U.S. patent application number 17/411230 was filed with the patent office on 2022-03-03 for heat exchanger.
The applicant listed for this patent is LG ELECTRONICS INC.. Invention is credited to Bonggil Jeon, Soojin Kang, Seungtaek Oh, Jeongseob Shin.
Application Number | 20220065544 17/411230 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-03-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220065544 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shin; Jeongseob ; et
al. |
March 3, 2022 |
HEAT EXCHANGER
Abstract
A heat exchanger is disclosed. The heat exchanger of the present
disclosure includes a first heat exchanger into or from which a
first fluid flows or is discharged, and a second heat exchanger
into or from which a second fluid flows or is discharged, the
second heat exchanger being adjacent to the first heat exchanger,
and the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are
rolled together in a roll shape, are alternately disposed in a
radial direction, and are in contact with each other.
Inventors: |
Shin; Jeongseob; (Seoul,
KR) ; Oh; Seungtaek; (Seoul, KR) ; Kang;
Soojin; (Seoul, KR) ; Jeon; Bonggil; (Seoul,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LG ELECTRONICS INC. |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/411230 |
Filed: |
August 25, 2021 |
International
Class: |
F28D 7/00 20060101
F28D007/00; F28F 1/02 20060101 F28F001/02; F28F 9/02 20060101
F28F009/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 27, 2020 |
KR |
10-2020-0108570 |
Claims
1. A heat exchanger comprising: a first heat exchanger into or from
which a first fluid flows or is discharged; and a second heat
exchanger into or from which a second fluid flows or is discharged,
the second heat exchanger being adjacent to the first heat
exchanger, wherein the first heat exchanger and the second heat
exchanger are rolled together in a roll shape, are alternately
disposed in a radial direction, and are in contact with each
other.
2. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the first heat exchanger
further comprises: a first inner header having a first inlet into
which the first fluid flows; a first outer header having a first
outlet from which the first fluid is discharged and being spaced
apart from the first inner header; and a first heat exchange pipe
configured to provide a flow path for the first fluid between the
first inner header and the first outer header, the flow path
connecting the first inner header and the first outer header.
3. The heat exchanger of claim 2, wherein the second heat exchanger
further comprises: a second outer header having a second inlet into
which the second fluid flows; a second inner header having a second
outlet from which the second fluid is discharged and being spaced
apart from the second outer header; and a second heat exchange pipe
configured to provide a flow path for the second fluid between the
second outer header and the second inner header, the flow path
connecting the second outer header and the second inner header.
4. The heat exchanger of claim 3, wherein a flow path for the first
fluid is formed in an internal space of the first inner header, the
flow path of the first fluid is formed in an inner space of the
first outer header, a flow path for the first heat exchange pipe
includes one end communicating with the inner space of the first
inner header, and the other end communicating with the inner space
of the first outer header, a flow path for the second fluid is
formed in the inner space of the second inner header, the flow path
of the second fluid is formed in the inner space of the second
outer header, and a flow path for the second heat exchange pipe
includes one end communicating with the inner space of the second
inner header, and the other end communicating with the inner space
of the second outer header.
5. The heat exchanger of claim 3, wherein the first fluid moves
while drawing a spiral trajectory along the flow path for the first
heat exchange pipe, and the second fluid moves while drawing a
spiral trajectory parallel to the movement trajectory of the first
fluid along the flow path for the second heat exchange pipe.
6. The heat exchanger of claim 3, wherein the first inner header
and the first outer header elongate in the same direction, the
first heat exchange pipe comprises a plurality of first heat
exchange pipes, each of the first heat exchange pipes including a
first internal space forming the flow path for the first fluid and
the first heat exchange pipes being sequentially arranged in a
longitudinal direction of the first inner header, the second inner
header and the second outer header elongate in the longitudinal
direction of the first inner header, and the second heat exchange
pipe comprises a plurality of second heat exchange pipes, each of
the second heat exchange pipes including a second internal space
forming the flow path for the second fluid and the second heat
exchange pipes being sequentially arranged in a longitudinal
direction of the second inner header.
7. The heat exchanger of claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of
second heat exchange pipes further comprises at least one partition
plate configured to partition the second inner space into at least
two spaces.
8. The heat exchanger of claim 3, wherein the first heat exchange
pipe comes in surface contact with the second heat exchange
pipe.
9. The heat exchanger of claim 8, wherein the first heat exchange
pipe and the second heat exchange pipe comprise a metallic material
having elasticity.
10. The heat exchanger of claim 8, further comprising a thermal
grease positioned between the first heat exchange pipe and the
second heat exchange pipe.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of Korean
Patent Application No. 10-2020-0108570, filed on Aug. 27, 2020, the
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Field of the disclosure
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a heat exchanger. In
particular, the present disclosure relates to a heat exchanger in
which heat exchange is performed in a non-contact manner between
different types of fluids, heat transfer performance is improved as
pipes through which the fluids flow come in contact or in close
contact with each other without bonding such as welding, and the
fluids are prevented from being mixed even when the pipes are
ruptured.
