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Title:
METHOD FOR INCREASING THE HEAT EXCHANGE AREA IN A HEAT EXCHANGER AND A HEAT EXCHANGER PACKAGE WITH AN INCREASED HEAT EXCHANGE AREA
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2014/092588
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
Method for increasing the heat exchange area in a heat exchanger, consisting in connecting fins, made of metal strip with any surface profile, to the surface of the exchanger members, between which, a space is formed for the flow of the heat exchange medium. The fins are joined to the surface of the exchanger member at an angle, preferably 90°, to that surface, along the fin side, forming open passages between the fins for the flow of the medium. In the heat exchanger pack with an increased heat exchange area, the fins (1) are conveniently joined between flat tubes (4) or plates (8), in the medium flow space, forming open passages (5) for the flow of that medium.

Inventors:
SIEMIEŃCZUK TOMASZ (PL)
Application Number:
PCT/PL2013/000160
Publication Date:
June 19, 2014
Filing Date:
December 09, 2013
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
AIC SPÓŁKA AKCYJNA (PL)
International Classes:
F28F3/02; F28F1/12
Domestic Patent References:
WO2011055515A12011-05-12
WO2009127063A12009-10-22
Foreign References:
US4215454A1980-08-05
US20040069472A12004-04-15
US20030155103A12003-08-21
EP0530721A11993-03-10
US5603159A1997-02-18
Other References:
See also references of EP 3014208A1
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
POMIANEK, Grażyna (ul. Subisława 23 C lok. 7, Gdańsk, PL)
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Claims:
Claims

1. A method for increasing the heat exchange area in a heat exchanger, consisting in connecting fins, made of metal strip, to the surface of the exchanger members where the heat exchange occurs and, between which, a space is formed for the flow of the heat exchange medium, characterised in that fins with any surface profile are joined to the surface of the exchanger member at an angle to that surface, along the fin side, forming open passages between the fins for the flow of the medium.

2. The method, according to claim 1 , characterised in that the angle between the fin surface and the exchanger member, to which it is joined, is around 90°.

3. The method, according to claim 1, characterised in that to the sides of the fin (1), along which the fm is joined to the exchanger member, first the soldering foil (2) is attached to form the fm member (3), and the components prepared in such a manner are arranged between the exchanger members and subjected to the joining process in a soldering furnace.

4. The method, according to claim 1 , characterised in that the fins (1) are arranged in a pack first, to form open passages (5) between them, and to the sides of fins (1) along which they are joined to the exchanger member, soldering foil (2) is attached, and the fin member (3)/fin members (3) prepared in such a manner are then arranged between the exchanger members and subjected to the joining process in a soldering furnace.

5. The method, according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that the angle between the fm surface and the soldering foil, to which the fm is joined, is around 90°.

6. The method, according to claim 3 to 5, characterised in that the fm members are conveniently produced on a line in which the fins are rolled to the profile required, and to the sides of the fln/fms, soldering foil is then added and subjected to the joining process.

7. The method, according to claim 3 to 6, characterised in that the foil is spot- welded to the fin.

8. The method, according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the fins are soldered to the exchanger member.

9. The method, according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the fins are welded to the exchanger member.

10. The method, according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the fins are fusion welded to the exchanger member.

11. The method, according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the fins are induction welded to the exchanger member.

12. The method, according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the fins are bonded to the exchanger member.

13. The method, according to claim 1 to 12, characterised in that the fins are corrugated.

14. A heat exchanger pack with an increased heat exchange area provided with fins made of metal strip, attached to the surface of the exchanger members where the heat exchange occurs and, between which, a space is formed for the flow of the heat exchange medium, characterised in that fins with any surface profile are joined to the surface of the exchanger member along their sides and at an angle to that surface, forming open passages between the fins for the flow of the medium.

15. The heat exchanger pack, according to claim 14, characterised in that the pack components, to which the fms are attached, are formed of flat tubes (4) stacked horizontally one above the other, interconnected with stub pipes and forming the channel (6) for the flow of one medium, and the outer areas of the tubes (4) in the flow area for the second medium are interconnected by fms (1) arranged perpendicularly to such areas and are perpendicular to the direction of medium flow through the tubes (4).

16. The heat exchanger pack, according to claim 15, characterised in that in the tubes (4), halves of the pipes (7) for medium flow are formed, which - after joining a set of two tubes (4) - constitute a full-sized stub pipe.

17. The heat exchanger pack, according to claim 15, characterised in that the pipes for medium flow are located between the tubes.

