U.S. patent application number 13/522298 was filed with the patent office on 2012-11-15 for heat exchanger, a food handler including the heat exchanger, and a manufacturing method of the heat exchanger.
This patent application is currently assigned to WOONGJIN COWAY CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Sung Jin Kim, Chan Jung Park, Sang Gu Sim.
Application Number | 20120285659 13/522298 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44304751 |
Filed Date | 2012-11-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120285659 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sim; Sang Gu ; et
al. |
November 15, 2012 |
HEAT EXCHANGER, A FOOD HANDLER INCLUDING THE HEAT EXCHANGER, AND A
MANUFACTURING METHOD OF THE HEAT EXCHANGER
Abstract
Provided are a heat exchanger, a food handler including the heat
exchanger, and a manufacturing method of the heat exchanger. The
heat exchanger comprises a main body wherein the plurality of flow
channels passes through the inside of the heat exchanger in a first
direction and a pair of cover members which is fastened to both
ends of the main body in the first direction. The plurality of flow
channels is composed of a first flow channel which functions as the
path for a first flowing fluid which goes in and out through the
cover members and a second flow channel which is connected to the
side of the main body. Thermal exchange is performed between the
first flowing fluid and the second flowing fluid in the direction
wherein the first and second flowing fluids cross each other inside
of the main body.
Inventors: |
Sim; Sang Gu; (Goyang-si,
KR) ; Park; Chan Jung; (Seoul, KR) ; Kim; Sung
Jin; (Masan-si, KR) |
Assignee: |
WOONGJIN COWAY CO., LTD.
Gongju-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
44304751 |
Appl. No.: |
13/522298 |
Filed: |
September 29, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
September 29, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR2010/006649 |
371 Date: |
July 13, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/96 ;
29/890.03 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28D 2021/0042 20130101;
F28D 7/1684 20130101; Y02B 30/566 20130101; F28F 1/405 20130101;
Y02B 30/56 20130101; Y10T 29/4935 20150115; F28F 3/048 20130101;
F28F 2255/16 20130101; F28D 21/0003 20130101; F28D 21/0012
20130101; F28F 7/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/96 ;
29/890.03 |
International
Class: |
F28F 27/00 20060101
F28F027/00; B21D 53/02 20060101 B21D053/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 14, 2010 |
KR |
10-2010-0003611 |
Claims
1. A heat exchanger, in which heat transfer between a plurality of
flowing fluids occurs, comprising: a body in which a plurality of
flow channels are formed; and a cover member coupled to both ends
of front and rear surfaces of the body; wherein the plurality of
flow channels comprise a first flow channel serving as a passage
for a first flowing fluid passing through the cover member in a
first direction and a second flow channel serving as a passage for
a second flowing fluid in a second direction passing through upper
and lower ends of the body, and the cover member closes the portion
of the second flow channel which communicates with the front and
rear surfaces of the body.
2. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the heat transfer occurs
between the first flowing fluid and the second flowing fluid in the
cross direction in the heat exchanger.
3. The heat exchanger of claim 2, wherein the first flow channel
and the second flow channel are alternatively disposed in a
body.
4.-5. (canceled)
6. The heat exchanger of claim 2, wherein the first or second flow
channel is provided with a heat exchange fin with a predetermined
shape protruding from the flow channel.
7. The heat exchanger of claim 6, wherein the heat exchange fin is
oppositely disposed in a staggered manner on an inner surface of
either the first or second flow channel which is provided with the
heat exchange fin.
8.-9. (canceled)
10. A method of manufacturing a heat exchanger in which heat
transfer between a plurality of flowing fluids occurs, comprising:
(a) forming a body constituting the heat exchanger through
extruding process in a first direction, so that a plurality of flow
channels, in which the plurality of flowing fluids flow, are formed
to have a different height; (b) cutting a lateral surface of the
body in a second direction different from the first direction of
the flow channel by a depth until a distal end of the flow channel
having the different height is exposed outward; and (c) attaching a
cover member which closes the portion of the flow channel which
communicates with the front and rear surfaces of the bodyin the
first direction.
11. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein heat transfer occurs
between exhaust gas generated from a food handler and cold air
supplied from an exterior flow in the heat exchanger.
12. A food handler comprising heat exchanger manufactured by the
method of claim 10.
13. A method of manufacturing a heat exchanger of claim 10, wherein
the step (a) comprises: manufacturing the plurality of flow
channels into a first flow channel and a second flow channel which
is formed rather longer than the first flow channel in the second
direction.
14. A method of manufacturing a heat exchanger of claim 13, wherein
the first flow channel and the second flow channel are
alternatively disposed in the body.
15. A method of manufacturing a heat exchanger of claim 13, wherein
the step (b) comprises: exposing only the second flow channel
outwardly in the second direction by cutting the lateral surface of
the body.
16. A method of manufacturing a heat exchanger of claim 10, wherein
the step (a) comprises: disposing a heat exchange fin oppositely in
a staggered manner on an inner surface of either the first or
second flow channel.
17. A method of manufacturing a heat exchanger of claim 10, wherein
the step (c) comprises: attaching the cover member to the body so
as to prevent the second flowing fluid inside the second flow
channel from being discharged from the body in the first direction.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a
heat exchanger, a food handler including the heat exchanger, and a
method of manufacturing the heat exchanger; and, particularly, to a
heat exchanger in which a plurality of flow channels are formed
therein by an extruding and cutting process and heat transfer
occurs between the flow channels to simplify a working process, and
a food handler including the heat exchanger, and a method of
manufacturing the heat exchanger.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] In general, a heat exchanger is used to transfer heat from a
fluid having high temperature to a fluid having low temperature via
a heat transfer wall. The most common structure of a heat exchanger
includes a metal tube serving as the heat transfer wall. There are
various types of heat exchangers such as a water injection type, a
double-pipe type, a finned multi-tube type, and a shell and tube
type. The double-pipe heat exchanger consists of an inner tube and
an outer tube, in which heat transfer occurs between a fluid in the
inner tube and a fluid existing in a U-shaped portion which is
positioned between the inner tube and the outer tube. The
double-pipe heat exchanger has a simple construction, but its
ability to transfer heat is limited.
[0005] As a high-performance heat exchanger, the shell and tube
heat exchanger consists of a large shell with a bundle of tubes
inside it. The design of the heat exchanger may include a
parallel-flow arrangement in which hot and cold fluids move in the
same direction, a counter-flow arrangement in which hot and cold
fluids move in the opposite direction, and a cross-flow arrangement
in which fluids move in cross flow. Heat transfer mediums widely
used in the industries include water, vapor, air, combusted gas,
oil, mercury, sodium, potassium, and Dowtherm which is a mixture of
biphenyl and diphenyl oxide.
[0006] The configuration of a plate fin heat exchanger is described
with reference to FIG. 1. A plate fin heat exchanger 10 includes
hollow circular tubes 12 and plate fins 14 in which the circular
tubes 12 are inserted and fixed. A hot fluid flows in the circuit
tubes 12 (see reference numeral 18), and the plate fins 14 closely
fixed to the circuit tubes 12 are stacked at regular intervals
along an axial direction of the circular tubes 12.
[0007] Explaining the operation of the plate fin heat exchanger 10,
the heat of high temperature in the circular tubes 12 is dispersed
to the plate fins 14 through a thermal diffusion process. In this
state, cooling air 16 having low temperature flowing to the plate
fins 14 cools the plate fins 14, thereby continuously performing
the heat transfer function.
[0008] Meanwhile, in the plate fin heat exchanger 10, heat transfer
efficiency is determined depending upon the fitting degree of the
circular tube 12 to the plate fin 14. The circular tubes may be
deformed at the time of fitting or using according to the thickness
of the plate fin 14, thereby deteriorating the quality. In
addition, since the cross area of a flow passage of the circular
tube 12 is generally small, the pressure load of the hot fluid
flowing in the circular tube is significant, so that a
high-pressure pump or a high-pressure blower fan is required. In
order to overcome the above-described problem, a method of a heat
exchanger with increased number of circular tubes 12 in order to
decrease a pressure load has been proposed. The method has a
drawback of increasing processing costs and ultimately
manufacturing costs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention has been made to solve the
above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is
to provide a heat exchanger in which a body including a plurality
of flow channels which are formed therein by extruding and cutting
a metal shaped member, and a cover member attached to the body, are
combined, thereby simplifying the working process and lowering
manufacturing costs, and a food handler including the heat
exchanger, and a method of manufacturing the heat exchanger.
