U.S. patent application number 17/612688 was filed with the patent office on 2022-03-17 for heat exchanger and associated heat exchange system for a vehicle.
This patent application is currently assigned to Valeo Systemes Thermiques. The applicant listed for this patent is Valeo Systemes Thermiques. Invention is credited to Fabien Bireaud, Remi Tournois, Jose Trindade.
Application Number | 20220082329 17/612688 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006015171 |
Filed Date | 2022-03-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220082329 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tournois; Remi ; et
al. |
March 17, 2022 |
HEAT EXCHANGER AND ASSOCIATED HEAT EXCHANGE SYSTEM FOR A
VEHICLE
Abstract
Heat exchanger (2, 3) for a refrigerant circulation circuit
comprising at least one connection flange (5, 6) fixed to a lateral
surface of said heat exchanger (2, 3), characterized in that the
connection flange (5, 6) comprises a circulation channel within its
structure and a transverse mechanical fixing zone (21, 22) able to
cooperate with another transverse mechanical fixing zone (21, 22)
of another connection flange (5, 6) of another heat exchanger (2,
3). The invention also claims a heat exchange system for a vehicle
comprising two such heat exchangers (2, 3) and the respective
connection flanges (5, 6) of which are able to cooperate with one
another.
Inventors: |
Tournois; Remi; (Le Mesnil
Saint-Denis Cedex, FR) ; Bireaud; Fabien; (Le Mesnil
Saint-Denis Cedex, FR) ; Trindade; Jose; (Le Mesnil
Saint-Denis Cedex, FR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Valeo Systemes Thermiques |
Le Mesnil Saint-Denis |
|
FR |
|
|
Assignee: |
Valeo Systemes Thermiques
Le Mesnil Saint-Denis
FR
|
Family ID: |
1000006015171 |
Appl. No.: |
17/612688 |
Filed: |
May 18, 2020 |
PCT Filed: |
May 18, 2020 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2020/063760 |
371 Date: |
November 19, 2021 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28F 9/002 20130101;
F28F 9/262 20130101; F28D 2021/0084 20130101; F28F 9/0251 20130101;
F28D 1/0435 20130101; F28D 1/05383 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F28D 1/04 20060101
F28D001/04; F28D 1/053 20060101 F28D001/053; F28F 9/00 20060101
F28F009/00; F28F 9/02 20060101 F28F009/02; F28F 9/26 20060101
F28F009/26 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 21, 2019 |
FR |
FR1905299 |
Claims
1. A heat exchanger for a refrigerant circulation circuit
comprising: at least one connection flange fixed to a lateral
surface of said heat exchanger, the connection flange comprising a
circulation channel within its structure and a transverse
mechanical fixing zone able to cooperate with another transverse
mechanical fixing zone of another connection flange of another heat
exchanger.
2. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, in which the
transverse mechanical fixing zone comprises a bearing surface
ensuring cooperation by complementarity of shapes with the other
connection flange.
3. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, in which the
circulation channel is formed of at least two intersecting ducts in
communication.
4. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, in which the
circulation channel opens onto a nozzle forming a projection from a
wall of the connection flange and configured to cooperate with a
storage bottle.
5. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, in which the
transverse mechanical fixing zone of the connection flange
comprises a through-bore.
6. A heat exchange system for a vehicle comprising: a first heat
exchanger; and a second heat exchanger constituting a refrigerant
circulation circuit, each heat exchanger being as claimed in claim
1, wherein a first bearing surface of the first connection flange
of the first heat exchanger is in direct contact with a second
bearing surface of the second connection flange of the second heat
exchanger.
7. The heat exchange system as claimed in claim 6, in which a
storage bottle is included.
8. The heat exchange system as claimed in claim 7, in which the
storage bottle is cylindrical, comprises a bottom wall arranged
opposite the connection flanges, the bottom wall comprising
circulation orifices configured to receive nozzles present at the
ends of the circulation channels present in the connection
flanges.
9. The heat exchange system as claimed in claim 7, in which a
single fixing means secures the two connection flanges of the heat
exchangers and the storage bottle.
10. The heat exchange system as claimed in claim 9, in which the
connection flanges are configured to form a planar cooperation
surface with the storage bottle.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a heat exchange system
arranged on a fluid distribution circuit and comprising at least
one plurality of heat exchangers, each capable of carrying out an
exchange of heat between an air flow passing through the heat
exchange system and a fluid circulating in this heat exchanger.
[0002] It is known to arrange such a heat exchange system on the
front face of the vehicle, said system comprising in particular a
condenser capable of ensuring heat exchange between a refrigerant
circulating in the condenser and an incident flow of fresh air
coming from the exterior of the vehicle. It is known to produce the
condenser in one piece with a series of stacked plates forming
between them, on the one hand, sealed circulation ducts for the
passage of the refrigerant, and, on the other hand, passages for
the passage of air.
[0003] A known arrangement consists in arranging a first heat
exchanger as a condenser and a second heat exchanger, parallel to
the first, performing the function of a subcooler, facing a grille
opening located on the front face of the vehicle. The condenser and
the subcooler are associated with a bottle for storing the
refrigerant in the liquid phase. The subcooler makes it possible to
subcool the refrigerant at the outlet of the storage bottle. The
storage bottle separates the liquid phase from the gas phase of the
refrigerant and ensures filtration and dehydration of the
refrigerant.
