U.S. patent application number 11/028323 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-14 for plate for heat exchange and heat exchange unit.
This patent application is currently assigned to Xenesys Inc.. Invention is credited to Matsuzaki, Toyoaki, Watanabe, Taro.
Application Number | 20050150645 11/028323 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34587721 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050150645 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Matsuzaki, Toyoaki ; et
al. |
July 14, 2005 |
Plate for heat exchange and heat exchange unit
Abstract
A heat exchange plate having a pattern of irregularity is
combined with the other plates to constitute a heat exchanger. The
plate has main and intermediate protrusions. The main protrusions
have a quadrangular pyramid shape with a top, first and second
pairs of side surfaces. The first and second pairs of side surfaces
face each other in the first and second directions. The main
protrusions are aligned in these directions so that these pairs of
surfaces of the main protrusion face the corresponding surfaces of
adjacent protrusions. The intermediate protrusion is placed between
adjacent main protrusions and has opposite foot portions and a head
ridge placed between them. The foot portion is placed in a
lowermost position at which ridgelines of the adjacent two main
protrusions intersect. The head ridge is placed in a level higher
than the foot portions, but lower than the top of the main
protrusion.
Inventors: |
Matsuzaki, Toyoaki;
(Shizuoka-Ken, JP) ; Watanabe, Taro; (Tokyo-To,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RADER FISHMAN & GRAUER PLLC
LION BUILDING
1233 20TH STREET N.W., SUITE 501
WASHINGTON
DC
20036
US
|
Assignee: |
Xenesys Inc.
Hyogo-Ken
JP
|
Family ID: |
34587721 |
Appl. No.: |
11/028323 |
Filed: |
January 4, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/166 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28D 9/0037 20130101;
F28F 3/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/166 |
International
Class: |
F28D 001/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 9, 2004 |
JP |
2004-3817 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A plate for heat exchange, comprising a metallic plate member
having a predetermined pattern of irregularity, said plate member
being combined with at least one other plate member so as to be in
parallel with each other to constitute a heat exchanger, which
makes a heat exchange between a heat exchange fluid coming into
contact with a surface of said metallic plate member and another
heat exchange fluid coming into contact with another surface
thereof, said metallic plate member comprising: a plurality of main
protrusions formed on one surface of said plate member, each of
said main protrusions having a shape of any one of a quadrangular
pyramid and a quadrangular truncated pyramid with a top, a first
pair of opposite side surfaces and a second pair of opposite side
surfaces, said first pair of opposite side surfaces facing each
other in a first direction and said second pair of opposite side
surfaces facing each other in a second direction perpendicular to
said first direction, said main protrusions being aligned in the
first direction and the second direction by a predetermined
distance so that the first pair of opposite surfaces and the second
pair of opposite surfaces of one of the main protrusions face
corresponding opposite surfaces of adjacent protrusions; and a
plurality of intermediate protrusions formed between adjacent two
main protrusions on said plate member, each of said intermediate
protrusions having opposite foot portions and a head ridge placed
between said foot portions, each of said foot portions being placed
in a lowermost position at which ridgelines of the adjacent two
main protrusions intersect each other, and said head ridge being
placed in a level that is higher than said foot portions and lower
than said top of each main protrusion, so as to provide a bent roof
shape, said intermediate protrusions and said main protrusions
forming said predetermined pattern of irregularity.
2. The plate for heat exchange as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said
plate member has a shape of any one of a rectangle and a square
with side edges, along which said ridgelines of said main
protrusions extend in parallel with or perpendicular to said side
edges of said plate member.
3. A plate for heat exchange, comprising a metallic plate member
having a predetermined pattern of irregularity, said plate member
being combined with at least one other plate member so as to be in
parallel with each other to constitute a heat exchanger, which
makes a heat exchange between a heat exchange fluid coming into
contact with a surface of said metallic plate member and another
heat exchange fluid coming into contact with another surface
thereof, said metallic plate member comprising: a plurality of
protrusions formed on one surface of said plate member, each of
said main protrusions having a shape of any one of a quadrangular
pyramid and a quadrangular truncated pyramid with ridgelines, said
protrusion being aligned by a predetermined distance so that
parallel planes include said ridgelines of said protrusions; and a
plurality of recess portions formed between adjacent two
protrusions on said plate member, each of said recess portions
having substantially the same shape as said protrusions by
deforming said plate member in an opposite direction to a
protruding direction of said protrusions, said protrusions and said
recess portions on the surface of said plate member forming said
predetermined pattern of irregularity so that a similar pattern of
irregularity to said predetermined patter of irregularity is
provided on another surface of said plate member.
