U.S. patent application number 12/808344 was filed with the patent office on 2010-11-18 for heat exchange system.
This patent application is currently assigned to A-HEAT ALLIED HEAT EXCHANGER TECHNOLOGY AG. Invention is credited to Franz Summerer.
Application Number | 20100288471 12/808344 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39591195 |
Filed Date | 2010-11-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100288471 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Summerer; Franz |
November 18, 2010 |
Heat exchange system
Abstract
The invention relates to a heat exchange system (1) having a
heat exchange module (2, 21, 22) including at least one first heat
exchange module (21) with a heat exchanger (3), wherein an outer
boundary of the heat exchange modules (2, 21, 22) is formed by an
inflow surface (41) and an outflow surface (42) such that, for the
exchange of heat between a transport fluid (5) and a heat transfer
agent (6) flowing through the heat exchanger (3) in the operating
state, the transport fluid (5) can be supplied to the heat exchange
module (2, 21, 22) via the inflow surface (41), can be brought into
flow contact with the heat exchanger (3) and can be led away again
from the heat exchange module (2) via the outflow surface (42). In
accordance with the invention, in this respect, a cleaning system
(7) is provided with a cleaning flap (71).
Inventors: |
Summerer; Franz;
(Kottgeisering, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TOWNSEND AND TOWNSEND AND CREW, LLP
TWO EMBARCADERO CENTER, EIGHTH FLOOR
SAN FRANCISCO
CA
94111-3834
US
|
Assignee: |
A-HEAT ALLIED HEAT EXCHANGER
TECHNOLOGY AG
MUENCHEN
DE
|
Family ID: |
39591195 |
Appl. No.: |
12/808344 |
Filed: |
October 16, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
October 16, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP08/63992 |
371 Date: |
June 15, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/95 ;
165/104.19; 165/121 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28F 1/022 20130101;
F28F 1/24 20130101; F28G 15/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/95 ;
165/104.19; 165/121 |
International
Class: |
F28G 3/00 20060101
F28G003/00; F28D 15/00 20060101 F28D015/00; F28F 13/00 20060101
F28F013/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 18, 2007 |
EP |
07123498.3 |
Claims
1. A heat exchange system having a heat exchange module (2, 21, 22)
including at least one first heat exchange module (21) with a heat
exchanger (3), wherein an outer boundary of the heat exchange
module (2, 21, 22) is formed by an inflow surface (41) and an
outflow surface (42) such that, for the exchange of heat between a
transport fluid (5) and a heat transfer agent (6) flowing through
the heat exchanger (3) in the operating state, the transport fluid
(5) can be supplied to the heat exchange module (2, 21, 22) via the
inflow surface (41), can be brought into flow contact with the heat
exchanger (3) and can be led away again from the heat exchange
module (2) again via the outflow surface (42), characterized in
that a cleaning system (7) with a cleaning flap (71) is
provided.
2. A heat exchange system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the
cleaning system (7) includes a dust capturing grid and/or a scraper
and/or a washing device, in particular a cleaning opening (72);
and/or wherein the heat exchanger (3) is provided at the cleaning
flap (71) and/or the heat exchanger (3) is made as a cleaning flap
(71).
3. A heat exchange system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the
cleaning flap (71) is rotatably supported around an axis of
rotation (711) for the opening of the heat exchange module (2, 21,
22) so that the cleaning flap (71) is a collection pan (712) for a
cleaning agent (713) in an open state.
4. A heat exchange system in accordance with claim 1, wherein a
first boundary surface (9, 91) of the first heat exchange module
(2, 21) is inclined at a presettable angle of inclination
(.quadrature.) with respect to a second boundary surface (9, 92) of
the first heat exchange module (2, 21).
5. A heat exchange system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the
heat exchanger (3) has a supporting function in the forming of the
heat exchange module (2, 21, 22).
6. A heat exchange system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the
heat exchange system is formed from a plurality of heat exchange
modules (2, 21, 22).
7. A heat exchange system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the
first boundary surface (9, 91) of the first heat exchange module
(2, 21) is inclined at the presettable angle of inclination
(.alpha.) with respect to the second boundary surface (9, 92) of
the first heat exchange module (2, 21) such that the modular heat
exchange system can be expanded by a second heat exchange module
(2, 22), in particular in compact construction shape, with the
second heat exchange module (2, 22) preferably being identical to
the first heat exchange module (2, 21).
8. A heat exchange system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the
angle of inclination (.alpha.) between the first boundary surface
(9, 91) and the second boundary surface (9, 92) of the heat
exchange module (2, 21, 22) is between 0.degree. and 180.degree.,
specifically between 20.degree. and 70.degree., preferably between
40.degree. and 50.degree., and particularly preferably amounts to
45.degree..
9. A heat exchange system in accordance with claim 1, wherein a
boundary surface (9) of the heat exchange system is formed by a
wall (9) of an installation object, in particular by a wall (9) of
a building.
10. A heat exchange system in accordance with claim 1, wherein a
cooling device (10) is provided for the cooling of the heat
exchanger (3), in particular a fan (10) for the generation of a gas
flow, to increase a heat transfer capacity between the heat
transfer agent (6) and the transport fluid (5); and/or wherein the
heat exchange system is made as a hybrid system and a sprinkling
device is provided for the sprinkling of the heat exchanger (3)
with a cooling fluid, in particular with cooling water, and/or a
drop separator is provided for the separation of the cooling
fluid.