Related Art
[0003] In general, a heat pump refers to a device that cools or
heats an indoor space through refrigerant compression,
condensation, expansion, and evaporation processes. When an outdoor
heat exchanger of the heat pump functions as a condenser and an
indoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator, the indoor space
may be cooled. On the other hand, when the indoor heat exchanger of
the heat pump functions as a condenser and the outdoor heat
exchanger functions as an evaporator, the indoor space may be
heated.
[0004] In this case, the heat pump may be an air-to-water heat pump
(AWHP) using water as a medium for heat exchange with a
refrigerant. In this case, a temperature of water stored in a water
tank can be increased using water heated through heat exchange with
the refrigerant and hot water can be supplied to the indoor space.
Alternatively, an indoor space may be heated as water heated
through heat exchange with the refrigerant flows through a water
pipe installed in the indoor space.
[0005] For example, in a heat pump of KR 10-2008-0006122 (Jan. 16,
2008), a refrigerant and water can exchange heat while passing
through a plate heat exchanger. Here, the plate heat exchanger
includes a plurality of heat transfer plates stacked on each other,
and the refrigerant and the water flowing into the plate heat
exchanger flow along a flow path formed between the plurality of
heat transfer plates, and can exchange heat in a non-contact
manner.
[0006] However, when the plate heat exchanger is damaged due to
freezing or external shock, water flows into a refrigerant pipe
through which the refrigerant circulates, damaging a compressor or
the like, and the refrigerant flows into a water pipe through which
water circulates, polluting the water.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to solve the above
and other problems.
[0008] Another object of the present disclosure may be to provide a
heat exchanger in which heat exchange between different types of
fluids can be performed in a non-contact manner.
[0009] Yet another object of the present disclosure may be to
provide a heat exchanger in which fluids can be prevented from
being mixed even when any one of heat exchange pipes through which
different types of fluids flow is frozen or ruptured.
[0010] Yet another object of the present disclosure may be to
provide a heat exchanger in which a state in which heat exchange
pipes through which different types of respective fluids flow are
in contact with or in close contact with each other is maintained
so that excellent heat transfer performance can be secured.
[0011] According to an aspect of the present disclosure for
achieving the above or other object, provided is a heat exchanger
including: a first heat exchanger into or from which a first fluid
flows or is discharged; and a second heat exchanger into or from
which a second fluid flows or is discharged, the second heat
exchanger being adjacent to the first heat exchanger, wherein the
first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are rolled
together in a roll shape, are alternately disposed in a radial
direction, and are in contact with each other.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a configuration of a heat pump
and a flow of refrigerant or water in a hot water supply operation
or cold water supply operation mode according to an embodiment of
the present disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a configuration of a first
heat exchanger of a heat exchanger according to the embodiment of
the present disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a configuration of a second
heat exchanger of the heat exchanger according to the embodiment of
the present disclosure.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a state before the heat
exchanger according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is
rolled in a roll shape.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a top view illustrating a state in which the heat
exchanger according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is
rolled in a roll shape.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a cross section taken along
A-A' in FIG. 5.
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in the present
specification will be described in detail with reference to the
accompanying drawings, and the same or similar components are
denoted by the same reference signs regardless of reference signs,
and repeated description thereof will be omitted.
[0019] Component suffixes "module" and "part" used in the following
description are given or mixed together only in consideration of
the ease of creating the specification, and have no meanings or
roles that are distinguished from each other by themselves.
[0020] Further, in describing embodiments of the present
disclosure, when it is determined that detailed description of a
well-known related art may obscure the gist of the embodiments
disclosed in the present specification, the detailed description
thereof will be omitted. Further, the accompanying drawings are
only for easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in the
present specification, and the technical idea disclosed in the
present specification is not limited by the accompanying drawings,
and all changes, equivalents, or substitutes included in the spirit
and technical scope of the present disclosure should be understood
to be included.
[0021] Terms including an ordinal number such as first or second
may be used to describe various components, but the components are
not limited by the terms. The above terms are used only for the
purpose of distinguishing one component from another component.
[0022] When a component is referred to as being "connected" or
"coupled" to another component, the component may be directly
connected or coupled to the other component, but it should be
understood that other components may exist therebetween. On the
other hand, when a component is referred to as being "directly
connected" or "directly coupled" to another component, it should be
understood that the other component does not exist
therebetween.
[0023] A singular expression includes a plural expression unless
otherwise stated by the context.
[0024] It should be understood that, in the present application,
terms such as "include" or "have" are intended to designate that a
feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination
thereof described in the specification exists, but do not exclude a
possibility of existence or addition of one or more other features,
numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations
thereof.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 1, in a heat pump 1, a refrigerant pipe P
in which a refrigerant circulates may be installed on one side (for
example, on the left side) of a heat exchanger 10, and a water pipe
Q in which water circulates may be installed on the other side (for
example, on the right). In this case, heat exchange between the
refrigerant and the water may be performed in the heat exchanger
10. Meanwhile, the heat pump 1 may be referred to as an
air-to-water heat pump (AWHP), and the heat exchanger 10 may be
referred to as a water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger.