[0010] Other objects and advantages of the present invention can he
understood by the following description, and will become apparent
with reference to the embodiments of the present invention. Also,
it will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which the present
invention pertains that the objects and advantages of the present
invention can be realized by the means as claimed and combinations
thereof.
[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, a heat
exchanger is provided, in which a heat transfer between a plurality
of flowing fluids occurs, including a plurality of flow channels
extending in a different direction so that the plurality of flowing
fluids flows in a different direction.
[0012] The flow channel may have a first flow channel, serving as a
passage for a first flowing fluid, and a second flow channel
serving as a passage for a second flowing fluid, and the heat
transfer may occur between the first flowing fluid and the second
flowing fluid in the cross direction in the heat exchanger.
[0013] The first flow channel and the second flow channel may be
alternatively disposed in the body.
[0014] The heat exchanger further includes a pair of cover members
which is fastened to both ends of the body in the first direction.
The first flow channel may serve as a passage of the first flowing
fluid, which passes through the cover member, in the first
direction.
[0015] The first and second flow channels may be formed in the body
in the first direction by an extruding process.
[0016] The first or second flow channel may be provided with a heat
exchange fin with a predetermined shape protruding from the flow
channel.
[0017] The heat exchange fin may be oppositely disposed in a
staggered manner on an inner surface of either the first or second
flow channel which is provided with the heat exchange fin.
[0018] The second flow channel may be formed to communicate with a
lateral surface of the body by a cutting process.
[0019] The cover member can prevent the second flowing fluid, which
flows through the second flow channel from the lateral surface of
the body, from being discharged from the body in the first
direction.
[0020] According to another aspect of the present invention to
achieve the above-described object, there is provided a method of
manufacturing the heat exchanger set forth in the above-described
invention, including: extruding a body so that some of the
plurality of flow channels in any one direction are formed to have
a different height; cutting a lateral surface of the body in a
direction different from the direction of the flow channel by a
depth until a distal end of the flow channel having the different
height is exposed outward; and attaching a cover member to both
ends of the flow channel having the exposed distal end.
[0021] According to still another aspect of the present invention
to achieve the above-described object, there is provided a food
handler including the heat exchanger set forth in the
above-described invention, wherein heat transfer occurs between
exhaust gas generated from a drying oven of the food handler and
cold air supplied from an exterior flow in the heat exchanger.
[0022] According to still another aspect of the present invention
to achieve the above-described object, there is provided a food
handler including the heat exchanger manufactured by the
method.
[0023] With the configuration described above, the present
invention is characterized in that as the flowing fluids having
thermal energy of the different temperatures flow in the flow
channels formed in the body in the cross or perpendicular
direction, the heat transfer can occur effectively. Further, the
heat exchanger can be rapidly manufactured with a simple method
employing the above-described simultaneous extruding process, the
process of cutting the upper and lower ends of the body, and the
process of attaching the cover member to the front and rear
surfaces of the body when the body is formed, thereby improving its
productivity and thus reducing the cost of manufacturing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this invention, illustrate embodiment(s) of
the invention and together with the description serve to explain
the principle of the invention. In the drawings:
[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of
a heat exchanger of the related art.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of
a heat exchanger according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0027] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a
body, which is a constitutional element of the heat exchanger
according to the present invention, is formed by an extruding
process.
[0028] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which
second flow channels formed in the body by a cutting process of a
lateral surface of the body is exposed from the lateral surface of
the body.
[0029] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a state
in which a pair of cover members is engaged with front and rear
surfaces of the body.
[0030] FIG. 6 is a front view when seen from direction A in FIG.
4.
