U.S. patent application number 16/062214 was filed with the patent office on 2019-10-10 for inlet flow regulating structure and plate heat exchanger.
The applicant listed for this patent is DANFOSS MICRO CHANNEL HEAT EXCHANGER (JIAXING) CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Hua Li, Pelletier Pierre Olivier.
Application Number | 20190310033 16/062214 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59055673 |
Filed Date | 2019-10-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20190310033 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Li; Hua ; et al. |
October 10, 2019 |
INLET FLOW REGULATING STRUCTURE AND PLATE HEAT EXCHANGER
Abstract
Disclosed is a plate heat exchanger with an inlet flow
regulating structure (11), comprising a refrigerant inlet coupling
(4), a side plate (1) assembled with the refrigerant inlet coupling
(4), and at least one inlet flow regulating structure (11). The
inlet flow regulating structure (11) is arranged on a path from the
refrigerant inlet coupling (4) to a main body of the plate heat
exchanger, and is provided with at least one flow regulating
element (12, 13, 14, 15) which is provided corresponding to a
refrigerant inlet passage of the plate heat exchanger.
Inventors: |
Li; Hua; (Zhejiang, CN)
; Olivier; Pelletier Pierre; (Zhejiang, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
DANFOSS MICRO CHANNEL HEAT EXCHANGER (JIAXING) CO., LTD. |
Zhejiang |
|
CN |
|
|
Family ID: |
59055673 |
Appl. No.: |
16/062214 |
Filed: |
August 15, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
August 15, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CN2016/095280 |
371 Date: |
June 14, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28D 9/005 20130101;
F28F 9/0278 20130101; F28F 9/0265 20130101; F25B 39/00 20130101;
F25B 39/022 20130101; F28D 9/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F28F 9/02 20060101
F28F009/02; F25B 39/00 20060101 F25B039/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 15, 2015 |
CN |
201510933718.0 |
Claims
1. An inlet flow regulating structure for a plate heat exchanger,
the plate heat exchanger comprising a refrigerant inlet connector
and a side plate assembled with the refrigerant inlet connector,
wherein at least one inlet flow regulating structure is arranged on
a path from the refrigerant inlet connector to a main body of the
plate heat exchanger, and at least one flow regulating element is
disposed on each inlet flow regulating structure, the flow
regulating element being provided corresponding to a refrigerant
inlet passage of the plate heat exchanger.
2. The inlet flow regulating structure as claimed in claim 1,
wherein each inlet flow regulating structure comprises one layer or
at least two layers spaced apart from each other, wherein the flow
regulating element is disposed on each layer.
3. The inlet flow regulating structure as claimed in claim 1,
wherein at least two inlet flow regulating structures are spaced
apart from each other and disposed side by side in a direction from
the refrigerant inlet connector to a distribution chamber of the
plate heat exchanger.
4. The inlet flow regulating structure as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the flow regulating element is a flow regulating hole, a
flow regulating slot or any combination thereof.
5. The inlet flow regulating structure as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the inlet flow regulating structure is in the form of an
arc, a flat plate or a flow regulating gasket.
6. The inlet flow regulating structure as claimed in claim 5,
wherein a plurality of circular rings are disposed on the layer of
the inlet flow regulating structure, and a plurality of flow
regulating holes are spaced apart on each of the circular rings; or
a plurality of annular strips are disposed on the layer of the
inlet flow regulating structure, and a plurality of flow regulating
slots, spaced apart and extending straightly or obliquely, are
disposed on each of the annular strips.
7. The inlet flow regulating structure as claimed in claim 6,
wherein each of the flow regulating slots is rectangular or
sickle-shaped.
8. The inlet flow regulating structure as claimed in claim 6,
wherein one flow regulating hole is provided at the center of the
layer of the inlet flow regulating structure.
9. The inlet flow regulating structure as claimed in claim 1,
wherein a flaring chamber is provided in the inlet flow regulating
structure.
10. The inlet flow regulating structure as claimed in claim 9,
wherein the side plate or the refrigerant inlet connector has a
flaring chamber at least partially accommodating the flaring
chamber of the inlet flow regulating structure.
11. The inlet flow regulating structure as claimed in claim 10,
wherein a top surface of the flaring chamber of the inlet flow
regulating structure and a top surface of the flaring chamber of
the side plate or the refrigerant inlet connector are at least
partially in contact with each other and are generally located at
the same level of height.
