Abstract:
A board-type heat exchanger comprises multiple heat exchange boards ( 10 ) overlapped with each other. Each of the heat exchange boards ( 10 ) comprises a fluid inlet ( 1 ) and a fluid outlet ( 2 ) that are separately located in two opposite ends of the heat exchange board in the lengthwise direction. A partition portion is disposed on the upper surface and/ or the lower surface of each of the heat exchange boards ( 10 ), so that fluid from the fluid inlet ( 1 ) is divided at the fluid inlet ( 1 ), then flows into independent fluid passage zones ( 3, 4 ) partitioned by the partition portion, gathers at the fluid outlet ( 2 ), and finally flows out of the fluid outlet ( 2 ).

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is entitled to the benefit of and incorporates by reference subject matter disclosed in the International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2015/071724 filed on Jan. 28, 2015 and Chinese Patent Application 201410042349.1 filed Jan. 28, 2014. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the fields of heating, ventilation and air conditioning, motor vehicles, cooling and transportation, and in particular relates to a plate type heat exchanger. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0003]    With regard to heat exchangers (evaporators) with parallel channels, in particular plate type heat exchangers and microchannel heat exchangers, the non-uniform distribution (mal-distribution) of coolant is a global technical difficulty. In general, coolant entering a heat exchanger exists in a two-phase form, and due to application conditions and the complexity of two-phase flow, uniform distribution of coolant is very difficult to achieve. In many cases, an excessive amount of liquid coolant flows into some channels, while an excessive amount of gaseous coolant flows into other channels, and this has a major impact on the overall performance of the evaporator. 
         [0004]    However, if a heat exchange plate is too wide, such a large heat exchange plate will fail to achieve good fluid distribution, e.g. in the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate. Thus, there is definitely a need to provide a novel plate type heat exchanger capable of at least partially solving the problem above. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The object of the present invention is to solve at least one aspect of the abovementioned problems and shortcomings in the prior art. 
         [0006]    According to one aspect of the present invention, a plate type heat exchanger is provided. The plate type heat exchanger comprises multiple heat exchange plates which are stacked together, each heat exchange plate comprising a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet located at two opposite ends respectively in a longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate, 
         [0007]    a separating part is provided on a top surface and/or a bottom surface of each heat exchange plate, such that a fluid coming from the fluid inlet is split into different flows at the fluid inlet, then flows into mutually independent fluid channel regions separated by the separating part and converges at the fluid outlet, and finally flows out of the fluid outlet. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, the separating part comprises a separating strip, which splits fluid into different flows at the fluid inlet, and a longitudinal piece connected thereto. 
         [0009]    Specifically, the longitudinal piece is arranged in one of the following three ways:
       substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate;   inclined relative to the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate;   having a bent or meandering shape in the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate.       
 
         [0013]    In another embodiment, the separating part comprises at least one separating strip extending from the fluid inlet to the vicinity of the fluid outlet. 
         [0014]    Specifically, the separating strip is arranged in one of the following three ways:
       substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate;   inclined relative to the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate;   having a bent or meandering shape in the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate.       
 
         [0018]    Specifically, at the fluid inlet, the separating strip is arranged to be in the angular range of −45° to 45° relative to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate, wherein the separating strip is in the shape of a straight line or bent. 
         [0019]    Specifically, the fluid inlet is at a top side at a left end of the top surface and/or bottom surface of the heat exchange plate, and the fluid outlet is at a top side or bottom side at a right end of the surface of the heat exchange plate. 
         [0020]    Specifically, a fluid distributor is provided at the fluid inlet, the fluid distributor having a middle cavity for receiving a fluid from the fluid inlet, and at least two guide parts which pass through the fluid distributor and guide fluid out of the middle cavity. 
         [0021]    Specifically, the at least two guide parts comprise any one of a through-hole, a duct and a channel passing through a main body of the fluid distributor, or any combination thereof. 
         [0022]    Specifically, the ducts comprise tubes and/or capillary tubes which introduce fluid into different fluid channel regions respectively. 
         [0023]    Specifically, the channel is formed on the heat exchange plate integrally or separately. 
         [0024]    Specifically, the fluid distributor comprises an annular main body which the guide parts pass through from the outside. 
         [0025]    Specifically, the plate type heat exchanger also comprises end plates which are disposed on outer sides of the heat exchange plates and used for fixing the heat exchange plates in place. 
