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(11) | EP 4 556 836 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | A HEAT EXCHANGER |
| (57) A heat exchanger comprises a first set of tubes fluidically connected between a first
and second manifold, wherein a first fluid flows from the first manifold to the second
manifold through the first set of tubes. The heat exchanger comprises a second set
of tubes fluidically connected between the first and second manifold, wherein at a
first state, the second fluid flows from the second manifold to the first manifold
through a first group of tubes from the second set of tubes; at a second state, the
second fluid flows from the second manifold to the first manifold through a second
group of tubes from the second set of tubes; and at a third state, the second fluid
flows from the second manifold to the first manifold through the first group of tubes
and the second group of tubes from the second set of tubes.
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TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a heat exchanger. In particular, the present invention relates to an internal heat exchanger for an air conditioning loop for a motor vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Generally, an air conditioning loop comprises a high pressure fluid circuit and a low pressure fluid circuit. An internal heat exchanger is provided in the air conditioning loop to promote heat exchange between a high pressure fluid from the high pressure fluid circuit and a low pressure fluid from the low pressure fluid circuit. In one example, the internal heat exchanger can be a tube inside tube type heat exchanger, wherein the internal heat exchanger can be integrated inside another part, for example, an accumulator. In another example, the internal heat exchanger can be a plate type heat exchanger, wherein the internal heat exchanger can have a construction based on a plate type heat exchanger, for example, a plate type chiller. When the high pressure fluid from the high pressure fluid circuit transfers heat energy to the low pressure fluid from the low pressure fluid circuit, the efficiency of the internal heat exchanger increases. However, when the efficiency of the internal heat exchanger increases beyond a threshold value, some problems occur in the air conditioning loop that are not preferred. This may squander all the advantages if not optimized correctly.
[0003] Therefore it would be advantageous to provide a heat exchanger in which the efficiency may be regulated according to the needs, so that the optimization is easy and effective.
SUMMARY
[0004] An objective of the present invention is to provide a heat exchanger that alleviates the problems in the prior arts. To be more precise, an objective of the present invention is to regulate efficiency of the heat exchanger.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention herein provides a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger for exchanging heat between a first fluid and at least one second fluid comprises: a first manifold; a second manifold spaced apart from the first manifold; a first set of tubes fluidically connected between the first manifold and the second manifold, wherein the first set of tubes is configured to allow a flow of the first fluid from the first manifold to the second manifold; and a second set of tubes fluidically connected between the first manifold and the second manifold, wherein at a first state, a first group of tubes from the second set of tubes is configured to allow a flow of the second fluid from the second manifold to the first manifold; at a second state, a second group of tubes from the second set of tubes is configured to allow the flow of the second fluid from the second manifold to the first manifold; and at a third state, the first group of tubes and the second group of tubes from the second set of tubes are configured to allow the flow of the second fluid from the second manifold to the first manifold.
[0006] In one aspect, the second set of tubes are stacked one after another with one tube from the first set of tubes in between two tubes from the second set of tubes.
[0007] In another aspect, each tube from the second set of tubes, at both sides, are in contact with one tube from the first set of tubes.
[0008] In another aspect, the first group of tubes comprise a larger number of tubes compared to the second group of tubes.
[0010] In another aspect, the first group of tubes comprise a first subset of tubes from the second set of tubes.
[0011] In another aspect, the second group of tubes comprise a second subset of tubes from the second set of tubes.
[0012] In another aspect, a first channel is provided in the first manifold and is fluidically connected to the first set of tubes.
[0013] In another aspect, a second channel is provided in the second manifold and is fluidically connected to the first set of tubes.
[0014] In another aspect, the first channel and the second channel are configured to allow the flow of the first fluid.
[0015] In another aspect, a third channel is provided in the second manifold and is fluidically connected to the first group of tubes and the second group of tubes from the second set of tubes.
[0016] In another aspect, a fourth channel is provided in the first manifold and is fluidically connected to the first group of tubes from the second set of tubes.
[0017] In another aspect, a fifth channel is provided in the first manifold and is fluidically connected to the second group of tubes from the second set of tubes.
[0018] In another aspect, at the first state, the third channel and the fourth channel are configured to allow the flow of the second fluid, and the fifth channel is configured not to allow the flow of the second fluid.
[0019] In another aspect, at the second state, the third channel and the fifth channel are configured to allow the flow of the second fluid, and the fourth channel is configured not to allow the flow of the second fluid.
[0020] In another aspect, at the third state, the third channel, the fourth channel and the fifth channel are configured to allow the flow of the second fluid.