11. A heat exchange system in accordance with claim 1, wherein a
sealing (11) is provided, in particular an air sealing (11), for
the regulation of a flowthrough rate of the transport fluid
(5).
12. A heat exchange system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the
heat exchanger (3) is formed by a plurality of microchannels (31)
as a microchannel heat exchanger (3, 300); and/or wherein the heat
exchanger is made as a finned heat exchanger (3, 301) with cooling
fins (32) and/or the heat exchange system is made as a combination
heat exchange system of the finned heat exchanger (3, 301) and the
microchannel heat exchanger (3, 300).
13. A heat exchange system in accordance with claim 1, wherein a
compensation means is provided for the compensation of
thermomechanical strains; and/or wherein a universal connection
element (12) is provided for the connection of a component of the
heat exchange system.
14. A heat exchange system in accordance with claim 1, wherein a
control unit, in particular a control unit with a data processing
system for the control of the cooling device (10) and/or of the
cleaning system (7) and/or of the air sealing (11) and/or of an
operating or state parameter of the heat transfer agent (6) and/or
of another operating parameter of the heat exchange system, is/are
provided for the control and/or regulation of the heat exchange
system in the operating state.
15. A heat exchange system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the
heat exchange module (2, 21, 22) and/or the heat exchanger (3)
and/or a boundary surface (9, 91, 92) of the heat exchange module
(2, 21, 22), specifically the whole heat exchange system, is/are
made of a metal and/or of a metal alloy, in particular of a single
metal or of a single metal alloy, in particular of stainless steel,
specifically of aluminum or of an aluminum alloy with a sacrificial
metal preferably being provided as corrosion protection and/or with
the heat exchange system being provided at least partly with a
protection layer, in particular with a corrosion protection
layer.
16. A heat exchange system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the
heat exchange system is a radiator, in particular a radiator for a
vehicle, specifically for a land vehicle, for an aircraft or for a
water vehicle, or is a cooler, a capacitor or an evaporator for a
mobile or stationary heating system, a cooling system or an
air-conditioning system, in particular a cooler apparatus for a
machine, for a data processing system or for a building.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a modular heat exchange system
having a heat exchange module in accordance with the preamble of
independent claim 1.
[0002] The use of heat exchange systems is known in a number of
applications from the prior art which can practically not be
overseen. Heat exchangers are used in refrigeration systems such as
in common domestic refrigerators, in air-conditioning systems for
buildings or in vehicles of all kinds, in particular in motor
vehicles, aircraft and ships, as water coolers or as oil coolers in
combustion engines, as condensers or evaporators in refrigerant
circuits and in further innumerable different applications which
are all well-known to the person of ordinary skill in the art.
[0003] In this respect, there are different possibilities of
sensibly classifying the heat exchangers from very different
applications. One attempt is to carry out a distinguishing by the
structure or by the manufacture of the different types of heat
exchangers.
[0004] A division can thus be made in accordance with so-called
"finned heat exchangers", on the one hand, and "minichannel" or
"microchannel" heat exchangers, on the other hand.
[0005] The finned heat exchangers which have been well-known for a
very long time serve, like all types of heat exchangers, for the
transfer of heat between two media, e.g., but not only, for the
transfer from a cooling medium to air or vice versa, such as is
known, for example, from a classical domestic refrigerator in which
heat is emitted to ambient air via the heat exchanger for the
production of a cooling capacity in the interior of the
refrigerator.
[0006] The ambient medium outside the heat exchanger, that is e.g.
water, oil or frequently simply the ambient air, which takes up the
heat, for example, or from which heat is transferred to the heat
exchanger, is either cooled or heated accordingly in this process.
The second medium can e.g. be a liquid cold carrier or heat carrier
or an evaporating or condensing refrigerant. In any case, the
ambient medium, that is e.g. the air, has a substantially lower
heat transfer coefficient than the second medium, that is e.g. the
refrigerant, which circulates in the heat exchanger system. This is
balanced by highly different heat transfer surfaces for the two
media. The medium with the high heat transfer coefficient flows in
the pipe which has a very enlarged surface at the outer side at
which the heat transfer e.g. to the air takes place by thin metal
sheets (ribs, fins).
[0007] FIG. 3 shows a simple example of an element of such a finned
heat exchanger which is known per se. In practice, the heat
exchanger is formed in this respect by a plurality of such elements
in accordance with FIG. 3.
[0008] The ratio of the outer surface to the inner surface depends
in this respect on the fin geometry (=pipe diameter, pipe
arrangement and pipe spacing) as well as on the fin spacing. The
fin spacing is selected differently for different applications.
However, it should be as small as possible from a purely
thermodynamic aspect, but not so small that the pressure loss on
the air side is too large. An efficient optimum is at approximately
2 mm, which is a typical value for the condenser and the heat
exchanger.
[0009] The manufacture of these so-called finned heat exchangers
takes place in accordance with a standardized process known for a
long time. The fins are stamped using a press and a special tool
and are placed in packets with one another. Subsequently, the pipes
are pushed in and expanded either mechanically or hydraulically so
that a very good contact, and thus a good heat transfer, arises
between the pipe and the fin. The individual pipes are then
connected to one another, often soldered to one another, by bends
and inlet tanks and outlet tanks.
