U.S. patent application number 15/114568 was filed with the patent office on 2016-12-08 for board-type heat exchanger.
The applicant listed for this patent is DANFOSS MICRO CHANNEL HEAT EXCHANGER ( JIAXING) CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Wenjian Wei, Yang Xu, Zhifeng Zhang.
Application Number | 20160356560 15/114568 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50526751 |
Filed Date | 2016-12-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160356560 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wei; Wenjian ; et
al. |
December 8, 2016 |
BOARD-TYPE HEAT EXCHANGER
Abstract
A board-type heat exchanger comprises multiple heat exchange
boards (10) overlapped with each other. Each of the heat exchange
boards (10) comprises a fluid inlet (1) and a fluid outlet (2) that
are separately located in two opposite ends of the heat exchange
board in the lengthwise direction. A partition portion is disposed
on the upper surface and/ or the lower surface of each of the heat
exchange boards (10), so that fluid from the fluid inlet (1) is
divided at the fluid inlet (1), then flows into independent fluid
passage zones (3, 4) partitioned by the partition portion, gathers
at the fluid outlet (2), and finally flows out of the fluid outlet
(2).
Inventors: |
Wei; Wenjian; (Zhejiang,
CN) ; Zhang; Zhifeng; (Zhejiang, CN) ; Xu;
Yang; (Zhejiang, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
DANFOSS MICRO CHANNEL HEAT EXCHANGER ( JIAXING) CO., LTD. |
Zhejjiang |
|
CN |
|
|
Family ID: |
50526751 |
Appl. No.: |
15/114568 |
Filed: |
January 28, 2015 |
PCT Filed: |
January 28, 2015 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CN2015/071724 |
371 Date: |
July 27, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28D 2021/0071 20130101;
F28F 9/026 20130101; F28F 3/044 20130101; F28F 3/10 20130101; F28F
13/06 20130101; F28D 2021/0064 20130101; F28D 9/0043 20130101; F28D
9/005 20130101; F28F 3/086 20130101; F28F 9/22 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F28F 13/06 20060101
F28F013/06; F28F 3/04 20060101 F28F003/04; F28F 3/08 20060101
F28F003/08; F28D 9/00 20060101 F28D009/00; F28F 9/22 20060101
F28F009/22 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 28, 2014 |
CN |
201410042349.1 |
Claims
1. A plate type heat exchanger, comprising multiple heat exchange
plates which are stacked together, each heat exchange plate
comprising a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet located at two opposite
ends respectively in a longitudinal direction of the heat exchange
plate, wherein a separating part is provided on a top surface
and/or a bottom surface of each heat exchange plate, such that a
fluid coming from the fluid inlet is split into different flows at
the fluid inlet, then flows into mutually independent fluid channel
regions separated by the separating part and converges at the fluid
outlet, and finally flows out of the fluid outlet.
2. The plate type heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
separating part comprises a separating strip, which splits fluid
into different flows at the fluid inlet, and a longitudinal piece
connected thereto.
3. The plate type heat exchanger as claimed in claim 2, wherein the
longitudinal piece is arranged in one of the following three ways:
substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the heat
exchange plate; inclined relative to the longitudinal direction of
the heat exchange plate; having a bent or meandering shape in the
longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate.
4. The plate type heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
separating part comprises at least one separating strip extending
from the fluid inlet to the vicinity of the fluid outlet.
5. The plate type heat exchanger as claimed in claim 4, wherein the
separating strip is arranged in one of the following three ways:
substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the heat
exchange plate; inclined relative to the longitudinal direction of
the heat exchange plate; having a bent or meandering shape in the
longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate.
6. The plate type heat exchanger as claimed in claim 2, wherein at
the fluid inlet, the separating strip is arranged to be in the
angular range of -45.degree. to 45.degree. relative to a direction
perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange
plate, wherein the separating strip is in the shape of a straight
line or bent.
7. The plate type heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
fluid inlet is at a top side at a left end of the top surface
and/or bottom surface of the heat exchange plate, and the fluid
outlet is at a top side or bottom side at a right end of the
surface of the heat exchange plate.