[0026] The heat pump 1 may include a compressor 2, a switching
valve 3, a heat exchanger 10, an expansion valve 5, an outdoor heat
exchanger 6, and an accumulator 7 connected to each other by a
refrigerant pipe P. Further, the heat pump 1 may include a pump 9,
a heat exchanger 10, and a water tank 8 connected to each other by
a water pipe Q.
[0027] The compressor 2 may compress a refrigerant flowing from an
accumulator 7 to discharge the refrigerant of a high temperature
and high pressure. In this case, the accumulator 7 may provide a
gaseous refrigerant to the compressor 2 through a first pipe P1.
Meanwhile, a second pipe P2 may be installed between the compressor
2 and a switching valve 3 to provide a flow path for the
refrigerant from the compressor 2 to the switching valve 3.
[0028] The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 2 and passing
through the second pipe P2 may flow into the switching valve 3. The
switching valve 3 may switch between flow paths depending on an
operation mode of the heat pump 1 to selectively guide the
refrigerant flowing into the switching valve 3 to the heat
exchanger 10 or the outdoor heat exchanger 6. For example, the
switching valve 3 may be a four-way valve. Meanwhile, a sixth pipe
P6 may be installed between the switching valve 3 and the
accumulator 7 to provide a flow path for the refrigerant from the
switching valve 3 to the accumulator 7.
[0029] The heat exchanger 10 may cause heat exchange between a
refrigerant and a heat transfer medium. A heat transfer direction
between the refrigerant and the heat transfer medium in the heat
exchanger 10 may vary depending on the operation mode of the heat
pump 1. Meanwhile, a third pipe P3 may be installed between the
switching valve 3 and the heat exchanger 10 to provide a
refrigerant flow path connecting the switching valve 3 and the heat
exchanger 10.
[0030] For example, the heat transfer medium is water flowing
through a flow path for the water pipe Q, and heat exchange between
the refrigerant and the water in the heat exchanger 10 may be
performed in a non-contact manner.
[0031] For example, the water passing through the heat exchanger 10
may be used to heat or cool water stored in the water tank 8 and
supply hot or cold water to an indoor space. Here, the water tank 8
may receive and store water supplied from a water supply source
(not illustrated) and provide the water to each use place in the
indoor space. Specifically, the water tank 8 is formed in a
cylindrical shape as a whole, and an inlet 8a through which the
water provided from the water supply source flows in, and an outlet
8b through which the water is discharged to each use place in the
indoor space may be formed on the side of the water tank 8. A coil
Qc may be wound around at least a portion of an outer
circumferential surface of the water tank 8 a plurality of times.
In this case, the water passing through the heat exchanger 10 may
flow into one end of the coil Qc, and the water may be discharged
from the other end of the coil Qc and provided to the pump 9.
Accordingly, heat exchange between the water stored in the water
tank 8 and the water flowing through the coil Qc may be performed
in a non-contact manner.
[0032] As another example, the water passing through the heat
exchanger 10 may be supplied to a radiator (not illustrated), a
water pipe installed in an indoor floor, a fan coil unit (FCU), or
the like, and used to heat or cool an indoor space.
[0033] Meanwhile, the heat pump 1 may include a pump 9 and water
pipes (Q: Q1, Q2, and Q3) through which water circulates. In this
case, the first water pipe Q1 may be installed between the pump 9
and the heat exchanger 10 to provide a flow path for water from the
pump 9 to the heat exchanger 10. A second water pipe Q2 may be
installed between the heat exchanger 10 and the water tank 8 to
provide a flow path of the water from the heat exchanger 10 to the
water tank 8. Further, a third water pipe Q3 may be installed
between the water tank 8 and the pump 9 to provide a flow path of
the water from the water tank 8 to the pump 9.
[0034] The outdoor heat exchanger 6 can cause heat exchange between
the refrigerant and the heat transfer medium. A heat transfer
direction between the refrigerant and the heat transfer medium in
the outdoor heat exchanger 6 may vary depending on the operation
mode of the heat pump 1.
[0035] For example, the heat transfer medium may be outdoor air,
and heat exchange may be performed between the refrigerant and the
outdoor air in the outdoor heat exchanger 6. In this case, an
outdoor fan 6a may be disposed on one side of the outdoor heat
exchanger 6 to control an amount of air provided to the outdoor
heat exchanger 6. Meanwhile, a fifth pipe P5 may be installed
between the switching valve 3 and the outdoor heat exchanger 6 to
provide a flow path for the refrigerant connecting the switching
valve 3 and the outdoor heat exchanger 6.
[0036] he expansion valve 5 may be installed in the fourth pipe P4
to expand the refrigerant flowing through a flow path for the
fourth pipe P4. Here, the fourth pipe P4 may be installed between
the heat exchanger 10 and the outdoor heat exchanger 6 to provide a
refrigerant flow path connecting the heat exchanger 10 and the
outdoor heat exchanger 6. For example, the expansion valve 5 may be
an electronic expansion valve (EEV).
