DE102011079637A1 - Process for the preparation of a seawater-resistant cooling plate and apparatus produced by this method and their use - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a cold plate and to an apparatus made by the method and the use thereof, the method comprising the steps of providing at least first and at least one second plate (10, 10 ') each with recesses (13) and arranging the at least two plates (10, 10 ') one above the other in such a way that recesses (13) of the at least one first plate (10) overlap with recesses (13) of the at least one second plate (10') and continuous cooling channels along a longitudinal direction (30) in a plane of the plates (10, 10 ') are formed, and connecting the at least one first and the at least one second plate (10, 10'). The at least one first and the at least one second plate (10, 10 ') are each made of a multilayer structure of CuNi10Fe.

Description

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a cold plate and to an apparatus made by the method and the use thereof, the method comprising the steps of providing at least a first and at least a second plate each with recesses and arranging the at least two plates over each other such that recesses of the at least one first plate overlap recesses of the at least one second plate and continuous cooling channels are formed along a longitudinal direction in a plane of the plates, and connecting the at least one first and the at least one second plate.

In the cooling of electrical power components, such as e.g. of converters and energy storage, water or water-glycol mixtures are used as the cooling medium at high power densities. The cooling medium circulates in a closed cooling circuit and prevents, by cooling, destruction of the power components due to excessive temperatures, at which e.g. individual components become mechanically and / or chemically unstable.

On ships, in off-shore facilities or near the coast, cooling in an open circuit with seawater is possible. This could save the heat exchanger used in closed cooling circuits for cooling liquid recooling. The high susceptibility to corrosion of materials in cooling circuits according to the prior art, such as known from WO2011038988A2 but prevents cooling in an open circuit using seawater. Seawater has a high salt and oxygen content, which leads in materials such as aluminum to severe corrosion and thus destruction in a short time.

The processing of more corrosion resistant fabrics, e.g. in the form of cooling coils made of copper or stainless steel in an aluminum plate, is very complicated and expensive. In the processing of cooling coils embedded in plates can lead to delamination, which deteriorates heat transfer and thus the function of a cooling plate.

The object of the method according to the invention is therefore to specify a possibility of producing a cooling plate which is not susceptible to corrosion in a simple and cost-effective manner and which can also be operated with strongly corrosive cooling liquids. In particular, it is an object to provide a method which results in a cooling plate, which can be used in open cooling circuits, operated with seawater. Furthermore, it is an object to provide a device and its use for cooling, which can be produced particularly favorable and stable by means of the method according to the invention and results in a particularly corrosion-resistant cooling plate.

The stated object is achieved with respect to the method for producing a cooling plate with the features of claim 1, with respect to the device produced by the method with the features of claim 10, and with respect to their use with the features of claim 13.

Advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention for producing a cooling plate, the device produced by the method and their use, will become apparent from the respective associated dependent claims. The features of the main claim with features of the subclaims and / or features of subclaims can be combined with each other.

The inventive method for producing a cooling plate comprises the steps of providing at least one first and at least one second plate each with recesses, and arranging the at least two plates one above the other such that recesses of the at least one first plate overlap with recesses of the at least one second plate. In this case, continuous cooling channels are formed along a longitudinal direction in a plane of the plates. Another step is connecting the at least one first and the at least one second plate to one another. The at least one first and the at least one second plate are each made of a multilayer structure of CuNi10Fe.

An advantage of the method according to the invention is that a corrosion-resistant cooling plate is provided, which is simple and inexpensive to produce and can be operated in open cooling water circuits with seawater. The use of multi-layered structures of the respective plates of CuNi10 Fe and the creation of cooling channels by superimposing and connecting the plates with their recesses to form continuous cooling channels, allows for easier manufacture than when using tubular cooling coils made of a material, each embedded in a plate a second non-corrosion resistant material as known in the art.