4. A heat exchange unit comprising: a first set of plates for heat
exchange as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, the plate member
of each of said plates having a shape of any one of a rectangle and
a square with side edges, along which the ridgelines of the main
protrusions or the protrusions extend in parallel with or
perpendicular to the side edges of the plate member, thus providing
the predetermined pattern of irregularity; and a second set of
plates having a different predetermined pattern of irregularity,
said different predetermined pattern of irregularity being
substantially same as said predetermined pattern of irregularity of
said first set of plates, but turning at an angle of about 45
degrees relative thereto, said first set of plates and said second
set of plates being assembled in variation in combination into a
unit.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a plate for heat exchange,
which is formed from a metallic thin plate and combined with the
other plates in an aligned state into a heat exchanger, and
especially to the heat exchange plate, which enables, in use in
combination with the other plates, heat exchange fluids to slow
smoothly along the opposite surfaces of the heat exchange plate to
make an effective heat exchange, irrespective of a flowing system
such as a parallel flowing system in which the heat exchange fluids
flow in parallel with each other, a counter-flowing system in which
the heat exchange fluids flow in the opposite directions to each
other, and a cross flowing system in which the heat exchange fluids
flow in perpendicular directions to each other, and relates to a
heat exchange unit in which such a heat exchange plate and the
other plates are combined.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] If there is a request that heat transfer coefficient is
increased to enhance heat exchange effectiveness, utilizing a heat
exchanger by which heat exchange is made between a high temperature
fluid and a low temperature fluid, a plate-type heat exchanger has
conventionally been used widely. The plate-type heat exchanger has
a structure in which a plurality of plates, i.e., heat transfer
members having a plate-shape are placed parallelly one upon another
at prescribed intervals so as to form passages, which are separated
by means of the respective plates. A high temperature fluid and a
low temperature fluid flow alternately in the above-mentioned
passages to make heat exchange through the respective plates.
Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. S53-56748 describes an
example of such a conventional plate-type heat exchanger.
[0005] In the conventional plate-type heat exchanger, gasket
members formed of elastic material are placed between the adjacent
two plates to make the distance between them constant and define
passages for fluid. However, a high pressure of the heat exchange
fluid flowing between the plates may cause deformation of the
gasket member, thus disabling an appropriate separation of the
fluids from being ensured or leading to an unfavorable variation in
distance between the plates. In such a case, an effective heat
exchange may not be carried out, thus causing a problem. In view of
these facts, the conventional heat exchanger involves a problem
that the heat exchange fluids can be utilized only in a pressure
range in which the gasket member withstands.
[0006] There has recently been proposed a heat exchanger having a
structure in which metallic thin plates, which are placed at
predetermined intervals, are joined together at their ends by
welding to assemble the plates into a single unit so as to form
gaps, which serve as passages for heat exchange fluids, on the
opposite sides of the respective plates. Japanese Patent
Provisional Publication No. 2003-194490 describes, as an example of
an invention made by the present inventor, a heat exchange unit in
which metallic thin plates are aligned in parallel with each other
so as to be apart from each other, these plates are welded at their
periphery excepting one side into a united body having an opening,
and the opening is closed by an end plate.
[0007] The above-described conventional heat exchanger (i.e., the
heat exchange unit) has a structure, as described in the
above-mentioned publication, that each of the plates has a pattern
of irregularity with a shape and arrangement, by which the most
preferable heat transfer performance in the flowing direction of
the respective heat exchange fluids. In most cases, fluids for heat
exchange used in the heat exchanger utilizing the plates have a
relationship based on a parallel flowing system, a counter-flowing
system or a cross flowing system. The plate of the conventional
heat exchanger has an optimized pattern of irregularity exclusively
for any one of the parallel flowing system, the counter-flowing
system and the cross flowing system. When the plates having the
pattern of irregularity, which has been optimized exclusively for
the flowing system to be applied originally, are applied to the
different flowing system, variation in flowing conditions may occur
to deteriorate the heat transfer performance, thus leading to a
lower heat exchange efficiency and increase in pressure loss.
Accordingly, there is a need to use plates having a pattern of
irregularity, which has been optimized for the flowing system to be
applied originally, exclusively for such a flowing system.
[0008] In addition, in the conventional plate-type heat exchanger,
the heat exchange fluid enters the heat exchanger from a narrow
inlet, divergently extends over the wide plane of the plate to flow
and then converges into a narrow outlet. Each of the plates has
three kinds of patterns of irregularity, i.e., an inflow divergent
area, a main heat transfer area and an outflow condensation area,
in order to introduce the fluid over every area of the plate.
However, the inflow divergent area and the outflow condensation
area having patterns of irregularity, in which importance is placed
generally on the guiding performance for the fluids, do not provide
a sufficient heat transfer performance. The excellent heat transfer
performance cannot be provided by these areas, with the result that
an effective area utilized for heat transfer is relatively small to
the total area of the plate, thus causing waste in space of
occupancy and cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] An object of the present invention, which was made to solve
the above-mentioned problems, is therefore to provide a heat
exchange plate, which is provided on it surface with a pattern of
irregularity properly formed, has flexibility in use in the flowing
system, and permits to ensure a sufficient heat transfer
performance relative to fluids, thus providing an excellent heat
transfer property, as well as a heat exchange unit in which such a
heat exchange plate and the other plates are combined to provide a
determined heat transfer property.