8. The plate type heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein a
fluid distributor is provided at the fluid inlet, the fluid
distributor having a middle cavity for receiving a fluid from the
fluid inlet, and at least two guide parts which pass through the
fluid distributor and guide fluid out of the middle cavity.
9. The plate type heat exchanger as claimed in claim 8, wherein the
at least two guide parts comprise any one of a through-hole, a duct
and a channel passing through a main body of the fluid distributor,
or any combination thereof.
10. The plate type heat exchanger as claimed in claim 9, wherein
the ducts comprise tubes and/or capillary tubes which introduce
fluid into different fluid channel regions respectively.
11. The plate type heat exchanger as claimed in claim 9, wherein
the channel is formed on the heat exchange plate integrally or
separately.
12. The plate type heat exchanger as claimed in claim 9, wherein
the fluid distributor comprises an annular main body which the
guide parts pass through from the outside.
13. The plate type heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein
also comprising end plates which are disposed on outer sides of the
heat exchange plates and used for fixing the heat exchange plates
in place.
14. The plate type heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein a
structural pattern for distributing fluid is provided on the
surface of the heat exchange plate.
15. The plate type heat exchanger as claimed in claim 14, wherein
multiple regularly arranged recesses or protrusions are provided on
the surface.
16. The plate type heat exchanger as claimed in claim 14, wherein
multiple alternately arranged channels and ridges in an
inverted-V-shape are provided on the surface.
17. The plate type heat exchanger as claimed in claim 4, wherein at
the fluid inlet, the separating strip is arranged to be in the
angular range of -45.degree. to 45.degree. relative to a direction
perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange
plate, wherein the separating strip is in the shape of a straight
line or bent.
18. The plate type heat exchanger as claimed in claim 2, wherein
the fluid inlet is at a top side at a left end of the top surface
and/or bottom surface of the heat exchange plate, and the fluid
outlet is at a top side or bottom side at a right end of the
surface of the heat exchange plate.
19. The plate type heat exchanger as claimed in claim 3, wherein
the fluid inlet is at a top side at a left end of the top surface
and/or bottom surface of the heat exchange plate, and the fluid
outlet is at a top side or bottom side at a right end of the
surface of the heat exchange plate.
20. The plate type heat exchanger as claimed in claim 4, wherein
the fluid inlet is at a top side at a left end of the top surface
and/or bottom surface of the heat exchange plate, and the fluid
outlet is at a top side or bottom side at a right end of the
surface of the heat exchange plate.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is entitled to the benefit of and
incorporates by reference subject matter disclosed in the
International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2015/071724 filed on
Jan. 28, 2015 and Chinese Patent Application 201410042349.1 filed
Jan. 28, 2014.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to the fields of heating,
ventilation and air conditioning, motor vehicles, cooling and
transportation, and in particular relates to a plate type heat
exchanger.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] With regard to heat exchangers (evaporators) with parallel
channels, in particular plate type heat exchangers and microchannel
heat exchangers, the non-uniform distribution (mal-distribution) of
coolant is a global technical difficulty. In general, coolant
entering a heat exchanger exists in a two-phase form, and due to
application conditions and the complexity of two-phase flow,
uniform distribution of coolant is very difficult to achieve. In
many cases, an excessive amount of liquid coolant flows into some
channels, while an excessive amount of gaseous coolant flows into
other channels, and this has a major impact on the overall
performance of the evaporator.
[0004] However, if a heat exchange plate is too wide, such a large
heat exchange plate will fail to achieve good fluid distribution,
e.g. in the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate.
Thus, there is definitely a need to provide a novel plate type heat
exchanger capable of at least partially solving the problem
above.
SUMMARY
[0005] The object of the present invention is to solve at least one
aspect of the abovementioned problems and shortcomings in the prior
art.