[0004] A known arrangement for this system consists in placing the
storage bottle laterally with respect to the heat exchangers and,
on the one hand, in connecting it hydraulically to each of the
exchangers via suitable pipes and, on the other hand, in keeping it
in place with respect to the heat exchangers via a mechanical
assembly securing the bottle to a structural element of the vehicle
or to one of the exchangers. The use of a storage bottle in the
prior art thus requires numerous mechanical means penalizing the
size of the system and making the manufacture and implementation of
the heat exchange system on the vehicle complex.
[0005] The present invention falls within this context and seeks to
address the abovementioned drawbacks. To this end, the invention
consists of a heat exchanger for a refrigerant circulation circuit
comprising at least one connection flange fixed to a lateral
surface of said heat exchanger, characterized in that the
connection flange comprises a circulation channel within its
structure and a transverse mechanical fixing zone able to cooperate
with another transverse mechanical fixing zone of another
connection flange of another heat exchanger.
[0006] The heat exchanger has a substantially rectangular,
parallelepipedal shape. It comprises a bundle of circulation
channels, in particular produced by means of tubes, for the
refrigerant, these circulation channels comprising an outlet which
is located at a side wall of the heat exchanger. The connection
flange is secured, for example by fixing by brazing, at this fluid
outlet of the heat exchanger. The refrigerant, once it has left the
heat exchanger, therefore circulates subsequently within the
connection flange itself, via the circulation channel. The fixing,
for example by brazing, of the connection flange is configured to
make it possible to maintain the sealing between the outlet of the
heat exchanger and the inlet of the circulation channel of the
connection flange in addition to ensuring the mechanical retention
of the connection flange on the heat exchanger.
[0007] The connection flange also comprises a transverse mechanical
fixing zone. By transverse is meant that the mechanical fixing zone
extends transversely with respect to the plane formed by the heat
exchanger. In other words, the connection flange comprises a body
arranged in the extension of the heat exchanger and a mechanical
fixing zone which forms a transverse projection of the body. The
transverse mechanical fixing zone may be present at a free end
opposite to the end of the connection flange secured by the heat
exchanger. The transverse mechanical fixing zone is configured to
cooperate with another mechanical fixing zone included on another
connection flange of another heat exchanger having properties
similar to what has been described previously.
[0008] The cooperation between the transverse mechanical fixing
zones makes it possible to ensure the position of the connection
flanges between them and therefore the position of the heat
exchangers with respect to one another, in order to ensure a
separation between these heat exchangers dimensioned by calculation
to allow optimum thermal efficiency in each of the heat exchangers.
Moreover, this cooperation can allow the installation of a storage
bottle as will be described below.
[0009] According to one feature of the invention, the transverse
mechanical fixing zone comprises a bearing surface ensuring
cooperation by complementarity of shape with the other connection
flange. In other words, the transverse mechanical fixing zone able
to cooperate with the transverse mechanical fixing zone of the
other connection flange has a particular shape allowing a
complementarity of shape during the cooperation of the connection
flanges. Cooperation takes place by direct contact between the
connection flanges, via the bearing surface formed in their
respective mechanical fixing zone.
[0010] According to one feature of the invention, the circulation
channel is formed of at least two intersecting ducts in
communication.
[0011] The inlet of this circulation channel is positioned opposite
one end of the tube bundle where the refrigerant circulates, the
position of this inlet of the circulation channel being ensured by
the fixing of the connection flange, for example by brazing, to the
heat exchanger. Indeed, in order to guarantee the proper
functioning of the invention, the outlet of the circulation channel
is located at a wall of the connection flange perpendicular to the
wall of the connection flange comprising the inlet of the
circulation channel. The result is that the circulation channel
consists of a first duct and a second duct, both intersecting in
communication, linked for example by means of an elbowed
section.
[0012] It should be noted that the circulation channel can
optionally comprise three intersecting ducts in communication, in
the case where a transverse offset of the circulation channel is
necessary before said circulation channel opens out at a wall of
the connection flange perpendicular to the wall of the connection
flange comprising the inlet of the circulation channel. There can
then be noted the presence of an intermediate duct located between
the first duct and the second duct.
[0013] According to one feature of the invention, the circulation
channel opens onto a nozzle forming a projection from a wall of the
connection flange and intended to cooperate with a storage bottle.
As mentioned previously, the outlet of the circulation channel of
the connection flange, more precisely the outlet formed at one end
of the second duct, is located on a wall perpendicular to the wall
of the connection flange comprising the inlet of the circulation
channel of the connection flange, more precisely the inlet formed
at one end of the first duct. A nozzle protruding from the surface
of the connection flange and having a hollow shape is arranged in
the axial extension of the second duct of the connection flange.
This nozzle is cylindrical in shape and comprises seals on its
periphery, advantageously made of flexible material such as rubber,
for example. The cylindrical shape of the nozzle is centered around
an axis of elongation of the nozzle. The nozzle is intended to be
inserted into a circulation orifice of a storage bottle which will
be described later.