[0037] The control unit (C, not illustrated) may control the
operation of the heat pump 1. The control unit C may be
electrically connected to each component of the heat pump 1. The
control unit C may control an operation of each configuration of
the heat pump 1 depending on the operation mode of the heat pump
1.
<Hot Water Supply Ooperation Mode of Heat Pump>
[0038] Referring to a left figure of FIG. 1, when a hot water
supply operation signal is received in the heat pump 1, the control
unit C may perform a hot water supply operation of the heat pump 1.
For example, the hot water supply operation signal may be a signal
arbitrarily input by a user. As another example, the hot water
supply operation signal may be a signal that a temperature sensor
included in the water tank 8 provides to the controller C when a
temperature of the water stored in the water tank 8 sensed by the
temperature sensor is lower than a target temperature by a certain
level or more.
[0039] Specifically, a low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant
flowing into the compressor 2 from the accumulator 7 through the
first pipe P1 may be compressed in the compressor 2 and discharged
in a high-temperature and high-pressure state. The refrigerant
discharged from the compressor 2 may pass through the second pipe
P2, the switching valve 3, and the third pipe P3 in order and flow
into the heat exchanger 10.
[0040] When heat energy is transferred from the refrigerant to the
water in the heat exchanger 10, the refrigerant may be condensed.
In this case, the heat exchanger 10 may function as a condenser.
According to the heat exchange between the refrigerant and the
water, a temperature of the water flowing into the heat exchanger
10 from the pump 9 through the first water pipe Q1 may be
increased. The water heated through the heat exchanger 10 may flow
into the water tank 8 through the second water pipe Q2 to heat the
water stored in the water tank 8. Accordingly, water Wi flowing
into the water tank 8 through the inlet 8a may be discharged from
the water tank 8 through the outlet 8b and provided as hot water Wh
to each use place in the indoor space. On the other hand, water
passing through the water tank 8 and having a lowered temperature
may return to the pump 9 through the third water pipe Q3.
[0041] The refrigerant condensed while passing through the heat
exchanger 10 can pass through the expansion valve 5 in the fourth
pipe P4 and be expanded to a low temperature and low pressure
state. The refrigerant expanded through the expansion valve 5 may
flow into the outdoor heat exchanger 6.
[0042] When heat energy of outdoor air is transferred to the
refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger 6, the refrigerant may be
evaporated. In this case, the outdoor heat exchanger 6 may function
as an evaporator. The refrigerant evaporated while passing through
the outdoor heat exchanger 6 may pass through the fifth pipe P5,
the switching valve 3, the sixth pipe P6, the accumulator 7, and
the first pipe P1 in order and flow into the compressor 2.
Accordingly, a cycle of the refrigerant and the water for the hot
water supply operation of the heat pump 1 described above can be
completed.
<Cold Water Supply Operation Mode of Heat Pump>
[0043] Referring to a right figure of FIG. 1, when a cold water
supply operation signal is received in the heat pump 1, the
controller C may perform a cold water supply operation of the heat
pump 1. For example, the cold water supply operation signal may be
a signal arbitrarily input by the user. As another example, the
cold water supply operation signal may be a signal that the
temperature sensor included in the water tank 8 provides to the
controller C when the temperature of the water stored in the water
tank 8 sensed by the temperature sensor is higher than the target
temperature by a certain level or more.
[0044] Specifically, a low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant
flowing into the compressor 2 from the accumulator 7 through the
first pipe P1 may be compressed in the compressor 2 and discharged
in a high-temperature and high-pressure state. The refrigerant
discharged from the compressor 2 may pass through the second pipe
P2, the switching valve 3, and the fifth pipe P5 in order and flow
into the outdoor heat exchanger 6.
[0045] When heat energy is transferred from the refrigerant to the
outdoor air in the outdoor heat exchanger 6, the refrigerant may be
condensed. In this case, the outdoor heat exchanger 6 may function
as a condenser.
[0046] The refrigerant condensed while passing through the outdoor
heat exchanger 6 can pass through the expansion valve 5 in the
fourth pipe P4 and be expanded to a low temperature and low
pressure state. The refrigerant expanded through the expansion
valve 5 may flow into the heat exchanger 10.
[0047] When heat energy of water is transferred to the refrigerant
in the heat exchanger 10, the refrigerant may be evaporated. In
this case, the heat exchanger 10 may function as an evaporator.
According to the heat exchange between the refrigerant and the
water, a temperature of the water flowing into the heat exchanger
10 from the pump 9 through the first water pipe Q1 may be
decreased. The water cooled through the heat exchanger 10 may flow
into the water tank 8 through the second water pipe Q2 to cool the
water stored in the water tank 8. Accordingly, water Wi flowing
into the water tank 8 through the inlet 8a may be discharged from
the water tank 8 through the outlet 8b and provided as cold water
We to each use place in the indoor space. On the other hand, water
passing through the water tank 8 and having an increased
temperature may return to the pump 9 through the third water pipe
Q3.
