U.S. patent application number 10/524408 was filed with the patent office on 2005-10-27 for heat exchanger.
This patent application is currently assigned to BEHR GmbH & CO. KG. Invention is credited to Geskes, Peter, Staffa, Karl-Heinz, Walter, Christoph.
Application Number | 20050236149 10/524408 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 30775359 |
Filed Date | 2005-10-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050236149 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Geskes, Peter ; et
al. |
October 27, 2005 |
Heat exchanger
Abstract
The aim of the invention is to provide a light and especially
simple heat exchanger comprising a number of parallel, interspaced
flat tubes. To this end, the flat tubes (2) can be supplied with a
fluid (F) via at least one end (8) by means of a manifold (6), said
flat tubes (2) being arranged in the manifold (6) in an at least
partially positively locking manner.
Inventors: |
Geskes, Peter; (Stuttgart,
DE) ; Walter, Christoph; (Stuttgart, DE) ;
Staffa, Karl-Heinz; (Stuttgart, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FOLEY AND LARDNER
SUITE 500
3000 K STREET NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20007
US
|
Assignee: |
BEHR GmbH & CO. KG
Mauserstrasse 3
D-70469 Stuttgart
DE
|
Family ID: |
30775359 |
Appl. No.: |
10/524408 |
Filed: |
February 14, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
August 7, 2003 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP03/08778 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/177 ;
165/173 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28D 1/05383 20130101;
F28F 9/0221 20130101; F28F 9/182 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/177 ;
165/173 |
International
Class: |
F28F 009/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 13, 2002 |
DE |
102 37 648.4 |
Claims
1. A heat exchanger (1) having a number of flat tubes (2) which are
arranged parallel to and at a distance from one another and via at
least one end (8) can be fed with a fluid (F) via a collection
manifold (6), the flat tubes (2) being arranged at least partially
in a positively locking manner in the collection manifold (6).
2. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, in which an outer
contour (10), which represents the end (8) of the respective flat
tube (2), is at least partially matched to an internal contour (12)
which represents the collection manifold (6).
3. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, in which an outer
contour (10), which represents the end (8) of the respective flat
tube (2), is at least partially matched to an external contour (10)
which represents the collection manifold (6).
4. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, in which the end (8)
of at least one of the flat tubes (2) is provided with one or more
openings (13).
5. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, in which the end (8)
of at least one of the flat tubes (2) has an open contour or
opening.
6. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, in which the end (8)
of at least one of the flat tubes (2) is provided with webs (20) on
the outer side.
7. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, in which the end (8)
of at least one of the flat tubes (2) is provided with a further,
centrally arranged web (20).
8. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 2, in which the end (8)
of the respective flat tube (2) is at least partially routed in a
recess (14) which runs inside the internal contour (12).
9. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, in which the end (8)
of the respective flat tube (2) is held in a positively locking
manner at the collection manifold (6).
10. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 8, in which the end (8)
of the respective flat tube (2) is soldered along the recess (14)
of the collection manifold (6).
11. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, in which the
collection manifold (6) is provided with at least one cutout (24)
or a recess (14) for one of the flat tubes (2) to pass through.
12. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 11, in which the end (8)
of the flat tube (2) in question is held cohesively at the cutout
(24) of the collection manifold (6).
13. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, in which the
collection manifold (6) is longitudinally and/or transversely
divided into at least two regions (16).
14. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, in which the end (8)
of at least one of the flat tubes (2) is provided with a slot (34)
for receiving a partition wall (26).
15. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 14, in which the
partition wall (26) has a through-opening (32).
16. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, in which the flat
tubes (2) open out into an associated collection manifold (6) at
each of the end sides.
17. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 16, in which the
collection manifolds (6) arranged at the end sides of the flat
tubes (2) are of identical design.
18. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, in which the flat
tubes (2) arranged in a positively locking manner in the collection
manifold (6) have differently designed ends (8).
19. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, in which at least one
of the flat tubes (2) arranged in a positively locking manner in
the collection manifold (6) is closed and acts as a partition
wall.
20. An air-conditioning system for a vehicle having a heat
exchanger (1) as claimed in claim 1.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a heat exchanger having a number of
flat tubes arranged parallel to and at a distance from one another,
in particular for an air-conditioning system of a vehicle.
[0002] Nowadays, it is customary for heat exchangers which release
heat from a fluid flowing through them on the primary side, e.g.
carbon dioxide, water or refrigerant, to air flowing through the
heat exchanger on the secondary side, to be used in vehicles.
Conversely, the fluid flowing through the heat exchanger may absorb
heat from the air. For this purpose, the heat exchanger in
particular has flat tubes which are parallel to and at a distance
from one another. Fins or reinforcing webs are arranged between the
flat tubes in order to make the heat exchanger sufficiently strong
and stable in particular with respect to mechanical loads.
[0003] To provide a common feed of the fluid to the flat tubes,
their end sides are connected to what are known as collection boxes
or collection manifolds. In this case, the fluid, which is in the
form of a coolant or refrigerant, flows through passages running in
the flat tubes and is then collected in the collection boxes or
tubes and if appropriate diverted into adjacent flat tubes of the
heat exchanger. For this purpose, it is customary for the
collection boxes to have partition walls.
[0004] A heat exchanger of this type having flat tubes with
so-called capillaries or small passages passing through them, which
are fed via the collection box, is known, for example, from EP 0
654 645 B1.
[0005] The flat tubes have the advantage that very small passages,
also known as cooling or fluid passages, can be provided, which are
particularly pressure-stable. As a result, the collection box or
collection manifold which performs a fluid collection and/or
distribution function has to be designed with a particularly large
volume. The heat exchanger has to withstand a particularly high
internal pressure, with the rupture pressure, as it is known, being
well above the maximum permissible operating pressure. Therefore,
when designing and constructing the heat exchanger, it is ensured,
with regard to its maximum permissible resistance to pressure, that
in particular the collection box or collection tube has a
sufficient wall thickness. In particular when the heat exchanger is
used for an air-conditioning circuit containing carbon dioxide or
the fluid known as R 134 A as cooling medium, the high pressures
which are customary in such applications mean that the heat
exchanger and its collection box have very thick-walled collection
tubes or collection manifolds with in some cases pronounced beads.
One drawback in this context is that high levels of materials are
deployed, in particular in the region of the collection box, on
account of the very thick walls required, and this makes the
soldering of the flat tubes to the collection box particularly
time-consuming. Furthermore, a heat exchanger designed in this
manner is particularly expensive and also subject to restrictions
on the freedom of design, in particular for the collection box on
which it is based. Furthermore, the weight of a heat exchanger
designed in this manner is particularly high.
[0006] Therefore, the invention is based on the object of providing
a heat exchanger, in particular for an air-conditioning system of a
vehicle, which is of particularly simple design and has a low
weight.
[0007] According to the invention, the object is achieved, in the
case of a heat exchanger having a number of flat tubes which are
arranged parallel to and spaced apart from one another and via at
least one end can be fed with a fluid via a collection manifold,
the flat tubes in the collection manifold being arranged at least
partially in a positively locking manner.
[0008] In this context, the invention is based on the consideration
that a design of a collection box or collection manifold which is
particularly thick-walled for flat tubes, through which a fluid, in
particular cooling medium, can flow, of a heat exchanger, on
account of considerable differences in mechanical loads, should be
dimensioned in such a way as to be of particularly simple and
lightweight design. Furthermore, the flat tubes which open out and
are held in the collection manifold should at the same time allow
the collection manifold to be reinforced, so that the latter is
additionally made pressure-resistant or pressure-stable by means of
the design or shape of the ends of the flat tubes. For this
purpose, the flat tubes are preferably arranged at least partially
in a positively-locking manner in the collection manifold. In
particular, the flat tubes are routed substantially completely
within the collection manifold, so that in addition to a positive
lock they are also able to incorporate a non-positive lock, in
particular are able to absorb tensile and/or compressive
forces.