12. The inlet flow regulating structure as claimed in claim 11,
wherein the size of the bottom of the flaring chamber matches the
size of a distributor chamber of the plate heat exchanger, such
that a two-phase refrigerant flow from a refrigerant inlet flows
through the flaring chamber and then smoothly enters the
distribution chamber and is distributed into corresponding
refrigerant channels.
13. The inlet flow regulating structure as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the inlet flow regulating structure is disposed at any
position from the refrigerant inlet connector to a distributor
chamber along a central axis of the distributor chamber.
14. The inlet flow regulating structure as claimed in claim 13,
wherein the inlet flow regulating structure is disposed between the
side plate and a jet hole of a first distributor.
15. The inlet flow regulating structure as claimed in claim 13,
wherein the inlet flow regulating structure is disposed or
integrated on a first heat exchange plate sheet I or a first heat
exchange plate sheet II starting from the refrigerant inlet or
between a first heat exchange sheet II and a first distributor.
16. The inlet flow regulating structure as claimed in claim 14,
wherein, for a dual-circuit plate heat exchanger formed by heat
exchange plate sheets I and heat exchange plate sheets II, in a
distributor chamber of a second circuit, a seal is provided between
a first heat exchange plate sheet II and a second heat exchange
plate sheet I, and the inlet flow regulating structure is disposed
or integrated on a first heat exchange sheet I, a first heat
exchange sheet II, a second heat exchange plate sheet I or a second
heat exchange plate sheet II; or for a dual-circuit plate heat
exchanger formed by heat exchange plate sheets I, heat exchange
plate sheets II, heat exchange plate sheets III, and heat exchange
plate sheets IV, in a distributor chamber of a second circuit, a
seal is provided between a first heat exchange plate sheet II and a
first heat exchange plate sheet III, and the inlet flow regulating
structure is disposed or integrated on a first heat exchange plate
sheet I, the first heat exchange plate sheet II, the first heat
exchange plate sheet III or a first heat exchange plate sheet
IV.
17. A plate heat exchanger, comprising an inlet flow regulating
structure as claimed in claim 1.
18. The inlet flow regulating structure as claimed in claim 2,
wherein at least two inlet flow regulating structures are spaced
apart from each other and disposed side by side in a direction from
the refrigerant inlet connector to a distribution chamber of the
plate heat exchanger.
19. The inlet flow regulating structure as claimed in claim 2,
wherein the flow regulating element is a flow regulating hole, a
flow regulating slot or any combination thereof.
20. The inlet flow regulating structure as claimed in claim 3,
wherein the flow regulating element is a flow regulating hole, a
flow regulating slot or any combination thereof.
Description
[0001] This application is a National Stage application of
International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2016/095280, filed on
Aug. 15, 2016, which claims the priority of Chinese Patent
Application No. 201510933718.0, filed on 15 Dec. 2015, each of
which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to the fields of heating,
ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), automobiles,
refrigeration, and transportation, and in particular, to a plate
heat exchanger and an inlet flow regulating structure for a plate
heat exchanger.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Mal-distribution of a refrigerant is a worldwide technical
problem for a heat exchanger (evaporator) with parallel channels,
especially a plate heat exchanger and a microchannel heat
exchanger. The refrigerant that enters a heat exchanger usually
exists in the form of two phases. It is quite difficult to achieve
uniform distribution of the refrigerant because of the complexity
of application conditions and two-phase flow. In many cases, an
excessive amount of a liquid refrigerant flows into some channels,
and an excessive gaseous refrigerant flows into some other
channels. As a result, the overall performance of an evaporator is
severely affected.
[0004] Distributors are disposed in inlet positions of various
refrigerant channels in the evaporator in the existing solution. A
major design concept is to use small sectional areas of inlets of
channels and a certain pressure difference between inlets and
outlets to control the mass flow rate of a gas-liquid two-phase
flow that enters the various refrigerant channels, so as to
eventually obtain good effects of distribution and heat
exchange.
[0005] However, the design of evaporators faces greater challenges
with gradually increased demands of unit energy efficiency and
increasingly strict requirements of environmental friendliness of
the refrigerant.