[0010] In order to attain the aforementioned object, a plate for
heat exchange of the first aspect of the present invention
comprises a metallic plate member having a predetermined pattern of
irregularity, said plate member being combined with at least one
other plate member so as to be in parallel with each other to
constitute a heat exchanger, which makes a heat exchange between a
heat exchange fluid coming into contact with a surface of said
metallic plate member and another heat exchange fluid coming into
contact with another surface thereof, said metallic plate member
comprising:
[0011] a plurality of main protrusions formed on one surface of
said plate member, each of said main protrusions having a shape of
any one of a quadrangular pyramid and a quadrangular truncated
pyramid with a top, a first pair of opposite side surfaces and a
second pair of opposite side surfaces, said first pair of opposite
side surfaces facing each other in a first direction and said
second pair of opposite side surfaces facing each other in a second
direction perpendicular to said first direction, said main
protrusions being aligned in the first direction and the second
direction by a predetermined distance so that the first pair of
opposite surfaces and the second pair of opposite surfaces of one
of the main protrusions face corresponding opposite surfaces of
adjacent protrusions; and
[0012] a plurality of intermediate protrusions formed between
adjacent two main protrusions on said plate member, each of said
intermediate protrusions having opposite foot portions and a head
ridge placed between said foot portions, each of said foot portions
being placed in a lowermost position at which ridgelines of the
adjacent two main protrusions intersect each other, and said head
ridge being placed in a level that is higher than said foot
portions and lower than said top of each main protrusion, so as to
provide a bent roof shape, said intermediate protrusions and said
main protrusions forming said predetermined pattern of
irregularity.
[0013] According to the first aspect of the present invention, the
heat exchange plate is formed of the metallic plate member having
the pattern of irregularity that includes the main protrusions and
the intermediate protrusions provided on the plate member.
Combining such a heat exchange plate with the other heat exchange
plates so that these plates face each other at the same side and
the tops of the main protrusions of the plate come into contact
with the corresponding tops of the main protrusions of the other
plate, or so that these plates face each other at the same other
side and projections between the adjacent two intermediate
protrusions of the plate come into contact with corresponding
projections of the other plate, provides a gap between the adjacent
two plates. The above-mentioned gap has a dimension corresponding
to the pattern of irregularity of the plates, in which a unit of
the similar pattern of irregularity is repeated in two directions
that are perpendicular to each other, thus providing linear
passages extending in the above-mentioned two directions so as to
cross each other at right angles. More specifically, each of the
linear passages extending in the direction includes expanded areas
and throat areas that are placed alternately in the same direction,
on the one hand, and the linear passage extending in the
perpendicular direction to the above-mentioned direction includes
expanded areas and throat areas that are placed alternately in the
same perpendicular direction, in the similar manner. Using the thus
assembled plates so that the flowing direction of the heat exchange
fluid coincides with the linear passage or is perpendicular thereto
can impart substantially the same behavior to the heat exchange
fluid, irrespective the flowing system of the heat exchange fluid,
i.e., any one of the parallel flowing system, the counter-flowing
system and the cross flowing system. As a result, it is possible to
perform a smooth heat transfer at a low pressure loss to make an
effective heat exchange, even when the heat exchange fluids are
combined in any manner in their flowing directions, thus providing
a high degree of freedom in design of the heat exchanger and
becoming excellent in general purpose use. In addition, the heat
exchange fluid ca flow freely in the above-mentioned two directions
along the plate, and the constant heat transfer property can be
obtained, irrespective of the flowing direction of the heat
exchange fluid. It is therefore possible to cause the heat exchange
fluid to spread over the entire area of the plate so that such an
entire area can serve as an effective heat transfer section, thus
increasing remarkably an amount of heat transfer per area and
achieving a high performance. Further, the strength of the
assembled plates can be improved remarkably by bringing the
protrusions of the plate into contact with the corresponding
protrusions of the other plate, and it is therefore possible to
keep the distance between the adjacent two plates constant, even
when there exists a large difference in pressure between the heat
exchange fluids, thus enhancing a pressure-resistant property.
[0014] In the second aspect of the present invention, the plate
member may have a shape of any one of a rectangle and a square with
side edges, along which said ridgelines of said main protrusions
extend in parallel with or perpendicular to said side edges of said
plate member.
[0015] According to the second aspect of the present invention, the
plate member has the pattern of irregularity in which the
ridgelines of the main protrusions extend in parallel with or
perpendicular to the side edges of the plate member. Placing the
plates having such a pattern of irregularity so that the side edge
of the plate coincides with a horizontal direction or vertical
direction provides areas between the intermediate protrusions and
the foot portions, each of which areas extends obliquely relative
to the horizontal or vertical direction. As a result, the heat
exchange fluids introduced into the combined plates flows in the
oblique direction, and repeats divergence and confluence to spread
over every area of the plate. It is therefore possible to cause the
heat exchange fluid to spread over the entire area of the plate to
facilitate the heat transfer between the heat exchange fluids and
improving the heat exchange rate.
[0016] In order to attain the aforementioned object, a plate for
heat exchange of the third aspect of the present invention
comprises a metallic plate member having a predetermined pattern of
irregularity, said plate member being combined with at least one
other plate member so as to be in parallel with each other to
constitute a heat exchanger, which makes a heat exchange between a
heat exchange fluid coming into contact with a surface of said
metallic plate member and another heat exchange fluid coming into
contact with another surface thereof, said metallic plate member
comprising:
[0017] a plurality of protrusions formed on one surface of said
plate member, each of said main protrusions having a shape of any
one of a quadrangular pyramid and a quadrangular truncated pyramid
with ridgelines, said protrusion being aligned by a predetermined
distance so that parallel planes include said ridgelines of said
protrusions; and
[0018] a plurality of recess portions formed between adjacent two
protrusions on said plate member, each of said recess portions
having substantially the same shape as said protrusions by
deforming said plate member in an opposite direction to a
protruding direction of said protrusions, said protrusions and said
recess portions on the surface of said plate member forming said
predetermined pattern of irregularity so that a similar pattern of
irregularity to said predetermined patter of irregularity is
provided on another surface of said plate member.