In the method according to the invention, the steps can take place chronologically successively in the order: production, provision and arrangement of the plates, with a following Step connect, forming a temporally and mechanically stable connection of the at least one first and the at least one second plate. In this case, a fluid-tight connection in a circumferentially closed edge region of the at least two plates can be produced. The cooling plate, which is thus produced from the plates with recesses, comprises cooling channels in the interior, which are fluid-tight against the outer environment of the cooling plate with the exception of the inlets and outlets.

The recesses in the plates, which form the cooling channels can be produced by punching. This is a simple and inexpensive form of production, which leads to time and cost savings especially in the manufacture of large quantities.

The recesses may be formed in the form of regular patterns in the two plates, respectively. The two or more plates may have an identical shape. This further reduces production costs and manufacturing costs. By disposing the second plate 180 degrees about the one longitudinal direction in the plane of the plates on the at least one first plate, it is possible to easily align the plates to form the cooling channels. The effort to align and adjust the plates to form continuous cooling channels in the cooling plate is thereby reduced.

The at least two plates can be bonded to the outer edge by surface brazing, or surface brazing, or spot welding across the surface. These compounds are inexpensive, very mechanically stable, durable, not susceptible to corrosion and can be made fluid-tight.

The plates can also be mechanically stable connected by brackets, and / or fittings, in particular with holes as a guide for the screw. About the screw through guides, e.g. formed in the corners of the plates as bores, an alignment of the plates to the desired arrangement of the recesses can be easily overlapping superimposed.

As plates, plates with a thickness of at least 4 mm can be used. The continuous cooling channels can be formed with a minimum diameter of more than 4 mm. Thereby, the cooling channels can be formed to be large enough to lead to moderate flow rates of the cooling fluid in use of the cooling plate. As a result, a long life and durability of the cooling plate is achieved. The wear e.g. By mechanical wear in flow of cooling fluid with small particles is kept low or within limits.

The at least two plates can be sandwiched between a base and a cover plate, wherein inlets and outlets for a fluid in the base and / or cover plate, in particular with connections, are arranged such that a fluidic contact of the inlets and outlets is formed to the formed cooling channels in the at least two plates. This results in a simple way a mechanically stable, inexpensive, durable cooling plate from the plates with recesses arranged between the base and cover plate.

The device according to the invention, produced by the method described above, has the at least two plates each with dimensions in the range of 0.1-0.6 m width times 0.1-0.6 m in length and in each case with a thickness d of at least 2 mm , The width b of formed cooling channels may be in the range of 5 to 30 mm, with a leg length l of the recesses, in particular of Y-shaped recesses, in the range of 5 to 30 mm, a length a of overlaps of the recesses in the range of 2 to 20 mm and with connection channels, which have a width k in the range of 5 to 50 mm. The described device according to the invention thus has the advantages previously described under the method according to the invention.

The base plate may have a thickness d 'in the range of 1 to 20 mm and / or the cover plate may have a thickness d' in the range of 1 to 10 mm. As a result, the device obtains sufficient mechanical stability and, for the production or improvement of the fluidic tightness of the device or cooling channels, a mechanical contact pressure can be exerted on the plates with recesses, for example by means of the base and cover plates. with the help of clamps or screw connections between the base and the cover plate.

A use according to the invention of the previously described device and / or device produced by the method described above comprises that seawater flows through the cooling channels as cooling medium. The use of seawater as a cooling fluid has the advantages described above, in particular, a simple, inexpensive open cooling circuit can be used without a heat exchanger.

Preferred embodiments of the invention with advantageous developments according to the features of the dependent claims are explained in more detail with reference to the following figures, but without being limited thereto.

Show it:

1 a top view of a single plate with recesses, and

2 an oblique view of a cooling plate according to the invention, consisting of a base and cover plate and a first and a second plate with recesses, which form continuous cooling channels, and

3 an enlarged view of the oblique view 2 with dimensions.

In 1 is a plate 10 with Y-shaped recesses 13 and connection channels 11 shown. Holes for mechanical fastening 12 can take the form of circular holes in the plate 10 or both in the plate 10 as well as in the neighboring plates 20 . 21 be executed. The inlets and outlets allow fluids to pass into or over a plate above or below 10 . 20 , or 21 be added or removed.

