U.S. patent application number 13/767613 was filed with the patent office on 2013-08-15 for heat exchanger arrangement.
This patent application is currently assigned to BEHR GMBH & CO. KG. The applicant listed for this patent is BEHR GMBH & CO. KG. Invention is credited to Matthias FEHRENBACH, Mark SCHIENEMANN.
Application Number | 20130206364 13/767613 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47683636 |
Filed Date | 2013-08-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130206364 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
FEHRENBACH; Matthias ; et
al. |
August 15, 2013 |
HEAT EXCHANGER ARRANGEMENT
Abstract
A heat exchanger arrangement for charge air cooling having a
first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger, through which a
first fluid requiring cooling flows in such a way that the first
heat exchanger is located ahead of the second heat exchanger in the
flow direction of the first fluid. A first coolant flows through
the first heat exchanger and a second coolant flows through the
second heat exchanger in such a manner that the first heat
exchanger cools the first fluid to a first temperature and the
second heat exchanger cools the first fluid from the first
temperature to a second temperature that is lower than the first
temperature, wherein the first heat exchanger and the second heat
exchanger can be formed as one structural unit.
Inventors: |
FEHRENBACH; Matthias;
(Stuttgart, DE) ; SCHIENEMANN; Mark; (Remseck,
DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BEHR GMBH & CO. KG; |
|
|
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
BEHR GMBH & CO. KG
Stuttgart
DE
|
Family ID: |
47683636 |
Appl. No.: |
13/767613 |
Filed: |
February 14, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/104.11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28D 2021/0082 20130101;
F28D 7/0091 20130101; F28D 15/00 20130101; F28F 9/0234 20130101;
F28F 2280/06 20130101; F28D 7/1684 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/104.11 |
International
Class: |
F28D 15/00 20060101
F28D015/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 14, 2012 |
DE |
DE102012202234.1 |
Claims
1. A heat exchanger arrangement for charge air cooling, the
arrangement comprising: a first heat exchanger; and a second heat
exchanger, wherein the first heat exchanger and the second heat
exchanger are configured such that a first fluid requiring cooling
flows in such a way that the first heat exchanger is located ahead
of the second heat exchanger in a flow direction of the first
fluid, wherein a first coolant flows through the first heat
exchanger and a second coolant flows through the second heat
exchanger such that the first heat exchanger cools the first fluid
to a first temperature and the second heat exchanger cools the
first fluid from the first temperature to a second temperature that
is lower than the first temperature, and wherein the first heat
exchanger and the second heat exchanger are implemented as one
structural unit.
2. The heat exchanger arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the
first heat exchanger has an inlet box and an outlet box for the
first fluid and a heat exchanger core located therebetween, and
wherein the second heat exchanger is located in the outlet box of
the first heat exchanger or is located after the outlet box of the
first heat exchanger.
3. The heat exchanger arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the
second heat exchanger has an inlet box and an outlet box for the
first fluid and a heat exchanger core located therebetween, and
wherein the first heat exchanger is located in the inlet box of the
second heat exchanger or is located ahead of the inlet box of the
second heat exchanger.
4. The heat exchanger arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the
first heat exchanger has an inlet box and a first heat exchanger
core and the second heat exchanger has a second heat exchanger core
and an outlet box for the first fluid, wherein the two heat
exchanger cores are accommodated in a common housing or each have a
separate housing or are accommodated in one housing and/or are
connected to one another via a connecting element.
5. The heat exchanger arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the
first and/or the second heat exchanger core is a shell and tube
heat exchanger core with a bundle of tubes through which the first
fluid is adapted to flow, ends of each of the tubes being
accommodated in openings of a tube base, and wherein the first or
second coolant can flow around the tubes.
6. The heat exchanger arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the
inlet box of the second heat exchanger and/or the outlet box of the
first heat exchanger has an opening in which the first or second
heat exchanger is placed.