[0021] In another embodiment, the present invention herein provides an air conditioning loop. The air conditioning loop comprises: at least one heat exchanger as described in any one of preceding embodiments.
[0022] In another aspect, the first fluid is a low pressure fluid from a low pressure fluid circuit of the air conditioning loop and the second fluid is a high pressure fluid from a high pressure fluid circuit of the air conditioning loop.
[0023] According to the above embodiments, efficiency of the heat exchanger is regulated by switching the heat exchanger to any one of the first state, the second state and the third state. When high efficiency is preferred, the heat exchanger is switched to the third state. When intermediate efficiency is preferred, the heat exchanger is switched to the first state. When low efficiency is preferred, the heat exchanger is switched to the second state.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0024] Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention can be inferred from the description of the invention hereunder. A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures, wherein:
FIG. 1 illustrates a heat exchanger, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates a first manifold of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 illustrates another view of the first manifold of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of the first manifold of FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 illustrates a second manifold of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 illustrates another view of the second manifold of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded view of the second manifold of FIG. 5;
FIG. 8 illustrates the flow of a first fluid in the heat exchanger of FIG. 1;
FIG. 9 illustrates the flow of a second fluid in the heat exchanger of FIG. 1, at a first state;
FIG. 10 illustrates the flow of the second fluid in the heat exchanger of FIG. 1, at a second state; and
FIG. 11 illustrates the flow of the second fluid in the heat exchanger of FIG. 1, at a third state.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] It must be noted that the figures disclose the invention in a detailed enough way to be implemented, the figures helping to better define the invention, if need be. The invention should however not be limited to the embodiments disclosed in the description.
[0026] In the present description, some elements or parameters may be indexed, such as a first element and a second element. In this case, unless stated otherwise, this indexation is only meant to differentiate and name elements that are similar but not identical. No idea of priority should be inferred from such indexation, as these may be switched without betraying the invention. Additionally, this indexation does not imply any order in mounting or use of the elements of the invention.
[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates a heat exchanger 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The heat exchanger 100 comprises a first manifold 200 and a second manifold 300. The heat exchanger 100 further comprises a first set of tubes 400 and a second set of tubes 500 that are fluidically connected between the first manifold 200 and the second manifold 300.
[0028] In one embodiment, the heat exchanger 100 can comprise the first manifold 200 and the second manifold 300 spaced apart from the first manifold 200. The heat exchanger 100 can comprise the first set of tubes 400, at one end, is fluidically connected to first manifold 200 and at another end, is fluidically connected to the second manifold 300. Further, a first fluid can flow from the first manifold 200 to the second manifold 300 through the first set of tubes 400. The heat exchanger 100 can comprise the second set of tubes 500, at one end, is fluidically connected to the first manifold 200 and at another end, is fluidically connected to the second manifold 300. Further, a second fluid can flow in different configurations through the second set of tubes 500 at different states of the heat exchanger 100.
[0029] In one aspect, the second fluid can flow from the second manifold 300 to the first manifold 200 through a first group of tubes 500A from the second set of tubes 500 at a first state, wherein at the first state, the efficiency of the heat exchanger 100 is intermediate. In another aspect, the second fluid can flow from the second manifold 300 to the first manifold 200 through a second group of tubes 500B from the second set of tubes 500 at a second state, wherein at the second state, the efficiency of the heat exchanger 100 is low. In another aspect, the second fluid can flow from the second manifold 300 to the first manifold 200 through the first group of tubes 500A and the second group of tubes 500B from the second set of tubes 500 at a third state, wherein at the third state, the efficiency of the heat exchanger 100 is high.
[0030] In another aspect, the second set of tubes 500 can be stacked alternatively with the first set of tubes 400. The second set of tubes 500 can be stacked one after another with one tube 400 from the first set of tubes 400 in between two tubes 500 from the second set of tubes 500. In another example, the second set of tubes 500 can be stacked alternatively in a vertical axis with the first set of tubes 400. In another aspect, each tube 500 from the second set of tubes 500, at either one side or both sides, can be in contact with one tube 400 from the first set of tubes 400. In another aspect, each tube 400 from the first set of tubes 400, at either one side or both sides, can be in contact with one tube 500 from the second set of tubes 500.
[0031] In another aspect, the first set of tubes 400 and the second set of tubes 500 can be any type of tube. In another example, the first set of tubes 400 and the second set of tubes 500 can be a multiport tube. In another example, the first set of tubes 400 and the second set of tubes 500 can be a sandwich tube, wherein each sandwich tube can comprise two tubes with a spacer sandwiched between the two tubes, and respective ends of the two tubes can be fluidically connected to a single orifice.