[0048] The refrigerant evaporated while passing through the heat
exchanger 10 may pass through the third pipe P3, the switching
valve 3, the sixth pipe P6, the accumulator 7, and the first pipe
P1 in order and flow into the compressor 2. Accordingly, a cycle of
the refrigerant and the water for the cold water supply operation
of the heat pump 1 can be completed.
[0049] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the heat exchanger 10 may
include a first heat exchanger 11. Water passing through the first
water pipe Q1 flows into the first heat exchanger 11 (see Win), and
the first heat exchanger 11 provides a flow path for the water
flowing into the first heat exchanger 11. The water passing through
the first heat exchanger 11 may be discharged to the second water
pipe Q2 (see Wout).
[0050] Specifically, the first heat exchanger 11 may include a
first inner header 111, a first outer header 112, and a first heat
exchange pipe 113. In this case, the first inner header 111 may be
spaced apart from the first outer header 112, and the first heat
exchange pipe 113 may be disposed between the first inner header
111 and the first outer header 112.
[0051] The first inner header 111 may be formed in a cylindrical
shape as a whole. For example, the first inner header 111 may
elongate in a vertical direction. For example, a first inlet 111a
into which the water passing through the first water pipe Q1 flows
may be formed at an upper end of the first inner header 111. In
this case, a lower end 111b of the first inner header 111 may be
closed. A flow path through which water can flow may be formed in
an inner space of the first inner header 111. On the other hand,
the first inlet into which the water passing through the first
water pipe Q1 flows may be formed at the lower end of the first
inner header 111, and the upper end of the first inner header 111
may be closed.
[0052] The first outer header 112 may be formed in a cylindrical
shape as a whole. For example, the first outer header 112 may
elongate in a vertical direction. For example, a first outlet 112b
that discharges water through the second water pipe Q2 may be
formed at a lower end of the first outer header 112. In this case,
an upper end 112a of the first outer header 112 may be closed. A
flow path through which water can flow may be formed in an inner
space of the first outer header 112. On the other hand, the first
outlet that discharges water through the second water pipe Q2 may
be formed at the upper end of the first outer header 112, and the
lower end of the first outer header 112 is closed.
[0053] The first heat exchange pipe 113 may elongate in a direction
crossing a longitudinal direction of the first inner header 111 or
a longitudinal direction of the first outer header 112. For
example, the first heat exchange pipe 113 may elongate in left and
right directions. In this case, one end of the first heat exchange
pipe 113 may communicate with the inner space of the first inner
header 111, and the other end of the first heat exchange pipe 113
may communicate with the inner space of the first outer header 112.
A flow path through which water can flow may be formed in an inner
space of the first heat exchange pipe 113. Accordingly, the water
flowing into the first inner header 111 may flow into the first
outer header 112 through the first heat exchange pipe 113.
[0054] The first heat exchange pipe 113 may be formed in a flat
tube shape as a whole. In this case, the first heat exchange pipe
113 may have a cross section of an ellipse, a rectangle, or a
rectangle with rounded corners. For example, the first heat
exchange pipe 113 may include a first side part 1131 formed to be
flat and a first end part 1132 having a curvature. In this case,
the first end part 1132 may form an upper end and a lower end of
the first heat exchange pipe 113, and the first side part 1131 may
form a side of the first heat exchange pipe 113 between the upper
end and the lower end of the first heat exchange pipe 113.
[0055] Meanwhile, a plurality of first heat exchange pipes 113 may
be included. For example, the first heat exchange pipe 113 may
include a (1-1)th heat exchange pipe 113a, a (1-2)th heat exchange
pipe 113b, a (1-3)th heat exchange pipe 113c, and a (1-4)th heat
exchange pipe 113d arranged in a vertical direction. For example,
the plurality of first heat exchange pipes 113 may be spaced apart
from each other in the vertical direction. A single flow path
through which water can flow may be formed in the inner space of
each of the plurality of first heat exchange pipes 113.
[0056] Accordingly, water flowing into the first inner header 111
from the first water pipe Q1 through the first inlet 111a may be
distributed to each of the plurality of first heat exchange pipes
113. The water passing through each of the plurality of first heat
exchange pipes 113 may flow into the first outer header 112 and be
discharged to the second water pipe Q2 through the first outlet
112b.
[0057] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the heat exchanger 10 may
include a second heat exchanger 12.
[0058] In the hot water supply operation mode of the heat pump
described above, the refrigerant passing through the third pipe P3
flows into the second heat exchanger 12 (see Rin), and the second
heat exchanger 12 may provide a flow path for the refrigerant
flowing into the second heat exchanger 12. The refrigerant passing
through the second heat exchanger 12 may be discharged to the
fourth pipe P4 (see Rout).