7. The heat exchanger arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the
first and/or the second heat exchanger core is a shell and tube
heat exchanger core or plate heat exchanger core with a bundle or
stack of tubes or plates, wherein around the tubes or plates the
first fluid is adapted flow, and wherein the first or second
coolant is adapted to flow through the tubes or plates.
8. The heat exchanger arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the
inlet box of the second heat exchanger and/or the outlet box of the
first heat exchanger has an opening in which the first or the
second heat exchanger is placed.
9. The heat exchanger arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the
heat exchanger placed in the opening has, on one side, a header box
that projects at least partially out of the opening and has at
least one connection for a coolant.
10. The heat exchanger arrangement according to claim 1, wherein
the outlet box of the first or of the second heat exchanger is a
manifold of the cylinder head or is connectable with the manifold.
Description
[0001] This nonprovisional application claims priority under 35
U.S.C. .sctn.119(a) to German Patent Application No. 10 2012 202
234.1, which was filed in Germany on Feb. 14, 2012, and which is
herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a heat exchanger
arrangement, in particular for charge air cooling, having a first
heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger, through which a first
fluid requiring cooling flows in such a way that the first heat
exchanger is located ahead of the second heat exchanger in the flow
direction of the first fluid.
[0004] 2. Description of the Background Art
[0005] In motor vehicles with supercharged engines, charge air
cooling is critical for the ability to reach a high engine output.
To this end, charge air coolers are used as heat exchangers in
motor vehicles, wherein in the past, primarily air-cooled charge
air coolers were used in the cooling module in the vehicle front.
Recently, the proportion of coolant-cooled charge air coolers is
increasing, which has the advantage that the coolant-cooled charge
air cooler no longer has to be located in the cooling module, but
instead can also be located elsewhere in the engine compartment,
for example can be flange-mounted directly to the motor.
[0006] However, coolant-cooled charge air coolers have the
disadvantage as compared to air-cooled charge air coolers that the
coolant typically has a higher temperature than the air for the
air-cooled charge air coolers, so that the temperature reduction in
coolant-cooled charge air coolers is generally less than is the
case in air-cooled charge air coolers.
[0007] Moreover, demand for charge air cooling has increased ever
further in recent times because the charge air temperatures are
also continuing to rise ever higher on account of the ever
increasing supercharging of the engines, so that greater cooling
output becomes necessary to cool the charge air to lower
temperatures.
[0008] Moreover, demands continue to be placed on pressure loss of
the charge air in charge air coolers as well as the ever-growing
demands for reduced installation space, so that this, too, is
disadvantageous for achieving the ever increasing cooling
outputs.
[0009] In addition, charge air coolers with two stages have become
known from DE 41 14 704 C1, in which a high-temperature circulating
system and a low-temperature circulating system are provided for
cooling the air in two stages.
[0010] However, the arrangement of two-stage charge air coolers
causes the problem that in an arrangement of multiple heat
exchangers with simultaneous flow of coolants at different
temperatures, high stresses arise as a result of thermal expansion,
and can result in uncontrolled damage to the heat exchangers
because of the frequently changing thermal loads.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a heat exchanger arrangement according to the preamble of
claim 1 that is improved over the prior art with regard to
endurance, space requirements, and pressure drop.
[0012] In this design, a heat exchanger arrangement is created, in
particular for charge air cooling, having a first heat exchanger
and a second heat exchanger through which a first fluid requiring
cooling flows in such a way that the first heat exchanger is
located ahead of the second heat exchanger in the flow direction of
the first fluid, wherein a first coolant flows through the first
heat exchanger, and a second coolant flows through the second heat
exchanger, in such a manner that the first heat exchanger cools the
first fluid to a first temperature and the second heat exchanger
cools the first fluid from the first temperature to a second
temperature that is lower than the first temperature, wherein the
first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are implemented
as one structural unit.
