U.S. patent application number 14/528787 was filed with the patent office on 2015-04-30 for heat exchanger.
The applicant listed for this patent is MAHLE Behr GmbH & Co. KG. Invention is credited to Stefan HIRSCH, Florin MOLDOVAN, Manuel WEHOWSKI.
Application Number | 20150114008 14/528787 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52811726 |
Filed Date | 2015-04-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150114008 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HIRSCH; Stefan ; et
al. |
April 30, 2015 |
HEAT EXCHANGER
Abstract
A heat exchanger is provided, in particular for a motor vehicle,
with at least one thermoelectric element to generate a heat flow,
wherein the thermoelectric element is arranged on a carrier
element, wherein several carrier elements arranged on top of one
another along a stacking spindle form a carrier element stack, in
which a first fluid channel for a first fluid and a second fluid
channel for a second fluid, fluidically separated from the first,
are constructed.
Inventors: |
HIRSCH; Stefan; (Stuttgart,
DE) ; WEHOWSKI; Manuel; (Stuttgart, DE) ;
MOLDOVAN; Florin; (Stuttgart, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MAHLE Behr GmbH & Co. KG |
Stuttgart |
|
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
52811726 |
Appl. No.: |
14/528787 |
Filed: |
October 30, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/3.3 ;
165/104.28 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25B 21/04 20130101;
H01M 10/6572 20150401; H01M 10/6568 20150401; H01M 10/66 20150401;
H01M 10/625 20150401; H01M 10/617 20150401; F28D 15/00 20130101;
F28F 3/08 20130101; Y02E 60/10 20130101; F25B 21/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/3.3 ;
165/104.28 |
International
Class: |
F25B 21/04 20060101
F25B021/04; F28D 15/00 20060101 F28D015/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 30, 2013 |
DE |
10 2013 222 130.4 |
Claims
1. A heat exchanger for a motor vehicle, the heat exchanger
comprising: a carrier element; at least one thermoelectric element
to generate a heat flow, the thermoelectric element being arranged
on the carrier element, wherein a plurality of carrier elements
arranged on top of one another along a stacking spindle form a
carrier element stack; a first fluid channel for a first fluid; and
a second fluid channel for a second fluid, the second channel being
fluidically separated from the first fluid channel.
2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein a bottom
element and a cover element are provided that close the carrier
element stack at an end thereof.
3. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the carrier
element has a synthetic material frame in which the first fluid
channel and the second fluid channel are formed.
4. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the carrier
elements have an essentially polygon, a rectangular, or octagonal
outer boundary line.
5. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the carrier
element is constructed as a flat building component, wherein a
level formed parallel to the stacking spindle of the carrier
element is smaller than a dimension of the flat extension in a
carrier element level.
6. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the carrier
element has a plurality of windows formed by an arrangement of
braces or bridges.
7. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein isolation
devices are provided in the carrier element, which thermally and
mechanically each separate the first fluid channel and the second
fluid channel from one another.
8. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the first fluid
channel and the second fluid channel each have a first and a second
partial fluid channel, and wherein each of the first and the second
partial fluid channel are connectable to one another by at least
one overflow opening in the carrier element.
9. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, further comprising
connecting elements to connect the first and/or the second fluid
channel with a first and/or a second fluid circuit, the connecting
elements being arranged on a bottom element and/or on a cover
element.
10. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the
thermoelectric element is a Peltier element.
11. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the
thermoelectric element has a friction-locked or substance-bonded
connection with the carrier element or wherein the thermoelectric
element is pressed or glued with the carrier element.
12. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein a fluid tight
connection is provided between the carrier elements of the carrier
element stack and/or the carrier element and the thermoelectric
element.
13. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the carrier
elements stacked on top of one another are facing a same direction
or are each arranged at a rotation of about 90.degree. to a
stacking spindle.
14. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, further comprising
flat tubes that are in contact with the thermoelectric elements and
are connected fluid tight with the carrier element.
15. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the carrier
element is formed of a material, which includes synthetic material
and/or several material elements.
16. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the carrier
element stack is enclosed by a special section tube.
Description
[0001] This nonprovisional application claims priority under 35
U.S.C. .sctn.119(a) to German Patent Application No. 10 2013 222
130.4, which was filed in Germany on Oct. 30, 2013, and which is
herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to a heat exchanger, in particular for
a motor vehicle, particularly for the temperature control of at
least one energy storage element.
[0004] 2. Description of the Background Art
[0005] When utilizing modern, strictly electrically operated motor
vehicles, only a limited amount of energy is available due to the
low storage density of the batteries. Therefore, energy efficiency,
particularly with respect to the heating and cooling functions in
the motor vehicle, plays an important role especially within the
scope of the advancing electrification of motor vehicles. If, for
example, energy is required for the heating of the motor vehicle's
interior in the winter, this can result in a corresponding
reduction of the cruising range of the motor vehicle, for example.
Therefore, concepts are meaningful wherein the available electric
energy from the battery can not only be converted to 100% heat, but
due to the utilization of a heat pump in a heat pump process an
even higher coefficient of performance (COP) than "1" can be
achieved, or a higher COP can be achieved through the utilization
of residual heat from the vehicle or from the environment.
[0006] In an effective thermo management in the vehicle, for
example for cooling purposes of the motor or other assemblies or
for heating purposes, a coolant is used which circulates as a fluid
in the cooling system of the vehicle. For an electric cooling
function thermoelectric elements, for example, Peltier elements,
are known, wherein heat can be pumped with a coefficient of
performance greater than "1" with the thermoelectric elements when
heating is desired.
[0007] A heat pump features a heat exchanger which, via a
thermoelectric element (TE element), can make waste heat and/or
residual heat available from a first fluid flow to a higher
temperature level in a second fluid flow as available heat energy.
The available heat energy can then, be utilized for a heating
element, for example, and thus for the heating of the vehicle's
interior.
[0008] When utilizing modern high performance batteries which are
constructed of a number of individual cells, such as for example in
electro or hybrid vehicles, it is sensible that the temperature of
the high performance battery is within a certain temperature
interval during the operation of the motor vehicle to ensure the
efficiency, serviceability and safety of the battery and/or the
motor vehicle. On one hand, the efficiency of the battery cells
drops considerably when a service temperature drops below a
suitable limit and the cells produce a high power loss. On the
other hand, processes take place within the cells above a suitable
operating range, leading to irreversible damage. In addition, to
avoid an irregular and coinciding increased aging of individual
battery cells, the temperature differences within the individual
cells as well as in the entire battery assembly may not exceed
certain predetermined threshold values. For these reasons a battery
tempering in the form of cooling or heating is necessary.
[0009] A heat exchanger with two fluid sides is known, which allows
for the realization of two independent circuits to temper different
components of a motor vehicle. The design of such a heat exchanger
comprises a layered construction with the two fluid sides in
contact with one another via thermoelectric elements. DE 10 2009
058 673 A1, which corresponds to US 20120312029, which is
incorporated herein by reference, for example, describes such
thermoelectric elements, wherein during the flow feed of the
thermoelectric elements heat is pumped from one fluid to the other
fluid without the fluids touching or mixing. In doing so, one fluid
side is part of a fluid circuit to temper components, for example
of a battery or a high voltage battery of a motor vehicle. The
other fluid side is part of a fluid circuit to temper at least one
other component and/or for the heat transfer between fluid circuit
and environment.
[0010] Other heat exchangers are known and utilized in counter flow
construction, wherein the coolant flows are primarily run in closed
metallic components, for example plates, metal sheets. Here, the
heat from the plates can be transferred to the thermoelectric
elements through a heat conductive contact, for example, an
adhesive. First, the metallic components are assembled from
individual parts, and a fluid tight connection is produced through
a soldering process. This can be done advantageously prior to the
thermoelectric elements coming into contact with the components.