[0010] The efficiency is in this respect substantively determined
by the fact that the heat which is transferred between the fin
surface and the air has to be transferred to the pipe via heat
conduction through the fins. This heat transfer is the more
effective, the higher the conductivity or the thickness of the fin
is, but also the smaller the spacing between the pipes is. One
speaks of fin efficiency here. Aluminum is therefore primarily used
as the fin material today which has a high heat conductivity
(approx. 220 W/mK) at economic conditions. The pipe spacing should
be as small as possible; however, this results in the problem that
many pipes are needed. Many pipes mean high costs since the pipes
(made from copper as rule) are much more expensive than the thin
aluminum fins. These material costs could be reduced in that the
pipe diameter and the wall thickness are reduced, i.e. a heat
exchanger is made with a number of small pipes instead of with a
few larger pipes. This solution would be ideal thermodynamically:
Very many pipes at small distances with small diameters. A
substantial cost factor is, however, also the labor time for the
widening and soldering of the pipes. It would increase extremely
with such a geometry.
[0011] A new class of heat exchangers, so-called minichannel or
also microchannel heat exchangers, was therefore already developed
some years ago which are manufactured using a completely different
process and almost correspond to the ideal of a finned heat
exchanger: many small pipes at small intervals.
[0012] Instead of small pipes, however, extruded aluminum sections
are used in the minichannel heat exchanger which have very small
channels with a diameter of e.g. approximately 1 mm. Such an
extruded section likewise known per se is shown schematically e.g.
in FIG. 2. In practice in this respect, a heat exchanger can
already manage, depending on the required heat capacity, with one
single extruded section as a central heat exchange element. To be
able to achieve higher heat transfer capacities, a plurality of
extruded sections can naturally also be provided simultaneously in
one single heat exchanger which are connected to one another, e.g.
soldered to one another, in suitable combinations, for example via
inlet feeds and outlet feeds.
[0013] Such sections can e.g. be manufactured in suitable extrusion
processes simply and in a variety of shapes from a plurality of
materials. However, other manufacturing processes are also known
for the manufacture of minichannel heat exchangers such as the
assembly of suitably shaped sectional metal sheets or other
suitable processes.
[0014] These sections cannot, and also do not have to, be widened
and they are also not pushed into stamped fin packets.
[0015] Instead, for example, sheet metal strips, in particular
aluminum strips, are placed between two sections disposed close to
one another (common spacings, for example, <1 cm) so that a heat
exchanger packet arises by alternating placing of sheet metal
strips and sections next to one another. This packet is then
soldered completely in a soldering furnace.
[0016] A heat exchanger having a very high fin efficiency and a
very small filling volume (inner channel side) arises due to the
narrow spacings and the small channel diameters. The further
advantages of this technique are the avoidance of material pairings
(corrosion), the low weight (no copper), the high pressure
stability (approx. 100 bar) as well as the compact construction
shape (typical depth of a heat exchanger e.g. 20 mm).
[0017] Minichannel heat exchangers became established in mobile use
in the course of the 1990s. The low weight, the small block depth
as well as the restricted dimensions required here are the ideal
conditions for this. Automotive radiators as well as condensers and
evaporators for automotive air-conditioning systems are today
realized almost exclusively with minichannel heat exchangers.
[0018] In the stationary area, larger heat exchangers are usually
needed, on the one hand; on the other hand, the emphasis here is
less on the weight and the compact design and more on the ideal
price-performance ratio. Minichannel heat exchangers were
previously too limited in dimensions to be considered for this
purpose. Many small modules would have had to be connected to one
another in a complex and/or expensive manner. In addition, the use
of aluminum is relatively high in the extruded sections so that a
cost advantage was also practically not to be expected from the
material use aspect.
[0019] Due to the high volumes in the automotive sector, the
manufacturing processes for minichannel heat exchangers have become
standardized and have improved so that this technology can today be
called mature. The soldering furnace size has also increased in the
meantime so that heat exchangers can already be produced in the
size of approximately 1.times.2 m. The initial difficulties with
the connection system have been remedied. In the meantime, there
are a plurality of patented processes on how the inlet tanks and
outlet tanks can be soldered in.
[0020] However, above all the price of copper, which has increased
greatly with respect to aluminum, has had the result that this
technology is also becoming very interesting for stationary
use.
[0021] In addition to the simple systems in which substantially
only one ambient medium, such as air, is available to the heat
exchanger for the exchange of heat, so-called hybrid coolers or
hybrid dry coolers are known such as are e.g. disclosed in
WO90/15299 or in EP 428 647 B1, in which the gaseous or liquid
medium of the primary cooling circuit to be cooled flows through a
fin heat exchanger and which output the heat to be dissipated via
the cooling fins to the air flow partly as sensitive heat and
partly as latent heat. One or more fans convey the air flow through
the heat exchanger and advantageously have variable speeds. The
dissipation of the latent heat takes place by a liquid medium,
preferably water, which is matched by its specific values such as
conductivity, hardness, carbonate content and is in each case added
to the heat transfer surface on the air side as a drop-forming
liquid film. The excess water drips into a collection bowl directly
beneath the heat exchanger elements. Sprayed heat exchanger
concepts are also known where water is sprayed onto the fin heat
exchanger and evaporates completely and in this process the
evaporation energy is used for the improvement of the heat transfer
as in the wetting for energetic optimization. It is also possible
to work without a water excess here, but a formation of deposits
has to be prevented, for which purposes e.g. VE water is used.