         [0026]    Specifically, a structural pattern for distributing fluid is provided on the surface of the heat exchange plate. 
         [0027]    Specifically, multiple regularly arranged recesses or protrusions are provided on the surface. 
         [0028]    Specifically, multiple alternately arranged channels and ridges in an inverted-V-shape are provided on the surface. 
         [0029]    The main concept of the present invention is mainly based on the following aspects:
       1) dividing a large heat exchange plate into multiple sections or channel regions which extend substantially parallel to each other;   2) with regard to fluid distribution in a plate type heat exchanger, the narrower the heat exchange plate after being divided, the better the fluid distribution;   3) fluid can enter at a port of the plate type heat exchanger and be guided to the required region by means of the fluid distributor according to the present invention.       
 
         [0033]    At least some of the above aspects of the present invention achieve the following technical effects:
       1) good fluid distribution is achieved without limiting or restricting the width of the heat exchange plate;   2) recessing technology is used without the loss of strength; this is more competitive in terms of reducing costs;   3) the specially designed fluid distributor according to the present invention can provide a consistent and stable process and performance.       
 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0037]    These and/or other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious and easy to understand through the following description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0038]      FIG. 1  is a view of an example of a heat exchange plate in a plate type heat exchanger according to the present invention; 
           [0039]      FIG. 2  is a view of another example of a heat exchange plate in a plate type heat exchanger according to the present invention; 
           [0040]      FIG. 3  is a view of a heat exchange plate, adjacent to the heat exchange plate shown in  FIG. 1 or 2 , in a plate type heat exchanger according to the present invention; 
           [0041]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of the rectangular frame shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 5  is a view of another example of a heat exchange plate in a plate type heat exchanger according to the present invention; 
           [0043]      FIG. 6  is a view of another example of a heat exchange plate in a plate type heat exchanger according to the present invention; 
           [0044]      FIG. 7  is a view of another example of a heat exchange plate in a plate type heat exchanger according to the present invention; 
           [0045]      FIGS. 8 a -8 d    are views of multiple examples of a fluid distributor used in a heat exchange plate in a plate type heat exchanger according to the present invention; 
           [0046]      FIGS. 9 a -9 b    respectively show views of two examples of a heat exchange plate using a fluid distributor; and 
           [0047]      FIG. 10 a    shows a view of part of a heat exchange plate according to the present invention;  FIG. 10 b    is an enlarged view of part of  FIG. 10   a.    
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0048]    The technical solution of the present invention is explained in further detail below by means of embodiments in conjunction with  FIGS. 1-10   b . In this description, identical or similar drawing labels indicate identical or similar components. The following explanation of embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings is intended to explain the overall inventive concept of the present invention, and should not be interpreted as being a limitation of the present invention. 
         [0049]    Reference is made to  FIG. 1 , which shows a front view of a heat exchange plate  10  in a plate type heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention. As is known by all those skilled in the art, a plate type heat exchanger comprises multiple heat exchange plates  10  which are stacked together, and end plates (not shown) disposed on outer sides of the plate type heat exchanger, for fixing the heat exchange plates  10  in place. In other words, the multiple heat exchange plates  10  which are stacked together are assembled by means of two end plates, e.g. by screw fastening, screw-thread connection or welded connection. Generally, two adjacent heat exchange plates  10  are alternately stacked together, to form a fluid channel or a single fluid channel region for the passage of fluid. Clearly, the manner of installation described above is just one example, and any known method in the prior art could be used to fix the heat exchange plates of the present invention in place. 
         [0050]    In view of the fact that the main improvement brought about by the present invention is in the heat exchange plates in the heat exchanger, structures such as the end plates and the manner of fixing are not described in detail. Those skilled in the art can set these as required in accordance with the prior art. 
