U.S. patent application number 10/016657 was filed with the patent office on 2002-07-18 for spiral heat exchanger.
Invention is credited to Borchert, Werner, Kuhn, Carsten.
Application Number | 20020092646 10/016657 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27213554 |
Filed Date | 2002-07-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020092646 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kuhn, Carsten ; et
al. |
July 18, 2002 |
Spiral heat exchanger
Abstract
A spiral heat exchanger mounted in a housing has at least one
group of at least two media-conducting spiral elements which are
nested into one another, wherein the spiral elements are composed
of a plurality of extruded profiles which are cut to length and are
arranged next to one another. Spaced-apart spacer ribs are mounted
on the outer flat sides of the extruded profiles. Transverse
channels connected in a media-conducting manner to the spiral
channels are provided at the radially inner and radially outer ends
of the extruded profiles. The transverse channels can be coupled to
lines which supply and/or discharge media.
Inventors: |
Kuhn, Carsten; (Bockenau,
DE) ; Borchert, Werner; (Mulheim, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Friedrich Kueffner
Suite 1921
342 Madison Avenue
New York
NY
10173
US
|
Family ID: |
27213554 |
Appl. No.: |
10/016657 |
Filed: |
December 12, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10016657 |
Dec 12, 2001 |
|
|
|
09724172 |
Nov 28, 2000 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
165/163 ;
165/164; 165/DIG.398 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28D 7/04 20130101; F28F
1/045 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/163 ;
165/164; 165/DIG.398 |
International
Class: |
F28D 001/00; F28D
007/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 7, 2000 |
DE |
100 00 288.9 |
Aug 18, 2000 |
EP |
00 117 298.0 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A spiral heat exchanger comprising a housing, and at least one
group of at least two media-conducting spiral elements nested into
one another and mounted in the housing, wherein the spiral elements
are comprised of extruded profiles which are cut to length and form
spiral channels extending next to one another, the extruded
profiles having outer flat sides and spaced-apart it spacer ribs
extending next to each other on the outer flat sides, further
comprising transverse channels connected in a media-conducting
manner to the spiral channels at radially inner and outer ends of
the extruded profiles, wherein the transverse channels are adapted
to be coupled to lines which supply and/or discharge media.
2. The spiral heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the two
spiral elements and the spacer ribs thereof are offset relative to
each other in a transverse direction of the heat exchanger.
3. The spiral heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the two
spiral elements are displaceable relative to each other in a
transverse direction of the heat exchanger.
4. The spiral heat exchanger according to claim 1, comprising at
least two groups of at least two media-conducting spiral elements
nested into one another, wherein the two groups are arranged in the
housing located next to one another, and wherein the two groups are
connected in a media-conducting manner through one of the radially
inner transverse channels and the radially outer transverse
channels.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation-in-Part Application of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/724,172 filed Nov. 28,
2000.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to spiral heat exchangers. Spiral heat
exchangers are technical devices which, with a relatively small
apparatus volume, allow a highly effective heat exchange between
same or different media.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In the context of U.S. Pat. No. 5,242,015, it is known in
the art to form extruded multichannel profiles by spirally winding
them into a spiral heat exchanger. The multichannel profiles are
stacked into one another and rest directly against each other with
their flat sides. For improving the heat transfer, the flat sides
are soltered to each other. A housing circumferentially surrounding
the multichannel profiles is not provided. Such a spiral heat
exchanger does not have a variable field of use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Starting from the prior art, it is the primary object of the
present invention to provide a spiral heat exchanger which is of
simple construction, has a variable use and, for the purpose of
integration into automobiles with fuel cells, can be manufactured
in an economical and inexpensive way, in particular, by mass
production.
[0007] In accordance with the present invention, this object is met
by a spiral heat exchanger which includes at least one group of at
least two media-conducting spiral elements which are nested into
one another and are arranged within a housing. The spiral elements
are composed of a plurality of extruded profiles which are cut to
length and define spiral channels extending next to each other,
wherein the extruded profiles have on outer flat sides thereof
spacer ribs which extend at a distance next to each other. The
spiral elements further include transverse channels arranged at the
radially inner and outer ends of the extruded profiles and
connected to the spiral channels for communicating media. The
transverse channels can be coupled to lines which supply and/or
discharge media.
[0008] Thus, the spiral heat exchanger according to the invention
includes a housing, particularly a cylindrical housing, in which at
least one group of at least two spiral elements are integrated
which are nested into one another. Each spiral element is composed
of an extruded profile which is cut to length and includes spiral
channels which are arranged next to each other, wherein spacer ribs
extending at a distance from each other and next to each other are
arranged on the outer flat sides of the extruded profile. Also
provided are transverse channels which are provided at the radially
inner and outer ends of the extruded profiles.