[0022] It is understood that other cooling fluids such as oil can
also be considered in addition to water in special cases.
[0023] The manner of operation in the wetting or spraying of the
fins of the heat exchanger results in substantial energy and water
savings in comparison with customary methods such as with open
cooling towers. However, the restriction in the choice of material
of the wetted or sprayed heat exchanger in conjunction with the fin
where corrosion may not occur in connection with an electrolyte is
disadvantageous.
[0024] Hybrid heat transfer is thus understood as the substantial
improvement of the heat transfer of fin heat exchangers with pipes
by direct wetting or spraying of water. It is above all necessary
in this respect to regulate the air speed in the fin packet so that
no taking along of water occurs at the fin surface. This is
advantageously achieved by a speed regulation of the fans or by
other suitable measures.
[0025] It is a disadvantage in this respect that the sprayed or
wetting water acts as an electrolyte together with dissolved ions,
which can result in numerous corrosion problems with the usually
used material pairings of copper pipe and aluminum fins of the heat
exchanger.
[0026] It is known in this respect e.g. to use so-called
cataphoretic dip coating as a suitable surface protection for heat
exchangers. Furthermore, both the material pairings such as copper
pipe and copper fin and aluminum pipe and aluminum fin as well as
stainless steel pipe and stainless steel fin are used to master the
problems of contact corrosion. It is also known to zinc coat the
heat exchangers completely. High demands are made on the quality of
the circulation water or spray water in this respect with regard to
the pH values, water hardness, chlorine content, conductivity, etc.
to prevent deposits from forming, on the one hand, on condensation
on the fin due to evaporation and from contents of chemically
reactive materials forming which are too high, on the other hand,
which can on their part result in corrosion together with the
deposits.
[0027] To achieve higher heat transfer capacities than are e.g.
known with small heat exchangers from automotive engineering or
domestic technology, attempts have previously been made to make use
of the previously described hybrid technology with larger heat
transfer systems.
[0028] Another possibility to reach larger heat transfer capacities
basically involves trying to achieve greater exchange rates by
interconnection of a plurality of individual heat exchange
components, e.g. by the connection of Al-MCHX modules.
[0029] A problem with all previously known heat exchange systems in
this respect is the contamination of the system components of the
heat exchange system, which can generally not be avoided in the
operating state. The heat exchangers past which the cooling air is
conducted using corresponding fans can be contaminated more and
more over time by contaminants of all kinds which are contained in
the cooling air, which can, for example, have the result that the
heat transfer coefficient of the surface of the heat exchanger is
reduced so that the heat transfer capacity is reduced. This can
result in increased operating costs or, in extreme cases, the heat
exchange systems can no longer provide the required heat exchange
performance at all, which in worst case scenarios can result in
serious damage. For example, that a connected machine to be cooled
such as a data processing systems or an internal combustion engine
or another machine overheats and is thereby damaged. But also
products such as to foodstuffs which are stored in a cold store can
go off, for example, with deficient refrigerating.
[0030] The heat exchange systems must therefore be cleaned
regularly, which is, however, difficult and thus complex and
expensive in the known systems. It is furthermore necessary in many
known heat exchange systems to open a housing in order e.g. to
clean the heat exchanger itself or to clean other major components
in the interior of the heat exchanger. The opening of the housings
is therefore not only complex and awkward. In this case, the
corresponding connected heat engines also have to be taken out of
operation since otherwise an opening of the housing of the heat
exchange system is not allowed for safety reasons alone or is not
possible at all for technical reasons in the operating state.
[0031] A further problem is that the cleaning liquid with which the
heat exchange system is cleaned, for example water, water mixed
with a cleaning agent or another cleaning liquid has to be
collected in a complex and/or expensive manner so that it can be
disposed of professionally. As a rule, the cleaning liquid
contaminated after the cleaning process may not simply be supplied
to the sewers. Corresponding complex and/or expensive apparatus,
for example, separators, separate channel systems via which
contaminated cleaning liquid is led away and supplied to a
collection point or other separation and collection systems known
per se are therefore provided in the known heat exchange systems
which not only take up additional space, but are also expensive in
construction and in operation.
[0032] It is therefore the object of the invention to provide an
improved heat exchange system which overcomes the problems known
from the prior art, which is in particular simple to clean, can
preferably also be cleaned in the operating state and with which a
contaminated cleaning liquid can be captured or collected and
disposed of simply.
[0033] The subjects of the invention satisfying these objects are
characterized by the features of independent claim 1.
[0034] The dependent claims relate to particularly advantageous
embodiments of the invention.
[0035] The invention thus relates to a heat exchange system having
a heat exchange module including at least one first heat exchange
module with a heat exchanger, with an external boundary of the heat
exchange module being formed by an inflow surface and an outflow
surface such that, for the exchange of heat between a transport
fluid and a heat transfer agent flowing through the heat exchanger
in the operating state, the transport fluid can be supplied via the
inflow surface to the heat exchange module, can be brought into
flow contact with the heat exchanger and can be led away again from
the heat exchange module via the outflow surface. In accordance
with the invention, in this respect, a cleaning system is provided
with a cleaning flap.