[0013] It is advantageous in this design if the first heat
exchanger has an inlet box and an outlet box for the first fluid
and a heat exchanger core located therebetween, wherein the second
heat exchanger is located in the outlet box of the first heat
exchanger or is located after the outlet box of the first heat
exchanger.
[0014] In another exemplary embodiment, it is useful if the second
heat exchanger has an inlet box and an outlet box for the first
fluid and a heat exchanger core located therebetween, wherein the
first heat exchanger is located in the inlet box of the second heat
exchanger or is located ahead of the inlet box of the second heat
exchanger.
[0015] It is also useful if the first heat exchanger has an inlet
box and a first heat exchanger core and the second heat exchanger
has a second heat exchanger core and an outlet box for the first
fluid, wherein the two heat exchanger cores are accommodated in a
common housing or each have a separate housing or are accommodated
in one housing and/or are connected to one another by means of a
connecting element.
[0016] According to another concept of the invention, it is
advantageous if the first and/or the second heat exchanger core is
a shell and tube heat exchanger core with a bundle of tubes through
which the first fluid can flow, the ends of each of the tubes being
accommodated in openings of a tube base, wherein the first or
second coolant can flow around the tubes.
[0017] Also, it is useful if the inlet box of the second heat
exchanger and/or the outlet box of the first heat exchanger has an
opening in which the first or second heat exchanger is placed.
[0018] In this context, it is advantageous if the first and/or the
second heat exchanger core is a shell and tube heat exchanger core
or plate heat exchanger core, with a bundle or stack of tubes or
plates, wherein the first fluid can flow around the tubes or plates
and wherein the first or second coolant can flow through the tubes
or plates.
[0019] It is also advantageous if the inlet box of the second heat
exchanger and/or the outlet box of the first heat exchanger has an
opening in which the first or the second heat exchanger is
placed.
[0020] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the heat exchanger placed
in the opening has, on one side, a header box that projects at
least partially out of the opening and has at least one connection
for a coolant.
[0021] Also, it is useful if the outlet box of the first or of the
second heat exchanger represents a manifold of the cylinder head or
can be connected with such a manifold.
[0022] Additional advantageous embodiments are described by means
of the following figure description and by the dependent
claims.
[0023] Further scope of applicability of the present invention will
become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter.
However, it should be understood that the detailed description and
specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the
invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various
changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the
invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from
this detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] The present invention will become more fully understood from
the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying
drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are
not limitive of the present invention, and wherein:
[0025] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a heat exchanger
arrangement according to the invention with two stages for cooling
a fluid, in particular charge air,
[0026] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a first heat
exchanger, in particular for the first stage,
[0027] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a first heat
exchanger, in particular for a first stage,
[0028] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a first heat
exchanger, in particular for a first stage, in an exploded
view,
[0029] FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a second heat
exchanger, in particular for a second stage,
[0030] FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a second heat
exchanger, in particular for a second stage,
[0031] FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of a second heat
exchanger, in particular for a second stage,
[0032] FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of a second heat
exchanger, in particular for a second stage,
[0033] FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of a heat exchanger
arrangement according to the invention with two heat exchangers for
two-stage cooling of a fluid, such as charge air in particular,
[0034] FIG. 10 is a heat exchanger arrangement according to FIG. 9
in a perspective view,
[0035] FIG. 11 is a block of tubes with tube bases of a heat
exchanger core, and
[0036] FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of a heat exchanger
arrangement according to the invention with two heat exchangers for
two-stage cooling of a fluid, such as charge air in particular.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0037] FIG. 1 shows a heat exchanger arrangement 1 having a first
heat exchanger 2 and a second heat exchanger 3 through which flows
a first fluid 4 requiring cooling, such as charge air. For this
purpose the arrows 5 and 6 are used to identify the inflow of the
fluid 4 into the inlet box 7 of the first heat exchanger and the
outflow of the first fluid 4 out of the outlet box 8 of the first
heat exchanger.