[0009] Due to the fact that the spacer ribs are provided on the
flat sides of the extruded profiles, the spiral elements which are
nested into each other are not fully in contact with each other.
Rather, a gap is formed between the two spiral elements to which a
suitable medium can be supplied depending on the type of operation
of the spiral heat exchanger. As a result, the invention makes
possible a universal use of the spiral heat exchanger.
[0010] When the spiral heat exchanger is used as a compressor, it
is of significant practical interest that air is conducted in the
gap between the two spiral elements, wherein a cooling agent can
flow in the spiral elements.
[0011] In addition, it is within the scope of the invention
possible by providing the gap to provide a safety zone between two
circumferentially adjacent spiral elements, wherein this safety
zone is a particular advantage in safety spiral heat exchangers.
Consequently, the spacer ribs on the flat sides form together with
the flat sides the safety zone to which also a neutral medium can
be supplied.
[0012] The transverse channels provided at the ends of the extruded
profiles ensure a problem-free transfer of the media from the
spiral channels into the transverse channels and to the supply
lines and/or discharge lines, and vice versa.
[0013] The invention results in a configuration which is extremely
compact and has a comparatively small volume, while providing a
high exchange output. This renders the use of the heat exchanger
particularly advantageous in automobiles with fuel cells.
[0014] The media can be conducted in such a way that they are
supplied through appropriate lines to the radially inner transverse
channels, from where the media flow through the spiral channels in
the extruded profiles to the radially outer transverse channels,
and from there are discharged through lines coupled to the outer
transverse channels. It is usually useful if the media are supplied
to the radially inner transverse channels from an axial direction,
while in the case of the radially outer transverse channels an
axial discharge as well as a radial discharge in the longitudinal
direction of the transverse channels are conceivable.
[0015] In accordance with another flow configuration, the media are
supplied to the outer transverse channels axially or radially, are
then conducted through the spiral channels in the extruded profiles
to the inner transverse channels and are discharged from there
preferably axially.
[0016] A combination of flow configurations is also possible in
such a way that, in the case, for example, of two spiral elements
which are nested into each other, in one spiral element the medium
flows from the radially inner transverse channel to the radially
outer channel and in the other spiral element the medium in that
element flows from the radially outer transverse channel to the
radially inner transverse channel.
[0017] The radially inner transverse channels as well as the
radially outer transverse channels can be constructed in such a way
that, depending on the flow configuration, they constitute only one
overflow area. In other words, a medium can be supplied, for
example, to a radially inner transverse channel which is divided
into two chambers by a center separating wall. In that case, the
medium flows from the inlet chamber of the radially inner
transverse channel through the connected spiral channels in the
extruded profiles to the radially outer transverse channel which is
not divided. Through this outer transverse channel the medium then
flows into the spiral channels which are connected to the discharge
chamber of the radially inner transverse channel and is again
discharged from this transverse channel. Also conceivable is a
reverse media flow configuration from a radially outer transverse
channel provided with two separated chambers to an undivided,
radially inner transverse channel which forms only one overflow
area, and back again.
[0018] In accordance with the invention, the spacer ribs on the
flat sides of the extruded profiles which face each other can be
located in a radial plane and contact each other with their end
faces. However, in accordance with another feature of the present
invention, the spacer ribs of the two spiral elements may also be
offset relative to each other in the transverse direction. The end
faces of the spacer ribs then contact the oppositely located flat
side of the adjacent spiral element. This further increases the
variable use of the heat exchanger.
[0019] In accordance with another feature, the spiral elements are
displaceable relative to each other in the transverse direction.
This feature can be utilized for compressing a medium conducted
between the two spiral elements, wherein a cooling fluid flows in
the spiral elements. On the other hand, a fluid conducted between
the spiral elements may be decompressed or pumped, wherein a medium
having a higher temperature is then conducted in the spiral
elements.
[0020] In another embodiment of the spiral heat exchanger according
to the present invention, at least two groups with two
media-conducting spiral elements which are nested into one another
are arranged next to one another in a housing, wherein the two
groups can be coupled in a media-conducting manner through the
radially inner transverse channels and/or the radially outer
transverse channels. This embodiment is used, for example, when a
spiral heat exchanger constructed as a compressor is coupled with a
spiral heat exchanger constructed as a decompressor or turbine. In
the group forming the compressor, especially air is compressed on
its flow path from the radially inner transverse channels to the
radially outer transverse channels. The air then flows from there
into the adjacent second group with nested spiral elements, wherein
the compressed air flows in the second group from radially
outwardly to radially inwardly. Simultaneously, in the case of a
turbine, a cooling agent flows in the spiral elements, so that a
turbocharger is obtained in this manner.
