EP2756255A1

EP2756255A1 - Multi-layer evaporator for motor vehicle air-conditioning circuit

Info

Publication number: EP2756255A1
Application number: EP12758858.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sylvain Moreau; François Busson; Régine Haller; Mohamed Yahia; Bertrand Nicolas
Original assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques SAS
Current assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques SAS
Priority date: 2011-09-16
Filing date: 2012-09-13
Publication date: 2014-07-23
Also published as: US9683764B2; FR2980260B1; FR2980260A1; WO2013037898A1; JP2014526415A; US20140373570A1

Abstract

Evaporator, notably for motor vehicle air-conditioning circuit. According to the invention, the evaporator (1), which comprises three layers - upstream (2), intermediate (3) and downstream (4) - through which there flows a coolant that enters the evaporator (1) via the intermediate layer (3) and leaves the evaporator via the upstream layer (2) to cool an air flow (A) passing in succession across said upstream (2), intermediate (3) and downstream (4) layers, comprises means (5E) for inducing a pressure drop between the outlet of the intermediate layer (3) and the inlet of the downstream layer (4).

Description

Multi-layer evaporator for vehicle air conditioning system

automotive

The present invention relates to an evaporator, in particular for a motor vehicle air conditioning circuit.

In particular, the invention relates to evaporators formed of several plies arranged in parallel planes.

By the patent application FR-2920045 (of which the Applicant is the owner), there is already known such a multi-layer evaporator which comprises:

three adjacent two-to-two plies - respectively referred to as upstream, intermediate and downstream plies because of their arrangement with respect to the direction of flow of the air flow - which extend in parallel planes, each ply being formed of a plurality of parallel channels traversed by a refrigerant fluid to be evaporated, so as to cool a flow of air successively passing through said upstream, intermediate and downstream plies in an incident direction directed substantially orthogonal to the planes of the plies. The intermediate and downstream layers form an evaporator core. The upstream sheet is in turn capable of ensuring overheating of the refrigerant after passing through the evaporator core; and fluid distribution means arranged at the two ends of the plies to ensure the distribution and collection of the refrigerant fluid in the different channels of each of the plies.

The channels are made either from individual heat exchange plates connected to each other so as to define a desired flow of the fluid, or from individual tubes joined at both ends by manifolds whose internal structure determines the different passes of circulation of the refrigerant fluid, for example by means of intermediate partitions provided in these boxes and insulating subgroups of channels of a sheet. By "circulation pass" is meant the course of the cooling fluid in a channel of a sheet. The distribution means (configuration of the plates or internal partitioning of the manifolds) can be designed to allow a flow in several passes with reversals of a pass to the next.

The incident air stream to be cooled, passing through the intervals between the channels of the sheets, gives heat to the refrigerant, which passes from the liquid state to the gaseous state. The air flow thus cooled can be used for the air conditioning of the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle.

Moreover, it is known that, in order to optimize the thermal efficiency and the cooling performance of such evaporators, it is essential to maximize the temperature difference between the incident air and the cooled air leaving the evaporator while maintaining a good homogeneity of temperature across all regions (right / left, up / down) thereof. This involves controlling the evaporation process, particularly from the point of view of the distribution of the coolant flow rate in the channels and that of the pressure drops within the various regions of the evaporator. A good distribution will be ensured if the difference in charge loss between the inlet and the outlet of the evaporator, through each channel, is maintained at a relatively low level.

The present invention aims to improve the thermal efficiency and cooling performance of the aforementioned evaporators by maximizing the temperature difference between the incident air and the cooled outgoing air.

For this purpose, according to the invention, the evaporator, in particular for a motor vehicle air-conditioning circuit, comprising at least three plies, respectively upstream, intermediate and downstream, extending in parallel planes, each ply being formed a plurality of channels in which is intended to circulate, according to a predefined circulation, a refrigerant fluid to be evaporated to cool a flow of air successively passing through said upstream, intermediate and downstream plies,

is remarkable: - in that the refrigerant enters the evaporator by the intermediate web and out of it by the upstream web, after passing through the downstream web; and

- In that the evaporator comprises means for introducing a pressure drop between the outlet of the intermediate layer and the inlet of the downstream layer.