[0006] In an aspect, with the development of variable frequency
technology for compressors, a design reference point of an
evaporator gradually develops from the initial working condition of
a single application to application requirements of a plurality of
points. Both full load operation and part load operation need to be
considered in the design of distributors. Flow types and flow
states of a two-phase flow in fixed evaporator inlet structures and
distributors are vastly different. The design difficulty is
significantly increased. In addition, for evaporator products such
as a plate heat exchanger and a microchannel heat exchanger, the
same distributor structure is usually used for products that have
different capability requirements or are in different capability
ranges. For distribution technology, especially the flow and flow
type features of an evaporator inlet, a certain optimal working
range exists, and when beyond the range, the distribution effect is
affected.
[0007] In another aspect, a novel refrigerant is gradually
developed and applied, which also poses a challenge in designing
the evaporator. Due to different physical properties of working
media, the characteristics of flow and heat exchange of the
refrigerant are significantly different in the same evaporator.
Many evaporators can only be designed specifically for one kind or
one type of refrigerant, resulting in a big family of related
products and therefore high management and maintenance costs.
SUMMARY
[0008] The object of the present invention is to solve at least one
aspect of the above-mentioned problems and defects that exist in
the prior art.
[0009] An evaporator inlet state is important content among related
influence factors in refrigerant distribution technology. Different
load capabilities and refrigerant types have significant influences
in this aspect.
[0010] In a design concept of the present invention, a flow
regulating structure is disposed in an evaporator inlet area, and a
gas-liquid two-phase flow is re-excited, so that an uncontrolled
fluid inlet state is converted into a stable homogeneous state, so
as to provide a stable inlet flow condition for a subsequent
distribution process, obtain a stable distribution effect, and
eventually improve the heat exchange performance and unit energy
efficiency of an evaporator.
[0011] As claimed in an aspect of the present invention, an inlet
flow regulating structure for a plate heat exchanger is provided,
the plate heat exchanger comprising a refrigerant inlet connector
and a side plate assembled with the refrigerant inlet connector,
wherein
[0012] at least one inlet flow regulating structure is arranged on
a path from the refrigerant inlet connector to a main body of the
plate heat exchanger, and at least one flow regulating element is
disposed on each inlet flow regulating structure, the flow
regulating element being provided corresponding to a refrigerant
inlet passage of the plate heat exchanger.
[0013] In an example, each inlet flow regulating structure
comprises one layer or at least two layers spaced apart from each
other, wherein the flow regulating element is disposed on each
layer.
[0014] In an example, at least two inlet flow regulating structures
are spaced apart from each other and disposed side by side in a
direction from the refrigerant inlet connector to a distribution
chamber of the plate heat exchanger.
[0015] In an example, the flow regulating element is a flow
regulating hole, a flow regulating slot or any combination
thereof.
[0016] In an example, the inlet flow regulating structure is in the
form of an arc, a flat plate or a flow regulating gasket.
[0017] In an example, a plurality of circular rings are disposed on
the layer of the inlet flow regulating structure, and a plurality
of flow regulating holes are spaced apart on each of the circular
rings; or
[0018] a plurality of annular strips are disposed on the layer of
the inlet flow regulating structure, and a plurality of flow
regulating slots, spaced apart and extending straightly or
obliquely, are disposed on each of the annular strips.
[0019] In an example, each of the flow regulating slots is
rectangular or sickle-shaped.
[0020] In an example, one flow regulating hole is provided at the
center of the layer of the inlet flow regulating structure.
[0021] In an example, a flaring chamber is disposed in the inlet
flow regulating structure.
[0022] In an example, the side plate or the refrigerant inlet
connector has a flaring chamber at least partially accommodating
the flaring chamber of the inlet flow regulating structure.
[0023] In an example, a top surface of the flaring chamber of the
inlet flow regulating structure and a top surface of the flaring
chamber of the side plate or the refrigerant inlet connector are at
least partially in contact with each other and are generally
located at the same level of height.
[0024] In an example, the size of the bottom of the flaring chamber
matches the size of a distributor chamber of the plate heat
exchanger, such that a two-phase refrigerant flow from a
refrigerant inlet flows through the flaring chamber and then
smoothly enters the distribution chamber and is distributed into
corresponding refrigerant channels.