[0059] In the cold water supply operation mode of the heat pump
described above, the refrigerant passing through the fourth pipe P4
flows into the second heat exchanger 12, and the second heat
exchanger 12 may provide a flow path for the refrigerant flowing
into the second heat exchanger 12. The refrigerant passing through
the second heat exchanger 12 may be discharged to the third pipe
P3.
[0060] Hereinafter, the second heat exchanger 12 will be briefly
described based on the hot water supply operation mode of the heat
pump described above.
[0061] Specifically, the second heat exchanger 12 may include a
second inner header 121, a second outer header 122, and a second
heat exchange pipe 123. In this case, the second inner header 121
may be spaced apart from the second outer header 122, and the
second heat exchange pipe 123 may be disposed between the second
inner header 121 and the second outer header 122.
[0062] The second inner header 121 may be formed in a cylindrical
shape as a whole. For example, the second inner header 121 may
elongate in a vertical direction. For example, a second outlet 121a
that discharges a refrigerant to the fourth pipe P4 may be formed
at an upper end of the second inner header 121. In this case, a
lower end 121b of the second inner header 121 may be closed. A flow
path through which the refrigerant can flow may be formed in an
inner space of the second inner header 121. On the other hand, a
second outlet that discharges the refrigerant to the fourth pipe P4
may be formed at the lower end of the second inner header 121, and
the upper end of the second inner header 121 may be closed.
[0063] The second heat exchange pipe 123 may elongate in a
direction crossing a longitudinal direction of the second inner
header 121 or a longitudinal direction of the second outer header
122. For example, the second heat exchange pipe 123 may elongate in
left and right directions. In this case, one end of the second heat
exchange pipe 123 may communicate with the inner space of the
second inner header 121, and the other end of the second heat
exchange pipe 123 may communicate with the inner space of the
second outer header 122. A flow path through which water can flow
may be formed in an inner space of the second heat exchange pipe
123. Accordingly, the water flowing into the second outer header
122 may flow into the second inner header 121 through the second
heat exchange pipe 123.
[0064] The second heat exchange pipe 123 may be formed in a flat
tube shape as a whole. In this case, the second heat exchange pipe
123 may have a cross section of an ellipse, a rectangle, or a
rectangle with rounded corners. For example, the second heat
exchange pipe 123 may include a second side part (not denoted by a
reference sign) formed to be flat and a second end part (not
denoted by a reference sign) having a curvature. In this case, the
second end part 1232 may form an upper end and a lower end of the
second heat exchange pipe 123, and the second side part 1231 may
form a side of the second heat exchange pipe 123 between the upper
end and the lower end of the second heat exchange pipe 123.
[0065] The second heat exchange pipe 123 may be formed in a flat
tube shape as a whole. In this case, the second heat exchange pipe
123 may have a cross section of an ellipse, a rectangle, or a
rectangle with rounded corners. For example, the second heat
exchange pipe 123 may include a second side part (not denoted by a
reference sign) formed to be flat, and a second end part (not
denoted by a reference sign) having a curvature. In this case, the
second end part 1232 may form the upper end and the lower end of
the second heat exchange pipe 123, and the second side part 1231
may form a side of the second heat exchange pipe 123 between the
upper end and the lower end of the second heat exchange pipe
123.
[0066] Meanwhile, a plurality of second heat exchange pipes 123 may
be included. For example, the second heat exchange pipe 123 may
include a (2-1)th heat exchange pipe 123a, a (2-2)th heat exchange
pipe 123b, a (2-3)th heat exchange pipe 123c, and a (2-4)th heat
exchange pipe 123d arranged in a vertical direction. For example,
the plurality of second heat exchange pipes 123 may be spaced apart
from each other in the vertical direction. A flow path through
which the refrigerant can flow may be formed in an inner space of
each of the plurality of second heat exchange pipes 123.
[0067] For example, each of the plurality of second heat exchange
pipes 123 may include at least one partition plate 124. In this
case, the partition plate 124 may elongate in a longitudinal
direction of the second heat exchange pipe 123 to partition one
inner space of the second heat exchange pipe 123 into two
spaces.
[0068] The partition plate 124 may include n partition plates 124
spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction. In this
case, the n partition plates 124 may partition one inner space of
the second heat exchange pipe 123 into n+1 spaces. For example, the
partition plate 124 may include a first partition plate 124a, a
second partition plate 124b, a third partition plate 124c, and a
fourth partition plate 124d spaced apart from each other in the
vertical direction. In this case, the first partition plate 124a,
the second partition plate 124b, the third partition plate 124c,
and the fourth partition plate 124d may divide one inner space of
the second heat exchange pipe 123 into five spaces, and a flow path
through which the refrigerant can flow may be formed in each of the
five spaces.
[0069] Accordingly, the refrigerant flowing into the second outer
header 122 from the third pipe P3 through the second inlet 122b may
be distributed to each of the plurality of second heat exchange
pipes 123. The refrigerant may flow along a plurality of flow paths
formed in the plurality of second heat exchange pipes 123. The
refrigerant passing through each of the plurality of second heat
exchange pipes 123 may flow into the second inner header 121 and be
discharged to the fourth pipe P4 through the second outlet
121a.