This soldering process to connect the individual components is
cost-intensive and can lead to leakages in the component system
when done improperly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] It is the object of the invention to create an improved heat
exchanger which allows a tailor-made cooling and heating of
components and/or can be utilized as a heat pump.
[0012] An embodiment of the invention provides a heat exchanger,
particularly for a motor vehicle, with at least one thermoelectric
element to generate a thermal flow, wherein the at least one
thermoelectric element is arranged on a carrier element, wherein
several carrier elements arranged along a stacking spindle on top
of one another form a carrier element stack, in which a first fluid
channel for a first fluid and a second fluid channel for a second
fluid, designed separately from the first fluid channel, are
provided.
[0013] The first fluid channel can be part of a first fluid circuit
and can serve for the tempering of an external component or the
thermoelectric element. The second fluid channel is preferably part
of a second fluid circuit, fluidically separate from the first
fluid circuit. Typically, the first and the second fluid circuit
run parallel to the stacking spindle of the carrier element stack
of the heat exchanger. The heat flow can be generated, for example,
by diverting the heat from the thermoelectric element via the first
fluid, wherein the first fluid is at least in part flowing around
certain areas of the thermoelectric element. Preferably, a surface
of the thermoelectric element is circulated around or approached by
the first fluid.
[0014] The carrier elements can be of identical construction and
are thus repeat parts that can be manufactured cost-effectively.
The carrier elements can be constructed as relatively flat building
components, wherein a level of the carrier element provided
parallel to the stacking spindle is smaller than the dimensions of
the areal dimensions in a carrier element level which primarily
runs vertically to the stacking spindle and is arranged within an
outside boundary line. The carrier element level with the greatest
building component dimension can have a structure featuring
windows, for example braces, bridges etc. can be provided. The
carrier elements can be manufactured as injection molding parts.
This is advantageous since the structure of the carrier element
stack is easily scaleable, can be of modular construction and with
that, a cost-efficient production of the heat exchanger becomes
possible. Therefore a modularly built compact heat exchanger can be
produced in an easy installation, whereby no soldering process to
connect the individual components may be necessary.
[0015] The heat exchanger can have a bottom element and a cover
element which complete the carrier element stack. Here, the carrier
element stack can be closed on both sides lengthwise along the
stacking spindle. Here, the cover element and/or the bottom element
can be an upper carrier element or a lower carrier element and be
designed on the basis of the carrier element supporting the
thermoelectric element. Preferably, connections particularly
coupling flanges or connecting pieces for the first fluid circuit
and/or the second fluid circuit can be provided here. The cover
element and/or the bottom element are essentially identical or
similar to the other carrier elements, but they can also have a
different construction and/or another structure than the carrier
elements.
[0016] The carrier element can be made of a synthetic material with
a synthetic material frame wherein the first fluid channel and the
second fluid channel are provided. At least one thermoelectric
element is provided on the synthetic material carrier element,
preferably in the center. However, several thermoelectric elements
can also be provided in series on a carrier element, in particular
the synthetic material carrier element. The synthetic material
carrier element is a repeat park and by stacking can easily be
assembled as the carrier element stack.
[0017] In an embodiment the carrier element can have a primarily
polygon outside boundary line. In a most basic embodiment the
carrier element is square and has an essentially square surface
area with four sides, forming four outside boundary lines. Here the
corners between the sidelines are either shaped at an acute angle
or they are rounded. In one special embodiment the carrier element
has an octagonal surface area, and the outside boundary line has
eight lateral faces. Here the lateral faces can have different
lengths.
[0018] The carrier element can have isolation devices which can
separate the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel.
Preferably, the isolation device causes a thermal isolation between
the first and the second fluid channel. For example, the isolation
device can be a bridge made of a non-heat conductive material.