[0009] For the flat tubes to be as far as possible in a completely
positively locking position in the collection manifold where they
are held, an outer contour, which represents the end of the
respective flat tube, is at least partially matched to an internal
contour which represents the collection manifold. On account of
this arrangement of the flat tubes in the collection manifold,
which utilizes the entire periphery of the collection box or tube,
the flat tubes are arranged in the style of tie rod or connecting
anchor in the heat exchanger.
[0010] In an alternative embodiment of the heat exchanger, in
particular the flat tubes thereof, it is preferable for an outer
contour, which represents the end of the respective flat tube, to
be at least partially matched to an outer contour which represents
the collection manifold. As an alternative to the external contour
of the flat tube being matched to the internal contour of the
collection manifold, the corresponding flat tube can also be
inserted into the heat exchanger and thereby mounted from the
outside if at least one end of the flat tube is matched to the
external contour of the collection manifold. For this purpose, it
is expedient for the collection manifold to be provided with at
least one cutout for one of the flat tubes to pass through. The
cutout is designed to receive the flat tube, in particular as a
slot-like cutout. It is expedient for the end of the corresponding
flat tube to be held cohesively at the cutout of the collection
manifold. By way of example, the end of the flat tube is compressed
or squeezed and soldered to the collection manifold in the cutout
therein. Soldering the flat tubes to the collection manifold from
the outside in this way ensures that the heat exchanger is
sufficiently leaktight with respect to the fluid flowing through
it, so that humidification of the air which flows through the heat
exchanger on the secondary side is reliably avoided.
[0011] To increase the rigidity and compressive strength of the
heat exchanger, one end of at least one of the flat tubes is
provided with webs on the outer side. As an alternative to a
half-profile design of the flat tube end of this type, the flat
tube may at its end side serve as a completely encircling
reinforcement and support for the collection manifold or collection
tube.
[0012] For this purpose the end of the corresponding flat tube is
provided with an opening or cutout. A frame-like design of the end
of the respective flat tube of this type as a result of an
encircling frame or an encircling profile or as a result of a
half-frame or half-profile in the form of webs allows a suitable
reinforcement or compressive strength of the heat exchanger to be
set according to the specific use of the heat exchanger. When
producing this type of flat tubes provided with an opening or flat
tubes having webs on the outer sides, the opening or webs is/are
formed by stamping, perforating or water jet processes. At the same
time, the perforation opening or the opening formed by webs serves
to supply the fluid, in particular to allow coolant or refrigerant
to pass through into the capillaries or passages in the flat tube
which have been opened up by the opening. In this case, the bores
or capillaries which run within the respective flat tube are fed by
means of the fluid routed in the opening of the flat tube end. In
other words: an annular (=stamped-out opening) or U-shaped end
(=laterally punched-out webs) of the flat tubes of this nature,
which, by means of the respective end, are arranged in a completely
or at least partially positively locking manner in the collection
manifold, in each case itself forms part of the collection or
manifold passage of the collection manifold for feeding and/or
discharging the fluid. In a further alternative embodiment, the end
of at least one of the flat tubes is provided with a further,
centrally arranged web. Depending on the extent to which the flat
tube is introduced into the collection manifold, it is possible to
form a collection manifold which is split in two by means of an
end, which has two outer and one central webs, of the flat tube
when the latter is completely introduced and therefore connected in
a completely positively locking manner to the collection manifold
in a particularly simple way, it being possible for one chamber
formed by this division in two to be used to supply the fluid and
the other chamber to be used to discharge the fluid. Alternatively,
if the chambers of a collection manifold which has been divided in
this way are fed in the same direction, it is possible for a
plurality of flat tubes which have been combined to form a group to
be fed separately from one another, thereby allowing different
types of flow through the heat exchanger.