Thus, thanks to the invention, the refrigerant is relieved by the additional pressure loss located between the intermediate layer and the downstream layer, thereby lowering the temperature of the refrigerant circulating in the downstream layer. The temperature variation between the incident air and the air leaving the evaporator is thus increased relative to the known evaporators mentioned above.

The merit of the Applicant has therefore been to voluntarily introduce, at a predefined and localized location, a pressure drop that is homogeneous for all the channels without degradation of the performance of the evaporator. In doing so, it went against the prejudices of a person skilled in the art who, in order to optimize the cooling performance, endeavors to reduce or eliminate as much as possible the pressure drops within the evaporators.

Advantageously, the pressure drop obtained by the means for introducing a pressure drop is between 0.5 bar and 1 bar. The pressure difference of the refrigerant between the inlet and the outlet of the means for introducing a pressure drop is negative, which allows for the desired expansion of the refrigerant fluid, which may cause cooling of the latter.

Preferably, the means for introducing a pressure drop are formed by at least one end channel of the downstream sheet through which the refrigerant passes through after passing through the intermediate layer. In this case, the pressure drop introduction means are integrated in the downstream layer.

In one embodiment according to the present invention, the channels of each of the plies are formed of individual tubes joined at both ends by a first and a second glue box. devices comprising means for distributing the cooling fluid in said layers and for ensuring the predefined circulation of the refrigerant in the different tubes; and said manifolds are configured to circulate all of the refrigerant fluid, having passed through the intermediate sheet, into the end channel of the downstream sheet, introducing the pressure drop, so that it delivers the cooling fluid into said sheet. downstream.

As a variant, the means for introducing a pressure drop can be in the form of at least one external tube, of predetermined section, which connects the intermediate ply to the downstream ply, in such a way that the refrigerant, after passing through the intermediate layer, is delivered in the downstream layer. The section of the outer tube is advantageously chosen so as to obtain a pressure drop of between 0.5 bar and 1 bar.

Moreover, the inlet and the outlet of the refrigerant fluid of the evaporator can be made at the same side face of the evaporator.

In addition, the evaporator may comprise a connection, integrated or reported, for the transfer of the refrigerant from the downstream ply to the upstream ply, through which the first air to cool.

The present invention also relates to a housing of a ventilation, heating and / or air conditioning installation, in particular of a passenger compartment of an automobile vehicle, comprising an evaporator as mentioned above.

In addition, the invention also relates to an air conditioning circuit in which a refrigerant circulates, comprising at least one compressor, an external heat exchanger, an evaporator of the type described above and, optionally, a heat exchanger. inside.

The figures of the appended drawing will make it clear how the invention can be realized. In these figures, identical references designate similar elements.

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an evaporator according to the present invention. Figure 2 is a schematic top view of the evaporator of Figure 1, which is symbolized the flow of refrigerant in the three layers of the evaporator.

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates the circulation of the refrigerant fluid in the three layers of the evaporator of FIGS. 1 and 2, shown in an exploded perspective view.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show very schematically an embodiment of an evaporator 1 according to the present invention.

In a particular (but not limiting) application of the present invention, the evaporator 1 is integrated in a motor vehicle air conditioning circuit (not shown in the figures) operating at least in a heat pump mode, the evaporator being disposed in a housing of the ventilation system, heating and / or air conditioning of the vehicle (not shown).