Preferably, the isolation device is designed as one piece with the
carrier element and has a bridge or a combination of bridges made
of the synthetic material of the carrier element.
[0019] The first and the second fluid channel each can have a first
and a second partial fluid channel, wherein the first and the
second partial fluid channel each are connectable via at least one
overflow opening in the carrier element. The first partial fluid
channel and the second partial fluid channel preferably run here at
least in sections parallel to the stacking spindle. The first
partial [fluid] channel and the second partial fluid channel of the
first fluid channel are preferably arranged opposite on the carrier
element, so that a partial flow via the thermoelectric element can
occur in a line vertical to the stacking spindle. Preferably, at
least one overflow opening is provided here through which the first
fluid from the first partial fluid channel of the first fluid
channel can exit and flow vertical to the stacking spindle over the
thermoelectric element, and at least one second overflow opening
allowing an entry into the second partial fluid channel of the
first fluid channel. The first and the second partial fluid channel
of the second fluid channel can be connected via a connection
channel with a fluidic separation from the flow path of the first
fluid channel.
[0020] Connecting elements can be provided on the bottom element
and/or the cover element to connect the first and/or the second
fluid channel with the first and/or the second fluid circuit. Here
the fluid circuit can be part of a cooling system of the motor
vehicle, but it can also be designed as a separate cooling circuit
detached from it.
[0021] In an embodiment of the heat exchanger, the carrier elements
can be installed in such a manner that they are centrically
stackable around a stacking spindle. Preferably, at least one
thermoelectric element is arranged centrically in relation to the
stacking spindle.
[0022] A fluid tight connection can be provided between the carrier
elements and the thermoelectric elements. This can be realized in
particular via mechanical connection methods, for example through
clipping, latching, welding, gluing or casting.
[0023] In an embodiment the carrier elements stacked on top of one
another can be aligned or they can be arranged with a rotation of
90.degree. each to a stacking spindle. The carrier elements,
particularly the adjoining carrier elements can be arranged
relative to one another rotated by 90.degree., 180.degree. or
270.degree. in the level vertical to the stacking spindle. Here,
the carrier elements can be connected fluid tight to one another as
well as the carrier elements with the thermoelectric element.
[0024] Flat tubes can be provided which are in thermal contact with
the thermoelectric elements, preferably in direct thermal contact
with them. The flat tubes can be connected fluid tight with the
carrier element. The thermal contact is preferably arranged via a
conductive adhesive provided between an external wall of the flat
tubes and the thermoelectric element. Here it is advantageous that
the first fluid is not directly in contact with the thermoelectric
elements.
[0025] The carrier element can be manufactured from one material,
for example from one single synthetic material. Alternatively, the
carrier element can have several material elements in addition to
the one carrier material. Here the carrier element can be
manufactured from the synthetic material through injection molding.
Metallic elements can also be embedded in the synthetic material of
the carrier element. The electric connections of the thermoelectric
element can hereby be realized through the metallic elements. The
carrier element can be reinforced mechanically by embedding glass
fibers and/or carbon fibers.
[0026] The thermoelectric element can be designed as a Peltier
element. The thermoelectric element is preferably material-bonded
with the carrier element, for example glued. The thermoelectric
element can also be in a frictional connection with the carrier
element, such as for example press-fitted.
[0027] During heating, the Peltier elements can serve as a heat
pump to heat the components to be tempered, while during cooling
the Peltier elements can provide a cooling of a corresponding
component. A tempering can be realized by different current feeds
of the Peltier elements in the heat exchanger, with the possible
reversal of the flow direction.
[0028] On its external wall the carrier element stack can be
enclosed by a special section tube, wherein the special section
tube indicates the outside profile of the carrier stack, which
forms the internal contour of the tube. It is advantageous here
that an increased security is provided with respect to fluid
tightness. For example, the special section tube can be connected
fluid tight with the carrier element stack through laser
welding.