[0013] For substantially accurate positioning of the flat tubes in
the collection manifold, the end of the respective flat tube is
preferably at least partially routed in a recess which runs within
the internal contour. By way of example, on the inner side the
collection manifold has a channel-like bead or a groove in which
the end of the respective flat tube is guided and fitted. As a
result, in addition to a particularly flush and positively locking
arrangement of the flat tubes in the collection manifold,
sufficiently strong fixing of the flat tubes is also possible.
[0014] For the flat tube to be arranged in a pressure- and/or
tension-resistant manner in the collection manifold, it is
expedient for the end of the respective flat tube to be held in a
positively locking manner at the collection manifold. By way of
example, the end of the respective flat tube is held at the
collection manifold with or without filler material. In a preferred
embodiment, the end of the flat tube is soldered along the recess
of the collection manifold. As an alternative or in addition, the
end of the respective flat tube may be adhesively bonded or
welded.
[0015] For a differentiated feed of the fluid to the heat
exchanger, e.g. in cross-countercurrent or in cross-cocurrent, it
is expedient for the collection manifold to be longitudinally
and/or transversely divided into at least two regions. It is
preferable for the collection box or collection manifold to be
divided two or more times. For this purpose, a partition wall is
arranged in the collection manifold, depending on the type and
design of the heat exchanger. It is expedient for the end of at
least one of the flat tubes to be provided with a slot for
receiving the partition wall. To achieve a variable setting of the
fluid flowing through the heat exchanger, it is expedient for the
partition wall to have a through-opening. In a particularly simple
and inexpensive design of the heat exchanger for different types of
flow through it, the ends of the flat tubes are designed
differently. By way of example, a number of flat tubes which are
arranged adjacent to one another are provided, at least at one end,
with the annular and/or U-shaped through-opening for the fluid,
while a next flat tube is designed as a solid profile, and
therefore without any punched openings, at the end side, so that it
performs the function of a partition wall. This eliminates the need
to introduce additional partition walls. This further simplifies
the design of the heat exchanger compared to the prior art.
[0016] Depending on the type and design of heat exchanger, it is
possible for the flat tubes to open out into an associated
collection manifold at each of their end sides. In this case, the
flat tubes may be fed from one or both sides, i.e. if the flat
tubes are fed from one side, by way of example, a collection
manifold which is divided in two and has a chamber for supplying
the fluid and a further chamber for discharging the fluid is
arranged at one end of the flat tubes. If the flat tubes are fed
from both sides, an individual collection manifold is provided at
one end side for feeding the fluid and an individual collection
manifold is provided at the other side for discharging the fluids.
As an alternative or in addition, in the case of a U-shaped flow of
the fluid through the heat exchanger, one of the collection
manifolds may serve as a feed and discharge, and the opposite
collection manifold may serve as a diverter passage for diverting
the fluid between two adjacent flat tubes. It is preferable for the
collection manifolds arranged at the end sides of the flat tubes to
be of identical design. This ensures sufficiently strong and
uniform flow of the fluid through the flat tubes.
[0017] The advantages which are achieved with the present invention
consist in particular in the fact that as a result of a positively
locking arrangement of the flat tubes in the collection manifold or
collection tube, in particular as a result of a complete positive
lock in the peripheral direction of the collection manifold, the
latter is designed with significantly reduced wall thicknesses. A
positively locking arrangement of the flat tubes in the collection
manifold of this nature causes tensile and/or compressive forces
acting on the heat exchanger to be dissipated into the flat tubes
in the manner of a tie rod or connecting anchor. Furthermore, flat
tubes of this type which are inserted until they butt against or
are flush inside the collection manifold are particularly simple to
fit and easy to handle. Soldering of the flat tubes, which in each
case have an open (=annular) or semi-open (=U-shaped) or closed
end, to the internal contour and/or external contour of the
collection manifold additionally reinforces the collection manifold
and therefore the heat exchanger, in the style of reinforcing fins.