[0038] The first heat exchanger 2 is thus composed of an inlet box
7 and an outlet box 8, with a heat exchanger core 9 being arranged
between the inlet box 7 and the outlet box 8; the first fluid 4
flows through the heat exchanger core.
[0039] In the exemplary embodiment from FIG. 1, the first heat
exchanger core 9 is implemented as a shell and tube heat exchanger
core, in which a plurality of tubes 10 are connected at their ends
to tube bases 11 and 12 in a fluid-tight manner, so that the
inflowing fluid 4 can flow from the inlet box 7 through the
interior of the tubes 10 to the outlet box 8, while the tubes in
the tube bundle are accommodated in a housing 13 and a coolant can
flow around them. For this purpose, the housing 13 has an inlet
connection 14 and an outlet connection 15, so that the coolant 16
can flow into the inlet connection 14 as shown by the arrow 17 in
order to flow around the tubes 10 and then can flow back out of the
outlet connection 15, see arrow 18. Consequently, the first heat
exchanger core 9 cools the inflowing first fluid 4 from an inlet
temperature to a first temperature at which the first fluid enters
the outlet box 8.
[0040] The second heat exchanger 3 is located in the outlet box 8.
This heat exchanger 3 takes up essentially the entire
cross-sectional area of the outlet box 8, so essentially the entire
flow of the first fluid 4 out of the first heat exchanger core then
subsequently flows through the second heat exchanger core 19 of the
second heat exchanger 3 before it can emerge from the outlet box
8.
[0041] The first fluid 4 flows as indicated by the arrow 20 through
the first heat exchanger 2, while the coolant flows in the opposite
direction as shown by arrow 21, so there is a counterflow
configuration.
[0042] The second heat exchanger 3 is arranged at right angles to
the flow direction 20 of the first fluid so that the first fluid
can flow through the heat exchanger in its full width perpendicular
to the direction of flow of the fluid 22. In this design, the
second coolant 23 flows through the inlet connection 24 into the
heat exchanger 3, flows through the heat exchanger as indicated by
the arrow 22 at right angles to the flow direction 20 of the first
fluid, is redirected in the header box 25, for example in a
U-shape, and then, as indicated by the arrow 26, flows back to the
header box 27, whence it can flow out of the heater exchanger 3
again. As is evident, a flange 28 of the heat exchanger 3 sits in
an opening 29 of the outlet box 8 and serves to cool the fluid from
a first temperature at which it leaves the first heat exchanger to
a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature.
[0043] The intake pipe 50 shown in FIG. 2 comprises an inlet box
51. This inlet box can be implemented as an injection molded
plastic part. Alternatively, it can also be implemented as a metal
part. The inlet box 51 tapers in cross-section in a width direction
B of the intake pipe 50. At its lateral end with maximal
cross-section, an inlet connection 52 for delivering a first fluid,
such as charge air for example, is provided, for example is
flange-mounted. The delivery is indicated by the arrow 53. The
inlet box 51 essentially fulfills the function of an inlet-side
header of a heat exchanger 54 adjoining the inlet section 1. The
first fluid flows through the heat exchanger 54 in one direction as
shown by arrow 55, wherein heat from the fluid is transferred to a
first coolant in the form of a liquid coolant.
[0044] Located on the outlet side of the heat exchanger 54 through
which the first fluid flows is an engine flange 56, which can be
flange-mounted directly to a cylinder head (not shown) of an
internal combustion engine. In the present case, the attachment is
accomplished by means of seal faces 57 and mounting holes 58. The
cross-sectional area of the opening of the engine flange 56 expands
in the first fluid's direction of flow from the outlet of the heat
exchanger 54 to the plane of connection of the cylinder head. The
flange 56 in this design represents the outlet box of the heat
exchanger, which can then direct the first fluid directly into the
cylinder head of the engine.
