U.S. patent application number 10/592505 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-30 for frame part for a shell-and-tube heat exchanger.
This patent application is currently assigned to BEHR GmbH & CO. KG. Invention is credited to Werner Helms, Roland Hemminger, Volker Kurz, Chi-Duc Nguyen, Wolfgang Reier, Michael Spieth.
Application Number | 20070199680 10/592505 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34961497 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070199680 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Helms; Werner ; et
al. |
August 30, 2007 |
Frame Part For A Shell-And-Tube Heat Exchanger
Abstract
The invention relates to a frame part for a shell-and-tube heat
exchanger. The frame parts should be designed so that given a
simplified producibility of the frame parts, a complete
compensation for expansion in the longitudinal direction as well as
in the transverse direction of the frame part is nevertheless
ensured. According to the invention, a frame part for a
shell-and-tube heat exchanger comprises a number of tubes, which
are parallel to one another, form a tube body, and are flowed
through by a heat exchanging medium. The tube body is surrounded by
frame parts at least on two sides that are parallel to the tubes.
At least one thermal expansion element is formed at least in the
frame parts that are oriented parallel to the tubes. The thickness
of this thermal expansion element is at least a multiple of that of
the material of the frame part where it deviates.
Inventors: |
Helms; Werner; (Esslingen,
DE) ; Hemminger; Roland; (Esslingen, DE) ;
Kurz; Volker; (Stuttgart, DE) ; Nguyen; Chi-Duc;
(Lorch-Waldhausen, DE) ; Reier; Wolfgang;
(Schwaikheim, DE) ; Spieth; Michael; (Gomaringen,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FOLEY AND LARDNER LLP;SUITE 500
3000 K STREET NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20007
US
|
Assignee: |
BEHR GmbH & CO. KG
|
Family ID: |
34961497 |
Appl. No.: |
10/592505 |
Filed: |
March 3, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
March 3, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP05/02237 |
371 Date: |
September 12, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/81 ;
165/149 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28F 9/001 20130101;
F28F 2265/26 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/081 ;
165/149 |
International
Class: |
F28D 1/00 20060101
F28D001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 17, 2004 |
DE |
10 2004 013 399.9 |
Claims
1. A shell-and-tube heat exchanger, in which a heat exchange medium
flows through a number of tubes which run parallel to one another
and form a tubular body, the tubular body being adjoined by a frame
part at least on one side running parallel to the tubes, wherein
.OMEGA.-shaped thermal expansion elements which are deflected out
of the plane of the frame part by a multiple of the material
thickness of the material of the frame part are molded at least
into the frame parts which are aligned parallel to the tubes.
2. The shell-and-tube heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1,
characterized in that the thermal expansion elements are made from
the material of the frame part.
3. The shell-and-tube heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the thermal expansion elements are connected integrally to the
frame part at least on one side.
4. The shell-and-tube heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the .OMEGA.-shaped thermal expansion element comprises a height
offset (h) in the plane of extent of the frame part on both sides
of the thermal expansion element.
5. The shell-and-tube heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein
two .OMEGA.-shaped partial sections are formed one behind the
other, the sections of curvature of which preferably lie on the
mutually opposite sides of the frame part, the thermal expansion
element in particular including a height offset (h) in the plane of
extent of the frame part on both sides of the thermal expansion
element.
6. The shell-and-tube heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the thermal coefficient of expansion of the frame part in the
region of the thermal expansion element is at most equal to the
thermal coefficient of expansion of the tubes.
7. The shell-and-tube heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein
a thermal expansion element is designed as at least one web which
does not extend over the entire width of the frame part and is
preferably formed from at least two webs which form a continuous
edge in particular on both sides of the frame part.
8. The shell-and-tube heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein
a thermal expansion element is formed in a section of the frame
part that corresponds to an end region of the tubes, preferably in
the region in which the tubes are fastened by welding to another
body, such as a collecting tube or a distributor tube.
9. The shell-and-tube heat exchanger as claimed in claim 8, wherein
thermal expansion elements are formed in each case on both sides in
the section of the frame part that corresponds to the end region of
the tubes.
10. The shell-and-tube heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1,
wherein external ribs which are thermally contacted by the tubes
are provided, which external ribs are aligned in particular
transversely to the longitudinal direction of the tubes and,
preferably on the end, bear at least on one side against a frame
part, in particular are connected thereto.