[0025] In an example, the inlet flow regulating structure is
disposed at any position from the refrigerant inlet connector to a
distributor chamber along a central axis of the distributor
chamber.
[0026] In an example, the inlet flow regulating structure is
disposed between the side plate and a jet hole of a first
distributor.
[0027] In an example, the inlet flow regulating structure is
disposed or integrated on a first heat exchange plate sheet I or a
first heat exchange plate sheet II starting from the refrigerant
inlet or between a first heat exchange sheet II and a first
distributor.
[0028] In an example, for a dual-circuit plate heat exchanger
formed by heat exchange plate sheets I and heat exchange plate
sheets II, in a distributor chamber of a second circuit, a seal is
provided between a first heat exchange plate sheet II and a second
heat exchange plate sheet I, and the inlet flow regulating
structure is disposed or integrated on a first heat exchange sheet
I, a first heat exchange sheet II, the second heat exchange plate
sheet I or a second heat exchange plate sheet II; or
[0029] for a dual-circuit plate heat exchanger formed by heat
exchange plate sheets I, heat exchange plate sheets II, heat
exchange plate sheets III, and heat exchange plate sheets IV, in a
distributor chamber of a second circuit, a seal is provided between
a first heat exchange plate sheet II and a first heat exchange
plate sheet III, and the inlet flow regulating structure is
disposed or integrated on a first heat exchange sheet I, a first
heat exchange sheet II, the first heat exchange plate sheet III, or
a first heat exchange plate sheet IV.
[0030] As claimed in another aspect of the present invention, a
plate heat exchanger is provided which comprises the
above-mentioned inlet flow regulating structure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] These and/or other aspects and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent and should be readily understood
from the following description of the preferred embodiments in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0032] FIG. 1a is an overall view of a plate heat exchanger in the
prior art;
[0033] FIG. 1b is a schematic structural diagram of an inlet and a
distribution chamber of the plate heat exchanger shown in FIG.
1a;
[0034] FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of an inlet and a
distribution chamber of a plate heat exchanger as claimed in an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0035] FIGS. 3a-3d are respectively top views of different variant
examples of a flow regulating element as claimed in the present
invention;
[0036] FIGS. 4a-4e are respectively schematic structural diagrams
of an inlet flow regulating structure being disposed in different
arrangement positions of a plate heat exchanger as claimed in
another embodiment of the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of an inlet and a
distribution chamber of a plate heat exchanger as claimed in
another embodiment of the present invention, wherein an inlet flow
regulating structure uses the form of a planar unit;
[0038] FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of an inlet and a
distribution chamber of a plate heat exchanger as claimed in
another embodiment of the present invention, wherein an inlet flow
regulating structure uses the form of a simple flow regulating
unit; and
[0039] FIG. 7 is a top view of another variant example of an inlet
flow regulating structure as claimed in the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0040] By means of the following embodiments and in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings, the technical solutions of the
present invention are further specifically described. Identical or
similar reference signs in the description denote identical or
similar components. The following description of the embodiments of
the present invention referring to the accompanying drawings is
intended to explain the general inventive concept of the present
invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present
invention.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b, respectively, shown are an
overall view of a plate heat exchanger in the prior art and a
schematic structural diagram of an inlet and a distribution chamber
of the plate heat exchanger. FIG. 1a shows the plate heat exchanger
through which two different fluids can flow. For example, the two
different fluids may be water and a refrigerant. The plate heat
exchanger in such a form is known in the prior art, and is
therefore no longer described in detail herein. Only one inlet
connector 4 used for the refrigerant to flow in is shown.
Certainly, the position of the inlet connector 4 may be
specifically chosen as claimed in the requirements, but is not
limited to the case shown in the figure.
[0042] FIG. 1b shows specific structures of the inlet and the
distribution chamber of the plate heat exchanger in detail. A side
plate 1, and heat exchange plate sheets I 2 and heat exchange plate
sheets II 3 that are alternately disposed, are sequentially
arranged from left to right. A heat exchange plate sheet I 2 and a
heat exchange plate sheet II 3 that are adjacent have structures
matching each other, so that water channels 10 and refrigerant
channels 9 having heat exchange spaces and support strength can be
formed to implement heat exchange between cold and hot fluids. As
shown in the figure, the water channels 10 and the refrigerant
channels 9 are alternately arranged. An inlet connector 4 on a
refrigerant side (an evaporator) is used for connection to a
pipeline of a unit system and an expansion valve at a front end. It
should be noted herein that FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b show the structures
of the inlet and the distribution chamber of the plate heat
exchanger used as an evaporator.