[0036] It is thus important for the invention that a cleaning
system with a cleaning flap is provided in a heat exchange system
of the present invention, said cleaning flap being able to be
opened and closed simply so that access is provided to the interior
of the heat exchange module which allows cleaning and service work,
basically even in the operating state of the heat exchange system,
without having to disassemble the heat exchange system.
[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the cleaning system of the
present invention includes a cleaning opening and/or a dust
capturing grid and/or a scraper and/or a washing device whose
function is generally known to the skilled person. The heat
exchanger can in particular be provided at the cleaning flap and/or
the heat exchanger is itself made as a cleaning flap, which in
special cases and depending on the application can substantially
facilitate service and cleaning work.
[0038] The cleaning flap is particularly preferably rotatably
supported around an axis of rotation for the opening of the heat
exchange module so that the cleaning flap is a collection pan for a
cleaning agent in an opened state. It is thereby possible that a
contaminated cleaning agent can automatically be collected in the
collection pan and can be supplied to a professional disposal
without further construction measures.
[0039] In another embodiment, a first boundary surface of the first
heat exchange module is inclined at a presettable angle of
inclination with respect to a second boundary surface of the first
heat exchange module. In this respect, the heat exchanger itself
can have a supporting function on the formation of the heat
exchange module; for example, in that it forms a statically
integral construction element of a housing of the heat exchange
module. This can, for example, be realized in that the heat
exchanger itself forms a housing wall of the heat exchanger module
or in that the housing of the heat exchanger module does not have a
boundary wall at all the boundary surfaces of the housing so that
the heat exchanger itself satisfies a connecting and stabilizing
integral static function as a housing component.
[0040] In a further simple embodiment, a boundary surface of the
heat exchange system can be dispensed with at its housing with the
omitted housing wall being formed in the installed state of the
heat exchange system by a wall of an installation object, in
particular by a wall of a housing.
[0041] To increase the heat exchange performance, the heat exchange
system can in particular be formed from a plurality of heat
exchange modules.
[0042] Above all, but not only, in those cases in which the heat
exchange system is formed from a plurality of heat exchange
modules, the first boundary surface of the first heat exchange
module can be inclined at the presettable angle of inclination with
respect to the second boundary surface of the first heat exchange
module such that the modular heat exchange system can be expanded
by a second heat exchange module, in particular in compact
construction, with the second heat exchange module preferably being
identical to the first heat exchange module. For example, a heat
exchange system can thus be provided by two heat exchange modules
which are triangular in cross-section and whose first and second
boundary surfaces are inclined at 45.degree. to one another, said
heat exchange system having a rectangular or square cross-section
surface in that the two inclined surfaces are arranged against one
another.
[0043] The angle of inclination between the first boundary surface
and the second boundary surface of the heat exchange module is in
this respect between 0.degree. and 180.degree., specifically
between 20.degree. and 70.degree., preferably between 40.degree.
and 50.degree., and particularly preferably amounts to
45.degree..
[0044] If, for example, the heat exchange modules are therefore
made in the form of a parallelepiped having an angle of inclination
of 45.degree., two respective such heat exchange modules can be
assembled in a particularly compact manner, e.g. via the inclined
surfaces, and can also, if required, be expanded as desired by
being strung next to one another.
[0045] The heat transfer capacity and/or the power density of the
heat transfer can thus be matched in a simple and efficient manner
by a modular heat transfer system of the present invention by the
regular repetition of preferably identical heat exchange modules or
by the removal of identical heat exchange modules.
[0046] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the first boundary
surface of the first heat exchange module is thus inclined at the
presettable angle of inclination with respect to the second
boundary surface of the first exchange module such that the modular
heat exchange system can be expanded by a second heat exchange
module, in particular in a compact construction shape, with the
second heat exchange module preferably being identical to the first
heat exchange module. In this respect, compact construction shape
means that two heat exchange modules can be combined with one
another in as space saving a manner as possible so that as little
free space as possible, preferably practically no free space at
all, remains between two combined heat exchange modules.
[0047] A particularly important significance thus accrues to those
embodiments in accordance with the invention in which the heat
exchange system is formed from a plurality of heat exchange modules
since the heat transfer capacity can be reduced particularly simply
in them, for example, by removal of a heat exchange module.
[0048] For the further increase of the power density of the heat
transfer between the heat transfer agent and the transport fluid
and/or for the increase of a heat transfer capacity between the
heat transfer agent and the transport fluid, a cooling device can
be provided for the cooling of the heat exchanger, in particular a
fan for the generation of a gas flow, and/or the heat exchange
system can, as known per se and as initially described in detail,
be made as a hybrid system, and a sprinkling device can be formed
for the sprinkling of the heat exchanger with a cooling fluid, in
particular with cooling water. In this respect, a drop separator
can also particularly advantageously be provided for the separation
of the cooling fluid.
[0049] In this respect, the heat exchanger itself, as known per se
from the prior art, can be made by a plurality of microchannels as
a microchannel heat exchanger and/or the heat exchanger can also be
made as a finned heat exchanger with cooling fins. Specifically,
the heat exchange system is made as a combination heat exchange
system of the finned heat exchanger and the microchannel heat
exchanger if specific demands prefer such a construction shape.