[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a plate
type heat exchanger is provided. The plate type heat exchanger
comprises multiple heat exchange plates which are stacked together,
each heat exchange plate comprising a fluid inlet and a fluid
outlet located at two opposite ends respectively in a longitudinal
direction of the heat exchange plate,
[0007] a separating part is provided on a top surface and/or a
bottom surface of each heat exchange plate, such that a fluid
coming from the fluid inlet is split into different flows at the
fluid inlet, then flows into mutually independent fluid channel
regions separated by the separating part and converges at the fluid
outlet, and finally flows out of the fluid outlet.
[0008] In one embodiment, the separating part comprises a
separating strip, which splits fluid into different flows at the
fluid inlet, and a longitudinal piece connected thereto.
[0009] Specifically, the longitudinal piece is arranged in one of
the following three ways: [0010] substantially parallel to the
longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate; [0011] inclined
relative to the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate;
[0012] having a bent or meandering shape in the longitudinal
direction of the heat exchange plate.
[0013] In another embodiment, the separating part comprises at
least one separating strip extending from the fluid inlet to the
vicinity of the fluid outlet.
[0014] Specifically, the separating strip is arranged in one of the
following three ways: [0015] substantially parallel to the
longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate; [0016] inclined
relative to the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate;
[0017] having a bent or meandering shape in the longitudinal
direction of the heat exchange plate.
[0018] Specifically, at the fluid inlet, the separating strip is
arranged to be in the angular range of -45.degree. to 45.degree.
relative to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction
of the heat exchange plate, wherein the separating strip is in the
shape of a straight line or bent.
[0019] Specifically, the fluid inlet is at a top side at a left end
of the top surface and/or bottom surface of the heat exchange
plate, and the fluid outlet is at a top side or bottom side at a
right end of the surface of the heat exchange plate.
[0020] Specifically, a fluid distributor is provided at the fluid
inlet, the fluid distributor having a middle cavity for receiving a
fluid from the fluid inlet, and at least two guide parts which pass
through the fluid distributor and guide fluid out of the middle
cavity.
[0021] Specifically, the at least two guide parts comprise any one
of a through-hole, a duct and a channel passing through a main body
of the fluid distributor, or any combination thereof.
[0022] Specifically, the ducts comprise tubes and/or capillary
tubes which introduce fluid into different fluid channel regions
respectively.
[0023] Specifically, the channel is formed on the heat exchange
plate integrally or separately.
[0024] Specifically, the fluid distributor comprises an annular
main body which the guide parts pass through from the outside.
[0025] Specifically, the plate type heat exchanger also comprises
end plates which are disposed on outer sides of the heat exchange
plates and used for fixing the heat exchange plates in place.
[0026] Specifically, a structural pattern for distributing fluid is
provided on the surface of the heat exchange plate.
[0027] Specifically, multiple regularly arranged recesses or
protrusions are provided on the surface.
[0028] Specifically, multiple alternately arranged channels and
ridges in an inverted-V-shape are provided on the surface.
[0029] The main concept of the present invention is mainly based on
the following aspects: [0030] 1) dividing a large heat exchange
plate into multiple sections or channel regions which extend
substantially parallel to each other; [0031] 2) with regard to
fluid distribution in a plate type heat exchanger, the narrower the
heat exchange plate after being divided, the better the fluid
distribution; [0032] 3) fluid can enter at a port of the plate type
heat exchanger and be guided to the required region by means of the
fluid distributor according to the present invention.