[0014] According to one feature of the invention, the transverse
mechanical fixing zone of the connection flange comprises a
through-bore. In other words, at the level of the transverse
mechanical fixing zone, a bore passes right through the connection
flange, in a direction parallel to the axis of elongation of the
nozzle of the circulation channel. This bore is configured to
receive a fixing means, for example a screw.
[0015] According to one feature of the invention, the through-bore
of the connection flange is smooth to ensure the passage of the
fixing means which will be screwed to the storage bottle as will be
described below, the fixing means making it possible to ensure a
function of keeping the connection flange in place with respect to
the storage bottle.
[0016] The invention also consists of a heat exchange system for a
vehicle comprising a first heat exchanger and a second heat
exchanger constituting a refrigerant circulation circuit, each
exchanger conforming to what has been described above,
characterized in that a first bearing surface of the first
connection flange of the first heat exchanger is in direct contact
with a second bearing surface of the second connection flange of
the second heat exchanger.
[0017] Being in accordance with the description given above, the
heat exchangers are both of parallelepipedal shape and each have a
connection flange on their lateral surface. The two connection
flanges also conform to the description given above. They therefore
both comprise a circulation channel as well as a transverse
mechanical fixing zone. Each transverse mechanical fixing zone
extends so that there is direct contact between them. The
transverse mechanical fixing zones respectively comprise
complementary shapes from one transverse mechanical fixing zone to
the other.
[0018] In one embodiment, each connection flange comprises a
longitudinal portion which extends mainly along the plane of
elongation of the heat exchanger which is specific to it, and a
transverse portion which extends mainly in a direction
perpendicular to the plane of elongation of the heat exchanger
which is specific to it, the transverse mechanical fixing zone
being formed by or in this transverse portion.
[0019] The first connection flange may have substantially the shape
of a block, with the longitudinal portion and the transverse
portion having substantially equivalent dimensions while the second
connection flange comprises a mainly longitudinal portion, that is
to say that the transverse portion of the second connection flange
consists of a tab of small dimensions compared with that of the
longitudinal portion, the tab forming a projection perpendicular to
the longitudinal portion. The tab of the second connection flange
forms the second mechanical fixing zone, presenting a bearing
surface for the block shape of the first connection flange.
[0020] According to one feature of the invention, the heat exchange
system comprises a storage bottle. This storage bottle is connected
to the two connection flanges by means which will be described
below. The storage bottle is substantially cylindrical and allows
the refrigerant to be maintained in the liquid phase.
[0021] According to one feature of the invention, the storage
bottle is cylindrical, comprises a bottom wall arranged opposite
the connection flanges, the bottom wall comprising circulation
orifices configured to accommodate nozzles present at the ends of
the circulation channels present in the connection flanges.
[0022] The storage bottle is connected to the connection flanges by
means of nozzles arranged at the outlet of the circulation
channels. During the assembly of the heat exchange system, the
bottom wall of the storage bottle is arranged opposite the
connection flanges so that the orifices made in the bottom wall
coincide with the positioning of the nozzles of the two connection
flanges once the latter are fitted against one another. The nozzles
of the connection flanges are therefore each inserted into an
orifice present in the bottom wall of the storage bottle, which
participates in closing the refrigerant circuit within the heat
exchange system. The refrigerant first of all circulates within the
first heat exchanger, then in the circulation channel of the
connection flange of the first heat exchanger to the storage bottle
via the nozzle inserted therein. After treatment of the fluid
inside the storage bottle, the storage bottle being configured to
allow internal circulation of fluid with an inlet at the bottom
wall and an outlet at this same bottom wall, the refrigerant can
therefore circulate in the circulation channel of the second
connection flange of the second heat exchanger, then in the bundle
of the second heat exchanger itself.
[0023] According to one feature of the invention, the heat exchange
system comprises a single fixing means which secures the two
connection flanges of the heat exchangers and the storage bottle.
The bottom wall of the storage bottle has a third orifice forming a
fixing orifice separate from the two circulation orifices receiving
the nozzles of the connection flanges.
[0024] According to one feature of the invention, the orifices
passing through the connection flanges and the fixing orifice of
the storage bottle are aligned, in a coaxial manner, with respect
to one another. In other words, each of these orifices has an axis
of revolution and these different axes of revolution are
substantially coincident when the heat exchange assembly is
assembled.
[0025] The fixing orifice is configured to receive the single
fixing means. The fixing orifice can for example be threaded if the
fixing means is a screw in order to guarantee the retention of this
same screw.
[0026] As indicated above, the connection flanges comprise a
transverse mechanical fixing zone each provided with a bore passing
right through the connection flange in a direction parallel to the
axis of elongation of the corresponding nozzle. The connection
flanges are configured and dimensioned such that, when the
connection flanges cooperate with one another, their respective
through-bores face one another. The fixing means can therefore be
inserted through each through-bore so as to be able to be inserted
afterwards into the fixing orifice opening onto the bottom wall of
the storage bottle. The fixing means has a length greater than the
sum of the dimensions, in the corresponding direction, of the two
transverse mechanical fixing zones so that the end of the fixing
means can come out of the through-bores and subsequently be housed
within the fixing orifice of the storage bottle.