[0045] In this design, the heat exchanger is composed of the inlet
box 51, the outlet box 56, and the heat exchanger core 59, which is
located between the two boxes 51, 56. The heat exchanger core 59
here is connected to the inlet box 51 and outlet box 56 by means of
a flange 60, 61.
[0046] Through the heat exchanger core 59 flows a first coolant,
which flows in through the connection 62, flows through the core
59, and flows out again at the connection 63. In this process, the
first coolant flows as indicated by arrow 64, in counterflow to the
flow direction 55 of the first fluid.
[0047] In the present case, the engine flange 56 is made as a
die-cast aluminum part. However, it can also be made as a plastic
part. It includes a connecting member 65 at a lateral region for a
high-pressure exhaust gas recirculator, although the recirculator
is optional and can be omitted.
[0048] The heat exchanger core 70 is shown in detail in FIG. 3 and
in the exploded view in FIG. 4. It comprises a plurality of tubes
71 stacked in the width direction B, the tubes being designed as
flat tubes. The wide sides of the flat tubes extend in the height
direction H and depth direction T. The narrow sides of the flat
tubes extend in the height direction H and width direction B. The
illustration does not show turbulence inserts or ribs, each of
which is arranged between the wide sides of adjacent flat tubes 71.
They may also be areally soldered to the tubes.
[0049] In the present case, the flat tubes 5 are made from folded
and welded sheet metal or are made as extruded flat tubes.
Alternatively, they can also be made as extruded profiles.
Depending on requirements, the flat tubes 71 may have embossed
features facing inward or outward to generate turbulence and/or
ensure a defined spacing of adjacent flat tubes during assembly.
Alternatively or in addition to such embossed features, the
interior of the flat tubes 71 can be provided with turbulence
inserts or ribbed plates.
[0050] The ends of the flat tubes 71 terminate in openings 72 with
or without pass-throughs of a tube base 73. The tube bases 73 are
produced from an aluminum sheet as formed sheet-metal parts. It is
advantageous for the inlet side and outlet side bases 73 to be
identical in construction, reducing the number of different
components.
[0051] The stack of flat tubes 71 is surrounded by a water jacket
74 that has a first water jacket section 75 and a second water
jacket section 76. The water jacket 74 simultaneously forms a part
of the housing of the intake pipe according to the invention, which
is composed as a whole of the inlet section 51, the water jacket
74, and the engine flange 56.
[0052] The two water jacket sections 75, 76 each have a base 77, 78
with two angled legs 79 at the ends. Each of the bases 77, 78
extends in the width direction B at right angles to the flow
direction of the first fluid, such as charge air, and is areally
soldered to the narrow sides of the exchanger tubes 71. Each of the
legs 79 covers a part of a wide side of the applicable outer flat
tube 71 of the stack, and is areally soldered to this wide
side.
[0053] Alternatively, the water jacket has two bases 77, 78 and two
side parts 79 on the ends that are formed separately from the base.
In this design, both the base and the side parts are essentially
flat and form the four sides of a quadrilateral or box. Each of the
bases 77, 78 extends in the width direction B at right angles to
the flow direction of the first fluid, such as charge air, and is
areally soldered to the narrow sides of the exchanger tubes 71.
Each of the side parts 79 covers the wide side of the applicable
outer flat tube 71 of the stack, and is areally soldered to this
wide side.
[0054] Alternatively, the lateral leg can also cover the full area
and be spaced apart from the flat tubes on the sides so that a
housing is formed in the entirety of which flow can pass, thereby
also making it possible for flow to pass around the outer flat
tubes.
[0055] In order to join the tube bases 73 or the housing to the
inlet or outlet boxes 51, 56 as shown in FIG. 2, circumferential
rims 80 are provided at the tube bases 73 to serve as a flange for
connection to the inlet and outlet boxes.