[0033] At least some of the above aspects of the present invention
achieve the following technical effects: [0034] 1) good fluid
distribution is achieved without limiting or restricting the width
of the heat exchange plate; [0035] 2) recessing technology is used
without the loss of strength; this is more competitive in terms of
reducing costs; [0036] 3) the specially designed fluid distributor
according to the present invention can provide a consistent and
stable process and performance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0037] These and/or other aspects and advantages of the present
invention will become obvious and easy to understand through the
following description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0038] FIG. 1 is a view of an example of a heat exchange plate in a
plate type heat exchanger according to the present invention;
[0039] FIG. 2 is a view of another example of a heat exchange plate
in a plate type heat exchanger according to the present
invention;
[0040] FIG. 3 is a view of a heat exchange plate, adjacent to the
heat exchange plate shown in FIG. 1 or 2, in a plate type heat
exchanger according to the present invention;
[0041] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the rectangular frame shown in
FIG. 1;
[0042] FIG. 5 is a view of another example of a heat exchange plate
in a plate type heat exchanger according to the present
invention;
[0043] FIG. 6 is a view of another example of a heat exchange plate
in a plate type heat exchanger according to the present
invention;
[0044] FIG. 7 is a view of another example of a heat exchange plate
in a plate type heat exchanger according to the present
invention;
[0045] FIGS. 8a-8d are views of multiple examples of a fluid
distributor used in a heat exchange plate in a plate type heat
exchanger according to the present invention;
[0046] FIGS. 9a-9b respectively show views of two examples of a
heat exchange plate using a fluid distributor; and
[0047] FIG. 10a shows a view of part of a heat exchange plate
according to the present invention; FIG. 10b is an enlarged view of
part of FIG. 10a.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0048] The technical solution of the present invention is explained
in further detail below by means of embodiments in conjunction with
FIGS. 1-10b. In this description, identical or similar drawing
labels indicate identical or similar components. The following
explanation of embodiments of the present invention with reference
to the accompanying drawings is intended to explain the overall
inventive concept of the present invention, and should not be
interpreted as being a limitation of the present invention.
[0049] Reference is made to FIG. 1, which shows a front view of a
heat exchange plate 10 in a plate type heat exchanger according to
an embodiment of the present invention. As is known by all those
skilled in the art, a plate type heat exchanger comprises multiple
heat exchange plates 10 which are stacked together, and end plates
(not shown) disposed on outer sides of the plate type heat
exchanger, for fixing the heat exchange plates 10 in place. In
other words, the multiple heat exchange plates 10 which are stacked
together are assembled by means of two end plates, e.g. by screw
fastening, screw-thread connection or welded connection. Generally,
two adjacent heat exchange plates 10 are alternately stacked
together, to form a fluid channel or a single fluid channel region
for the passage of fluid. Clearly, the manner of installation
described above is just one example, and any known method in the
prior art could be used to fix the heat exchange plates of the
present invention in place.
[0050] In view of the fact that the main improvement brought about
by the present invention is in the heat exchange plates in the heat
exchanger, structures such as the end plates and the manner of
fixing are not described in detail. Those skilled in the art can
set these as required in accordance with the prior art.
[0051] The heat exchange plate 10 comprises a fluid inlet 1 and a
fluid outlet 2 located at two opposite ends in the longitudinal
direction thereof (e.g. the top-left corner and top-right corner
shown in the figure). To achieve better fluid distribution, a
separating part is disposed on a top surface (i.e. the surface
shown in the figure) of the heat exchange plate in this example;
the separating part divides the surface of the heat exchange plate
10 into two independent fluid channel regions 3 and 4. The
separating part comprises a separating strip 8 which splits fluid
flow at the fluid inlet 1, and a longitudinal piece 7 connected
thereto. Thus, fluid (e.g. coolant, as shown by the arrows in the
figure) from the fluid inlet 1 is first split into different flows
by the separating strip 8, then flows into the two fluid channel
regions 3 and 4 respectively and converges at the fluid outlet 2,
finally flowing out of the fluid outlet 2. It must be explained
here that the fluid channel regions 3 and 4 are independent of each
other; in other words, once the fluid has been split into different
flows by the separating strip 8, the respective flows in the fluid
channel regions 3 and 4 do not mix with each other; they only mix
in the vicinity of the fluid outlet 2, and finally flow out of the
fluid outlet 2.
[0052] It must be explained that the separating strip 8 is not
necessarily in the shape of a straight line, and can be chosen to
be in the angular range of -45.degree. to 45.degree. relative to a
vertical direction of the heat exchange plate 10 (i.e. the up-down
direction in the figure, perpendicular to the longitudinal
direction of the heat exchange plate 10). To encourage fluid
distribution, the separating strip 8 can be arranged to be bent or
inclined slightly to the left as shown in the figure.