[0050] To improve the possibilities of regulating the heat transfer
capacity of a heat exchange system in accordance with the
invention, a sealing, in particular an air sealing, can be provided
for the regulation of a flow rate of the transport fluid which can
be controlled and/or regulated either manually or via a control
unit in dependence on a presettable operating parameter.
[0051] Furthermore, a compensation means known per se can very
advantageously also be provided for the compensation of
thermomechanical strains.
[0052] The components of the modular heat exchange system of the
present invention, that is, for example, the heat exchangers and/or
a supply line and/or an outlet line for the heat transfer agent
and/or the cleaning flap and/or any other component of a heat
exchanger system, can be connected by a universal connection
element to every other component of the heat exchange system so
that, for example, a heat exchange module can be added or removed
particularly easily. Specifically, the cleaning flap and the inlet
tanks and outlet tanks for the heat transfer agent or also sheet
metal parts and other modules and components of the heat exchange
system are particularly preferably connected to a universal
connection element. In this respect, these universal connection
elements are particularly well suited both for the vertical
installation and for the horizontal installation of the heat
exchange systems or of the heat exchange modules.
[0053] As a rule, but not necessarily, a control unit, in
particular a control unit having a data processing system for the
control of the cooling device and/or of the cleaning system and/or
of the air sealing and/or of an operating or state parameter of the
heat transfer agent and/or of another operating parameter of the
heat exchange system is provided for the control and/or regulation
of the heat exchange system, such as is known to the skilled person
per se from the prior art with existing heat exchange systems.
[0054] The heat exchange system or the heat exchange module and/or
the heat exchanger and/or a boundary surface of the heat exchange
module, specifically the total heat exchange system, is
particularly advantageously produced from a metal and/or a metal
alloy, in particular from a single alloy, and can in particular be
produced from stainless steel, specifically from aluminum or from
an aluminum alloy, with a sacrificial metal preferably being
provided as corrosion protection and/or with the heat exchange
system being at least partly provided with a protective layer, in
particular with a corrosion protective layer. Particularly the
inlet tanks and outlet tanks are preferably produced for high
pressures, for example for operation with CO.sub.2, from very
strong materials such as stainless steel.
[0055] A heat exchange system in accordance with the invention is
specifically a radiator, in particular a radiator for a vehicle,
specifically for a land vehicle, for an aircraft or for a water
vehicle, or a cooler, a capacitor or an evaporator for a mobile or
stationary heating plant, refrigerating plant or air-conditioning
plant, in particular a cooler apparatus for a machine, a data
processing system or for a building or for another apparatus which
can be operated with a heat exchange system.
[0056] The invention will be explained in more detail in the
following with reference to the drawing. There are shown in a
schematic representation:
[0057] FIG. 1a a first embodiment of a heat exchange system in
accordance with the invention in the operating state;
[0058] FIG. 1b the heat exchange system of FIG. 1a during a
cleaning process;
[0059] FIG. 2 a heat exchanger having microchannels;
[0060] FIG. 3 an element of a finned heat exchanger;
[0061] FIG. 4 a second embodiment of a heat exchange system in
accordance with the invention with a lateral cleaning flap;
[0062] FIG. 5 a further embodiment in accordance with FIG. 4 with
air sealing;
[0063] FIG. 6a another embodiment in accordance with FIG. 1a with a
universal connection element;
[0064] FIG. 6b a universal connection element of FIG. 6a in
detail;
[0065] FIG. 7 a heat exchange system in accordance with the
invention with two heat exchange modules.
[0066] FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b show in a schematic representation a
first simple embodiment of a heat exchange system in accordance
with the invention which is provided as a whole with the reference
numeral 1 in the following. In this respect, the heat exchange
system is shown in the operating state in FIG. 1a, whereas FIG. 1b
shows the same heat exchange system during a cleaning process.
[0067] The heat exchange system 1 in accordance with the invention
of FIG. 1a or FIG. 1b includes as a major element a heat exchange
module 2, 21 having a heat exchanger 3 for the exchange of heat
between a heat agent 6, e.g. a cooling liquid 6 or an evaporating
agent 6, and a transport fluid 5, e.g. air 5. The heat exchanger 3
in the present case is a microchannel heat exchanger 3 known per se
with a plurality of microchannels 31. The microchannels 31 of the
heat exchanger 3 are connected via a connection system, which is
not shown in FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b and which is generally known to
the skilled person, to a refrigeration machine, likewise not shown,
for the exchange of heat transfer agent 6.
[0068] The refrigeration machine is flow connected in a manner
known per se to the connection system, including an inlet channel
with an inlet segment of the heat exchanger 3 and an outlet channel
with an outlet segment of the heat exchanger 3, such that the heat
transfer agent 6 for the exchange of heat with the air 5 can be
supplied from the inlet channel via the inlet segment, through the
plurality of microchannels 31 of the heat exchanger 3 and finally
via the outlet segment to the outlet channel .
[0069] An outer boundary of the heat exchange module 2, 21 is in
this respect formed by an inflow surface 41 and an outflow surface
42 such that in the operating state for the exchange of heat
between the transport fluid 5, whose flow direction is shown
symbolically by the arrows 5, and the heat transfer agent 6 flowing
through the heat exchanger 3, the transport fluid 5 can be supplied
to the heat exchange module 2, 21 via the inflow surface 41, can be
brought into flow contact with the heat exchanger 3 and can be led
away again from the heat exchange module 2, 21 via the outflow
surface 42.