[0019] According to the third aspect of the present invention, the
heat exchange plate is formed of the metallic plate member having
the pattern of irregularity that includes the protrusions and the
recess portions provided on the plate member. Combining such a heat
exchange plate with the other heat exchange plates so that these
plates face each other at the same side and the tops of the
protrusions of the plate come into contact with the corresponding
tops of the protrusions of the other plate. The above-mentioned gap
has a dimension corresponding to the pattern of irregularity of the
plates, in which a unit of the similar pattern of irregularity is
repeated in two directions that are perpendicular to each other,
thus providing linear passages extending in the above-mentioned two
directions so as to cross each other at right angles. More
specifically, each of the linear passages extending in the
direction includes expanded areas and throat areas that are placed
alternately in the same direction, on the one hand, and the linear
passage extending in the perpendicular direction to the
above-mentioned direction includes expanded areas and throat areas
that are placed alternately in the same perpendicular direction, in
the similar manner. Using the thus assembled plates so that the
flowing direction of the heat exchange fluid coincides with the
linear passage or is perpendicular thereto can impart substantially
the same behavior to the heat exchange fluid, irrespective the
flowing system of the heat exchange fluid, i.e., any one of the
parallel flowing system, the counter-flowing system and the cross
flowing system. As a result, it is possible to perform a smooth
heat transfer at a low pressure loss to make an effective heat
exchange, even when the heat exchange fluids are combined in any
manner in their flowing directions, thus providing a high degree of
freedom in design of the heat exchanger and becoming excellent in
general purpose use. In addition, the heat exchange fluid ca flow
freely in the above-mentioned two directions along the plate, and
the constant heat transfer property can be obtained, irrespective
of the flowing direction of the heat exchange fluid. It is
therefore possible to cause the heat exchange fluid to spread over
the entire area of the plate so that such an entire area can serve
as an effective heat transfer section, thus increasing remarkably
an amount of heat transfer per area and achieving a high
performance. Further, the strength of the assembled plates can be
improved remarkably by bringing the protrusions of the plate into
contact with the corresponding protrusions of the other plate, and
it is therefore possible to keep the distance between the adjacent
two plates constant, even when there exists a large difference in
pressure between the heat exchange fluids, thus enhancing a
pressure-resistant property.
[0020] In order to attain the aforementioned object, a heat
exchange unit of the fourth aspect of the present invention
comprises a first set of plates for heat exchange according to any
one of the above-mentioned first to third aspects of the present
invention, the plate member of each of said plates having a shape
of any one of a rectangle and a square with side edges, along which
the ridgelines of the main protrusions or the protrusions extend in
parallel with or perpendicular to the side edges of the plate
member, thus providing the predetermined pattern of irregularity;
and a second set of plates having a different predetermined pattern
of irregularity, said different predetermined pattern of
irregularity being substantially same as said predetermined pattern
of irregularity of said first set of plates, but turning at an
angle of about 45 degrees relative thereto, said first set of
plates and said second set of plates being assembled in variation
in combination into a unit.
[0021] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, two
kinds of plates, i.e., the first set of plates and the second set
of plates having the ridgelines extending in the different
direction from the extending direction of the ridgelines of the
first set of plates are assembled in an appropriate combination
into a unit, so as to provide combined properties of the different
heat exchange properties of the two kinds of plates, for a general
structure of the unit. It is therefore possible to adjust the heat
exchange properties for the general structure of the unit by
combining the two kinds of plates in a different manner, thus
providing relatively easily the desired heat exchange properties.
Consequently, there can be provided a heat exchanger, which has
optimum properties and an excellent heat exchange efficiency in
accordance with a kind, state and amount of the heat exchange
fluid, as well as an actual use of the heat exchanger.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view of a heat exchange
plate according to the first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0023] FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of an essential structure of
the heat exchange plate according to the first embodiment of the
present invention;
[0024] FIG. 3(A) is a cross-sectional view cut along the line A-A
in FIG. 2, FIG. 3(B) is a cross-sectional view cut along the line
B-B in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3(C) is a cross-sectional view cut along the
line C-C in FIG. 2;
[0025] FIG. 4(A) is a cross-sectional view cut along the line D-D
in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4(B) is a cross-sectional view cut along the
line E-E in FIG. 2;
[0026] FIGS. 5(A) and 5(B) are descriptive views illustrating gaps
formed between a pair of combined heat exchange plates according to
the first embodiment of the present invention and the other gaps
formed between the other pair of combined heat exchange plates
according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 6 is a schematic structural view of a heat exchange
plate according to the second embodiment of the present
invention;
[0028] FIG. 7 is a descriptive view illustrating a flow of a heat
exchange fluid in the combined heat exchange plates according to
the second embodiment of the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 8 is an enlarged plan view of an essential structure of
the heat exchange plate according to the other embodiment of the
present invention;
[0030] FIG. 9(A) is a cross-sectional view cut along the line F-F
in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9(B) is a cross-sectional view cut along the
line G-G in FIG. 8;
[0031] FIG. 10(A) is a cross-sectional view cut along the line H-H
in FIG. 8, FIG. 10(B) is a cross-sectional view cut along the line
I-I in FIG. 8 and FIG. 10(C) is a descriptive view illustrating a
state in which the heat exchange plates according to the other
embodiment of the present invention are combined with each other;
and
[0032] FIG. 11 is a schematic structural view of a heat exchange
unit according to the third embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
First Embodiment of the Present Invention
[0033] Now, the first embodiment of the present invention will be
described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5(B). FIG. 1
is a schematic structural view of a heat exchange plate according
to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an
enlarged plan view of an essential structure of the heat exchange
plate according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3(A) is a cross-sectional view cut along the line A-A in FIG.