[0027] According to one feature of the invention, the connection
flanges are configured to form a planar cooperation surface with
the storage bottle. Each connection flange comprises an upper face,
corresponding to the face from which the nozzles project. The
dimensions of the connection flanges and the arrangement of the
flanges between them are such that, during their cooperation, the
upper face of each connection flange is positioned on the same
plane, thus forming a planar cooperation surface. The storage
bottle can thus come to bear on this planar surface.
[0028] According to one feature of the invention, the two heat
exchangers are at least partially superposed in a direction
perpendicular to their respective plane of elongation. The heat
exchangers therefore have a substantially rectangular,
parallelepipedal shape and are aligned with respect to one another.
Their dimensions can vary, but the heat exchange system always
guarantees at least a partial superposition. The planes of
elongation corresponding to each exchanger are therefore parallel
to one another, while being distinct and offset. Advantageously, in
order to ensure the correct operation of the heat exchange system,
when the heat exchangers are placed at the level of the grille
located at the front of a vehicle, the heat exchangers are arranged
across the air flow so that the stacking of these heat exchangers
is produced in a direction parallel to the path of the air flow
coming from the external environment.
[0029] According to one feature of the invention, the first heat
exchanger is used as a condenser and the second heat exchanger is
used as a subcooler at the outlet of the storage bottle. The
condenser is capable of ensuring a heat exchange between a
refrigerant circulating within the latter and an incident flow of
fresh air coming from the exterior of the vehicle. The subcooler
makes it possible to create a second zone of heat exchange with a
refrigerant cooled following its exchange of heat with the flow of
fresh air in the condenser.
[0030] Further features, details and advantages of the invention
will become more clearly apparent upon reading the detailed
description given below, and from several exemplary embodiments
that are given by way of nonlimiting indication, with reference to
the attached schematic drawings, in which:
[0031] [FIG. 1] is a general view of the heat exchange system
according to the invention,
[0032] [FIG. 2] represents a heat exchanger,
[0033] [FIG. 3] illustrates the cooperation of the connection
flanges,
[0034] [FIG. 4] is a sectional view of the connection flanges
illustrating the arrangement of the circulation channels,
[0035] [FIG. 5] is a view of the cooperation of the connection
flanges from a longitudinal viewing angle,
[0036] [FIG. 6] is a view of the cooperation of the connection
flanges from a vertical viewing angle,
[0037] [FIG. 7] represents the storage bottle,
[0038] [FIG. 8] is a sectional view illustrating the securement of
the connection flanges and the storage bottle,
[0039] [FIG. 9] is a general view of the heat exchange system
offering an alternative to the arrangement of the connection
flanges.
[0040] For the sake of clarity in the detailed description of the
connection flanges, the LVT reference frame will represent the
orientation of the heat exchange system according to the invention.
The longitudinal L and vertical V directions correspond to axes
parallel to the two intersecting straight lines defining the plane
of elongation of a heat exchanger according to the invention, and
the transverse direction T corresponds to an axis perpendicular to
either one of the directions L or V, or else corresponds to an axis
parallel to the flow of air caused to pass through the heat
exchange system.
[0041] Moreover, the terms "first" and "second" mentioned during
the description do not give a quantitative notion or a notion of
ordering but are used only to make it possible to differentiate
certain elements present in duplicate within the invention. An
element present in duplicate within the invention but not being
introduced by the term "first" or "second" designates an element
which can be equally one or the other of the duplicate
elements.
[0042] FIG. 1 is a general view of a heat exchange system 1
according to the invention. The heat exchange system 1 comprises a
first heat exchanger 2 used as a condenser, and a second heat
exchanger 3 used as a subcooler. These two heat exchangers are of
parallelepipedal shape and they are partially superposed with
respect to each other in a transverse direction, that is to say in
a direction perpendicular to the planes of the heat exchangers. The
heat exchange system is arranged within the grille at the front of
a vehicle so that an air flow 10 coming from the exterior
successively passes through the two heat exchangers when the
vehicle is in operation. functioning. Each heat exchanger is
traversed by a bundle of tubes or plates depending on the type of
heat exchanger, in which bundle there circulates a refrigerant
allowing the exchange of heat between the heat exchangers and the
air flow 10 passing through the heat exchangers.
[0043] The first heat exchanger 2 is delimited longitudinally by a
first side wall 201 and a second side wall 202, each side wall
respectively playing the role of a fluid distribution chamber at
the inlet of the tubes or plates, and of a collecting chamber at
the outlet. The second heat exchanger 3 has similar side walls,
with a third side wall 203 playing the role of a fluid distribution
chamber and a fourth side wall 204 playing the role of a collecting
chamber, it being understood that the continuity of circulation of
refrigerant from one heat exchanger to the other implies that a
third side wall 203 of the second heat exchanger 3 playing the role
of a fluid distribution chamber is arranged on the same
longitudinal side as the collecting chamber of the first heat
exchanger 2, located at the side wall 202.
[0044] In order to interconnect the portions of the refrigerant
circuit respectively included in each of the heat exchangers, the
first heat exchanger 2 comprises a first connection flange 5
secured to the second side wall 202, and the second heat exchanger
3 comprises a second connection flange 6 secured to the third side
wall 203. According to the invention, these connection flanges make
it possible, on the one hand, to position the heat exchangers with
respect to one another and, on the other hand, to connect the
refrigerant circuit of the two heat exchangers, via a storage
bottle 4 arranged mainly along a vertical direction of elongation
and which is secured to each of the connection flanges.