[0043] In addition, a sealing structure 5, for example a seal ring,
is provided between the side plate 1 and a first heat exchange
plate sheet (a heat exchange plate sheet I 2 in this example). The
seal ring 5 is usually made of metal, and is assembled between the
side plate 1 and the first heat exchange plate sheet 2 by using a
brazing process. A distributor 6 of each of the refrigerant
channels 9 is usually disposed in an inlet position of each of the
refrigerant channels 9, and is usually designed into the form of
one or more small holes, and the refrigerant is evenly distributed
in a manner of limiting flowing sectional areas and increasing
pressure drop. The distributor of the present invention may be
disposed on a heat exchange plate sheet or integrated with the heat
exchange plate sheet. Plate holes 8 are provided in positions
corresponding to the inlet connector 4 on the heat exchange plate
sheets I 2 and the heat exchange plate sheets II 3. A plurality of
distributor chambers 7 are formed together by the plate holes 8 on
the heat exchange plate sheets I 2 and the heat exchange plate
sheets II 3 and the distributors 6. In a position where a plate
hole 8 is located, a sealing surface around the plate hole 8 is
used to implement a sealing effect in the refrigerant distribution
chamber 7, and a brazing process is usually used for assembly. As
discussed above, in the solution in the prior art shown in FIG. 1a
and FIG. 1b, the distributor 6 is affected by the factors such as
the shown inlet connector 4, and an upstream pipeline, a flow rate
and a flow type change of the inlet connector, resulting in
mal-distribution of the refrigerant in the inlet connector.
[0044] To improve a flow state and a flow type of a two-phase flow
in an inlet area of an evaporator and further improve a refrigerant
distribution effect in the evaporator, so as to improve the heat
exchange efficiency of a heat exchanger and the overall performance
and efficiency of a unit, the present invention provides an inlet
flow regulating structure for a plate heat exchanger and a plate
heat exchanger using the inlet flow regulating structure.
[0045] A major inventive concept of the present invention provides
an inlet flow regulating structure for a plate heat exchanger. The
plate heat exchanger comprises a refrigerant inlet connector and a
side plate assembled with the refrigerant inlet connector, wherein
at least one inlet flow regulating structure is disposed between
the side plate and a main body of the plate heat exchanger, and at
least one flow regulating element is disposed on each inlet flow
regulating structure. The flow regulating element is provided
corresponding to a refrigerant inlet passage of the plate heat
exchanger.
[0046] Specifically, the plate heat exchanger of the present
invention comprises a refrigerant inlet connector 4 and a side
plate 1 assembled with the refrigerant inlet connector 4. FIG. 2
shows that one inlet flow regulating structure 11 is disposed
between the side plate 1 and the main body of the plate heat
exchanger. At least one flow regulating element 12, 13, 14 and 15
(described below in detail) is provided in the inlet flow
regulating structure 11. The flow regulating element 12, 13, 14 and
15 is disposed corresponding to a refrigerant inlet passage 21 of
the plate heat exchanger. A main improvement of the present
invention is a refrigerant inlet area in the plate heat exchanger,
and therefore the same reference numerals are used for the same
components in FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b, and details are no longer
described.
[0047] Here, the refrigerant inlet passage 21 is a passage in the
inlet connector 4.
[0048] It may be understood that the inlet flow regulating
structure 11 may comprise one layer or at least two layers spaced
apart from each other, wherein the flow regulating element is
disposed on each layer. Where at least two inlet flow regulating
structures 11 are provided, the at least two inlet flow regulating
structures 11 may be spaced apart from each other and disposed side
by side in a direction from the refrigerant inlet connector 4 to a
distribution chamber of the plate heat exchanger.