         [0051]    The heat exchange plate  10  comprises a fluid inlet  1  and a fluid outlet  2  located at two opposite ends in the longitudinal direction thereof (e.g. the top-left corner and top-right corner shown in the figure). To achieve better fluid distribution, a separating part is disposed on a top surface (i.e. the surface shown in the figure) of the heat exchange plate in this example; the separating part divides the surface of the heat exchange plate  10  into two independent fluid channel regions  3  and  4 . The separating part comprises a separating strip  8  which splits fluid flow at the fluid inlet  1 , and a longitudinal piece  7  connected thereto. Thus, fluid (e.g. coolant, as shown by the arrows in the figure) from the fluid inlet  1  is first split into different flows by the separating strip  8 , then flows into the two fluid channel regions  3  and  4  respectively and converges at the fluid outlet  2 , finally flowing out of the fluid outlet  2 . It must be explained here that the fluid channel regions  3  and  4  are independent of each other; in other words, once the fluid has been split into different flows by the separating strip  8 , the respective flows in the fluid channel regions  3  and  4  do not mix with each other; they only mix in the vicinity of the fluid outlet  2 , and finally flow out of the fluid outlet  2 . 
         [0052]    It must be explained that the separating strip  8  is not necessarily in the shape of a straight line, and can be chosen to be in the angular range of −45° to 45° relative to a vertical direction of the heat exchange plate  10  (i.e. the up-down direction in the figure, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate  10 ). To encourage fluid distribution, the separating strip  8  can be arranged to be bent or inclined slightly to the left as shown in the figure. 
         [0053]    The fluid inlet  1  is disposed at a top side at the left end (e.g. the top-left corner) of the heat exchange plate  10 ; the fluid outlet  2  is disposed at a top side at the right end (e.g. the top-right corner) of the heat exchange plate  10 . Those skilled in the art should understand that ports  5  and  6  are also disposed on the heat exchange plate  10 , in order to mate with an adjacent heat exchange plate; however, ports  5  and  6  play no role in or are not associated with fluid distribution on the top surface, shown in the figure, of the heat exchange plate  10 , so are not described in detail below. 
         [0054]    In order to ensure that the flow paths in the fluid channel regions  3  and  4  are independent of each other or that no mixing of fluid occurs midway after it has been split into different flows at the fluid inlet  1 , the separating strip  8  is generally connected to the longitudinal piece  7  in a sealed manner. 
         [0055]    It can be seen from  FIG. 1  that fluid is split into two branches at the fluid inlet  1 . The two branches are first of all inclined downwards slightly overall. Then one branch is guided rightwards through the fluid channel region  3 ; the other branch of fluid is guided towards the bottom left side from the fluid inlet  1  (e.g. through a region between the port  5  and a left side edge of the heat exchange plate  10 ), and is then guided rightwards to the fluid channel region  4 . The two branches converge at the fluid outlet  2 , and flow out of the fluid outlet  2 . 
         [0056]    Although  FIG. 1  shows the longitudinal piece  7  as being substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate  10  (i.e. the left-right direction shown in  FIG. 1 ), those skilled in the art could, as required, arrange it to be inclined by a predetermined angle relative to the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate  10  (e.g. within the angular range of −45° to 45° relative to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate, e.g. 30°), or to have a bent or meandering shape in the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate  10 . 
         [0057]    It can be understood that such a separating part could be likewise disposed on another surface of the heat exchange plate  10  (opposite the top surface described above, i.e. the bottom surface); the number of separating parts can be specifically set as required on the heat exchange plate  10 , and is not limited to the scenario shown in the figure; the separating part may also be formed in another way, and is not limited to the structure shown in the figure. 
         [0058]    As  FIG. 2  shows, the fluid inlet  1  is disposed at the top left corner of the heat exchange plate  10 , while the fluid outlet  2  is disposed at a bottom side at the right end (e.g. the bottom right corner) of the heat exchange plate  10 . The position of the fluid outlet  2  is different from the scenario shown in  FIG. 1 , therefore except for the direction of fluid flow (as shown by the arrow in  FIG. 2 ) which is different from that shown in  FIG. 1 , everything else is the same as the structure shown in  FIG. 1 , and is not described in detail here. 
         [0059]    In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is no direct sealed connection between the separating strip  8  and the longitudinal piece  7 ; instead, separation of fluid is accomplished by means of a sealed edge of the port  5 . Of course, if no port  5  is provided or in another case, the separating strip  8  and longitudinal piece  7  may be connected in a sealed manner directly. 
         [0060]      FIG. 3  shows another heat exchange plate  20  which is mated with or adjacent to the heat exchange plate  10  described above. It can be understood that in order to mate with the heat exchange plate  10 , corresponding ports  25 ,  26  are disposed at the four corners respectively of the heat exchange plate  20 ; the ports  25 ,  26  are arranged such that fluid cannot be made to flow therethrough. In order to guide fluid (e.g. water) on the heat exchange plate  20 , a fluid inlet  21  and a fluid outlet  22  are disposed in a middle position at two ends (left and right) thereof, respectively. As the figure shows, fluid from the second fluid inlet  21  is guided directly to the second fluid outlet  22  over the surface of the heat exchange plate  20 ; no separating part as described above is provided thereon. Of course, those skilled in the art could provide a similar separating part on the heat exchange plate  20  as required, in accordance with the content disclosed above. 
         [0061]    Reference is made to  FIG. 4 , which shows an enlarged view of part of the heat exchange plate  10  shown in  FIG. 1 . As can be seen in the figure, most of the top surface of the heat exchange plate  10  is provided with a recessed structural pattern as shown in the figure, for helping to distribute fluid. It can be understood that when the pattern structure of substantially hemispherical recesses described above is provided on a surface (e.g. the top surface) of the heat exchange plate  10 , a structure of protrusions corresponding to the substantially hemispherical recesses described above will be correspondingly provided on the other surface (e.g. the bottom surface) of the heat exchange plate  10 . The form of the recessed pattern structure described above, as well as the distance between adjacent recesses and the size thereof, may be arranged as required. Of course, if possible, the pattern structure of recesses  11  and protrusions described above could also be replaced with an inverted-V-shaped pattern of grooves and ridges, which is already known in the prior art. Of course, the present invention could also be applied to a heat exchange plate with a dimpled pattern. 
         [0062]      FIG. 5  shows another example of the heat exchange plate of the present invention. Clearly, the heat exchange plate  30  shown in  FIG. 5  differs from the heat exchange plate  10  described above in that the heat exchange plate  30  is divided into three fluid channel regions  331 ,  332  and  333 , starting from a fluid inlet  31 , by means of separating strips  37  and  38  (i.e. two separating parts). The separating strip  37  extends from the fluid inlet  31  at the top left corner to a region close to a fluid outlet  32  at the top right corner. The other separating strip  38  passes the left side of a port  35  in a middle position at the left side from a fluid inlet  31 , passes a port  35 ′ at the bottom left corner, and then extends to a region between a port  36  in a middle position at the right side and a fluid outlet  33  at the bottom right corner. As shown by the arrows in the figure, fluid from the fluid inlet  31  is divided into three parts, which flow in the three fluid channel regions  331 ,  332  and  333 . Of course, multiple separating parts could also be disposed based on the same principle, to divide the heat exchange plate  30  into 4, 5 or an even greater number of fluid channel regions. As stated above, the separating strips  37  and  38  may be arranged to be substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate  30  (i.e. be in the form of straight lines), to be inclined relative to the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate  30 , or to have a bent or meandering shape in the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate  30 . In addition, the number of fluid outlets  32  and  33  may be set to be 2 or 1 as required. 
         [0063]      FIG. 6  shows another example of the heat exchange plate  40  of the present invention. A separating strip  47  extends from a fluid inlet  41  at the top left corner of the heat exchange plate  40  to a region between a fluid outlet  42  at the top right corner and a port  46  at the bottom right corner. Thus, as shown by the arrows in the figure, fluid is split by a bent part  471  of the separating strip into two parts, which respectively flow along the arrows shown in the figure in two fluid channel regions  43  and  44  separated by the separating strip  47 , finally converge and then flow out of the fluid outlet  42 . Likewise, ports  45  and  46  for mating with an adjacent heat exchange plate are also provided. 
         [0064]      FIG. 7  shows another example of the heat exchange plate  50  of the present invention. Two separating strips  57  respectively extend from a fluid inlet  51  at the top left corner of the heat exchange plate  50  to a region between a fluid outlet  52  at the top right corner and a port  56  at the bottom right corner, but the two separating strips  57  are arranged to be separated by a predetermined distance. Thus, as shown by the arrows in the figure, fluid is split into three parts, which respectively flow in three fluid channel regions  53 ,  54  and  59  so formed, and finally flow out of the fluid outlet  52 . Likewise, ports  55  and for mating with an adjacent heat exchange plate are also provided. 
         [0065]    It is clear from the above that the heat exchange plate is arranged to have at least two independent fluid channel regions whether by means of separating strips or longitudinal pieces, to improve the fluid distribution effect. 
         [0066]      FIGS. 1-7  all show the surface of the heat exchange plate to be provided with recesses or protrusions, the details of which will not be described again. 
         [0067]    Although no fluid distributor has been provided on the heat exchange plates shown in  FIGS. 1-7 , it is clear that in the case where it is necessary to distribute fluid better, or fluid cannot be guided to the required heat transfer region without a fluid distributing device, the following forms of fluid distributor may be employed. In other words, preferably, the separating part described above is used in combination with a fluid distributor in the present invention. 
         [0068]      FIGS. 8 a -8 d    each show an example of a fluid distributor  60  according to the present invention. The fluid distributor  60  has a main body  61  and a middle cavity  62  located inside the main body  61 , for receiving fluid. In addition, the fluid distributor  60  also has at least two guide parts  63  and  64  which pass through the fluid distributor  60  and guide fluid out of the middle cavity  62 . As the figure shows, the main body  61  is substantially annular or circularly annular, but could also be set to have various feasible shapes such as square, rectangular or elliptical. The guide parts may be set to take the form of a through-hole  63  or a duct  64  which passes through the main body  61  from the outside to the middle cavity  62 . The duct  64  may be a tube or a capillary tube, and is used to guide fluid into different fluid channel regions.  FIG. 8 a    shows guide parts in the form of one through-hole  63  and one duct  64 .  FIG. 8 b    shows guide parts in the form of one through-hole  63  and three ducts  64 .  FIG. 8 c    shows guide parts in the form of one through-hole  63  and five ducts  64 .  FIG. 8 d    shows guide parts in the form of three through-holes  63 . It can be understood that the specific form of the guide parts can be selected as required, e.g. through-holes, ducts and channels, or any combination thereof. 
         [0069]      FIGS. 9 a  and 9 b    each show an enlarged view of part of a heat exchange plate, wherein different examples of the guide parts are shown.  FIG. 9 a    shows an example of fluid from a fluid inlet  71  being guided to different fluid channel regions by means of two guide parts, such as ducts  72  and  73 . It is clear from  FIGS. 9 a  and 9 b    that both guide parts are arranged to extend substantially downwards or towards a bottom left side, in order to distribute fluid better. 
         [0070]      FIG. 9 b    shows an example of fluid from a fluid inlet  81  being guided to different fluid channel regions by means of two guide parts, such as channels and  83 , wherein the channels  82  and  83  are integrally formed on the heat exchange plate. It can be understood that although  FIGS. 9 a  and 9 b    only show scenarios in which there are two guide parts, those skilled in the art would be able to understand scenarios in which multiple similar guide parts are provided. 
         [0071]      FIGS. 10 a  and 10 b    show a partial view and an enlarged view respectively of part of a heat exchange plate according to the present invention.  FIG. 10 a    shows an example of a fluid distributor with guide parts in the form of one through-hole  63  and one duct  64  being used in a heat exchange plate of the present invention. As shown by the arrows in the figure, the heat exchange plate is divided into two fluid channel regions  105  and  106  by means of a separating part  107 . As can be clearly seen in the enlarged view of  FIG. 10 b   , fluid guided through the through-hole  63  (i.e. the fluid on the left side in the figure) returns upon encountering a left-side boundary of the separating part  107 , and then flows upwards until it flows to a fluid outlet. Fluid is guided to the fluid channel region  106  at the right side of the separating part  107  by means of a long tube or capillary tube  64  (i.e. the fluid on the right side in the figure), and returns upon encountering a right-side boundary of the separating part  107 , and then flows upwards until it flows to a fluid outlet. It must be explained that upon encountering a boundary of the heat exchange plate, fluid will similarly return and flow towards the fluid outlet. As  FIG. 10 a    shows, it is also possible to provide separating strips  108  and  109  close to the bottom on left and right sides of the heat exchange plate, to further enhance the fluid distribution effect. The separating part  107  comprises a longitudinal piece or separating strip  104 . 
         [0072]    Although multiple structural features of the heat exchange plate of the present invention are shown in the multiple embodiments above, it should be understood that those skilled in the art could combine the multiple structural features in different embodiments to form new embodiments, and this should be understood as being included in the scope of protection of the present invention. 
         [0073]    The above are merely some embodiments of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the overall inventive concept. The scope of the present invention shall be defined by the claims and their equivalents.