2, FIG. 3(B) is a cross-sectional view cut along the line B-B in
FIG. 2 and FIG. 3(C) is a cross-sectional view cut along the line
C-C in FIG. 2. FIG. 4(A) is a cross-sectional view cut along the
line D-D in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4(B) is a cross-sectional view cut
along the line E-E in FIG. 2. FIGS. 5(A) and 5(B) are descriptive
views illustrating gaps formed between a pair of combined heat
exchange plates according to the first embodiment of the present
invention and the other gaps formed between the other pair of
combined heat exchange plates according to the first embodiment of
the present invention.
[0034] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5(B), the heat exchange plate 1
according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes
a metallic plate member having a rectangular shape. The plate
member, which has a pattern of irregularity formed through a press
forming, includes a plurality of main protrusions 2 formed on one
surface of the plate member and a plurality of intermediate
protrusions 3 formed between adjacent two main protrusions 2 on the
plate member. Each of the main protrusions 2 has a shape of a
quadrangular pyramid with a top, the first pair of opposite side
surfaces and the second pair of opposite side surfaces. The first
pair of opposite side surfaces faces each other in the first
direction. The second pair of opposite side surfaces faces each
other in the second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
The main protrusions are aligned in the first direction and the
second direction by a predetermined distance so that the first pair
of opposite surfaces and the second pair of opposite surfaces of
one of the main protrusions face corresponding opposite surfaces of
adjacent protrusions. Each of the intermediate protrusions 3 has
opposite foot portions 3a and a head ridge 3b placed between the
foot portions 3a. Each of the foot portions 3a is placed in a
lowermost position at which ridgelines 2b of the adjacent two main
protrusions 2b intersect each other. The head ridge 3b is placed in
a level that is higher than the foot portions 3a and lower than the
top 2a of each main protrusion 2, so as to provide a bent roof
shape. The main protrusions 2 and the intermediate protrusions 3
form the predetermined pattern of irregularity.
[0035] The above-mentioned heat exchange plate 1 has a structure in
which the direction along which any one of the ridgelines 2b of the
main protrusion 2 having the quadrangular pyramid extends,
intersects any one of the sides of the plate having the rectangular
shape at an angle of 45 degrees. The present invention is not
limited only to such a structure, but the direction along which the
ridgeline 2b of the main protrusion 2 may intersect the side of the
plate at a desired angle to provide a desired pattern of
irregularity.
[0036] The above-mentioned heat exchange plate 1 is combined with
the other plate having the same structure so that these plates face
each other at the same side and the tops 2a of the main protrusions
2 of the plate 1 come into contact with the corresponding tops 2a
of the main protrusions 2 of the other plate, or so that these
plates face each other at the same other side and projections
between the adjacent two intermediate protrusions 3 of the plate
come into contact with corresponding projections of the other
plate. Such a combination forms a gap 4, in which a heat exchange
fluid can flow, between the adjacent two plates 1, excepting
contacting portions thereof, thus providing a heat exchanger in
which a heat exchange can be made between the heat exchange fluid
coming into contact with the upper surface of the plate 1 and the
other heat exchange fluid coming into contact with the lower
surface of the plate 1.
[0037] When the plates are combined with each other as described
above, the main protrusions 2 and the intermediate protrusions 3
project in the gap, the intermediate protrusions 3 of the plate 1,
which have the lower height than the main protrusions 2, face the
corresponding intermediate protrusions 3 of the other plate 1 so as
to apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and the foot
portions 3a of the plate 1, which are placed the lowest level, face
the corresponding foot portions 3a of the other plate 1 so as to
apart from each other by a predetermined larger distance. Areas
formed between the intermediate protrusions 3 and areas formed
between the foot portions 3a alternately communicate with each
other to form linear passages in a reticulation shape. In such
linear passages, the areas between the foot portions 3a provide
orifices, which are larger than orifices provided by the areas
between the intermediate protrusions 3, with the result that the
respective passage includes expansion zones and reduction zones,
which are repeated alternately, to extend linearly, and intersects
the other passages so as to communicate therewith (see FIG.
5(A)).