In the 1 shown Y-shaped recesses 13 are each formed of straight, equal parts with a length l in the range of eg 5 mm to 30 mm, which touch at one end and are mutually rotated by 120 °. recesses 13 but may also have other shapes, such as triangular shape, circular shape or T-shape. The recesses are completely continuous through a plate 10 , For example, formed a rectangular, thin CuNi10Fe sheet having a thickness d in the range of, for example, 4 mm. They can be stamped into the sheet metal, milled, cut by a laser or formed by other methods. The recesses 13 are arranged so that they form a regular pattern and each have a distance to the nearest neighbor, which is smaller than a single or at least smaller than a double leg length l.

At the ends along the width of the rectangular plate 10 are each arranged parallel to each other, elongated connection channels 11 designed as recesses. The length of the connection channels 11 is nearly equal to or less than the total length of the plate 10 and is for example in the range of about 0.1-0.6 m. The plate length may be in the range of 0.1-0.6 m, and the plate width may be in the range of about 0.1-0.6 m.

In 2 a cooling plate according to the invention is shown. The cooling plate comprises a plate stack of base plate 20 , two plates with recesses 10 and a cover plate 21 , The two plates with recesses 10 are sandwiched between the base plate 20 and the cover plate 21 arranged. In the base and in the cover plate 20 . 21 are additions and withdrawals 12 formed for the supply and discharge of a cooling fluid, and these are in fluidic contact with the connection channels 11 or at least with recesses 13 trained cooling channels in the plates 10 , The base and cover plates can have the same circumferential dimensions as the plates 10 have a length in the range of 0.1-0.6 m and a width in the range of 0.1-0.6 m. The thickness d of the base and cover plate 20 . 21 may differ from the thickness d of the plates 10 , lie in the range of 1 to 10 mm.

In the embodiment, which in 2 are shown, which are sandwiched between the base and cover plate 20 . 21 arranged two plates 10 the same in 1 represented plate 10 , The two plates 10 each have the same shape and dimensions. It can also be more than two plates for the cooling plate according to the invention 10 be used. Im in 2 illustrated embodiment, the second plate 10 about an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction 30 the plate 10 rotated by 180 °, and on the first plate 10 each congruent with the outer edges. This results in a plate stack, in which recesses 13 neighboring plates 10 each at their ends, in the case of Y-shaped recesses 13 at each of the three ends of the Y, overlap. The length a of the overlap of adjacent recesses 13 is for example in the range of 2 to 20 mm. They form along a direction in the plane of the plates 10 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 30 through continuous cooling channels, which the connection channels 11 Fluidly connect to each other on opposite sides. The channels may have a width b in the range of 5 to 30 mm, with connection channels 11 have a width in the range of 5 to 50 mm.

In order to get a previously described stack of plates fluidically tight, the plates can be mechanically pressed together. This is done by screw, not shown, brackets or other means for applying pressure. A permanent seal is usually only if additionally adjacent plates 10 as well as the plates 10 and in each case the base plate 20 and the cover plate 21 be soldered flat or welded together flat. This leads to a long-term stable fluid-tight connection.

The plates as well as the base and cover plates can be made up of CuNi10Fe layers, which are built up of laminated single layers. It is also possible to build up the plates from deposited layers instead of laminated foils. Thus, for example, thin layers via electrodeposition, sputtering, vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or metal organic chemical Vapor Deposition (MOCVD) are stacked on a thin substrate. A deposition can, for example, before a formation of the recesses 13 and connection channels 11 take place or areas of the recesses 13 and connection channels 11 can be covered by a mask during a deposition. recesses 13 and connection channels 11 can then be done, for example, by etching the substrate without etching the deposited layers.

A preferred variant, because inexpensive and easy to produce, is the use of prefabricated CuNi10Fe plates in which the recesses are formed by punching. The plates may be in the form of sheets or in the form of laminated films. When using plates of the same pattern, a plurality of superimposed plates can be punched out simultaneously, and by rotation of adjacent plates, e.g. by 180 ° then the cooling channels are formed.