[0045] Furthermore, the first heat exchanger 2 comprises a fluid
inlet 7 formed on the first side wall 201, and the second heat
exchanger 3 comprises a fluid outlet 8 formed on the fourth side
wall 204.
[0046] In order to ensure mechanical retention of the heat
exchangers within the grille of the vehicle, fixing lugs 9 are
located at the side walls of the heat exchangers 2, 3. These fixing
lugs 9 can provide a connection between the heat exchanger 2 and
the second heat exchanger 3 or else can be connected to structural
elements of the vehicle surrounding the heat exchange system 1. The
refrigerant enters the heat exchange system 1 through the fluid
inlet 7 located on the first side wall 201 of the first heat
exchanger 2. The refrigerant circulates within the structure of the
first heat exchanger 2 via an internal pipe system to an outlet
arranged in the second side wall 202 of the first heat exchanger 2.
The first heat exchanger 2 is thus configured to ensure an exchange
of heat between the refrigerant circulating within it and the air
flow 10 passing therethrough.
[0047] The outlet arranged in the second side wall 202 of the first
heat exchanger 2 opens onto the first connection flange 5 secured
to the second side wall 202. This first connection flange 5 is here
brazed to the second side wall 202, but it is understood that its
method of fixing may be different as long as it allows a fixed
position of the first connection flange 5 relative to the first
heat exchanger 2, allowing a junction sealed to the passage of
fluid between the first heat exchanger 2 and the first connection
flange 5.
[0048] The first connection flange 5 comprises a circulation
channel within its structure itself and which opens into the
storage bottle 4, in particular by having at least two intersecting
communication ducts as will be described below in more detail.
[0049] The storage bottle 4 is configured to guide the fluid
vertically, in its direction of elongation, and bring it back to
the outlet in the direction of the second connection flange 6 which
also comprises a circulation channel and which is connected, here
by brazing, to the second heat exchanger 3, more precisely on the
third side wall 203.
[0050] The second heat exchanger 3, like the heat exchanger 2,
comprises an internal pipe system where the refrigerant circulates,
up to a fluid outlet 8 located on the fourth side wall 204. The
connections between the connection flanges and the storage bottle,
as well as the arrangement of the circulation channels within the
connection flanges will be explained in more detail below.
[0051] The fluid inlet 7 secured to the heat exchanger 2 and the
fluid outlet 8 secured to the second heat exchanger 3 are intended
to be connected to fluid circulation pipes of the heat exchange
system 1 that are not shown here.
[0052] FIG. 2 represents the first heat exchanger 2 alone. The hot
refrigerant enters through the fluid inlet 7 in the gaseous state.
When passing within the internal pipe of the heat exchanger 2, the
refrigerant is cooled by the air flow 10 and condenses. It emerges
from the heat exchanger 2, at the connection flange 5, in a
liquid/gaseous state. FIG. 2 also makes it possible to observe the
first connection flange 5 in more detail, the storage bottle not
being shown here.
[0053] The first connection flange 5 comprises a first upper face
31 which extends in a plane perpendicular to the plane of
elongation of the first heat exchanger 2 and perpendicular to the
vertical direction of elongation of the storage bottle 4. The first
upper face 31 comprises a first nozzle 11 which projects vertically
from the first upper face 31.
[0054] The first nozzle 11 is hollow to allow the fluid to pass
between the connection flange and the storage bottle, and it has
here a cylindrical shape centered around an axis of elongation 41.
This first nozzle 11 comprises on its external face at least one
element made of flexible material, advantageously of rubber, so as
to form a seal. This flexible material can be an O-ring fitted into
a groove made in an appropriate manner on the external face of the
first nozzle or else can be produced by overmolding directly onto
the first nozzle.
[0055] The first connection flange 5 also comprises a first
through-bore 13, here of straight cylindrical shape, which passes
right through the structure of the first connection flange 5, that
is to say from the first upper face 31 to the opposite lower face.
The first connection flange 5 is able to cooperate with a second
connection flange, as described in the following figure.
[0056] FIG. 3 is a more detailed representation of the connection
flanges of each heat exchanger. It also illustrates the cooperation
of the connection flanges with one another.
[0057] The first connection flange 5, as mentioned above, is
secured, here by brazing, to the first heat exchanger 2. The first
connection flange 5 comprises a first longitudinal portion 51 which
extends along a longitudinal axis L, in the plane of elongation of
the heat exchanger 2. The first connection flange 5 also comprises
a first transverse portion 61 which extends in the extension of the
first longitudinal portion 51, substantially perpendicular to the
latter and along a transverse axis T, in the direction approaching
the second heat exchanger 3. The first connection flange 5 is
generally in the form of a block, in particular in that the
vertical dimensions of the longitudinal and transverse portions of
this first connection flange are equal or substantially equal.
[0058] The first nozzle 11 is present substantially in the center
of the first connection flange 5. This first nozzle 11 is therefore
slightly offset transversely along a transverse axis T relative to
the first heat exchanger 2.