[0038] On the opposite side to the projecting direction of the
protrusions 2, 3 of the plate, spatial areas are provided between
the opposing intermediate protrusions 3, which are the smaller
height than the main protrusions 2, so as to communicate the
adjacent areas formed between the opposing main protrusions 3 with
each other, thus forming linear passages. In such linear passages,
the areas between the main protrusions 3 provide orifices, which
are larger than orifices provided by the areas between the
intermediate protrusions 3, with the result that the respective
passage includes expansion zones and reduction zones, which are
repeated alternately, to extend linearly in the alignment direction
of the main protrusions 2, and intersects the other passages so as
to communicate therewith (see FIG. 5(B)).
[0039] Now, description will be given below of operation of the
heat exchanger to which the heat exchange plates according to the
first embodiment of the present invention are applied. In the
assembled state in which the heat exchange plates 1 are combined in
parallel with each other, a heat exchange fluid is introduced into
and discharged from the gap 4 in which the respective protrusions
2, 3 project, while the other heat exchange fluid is introduced
through the gap 5, which is placed on the opposite side to the
projecting side of the protrusions 2, 3, through the heat exchange
plate 1 separating the gap 5 from the gap 4, so as to make heat
exchange between the two kinds of heat exchange fluids.
[0040] The gaps 4, 5, which are formed between the plates, extend
linearly in the aligning directions of the protrusions 2, 3 in
correspondence with the respective shapes of the protrusions 2, 3.
Even when the two kinds of heat exchange fluids are introduced into
the gaps 4, 5, respectively, in accordance with any one of the
flowing systems of the parallel flowing system, the counter-flowing
system and the cross flowing system, the heat exchange fluids can
be subjected to substantially the same conditions. Accordingly, it
is possible to cause the heat exchange fluids to pass smoothly
through the gaps 4, 5, respectively, to make an effective heat
exchange. In addition, the heat exchange fluids pass through the
passages having the specific shape in which expanded areas and
throat areas are placed alternately to make an effective heat
exchange relative to the plates, thus improving the heat exchange
efficiency between the fluids and eliminating pressure loss in the
passages.
[0041] Further, the strength of the assembled plates can be
improved remarkably by bringing the protrusions of the plate into
contact with the corresponding protrusions of the other plate, and
it is therefore possible to keep the distance between the adjacent
two plates constant, thus coping with a case where there exists a
large difference in pressure between the heat exchange fluids.
[0042] According to the heat exchange plate according to the first
embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchange plate 1 is
formed of the metallic rectangular plate member having the pattern
of irregularity that includes the main protrusions 2 and the
intermediate protrusions 3 provided on the plate member. Combining
such a heat exchange plate 1 with the other heat exchange plates so
that these plates face each other at the same side and the tops 2a
of the main protrusions 2 of the plate come into contact with the
corresponding tops of the main protrusions of the other plate, or
so that these plates face each other at the same other side and
projections between the adjacent two intermediate protrusions of
the plate come into contact with corresponding projections of the
other plate, provides a gap 4 between the adjacent two plates. A
further additional plate is combined with one of these plates in
the same manner to provide the other gap 5 between them. Each of
the above-mentioned gaps 4, 5 has a dimension corresponding to the
pattern of irregularity of the plates, in which a unit of the
similar pattern of irregularity is repeated in two directions that
are perpendicular to each other, thus providing linear passages
extending in the above-mentioned two directions so as to cross each
other at right angles. More specifically, each of the linear
passages extending in the direction includes expanded areas and
throat areas that are placed alternately in the same direction, on
the one hand, and the linear passage extending in the perpendicular
direction to the above-mentioned direction includes expanded areas
and throat areas that are placed alternately in the same
perpendicular direction, in the similar manner. Using the thus
assembled plates can impart substantially the same behavior to the
heat exchange fluid, irrespective the flowing system of the heat
exchange fluid, i.e., any one of the parallel flowing system, the
counter-flowing system and the cross flowing system. As a result,
it is possible to perform a smooth heat transfer at a low pressure
loss to make an effective heat exchange, even when the heat
exchange fluids are combined in any manner in their flowing
directions, thus providing a high degree of freedom in design of
the heat exchanger and becoming excellent in general purpose
use.
[0043] The present invention is not limited only to the
above-described first embodiment of the present invention in which
the heat exchange plates are connected directly to each other by
welding, to constitute the heat exchanger. The present invention
may be applied to the conventional plate-type heat exchanger in
which the plates are assembled into a unit in a state that gasket
members formed of elastic material are placed between the
plates.
Second Embodiment of the Present Invention
[0044] Now, the second embodiment of the present invention will be
described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6
is a schematic structural view of a heat exchange plate according
to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a
descriptive view illustrating a flow of a heat exchange fluid in
the combined heat exchange plates according to the second
embodiment of the present invention.
[0045] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the heat exchange plate 10
according to the second embodiment of the present invention has the
pattern of irregularities with the main protrusions 11 and the
intermediate protrusions 12 in the same manner as the
above-described first embodiment of the present invention. However,
the heat exchange plate 10 according to the second embodiment
differs from the first embodiment in that the ridgelines 14 of the
main protrusions 11 extend in parallel with or perpendicular to the
side edges of the heat exchange plate 10.