Furthermore, flat tubes thus arranged in a positively locking
and/or cohesive manner make it possible to dispense with the need
for additional partition walls for diverting the coolant or
refrigerant, since on account of the flat tubes being designed
differently at the end sides, with and/or without an opening or
cutout, these flat tubes themselves form partition walls for
diverting the coolant or refrigerant. As a result, in addition to
the heat exchanger being of particularly lightweight design, the
costs relating to the amount of material required are also
considerably reduced.
[0018] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more
detail with reference to a drawing, in which:
[0019] FIGS. 1A-1C diagrammatically depict a heat exchanger having
a plurality of flat tubes arranged in a positively locking manner
in a collection manifold,
[0020] FIG. 2 diagrammatically depicts a heat exchanger with a
split collection box,
[0021] FIGS. 3A-3C diagrammatically depict a heat exchanger with
flat tubes provided with webs at the end side,
[0022] FIG. 4 diagrammatically depicts a perspective illustration
of a heat exchanger as shown in FIGS. 3A-3C,
[0023] FIGS. 5A-5B and 6A-6B diagrammatically depict various heat
exchangers with collection manifolds that have different
cross-sectional shapes,
[0024] FIGS. 7A-7B diagrammatically depict a heat exchanger with
flat tubes introduced from the outside,
[0025] FIGS. 8A-8B diagrammatically depict a heat exchanger with
flat tubes that have two openings,
[0026] FIG. 9 diagrammatically depicts a heat exchanger having a
partition wall, provided for different forms of through-flow, in
the collection manifold, and
[0027] FIG. 10 diagrammatically depicts a heat exchanger with two
collection manifolds arranged at the end sides of the flat
tubes.
[0028] Corresponding parts are provided with identical reference
symbols throughout all the figures.
[0029] FIGS. 1A to 1C show a heat exchanger arrangement 1 having a
number of flat tubes 2 which are arranged parallel to and at a
distance from one another. The flat tubes 2 are provided with fluid
passages 4 for a fluid F, e.g. a stream of coolant or refrigerant
for an air-conditioning system of a vehicle, to flow through. The
fluid passages 4 have a particularly small diameter and are
designed in the form of capillaries. The fluid passages 4 of the
respective flat tubes 2 can be fed with the fluid F via a
collection manifold 6. To achieve a heat exchanger 1 which is as
simple as possible and has a particularly low weight, the flat
tubes 2 are arranged at least partially in a positively locking
manner in the collection manifold 6. For this purpose, the end 8 of
the respective flat tube 2 and an external contour 10 which
represents this end 8 are matched to an internal contour 12 which
represents the collection manifold 6.
[0030] To achieve a particularly thin-walled and therefore
material-saving design of the collection manifold 6, the end 8 of
at least one of the flat tubes 2 is provided with an opening 13
(FIG. 1B). A frame-like, e.g. annular, design of the flat tube end
8 of this type allows a completely positively locking connection
between the external contour 10 and the internal contour 12 of the
collection manifold 6 combined with sufficient protection of the
latter with respect to the mechanical stresses by means of a
reinforcement and support which substantially completely surrounds
the collection manifold 6. This leads to a particularly thin-walled
design of the collection manifold 6. The opening 13 formed at the
end 8 of the respective flat tube 2 itself serves as a flow passage
of the collection manifold 6 for supplying and/or discharging the
fluid F. Depending on the design of the flat tubes 2, the opening
13 may be produced by perforating, stamping, drilling or in some
other suitable way. For example, in the case of flat tubes 2 which
have already been joined to one another and form a component of the
heat exchanger 1, and which are of identical design in terms of the
opening 13, the opening 13 may be formed in a single process step
by stamping or perforation. As an alternative, in the case of flat
tubes 2 of a single heat exchanger 1 through which flow passes in
different ways and which are of different designs at the end side,
i.e. with and/or without opening 13, the flat tubes 2 may be
produced separately or in groups.