[0031] FIG. 7 is a plan view when seen from direction B in FIG.
4.
[0032] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C in
FIG. 4.
[0033] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line D-D in
FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0034] The above and other objects, and new features of the present
invention will be more apparent from the following description
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. A heat
exchanger, a food handler including the heat exchanger, and a
method of manufacturing the heat exchanger will now be described in
detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0035] The configuration of a heat exchanger 100 according to one
embodiment of the present invention will be described with
reference to FIGS. 2 to 5. The heat exchanger 100 includes a body
110 having a plurality of flow channels 120 formed therein, and a
pair of cover members 130 fastened to both ends of the front and
rear surfaces of the body 110. Fastening grooves 112 formed in
corner portions of the front and rear surfaces of the body 110 are
provided to correspond to fastening holes 131 formed in corner
portions of the cover member 130, so that the fastening grooves 112
are engaged with the fastening holes 131 by separate fastening
members (not illustrated).
[0036] The body 110 is made of single piece which can be made by an
extruding process, and has the same cross section at any point in a
longitudinal direction thereof. The body is provided as a product
of a desired shape by the extruding process within a short
time.
[0037] The plurality of flow channels 120 have first flow channels
122 serving as a passage for a first flowing fluid passing through
the cover member 130, and second flow channels 124 serving as a
second flowing fluid and selectively communicating with a lateral
surface of the body 110. In FIG. 2, a moving direction of the first
flowing fluid passing the front and rear surfaces of the body is
referred to as a first direction 102, and a moving direction of the
second flowing fluid passing upper and lower ends of the lateral
surface of the body is referred to as a second direction 104. The
first direction is set as an X-axis on a rectangular coordinate
system, and the second direction is set as a Y-axis. The first and
second directions are set to be perpendicular to each other for
convenience, but the direction setting is not limited thereto.
[0038] The first flowing fluid flows in the rear surface of the
body 110 in the first direction 102, and flows out from the front
surface of the body 110 via the first flow channels 122. The flow
of the first flowing fluid is not interrupted by the cover member
130 in the above process.
[0039] The second flowing fluid flows in the upper end of the
lateral surface of the body 110 in the second direction 104, and
flows out from the lower end of the lateral surface of the body 110
via the second flow channels 124. The communication of the upper
and lower ends of the lateral side of the body 110 and the second
flow channels 124 is achieved by a process of cutting the upper and
lower ends of the lateral side of the body 110. Referring to FIG.
4, the body 110 is provided on both sides thereof with a constant
stepped portion which is formed by the above cutting process. The
stepped portion means a height difference between a machined
surface 116 which is subjected to the cutting process, and a
non-machined reference surface 118. The second flow channels 124
are exposed to both sides of the body 110 due to the stepped
portion.
[0040] The cover member 130 prevents the second flowing fluid from
being discharged from the front surface of the body 110. This is
achieved by forming a configuration in which the cover member 130
closes the portion of the second flow channels 124 which
communicate with the front and rear surfaces of the body 110.
[0041] The cover member 130 is provided with through-holes 134
through which the first flowing fluid entering the body 110 in the
first direction 102 flows. These through-holes 134 are formed by a
process of piercing a metal plate using a press machine. A shield
portion 132 formed between the through-holes 134 prevents the
second flowing fluid from being leaked from the front and rear
surfaces of the body 110. Since a sealing member (not illustrated)
is attached to the inner surface of the cover member 130, it is
possible to prevent the flowing fluid from being leaked in the case
in which the cover member 130 is brought in close contact with the
body 110.
[0042] The first flow channels 122 and the second flow channels 124
are alternatively and continuously disposed in the body 110, as
illustrated in FIG. 6. That is, since the second flow channels 124
are disposed on both adjacent sides of the first flow channels 122,
the heat transfer can smoothly occur between the first flowing
fluid flowing in the first flow channels 122 and the second flowing
fluid flowing in the second flow channels 124. A plurality of heat
exchange fins 114 of a predetermined shape are formed between the
flow channels 120 to enhance the heat exchange performance between
the first and second flowing fluids.