[0046] Concerning the pattern of irregularities of the heat
exchange plate, the main protrusions 11 and the intermediate
protrusions 12 project in the gap, the intermediate protrusions 12
of the plate, which have the lower height than the main protrusions
11, face the corresponding intermediate protrusions 12 of the other
plate 1 so as to apart from each other by a predetermined distance,
and the foot portions 15 of the plate, which are placed the lowest
level, face the corresponding foot portions 15 of the other plate
so as to apart from each other by a predetermined larger distance,
in the same manner as the above-described first embodiment of the
present invention.
[0047] Now, description will be given below of behavior of the heat
exchange fluids flowing on the respective surfaces of the heat
exchange plate according to the second embodiment of the present
invention. In a state in which the heat exchange plates 10 are
assembled into a unit so as to be placed in parallel with each
other, the different kinds of heat exchange fluids flows on the
opposite surfaces of the heat exchange plate 10, respectively, so
as to provide the counter-flowing system in the same manner as the
first embodiment of the present invention. However, on the side of
the upper surface of the plate, from which the protrusions 11, 12
project, fluid passages are provided to extend obliquely in two
directions along which the main protrusions 11 and the intermediate
protrusions 12 are aligned alternately. In each of the fluid
passages, the intermediate protrusions 12 having the intermediate
height and the foot portions 15 having the lowest level are
repeated alternately. The heat exchange fluid flows downward in the
above-mentioned fluid passages (as shown in FIG. 7 by hollow arrows
in solid lines). On the side of the lower surface of the plate,
which is opposite to the projecting direction of the protrusions
11, 12, other fluid passages extending obliquely are provided by
recess portions, which are formed directly below the main
protrusions 11, and other recess portions, which are formed
directly below the intermediate protrusions 12, in combination. The
other heat exchange fluid flows upward in these fluid passages (as
shown in FIG. 7 by hollow arrows in dotted lines. Each of the heat
exchange fluids flows obliquely, while repeating divergence and
confluence, to spread smoothly over every area of the heat exchange
plate 10. As a result, an effective heat transfer can be made
between the different kinds of heat exchange fluids through the
heat exchange plates 10.
[0048] According to the heat exchange plate according to the second
aspect of the present invention, the plate member has the pattern
of irregularity in which the ridgelines of the main protrusions 11
extend in parallel with or perpendicular to the side edges of the
plate 10. Placing the plates 10 having such a pattern of
irregularity so that the side edge of the plate coincides with the
horizontal direction or vertical direction provides areas between
the intermediate protrusions 12 and the foot portions 15, each of
which areas extends obliquely relative to the horizontal or
vertical direction. As a result, the heat exchange fluids
introduced into the combined plates flows in the oblique direction,
and repeats divergence and confluence to spread over every area of
the plate 10. It is therefore possible to cause the heat exchange
fluid to spread over the entire area of the heat exchange plate 10
to facilitate the heat transfer between the heat exchange fluids
and improving the heat exchange rate.
[0049] The heat exchange plate according to the first and second
embodiments of the present invention has a structure in which there
is used the pattern of irregularities having the combination of the
main protrusions 2, 11, which have the quadrangular pyramid, and
the intermediate protrusions 3, 12, which have the bent roof shape
having the lower height than the main protrusions 2, 11. The
present invention is not limited only to such a structure, but
there may be adopted a structure as shown in FIGS. 8 to 10(C), in
which the pattern of irregularities is formed by a plurality of
protrusions 6 and a plurality of recess portions 7. The protrusions
6, each of which projects in the form of a quadrangular pyramid or
a quadrangular truncated pyramid having four ridgelines, are
aligned in the two directions, which are perpendicular to each
other, so that the protrusions 6 are apart from each other by a
predetermined distance and the ridgelines of the protrusions 6 are
placed on straight lines corresponding to the above-mentioned two
directions. Each of the recess portions 7 is formed, in the form of
a quadrangular pyramid or a quadrangular truncated pyramid, between
four protrusions so as to be surrounded by the four protrusions 6.
Consequently, the plate is provided on the opposite surfaces with
the patterns of irregularities having the inverse projection
relationship, in which the plate is provided, on respective areas
of its upper surface, with the protrusions 6, and on the
corresponding areas of its lower surface, with the recess portions
7. When the heat exchange plate is combined with the other plate
having the same structure so that the protrusions 6 of the former
come into contact with the protrusions of the latter, the
ridgelines 6a of the protrusions of the plate face those of the
corresponding protrusions of the other plate by a predetermined
distance, and the recess portions 7 of the plate face the
corresponding portions of the other plate by a predetermined
distance within the gap 8. Spaces formed between the adjacent
protrusions 6 communicate alternatively with spaces defined by the
recess portions 7 to form linear passages. Accordingly, each of the
linear passages extending in the direction includes expanded areas
and throat areas that are placed alternately in the same direction,
on the one hand, and the linear passage extending in the
perpendicular direction to the above-mentioned direction includes
expanded areas and throat areas that are placed alternately in the
same perpendicular direction, in the similar manner (see FIG.
10(c)). Even when the two kinds of heat exchange fluids are
introduced into the gaps 8, respectively, in accordance with any
one of the flowing systems of the parallel flowing system, the
counter-flowing system and the cross flowing system, the heat
exchange fluids can be subjected to substantially the same
conditions in the same manner as the first embodiment of the
present invention. Accordingly, it is possible to cause the heat
exchange fluids to pass smoothly through the gaps 8, respectively,
to make an effective heat exchange.