[0070] On the other hand, even when a high-pressure refrigerant
flows into each of the plurality of second heat exchange pipes 123,
the flow path of each of the plurality of second heat exchange
pipes 123 is formed as multiple flow paths so that a pressure of
the refrigerant flowing into the second heat exchange pipe 123 can
be lowered. This can prevent the second heat exchange pipe 123 from
being damaged or deformed due to the pressure of the refrigerant
passing through the second heat exchange pipe 123.
[0071] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the first heat exchanger 11 and
the second heat exchanger 12 of the heat exchanger 10 are disposed
adjacent to each other, and the first heat exchanger 11 and the
second heat exchanger 12 may be rolled together in a roll
shape.
[0072] For example, before the first heat exchanger 11 and the
second heat exchanger 12 are rolled in a roll shape, the first heat
exchanger 11 may be disposed in front of the second heat exchanger
12. The first heat exchanger 11 and the second heat exchanger 12
may be rolled together in one direction (CW) around the first inner
header 111 and the second inner header 121.
[0073] In this case, the heat exchanger 10 is formed in a roll
shape as a whole, and the first inner header 111 and the second
inner header 121 form a part of an inner circumferential surface of
the heat exchanger 10, whereas the first outer header 112 and the
second outer header 122 may form a part of an outer circumferential
surface of the heat exchanger 10.
[0074] The first heat exchange pipe 113 of the first heat exchanger
11 and the second heat exchange pipe 123 of the second heat
exchanger 12 may be alternately disposed in a radial direction of
the heat exchanger 10.
[0075] Accordingly, the water may move while drawing a spiral
trajectory along the flow path formed in the first heat exchange
pipe 113. The refrigerant may move while drawing a spiral path
parallel to a movement path of the water along the flow path formed
in the second heat exchange pipe 123.
[0076] Meanwhile, the first heat exchange pipe 113 and the second
heat exchange pipe 123 may include a metallic material having
elasticity. In this case, when the first heat exchange pipe 113 and
the second heat exchange pipe 123 are rolled together in a roll
shape, a restoring force may be generated so that the first heat
exchange pipe 113 and the second heat exchange pipe 123 are
restored to a flat state.
[0077] In this case, a shape of the heat exchanger 10 can be
maintained by a cable or strap (not illustrated) that extends along
an outer circumference of the roll-shaped heat exchanger 10 and is
coupled to the outer circumferential surface of the heat exchanger
10.
[0078] Accordingly, the first heat exchange pipe 113 and the second
heat exchange pipe 123 may come in contact or in close contact with
each other due to the restoring force in a state in which the roll
shape of the heat exchanger 10 is maintained. As a result, heat
transfer performance between the water passing through the first
heat exchange pipe 113 and the refrigerant passing through the
second heat exchange pipe 123 can be improved.
[0079] Further, the first heat exchange pipe 113 and the second
heat exchange pipe 123 only come in contact with each other and are
not bonded as an integral body by welding or the like such that,
even when any one of the first heat exchange pipe 113 and the
second heat exchange pipe 123 is frozen or ruptured, a fluid (water
or refrigerant) may not flow into the other. In other words, a
fluid leaking from ruptured one of the first heat exchange pipe 113
and the second heat exchange pipe 123 is emitted to the outside
along a contact surface of the first heat exchange pipe 113 and the
second heat exchange pipe 123.
[0080] Accordingly, a non-contact state between the water passing
through the first heat exchange pipe 113 and the refrigerant
passing through the second heat exchange pipe 123 can be maintained
so that the water can be prevented from flowing into the
refrigerant pipe P or the refrigerant can be prevented from flowing
into the water pipe Q. As a result, the water stored in the water
tank 8 and the water passing through the water pipe Q exchange heat
with each other in a contact manner, so that heat transfer
performance can be improved.
[0081] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the first side part 1131 of the
first heat exchange pipe 113 and the second side part 1231 of the
second heat exchange pipe 123 can face each other in the radial
direction of the heat exchanger 10.
[0082] On the other hand, when the first side part 1131 and the
second side part 1231 are formed to have a curvature before the
first heat exchanger 11 and the second heat exchanger 12 are rolled
in a roll shape, unlike the above description with reference to
FIGS. 2 and 3, the first side part 1131 and the second side part
1231 may come in line contact with each other in the roll-shaped
heat exchanger 10.
[0083] On the other hand, when the first side part 1131 and the
second side part 1231 is formed to be flat before the first heat
exchanger 11 and the second heat exchanger 12 are rolled in a roll
shape as described above with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the first
side part 1131 and the second side part 1231 may come in surface
contact with each other in the roll-shaped heat exchanger 10.
[0084] That is, in the roll-shaped heat exchanger 10, when the
first side part 1131 and the second side part 1231 come in surface
contact with each other, heat transfer performance between the
water passing through the first heat exchange pipe 113 and the
refrigerant passing through the second heat exchange pipe 123 can
be improved, as compared to the case in which the first side part
1131 and the second side part 1231 come in line contact with each
other.