[0031] FIG. 2 shows an alternative heat exchanger 1 having a flat
tube 2, the external contour of the end 8 of which is matched to
the internal contour 12 of the collection manifold 6. For reliable
positioning, the end 8 of the respective flat tube 2 is at least
partially routed in a recess 14, running within the internal
contour 12, of the collection manifold 6. Depending on the type and
design of recess 14, the latter may be designed as channel-like
bead or as a groove. In this case, the recess 14 may run partially
or completely along the internal contour 12 of the collection
manifold 6, i.e. the recess 14 may continue around the entire
internal contour 12 of the collection manifold 6, with the recess
14 being designed as an opening only in the region of the feed to
the flat tube 2. In the region where the flat tube 2 is fixed to
the collection manifold 6, the recess 14 is designed as a bead or
groove.
[0032] To be mounted in the heat exchanger 1, the end 8 of the
respective flat tube 2 is fitted through the recess 14 and held in
a positively locking manner in the collection manifold 6. To
achieve a particularly secure non-positive lock for the holding of
the flat tube 2 in the collection manifold 6, the end 8 of the
respective flat tube 2 is held cohesively at the collection
manifold 6. For this purpose, the end 8 of the respective flat tube
2 is preferably soldered along the recess 14 of the collection
manifold 6. Alternatively, the end 8 may be adhesively bonded or
welded. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the collection manifold 6 is here
divided into two regions 16 which run transversely with respect to
the air flow direction L. A collection manifold 6 which has been
divided in two in this way, also referred to as a two-part
collection box, allows differentiated and separate feeding of the
individual flat tubes 2. To achieve a particularly
pressure-resistant and stable arrangement of the heat exchanger 1,
a fin 18 is arranged between the flat tubes 2 spaced apart from one
another.
[0033] FIGS. 3A to 3C show an alternative embodiment of the heat
exchanger 1. In this case, the end 8 of the respective flat tube 2
is provided with webs 20 on the outer side, which are sufficient to
achieve a good strength and rigidity in the case of a heat
exchanger 1 designed for a low pressure. Depending on the design of
webs 20, the opening 13, which represents them, of the end 8 of the
associated flat tube 2 may likewise be produced by stamping or
perforating. In this case, the flat tube 2 is connected to the
collection manifold 6 in a positively locking manner in the region
of the webs 20. FIG. 4 shows a perspective illustration of the heat
exchanger 1 in accordance with FIGS. 3A to 3C, with this heat
exchanger 1 having only a simple collection manifold 6.
[0034] FIGS. 5A to 5B and 6A to 6B show various cross-sectional
shapes of the collection manifold 6 and as a result for the opening
13 provided in the end 8 of the respective flat tube 2. In FIGS. 5A
to 5B, the collection manifold 6 has, for example, a round
cross-sectional shape. In FIGS. 6A and 6B the collection manifold 6
is designed to be of rectangular or square cross section.
[0035] FIGS. 7A and 7B show an alternative embodiment of the heat
exchanger 1. In this case, the end 8 of the respective flat tube 2,
in particular its external contour 10, is at least partially
matched to an external contour 22 which represents the collection
manifold 6. The flat tube 2 is introduced into the collection
manifold 6 via a cutout 24, which can be supplied from the outside,
of the collection manifold 6 and/or via the recess 14, which opens
out in the direction of the flat tubes 2, of the collection
manifold 6, with the end 8 of the flat tube 2 projecting above the
surface of the collection manifold 6 during assembly in the heat
exchanger 1. That end 8 of the flat tube 2 which projects above the
collection manifold 6 is then pressed together with and/or soldered
to the external contour 22 of the collection manifold 6.
[0036] FIGS. 8A and 8B show an alternative embodiment of the heat
exchanger 1. In this case, the collection manifold 6 is of one-part
design. The end 8 of the respective flat tube 2 is provided with a
split opening 13 for differentiated flow to the fluid passages 4.