11. The shell-and-tube heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the frame part is reduced in sections between
.OMEGA.-shaped thermal expansion elements to meandering material
webs which have planiform material tongues which preferably
protrude laterally and are aligned in the plane of the frame part.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a frame part for a
shell-and-tube heat exchanger.
[0002] Shell-and-tube heat exchangers comprise a number of tubes
which run parallel to one another and have a heat exchange medium
flowing through them. The tubes running parallel to one another
form a tubular body. For reasons concerned with stability, handling
and installation of shell-and-tube heat exchangers of this type, it
is customary for the tubular body to be surrounded by frame parts
at least on two sides running parallel to the tubes.
[0003] Within the context of heat load cycles occurring during
operation of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger, different thermal
loading and therefore different thermal expansion of frame parts
and tubular bodies take place. In this case, the problem is more
serious the greater the length of the tubes. If the frame parts and
the outer tubes of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger that are
adjacent to frame parts are mounted in a fixed manner with respect
to one another, stress peaks occur in particular in the region in
which the tubes are attached and put the tightness of the
shell-and-tube heat exchanger at risk, in particular in the region
in which the tubes are attached. In order to counteract these
stress peaks which occur in particular on the outer tubes adjacent
to the frame parts, it is customary to provide expansion beads in
the frame parts to compensate for the expansion in the longitudinal
direction of the frame parts.
[0004] Side parts of this type with expansion beads are suitable
only for compensating for expansion in the longitudinal direction.
None the less, the presence of at least one expansion bead as a
weakening of the longitudinal rigidity of the frame part is not
sufficient to achieve complete decoupling of tubular body and frame
part. In addition, the production of side parts with expansion
beads is associated with a high outlay on production and exacting
requirements imposed on the forming tools.
[0005] By contrast, it is the object of the invention to design the
frame parts in such a manner that, with the frame parts being
simplified to produce, complete compensation of the expansion in
the longitudinal direction and, in addition, also in the transverse
direction of the frame part is nevertheless ensured.
[0006] The object on which the invention is based is achieved by a
shell-and-tube heat exchanger according to the independent
claim.
[0007] A frame part for a shell-and-tube heat exchanger according
to the invention has a number of tubes which run parallel to one
another, form a tubular body and through which a heat exchange
medium flows. In this case, the tubular body is surrounded by frame
parts at least on two sides running parallel to the tubes. At least
one thermal expansion element which, in a deflection of the
material of the frame part, is at least a multiple of the material
thickness thereof, is molded into the frame parts which are aligned
parallel to the tubes.
[0008] Such a deflection in the shape of the frame part has the
effect that not only is a reduced longitudinal rigidly produced but
so to is flexibility in the direction transverse to the profile of
the frame part. By this means, it is possible not only to intercept
the thermal expansion of the tubular body along the direction of
the profile of the tubes but also in a transverse direction
thereto. At the same time, the introduction of stresses caused by a
change in temperature to the tubes on account of different thermal
expansion between tubular body and frame parts is avoided. In
particular, the roots of the tubes on other components, which roots
have been produced, under some circumstances, by welding or
soldering, are relieved from stress, and increased quality and
reduced leakages of the tubes in these regions are advantageously
achieved.
[0009] An advantageous refinement of the thermal expansion element
makes provision for it to be composed of the material of the frame
part itself. This means that the frame part together with the
thermal expansion element is composed of components of the same
physical behavior and if, according to an advantageous refinement,
it is connected integrally to the frame part at least on one side,
it can be produced from one piece of material. Particularly
preferred refinements of the invention make provision for frame
part and thermal expansion element to be connected integrally to
each other on both sides of the thermal expansion elements, so that
the entire unit can be produced from a single piece of
material.
[0010] According to a further preferred refinement of the
invention, the thermal expansion element is of essentially
.OMEGA.-shaped design, with the thermal expansion element in
particular protruding out of the plane of the frame part away from
the tubes. According to a preferred further refinement, in the
region of the thermal expansion element a height offset can be
formed in the plane of extent of the frame part on both sides of
the thermal expansion element. A height offset of this type has the
advantage that the frame part can compensate for different heights,
for example between a collecting body, into which the tubes lead,
and the tubes themselves and at the same time also has great
flexibility and low rigidity both in this vertical direction and in
the direction of longitudinal extent of the frame part.