[0029] 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
[0030] 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:
[0031] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a heat exchanger with
carrier elements in a side view;
[0032] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a carrier element with
a thermoelectric element as a top view;
[0033] FIG. 3 is a carrier element of the heat exchanger in
perspective illustration as a top view;
[0034] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a heat exchanger
according to the invention having stacked carrier elements
according to FIG. 3 as a perspective view from the top;
[0035] FIG. 5 is another embodiment of a carrier element in a
perspective top view;
[0036] FIG. 6 is a carrier element according to FIG. 5 without a
thermoelectric element;
[0037] FIG. 7 is a carrier element stack having carrier elements
according to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 of a heat exchanger in a perspective
top view;
[0038] FIG. 8 is another embodiment of a stack layer with one
carrier element in a perspective top view;
[0039] FIG. 9 is a carrier element unit of the carrier element of
FIG. 8 in a perspective top view; and
[0040] FIG. 10 is a carrier element stack of a heat exchanger
according to the invention with synthetic material frame and
thermoelectric elements in a perspective top view.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0041] FIG. 1 shows a heat exchanger 10 in a schematic side view
having a stack 12 of stacking disks 14 and fluid channels 16 for a
first fluid and fluid channels 18 for a second fluid.
[0042] The flow paths of the fluid are each identified with the
arrows 17 (fluid 1) and 19 (fluid 2). Fluid channel 16 and fluid
channel 18 are fluidically separated and carry a fluid each (fluid
1 and fluid 2) with the flow paths 17 and 19 separated. In
addition, connections 20 and 22 are provided for the fluid channels
16 as well as connections 24 and 26 for the fluid channels 18.
Stack 12 has thermoelectric elements 28 (shown in FIG. 2).
[0043] FIG. 2 shows the heat exchanger 10 in a top view. Same
objects are identified with the same reference numerals. The
thermoelectric element 28 covers most of the surface of the area of
stack 14, which also has the fluid channels 16 and 18.
[0044] The heat exchanger 10 can also be referred to as a water
conditioner for one exemplary embodiment. It is constructed in
accordance with the principle of the cross-flow heat exchanger.
Here the first fluid channel 16 and the second fluid channel 18
cross at least in certain areas. The heat exchanger 10 can also be
referred to as a recuperator in another embodiment.
[0045] The thermoelectric element 28 is arranged on a carrier
element 30 and is preferably connected with it, at least
mechanically. The thermoelectric element 28 is preferably arranged
in the center of the carrier element 30. However, more than one
thermoelectric element 28 can also be arranged on the carrier
element 30, which are then arranged next to one another and are
switched in series. Fluid channels 16 and 18 are each arranged at a
margin 32 of the carrier element 30.
[0046] FIG. 3 shows a perspective top view of the carrier element
30 with the thermoelectric element 28 in a first embodiment. The
carrier element 30 has a frame 34 which represents an outer
boundary and, with that, an outer boundary line 36 of the carrier
element 30. The outer boundary line 36 is square in the carrier
element 30 of this embodiment and has four branch lines 36a, 36b,
36c, 36d. The respective adjoining branch lines 36a, 36b, 36c, 36d
are connected and form a connecting component 38a, 38b, 38c, 38d,
so that the outer boundary line or external contour 36 is
configured as one piece. The connecting component 38a, 38b, 38c,
38d can have a rounded contour (in this example) or an angular
contour. Starting from the corner element 38a, 38b, 38c, 38d an
isolation device 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d is provided that allows the
thermal and fluidic separation of the respective adjoining fluid
channels 16 and 18. Starting from the branch line 36a, 36b, 36c
and/or 36d at least one bridge 44a, 44b, 44c, 44d is provided to
increase the inherent rigidity of the [text missing]. This
increases the stability of the carrier element.