[0049] As shown in FIG. 2, compared with FIG. 1b, in an embodiment
of the present invention, the inlet flow regulating structure 11
having a flaring chamber 23 is disposed between a seal ring 5 and a
first heat exchange plate sheet I 2. A flaring chamber 22 having a
fitting effect is also disposed at the side plate 1. In the
sectional view shown in FIG. 2, the inlet flow regulating structure
11 in this example is set in the form of an arc. As shown in the
figure, the flaring chamber 22 of the side plate 1 completely
accommodates the flaring chamber 23 of the inlet flow regulating
structure 11. It may be understood that the present invention is
not limited thereto. It may also be set such that the flaring
chamber 22 only partially accommodates the flaring chamber 23 of
the inlet flow regulating structure 11.
[0050] It may be understood that the inlet flow regulating
structure 11 and the flaring chamber 22 may also be disposed in or
inside the refrigerant inlet connector 4. In such a case, a pipe
leg of the refrigerant inlet connector 4 is assembled with the side
plate 1. In this case, the flaring chamber 22 may not be disposed
on the side plate 1. It may be understood that the object of
arranging a flaring chamber is that the flaring chamber matches the
flaring chamber 23 of the inlet flow regulating structure 11, and
provides necessary strength support. In an example, an edge of the
inlet flow regulating structure of the present invention is fixed
on a heat exchange plate or a side plate, and a flaring chamber is
disposed in the inlet flow regulating structure. Correspondingly, a
flaring chamber accommodating the flaring chamber of the inlet flow
regulating structure may be disposed on the refrigerant inlet
connector.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 2, a top surface of the flaring chamber 23
of the inlet flow regulating structure 11 and a top surface of the
flaring chamber 22 of the side plate 1 are in contact with each
other all around and are generally located at the same level of
height.
[0052] FIGS. 3a-3d respectively show the flow regulating element
12, 13, 14, and 15 in different forms. It may be understood that
the flow regulating element may be a flow regulating hole, a flow
regulating slot or any combination thereof, but is not merely
limited to the cases shown in the figures.
[0053] In FIG. 3a, a plurality of circular rings are disposed on
the layer of the inlet flow regulating structure 11, and a
plurality of flow regulating holes are spaced apart on each of the
circular rings 12.
[0054] In FIG. 3b, a plurality of annular strips are disposed on
the layer of the inlet flow regulating structure 11, and a
plurality of flow regulating slots 13, spaced apart and extending
straightly, are disposed on each of the annular strips. Each of the
flow regulating slots 13 is rectangular or strip-shaped.
[0055] In FIG. 3c, a plurality of annular strips are disposed on
the layer of the inlet flow regulating structure 11, and a
plurality of flow regulating slots 14, spaced apart and extending
obliquely, are disposed on each of the annular strips. Each of the
flow regulating slots 14 is rectangular or strip-shaped.
[0056] In FIG. 3d, a plurality of annular strips are disposed on
the layer of the inlet flow regulating structure 11, and a
plurality of flow regulating slots 15, spaced apart and extending
obliquely, are disposed on each of the annular strips. Each of the
flow regulating slots 15 is sickle-shaped.
[0057] The inlet flow regulating structure 11 may be made of metal,
ceramics, or the like, and certainly may be replaced with a similar
mesh system or porous medium, to achieve an equivalent flow
regulating effect.
[0058] In a specific working manner, a refrigerant in a two-phase
state is throttled by an expansion valve and then enters a
refrigerant inlet connector 4 of a heat exchanger along a
connecting pipeline. A flow state of the refrigerant is indefinite.
The flow state may be a layered flow for a working condition of
part load. The flow state may be an annular flow for a working
condition of full load. However, under the effects of the special
flow regulating element 12, 13, 14, and 15, the two-phase
refrigerant is adjusted into a flow state of a homogeneous flow.
Meanwhile, by means of the combined action of an arc surface of the
inlet flow regulating structure 11 and the flaring chamber 23, the
stability of a flow type and a turbulence degree are further
enhanced, and eventually the refrigerant enters a distributor
chamber 7 in a flow state that facilitates distribution.
[0059] To implement effective cooperation between the flow
regulating element 3 and a subsequent distributor chamber 7 in FIG.
2, the present invention further provides a technical solution
shown in FIG. 4a. Compared with the case in FIG. 2, the size of the
flaring chamber 23 of the inlet flow regulating structure 11 in
FIG. 4a is set to be close to or the same as (i.e. matching) the
inner diameter of the distribution chamber 7, so that under the
effect of a "flaring opening" chamber, the two-phase flow
refrigerant smoothly enters the distributor chamber 7, so as to be
further distributed into corresponding refrigerant channels 9.