[0021] A reverse flow path is also conceivable.
[0022] The various features of novelty which characterize the
invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed
to and forming a part of the disclosure. For a better understanding
of the invention, its operating advantages, specific objects
attained by its use, reference should be had to the drawing and
descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described
preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0023] In the drawing:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of a
spiral heat exchanger;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along sectional
line II-II of FIG. 1 in the direction of arrows IIa;
[0026] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of detail III of FIG. 2;
[0027] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of detail IV of FIG. 2, showing a
different embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 5 is a schematic vertical longitudinal sectional view
of another embodiment of a spiral heat exchanger; and
[0029] FIGS. 6 through 11 schematically show the spiral heat
exchangers of FIGS. 2 and 5 with various flow configurations.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0030] FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing show a spiral heat exchanger as
it is particularly used in automobiles with fuel cells.
[0031] The spiral heat exchanger 1 has a cylindrical housing 2 with
closed sides 3, 4. Arranged in the housing 2 is a group A of spiral
elements 5, 6 which are nested into one another and whose
structural configuration is explained in more detailed in
connection with FIGS. 3 and 4. These spiral elements 5, 6 are
connected at the radially inner ends and the radially outer ends
with tubular transverse channels 7, 8 and 9, 10, respectively.
[0032] As illustrated in FIG. 3, each spiral element 5, 6 (spiral
element 5 being shown in FIG. 3) includes an extruded profile 12 of
an aluminum alloy which is cut to length and forms several spiral
channels 11 which are arranged next to each other. The
cross-section of the extruded profiles 12 is essentially
rectangular. The wall thicknesses of the extruded profiles are
smaller by a multiple than the cross-section of the spiral channels
11.
[0033] Each extruded profile 12 is provided on the outer flat sides
13 thereof with longitudinally directed spacer ribs 14. These
spacer ribs 14 extend in the planes of the walls 15 which separate
the spiral channels 11 from each other. The spacer ribs 14 have a
height above the flat sides 13 which corresponds approximately to
one to two times the thickness of the walls 15.
[0034] The spiral channels 11 in the extruded profiles 12 are
connected in a media-conducting manner to the radially inner
transverse channels 7, 9 and the radially outer transverse channels
8, 10.
[0035] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment in which the adjacent spiral
elements 5, 6 are transversely offset relative to each other in the
transverse direction by about half the distance between two spacer
ribs 14. As can be seen in FIG. 4, this results in an approximately
meander-shaped gap 16 in the transverse plane between the spiral
elements 5, 6, wherein the spacer ribs 14 rest against the flat
sides 13.
[0036] Media can be supplied to the spiral elements 5, 6 of the
spiral heat exchanger 1 according to FIGS. 1 and 2 in various ways.
As seen in the schematic developed view of the spiral element 5 of
FIG. 6, in this embodiment the radially inner transverse channel 7
is at its end connected in accordance with solid arrow 17 to a line
which conducts medium. The broken arrow 18 at the other end of the
transverse channel 7 indicates an embodiment in which the medium is
supplied from this side to the transverse channel 7. The medium
flows in accordance with the indicated arrows from the radially
inner transverse channels 7 through the spiral ducts 11 to the
radially outer transverse channel 8. The medium leaves this
transverse channel 8 at an end indicated by a solid arrow 19 or at
the other end in accordance with arrow 20 which is shown in broken
lines. It is also conceivable that the medium leaves the radially
outer transverse channel 8 radially as indicated by broken arrows
21 which represent pipe lines. The connections may be located at a
suitable location of the transverse channel 8.
[0037] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment in which the flow configuration
of the heat exchange medium takes place exactly in the opposite
manner as compared to the embodiment of FIG. 6. In this embodiment,
the medium flows in accordance with solid arrow 22 at one end into
the radially outer transverse channel 8 of the spiral element 5,
flows in accordance with the indicated arrows through the spiral
channels 11 and leaves the radially inner transverse channel 7 at
the end thereof in accordance with the solid arrow 23. However, the
medium may also enter in accordance with broken arrow 24 at the
other end of the radially outer transverse channel 8 or the medium
may enter in accordance with broken arrows 25 radially at any
chosen location in the radially outer transverse channel 8, and the
medium then also leaves the transverse channel 7 in accordance with
broken arrow 26 at the end of the radially inner transverse channel
7.