[0053] The fluid inlet 1 is disposed at a top side at the left end
(e.g. the top-left corner) of the heat exchange plate 10; the fluid
outlet 2 is disposed at a top side at the right end (e.g. the
top-right corner) of the heat exchange plate 10. Those skilled in
the art should understand that ports 5 and 6 are also disposed on
the heat exchange plate 10, in order to mate with an adjacent heat
exchange plate; however, ports 5 and 6 play no role in or are not
associated with fluid distribution on the top surface, shown in the
figure, of the heat exchange plate 10, so are not described in
detail below.
[0054] In order to ensure that the flow paths in the fluid channel
regions 3 and 4 are independent of each other or that no mixing of
fluid occurs midway after it has been split into different flows at
the fluid inlet 1, the separating strip 8 is generally connected to
the longitudinal piece 7 in a sealed manner.
[0055] It can be seen from FIG. 1 that fluid is split into two
branches at the fluid inlet 1. The two branches are first of all
inclined downwards slightly overall. Then one branch is guided
rightwards through the fluid channel region 3; the other branch of
fluid is guided towards the bottom left side from the fluid inlet 1
(e.g. through a region between the port 5 and a left side edge of
the heat exchange plate 10), and is then guided rightwards to the
fluid channel region 4. The two branches converge at the fluid
outlet 2, and flow out of the fluid outlet 2.
[0056] Although FIG. 1 shows the longitudinal piece 7 as being
substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the heat
exchange plate 10 (i.e. the left-right direction shown in FIG. 1),
those skilled in the art could, as required, arrange it to be
inclined by a predetermined angle relative to the longitudinal
direction of the heat exchange plate 10 (e.g. within the angular
range of -45.degree. to 45.degree. relative to a direction
perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange
plate, e.g. 30.degree.), or to have a bent or meandering shape in
the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate 10.
[0057] It can be understood that such a separating part could be
likewise disposed on another surface of the heat exchange plate 10
(opposite the top surface described above, i.e. the bottom
surface); the number of separating parts can be specifically set as
required on the heat exchange plate 10, and is not limited to the
scenario shown in the figure; the separating part may also be
formed in another way, and is not limited to the structure shown in
the figure.
[0058] As FIG. 2 shows, the fluid inlet 1 is disposed at the top
left corner of the heat exchange plate 10, while the fluid outlet 2
is disposed at a bottom side at the right end (e.g. the bottom
right corner) of the heat exchange plate 10. The position of the
fluid outlet 2 is different from the scenario shown in FIG. 1,
therefore except for the direction of fluid flow (as shown by the
arrow in FIG. 2) which is different from that shown in FIG. 1,
everything else is the same as the structure shown in FIG. 1, and
is not described in detail here.
[0059] In FIGS. 1 and 2, there is no direct sealed connection
between the separating strip 8 and the longitudinal piece 7;
instead, separation of fluid is accomplished by means of a sealed
edge of the port 5. Of course, if no port 5 is provided or in
another case, the separating strip 8 and longitudinal piece 7 may
be connected in a sealed manner directly.
[0060] FIG. 3 shows another heat exchange plate 20 which is mated
with or adjacent to the heat exchange plate 10 described above. It
can be understood that in order to mate with the heat exchange
plate 10, corresponding ports 25, 26 are disposed at the four
corners respectively of the heat exchange plate 20; the ports 25,
26 are arranged such that fluid cannot be made to flow
therethrough. In order to guide fluid (e.g. water) on the heat
exchange plate 20, a fluid inlet 21 and a fluid outlet 22 are
disposed in a middle position at two ends (left and right) thereof,
respectively. As the figure shows, fluid from the second fluid
inlet 21 is guided directly to the second fluid outlet 22 over the
surface of the heat exchange plate 20; no separating part as
described above is provided thereon. Of course, those skilled in
the art could provide a similar separating part on the heat
exchange plate 20 as required, in accordance with the content
disclosed above.