As shown in these figures, the evaporator 1, which extends over a width I in a longitudinal direction x, a depth p in a transverse direction y and a height h in a vertical direction z, comprises three plies, respectively upstream 2, intermediate 3 and downstream 4, which extend in planes parallel to the plane (x, z) and in which is intended to circulate, in a predefined circulation (detailed below), a refrigerant fluid to be evaporated to cool an air flow (symbolized by the arrow A) successively crossing the upstream plies 2, intermediate 3 and downstream 4. In other words, the upstream, intermediate and downstream plies are arranged one behind the other along the y direction.

Each ply 2, 3, 4 is formed of a plurality of longitudinal tubes

5 - extending in the vertical direction z and regularly distributed in the longitudinal direction y - within which the refrigerant can pass.

According to the invention, the refrigerant fluid enters the evaporator 1, at the level of an inlet / outlet side face F1, via the intermediate ply 3 and leaves it from the upstream ply 2, after having crossed the downstream aquifer. upstream sheet 2 is a sheet of reheating of the refrigerant after the evaporation thereof during the crossing of the intermediate layers 3 and downstream 4.

The evaporator 1 also comprises two collector boxes respectively lower 6 and upper 7 - of elongate shape in the longitudinal direction x - within which the tubes 5 of each of said plies 2, 3, 4 emerge. The two longitudinal ends tubes 5 are therefore received respectively in the lower manifold 6 and in the upper manifold 7.

The bottom 6 and upper 7 manifold boxes are configured to define a path of the refrigerant fluid in the three plies 2, 3, 4 between an inlet and a fluid outlet (symbolized by the arrows E and S).

In particular, the lower and upper manifold boxes 7 may each comprise a bottom plate (not shown) and a cover 6A, 7A attached thereto. The bottom plate and the cover 6A, 7A of each of the manifolds 6 and 7 have a rectangular shape and extend, in length, in the longitudinal direction x and, in width, in the transverse direction y.

Each bottom plate, formed of metallic material, has a flat contact face - on which is mounted the corresponding cover 6A, 7A - which is pierced with a plurality of through orifices distributed in a first and second parallel rows s' extending in the longitudinal direction x. The section of the orifices corresponds to the external cross section of the tubes 5, so that the longitudinal end of each of the tubes 5 can pass, at least in part, the corresponding orifice of the bottom plate.

In addition, the cover 7A of the upper manifold 7 (referred to as the top cover) has three longitudinal recesses 7B - parallel to each other - which extend in the longitudinal direction x. The three longitudinal recesses 7B may have a semicircular cross section and may be made by stamping a plate of metal which, once stamped, forms the lid 7 A of the upper manifold 7.

The three recesses 7B of the top cover 7A are separated from each other by longitudinal partitions (not shown). Thus, when the upper cover 7A is secured to the corresponding bottom plate, the three longitudinal recesses 7B are independent of each other and define three upstream, intermediate and downstream upper compartments into which the upper longitudinal ends of the tubes 5 of the two Upstream plies 2, intermediate 3 and downstream 4. The upper compartments of the upper manifold 7 are devoid of fluid communication with each other.

One of the longitudinal ends of the intermediate upper compartment forms the inlet E of the refrigerant in the evaporator 1, while one of the longitudinal ends of the upstream upper compartment defines the outlet S of the refrigerant of the evaporator 1.

Similarly, the cover 6A of the lower manifold 6 (referred to as the lower cover) has three longitudinal recesses parallel to each other and extending in the longitudinal direction x.

The three recesses of the lower cover 6A are separated from each other by longitudinal partition walls. Thus, when the lower cover 6A is secured to the corresponding bottom plate, the three longitudinal recesses define three upstream, intermediate and downstream lower compartments into which the lower longitudinal ends of the tubes 5 of the upstream plies 2, respectively, intermediate 3 and downstream 4.

There is no communication between the upstream and intermediate lower compartments. In contrast, the lower intermediate and downstream compartments are placed in communication with each other at their longitudinal end arranged in a vicinity of the side face F2 of the evaporator 1 opposite the input / output face F1. In addition, the lower compartments upstream and downstream communicate with each other, via a connector 8, at their longitudinal end located in the input / output side face F1.

Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the evaporator 1 according to the invention comprises means for introducing a pressure drop - between 0.5 bar and 1 bar - between the output of the intermediate web 3 and the entrance to the downstream aquifer 4.

In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the means for introducing a pressure drop are formed by a tube 5E disposed at the longitudinal end of the downstream ply 4 - in the vicinity of the face F1 - by which transits the refrigerant after passing through the intermediate layer 3.

It should be noted that, in a variant (not shown), the means for introducing a pressure drop can be formed of at least two adjacent end tubes of the downstream layer 4. In another variant (e.g. not shown), the means for introducing a pressure drop could be formed by one or more external tubes, of small section, connecting the intermediate layer to the downstream sheet, so that the refrigerant, after having crossed the intermediate web, is delivered in the downstream web.

By convention, in FIGS. 1 and 2, the encircled point and the circled cross symbolize, respectively, the front and the back of an arrow representing the flow of the refrigerant fluid in the tubes 5. In other words, in the figure 2, a circled point (respectively a circled cross) indicates a fluid flow from bottom to top (respectively from top to bottom).

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the refrigerant, coming through the inlet E of the upper header 7, is directed, along the longitudinal axis x, by the upper intermediate compartment towards each of the tubes 5 of the intermediate web 3, so that it can cross from top to bottom (the arrows 9 in solid lines represent the distribution of the refrigerant at the inlet of the tubes 5, by the upper intermediate compartment). After having passed through the tubes 5 of the intermediate ply 3, the refrigerant flows into the lower intermediate compartment, which directs it towards the longitudinal end of the intermediate ply 3 close to the face F 2 (the arrows 10 in broken lines represent the circulation of the refrigerant in the lower intermediate compartment). In other words, the coolant flows in the same direction (from left to right when we look at Figure 2) in the lower and upper intermediate compartments, as indicated by the arrows 9 and 10 of Figure 2.

Following the crossing of the lower intermediate compartment, the refrigerant fluid is brought, by the fluid communication established between the lower intermediate and downstream compartments (see arrow T), at the inlet of the end tube 5E of the downstream ply 4 dedicated at the pressure drop, to then go up and down and lead into the upper downstream compartment of the upper manifold 7 (see Figure 2). The refrigerant is then distributed, by means of the upper downstream compartment, into the various longitudinal tubes 5 (such a fluid circulation is symbolized by the arrows 1 1 in solid lines) which it then travels from top to bottom, as shown by FIG. FIGS. 1 to 3. There is therefore a reversal of the direction of flow between the end tube 5E and the other tubes 5 of the downstream ply 4. The refrigerant flowing out of the tubes 5 at their lower longitudinal end, is then guided, by the lower downstream compartment, to the inlet of the connection 8 (see the arrows 12 in broken lines) - allowing the connection between the downstream ply 4 and the upstream ply 2 - which it crosses (arrow 13) to ending in the lower upstream compartment into which the tubes 5 of the upstream sheet 2.

The lower upstream compartment then distributes the cooling fluid in the various longitudinal tubes 5 of the upstream sheet 2 (see arrows 14 in broken lines) in which it flows from bottom to top to end up in the upper upstream compartment. The latter then guides the refrigerating fluid, over the entire width I, towards the coolant outlet S of the evaporator 1 (see the arrows 15 in solid lines), which it passes through to exit. FIG. 3 very schematically shows in perspective the circulation of the refrigerant fluid in the various plies 2, 3, 4 of the evaporator 1.

In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3, the evaporator 1 is made from tubes 5, but it could alternatively also implement a technology based plates. The use of tubes 5 and associated collecting boxes 6 and 7, as previously described, however, allows a homogenization of the refrigerant fluid before its transfer from one sheet to another, the upper and lower compartments of the collector boxes. 6 and 7 acting as a mixing chamber. This allows an improvement in heat exchange.