[0060] As claimed in the manner of adjusting the flow type and flow
state of refrigerant provided in the present invention, the inlet
flow regulating structure 11 in FIG. 4a may be disposed in any
suitable position between the side plate 1 and a first distributor
6. Specifically, in FIG. 4a, the inlet flow regulating structure 11
is disposed between the seal ring 5 and a first heat exchange plate
sheet I 2.
[0061] Referring to FIG. 4b and FIG. 4c, respectively, shown are
cases of the inlet flow regulating structure 11 being formed on the
first heat exchange plate sheet I 2 and a first heat exchange plate
sheet II 3. Specifically, the inlet flow regulating structure 11
may be integrally formed on the first heat exchange plate sheet I 2
or the first heat exchange plate sheet II 3. Certainly, the inlet
flow regulating structure may be formed on the first heat exchange
plate sheet I 2 or the first heat exchange plate sheet II 3 in a
welding manner or the like.
[0062] Referring to FIG. 4d, shown is a case in which the inlet
flow regulating structure 11 is disposed between the first heat
exchange plate sheet II 3 and the first distributor 6. It may be
understood that a solution known in the art may be used that the
inlet flow regulating structure 11 is disposed between the first
heat exchange plate sheet II 3 and the first distributor 6.
[0063] In addition to the cases in the above-mentioned figures, a
person skilled in the art may understand that at least one inlet
flow regulating structure 11 may be disposed in any height position
from the side plate 1 to distributors 6 of the plate heat
exchanger, and the present invention is not specifically limited
thereto.
[0064] For a dual-circuit plate heat exchanger, a heat exchange
plate sheet and a seal ring 15 of another circuit may further exist
between the first distributor 6 and the first heat exchange plate
sheet II 3.
[0065] As shown in FIG. 4e, a case having two refrigerant circuits
is shown. Numeral 15 indicates a seal circle of a first refrigerant
circuit, numeral 16 indicates a distributor of a second refrigerant
circuit, numeral 17 indicates a channel of the second refrigerant
circuit, numeral 18 indicates a water channel, numeral 19 indicates
a channel of the first refrigerant circuit, and 20 indicates an
adjacent water channel.
[0066] In a distributor chamber 26 of the second refrigerant
circuit, a seal circle or ring 15 of the first refrigerant circuit
is provided between a first heat exchange plate sheet II 3 and a
second heat exchange plate sheet I 2, and is used to seal a
corresponding position of the first refrigerant circuit. The inlet
flow regulating structure 11 is integrated on the second heat
exchange plate sheet I 2, and used to match a subsequent
distribution chamber 26. It should be noted that in such a
dual-circuit plate heat exchanger, for the flow regulating element
in the inlet flow regulating structure 11, any specific form shown
in FIGS. 3a-3d mentioned above may also be used, that is, an
individual flow regulating element may be used or the flow
regulating element may be integrated on a second heat exchange
plate sheet II. It may be understood that the individual flow
regulating element or one flow regulating element may be used for
the inlet flow regulating structure 11. Alternatively, in addition
to being integrated on the second heat exchange plate sheet I 2,
the flow regulating element may further be integrated on a second
heat exchange plate sheet II 3.
[0067] That is, for a dual-circuit plate heat exchanger formed by
heat exchange plate sheets I and heat exchange plate sheets II, in
a distributor chamber of a second circuit, a seal is provided
between a first heat exchange plate sheet II and a second heat
exchange plate sheet I, and the inlet flow regulating structure is
disposed or integrated on the second heat exchange plate sheet I or
a second heat exchange plate sheet II.
[0068] For a dual-circuit plate heat exchanger formed by heat
exchange plate sheets I, heat exchange plate sheets II, heat
exchange plate sheets III, and heat exchange plate sheets IV, in a
distributor chamber of a second circuit, a seal is provided between
a first heat exchange plate sheet II and a first heat exchange
plate sheet III, and the inlet flow regulating structure is
disposed or integrated on the first heat exchange plate sheet III
or a first heat exchange plate sheet IV.
[0069] It should be noted that, the above-mentioned implementation
manner provided on a dual-circuit plate heat exchanger in the
present invention is a choice for a specific dual-circuit
structure. For the dual-circuit plate heat exchanger,
single-circuit implementation manners shown in FIG. 2 and FIGS.
