Patent ID: 7228893
Filing Date: 2007-06-12
Classification: F28D,F28F

Abstract:
1. A heat exchange unit, comprising a plurality of heat transfer panels, which are formed of a metallic thin sheet and combined in parallel and integrally with each other, each of said heat transfer panels being provided with opposite surfaces with which first and second heat exchange fluids are to come into contact, respectively, first spaces through which the first heat exchange fluid is to pass and second spaces through which the second heat exchange fluid is to pass being provided alternately, and first openings communicating respectively with said first spaces to cause the first heat exchange fluid to flow into and out from said first spaces and second openings communicating respectively with said second spaces to cause the second heat exchange fluid to flow into and out from said second spaces being provided separately from each other, wherein: each of said heat transfer panels is formed into a rectangular shape, and provided at one or more position in at least a pair of opposite sides in an outer periphery thereof with a terraced flat portion that is elevated from an area therearound; of said plurality of heat transfer panels, adjacent two heat transfer panels between which the first space is located are water-tightly welded together at corresponding sides except for said terraced flat portion in a state in which respective inner surfaces of adjacent two terraced flat portions face each other so that a first gap between opposing two terraced flat portions communicates with the first opening, and adjacent two heat transfer panels between which the second space is located are water-tightly welded together at outer surfaces of adjacent two terraced flat portions, to provide an integrally assembled body in which the first gaps between the terraced flat portions disposed in parallel with each other serve as said first openings; there is provided an outer reinforcement member having a plurality of serrations placed in a row, each of said serrations having a shape by which a second gap between the adjacent heat transfer panels is substantially closed over a predetermined area in a vicinity of the first space on an end side thereof, said outer reinforcement member being formed of a same material as the heat transfer panel and having a larger thickness than the heat transfer panel, said each of serrations being inserted into said predetermined area of the second gap to place said outer reinforcement member in a combining direction of the heat transfer panels; there is provided an inner reinforcement member having a plurality of serrations placed in a row, each of said serrations having a shape by which the first gap between the adjacent heat transfer panels is substantially closed over a predetermined area in a vicinity of the second gap on an end side thereof, said inner reinforcement member being formed of the same material as the heat transfer panel and having a larger thickness than the heat transfer panel, said each of serrations being inserted into said predetermined area of the first gap to place said inner reinforcement member in a combining direction of the heat transfer panels; and each of the serrations of said outer and inner reinforcement members are welded to the heat transfer panels at predetermined regions without forming a clearance between the serrations and the heat transfer panels.