[0059] The first connection flange 5, more particularly the first
transverse portion 61, comprises a first transverse mechanical
fixing zone 21. This first transverse mechanical fixing zone 21
comprises in particular, as illustrated by a quadrilateral shape
formed by short dotted lines in FIG. 3, a first bearing surface 19,
the function of which will be explained in detail below, the first
bearing surface 19 being located on the lower face of the first
connection flange 5, that is to say the face opposite to the first
upper face 31, at the first transverse portion 61.
[0060] The first through-bore 13, as discussed above, passes right
through the first connection flange 5 along a vertical axis V. The
cylindrical shape of the through-bore 13 is shown in FIG. 3 by
transparency in dotted lines. The first through-bore 13 is arranged
substantially in the center of the first transverse mechanical
fixing zone 21.
[0061] Furthermore, and as illustrated by long dotted lines in FIG.
3, the connection flange 5 comprises a first transverse end face 71
which corresponds to a free end face of the first transverse
portion 61 facing away from the first longitudinal portion 51. As
illustrated in FIG. 3, this first transverse end face 71 faces
toward the second connection flange.
[0062] The second connection flange 6, secured to the second heat
exchanger 3, comprises, in a similar way to the above, a second
nozzle 12, of identical appearance to the first nozzle 11, but
which, unlike the latter, is centered on the plane of elongation of
the second heat exchanger 3, without transverse offset along a
transverse axis T.
[0063] Furthermore, while the second connection flange is
functionally identical to the first connection flange, and while
the second connection flange 6 also comprises a second longitudinal
portion 52 and a second transverse portion 62, arranged in the
extension of the second longitudinal portion, this second
connection flange 6 has a different shape from the first connection
flange 5.
[0064] The second longitudinal portion 52 extends along a
longitudinal axis L in the plane of elongation of the second heat
exchanger 3. The second longitudinal portion 52 comprises a second
upper face 32, from which the second nozzle 12 projects. The second
longitudinal portion 52 also comprises a second transverse end face
72, facing the first connection flange 5.
[0065] In the example illustrated, the extension along the
longitudinal axis L of the second longitudinal portion 52 is of a
length identical to the extension along the longitudinal axis L of
the first longitudinal portion 51 of the first connection flange 5
of the first heat exchanger 2.
[0066] The second connection flange 6 comprises a second transverse
mechanical fixing zone 22, here coincident with the second
transverse portion 62. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the second
transverse mechanical fixing zone 22 is in the form of a tab which
protrudes from the second transverse end face 72 and which has
dimensions relative to the vertical V and longitudinal L axes that
are smaller than the corresponding dimensions of the second
longitudinal portion 52.
[0067] The second transverse mechanical fixing zone 22 extends
mainly along a transverse axis T, in the direction approaching the
first heat exchanger 2, and it extends perpendicularly the second
longitudinal portion 52 at the free longitudinal end of this second
longitudinal portion 52, that is to say away from the zone of
fixing, for example by brazing, to the second heat exchanger 3.
More particularly, the second transverse portion 62 forming the
second mechanical fixing zone 22 extends from the longitudinal free
end edge of the second connection flange 6, along a longitudinal
dimension smaller than the longitudinal dimension of the second
longitudinal portion 52 and in the extension of the lower face,
that is to say the face opposite to the first upper face 32, of the
second longitudinal portion 52.
[0068] The upper face of the second transverse portion 62, or of
the second transverse mechanical fixing zone 22, forms a second
bearing surface 20, of dimensions substantially equivalent to those
of the first bearing surface formed on the lower face of the first
connection flange 5. Furthermore, the second mechanical fixing zone
22 of the second heat exchanger 3 comprises a second through-bore
14 passing through the entire second mechanical fixing zone 22
along a vertical axis V.
[0069] The first connection flange 5 and the second connection
flange 6 are able to cooperate with each other, in particular by
complementarity of shapes. Indeed, the longitudinal dimension along
an axis L is identical between the two connection flanges and their
dimensions along a vertical axis V and along a transverse axis T
are adapted for cooperation. The cooperation of the flanges with
one another is represented in FIG. 3 by mixed dotted lines. Thus,
during the assembly of the heat exchange system, the first bearing
surface 19 of the first connection flange 5 mentioned above rests
on the second bearing surface 20 of the second connection flange 6,
and the first transverse end face 71 rests against the second
transverse end face 72. These two contact planes allow, on the one
hand, a precise positioning of the exchangers with respect to one
another, and in particular their spacing in the transverse
direction, and, on the other hand, a mechanical retention of one
connection flange on the other. In the example illustrated, the
first connection flange comes to rest on the second connection
flange.
[0070] Furthermore, the precise positioning resulting from this
cooperation by complementarity of shape makes it possible to align
the through-bores 13 and 14 facing one another to form a continuous
through-bore from the lower face of the second connection flange 6
up to the upper face of the first connection flange 5.
[0071] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the two connection flanges in
cooperation, that is to say in their final position when the heat
exchange system is assembled, in a section plane perpendicular to
the heat exchangers and passing through the nozzles, this sectional
view making visible the arrangement of the circulation channels
formed in the structure of the connection flanges. For reasons of
clarity, the heat exchangers are not shown in the figure. Each
circulation channel has one end located at the braze between the
connection flange and the heat exchanger, and another end
represented by the nozzle located on each connection flange.