[0056] Each of the water jacket sections 75, 76 has, in the region
of its base 77, 78, elongated convexities 81 extending in the width
direction B that perform the function of a header for the liquid
first coolant flowing around the flat tubes 71. Connections 82, 83
are provided at the convexities 81 of one water jacket section for
delivering and removing the coolant. The convexities 81 on the
second water jacket section shown at the bottom improve the
distribution of the coolant, which as a whole flows largely in the
height direction H, opposite to the direction of flow of the first
fluid--charge air--along the wide sides of the flat tubes 71, which
is to say in counterflow direction with respect to the first fluid.
In alternative embodiments, the connections can also be provided on
different sides of the water jacket.
[0057] The tube bases 73, together with the flat tubes 71 and the
water jacket sections 75, 76, are mechanically preinstalled or
fixtured and soldered into a heat exchanger block in a soldering
furnace. To this end, suitable surfaces of the individual
components are coated with solder.
[0058] In order to connect the inlet box and the engine flange as
the outlet box, the bases have edges that are bent by 90.degree.,
which advantageously are provided with corrugated slot flanges.
During assembly of the intake pipe according to the invention,
corresponding structures on the sides of the inlet box and of the
engine flange as the outlet box are joined in an interlocking
manner to the corrugated slot flanges, so that a seal, not shown,
is pressed in a sealing manner between the inlet box and the engine
flange as the outlet box, on the one hand, and the applicable base
on the other hand.
[0059] FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8 show schematic embodiments of heat
exchangers that can be used as the first or second heat exchanger
and that can be arranged in an inlet or outlet box. Here, each of
the heat exchangers 101, 102, 103 has a heat exchanger core 104,
105, 106 and a first header box 107, 108, 109, as well as a
redirecting chamber 110, 111, 112, wherein the one header box 107,
108, 109, and the redirecting chamber 110, 111, 112 are located at
opposite ends of the heat exchanger in each case.
[0060] In this design, the header box 107, 108, 109 in each case
has an inlet connection 113 and an outlet connection 114, so that a
first or second coolant can flow into the header box through the
inlet connection, flow through the heat exchanger core, and be
redirected in the redirecting chamber, then flow through the heat
exchanger core again and back into the header box, which is
advantageously divided by a partition, and flow back out of the
heat exchanger through the outlet fitting 114.
[0061] Each header is provided with a flange 115 that allows the
heat exchanger to be placed in an opening in a housing, for example
an inlet box or an outlet box, and be fastened in a sealed
manner.
[0062] It is advantageous for a heat exchanger core in accordance
with FIGS. 5 and 6 to be designed as a radiator core with tubes and
ribs, wherein the tubes are fitted and fastened in a fluid-tight
manner through openings in a tube base and a coolant flows through
the interior of the tubes, wherein ribs or turbulence inserts are
arranged between the tubes, so that a first fluid can flow at right
angles to the direction of flow of the fluid through the tubes and
flow around the tubes of the radiator core in order to flow through
the heat exchanger.
[0063] FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 show exemplary embodiments of a heat
exchanger in which the header box with the flange plate is located
at a small lateral end of the heat exchanger, wherein the exemplary
embodiment in FIG. 5 is an exemplary embodiment in which the header
box with the flange plate is located at a relatively large lateral
end region of the heat exchanger. Here, in FIG. 5 the flange plate
is essentially located in a plane parallel to a plane of the tubes,
while in FIGS. 6 to 8 the flange plate is located essentially in a
plane oriented perpendicular to the plane of the flat tubes.
[0064] A heat exchanger from FIGS. 5 to 8 can thus easily be
integrated into an opening of an inlet or outlet box from FIG. 1,
so that the heat exchanger can constitute the second heat exchanger
in the outlet box of the first heat exchanger.
[0065] FIG. 9 shows another exemplary embodiment of a heat
exchanger arrangement 200 in which two heat exchanger cores 201 and
202 are accommodated in a housing 203. FIGS. 10 and 11 show this
heat exchanger arrangement once again in a perspective view from
outside and a heat exchanger core with tubes and tube bases.