Furthermore, the evaporator 1 also comprises corrugated spacers (not shown in the figures) formed of a plurality of heat exchange fins. Each corrugated spacer is disposed between two adjacent tubes 5 of the upstream plies 2, intermediate 3 and downstream 4. A contact is maintained between the corrugated insert and the corresponding tubes 5 which frame to facilitate heat exchange.

Thanks to the invention, an expansion of the refrigerant fluid is achieved by the additional loss of localized charge between the intermediate layer 3 and the downstream layer 4. Thus, the temperature of the refrigerant circulating in the downstream layer 4, which is it is desired to be the coldest of the evaporator 1 because it is the one by which the airflow leaves the evaporator. The temperature variation between the incident air and the air leaving the evaporator 1 is thus increased relative to the previously known evaporators mentioned above.

Advantageously, the pressure drop obtained by the introduction means 5E of a pressure drop is between 0.5 bar and 1 bar. The pressure difference of the refrigerant between the inlet and the outlet of the means for introducing a pressure drop is negative, which makes it possible to carry out an expansion of the cooling fluid, thereby cooling the latter and thus the downstream layer. 4. Of course, the present invention is not limited to the previously described embodiment. In particular, it goes from:

the evaporator according to the invention could comprise more than three plies;

that the inlet and the outlet of the refrigerant could be made at opposite side faces;

- etc.

Claims

1. Evaporator, in particular for a motor vehicle air-conditioning circuit, comprising at least three plies (2, 3, 4), respectively upstream, intermediate and downstream, extending in parallel planes, each ply (2, 3, 4) being formed of a plurality of channels (5) in which is circulated, in a predefined circulation, a refrigerant fluid to be evaporated to cool a flow of air (A) successively passing through said upstream plies (2), intermediate (3) and downstream (4),

characterized

- in that the refrigerant enters the evaporator (1) by the intermediate layer (3) and leaves it from the upstream layer (2), after having crossed the downstream layer (4); and

- In that the evaporator (1) comprises means (5E) for introducing a pressure drop between the output of the intermediate web (3) and the inlet of the downstream web (4).

2. Evaporator according to the preceding claim, wherein the pressure drop obtained by the means (5E) for introducing a pressure drop is between 0.5 bar and 1 bar.

3. Evaporator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for introducing a pressure drop are formed by at least one end channel (5E) of the downstream sheet (4) through which the refrigerant passes through after crossing the intermediate layer (3).

4. Evaporator according to the preceding claim, wherein the channels (5) of each of the plies (2, 3, 4) are formed of individual tubes (5) joined at both ends by a first and a second manifold (6, 7) comprising means for distributing the cooling fluid in said plies (2, 3, 4) and for ensuring the predefined circulation of the refrigerant in the various tubes (5); and wherein said manifolds (6, 7) are configured to circulate all of the refrigerant fluid, having passed through the intermediate web (3), into the end channel (5E) the downstream ply (4), introducing the pressure drop, so that it delivers the refrigerant in said downstream ply (4).

5. Evaporator according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the means for introducing a pressure drop are in the form of

5 minus an outer tube, of predetermined section, which connects the intermediate layer (3) to the downstream layer (4), so that the refrigerant, after passing through the intermediate layer (3), is delivered into the downstream layer (4).

6. Evaporator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the inlet (E) and the outlet (S) of the refrigerant fluid of the evaporator are effected at the same side face (F1) of the evaporator (1).

7. Evaporator according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a connector (8) for transferring the refrigerant from the downstream ply (4) to the upstream ply (2).

8. Enclosure of a ventilation, heating and / or air-conditioning system, in particular a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, comprising an evaporator (1) as specified in one of claims 1 to 7.

An air conditioning circuit in which a refrigerant circulates, comprising at least one compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an evaporator (1) as specified in one of claims 1 to 70 and an indoor heat exchanger. .