18. The heat exchanger pack, according to claim 14, characterised in that pack components, to which the fins (1) are joined, are formed into plates (8), which - in the space for the medium flow - are interconnected with fms (1) arranged perpendicularly to such plates (8) and in such a manner that the open passages (5) between the fms, attached to one side of the plate (8), are oriented perpendicularly to the open passages (5) between the fins (1) attached at the other side of the plate (8).

19. The heat exchanger pack, according to claim 14 to 18, characterised in that the fins (1) are corrugated.

Description:
Method for increasing the heat exchange area in a heat exchanger and a heat exchanger package with an increased heat exchange area

The subject of the invention is a method for increasing the heat exchange area in a heat exchanger and a heat exchanger package with an increased heat exchange area.

From the PCT/JP2010/006366 (WO 2011055515 Al) international patent application, a fm member for a heat exchanger is known, in which the component with increased area is a corrugated metal strip located between tubes in the medium flow area, in which - in the folds on both sides - cavities are formed, in which the tubes are located.

Also, from the PCT/CA2009/000499 (WO 2009/127063 Al) international patent application, a heat exchanger is known, in which - to ensure turbulation of medium flow and increase the heat exchange area - to the flat exchange surfaces, corrugated fms are attached, which are formed of metal strip and located between those surfaces and which come into contact with them along the bends.

From the US 5,603, 159 patent description, a method for producing heat exchangers is known where, in particular, an exchanger pack is presented, in which, to flat medium tubes - with a space formed between them to enable the flow of a second heat exchange medium - corrugated fins are soldered, which come into contact with the flat tube surfaces and are attached to them along the bends.

In the above-mentioned solutions, to ensure the required rigidity of the system, the cross sectional areas of the components being joined have to be significant, and the contact area of the fin and heat exchanger member is relatively large, which requires a considerable amount of soldering material to form such a joint.

The objective of the invention is to describe a method for increasing the heat exchange area, avoiding the above-mentioned problems, as well as to increase heat exchange performance while increasing the structure rigidity and reducing the contact area between the fin and exchanger member, which will result in saving of the material needed to make the joint. It is also the objective of the invention to develop a structure of heat exchanger packs with an increased heat exchange area according to the method invented.

According to the invention, a method for increasing the heat exchange area in a heat exchanger, consisting in connecting fins made of metal strip to the surface of the exchanger members where the heat exchange occurs and, between which, a space is formed for the flow of the heat exchange medium, is characterised in that the fins, with any surface profile, are joined to the surface of the exchanger member at an angle to that surface, along the fin side, forming open passages between the fins for the flow of the medium.

The angle between the fin surface and the exchanger member, to which it is joined, is preferably around 90°.

To the fin sides along which it is joined to the exchanger member, soldering foil is preferably at first attached to form a fin element, and fin elements prepared in this way are arranged between the exchanger members and subjected to the joining process in a soldering furnace, or the fins are arranged in a pack first, to form open passages between them, and to the fin sides along which it is joined to the exchanger member, soldering foil is attached, and the fin element/elements prepared in such a manner are then placed between the exchanger members and subjected to the joining process in a soldering furnace.

The angle between the fin surface and the soldering foil, to which it is joined, is preferably around 90°.

The fin elements are conveniently produced on a line in which the fins are rolled to the profile required, and to the sides of the fin/fins, soldering foil is then added and subjected to the joining process.

The side of the fin is conveniently joined with the soldering foil by spot-welding.

Preferably, the fin side is either soldered, welded, fusion welded, induction welded or bonded to the exchanger member.

The fins are conveniently corrugated.

The heat exchanger pack with an increased heat exchange area provided with fins made of metal strip, attached to the surface of the exchanger members where the heat exchange occurs and, between which, a space is formed for the flow of the heat exchange medium, is characterised in that fins with any surface profile are joined to the surface of the exchanger member along their sides and at an angle to that surface, forming open passages between the fins for the flow of the medium.

Pack components to which the fins are attached can be formed of flat tubes stacked horizontally one above another, interconnected with stub pipes and forming a channel for the flow of one medium, .and the outer areas of the tubes in the flow area for the second medium are interconnected by fins arranged, as a rule, perpendicularly to such areas and are, as a rule, perpendicular to the direction of medium flow through the tubes.

In the tubes, halves of the pipes for medium flow are conveniently formed, which - after joining a set of two tubes - constitute a full- sized stub pipe or pipes for the medium flow, and are fitted between the tubes.

Pack components to which the fms are joined can be formed into plates, which - in the space for the medium flow - are interconnected with fins arranged, as a rule, perpendicularly to such plates and in such a manner that the open passages between the fins, attached to one side of the plate, are oriented perpendicularly to the passages between the fms attached at the other side of the plate.

