2D and 2E. The intermediate
end plate 13 materially delimits the separation between the zones Z1 and Z2.
[0053] The exchanger 2100 has a generally rectangular shape and comprises an upper edge
M, a lower edge N, and two lateral edges O and P. The end plates 11, 12 and 13 and
the plates 2A to 2H are provided with holes 21, 22, 23 and/or 24.
[0054] The first circuit C1 provided, for example, for water in the case in which a refrigerating
machine is used, comprises an inlet E1 implemented by a hole 24 produced in the end
plate 11. The first circuit C1 comprises a first branch or forward branch C11 which
starts from the inlet E1 and passes through holes 24 produced in the plates 2A to
2G as well as in the intermediate end plate 13. A second lower branch or return branch
C12 of the first circuit starts at the outlet S1 and passes through holes 22 produced
in the plates 2A to 2G as well as in the intermediate end plate 13. Between the end
plate 11 and the plate 2H, the fluid circulates through holes 22 perforated in each
plate 2A to 2G.
[0055] Between the branches C11 and C12, the first circuit C1 comprises several intermediate
branches C13 to C16 connected in parallel between the branches C11 and C12. The intermediate
branches C13 to C16 are represented in a rectilinear manner in the diagram of Figure
9, but in practice they meander in the pattern defined by the corrugations of the
plates 2A to 2H.
[0056] The branches C13 and C14 are part of the first zone Z1, and the branches C15 and
C16 are part of the second zone Z2.
[0057] Thus, in the zones Z1 and Z2, the first circuit C1 has a single pass, from the upper
edge M and towards the lower edge N. In other words, between the edges M and N and
for the two zones Z1 and Z2, the fluid circulates in the first circuit C1 in a single
direction, namely from top to bottom.
[0058] The remainder of the description concerns the circuits C2 and C'2 of refrigerant
fluid.
[0059] The circuit C2 comprises an inlet E20 formed by a hole 23 produced in the end plate
12. A first upper branch C21 or forward branch of the circuit C2 extends from the
inlet E20 and the plate 2F, in the second zone Z2, through holes 23 produced in the
plates 2G and 2H.
[0060] The circuit C2 has an outlet S20 formed by a hole 21 produced in the end plate 12.
A second lower branch C22 or return branch of the circuit C2 extends between the outlet
S20 and the plate 2F, in the second zone Z2, through holes 21 produced in the plates
2G and 2H.
[0061] The branches C21 and C22 are connected to one another by an intermediate branch C23
which is delimited between the plates 2F and 2G.
[0062] The circuit C'2 comprises an inlet E'20 formed by a hole 21 produced in the end plate
11. A first lower branch C'21 or forward branch of the circuit C'2 extends between
the inlet E'20 and the plate 2C, in the first zone Z1, through holes 21 produced in
the plates 2A and 2B.
[0063] The circuit C'2 comprises an outlet S'20 formed by a hole 23 produced in the end
plate 11. A second upper branch C'22 or return branch of the circuit C'2 extends between
the outlet S'20 and the plate 2C, in the first zone Z1, through holes 23 produced
in the plates 2A and 2B.
[0064] The branches C'21 and C'22 are connected to one another by an intermediate branch
C'23 which is delimited between the plates 2B and 2C.
[0065] In Figure 10, the refrigerant fluid in the circuits C2 and C'2 circulates in a first
direction, and the connection between the circuits C2 and C'2 is implemented by means
of a connection conduit C3 which connects the outlet S20 of the circuit C2 to the
inlet E'20 of the circuit C'2. Thus, the outlet S'20 of the exchanger 2100 as represented
in Figure 9 becomes the outlet S2 of the common circuit of heat-exchanging fluid formed
by the combination of the circuits C2 and C'2. The inlet E20 becomes the inlet E2
of the common circuit C2 and C'2.
[0066] In the zones Z1 and Z2, the first circuit C1 has a single pass, from the edge M and
towards the edge N. In other words, between the edges M and N and for the two zones
Z1 and Z2, the fluid circulates in the first circuit C1 in a single direction, namely
from top to bottom.