[0011] Another advantageous refinement of the invention makes
provision for two .OMEGA.-shaped partial sections to be formed one
behind the other, the sections of curvature of which preferably lie
on the mutually opposite sides of the frame part. In this case, the
thermal expansion element can in particular include a height offset
in the plane of extent of the frame part on both sides of the
thermal expansion element. Such a double-.OMEGA.-shaped design
makes it possible to integrate a large length of material into the
thermal expansion element and therefore, in particular in the
longitudinal direction of the frame part, also to integrate a high
degree of thermal expandability.
[0012] A further refinement of the invention makes provision for
the thermal coefficient of expansion of the frame part in the
region of the thermal expansion element to be at most equal to,
preferably smaller than, the thermal coefficient of expansion of
the tubes. This measure ensures that the expandability of the frame
part in the direction of extent of the tubes is at most equal to
it, preferably smaller than it, and therefore loading due to
different thermal expansion between frame part and tubes is largely
avoided. In a refinement of this type, an adaptation to the thermal
behavior of the tubes in the case of temperature fluctuations is
therefore achieved not only by low mechanical rigidity of the frame
part but also by an appropriately high degree of thermal expansion
in the region of the expansion element.
[0013] According to further refinements of the invention, the
thermal expansion element is designed as at least one web which
does not extend over the entire width of the frame part. The
thermal expansion element preferably comprises two such webs which
run on both sides to form a continuous edge with the frame part.
This measure firstly achieves a lower mechanical rigidity and
therefore better expandability of the frame part in the region of
the thermal expansion element in the longitudinal direction of the
frame part and secondly material is advantageously saved, which
leads to the frame part having a lower weight which constitutes a
desired advantageous measure. By two webs forming a continuous
edge, a closed rectilinear outer contour of the frame part is
maintained at the same time.
[0014] According to a further refinement of the invention, a
thermal expansion element is formed in at least one section of the
frame part that corresponds to an end region of the tubes. This is
preferably the region of a fastening, in particular fastening by
welding or soldering, of the tubes to another body, such as a
collecting tube or a distributor tube. The tubular body of a heat
exchanger extends in particular between a distributor tube and a
collecting tube, with the inflowing heat exchange medium first of
all being guided into the distributor tube and the mass flow being
distributed by the distributor tube to the different tubes of the
tubular body, thus achieving an enlargement of the surface area of
the heat-conducting elements, which promotes the exchange of heat.
The partial flows are collected again in the collecting tube and
the entire flow is brought together. In a large number of
refinements, in particular "monoblock heat exchangers", the tubes
of the tubular body are in each case fastened on both sides by
welding or soldering into corresponding holes on the distributor
tube and collecting tube. These fastening points, in particular,
constitute particular weak points with regard to the mechanical
rigidity of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger. Owing to the fact
that the thermal expansion element is formed in particular in this
end region of the tubes, great flexibility of the frame part is
produced here. The frame part extends in particular over the entire
length of the tubes between the collecting tube and the distributor
tube and has a respective thermal expansion element in the end
region of the tubes, in particular on both sides.
[0015] A further advantageous refinement of the invention makes
provision for external ribs which surround the tubes and are
contacted thermally by these tubes to be provided. These external
ribs are aligned in particular transversely to the longitudinal
direction of the tubes and, in particular on the end, bear at least
on one side against a frame part and are preferably connected
thereto. The external ribs which are contacted thermally increase
the heat exchange surface, with the transfer of heat between the
external ribs taking place by thermal conduction in the material.
In order to ensure a secure position of the external ribs and good
support of the external ribs protruding on the end side, said
external ribs are fastened to the frame part. The fastening can
advantageously take place by means of hard soldering. The frame
parts therefore provide a closed body.
[0016] According to a further, particularly material-saving and
lightweight refinement of the frame part, the latter is reduced
between the thermal expansion elements to a meandering material web
which has planiform material tongues which preferably protrude
laterally and are aligned in the plane of the frame part. In this
case, it is possible in particular for the external ribs
surrounding the tubes to be connected in the region of the material
tongues to the frame part, in particular by welding or
soldering.