[0061] Reference is made to FIG. 4, which shows an enlarged view of
part of the heat exchange plate 10 shown in FIG. 1. As can be seen
in the figure, most of the top surface of the heat exchange plate
10 is provided with a recessed structural pattern as shown in the
figure, for helping to distribute fluid. It can be understood that
when the pattern structure of substantially hemispherical recesses
described above is provided on a surface (e.g. the top surface) of
the heat exchange plate 10, a structure of protrusions
corresponding to the substantially hemispherical recesses described
above will be correspondingly provided on the other surface (e.g.
the bottom surface) of the heat exchange plate 10. The form of the
recessed pattern structure described above, as well as the distance
between adjacent recesses and the size thereof, may be arranged as
required. Of course, if possible, the pattern structure of recesses
11 and protrusions described above could also be replaced with an
inverted-V-shaped pattern of grooves and ridges, which is already
known in the prior art. Of course, the present invention could also
be applied to a heat exchange plate with a dimpled pattern.
[0062] FIG. 5 shows another example of the heat exchange plate of
the present invention. Clearly, the heat exchange plate 30 shown in
FIG. 5 differs from the heat exchange plate 10 described above in
that the heat exchange plate 30 is divided into three fluid channel
regions 331, 332 and 333, starting from a fluid inlet 31, by means
of separating strips 37 and 38 (i.e. two separating parts). The
separating strip 37 extends from the fluid inlet 31 at the top left
corner to a region close to a fluid outlet 32 at the top right
corner. The other separating strip 38 passes the left side of a
port 35 in a middle position at the left side from a fluid inlet
31, passes a port 35' at the bottom left corner, and then extends
to a region between a port 36 in a middle position at the right
side and a fluid outlet 33 at the bottom right corner. As shown by
the arrows in the figure, fluid from the fluid inlet 31 is divided
into three parts, which flow in the three fluid channel regions
331, 332 and 333. Of course, multiple separating parts could also
be disposed based on the same principle, to divide the heat
exchange plate 30 into 4, 5 or an even greater number of fluid
channel regions. As stated above, the separating strips 37 and 38
may be arranged to be substantially parallel to the longitudinal
direction of the heat exchange plate 30 (i.e. be in the form of
straight lines), to be inclined relative to the longitudinal
direction of the heat exchange plate 30, or to have a bent or
meandering shape in the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange
plate 30. In addition, the number of fluid outlets 32 and 33 may be
set to be 2 or 1 as required.
[0063] FIG. 6 shows another example of the heat exchange plate 40
of the present invention. A separating strip 47 extends from a
fluid inlet 41 at the top left corner of the heat exchange plate 40
to a region between a fluid outlet 42 at the top right corner and a
port 46 at the bottom right corner. Thus, as shown by the arrows in
the figure, fluid is split by a bent part 471 of the separating
strip into two parts, which respectively flow along the arrows
shown in the figure in two fluid channel regions 43 and 44
separated by the separating strip 47, finally converge and then
flow out of the fluid outlet 42. Likewise, ports 45 and 46 for
mating with an adjacent heat exchange plate are also provided.
[0064] FIG. 7 shows another example of the heat exchange plate 50
of the present invention. Two separating strips 57 respectively
extend from a fluid inlet 51 at the top left corner of the heat
exchange plate 50 to a region between a fluid outlet 52 at the top
right corner and a port 56 at the bottom right corner, but the two
separating strips 57 are arranged to be separated by a
predetermined distance. Thus, as shown by the arrows in the figure,
fluid is split into three parts, which respectively flow in three
fluid channel regions 53, 54 and 59 so formed, and finally flow out
of the fluid outlet 52. Likewise, ports 55 and for mating with an
adjacent heat exchange plate are also provided.
[0065] It is clear from the above that the heat exchange plate is
arranged to have at least two independent fluid channel regions
whether by means of separating strips or longitudinal pieces, to
improve the fluid distribution effect.
[0066] FIGS. 1-7 all show the surface of the heat exchange plate to
be provided with recesses or protrusions, the details of which will
not be described again.