This split opening 13 is realized in a production step, for example
by stamping holes into the end 8 of the respective flat tube 2. A
profile- or frame-like design of the end 8 of the respective flat
tube 2 of this type causes the flat tube to additionally reinforce
the collection manifold 6 when it is arranged in a positively
locking manner in the collection manifold 6. Furthermore, the
openings 13 themselves form a flow passage 36 running through the
collection manifold 6. In this case, flow can pass through the two
openings 13 in the same way, in the same direction. Alternatively,
one of the openings 13 can be used to supply the fluid F and the
other opening 13 can be used to discharge the fluid F.
[0037] FIG. 9 shows one possible embodiment of a heat exchanger 1,
having a collection manifold 6 which is of rectangular design and
in which a plurality of flat tubes 2 having identical ends 8 are
held in a positively locking manner and/or cohesively. For flow to
pass through the passages 4 of adjacent flat tubes 2 in
countercurrent, the collection manifold 6 is longitudinally and
transversely divided into regions 16a to 16d by means of a
partition wall 26. The collection manifold 6, by virtue of being
divided into the regions 16a to 16d, is configured as a four-part
collection manifold 6, so that a resulting heat exchanger 1 has
only one collection manifold 6, arranged at one end 8 of the flat
tubes 2, for supplying and discharging the fluid F.
[0038] The collection manifold 6 comprises an inlet passage 28 and
an outlet passage 30 for respectively supplying and discharging the
fluid F into and from regions 16a to 16d, which are separated from
one another by the partition wall 26 and in which the openings 13,
arranged therein, of the respective flat tubes 2 serve as flow
passage 36. On account of the introduction of the partition wall 26
and the resulting division into regions 16a, 16c and 16b, 16d
running in the longitudinal direction, the passages 4 arranged
within an individual flat tube 2 likewise have the fluid F flowing
through them in countercurrent. The division of the collection
manifold 6, running in the transverse direction, into regions 16a,
16b and 16c, 16d means that flow passes through adjacent flat tubes
2 in the countercurrent principle. For flow to pass through the
passages 4 of an individual flat tube 2 in the same direction, the
partition wall 26 comprises at least one through-opening 32.
[0039] To receive the partition wall 26 in the collection manifold
6, the respective flat tube 2 is provided with a slot 34. The slot
34 is used both to guide the partition wall 26 and to secure the
latter, for example by soldering or adhesive bonding. Flow to the
flat tubes 2 may be configured differently, for example in
cross-countercurrent in cross-cocurrent, in countercurrent and/or
in cocurrent, depending on the type and design of the heat
exchanger 1, in particular the configuration of the partition wall
26 with and/or without through-openings 32 or divisions.
[0040] FIG. 10 shows a further alternative embodiment of a heat
exchanger 1, in which flow passes through the flat tubes 2 in
different directions. In this case, it is possible to dispense with
the partition wall 26 shown in FIG. 9 by virtue of the flat tubes 2
themselves serving as partitions on account of the design of their
associated ends 8 differing in an appropriate way. For this
purpose, a plurality of flat tubes 2a are provided with openings 13
at their end side for the fluid F to flow through. By contrast, a
flat tube 2b which serves as a partition has a closed end 8.
Furthermore, the ends 8 of the flat tubes 2 in each case open out
into a collection manifold 6a and 6b, with the lower collection
manifold 6b serving only to divert the fluid F in flat tubes 2a and
2b through which the fluid F flows in countercurrent. The upper
collection manifold 6a serves both to supply and discharge the
fluid F via a single flow passage 36, which is designed as an inlet
passage 28 and outlet passage 30 and is formed by the openings 13
of the respective flat tubes 2, the fluid F flowing through the
heat exchanger 1 in a U-shape, as seen in the longitudinal
direction.
* * * * *