[0066] In addition, FIG. 11 shows the heat exchanger core 201 as an
arrangement of tubes 204 that are accommodated in openings in tube
bases 205, 206, wherein turbulence inserts 207 are arranged between
the tubes 204; a coolant flowing around the tubes flows through the
turbulence inserts.
[0067] FIG. 12 shows a heat exchanger arrangement that is
essentially composed of two heat exchanger cores essentially
corresponding to FIG. 3 or 4 or heat exchanger cores similar
thereto. Here, a first heat exchanger core 301 is arranged between
an inlet box 302 and an intermediate element 303, wherein the
second heat exchanger core 304 is arranged between the intermediate
element 303 and the outlet box 305. The first fluid to be cooled
flows as indicated by the arrow 306 through the inlet connection
flange or through the inlet connection fitting 307 into the inlet
box 302. Then it flows through the heat exchanger core 301. From
there, it flows into the intermediate element 303, which serves as
a coupling element. From there, the first fluid flows through the
second heat exchanger core 304 and then out again through the
outlet box 305 and the corresponding connection fitting 308 as
shown by the arrow 309.
[0068] The heat exchanger cores have a housing with an appropriate
cover 310, 311, wherein connection fittings 312, 313, 314 and 315
are provided for inflow and outflow of a first coolant for the
first heat exchanger core 301 and for a second coolant for the
second heat exchanger core 304.
[0069] As is evident, in each case the tube bases 316, 317, 318,
319 are located on both sides of the heat exchanger core 301 or
304, and serve to connect the heat exchanger core to the inlet box
302 or outlet box 305 and to the intermediate element 303. The
connection is advantageously made by a corrugated slot flange.
[0070] Moreover, ribs on the charge air side (not shown) can be
arranged in the tubes 204.
[0071] The inlet box 208 is designed as a funnel-like element with
a tube connection fitting 209. The outlet box 210 is schematically
shown as a box that widens, which can be connected to a cylinder
head of the engine. As is evident, the housing parts 203 of the
individual heat exchanger cores are connected to one another at the
boundary, advantageously designed as a single part. Here, it can be
especially advantageous for the housings or the housing 203 to be
made as a single part from plastic. The housing structure can be
essentially rectangular, wherein the surface can be designed with a
rib-like structure to improve strength.
[0072] Also evident are connection fittings 211, 212, 213 and 214,
which serve to admit and to discharge a first coolant and a second
coolant into and out of the first heat exchanger core or the second
heat exchanger core. To this end, the first coolant is admitted at
the inlet 212, flows through the heat exchanger core and flows
around the tubes 204 arranged there, and is discharged from the
heat exchanger core at the outlet 211. The second coolant is
admitted to the second heat exchanger core at the inlet 214 and
likewise flows through the heat exchanger core and flows around the
tubes 204 arranged there before being discharged from the heat
exchanger core at the outlet 213. Flow thus passes through the two
heat exchanger cores in counterflow as compared to the direction of
flow of the first fluid, such as charge air.
[0073] The heat exchanger arrangement here is housed in a housing
203 as a plastic shell. The housing can also be made from plastic
or alternatively from metal, such as aluminum for example.
[0074] The two coolants are separated by the seal 215 between the
middle bases 216, 217 and the housing 203, so that no mixing of the
circuits occurs.
[0075] With suitable construction, in which aluminum coolant
jackets are soldered to the flat tubes and bases, the two tube
bundles of the heat exchanger cores can also be welded directly to
one another or connected by a mechanical connection, for example
crimping or screws or adhesives, through a plastic or aluminum
intermediate element as coupling element. An intermediate element
that is sealed to both bases by elastomer seals has the advantage
that, as a decoupling element, it can reduce thermal and
vibrational stresses that can arise between the two components.
[0076] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that
the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be
regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention,
and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in
the art are to be included within the scope of the following
claims.
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