[0050] In the heat exchange plate according to the first and second
embodiments of the present invention, there is no limitations in
the introducing and discharging directions of the two kinds of heat
exchange fluids, which flow on the opposite surfaces of the heat
exchange plate, respectively, to make heat exchange between these
fluids, and in the flowing system for them. These limitations may
be given in accordance with the use of the heat exchanger. More
specifically, there may be adopted a structure in which inlet and
outlet for the first fluid are provided on the opposite edges of
the heat exchange plate in its longitudinal direction,
respectively, inlet and outlet for the second fluid are provided on
the opposite edges of the heat exchange plate in its transverse
direction, respectively, and the first fluid flows in the
longitudinal direction and the second fluid flows in the transverse
direction in accordance with the cross flowing system.
Alternatively, there may be adopted a structure in which inlet and
outlet for the first fluid are provided on the opposite edges of
the longitudinal side of the heat exchange plate, respectively,
inlet and outlet for the second fluid are provided on the opposite
edges of the remaining longitudinal side of the heat exchange
plate, respectively, and the first fluid flows in the longitudinal
direction and the second fluid flows in the longitudinal direction
in accordance with the parallel flowing system or the
counter-flowing system. Further, there may be adopted a structure
in which inlet and outlet for the first fluid are provided on the
opposite edges of the longitudinal side of the heat exchange plate,
respectively, inlet and outlet for the second fluid are provided on
the same opposite edges, respectively, and the first fluid flows in
the longitudinal direction and the second fluid flows in the
opposite longitudinal direction in accordance with the
counter-flowing system.
Third Embodiment of the Present Invention
[0051] Now, the third embodiment of the present invention will be
described in detail below with reference to FIG. 11. The third
embodiment describes a heat exchange unit into which the
above-described heat exchange plates of the present invention are
assembled so as to be placed in parallel with each other. FIG. 11
is a schematic structural view of the heat exchange unit according
to the third embodiment of the present invention.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 11, the heat exchange unit 50 has a
structure in which a predetermined number of the first heat
exchange plates according to the first embodiment and a
predetermined number of the second heat exchange plates according
to the second embodiment are combined with each other. More
specifically, the first heat exchange plates each having the
pattern of irregularities in which the ridgelines 2b of the main
protrusions 2 intersects any one of the sides of the plate having
the rectangular shape at an angle of 45 degrees, and the second
heat exchange plates each having the pattern of irregularities in
which the ridgelines 14 of the main protrusions 11 are in parallel
with or perpendicular to any one of the sides of the plate having
the rectangular shape are assembled in the unit in an appropriate
combination.
[0053] The heat exchange plates used in the heat exchange unit 50
are classified into the first group of the heat exchange plates 1,
which have the same pattern of irregularities and are placed one
upon another, and the second group of the heat exchange plates 10,
which have the pattern of irregularities that are the same as each
other but different from the first series of the heat exchange
plates 1, and are placed one upon another in the same manner. Using
the two groups of the heat exchange plates having the different
heat exchanging properties due to the different pattern of
irregularities, so as to be placed in parallel with each other
provides an intermediate property between the first property
according to the unit in which only the first group of heat
exchange plates is utilized and the second property according to
the unit in which only the second group of heat exchange plates is
utilized. When such a unit is applied to the heat exchange fluids,
which are suitable to such an intermediate property, heat exchange
can be made in an appropriate manner, thus improving the heat
exchange efficiency.
[0054] According to the heat exchange unit according to the third
embodiment of the present invention, two kinds of plates, i.e., the
first set of plates 1 and the second set of plates 10 having the
ridgelines extending in the different direction from the extending
direction of the ridgelines of the first set of plates are
assembled in an appropriate combination into a unit, so as to
provide combined properties of the different heat exchange
properties of the two kinds of plates. It is therefore possible to
provide the heat exchanger having the effective heat exchanging
properties as desired, which cannot be obtained by combination of
the single kind of plates.
[0055] In the heat exchange unit according to third embodiment of
the present invention, the two kinds of heat exchange plates 1, 10
are assembled into the unit so that the first group of plates
having the same pattern of irregularities and the second group of
plates having the same pattern of irregularities are combined in
parallel with each other. The present invention is not limited only
to such a structure. A plurality of kinds of plates having the
different pattern of irregularities, for example, two kinds of
plates, i.e., the heat exchange plates 1 having the pattern of
irregularities as shown in FIG. 1 and the heat exchange plates 10
having the pattern of irregularities as shown in FIG. 6 may be
placed alternately one upon another. Alternatively, there may be
placed, between a plurality of groups of plate having the same
pattern of irregularities, one or more plate having the different
pattern of irregularities. Combination of the plates can be varied
strictly in number of the plates in the respective group in this
manner. It is therefore possible to adjust appropriately the
arrangement of the various kinds of plates having the different
heat exchanging properties due to the different pattern of
irregularities, to obtain a desired heat exchange properties for
the general structure of the unit, thus providing a heat exchanger,
which has optimum properties and an excellent heat exchange
efficiency in accordance with a kind, state and amount of the heat
exchange fluid, as well as an actual use of the heat exchanger.
* * * * *