[0032] In another aspect, the first group of tubes 500A from the second set of tubes 500 can comprise a larger number tubes compared to the second group of tubes 500B from the second set of tubes 500. In another aspect, the first group of tubes 500A from the second set of tubes 500 and the second group of tubes 500B from the second set of tubes 500 can comprise at least one tube in common. In another example, the first group of tubes 500A can comprise all tubes from the second set of tubes 500. The second group of tubes 500B can comprise a second subset of tubes from the second set of tubes 500. In another example, the first group of tubes 500A can comprise a first subset of tubes from the second set of tubes 500. The second group of tubes 500B can comprise a second subset of tubes from the second set of tubes 500. In another aspect, the first group of tubes 500A from the second set of tubes 500 and the second group of tubes 500B from the second set of tubes 500 does not comprise any tube in common.
[0033] In another example, the first group of tubes 500A can comprise tubes numbered 1 to 10 from the second set of tubes 500 numbered 1 to 10. The second group of tubes can comprise tubes numbered 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 from the second set of tubes 500 numbered 1 to 10. In another example, the first group of tubes 500A can comprise tubes numbered 1 to 7 from the second set of tubes 500 numbered 1 to 10. The second group of tubes 500B can comprise tubes numbered 6 to 10 from the second set of tubes 500 numbered 1 to 10. In another example, the first group of tubes 500A can comprise tubes numbered 1 to 6 from the second set of tubes 500 numbered 1 to 10. The second group of tubes 500B can comprise tubes numbered 7 to 10 from the second set of tubes 500 numbered 1 to 10.
[0034] FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 illustrate two different views of the first manifold 200 of the heat exchanger 100 of FIG. 1. FIG.4 illustrates an exploded view of the first manifold 200 of FIG. 2. In another aspect, the first manifold 200 can comprise a first connection block 210, a first cover 220, at least one first intermediate plate 230 and a first header plater 240 assembled together. In another example, the first manifold 200 can comprise one first intermediate plate 230. In another example, the first manifold 200 can comprise two first intermediate plates 230.
[0035] In another aspect, the first connection block 210 can be adapted to fluidically connect to the first cover 220. The first connection block 210 can comprise a first connection orifice 212 adapted to fluidically connect to a first fluid circuit outside the heat exchanger 100, and a fourth connection orifice 216 and a fifth connection orifice 214 adapted to fluidically connect to a second fluid circuit outside the heat exchanger 100. The first cover 220 can comprise a first channel 222, a fourth channel 226 and a fifth channel 224 adapted to fluidically connect to the first connection orifice 212, the fourth connection orifice 216 and the fifth connection orifice 214 respectively.
[0036] In another aspect, the first cover 220 can be adapted to fluidically connect to the at least one first intermediate plate 230. The first cover 220 can comprise a first set of channel orifices 222A, a fourth set of channel orifices 226A and a fifth set of channel orifices 224A fluidically connected to the first channel 222, the fourth channel 226 and the fifth channel 224 respectively. The at least one first intermediate plate 230 can comprise a first set of intermediate plate orifices 232 adapted to fluidically connect to the first set of channel orifices 222A, and a fourth set of intermediate plate orifices 234 adapted to fluidically connect to the fourth set of channel orifices 226A and the fifth set of channel orifices 224A.
[0037] In another aspect, the at least one first intermediate plate 230 can be adapted to fluidically connect to the first header plate 240. The first header plate 240 can comprise a first set of header plate orifices 242 and a fourth set of header plate orifices 244 adapted to fluidically connect to the first set of intermediate plate orifices 232 and the fourth set of intermediate plate orifices 234 respectively.
[0038] In another aspect, the first header plate 240 can be adapted to fluidically connect to the first set to tubes 400 and the second set of tubes 500. The first set of header plate orifices 242 and the fourth set of header plate orifices 244 of the first header plate 240 can be adapted to fluidically connect to the first set to tubes 400 and the second set of tubes 500 respectively.
[0039] FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 illustrate two different views of the second manifold 300 of the heat exchanger 100 of FIG. 1. FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded view of the second manifold 300 of FIG. 5. In another aspect, the second manifold 300 can comprise a second connection block 310, a second cover 320, at least one second intermediate plate 330 and a second header plater 340 assembled together. In another example, the second manifold 300 can comprise one second intermediate plate 330. In another example, the second manifold 300 can comprise two second intermediate plates 330.