[0070] So that the heat can be exchanged better between the air 5
and the heat transfer agent 6, a cooling device 10 is additionally
provided, in the present case a fan 10, with which a quantity of
air 5 can be controlled which is conveyed through the heat exchange
module 2, 21 per time unit.
[0071] In this respect, a first boundary surface 9, 91, which is
formed in the present case by the heat exchanger 3 itself, is
inclined with respect to a second boundary surface 9, 92 of the
first heat exchange module 2, 21 at a presettable angle of
inclination a which amounts to approximately 45.degree. in the
present specific example. It is understood that in another
embodiment the angle of inclination a can also have a different
value, e.g. a value greater or smaller than 45.degree., e.g., but
not only, 25.degree. or 46.degree.. In the simple embodiment in
accordance with FIG. 1, in this respect, the second boundary
surface 92 is formed by a wall 9 of an installation object which in
the present case is a cold store not shown in any more detail.
[0072] In accordance with the present invention, a cleaning system
7 with a cleaning flap 71 is furthermore provided as a major
element, with FIG. 1 a showing the heat exchange system 1 in the
operating state in which the interior, in particular the surface of
the heat exchanger 3, gradually becomes dirty. FIG. 1b, in
contrast, shows the heat exchange system 1 during a cleaning
process.
[0073] The cleaning flap 71 is designed as an access flap 71 which
is made rotatable around the axis of rotation 711 in accordance
with the arrow P so that access is provided by a pivoting of the
cleaning flap 71 around the axis of rotation 711, which can be made
as a universal connection element 12, for example, said access
enabling service and repair and cleaning work simply in the
interior without the heat exchange system 1 having to be
disassembled or, depending on the specific embodiment, without the
heat exchange system having to be switched off. This means that
since the cleaning flap can also be opened simply in the operating
state, a cleaning of the heat exchange system 1 is also possible in
the operating state by the present invention.
[0074] FIG. 1b shows a situation in which the heat exchanger 3 is
just being cleaned with a cleaning liquid 714, for example with
water 714. The cleaning flap 71 was pivoted, starting from the
situation of FIG. 1a, by 270.degree. around the axis of rotation
711 such that it acts, in accordance with FIG. 1b, as a collection
pan 712 which reliably collects the contaminated cleaning liquid
714 during the cleaning process so that the contaminated cleaning
liquid can be led away and disposed off safely, and optionally
automatically, so that damage to the environment is avoidable, for
example.
[0075] A heat exchanger 3, 300 in accordance with FIG. 1 with
microchannels 31 is shown schematically in section in FIG. 2.
Instead of small pipes such as are used in the classical finned
heat exchangers 3 in accordance with FIG. 3, as already mentioned,
extruded aluminum sections are e.g. used in minichannel heat
exchangers 300 which have very many small channels 31 with a
diameter of e.g. approximately 1 mm. The heat exchanger 3 of FIG. 2
can e.g. be manufactured simply in a variety of shapes from a
plurality of materials in a suitable extrusion process. In this
respect, the heat exchanger 3 in accordance with FIG. 2 can also be
manufactured in another embodiment variant not explicitly shown in
FIG. 2, by other manufacturing processes such as e.g. by the
assembly of suitably shaped sheet metal sections or by other
suitable processes.
[0076] In contrast to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 shows an element of a finned
heat exchanger 3, 301 known per se with cooling fins 32 such as
could likewise be used instead of a microchannel heat exchanger 300
in an embodiment of the present invention. The heat transfer agent
6 flows through the tubular element of the finned heat exchanger 3,
301 which, in the operating state, mainly exchanges heat via the
cooling fins 32 with the air 5 flowing past. It is understood that
in practice the heat exchanger 3 is as a rule made from a plurality
of elements in accordance with FIG. 3. In a very special embodiment
of the present invention, which is not shown explicitly with
reference to a drawing for space reasons, a combination heat
exchanger 3, 300 301 is used as the heat exchanger 3. This means
that a heat exchange system 1 of the present invention can
simultaneously include, in addition to a heat exchanger 300 with a
plurality of microchannels 31, a finned heat exchanger 301 with
cooling fins 32 for very special applications.
[0077] To cope with any even larger heat transfer capacities, the
heat exchange system 1 can also be made as a so-called hybrid
system 1 whose functional principle is likewise known to the
skilled person per se and therefore does not have to be shown
explicitly with reference to a separate drawing. In this case, a
sprinkling device is preferably provided for the sprinkling of the
heat exchanger 3, 300, 301 with an external cooling fluid, in
particular with cooling water or cooling oil. Specifically, a drop
separator can additionally be provided e.g. in the form of a pan
for the separation and collection of the external cooling fluid in
the operating state so that the external cooling fluid can be
recycled in an external cooling system which serves for the cooling
of the external cooling fluid and can be supplied to the heat
exchanger 3, 300, 301 again via the sprinkling system for the
repeat cooling of the heat exchanger.