[0067] In the direction of circulation of the fluid of Figure 10, the second circuit C2
and C'2 comprises a first pass or forward pass in the zone Z2, where the fluid circulates
co-currently in the circuit C2, and a second pass or return pass in the zone Z1, where
the fluid circulates counter-currently in the circuit C'2.
[0068] In Figure 11, the direction of circulation of the fluid in the circuits C2 and C'2
is reversed. The inlet E2 is in the zone Z1 at the beginning of the circuit C'2, and
the outlet S2 is in the zone Z2, at the outlet of the circuit C2.
[0069] In the direction of circulation of the fluid of Figure 11, the second circuit C2
and C'2 comprises a first pass or forward pass in the zone Z1, where the fluid circulates
co-currently in the circuit C'2, and a second pass or return pass in the zone Z2,
where the fluid circulates counter-currently in the circuit C2.
[0070] Thus, regardless of the direction of circulation of the fluid in the circuit C2 and
C'2, the exchanger 2100 comprises a pass that is co-current and a pass that is counter-current,
which makes it possible to optimize the thermal exchanges.
[0071] Two exchangers similar to the exchanger 2100 and provided with the duct C3 can be
used in a reversible refrigerating machine, in a manner similar to the exchanger 1100
as implemented in Figures 6 and 7. For the two directions of circulation of the fluid
in the common circuit C, each exchanger comprises two passes, namely the outlet pass
which is counter-current and the inlet pass which is co-current, which promotes thermal
exchanges regardless of the direction of circulation.
[0072] The machine can be a water-water refrigerating machine in which the fluids that are
cooled and heated by the exchangers 2100 are water.
[0073] It is also possible to use an air-water refrigerating machine including a first air-fluid
exchanger also referred to as "battery," and a second exchanger with two passes, such
as the exchanger 2100.
[0074] Figures 12 and 13 represent a tube 500 incorporated in exchangers 3100 and 4100 represented
in Figures 14 to 21.
[0075] The tube 500 is provided with a longitudinal slot 501 of width L. The slot 501 ensures
the distribution of the fluid in the circuits C'2 of the zone Z2 of the exchangers
3100 and 4100 when they operate by evaporation. The slot 501 extends over most of
the tube 500, the slot being interrupted at the ends so that the rigidity of the tube
is ensured. In service, the slot 501 is oriented vertically towards the bottom of
the tube.
[0076] The exchanger 3100 is overall similar to the exchanger 2100. It is provided with
a connection conduit C3 which connects two circuits C2 and C'2 to one another. The
circuit C2 comprises a single channel in the zone Z1, while the circuit C'2 comprises
three channels in the zone Z2. The tube 501 distributes the fluid in the channels
of the circuit C'2 of the second zone Z2 when the exchanger operates by evaporation.
[0077] The route of the refrigerant fluid in the circuits C2 and C'2, in reference to Figure
14, is as follows for operation by evaporation: the fluid enters the channel of the
circuit C2 through an inlet E2 located at the lower end N of the exchanger 3100. The
fluid rises in this channel and joins the conduit C3 passing through an outlet S'2
of the circuit C2. The fluid circulates in the conduit C3 and enters the tube 501
through an inlet E'2 located at the upper end M of the exchanger 3100. The slot 51
distributes the fluid in the three channels of the circuit C'2. At the lower end N,
on the opposite side from the tube 501, the three channels are connected to an outlet
S2 of the exchanger 3100. The detail of the route of the fluid in the three channels
of the circuit C'2 is indicated in Figure 22.
[0078] The route of the refrigerant fluid in the circuits C2 and C'2, in reference to Figure
15, is the following for the operation by condensation in the opposite direction from
the operation by evaporation: the fluid enters the channels of the circuit C'2 through
an inlet S2 located at the lower end N of the exchanger 3100. The fluid rises in these
channels, enters the tube 500 through the slot 501 and joins the conduit C3, passing
through an outlet E'2 of the circuit C'2. The fluid circulates in the conduit C3 and
enters the circuit C2 through an inlet S'2. At the lower end N, the circuit C2 is
connected to an outlet E2 of the exchanger 3100.
[0079] As for the thermal exchanges, the dual-pass exchanger 3100 achieves an optimal yield
when there are two to four times more channels in the outlet pass of the circuit C'2
than in the inlet pass of the circuit C2.
[0080] Figure 16 shows the exchanger 3100 with the inlet E2 and the outlet S2 of the circuit
C2 at the top for operation by evaporation. Figure 17 shows the exchanger 3100 with
the inlet S2 and the outlet E2 of the circuit C2 at the top for operation by condensation.
There are two to four times more channels in the outlet pass of the circuit C'2 than
in the inlet pass of the circuit C2. Figures 18 and 19 show the exchanger 4100 respectively
for the operations by evaporation and by condensation with the inlet and outlet of
the circuits C2 and C'2 at the bottom. Figures 20 and 21 show the exchanger 4100 respectively
for the operations by evaporation and by condensation with the inlet and the outlet
of the circuits C2 and C'2 at the top. The exchanger differs from the exchanger 3100
in that it does not incorporate duct C3. The operation of the exchanger 4100 is similar
to that of the exchanger 3100.
[0081] Figure 22 shows the route of the fluid in a channel of the zone Z2 of the exchanger
of Figure 14 or of the exchanger of Figure 18, operating by evaporation, with the
slot 501 of tube 500 oriented vertically downward.
[0082] Figure 23 shows the route of the fluid in a channel of the zone Z2 of the exchanger
of Figure 16 or of the exchanger of Figure 20, operating by evaporation, with the
slot 501 of the tube 500 oriented vertically downward.
1. Plate heat exchanger (1100; 2100; 3100; 4100) including superposed plates (2A-2L),
which are inserted between two end plates (11, 12) and which define channels for circulation
of heat-exchanging fluid, characterized in that the channels delimit
a first circuit (C1) for circulation of a first heat-exchanging fluid, comprising
a single pass, and
a second circuit (C2, C'2, C3) for circulation of a second heat-exchanging fluid,
comprising two passes opposite from one another,
so that, for each direction of circulation of the second heat-exchanging fluid in
the second circuit (C2, C'2, C3), one of the two passes of the second circuit (C2,
C'2, C3) is co-current with respect to the pass of the first circuit (C1), while the
other of the two passes of the second circuit (C2, C'2, C3) is counter-current with
respect to the pass of the first circuit (C1); characterized in that
the second circuit comprises a first portion (C2) and a second portion (C'2), which
are separated by an intermediate plate (13) of the exchanger and which are connected
to one another by a conduit (C3) outside of the exchanger.
2. Plate heat exchanger (1100) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the first circuit (C1) comprises several intermediate branches (C13-C18) each delimited
between two adjacent plates (2A-2L) and connecting to one another in parallel a forward
branch (C11) and a return branch (C12) of the first circuit (C1).
3. Plate heat exchanger (1100) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the second circuit (C2) comprises two adjacent zones (Z1, Z2), in which intermediate
branches (C23-C26) of the second circuit (C2) belong, for one of these zones, to one
of the two passes of the second circuit, and for the other zone, to the other of the
two passes of the second circuit.
4. Plate heat exchanger (3100; 4100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the exchanger includes a tube (500) which is provided with a slot (501) distributing
the second heat-exchanging fluid in several channels of the second circuit (C'2).
5. Reversible refrigerating machine including a common circuit (C) of refrigerant fluid
on which are arranged a compressor (400), a pressure reducing valve (200), and two
exchangers (1100; 2100; 3100; 4100) which are each in accordance with any one of the
preceding claims.
6. Refrigerating machine according to Claim 5, characterized in that it comprises a four-way valve (V1) capable of changing the direction of circulation
of the refrigerant fluid in the common circuit (C).