[0043] The heat exchanger 100 according to the present invention
can be applied to all apparatuses in which the heat exchange or
distribution should be performed, and more particularly, to a heat
exchanger for a food handler. In the food handler, hot and humid
exhaust gas generated from a drying oven in which food garbage is
ground and dried, and cold air supplied from the exterior, flow in
the flowing channels 120 of the heat exchanger 100 in a cross
direction to exchange the heat.
[0044] In particular, referring to FIG. 9, the second flowing fluid
entering the second flow channels 124 in the second direction 104
flows in a streamlined way due to the presence of the heat exchange
fins 114, so that the second flowing fluid comes in contact with
the surface of the second flow channels 124. This increases
mobility of the heat through heat conduction between the flowing
channels 120. In order to support the streamlined movement of the
second flowing fluid, the heat exchanger fins 114 are formed in a
staggered pattern on both sidewalls of the second flow channels 124
in the second direction 104.
[0045] The flow channels 120 formed in the body 110 by the
extruding process have different length in the second direction
104. That is, referring to FIG. 8, the second flow channels 124 are
formed rather longer than the first flow channels 122 in the second
direction 104, so that the upper and lower ends of the second flow
channels 124 are formed closer to the side of the body 110 than the
first flow channels 122. FIG. 9 illustrates the cross section of
the body 110 which is subjected to the cutting process. The cutting
process is carried out until the upper and lower portions of the
second flow channels 124 are exposed outward, and the upper and
lower portions of the first flow channels 122 are not exposed.
[0046] The second flowing fluid entered through the upper end of
the body 110 is discharged from the lower end of the body 110
through the second flow channels 124. In this process, the second
flowing fluid flows in the second flow channels 124 in the
streamlined way with a zigzag pattern due to the protruding shape
of the heat exchange fins 114 (see reference numeral 125).
[0047] The method of manufacturing the heat exchanger according to
one embodiment of the present invention will now be described with
reference to FIGS. 2 to 9.
[0048] Firstly, the extruding process is carried out by extruding a
molten shaping material into a mould having the shape corresponding
to the body 110 of the present invention using a pump. The
extruding process is classified into a positive extrusion method in
which an extruding direction of the shaping material is the same as
a direction of pressure applied from the exterior, and a negative
extrusion method in which the extruding direction of the shaping
material is opposite to the direction of pressure applied from the
exterior. In the present invention, the plurality of flow channels
120 is evenly formed in the body 110 through the above-described
simultaneous extruding process. FIG. 3 illustrates the body 110
formed by the extruding process, in which the flow channels 120 are
formed to have the uniform shape in the first direction 102
(X-axis).
[0049] After the extruding process, the process of cutting the
upper and lower ends of the body 110 is carried out. The upper and
lower portions of the second flow channels 124 are exposed outward,
while the upper and lower portions of the first flow channels 122
are not exposed. FIG. 4 illustrates the state in which the upper
and lower sides of the body 110 are subjected to the cutting
process. Through the process, the second flowing fluid enters the
second flow channels 124 via the upper surface of the body 110.
[0050] After the process of cutting the body 110 is carried out,
the cover members 130 are attached to the front and rear surfaces
of the body 110. The cover member 130 prevents the second flowing
fluid from being discharged from the body 110 in the first
direction 102. This is achieved by forming the configuration in
which the cover member 130 closes the portion of the second flow
channels 124 which communicate with the front and rear surfaces of
the body 110.
[0051] As described above, the present invention is characterized
in that as the flowing fluids having thermal energy of the
different temperatures flow in the flow channels formed in the body
in the cross or perpendicular direction, the heat transfer can
occur effectively. Further, the heat exchanger can be easily and
rapidly manufactured with a simple method employing the
above-described simultaneous extruding process once, the process of
cutting the upper and lower ends of the body, and the process of
attaching the cover member to the front and rear surfaces of the
body when the body is formed, thereby improving its productivity
and thus reducing the cost of manufacturing.
[0052] While the present invention has been described with respect
to specific embodiments thereof, the present invention is not
limited thereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art
that various changes and modifications may be made without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in
the following claims.
* * * * *