[0067] Although no fluid distributor has been provided on the heat
exchange plates shown in FIGS. 1-7, it is clear that in the case
where it is necessary to distribute fluid better, or fluid cannot
be guided to the required heat transfer region without a fluid
distributing device, the following forms of fluid distributor may
be employed. In other words, preferably, the separating part
described above is used in combination with a fluid distributor in
the present invention.
[0068] FIGS. 8a-8d each show an example of a fluid distributor 60
according to the present invention. The fluid distributor 60 has a
main body 61 and a middle cavity 62 located inside the main body
61, for receiving fluid. In addition, the fluid distributor 60 also
has at least two guide parts 63 and 64 which pass through the fluid
distributor 60 and guide fluid out of the middle cavity 62. As the
figure shows, the main body 61 is substantially annular or
circularly annular, but could also be set to have various feasible
shapes such as square, rectangular or elliptical. The guide parts
may be set to take the form of a through-hole 63 or a duct 64 which
passes through the main body 61 from the outside to the middle
cavity 62. The duct 64 may be a tube or a capillary tube, and is
used to guide fluid into different fluid channel regions. FIG. 8a
shows guide parts in the form of one through-hole 63 and one duct
64. FIG. 8b shows guide parts in the form of one through-hole 63
and three ducts 64. FIG. 8c shows guide parts in the form of one
through-hole 63 and five ducts 64. FIG. 8d shows guide parts in the
form of three through-holes 63. It can be understood that the
specific form of the guide parts can be selected as required, e.g.
through-holes, ducts and channels, or any combination thereof.
[0069] FIGS. 9a and 9b each show an enlarged view of part of a heat
exchange plate, wherein different examples of the guide parts are
shown. FIG. 9a shows an example of fluid from a fluid inlet 71
being guided to different fluid channel regions by means of two
guide parts, such as ducts 72 and 73. It is clear from FIGS. 9a and
9b that both guide parts are arranged to extend substantially
downwards or towards a bottom left side, in order to distribute
fluid better.
[0070] FIG. 9b shows an example of fluid from a fluid inlet 81
being guided to different fluid channel regions by means of two
guide parts, such as channels and 83, wherein the channels 82 and
83 are integrally formed on the heat exchange plate. It can be
understood that although FIGS. 9a and 9b only show scenarios in
which there are two guide parts, those skilled in the art would be
able to understand scenarios in which multiple similar guide parts
are provided.
[0071] FIGS. 10a and 10b show a partial view and an enlarged view
respectively of part of a heat exchange plate according to the
present invention. FIG. 10a shows an example of a fluid distributor
with guide parts in the form of one through-hole 63 and one duct 64
being used in a heat exchange plate of the present invention. As
shown by the arrows in the figure, the heat exchange plate is
divided into two fluid channel regions 105 and 106 by means of a
separating part 107. As can be clearly seen in the enlarged view of
FIG. 10b, fluid guided through the through-hole 63 (i.e. the fluid
on the left side in the figure) returns upon encountering a
left-side boundary of the separating part 107, and then flows
upwards until it flows to a fluid outlet. Fluid is guided to the
fluid channel region 106 at the right side of the separating part
107 by means of a long tube or capillary tube 64 (i.e. the fluid on
the right side in the figure), and returns upon encountering a
right-side boundary of the separating part 107, and then flows
upwards until it flows to a fluid outlet. It must be explained that
upon encountering a boundary of the heat exchange plate, fluid will
similarly return and flow towards the fluid outlet. As FIG. 10a
shows, it is also possible to provide separating strips 108 and 109
close to the bottom on left and right sides of the heat exchange
plate, to further enhance the fluid distribution effect. The
separating part 107 comprises a longitudinal piece or separating
strip 104.
[0072] Although multiple structural features of the heat exchange
plate of the present invention are shown in the multiple
embodiments above, it should be understood that those skilled in
the art could combine the multiple structural features in different
embodiments to form new embodiments, and this should be understood
as being included in the scope of protection of the present
invention.
[0073] The above are merely some embodiments of the present
invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that changes
may be made to these embodiments without departing from the
principles and spirit of the overall inventive concept. The scope
of the present invention shall be defined by the claims and their
equivalents.
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