[0040] In another aspect, the second connection block 310 can be adapted to fluidically connect to the second cover 320. The second connection block 310 can comprise a second connection orifice 312 adapted to fluidically connect to the first fluid circuit outside the heat exchanger 100 and a third connection orifice 314 adapted to fluidically connect to the second fluid circuit outside the heat exchanger 100. The second cover 320 can comprise a second channel 322 and a third channel 324 adapted to fluidically connect to the second connection orifice 312 and the third connection orifice 314 respectively.
[0041] In another aspect, the second cover 320 can be adapted to fluidically connect to the at least one second intermediate plate 330. The second cover 320 can comprise a second set of channel orifices 322A and a third set of channel orifices 324A fluidically connected to the second channel 322 and the third channel 324 respectively. The at least one second intermediate plate 330 can comprise a second set of intermediate plate orifices 332 and a third set of intermediate plate orifices 334 adapted to fluidically connect to the second set of channel orifices 322A and the third set of channel orifices 324A respectively.
[0042] In another aspect, the at least one second intermediate plate 330 can be adapted to fluidically connect to the second header plate 340. The second header plate 340 can comprise a second set of header plate orifices 342 and a third set of header plate orifices 344 adapted to fluidically connect to the second set of intermediate plate orifices 332 and the third set of intermediate plate orifices 334 respectively.
[0043] In another aspect, the second header plate 340 can be adapted to fluidically connect to the first set to tubes 400 and the second set of tubes 500. The second set of header plate orifices 342 and the third set of header plate orifices 344 of the second header plate 340 can be adapted to fluidically connect to the first set to tubes 400 and the second set of tubes 500 respectively.
[0044] FIG. 8 illustrates the flow of the first fluid in the heat exchanger 100 of FIG. 1. In another aspect, the first fluid can flow through the first channel 222 and the second channel 322. In another aspect, the first fluid can flow in a I-flow configuration, wherein the first fluid can flow in through the first connection orifice 212 of the first manifold 200, then flow through the first channel 222, the first set of tubes 400, the second channel 322, and then flow out through the second connection orifice 312 of the second manifold 300.
[0045] FIG. 9 illustrates the flow of the second fluid in the heat exchanger 100 of FIG. 1, at the first state. In another aspect, the second fluid flows through the third channel 324 and the fourth channel 226, and does not flow through the fifth channel 224 at the first state. In another aspect, the second fluid can flow in a first I-flow configuration at the first state, wherein the second fluid can flow in through the third connection orifice 314 of the second manifold 300, then flow through the third channel 324, the first group of tubes 500A from the second set of tubes 500, the fourth channel 226, and then flow out through the fourth connection orifice 216 of the first manifold 200.
[0046] FIG. 10 illustrates the flow of the second fluid in the heat exchanger 100 of FIG. 1, at the second state. In another aspect, the second fluid flows through the third channel 324 and the fifth channel 224, and does not flow through the fourth channel 226 at the second state. In another aspect, the second fluid can flow in a second I-flow configuration at the second state, wherein the second fluid can flow in through the third connection orifice 314 of the second manifold 300, then flow through the third channel 324, the second group of tubes 500B from the second set of tubes 500, the fifth channel 224, and then flow out through the fifth connection orifice 214 of the first manifold 200.
[0047] FIG. 11 illustrates the flow of the second fluid in the heat exchanger 100 of FIG. 1, at the third state. In another aspect, the second fluid flows through the third channel 324, the fourth channel 226 and the fifth channel 224 at the third state. In another aspect, the second fluid can flow in a third I-flow configuration at the third state, wherein the second fluid can flow in through the third connection orifice 314 of the second manifold 300, then flow through the third channel 324, then flow through the first group of tubes 500A and the second group of tubes 500B from the second set of tubes 500 respectively, then flow through the fourth channel 226 and the fifth channel 224 respectively, and then flow out through the fourth connection orifice 216 and the fifth connection orifice 214 of the first manifold 200 respectively.
[0048] In another aspect, the heat exchanger 100 can be switched to any one of the first state, the second state and the third state by controlling the flow of the first fluid and the second fluid in the heat exchanger 100. In another example, flow control valves can be used to control the flow of the first fluid and the second fluid in the heat exchanger 100.
[0049] In another embodiment, the heat exchanger 100 can be an internal heat exchanger of an air conditioning loop that promotes heat exchange between a high pressure fluid from a high pressure fluid circuit of the air conditioning loop and a low pressure fluid from a low pressure fluid circuit of the air conditioning loop. In another aspect, the first fluid of the heat exchanger 100 can be a low pressure fluid from the low pressure fluid circuit of the air conditioning loop and the second fluid of the heat exchanger 100 can be a high pressure fluid from the high pressure fluid circuit of the air conditioning loop.