[0047] Parallel to the outer boundary line 36 a second contour
line, an interior contour line 46, is provided at a distance from
it. Here the bridges 44a, 44b, 44c and 44d and/or the isolation
devices 40a, 40b, 40c and 40d are provided between the outer
boundary contour 36 and the interior contour 46. Contours 36 and 46
are arranged at a distance to one another in accordance with the
location of the connecting bridges 44. The thermoelectric element
28 is essentially arranged in the center within the interior
contour 46. The thermoelectric element 28 is a first thermoelectric
element 28a in the embodiment in FIG. 2, and a second
thermoelectric element 28b can be provided below the first
thermoelectric element 28a, whereby a flat tube 48 is provided
between the two thermoelectric elements 28a and 28b. Preferably,
the flat tube 48 is thermally connected with the first and the
second thermoelectric element 28a and 28b. Flat tube 48 in each
stack level connects the two sides of the fluid channel 18 for the
second fluid. The first fluid can flow through openings in the
interior contour 46 through the flat tube 48 and enter the fluid
channel 16.
[0048] FIG. 4 shows a carrier element stack 12 of the heat
exchanger 10 constructed of carrier elements 30 according to FIG.
3. The carrier element stack 12 features the carrier elements 30
which are constructed along a stacking spindle 50 with individual
layered stacks 14 from the carrier element 30 according to the
first exemplary embodiment per FIG. 3. For clarity reasons only the
carrier element stack 12 of the heat exchanger 10 is shown in FIG.
3 and not the bottom element or the cover element. Stack 12 shows
the carrier elements 30 from FIG. 3 as layered stack, arranged
stacked on top of one another along the stacking spindle 50, so
that fluid channel 16 and fluid channel 18 can stretch along the
direction of the longitudinal extension and primarily parallel to
the center axis 50. Fluid channel 16 and fluid channel 18 run
primarily parallel to one another. The thermoelectric element 28
designed as a Peltier element is arranged on carrier element 30,
preferably in the center, so that fluid channels 16 and 18 are
arranged around the thermoelectric element 28. Respective adjoining
carrier elements 30 are each arranged around the stacking spindle
50 rotated by 90.degree. towards one another. The carrier elements
30 are connected fluid tight among one another, for example through
presssing or gluing or another suitable connection method, so that
the fluid channels 16 and 18 are fluid tight in the direction of
the stacking spindle 50. Towards one another the fluid channels 16
and 18 are thermally isolated over the entire longitudinal
extension of the carrier element 14 through isolation devices 40a,
40b, 40c and 40d.
[0049] FIG. 5 shows a carrier element 52 in another embodiment.
Identical objects are identified with the same reference numerals.
The carrier element 30 has the carrier element segments 54a, 54b,
54c, 54d arranged within the outer contour
[0050] line 36, which essentially has the same shape as the one of
carrier elements 30, through each of which one of the fluid
channels 16 and 18 runs. Thermoelectric element 28 is arranged
concentric to the stacking spindle 50, and the carrier elements
54a, 54b, 54c and 54d are arranged around thermoelectric element 28
and within the outer contour line 36.
[0051] Thermoelectric element 28 is arranged on a lattice element
60 of the carrier element 52 shown in FIG. 6, having ribs, bridges
62, forming a turbulent lattice 64. The ribs and bridges 62 form a
kind of hollow structure in the carrier element 60 through which
the fluid can flow and can flow along a surface of the
thermoelectric element 28 and thus discharge the generated heat.
Isolation devices 40a, 40b, 40c and 40d are provided between the
carrier element segments 54a, 54b, 54c and 54d.
[0052] FIG. 7 shows a carrier element stack 12 having eight carrier
elements 52 without bottom element and without cover element. The
thermoelectric elements 28 of the adjoining carrier elements 52 are
arranged on top of one another. Isolation devices 40a, 40b, 40c and
40d are provided between each of the carrier element segments 54a,
54b, 54c and 54d.