[0038] The two embodiments described above can each be used in the
two spiral elements 5, 6 of FIGS. 1 and 2. Also conceivable is a
combination of these embodiments in which medium flows in the
spiral element 5 in accordance with the illustration of FIG. 6 and
in the other spiral element 6 in accordance with FIG. 7.
[0039] FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a flow configuration in a
spiral element 5 in which the radially inner transverse channel 7
is divided by a separating wall 27 into two chambers 28, 29. The
medium flows in accordance with the solid arrow 30 into the end of
the inlet chamber 28 of the radially inner transverse channel 7,
flows in accordance with the indicated arrows through the spiral
channels 11 connected to the inlet chamber 28, and enters the
radially undivided outer transverse channel 8. The medium then
flows in the transverse channel 8 to the spiral channels 11 which
are connected in a media-conducting manner to the discharge chamber
28 of the radially inner transverse channels 7. The medium then
leaves the spiral heat exchanger 5 in accordance with the solid
arrow 31 through the spiral channels 11 and the radially inner
transverse channel 7.
[0040] The embodiment of FIG. 9 of the spiral heat exchanger 5
corresponds essentially to that of FIG. 8, with the only difference
that now the radially outer transverse channel 8 is divided into
two chambers 33, 34 by a separating wall 32, while the radially
inner transverse channel 7 constitutes an overflow area.
Consequently, the medium can flow in accordance with solid arrow 35
into the end of the inlet chamber 33 of the radially outer
transverse channel 8, the medium then flows in accordance with the
indicated arrows through the spiral channels 11 connected to the
inlet chamber 33, reaches the radially inner transverse channel 7
and then flows from there in the opposite direction in accordance
with the arrows through the spiral channels 11 to the discharge
chamber 34 of the radially outer transverse channel 8 and leaves
the transverse channel 8 in accordance with solid arrow 36 at the
end thereof. However, the medium can also flow in accordance with
the broken arrows 37, 38 radially in the radially outer transverse
channel 8 at any location of the inlet chamber 33, on the one hand,
and can exit from the discharge chamber 34, on the other hand.
[0041] FIG. 5 shows a spiral heat exchanger la in which two groups
A, B each with at least two media-conducting spiral elements 5, 6
which are nested into one another are located next to each other in
a housing 2a. The structural configuration of the spiral elements
5, 6 corresponds to that of the spiral heat exchanger 1 of FIGS.
1-4. The two groups A, B of the spiral heat exchanger la of FIG. 5
can be coupled in a media-conducting manner through the radially
inner transverse channels 7, 9 and/or the radially outer transverse
channels 8, 10.
[0042] The manner in which the elements are coupled is illustrated
schematically in a developed view of a spiral element 5 in FIGS. 10
and 11 which are analogous to FIGS. 6-9.
[0043] In the embodiment of FIG. 10, the medium flows in accordance
with solid arrow 39 into an end of the radially inner transverse
channel 7 of group A, flows through all spiral channels 11 to the
radially outer transverse channel 8 and then flows from this
transverse channel 8 in accordance with arrow 40 into the radially
outer transverse channel 8 of the other group B. The medium flows
from there in accordance with the indicated arrows through the
spiral channels 11 into the radially inner transverse channel 7 of
this group B and leaves at the end thereof the radially inner
transverse channel 7 in accordance with solid arrow 41.
[0044] However, the flow may also be in the opposite direction, as
illustrated in FIG. 10 by broken arrows 42, 43 at the ends of the
two transverse channels 7 of the groups A and B.
[0045] FIG. 11 shows a flow configuration in which the medium flows
in accordance with solid arrow 44 to the end of the radially outer
transverse channel 8 of group B, then flows through the spiral
channels 11 in the direction of the indicated arrows, and flows
from the radially inner transverse channel 7 of this group B in
accordance with arrow 45 into the radially inner transverse channel
7 of the other group A. The medium then flows form there in the
direction of the indicated arrows through the spiral channels 11
into the radially outer transverse channel 8 of this group A and
leaves this transverse channel 8 at the end thereof in accordance
with solid arrow 46.
[0046] However, the medium may also flow in accordance with broken
arrows 47 radially into the radially outer transverse channel 8 of
group B and may radially leave the radially outer transverse
channel 8 of the other group A in accordance with broken arrows
48.
[0047] An opposite flow direction is also possible in this
embodiment, as illustrated by dotted arrows 49, 50, 51 and 52.
[0048] While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown
and described in detail to illustrate the inventive principles, it
will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise
without departing from such principles.
* * * * *