[0085] Meanwhile, a thermal grease 13 may be positioned between the
first side part 1131 and the second side part 1231. The thermal
grease 13 is a heat transfer fluid, and can fill a fine space
between the first side part 1131 and the second side part 1231 to
improve thermal conductivity. Meanwhile, the thermal grease 13 may
be referred to as a thermal compound.
[0086] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, provided
is a heat exchanger including: a first heat exchanger into or from
which a first fluid flows or is discharged; and a second heat
exchanger into or from which a second fluid flows or is discharged,
the second heat exchanger being adjacent to the first heat
exchanger, wherein the first heat exchanger and the second heat
exchanger are rolled together in a roll shape, are alternately
disposed in a radial direction, and are in contact with each
other.
[0087] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the
first heat exchanger may include: a first inner header having a
first inlet into which the first fluid flows; a first outer header
having a first outlet from which the first fluid is discharged and
being spaced apart from the first inner header; and a first heat
exchange pipe configured to provide a flow path for the first fluid
between the first inner header and the first outer header, the flow
path connecting the first inner header and the first outer
header.
[0088] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the
second heat exchanger may include: a second outer header having a
second inlet into which the second fluid flows; a second inner
header having a second outlet from which the second fluid is
discharged and being spaced apart from the second outer header; and
a second heat exchange pipe configured to provide a flow path for
the second fluid between the second outer header and the second
inner header, the flow path connecting the second outer header and
the second inner header.
[0089] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a
flow path for the first fluid may be formed in an internal space of
the first inner header, the flow path of the first fluid may be
formed in an inner space of the first outer header, a flow path for
the first heat exchange pipe may include one end communicating with
the inner space of the first inner header, and the other end
communicating with the inner space of the first outer header, a
flow path for the second fluid may be formed in the inner space of
the second inner header, the flow path of the second fluid may be
formed in the inner space of the second outer header, and a flow
path for the second heat exchange pipe may include one end
communicating with the inner space of the second inner header, and
the other end communicating with the inner space of the second
outer header.
[0090] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the
first fluid may move while drawing a spiral trajectory along the
flow path for the first heat exchange pipe, and the second fluid
may move while drawing a spiral trajectory parallel to the movement
trajectory of the first fluid along the flow path for the second
heat exchange pipe.
[0091] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the
first inner header and the first outer header may elongate in the
same direction, the first heat exchange pipe may include a
plurality of first heat exchange pipes, each of the first heat
exchange pipes including a first internal space forming the flow
path for the first fluid and the first heat exchange pipes being
sequentially arranged in a longitudinal direction of the first
inner header, the second inner header and the second outer header
may elongate in the longitudinal direction of the first inner
header, and the second heat exchange pipe may include a plurality
of second heat exchange pipes, each of the second heat exchange
pipes including a second internal space forming the flow path for
the second fluid and the second heat exchange pipes being
sequentially arranged in a longitudinal direction of the second
inner header.
[0092] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, each
of the plurality of second heat exchange pipes may further include
at least one partition plate configured to partition the second
inner space into at least two spaces.
[0093] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the
first heat exchange pipe may come in surface contact with the
second heat exchange pipe.
[0094] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the
first heat exchange pipe and the second heat exchange pipe may
include a metallic material having elasticity.
[0095] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the
heat exchanger may further include a thermal grease positioned
between the first heat exchange pipe and the second heat exchange
pipe.
[0096] Effects of the heat exchanger according to the present
disclosure will be described as follows.
[0097] According to at least one embodiment of the present
disclosure, it is possible to provide a heat exchanger in which
heat exchange between different types of fluids can be performed in
a non-contact manner.
[0098] According to at least one embodiment of the present
disclosure, it is possible to provide a heat exchanger in which
fluids can be prevented from being mixed even when any one of heat
exchange pipes through which different types of respective fluids
flow is frozen or ruptured.
[0099] According to at least one embodiment of the present
disclosure, it is possible to provide a heat exchanger in which a
state in which heat exchange pipes through which different types of
respective fluids flow are in contact with or in close contact with
each other is maintained so that excellent heat transfer
performance can be secured.
[0100] Any or other embodiments of the present disclosure described
above are not mutually exclusive or distinct. In any of the
embodiments or other embodiments of the present disclosure
described above, respective configurations or functions may be used
together or combined.
[0101] For example, it means that configuration A described in a
specific embodiment and/or drawing may be combined with
configuration B described in another embodiment and/or drawing.
That is, even when a combination between components is not directly
described, it means that the combination is possible except for a
case in which it is described that the combination is
impossible.
[0102] The above detailed description should not be construed as
restrictive in all respects and should be considered as
illustrative. The scope of the present disclosure should be
determined by a reasonable interpretation of the appended claims,
and all changes within the equivalent scope of the present
disclosure are included in the scope of the present disclosure.
* * * * *