7. Refrigerating machine according to Claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the common circuit (C) is formed by the second circuit (C2, C'2, C3) of the exchangers
(1100; 2100; 3100; 4100).
8. Refrigerating machine according to any one of Claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the second circuit (C2, C'2, C3) comprises an inlet (E2) and an outlet (S2) arranged
at the top the exchangers.
9. Refrigerating machine according to any one of Claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the second circuit (C2, C'2, C3) comprises an inlet (E2) and an outlet (S2) arranged
at the bottom of the exchangers.
1. Plattenwärmetauscher (1100; 2100; 3100; 4100), der übereinander angeordnete Platten
(2A-2L) beinhaltet, die zwischen zwei Endplatten (11, 12) eingefügt sind und die Kanäle
für eine Zirkulation von Wärmeaustauschfluid bilden, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Kanäle
einen ersten Kreislauf (C1) für eine Zirkulation eines ersten Wärmeaustauschfluids,
der einen einzelnen Durchgang umfasst, und einen zweiten Kreislauf (C2, C'2, C3) für
eine Zirkulation eines zweiten Wärmeaustauschfluids, der zwei einander gegenüberliegende
Durchgänge umfasst,
abgrenzen,
sodass für jede Zirkulationsrichtung des zweiten Wärmeaustauschfluids im zweiten Kreislauf
(C2, C'2, C3) einer der zwei Durchgänge des zweiten Kreislaufs (C2, C'2, C3) mit dem
Durchgang des ersten Kreislaufs (C1) gleichläufig ist, während der andere der zwei
Durchgänge des zweiten Kreislaufs (C2, C'2, C3) in Bezug auf den Durchgang des ersten
Kreislaufs (C1) gegenläufig ist; dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
der zweite Kreislauf einen ersten Teil (C2) und einen zweiten Teil (C'2) umfasst,
die durch eine Zwischenplatte (13) des Tauschers getrennt sind und durch eine Leitung
(C3) außerhalb des Tauschers miteinander verbunden sind.
2. Plattenwärmetauscher (1100) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der erste Kreislauf (C1) mehrere Zwischenzweige (C13-C18) umfasst, die jeweils zwischen
zwei angrenzenden Platten (2A-2L) abgegrenzt sind und sich parallel miteinander zu
einem Vorwärtszweig (C11) und einem Rückführzweig (C12) des ersten Kreislaufs (C1)
verbinden.
3. Plattenwärmetauscher (1100) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der zweite Kreislauf (C2) zwei angrenzende Zonen (Z1, Z2) umfasst, in die Zwischenzweige
(C23-C26) des zweiten Kreislaufs (C2) gehören, für eine dieser Zonen zu einem der
zwei Durchgänge des zweiten Kreislaufs und für die andere Zone zum anderen der zwei
Durchgänge des zweiten Kreislaufs.
4. Plattenwärmetauscher (3100; 4100) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Tauscher ein Rohr (500) beinhaltet, das mit einem Schlitz (501) bereitgestellt
wird, das das zweite Wärmeaustauschfluid in mehreren Kanälen des zweiten Kreislaufs
(C'2) verteilt.
5. Umkehrbare Kältemaschine, die einen gemeinsamen Kreislauf (C) von Kältemittelfluid
beinhaltet, in dem ein Kompressor (400), ein Druckreduzierventil (200) und zwei Tauscher
(1100; 2100; 3100; 4100) angeordnet sind, die jeweils einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche
entsprechen.
6. Kältemaschine nach Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie ein Vierwegventil (V1) umfasst, das fähig ist, die Zirkulationsrichtung des Kältemittelfluids
im gemeinsamen Kreislauf (C) zu ändern.
7. Kältemaschine nach Anspruch 5 oder 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der gemeinsame Kreislauf (C) durch den zweiten Kreislauf (C2, C'2, C3) der Tauscher
(1100; 2100; 3100; 4100) gebildet wird.