[0072] As indicated above, the first nozzle 11 of the first
connection flange 5 is offset transversely with respect to the
plane of elongation of the first heat exchanger and therefore with
respect to the inlet of the circulation channel of the first
connection flange, while the second nozzle 12 of the second
connection flange 6 is in alignment with the plane of elongation of
the second heat exchanger.
[0073] The first connection flange 5 comprises a first circulation
channel 16 extending from a circular inlet 24, located on the wall
intended to be brazed to the heat exchanger, up to the first nozzle
11. The refrigerant, after having circulated in the heat exchanger,
emerges at this circular inlet 24 and flows in liquid/gaseous form
within this first circulation channel 16. The first circulation
channel 16 is formed by the succession of three intersecting ducts
in fluid communication, including a first duct 161, an intermediate
duct 162 and a second duct 163. The first duct 161 extends mainly
in a longitudinal direction L. Since the first nozzle 11 of the
first connection flange 5 is offset with respect to the plane of
elongation of the heat exchanger, the first circulation channel 16
therefore extends subsequently along a transverse axis T, via the
intermediate duct 162. The first circulation channel 16 then
extends in a vertical direction V, via the second duct 163 which
extends the intermediate duct 162 and opens onto the first nozzle
11.
[0074] The second connection flange 6 comprises a second
circulation channel 23 extending from the second nozzle 12 to a
circular outlet 25 located on the wall intended to be brazed to the
second heat exchanger. Within the second connection flange 6, the
refrigerant circulates from the second nozzle 12 to the circular
outlet 25 while being guided by the second circulation channel 23,
comprising a third duct 231 and a fourth duct 232. The second
nozzle 12 is centered with respect to the plane of elongation of
the second heat exchanger so that the second circulation channel
does not require an intermediate duct as described for the first
connection flange. The second connection flange 6 therefore
comprises two intersecting ducts forming the second circulation
channel 23, the second circulation channel 23 extending along a
longitudinal axis L via the third duct 231 and along a vertical
axis V via the fourth duct 232.
[0075] FIGS. 5 and 6 are views from two different angles of the
cooperation of the connection flanges. FIG. 5 is a side view, from
a viewing angle coincident with a longitudinal axis L, and FIG. 6
is a bottom view, from a viewing angle coincident with a vertical
axis V. Just as for FIG. 4, the heat exchangers are not shown here
for reasons of clarity.
[0076] FIG. 5 illustrates more particularly the configuration of
the connection flanges when the heat exchange system is assembled
and in particular the fact that, on the one hand, the first
transverse mechanical fixing zone of the first connection flange 5
bears on the second transverse mechanical fixing zone of the second
connection flange 6 by means of direct contact between their
respective bearing surface 19 and 20, and that, on the other hand,
a contact plane is also formed by the contact between the first
transverse end face 71 and the second transverse end face 72.
[0077] A first vertical dimension V1 corresponds to the vertical
dimension of the first connection flange 5. A second vertical
dimension V2 corresponds to the vertical dimension of the second
longitudinal portion of the second connection flange 6. Finally, a
third vertical dimension V3 corresponds to the vertical dimension
of the second transverse portion or of the second transverse
mechanical fixing zone of the second connection flange 6, forming a
tab projecting from the second transverse end face 72.
[0078] As illustrated, the first connection flange 5 of a first
vertical dimension V1 rests on the second transverse mechanical
fixing zone of the second connection flange 6 of a third vertical
dimension V3. In order to ensure that the first nozzle 11 and the
second nozzle 12 are located at the same height to facilitate
cooperation with the storage bottle, the heat exchange system is
configured so that the first upper face 31 of the first connection
flange 5 and the second upper face 32 of the second connection
flange 6 are coplanar and participate in forming the same planar
cooperation surface 80. It follows from the above that the second
vertical dimension V2 is equal to the sum of the first vertical
dimension V1 and of the third vertical dimension V3.
[0079] Furthermore, as described above, the cooperation position of
the connection flanges implies that the through-bores of each
connection flange 5, 6 are aligned. Thus, a fixing means 15 can be
inserted through the two connection flanges 5 and 6. The fixing
means 15 shown here is a screw, but any fixing means capable of
being inserted within the bores can be envisioned. The fixing means
15 comprises a head 151, which bears on the lower wall of the
second connection flange 6, and a shank, the fixing means being
dimensioned so that, once inserted into the through-bores, and the
head 151 bearing against the lower wall of the second connection
flange, the shank protrudes beyond the planar cooperation surface
80, here at the upper face of the first connection flange, so as to
be able to be inserted into a fixing orifice of the storage bottle.
It is understood that the tightening of the screw in this fixing
orifice of the storage bottle involves moving the head 151 in the
direction of the storage bottle and therefore pressing the second
mechanical fixing zone of the second connection flange against the
first mechanical fixing zone of the first connection flange, and
pressing all the flanges against the storage bottle.
[0080] FIG. 6 makes more particularly visible the head of the
fixing means 15 as well as the arrangement of the transverse
mechanical fixing zones of the connection flanges 5 and 6 with
respect to one another. This viewing angle makes it possible to
observe that the first connection flange 5 comprises a chamfer 26,
also visible in FIG. 5, at the junction edge between the lower face
and the first transverse end face 71, that is to say the edge able
to face the junction between the second transverse end face 72 of
the second connection flange and the tab which projects from this
second face and which forms the second mechanical fixing zone. This
chamfer 26 makes it possible to limit the mechanical interference
which may occur during the cooperation between the connection
flanges 5 and 6.