The fins are conveniently corrugated.

The invention allows for increased heat exchange performance and, at the same time, increased rigidity of the structure and material savings due to the reduced contact area between the fin and exchanger member. Moreover, the fin members significantly enhance and speed up the process of joining the fins to the heat exchange surfaces.

The invention is illustrated, by way of example, in a drawing in which:

Fig.1 shows the perspective view of the fin member with one fin;

Fig.2 shows the perspective view of the fin member with packs of fms; Fig.3 shows the perspective view of the cross sectional view of a flat tube with fins attached to its surface . and a stub pipe half formed therein;

Fig.4 shows the tube, as in Fig. 3, in a perspective;

Fig.5 shows the pack made of tube sets, as in Fig.4 and Fig.5, in a perspective;

Fig.6 shows the vertical, longitudinal cross sectional view of a pack composed of tube sets, as in Fig. 5, in perspective;

Fig.7 and Fig.8 show packs comprising flat plates to which fms are attached alternately on both sides, in such a manner that the direction of the medium flow passages is oriented perpendicularly to the direction of the medium flow passages on the other side of the plate; Fig.9 shows a block diagram of the production sequence of a fin member for increasing the heat exchange area.

Example embodiments of the invention

According to an example embodiment of the invention, the fin members shown in Fig. l or Fig.2 are first made. The fins are made of metal strips on a line, presented schematically in Fig.9.

While rolling the metal strip to the profile required (e.g. corrugated with a flat surface), the fin 1 is made, and along both opposing sides of this, along which the fins are attached to the exchanger member, strips of soldering foil 2 are then added so the surface of the fin 1 is oriented at an angle of 90° to the strips of foil 2, whereby the foil 2 is spot-welded to the fin 1. Fin members 3 with one fin prepared in such a way, as shown in Fig. 1, are arranged between the exchanger members in the flow area of the heat exchange medium, forming open passages for the flow of that medium between the fins, and subjected to the joining process in a soldering furnace, where the foil melts and the fins are joined with the corresponding surface.

In another example embodiment of the invention, the corrugated fins 1 are formed into packs,, forming open passages 5 between the fins and the opposite sides of the fins 1, along which the fins are joined to the exchanger member, and strips of soldering foil 2 are added so the surface of the fin 1 is oriented at an angle of 90° to the strips of foil 2, whereby the foil 2 is spot- welded to the fins 1. A fin member 3 or fin members 3 prepared in such a manner are arranged between the exchanger members in the flow area of the heat exchange medium, oriented in the direction of the medium flow, and subjected to the joining process in a soldering furnace, where the foil melts and the fins 1 are joined with the corresponding surface. In the following example embodiment of the invention, fins made of corrugated metal strip are soldered to the surface of the exchanger members, between which a space is formed for the flow of the heat exchange medium, along the opposite sides of the fins, at an angle of 90°, forming open passages for the flow of that medium.

In other example embodiments of the invention, the same procedure as in the above example is followed, but the fin side is either welded, fusion welded, induction welded or bonded to the exchanger members.

An example heat exchanger pack, with an increased heat exchange area according to the methods described above, includes flat tubes 4 and corrugated fins 1 made of metal strip. The flat tubes 4 are arranged horizontally one above the other so as to form a space for the flow of the medium between them. The tubes 4 are interconnected with stub pipes 7 forming a channel 6 for the flow of one medium, and the outer areas of the tubes 4 in the flow area for the second medium are interconnected by the fins 1 arranged, as a rule, perpendicularly to such areas and are generally perpendicular to the direction of medium flow through the tubes, whereby the fins 1 are .connected to. the tubes 4, along the opposing sides, so as to form open passages 5 for the flow of the medium between the fins 1.

In one of the example embodiments, in the tubes 4, halves of the stub pipe 7 for medium flow are conveniently formed, which - after joining a set of two tubes 4 - constitute a full-sized stub pipe, as shown in Fig.3 to Fig.6, and in another embodiment, pipes for the medium flow are fitted between the tubes.

In another example embodiment of the invention, the pack comprises plates 8 and corrugated fins 1 made of metal strip. The plates 8 T PL2013/000160

- 7 - are interconnected with the fins 1 , in the medium flow area, arranged, as a rule, perpendicularly to such plates 8 and connected to them along the opposing sides, forming open passages 5 for the flow of the medium between the fms 1 , whereby the passages between the fms 1 , connected to one side of the plate, are oriented perpendicularly to the passages between the fins attached at the other side of the plate, as shown in Fig.7 and Fig.8.