8. Kältemaschine nach einem der Ansprüche 5 bis 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der zweite Kreislauf (C2, C'2, C3) einen Einlass (E2) und einen Auslass (S2) umfasst,
die im oberen Bereich der Tauscher angeordnet sind.
9. Kältemaschine nach einem der Ansprüche 5 bis 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der zweite Kreislauf (C2, C'2, C3) einen Einlass (E2) und einen Auslass (S2) umfasst,
die im unteren Bereich der Tauscher angeordnet sind.
1. Échangeur de chaleur à plaques (1100 ; 2100 ; 3100 ; 4100) comportant des plaques
superposées (2A-2L), qui sont insérées entre deux plaques d'extrémité (11, 12) et
qui définissent des canaux de circulation de fluide d'échange de chaleur, caractérisé en ce que les canaux délimitent
un premier circuit (C1) de circulation d'un premier fluide d'échange de chaleur, comprenant
un passage unique, et
un second circuit (C2, C'2, C3) de circulation d'un second fluide d'échange de chaleur,
comprenant deux passages opposés l'un à l'autre,
de sorte que, pour chaque sens de circulation du second fluide d'échange de chaleur
dans le second circuit (C2, C'2, C3), l'un des deux passages du second circuit (C2,
C'2, C3) est à co-courant par rapport au passage du premier circuit (C1), tandis que
l'autre des deux passages du second circuit (C2, C'2, C3) est à contre-courant par
rapport au passage du premier circuit (C1) ; caractérisé en ce que
le second circuit comprend une première partie (C2) et une second partie (C'2), qui
sont séparées par une plaque intermédiaire (13) de l'échangeur et qui sont reliées
l'une à l'autre par un conduit (C3) à l'extérieur de l'échangeur.
2. Échangeur de chaleur à plaques (1100) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le premier circuit (C1) comprend plusieurs branches intermédiaires (C13-C18) délimitées
chacune entre deux plaques adjacentes (2A-2L) et reliant entre elles en parallèle
une branche avant (C11) et une branche de retour (C12) du premier circuit (C1).
3. Échangeur de chaleur à plaques (1100) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le second circuit (C2) comprend deux zones adjacentes (Z1, Z2), dans lesquelles des
branches intermédiaires (C23-C26) du second circuit (C2) appartiennent, pour une de
ces zones, à l'un des deux passages du second circuit, et pour l'autre zone, à l'autre
des deux passages du second circuit.
4. Échangeur de chaleur à plaques (3100 ; 4100) selon l'une quelconque des revendications
précédentes, caractérisé en ce que l'échangeur comporte un tube (500) qui est pourvu d'une fente (501) distribuant le
second fluide d'échange de chaleur dans plusieurs canaux du second circuit (C'2).
5. Machine de réfrigération réversible comportant un circuit commun (C) de fluide réfrigérant
sur lequel sont agencés un compresseur (400), une soupape de réduction de pression
(200) et deux échangeurs (1100 ; 2100 ; 3100 ; 4100) qui sont chacun en conformité
avec l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes.
6. Machine de réfrigération selon la revendication 5, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend une vanne à quatre voies (V1) apte à modifier le sens de circulation
du fluide réfrigérant dans le circuit commun (C).
7. Machine de réfrigération selon la revendication 5 ou 6, caractérisée en ce que le circuit commun (C) est formé par le second circuit (C2, C'2, C3) des échangeurs
(1100 ; 2100 ; 3100 ; 4100).
8. Machine de réfrigération selon l'une quelconque des revendications 5 à 7, caractérisée en ce que le second circuit (C2, C'2, C3) comprend une entrée (E2) et une sortie (S2) agencées
en haut des échangeurs.
9. Machine de réfrigération selon l'une quelconque des revendications 5 à 7, caractérisée en ce que le second circuit (C2, C'2, C3) comprend une entrée (E2) et une sortie (S2) agencées
au fond des échangeurs.