In 3 is an enlarged section of the in 2 shown plate stack shown in an oblique view. Overlaps of recesses 13 and the dimensions are from the in 3 shown picture very clearly visible.

For mounting the plates and base and cover plate to a cooling plate, not shown holes can be provided near the areas of the corners of the plates in the figures for the sake of simplicity. These can serve as guides for screw connections with the aid of screws and nuts. Via the screw connection, the plates can be pressed together mechanically via the base and cover plate, which improves the fluidic sealing of the cooling channels.

The embodiments described above may be used alone or in combination as well as in connection with the prior art.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

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Cited patent literature

• WO 2011038988 A2 [0003]

Claims (13)

Method for producing a cooling plate, comprising the steps of: - providing at least one first plate ( 10 ) with recesses ( 13 ), and - providing at least one second plate ( 10 ' ) with recesses ( 13 ), and - arranging the at least one first and the at least one second plate ( 10 . 10 ' ) one above the other such that recesses ( 13 ) of the at least one first plate ( 10 ) with recesses ( 13 ) of the at least one second plate ( 10 ' ) overlap and continuous cooling channels along a longitudinal direction ( 30 ) in a plane of the plates ( 10 . 10 ' ), and - connecting the at least one first and the at least one second plate ( 10 . 10 ' ), characterized in that the at least one first and the at least one second plate ( 10 . 10 ' ) are each made of a multilayer structure of CuNi10Fe. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the steps in chronological order in the order of producing, providing and arranging the plates ( 10 . 10 ' ), with a subsequent step, connecting to form a temporally and mechanically stable connection of the at least one first and the at least one second plate ( 10 . 10 ' ), in particular forming a fluid-tight connection in a peripherally closed edge region of the at least two plates ( 10 . 10 ' ). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recesses ( 13 ) are produced by punching and / or that the recesses ( 13 ) in the form of regular patterns in each case in the two plates ( 10 . 10 ' ) be formed. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that as at least one second plate ( 10 ' ) a plate having an identical shape of the at least one first plate ( 10 ) is used and the at least one second plate ( 10 . 10 ' ) rotated 180 degrees about the one longitudinal direction ( 30 ) in the plane of the plates ( 10 . 10 ' ) on the at least one first plate ( 10 ) is arranged. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least two plates ( 10 . 10 ' ) are connected by surface soldering, or surface brazing, or spot welding over the surface with sealing at the outer edge. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plates ( 10 . 10 ' ) Are mechanically stable connected by brackets, and / or fittings, especially with holes as a guide for the screw. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that plates ( 10 . 10 ' ) with a thickness of at least 4 mm. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the continuous cooling channels are formed with a minimum diameter of more than 2 mm. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least two plates ( 10 . 10 ' ) Sandwich-like between a basic ( 20 ) and a cover plate ( 21 ), with additions and removals ( 12 ) for a fluid in the basic ( 20 ) and / or cover plate ( 21 ), in particular with connections ( 12 ), are arranged such that a fluidic contact of the inlets and outlets ( 12 ) to the formed cooling channels in the at least two plates ( 10 . 10 ' ) is formed. Device manufactured by a method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least two plates ( 10 . 10 ' ) each have dimensions in the range of 0.1-0.6 m width times 0.1-0.6 m in length and have a thickness d of at least 2 mm. Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the width b of formed cooling channels in the range of 5 to 30 mm, a leg length l of the recesses ( 13 ), in particular of Y-shaped recesses ( 13 ), in the range of 5 to 30 mm, a length a of overlaps of the recesses ( 13 ) in the range of 2 to 20 mm and connecting channels ( 11 ) have a width k in the range of 5 to 50 mm. Device according to one of claims 10 or 11, characterized in that a base plate ( 20 ) has a thickness d 'in the range of 1 to 10 mm and / or that a cover plate ( 21 ) has a thickness d 'in the range of 1 to 10 mm. Use of a device produced by the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and / or a device according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that flows as a cooling medium seawater through the cooling channels.

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