[0017] The invention is explained in more detail below with
reference to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawing,
in which:
[0018] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a frame part according to
the invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 shows a side view and top view of a second embodiment
of a frame part according to the invention, with a height offset
being integrated here in the region of the expansion element into
the frame part;
[0020] FIG. 3 shows a heat exchanger with a frame part according to
FIG. 2;
[0021] FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment of a frame element
according to the invention; and
[0022] FIG. 5 shows a heat exchanger with a frame part according to
FIG. 4.
[0023] FIG. 1 shows the frame part 10 which is divided by the two
thermal expansion elements 11, which are integrated into the frame
part, into two outer sections 12 and a central piece 13. It can be
seen in the enlarged partial detail that the thermal expansion
element 13 is formed from a web 14 which describes an essentially
.OMEGA.-shaped curve and extends as far as the edge, i.e. the outer
contour of the frame part 10. In this case, the width of the web 14
is smaller than the width of the frame part 10, with the result
that a respective web 14 is arranged on the edge on both sides and
a central section 15 which is free from material is situated in
between.
[0024] FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal section and a top view of
another frame part 10 in a sectional illustration. In this case, a
thermal expansion element 11 which is formed from two webs 14 is
situated between a central piece 13 and an outer section 12, the
webs 14 running to the outer section 12 in a manner forming a
continuous edge in the contour while the central piece 13 has a
greater width than the outer section 12. In this case too, there is
a central section 15 which is free from material between the two
webs 14. This obtains a saving on material and weight and reduces
the mechanical rigidity. Furthermore, the design of the frame part
of FIG. 2 corresponds essentially to the design of the frame part
of FIG. 1. However, there is a height offset h between the outer
section 12 and the central section 13 in the region of the thermal
expansion element 11.
[0025] FIG. 3 shows the installation position of a frame part 10
according to FIG. 2 on a heat exchanger 30. The heat exchanger 30
is bounded laterally by the distributor tube 31, into which the
heat exchanger medium flows, and a collecting tube 32 from which
the heat exchanger medium flows out again, with tubes which run
parallel and are not illustrated in detail and external ribs
running transversely to the tubes being situated between
distributor tube 31 and collecting tube 32 and forming the tubular
body 33.
[0026] The central piece 13 of the frame part 10 extends along the
profile of the tubular body and parallel to the profile of the
tubes in the tubular body while a respective thermal expansion
element 11 is formed in the transition between collecting tube 32
and tubular body 33 or distributor tube 31 and tubular body 33, as
is apparent, for example, from FIG. 2, and connects the central
piece 13 of the frame part 10 to an outer section 12 which is
situated in each case on the outside and is fastened to the
collecting tube 32 or distributor tube 31.
[0027] If the temperature of the heat exchange medium flowing
through the heat exchanger changes, then distributor tube 31 and
collecting tube 32 expand especially in the vertical direction
while the tubes of the tubular body 33 change especially in the
direction of extent of the frame part 10, i.e. in the longitudinal
direction. A change in length in two different directions
independent of each other is therefore provided, with, in
particular, the change in length of the distributor tube 31
differing from that of the tubular body 33. The different expansion
in the vertical direction is compensated for via the variability in
the height offset h while the exchange in the longitudinal
direction in the profile of the tubes takes place via the
.OMEGA.-shape of the thermal expansion element 11.
[0028] The thermal expansion elements 11 of the frame part 10 are
situated in particular in the section in which the transition
between the distributor tube 31 or the collecting tube 32 and the
tubes of the tubular body 33 is provided, which section is a
particular structural weak point.
[0029] FIGS. 4 and 5 show a further refinement of a frame part
according to the invention, with the frame part 10, here too, in
turn having two outer sections 12 and a central piece 13 which are
connected to one another via a respective thermal expansion element
10 which deviates by a multiple of the material thickness of the
material of the frame part 10 out of the plane of the frame part
10, which plane is defined in particular by the plane of the
central piece 13. In this case, for reasons concerned with
stability and weight and in order to ensure good thermal
flexibility of the frame part 10, the central piece 13 of the frame
part 10 is reduced to a meandering material web 16 from which
material tongues 17 protrude in some sections, said material
tongues bearing against the tubular body 33 of the heat exchanger
30 and being fastened thereto. In this case, FIG. 4 shows a
sectional illustration corresponding to FIG. 2 while FIG. 5 shows a
perspective partial view of a heat exchanger corresponding to FIG.
3.
* * * * *