4a-4d may also be used in the present invention. That is, the inlet
flow regulating structure 11 is disposed near the side plate 1 and
the first heat exchange plate sheet I 2 but does not cross the
space of the seal circle 15 of the first circuit in FIG. 4e. This
manner is especially applicable to a case in which the inner
diameter of the seal circle 15 in FIG. 4e is the same as or close
to the inner diameter of the distributor 6.
[0070] In addition, in consideration of the processing difficulty
and the assembly simplicity, the inlet flow regulating structure of
the present invention may further be changed as follows.
[0071] It should be noted that, the inlet flow regulating structure
11 is disposed at any position from the refrigerant inlet connector
4 to the distributor chamber 7 along a central axis of a
distributor chamber 7.
[0072] Referring to FIG. 5, the arc surface structure of the
above-mentioned inlet flow regulating structure 11 may be set in a
planar form, or may be replaced with a planar unit. However, the
design of a flaring cavity is kept. As shown in the figure, a top
surface of an inlet flow regulating structure 11' is approximately
planar.
[0073] Referring to FIG. 6, the design manner of the
above-mentioned arc surface structure and flaring cavity is
omitted, but instead, a conventional heat exchanger side plate 1
and a simple inlet flow regulating structure 11'' are used. The
inlet flow regulating structure 11'' is a sheet metal stamping
part. As shown in the figure, a sealing step 51 and a porous flow
regulating area 12 are shown.
[0074] Referring to FIG. 7, the form of a flow regulating gasket 21
having a uniform thickness may further be used. The flow regulating
gasket 21 is used to replace the above-mentioned inlet flow
regulating structure, and is disposed in a position the same as
that of the above-mentioned inlet flow regulating structure. The
flow regulating gasket is sealed with a side plate and a heat
exchange plate sheet adjacent thereto by means of the periphery of
the flow regulating gasket. A plurality of flow regulating elements
such as flow regulating holes are disposed on the flow regulating
gasket 21. Certainly, the flow regulating gasket 21 may further use
the above-mentioned flow regulating slots as the flow regulating
elements as claimed in the requirements.
[0075] It may be understood that the present invention is not only
limited to the above-mentioned structures, and may further comprise
a combination or deduced manner of the above-mentioned structures.
For example, each inlet flow regulating structure comprises a
plurality of stacked layers or layers arranged in a stacking
manner, the above-mentioned flow regulating elements such as the
flow regulating holes or the flow regulating slots or any
combination thereof are disposed on each layer, and flow regulating
elements between adjacent layers overlap each other or are the same
as each other. In addition, two or more inlet flow regulating
structures connected in series may further be disposed between the
side plate and the first distributor, and a certain gap is provided
between two adjacent inlet flow regulating structures, so that a
two-phase flow is regulated twice or for a plurality of times to
obtain a homogeneous flow type, thereby improving an eventual
distribution effect.
[0076] In addition, another embodiment of the present invention
further provides a plate heat exchanger using the above-mentioned
inlet flow regulating structure. The inlet flow regulating
structure has been described above in detail, and the plate heat
exchanger using the inlet flow regulating structure is not changed
in other aspects. Therefore, details are no longer described
herein.
[0077] As discussed above, the above-mentioned technical solutions
of the present invention at least can implement at least one aspect
of the following advantages:
[0078] firstly, a flow regulating hole or slot, an arc jet end
surface, and a flaring jet development cavity will effectively
enhance the flow and flow type state of a refrigerant in an
evaporator inlet area, so as to provide a stable and reliable inlet
condition for a subsequent distribution process, thereby
eliminating the influence of physical properties of the
refrigerant, operations of a unit in a plurality of working
conditions, capability differences of products, and the like on the
refrigerant distribution in an evaporator; and
[0079] secondly, the proposed flow regulating unit or inlet flow
regulating structure is mainly in the form of a sheet metal part or
a low-cost flow regulating gasket, thus a great advantage are
achieved in costs, and there are almost no additional costs for
evaporators.
[0080] Above are merely some of the embodiments of the present
invention, and it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in
the art that changes may be made to these embodiments without
departing from the principles and spirit of the general inventive
concept, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the
claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *