Patent Description:
In general, a heat exchanger is a device for exchanging heat by directly or indirectly contacting two fluids having different temperatures. such a heat exchanger is classified into various types according to an energy transfer method between the two fluids.

Among various types of heat exchangers, there are a plate type heat exchanger, a radiation fin tube heat exchanger, and a tube heat exchanger as a method for exchanging only energy by separating heat exchange fluids so as not to mix them.

In particular, in the case of the radiation fin tube heat exchanger (hereinafter referred to as a 'heat pipe heat exchanger') using a heat pipe, it is possible to transfer heat from the high temperature portion to the low temperature portion without requiring additional power, and since it is easy to clean against contamination, the heat pipe heat exchanger is used in various types of heat transfer devices.

<FIG> shows an example of a conventional heat pipe heat exchanger <NUM>. As shown, when heat is exchanged using the heat pipe heat exchanger <NUM>, a high temperature gas HT is flowed into a high temperature chamber 4a of a high temperature portion <NUM> to heat a heat pipe <NUM>, and then discharged to the outside. In addition, a low temperature fluid LT passing through a low temperature chamber 3a of a low temperature portion <NUM> installed above the high temperature portion <NUM> exchanges heat with the heat pipe <NUM> and is then discharged to the outside of the low temperature chamber 3a.

Here, in order to prevent the high temperature gas HT flowed into the high temperature chamber 4a and the low temperature fluid LT flowed into the low temperature chamber 3a from mixing with each other, a separation plate <NUM> is installed between the high temperature portion <NUM> and the low temperature portion <NUM>.

In the conventional heat pipe heat exchanger <NUM> as described above, as shown in <FIG>, a coupling portion 2b is formed in the middle of the heat pipe <NUM> and is screwed to the separation plate <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the heat pipe <NUM> couples heat radiation fins 2a to expand a heat exchange area.

However, in order to couple the heat pipe <NUM> and the separation plate <NUM>, the heat pipe <NUM> has to be inserted into the separation plate <NUM> from the high temperature part <NUM> side to the low temperature part <NUM> side or from the low temperature part <NUM> side to the high temperature part <NUM> side. For this reason, the heat radiation fins 2a cannot be coupled to a portion of the heat pipe <NUM> which is inserted and the heat radiation fins 2a can be coupled to only a portion thereof which is not inserted.

Therefore, in the conventional heat pipe heat exchanger <NUM>, because of the assembly of the heat pipe <NUM>, the heat radiation fins 2a for expanding the heat exchange area can be formed on only one selected side of the low temperature portion side and the high temperature portion side, and consequently, there is a problem that the heat exchange efficiency is reduced.

As prior art for the present invention, <CIT> (title of the invention: modular heat exchanger) can be exemplified. Heat pipe heat exchangers according to the preamble of claim <NUM> are disclosed in documents <CIT> and <CIT>.

The present invention has been created to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a heat pipe heat exchanger implemented to improve heat exchange performance by coupling heat radiation fins for expanding a heat exchange area of a heat pipe to both sides of a high temperature portion and a low temperature portion.

A heat pipe heat exchanger of the present invention includes a high temperature portion formed with a high temperature chamber through which a high temperature fluid flows in and out; a low temperature portion formed with a low temperature chamber through which a low temperature fluid flows in and out; a separation plate installed between the high temperature portion and the low temperature portion to partition the high temperature portion and the low temperature portion; and a plurality of heat exchange units installed to pass through the separation plate and transferring heat from the high temperature portion to the low temperature portion for heat exchange, in which the separating plate includes a pair of first separation portions spaced apart from each other, a plurality of second separation portions disposed between the pair of first separation plates, and a pair of guide rails that slidably support both ends of the first and second separation portions, and are spaced apart from each other, and the plurality of heat exchange portions are inserted and fixed between the first separation portion and the second separation portion, and between the second separation portions adjacent to each other.

The heat exchange unit may include a heat pipe, a high temperature radiation fin disposed in the high temperature portion and coupled to an outer circumferential surface of the heat pipe to expand a heat exchange area, and a low temperature radiation fin disposed in the low temperature portion and coupled to the outer circumferential surface of the heat pipe to expand a heat exchange area.

The pair of first separation portions may be formed with a plurality of semicircular first insertion grooves into which the heat pipes are inserted, the plurality of second separation portions may be formed with a plurality of semicircular second insertion grooves into which the heat pipes are inserted, side by side on both sides in a width direction, and the heat pipe may be inserted and fixed between the first insertion groove and the second insertion groove, and between the second insertion grooves adjacent to each other. Here, it is preferable that the second insertion grooves are disposed to be staggered from each other rather than side by side along the width direction.

In the heat pipe, a portion exposed between the high temperature radiation fin and the low temperature radiation fin may be inserted and fixed between the first insertion groove and the second insertion groove, and between the second insertion grooves adjacent to each other.

On the other hand, in the guide rail, a guide groove may be formed for guiding ends of the first separation portion and the second separation portion to slide. In addition, the first separation portion may include a first plate in which the plurality of first insertion grooves are formed, and a pair of first slide portions respectively protruding from both ends of the first plate and slidably installed in the guide groove. Here, the first slide portion and the guide rail may be coupled by bolt.

In addition, the second separation portion may include a second plate on which the plurality of second insertion grooves are formed, and a pair of second slide portions respectively protruding from both ends of the second plate and slidably installed in the guide groove. Here, the second slide portion and the guide rail may be coupled by bolt.

The heat pipe heat exchanger of the present invention described above may further include a plurality of sealing members interposed between the first and second separation portions, and the heat exchange unit to maintain airtightness between the low temperature portion and the high temperature portion, in which in the first and second separation portions, sealing grooves into which the sealing member is inserted may be respectively formed on an insertion surface of the heat exchange unit. Here, the sealing member may be a line O-ring.

According to the heat pipe heat exchanger of the present invention, since the first and second separation portions that can be separated and coupled to each other in order to separate the high temperature portion and the low temperature portion, even if the heat radiation fins for expanding the heat exchange area are coupled to both the high temperature portion and the low temperature portion of the heat pipe, the separation plate and the heat pipe can be easily coupled. In this way, the heat exchange efficiency can be improved by expanding the heat exchange area to both the high temperature portion and the low temperature portion of the heat pipe.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the examples shown in the drawings, this is only exemplary, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent other examples are possible therefrom. Therefore, the true technical scope of protection of the present invention has to be determined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.

Hereinafter, a heat pipe heat exchanger according to an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a perspective view of coupling of a heat pipe heat exchanger according to an example of the present invention, and <FIG> is a plan view of <FIG>.

Referring to the drawings, a heat pipe heat exchanger <NUM> of the present invention includes a high temperature portion H, a low temperature portion L, a separation plate <NUM>, and a heat exchange portion <NUM>.

A high temperature chamber HR is formed in the high temperature portion H, and a high temperature fluid HT such as hot gas flows in and out of the high temperature chamber HR.

A low temperature chamber LR is formed in the low temperature portion L, and a low temperature fluid LT such as water flows in and out of the low temperature chamber LR.

The separation plate <NUM> is installed between the high temperature portion H and the low temperature portion L to separate and partition the high temperature portion H and the low temperature portion L.

The heat exchange portion <NUM> transfers heat from the high temperature portion H to the low temperature portion L. <FIG> is a perspective view showing such a heat exchange unit <NUM>.

As shown, the heat exchange unit <NUM> includes a heat pipe <NUM>, high temperature radiation fins <NUM> disposed in the high temperature portion H, and low temperature radiation fins <NUM> disposed in the low temperature portion L.

The heat pipe <NUM> is generally made by vacuuming an inside of a metal pipe and adding a small amount of refrigerant. The refrigerant (typically water) is determined according to a temperature to be used, and the refrigerant. a metal (usually copper) that does not react with the refrigerant is selected according to the refrigerant to make the pipe. When the temperature difference between a heating portion and a cooling portion at both ends of the heat pipe <NUM> occurs, the refrigerant in the heat pipe <NUM> convects both ends of the heat pipe <NUM> while holding the heat, thereby transferring heat.

The high temperature radiation fins <NUM> and the low temperature radiation fins <NUM> are coupled to an outer circumferential surface of the heat pipe <NUM> to expand a heat exchange area. Here, the high temperature radiation fins <NUM> and the low temperature radiation fins <NUM> may be made into an annular shape as shown, but this is exemplary and does not limit the shape thereof.

Hereinafter, the separation plate <NUM> partitioning the high temperature portion H and the low temperature portion L will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, and an assembling process of the separation plate <NUM> and the heat exchange portion <NUM> will be described.

<FIG> is a perspective view showing a first separation portion <NUM> of the separation plate <NUM> shown in <FIG>, <FIG> is a perspective view showing a second separation portion <NUM> of the separation plate <NUM> shown in <FIG>, and <FIG> is a perspective view showing a guide rail <NUM> of the separation plate <NUM> shown in <FIG>. In addition, <FIG> are perspective views sequentially explaining for the assembling process of the heat exchange unit <NUM> and the separation plate <NUM> in the heat pipe heat exchanger <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

Referring to the drawings, the separation plate <NUM> includes a pair of first separation portions <NUM>, a plurality of second separation portions <NUM>, and a pair of guide rails <NUM>.

The pair of first separation plates <NUM> are spaced apart from each other. Each of the first separation plates <NUM> may include a first plate <NUM> on which a plurality of first insertion grooves 1111a are formed, and a pair of first slide portions <NUM> protruding from both ends of the first plate <NUM>, respectively. Here, the first insertion grooves 1111a have a semicircular shape and one side of the heat pipe <NUM> is inserted thereto.

The plurality of second separation plates <NUM> are disposed between the pair of first separation plates <NUM> spaced apart from each other. In addition, each of the second separation plates <NUM> may include a second plate <NUM> having a plurality of second insertion grooves 1121a formed thereon, and a pair of second slide portions 1121a protruding from both ends of the second plate <NUM>, respectively. Here, the second insertion grooves 1121a have a semicircular shape and the other side of the heat pipe <NUM> is inserted thereto. In addition, these second insertion grooves 1121a are formed side by side on both sides in a width direction.

The pair of guide rails <NUM> are spaced apart from each other to slidably support both ends of the first and second separation plates <NUM> and <NUM>. To this end, guide grooves 1130a are formed to slidably guide both ends of the first and second separation plates <NUM> and <NUM>. That is, the first slide portion <NUM> of the first separation portion <NUM> and the second slide portion <NUM> of the second separation portion <NUM> slide along the guide groove 1130a.

In the structure of the separation plate <NUM> as described above, the heat exchange unit <NUM> is inserted and fixed between the first insertion groove 1111a and the second insertion groove 1121a, and between the second insertion grooves 1121a adjacent to each other. More specifically, an exposed portion of the heat pipe <NUM> is inserted and fixed between the high temperature radiation fin <NUM> and the low temperature radiation fin <NUM> in the heat exchange unit <NUM>.

In order to form grooves or holes for inserting and fixing the heat pipe <NUM>, the first insertion groove 1111a and the second insertion groove 1121a have to be formed at positions corresponding to each other. In addition, it is preferable that the second insertion grooves 1121a are not parallel to each other in the width direction, but are staggered from each other. Accordingly, the heat exchange unit <NUM> is evenly distributed throughout the high temperature chamber HR and the low temperature chamber LR, so that overall heat exchange efficiency can be improved.

Meanwhile, in order to maintain airtightness between the low temperature portion L and the high temperature portion H, a sealing member <NUM> may be intervened between the first separation portion <NUM>, the second separation portion <NUM>, and the heat exchange unit <NUM>. To this end, in the first separation portion <NUM> and the second separation portion <NUM>, sealing grooves 1111b and 1121b into which the sealing members <NUM> are inserted may be respectively formed on an insertion surface of the heat exchange unit <NUM>. A line O-ring may be used as the sealing member <NUM>, but its structure or material is not limited.

Hereinafter, the assembling process of the heat exchange unit <NUM> and the separation plate <NUM> in the heat pipe heat exchanger <NUM> according to the present invention will be sequentially described with reference to <FIG>.

First, as shown in <FIG>, the first separation portion <NUM> is fixedly installed to the pair of guide rails <NUM>. To this end, the first slide portion <NUM> of the first separation portion <NUM> is slid along the guide groove 1130a of the guide rail <NUM>. Then, the first slide portion <NUM> and the guide rail <NUM> are fixed. As shown, the first slide portion <NUM> and the guide rail <NUM> may be fixed by bolt coupling, but this is exemplary and may be fixed through other fastening methods.

When the first separation portion <NUM> is fixed, the sealing member <NUM> such as a line O-ring is inserted into the sealing groove 1111b of the first separation portion <NUM>.

Next, as shown in <FIG>, one side surface of a portion of the heat pipe <NUM> exposed between the high temperature radiation fin <NUM> and the low temperature radiation fin <NUM> is inserted into the first insertion groove 1111a of the first separation portion <NUM>.

Next, the second slide portion <NUM> of the second separation portion <NUM> in which the sealing member <NUM> is inserted into the sealing groove 1121b is slid into the guide groove 1130a of the guide rail <NUM>. Accordingly, the other surface of the heat pipe <NUM>, one side of which is inserted into the first insertion groove 1111a of the first separation portion <NUM>, is inserted into the second insertion groove 1121a formed on one side of the second separation portion <NUM>.

When the heat pipe <NUM> is inserted between the first insertion groove 1111a and the second insertion groove 1121a, the second slide portion <NUM> and the guide rail <NUM> are fixed. Here, as shown in <FIG>, the second slide portion <NUM> and the guide rail <NUM> may be fixed by bolt coupling, but the fixing method is not limited.

Next, as shown in <FIG>, the sealing member <NUM> is inserted into the sealing groove 1121b of the second separation portion <NUM>. Then, one side of other heat pipes <NUM> is inserted into the second insertion groove 1121a formed on the other side of the second separation portion <NUM>.

Next, the second slide portion <NUM> of the second separation portion <NUM> in which the sealing member <NUM> is inserted into the sealing groove 1121b is slid into the guide groove 1130a of the guide rail <NUM>. Accordingly, the other side of the heat pipe <NUM> inserted into the second insertion groove 1121a of the second separation portion <NUM> adjacent to one side thereof is inserted. In a state where the heat pipes <NUM> are inserted into the second insertion grooves 1121a of the adjacent second separation plates <NUM> as described above, they are fixed to the guide rails <NUM> using bolts or the like.

After repeating the assembling process of the heat exchange unit <NUM> and the second separation portion <NUM> as described above, and finally assembling the first separation portion <NUM>, the assembly of the separation plate <NUM> and the heat exchange unit <NUM> is completed.

Claim 1:
A heat pipe heat exchanger (<NUM>) comprising:
a high temperature portion (H) formed with a high temperature chamber (HR) through which a high temperature fluid (HT) flows in and out;
a low temperature portion (L) formed with a low temperature chamber (LR) through which a low temperature fluid (LT) flows in and out;
a separation plate (<NUM>) installed between the high temperature portion and the low temperature portion to partition the high temperature portion and the low temperature portion; and
a plurality of heat exchange units installed to pass through the separation plate and transferring heat from the high temperature portion to the low temperature portion for heat exchange,
characterised in that the separating plate includes
a pair of first separation portions (<NUM>) spaced apart from each other,
a plurality of second separation portions (<NUM>) disposed between the pair of first separation plates, and
a pair of guide rails (<NUM>) that slidably support both ends of the first and second separation portions, and are spaced apart from each other, and
the plurality of heat exchange portions are inserted and fixed between the first separation portion and the second separation portion, and between the second separation portions adjacent to each other.