[0081] FIG. 7 more particularly represents the storage bottle 4. As
indicated above, the storage bottle 4 is cylindrical or
substantially cylindrical in shape. The storage bottle 4 comprises
a bottom wall 28. It is this bottom wall 28 which will interact
with the connection flanges. The bottom wall 28 comprises three
orifices: two circulation orifices 17 and one fixing orifice 18
which corresponds to the fixing orifice mentioned above and capable
of cooperating with the shank of the fixing means 15.
[0082] The circulation orifices 17 are able to receive respectively
the first nozzle of the first connection flange 5 and the second
nozzle of the second connection flange 6. The circulation orifices
17 therefore have a diameter suitable for receiving the nozzles of
the connection flanges, taking into account any seals which may be
included at the nozzles. The center distance between the
circulation orifices 17 is substantially equal to the center
distance between the nozzles when the connection flanges cooperate
with one another with the transverse end faces 71, 72 of each
connection flange in contact.
[0083] The fixing hole 18 is also present at the bottom wall 28.
When the storage bottle is placed in the refrigerant system, the
fixing orifice 18 is opposite the through-bores superposed on one
another. The fixing orifice 18 is suitable for receiving the fixing
means, which therefore passes through each of the connection
flanges before being secured to the storage bottle. If the fixing
means is for example a screw, the fixing orifice 18 is threaded. As
was specified previously, it can be observed that a single fixing
means makes it possible to fix the position of the storage bottle
simultaneously with the first connection flange and the second
connection flange. The head tends to press the second flange
against the first flange and all of the flanges against the bottom
wall of the storage bottle.
[0084] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the connection flanges and of
the storage bottle when they are secured to one another. For
reasons of clarity of the figure, the heat exchangers and the
fixing means are not shown.
[0085] As illustrated in the preceding figures, the first
connection flange 5 and the second connection flange 6 cooperate
with each other via their bearing surface and their respective
transverse end face. The first through-bore 13 and the second
through-bore 14 face one another and thus participate in forming a
continuous through-bore. The storage bottle 4 is arranged at the
planar cooperation surface 80, resulting from the cooperation of
the connection flanges 5 and 6, so that the fixing orifice 18 of
the storage bottle 4 is opposite the bores 13 and 14. This position
is obtained in particular by inserting the nozzles of the flanges
into the circulation orifices of the storage bottle (not visible in
this FIG. 8). The fixing means, not shown in this figure, is
inserted through the end of the second through-bore 14 and along a
vertical axis V. The shank of the fixing means therefore passes
through the second through-bore 14, then through the first
through-bore 13 up to within the fixing orifice 18 of the storage
bottle 4. For optimum mechanical fixing, the shank of the fixing
means must therefore be long enough to pass through all of the
bores 13 and 14 and to extend over a substantial length of the
fixing orifice 18. The bores 13 and 14 are smooth in order to
ensure the passage of the shank of the fixing means without
mechanical interference, while the fixing orifice 18 of the storage
bottle 4, on the other hand, comprises a means for mechanically
retaining the fixing means, for example an internal thread if said
fixing means is a screw.
[0086] FIG. 8 also makes it possible to demonstrate the importance
of the chamfer 26 in order to avoid mechanical interference. As
illustrated, the latter is opposite a fillet 27 (also visible in
FIG. 5) included at the second connection flange 6, at the junction
between the second transverse end face of the second connection
flange and the tab which projects from this second face and which
forms the second mechanical fixing zone.
[0087] FIG. 9 is a view of the heat exchange system 1 as a whole,
illustrating the interchangeability of the connection flanges.
Indeed, FIG. 9 is identical to FIG. 1, except for the fact that the
first connection flange 5 as described above is located on the
second heat exchanger 3, and the second connection flange 6 as
previously described is located on the first heat exchanger 2.
Thus, the shape of the connection flanges does not depend on the
heat exchanger to which the connection flange is brazed. According
to the invention, it is important to have two flanges respectively
configured to ensure the passage of fluid between the heat
exchangers 2 and 3 and the storage bottle 4, and to cooperate with
each other by complementarity of shapes. The shape of the
connection flanges 5 and 6 can therefore also vary, as long as they
have a complementarity between them making it possible to obtain a
planar cooperation surface to accommodate the storage bottle 4 as
well as through-bores aligned during the cooperation of the flanges
so that they can allow the passage of a single fixing means making
it possible to secure the connection flanges and the storage bottle
in a single operation.
[0088] The invention should not, however, be considered to be
limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated
herein, and also extends to all equivalent means or configurations
and to any technically operational combination of such means. In
particular, the shapes of the connection flanges can be modified
without harming the invention, insofar as they perform the
functions described in the present document.
[0089] The embodiments that are described above are thus entirely
nonlimiting; it will be possible, in particular, to imagine
variants of the invention that comprise only a selection of the
features described below, in isolation from the other features
mentioned in this document, as long as this selection of features
is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to distinguish the
invention from the prior art.
* * * * *