[0078] A second embodiment of a heat exchange system 1 in
accordance with the invention is shown schematically with a lateral
cleaning flap 71 in FIG. 4. The embodiment of FIG. 4 differs in
this respect from that of FIG. 1a in that the cleaning flap 71 is
provided laterally in accordance with the invention at the heat
exchange module 2, 21, i.e. the cleaning flap 71 is representation
orthogonally to the surface of the heat exchanger 3. To keep the
total construction shape of the heat exchange module 2, 21 as
compact as possible, the cleaning flap 71 only covers the
cross-section of the heat exchange module, from which the shown
triangular shape of the cleaning flap 71 results. In the cleaning
or service case, the cleaning flap 71 can be pivoted around the
axis of rotation 711 in the direction of the arrow P to open the
heat exchange system 1, whereby access is provided to the interior
of the heat exchange system 1.
[0079] A collection pan 73 is additionally provided in the example
of FIG. 4, which can naturally also be omitted if not necessary,
for the collection and reliable leading away of the leaning liquid
713 which arises on a cleaning of the heat exchange system 1.
[0080] A further embodiment in accordance with FIG. 4 is shown
schematically with an air sealing 11 in FIG. 5. The air sealing 11
is preferably made in the form of a sun blind or of a Venetian
blind, including individual sun blind elements 111 or Venetian
blind elements 111, so that the degree of covering of the heat
exchanger 3 can be changed variably, preferably in electronically
controlled and/or regulated form, in that the air sealing is
removed in a known manner, wholly or partly for example, from the
surface of the heat exchanger 3 by gathering together the
individual sun blind elements 111 or Venetian blind elements 111 or
in that an angle between the individual Venetian blind elements 111
and the surface of the heat exchanger 3 is changed so that the
effective passage area for the air 5 can be varied. A regulation of
the heat exchange performance of the heat exchanger 3 is thereby
possible in a simple manner without changing the flow dynamics in
the cooling system.
[0081] In the embodiment of FIG. 5, a further possible variant is
additionally shown for a lateral cleaning flap 71 in accordance
with FIG. 4. In contrast to the lateral cleaning flap 71 of FIG. 4
which has a triangular shape, the cleaning flap 71 of FIG. 5 is
made rectangular or square such that it approximately covers twice
the cross-sectional surface of the heat exchange module 2, 21 and
is supported rotatably by 270.degree. around the axis of rotation
711 such that it can simultaneously be used, analog to the
embodiment of FIG. 1b as a collection pan 712 for the cleaning
agent 713 during a cleaning process.
[0082] Another embodiment of a heat exchange system 1 in accordance
with the invention is shown schematically in FIG. 6a in which the
cleaning flap 71 is fastened to a universal connection element 12
in accordance with FIG. 6b. The universal connection element 12 is
inter alia suitable for the simple and reliable connection of inlet
tanks and outlet tanks known per se and not shown explicitly in
FIGS. 6a and 6b which serve for the supply or leading away of the
heat transfer agent 6 to or from the heat exchanger 3
respectively.
[0083] The universal connection element 12 is preferably designed
such that it can be connected to the corresponding parts of the
heat exchange system 1 particularly simply via a screw connection,
for example, or by soldering.
[0084] It can serve for the connection of lines which conduct heat
transfer agent 6 or can even itself be suitable as a line for the
conveying of heat transfer agent 6. It can furthermore be suitable
for the connection of sheet metal parts such as the cleaning flap
71 or other parts. In a given modular heat exchange system 1, the
universal connection element 12 is preferably made in detail such
that it can provide as many different connections as possible
simultaneously in one and the same embodiment so that as few
differently made universal connection elements as possible have to
be used simultaneously in one and the same modular heat exchange
system 1.
[0085] In the ideal case, the universal connection element 12 is
made such that it can simultaneously take over all connection
functions between all parts of the modular heat exchange system so
that only one single type of universal connection element has to be
used in one and the same heat exchange system 1, which hugely
simplifies the structure, the expansion or the reduction of a
modular heat exchange system 1 in accordance with the invention and
thus guarantees very high flexibility of the system.
[0086] FIG. 7 finally shows a modular heat exchange system 1 in
accordance with the present invention which includes two identical
heat exchange modules 2, 21, 22. The two modules are of identical
construction shape, with the angle of inclination .alpha. having a
value of preferably, but not necessarily, 45.degree.. The skilled
person will immediately understand that basically any desired
number of identical heat exchange modules 2, 21, 22 can be added
perpendicular to the double arrow DP, that is parallel to the plane
of the drawing. This means that only one single type of heat
exchange modules 2, 21, 22 has to be provided to change the heat
exchange performance of the modular heat exchange system 1 to
provide a system 1 with practically any desired presettable heat
exchange performance or to expand it or to reduce the heat exchange
performance in an existing system by a reduction of the number of
the heat exchange modules 2, 21, 22. The individual heat exchange
modules 2, 21, 22 are particularly preferably integrated in the
heat exchange system 1 by use of the universal connection elements
12, as was already discussed with reference to FIG. 6a and FIG. 6b.
Analog to FIG. 1a or FIG. 1b, the two cleaning flaps 71 are
preferably each pivotable by 270.degree. around the axes of
rotation for service and cleaning purposes so that the cleaning
flaps 71, as already explained a multiple of times above, can
simultaneously serve as a collection pan 712 for a cleaning agent
713.
[0087] It is understood that the embodiments described within the
framework of this application are only to be understood as
examples. This means that the invention is not solely restricted to
the specific embodiments described. All suitable combinations of
the presented embodiments are in particular likewise covered by the
invention.
* * * * *