[0050] According to above-described embodiments, efficiency of the heat exchanger 100 can be regulated by switching the heat exchanger 100 to any one of the first state, the second state and the third state. When high efficiency is preferred, the heat exchanger 100 can be switched to the third state. When intermediate efficiency is preferred, the heat exchanger 100 can be switched to the first state. When low efficiency is preferred, the heat exchanger 100 can be switched to the second state.
1. A heat exchanger (100) for exchanging heat between a first fluid and at least one
second fluid comprises:
a first manifold (200);
a second manifold (300) spaced apart from the first manifold (200);
a first set of tubes (400) fluidically connected between the first manifold (200) and the second manifold (300), wherein the first set of tubes (400) is configured to allow a flow of the first fluid from the first manifold (200) to the second manifold (300); and
a second set of tubes (500) fluidically connected between the first manifold (200) and the second manifold (300), wherein
at a first state, a first group of tubes (500A) from the second set of tubes (500) is configured to allow a flow of the second fluid from the second manifold (300) to the first manifold (200);
at a second state, a second group of tubes (500B) from the second set of tubes (500) is configured to allow the flow of the second fluid from the second manifold (300) to the first manifold (200); and
at a third state, the first group of tubes (500A) and the second group of tubes (500B) from the second set of tubes (500) are configured to allow the flow of the second fluid from the second manifold (300) to the first manifold (200).
2. The heat exchanger (100) as claimed in preceding claim, wherein the second set of
tubes (500) are stacked one after another with one tube (400) from the first set of
tubes (400) in between two tubes (500) from the second set of tubes (500).
3. The heat exchanger (100) as claimed in preceding claim, wherein each tube from the
second set of tubes (500), at both sides, are in contact with one tube from the first
set of tubes (400).
4. The heat exchanger (100) as claimed in any one of preceding claims, wherein the first
group of tubes (500A) comprise a larger number of tubes compared to the second group
of tubes (500B).
5. The heat exchanger (100) as claimed in preceding claim, wherein the first group of
tubes (500A) comprise all tubes from the second set of tubes (500).
6. The heat exchanger (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first group of tubes (500A)
comprise a first subset of tubes from the second set of tubes (500).
7. The heat exchanger (100) as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the second group of tubes
(500B) comprise a second subset of tubes from the second set of tubes (500).
8. The heat exchanger (100) as claimed in any one of preceding claims, wherein a first
channel (222) is provided in the first manifold (200) and is fluidically connected
to the first set of tubes (400).
9. The heat exchanger (100) as claimed in preceding claim, wherein a second channel (322)
is provided in the second manifold (300) and is fluidically connected to the first
set of tubes (400).
10. The heat exchanger (100) as claimed in preceding claim, wherein the first channel
(222) and the second channel (322) are configured to allow the flow of the first fluid.
11. The heat exchanger (100) as claimed in any one of preceding claims, wherein a third
channel (324) is provided in the second manifold (300) and is fluidically connected
to the first group of tubes (500A) and the second group of tubes (500B) from the second
set of tubes (500).
12. The heat exchanger (100) as claimed in preceding claim, wherein a fourth channel (226)
is provided in the first manifold (200) and is fluidically connected to the first
group of tubes (500A) from the second set of tubes (500).
13. The heat exchanger (100) as claimed in preceding claim, wherein a fifth channel (224)
is provided in the first manifold (200) and is fluidically connected to the second
group of tubes (500B) from the second set of tubes (500).
14. The heat exchanger (100) as claimed in preceding claim, wherein at the first state,
the third channel (324) and the fourth channel (226) are configured to allow the flow
of the second fluid, and the fifth channel (224) is configured not to allow the flow
of the second fluid.
15. The heat exchanger (100) as claimed in claim 13, wherein at the second state, the
third channel (324) and the fifth channel (224) are configured to allow the flow of
the second fluid, and the fourth channel (226) is configured not to allow the flow
of the second fluid.
16. The heat exchanger (100) as claimed in claim 13, wherein at the third state, the third
channel (324), the fourth channel (226) and the fifth channel (224) are configured
to allow the flow of the second fluid.
17. An air conditioning loop comprises:
at least one heat exchanger (100) as claimed in any one of preceding claims.
at least one heat exchanger (100) as claimed in any one of preceding claims.
18. The air conditioning loop as claimed in preceding claim, wherein the first fluid is
a low pressure fluid from a low pressure fluid circuit of the air conditioning loop
and the second fluid is a high pressure fluid from a high pressure fluid circuit of
the air conditioning loop.