[0053] FIG. 8 shows in a schematic perspective illustration a
carrier element 65 in another embodiment. Carrier element 65 has
two parts with a first upper carrier element unit 64a and a second
lower carrier element unit 64b, shown again individually in FIG. 9.
Carrier element unit 64a has a two part carrier element segment 64
that includes the first fluid channel 16, arranged on both sides
around a central carrier element segment. The central carrier
element segment 68 has ribs and bridges 70 forming the turbulent
lattice 64. The thermoelectric element 28 is arranged on the ribs
and bridges 70 such that it is placed between the first and the
second carrier element unit 64a and 64b. Connections 72, especially
electric connections 72 to the thermoelectric element 28 are led to
the outside between the first and the second carrier element unit
64a and 64b, and the thermoelectric element can be electrically
contacted via the connections 72.
[0054] The second carrier element unit 64b shown in FIG. 9 has two
second carrier element segments 74 in addition to the two piece
carrier element segment 66, through which the second fluid channel
18 is run. The carrier element segment does not have any bridges.
The illustrations of FIGS. 8 and 9 of the carrier element units 64a
and 64b show the overflow channels 76 between the central carrier
element 68 and the carrier element segments 66, each arranged on
the two sides of the central carrier element segment 68. Between
the carrier element segment 66 and the carrier element segment 74
isolation devices 78 are arranged that can perform a thermal and
mechanical separation of the fluid channels 16 and 18, especially
when the carrier element 52 is manufactured from a thermally
non-conductive synthetic material. Isolation devices 78 are formed
as recesses in the carrier element 64.
[0055] In a schematic perspective illustration FIG. 10 shows a
carrier element stack 80 which is constructed of carrier element
units 64a and 64b, whereby the carrier element units 64a and 64b
are alternately stacked on top of one another, wherein one layered
stack 82 is constructed in two parts each of the carrier element
units 64a and 64b.
[0056] All embodiments of the carrier element 30, 52, 65 have in
common that a frame structure is formed, preferably a synthetic
material frame, on which the thermoelectric element 28, 28a, 28b is
arranged. The synthetic material frame is preferably manufactured
by an injection molding technique and is made of one piece. The
construction of the carrier element stack 12 of the carrier
elements 30,53 or 64 is aligned towards the stacking spindle 50
that runs vertically to a layer level of the carrier elements 30,
52, 65 and realizes a modularly constructed cross-flow heat
exchanger 10 with collecting ducts, each formed by the fluid
channels 16 and 18. The carrier element stack 12 is closed by a
bottom element and a cover element (not shown), which represents
the hookups 20, 22, 24, 26 to the connection with the respective
fluid circuit. A fluid tight connection can be produced between the
respective carrier elements 30, 52, 64a, 64b or 65 through a
basically known connection method with sealing elements, through a
snap-on or clip connection, through gluing, pressing or pouring as
well as welding.
[0057] In addition, similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, flat
tubes can be arranged in direct contact on the heat conductive
surface of the thermoelectric element 28, 28a, 28b and be connected
fluid tight with the carrier element 30, 52, 64a, 64b or 65. The
flat tubes 48 are preferably made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy
and can be manufactured by extrusion. Preferably, a heat conductive
catalyst, such as an adhesive, is provided between the flat
tubes.
[0058] The carrier element 30, 52, 64a, 64b or 64 can be made of a
simple synthetic material compound or of a synthetic material a
with carbon fibers or glass fibers embedded in a substrate. The
metal parts required for the electric connections can also be
embedded in the carrier element 30, 52 or 64, so that the carrier
element 30, 52 or 64 includes a synthetic material frame with metal
elements, whereby the carrier element 30, 52 or 64 is constructed
as one piece.
[0059] In addition, the carrier element 30, 52, 64a, 64b or 65 of
the carrier element stack 12 can be surrounded by a special section
tube around the outer contour line 36, providing greater safety and
stability of the stack 12. Here the special section tube is
preferably attached to the synthetic material frame through
welding.
[0060] 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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