EP2917676B1 - Method for producing a collection line in a capillary tube mat - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for producing a manifold on a capillary tube mat. Such a move is over JP 58072893 known.

It is known to produce capillary tube connections in capillaries made of metal by screwing, soldering or welding.

However, the screw connections known in the prior art can only be produced cost-effectively up to capillary tube diameters of about 2 mm.

If plastic capillary tubes are used, especially those which have a certain elasticity, it is also possible to work with plug connections or glued connections instead of the above-mentioned connection techniques. Such connection techniques must be created individually on each capillary tube. They are suitable up to outside diameters of 1 mm.

There are known capillary tubes, which are executable with their outer diameters down to a few microns. Such types of microcapillaries can be processed, for example, by means of textile technology processes into textile fabrics or else into three-dimensional fabrics. Corresponding proposals contains DE 10 2009 018 197 A1 ,

In DE 10 2009 018 197 A1 and DE 10 2011 001 915 A1 It has already been proposed to use such a textile fabric as a heat exchanger. However, this fails because a plurality of similar capillary tubes must be connected at their ends to a manifold to the respective heat exchanger to be able to supply or remove a medium. This requirement exists each two times, since both an inflow and a drain line are required.

The particular advantage of existing as a sheet capillary tube mats that they are customizable by individual cutting to the particular application is also their biggest disadvantage, since after each blank a variety of open capillary tube ends is present, which must be permanently sealed with a manifold.

The previously practiced production method of capillary tube mats with a meandering course and so far always only one inlet and one discharge would exclude this connection method for economic reasons in the plurality of open capillary tube ends.

It is off JP 04 035 926 A a proposal known to summarize a bundle of microcapillaries in an annular member and to connect both using a potting compound.

The above proposal is not suitable for the connection of manifolds to capillary tube mats. A finite number of capillary tube ends would have to be combined into a bundle, which is impossible with a flat extending capillary tube mat.

The connection of a large number of microcapillaries in a line-shaped arrangement on a manifold has not yet been satisfactorily solved, which is why the in DE 10 2009 018 197 A1 and DE 10 2011 001 915 A1 proposals are not feasible without a solution.

For capillary arrangements and small diameter ducts with a geometrically fixed order, some proposals are known. So is in EP 82 111 327 proposed to align capillaries with a slightly larger diameter by using comb-shaped sealing strips so that they have regular intervals in the connection area. With the help of a unilaterally slotted tube Then, a manifold can be generated, which allows the connection in connection with the sealing elements. Another in EP 0 086 268 A1 described solution provides to perform the sealing elements of the same material with an intermediate piece, wherein by half folding the intermediate piece, the manifold is formed, while the sealing elements receive the capillaries.

In US 4 350 374 A . DE 41 17 273 A1 and JP A 02 306 069 "A""Embodiments of manifolds are described which suggest the presence of capillary tube mats having a repeatable geometric arrangement, such as those found in double-walled sheets, cast-in capillaries, and the like, with the manifold in most cases having a slot of geometrically determined length at its periphery.

It is therefore an object of the invention to propose a method for producing a manifold on a capillary tube with irregular distribution of capillaries, by a variety of existing ends of microcapillaries are easily, easily, inexpensively and permanently connected to a manifold. It is a further object of the invention to provide an assembly for a manifold on a capillary tube mat having a plurality of irregularly distributed ends of microcapillaries.

It is a further object of the invention to propose necessary for carrying out the method and for the realization of the corresponding arrangements means for the manifolds.

The object is achieved for the method for producing a manifold on a capillary tube with the features of the characterizing part of the independent claim 1 in conjunction with the features of the preamble of this claim.

Subordinate claims relate to the filing date preferred embodiments of the invention, without limiting its scope.

• Kapillarrohrmatte - ist ein im Wesentlichen flächiges Gebilde, das Kapillarrohre enthält, die an wenigstens einem Ende mit wenigstens einer Sammelleitung verbunden sind, wobei die Verbindung der Kapillarrohre mit der Sammelleitung nach der Herstellung nicht mehr lösbar ist. Bevorzugt werden dabei Kapillarrohrmatten mit einem Durchmesser der Kapillarrohre, bei dem die übliche Herstellungsweise einer Rohrverbindung durch Schrauben, Stecken, Schweißen oder Löten nicht zufriedenstellend lösbar ist oder aus wirtschaftlichen Erwägungen nicht mehr in Frage kommt. Die Kapillarrohre sind beispielsweise Rohre mit Außendurchmessern von etwa 2 mm bis herab in den Bereich weniger µm.
• Mikrokapillare - ist ein Kapillarrohr, das einen sehr kleinen Innendurchmesser hat und mit Steck-, Schraub- oder Klemmverbindungen nicht oder nur unter erheblichem Aufwand an eine Sammelleitung anschließbar ist.
• Sammelleitung - ist ein Element mit einem gegenüber den Mikrokapillaren größeren Querschnitt, durch das eine endliche Zahl Enden von Mikrokapillaren zusammengefasst ist.
• Leitungskanal - ist ein sich entlang eines oder mehrerer strangförmiger Formteile ausbildender Hohlraum, der mit Enden der Mikrokapillaren in Verbindung steht und in dem ein Wärmetauschermedium zirkulieren kann.

In the following description, embodiments and claims, the following terms are used with the following meaning:

• Capillary tube mat - is a substantially flat structure containing capillary tubes, which are connected at at least one end to at least one manifold, wherein the connection of the capillary tubes with the manifold after manufacture is no longer solvable. Preference is given to capillary tube mats with a diameter of the capillary tubes, in which the usual method of manufacturing a pipe joint by screwing, plugging, welding or soldering is not satisfactorily solvable or for economic reasons no longer comes into question. The capillary tubes, for example, tubes with outer diameters of about 2 mm down to in the range of less microns.
• Mikrokapillare - is a capillary tube, which has a very small inner diameter and plug, screw or clamp connections is not or only at considerable expense connected to a manifold.
• Manifold - is an element with a larger cross section than the microcapillaries, through which a finite number of microcapillary ends are combined.
• Conduit - is a cavity that forms along one or more strand-like moldings that communicates with ends of the microcapillaries and in which a heat exchange medium can circulate.

According to the invention, a method for producing manifolds according to the invention on a capillary tube mat is that an intermediate structure is first formed on the end of a capillary tube mat.

To this end, the end of a capillary tube mat with the open ends of the microcapillaries is positioned over the bottom of a mold such that the ends of the microcapillaries protrude far into a shape formed by the first section of a later spatial form.

It is preferred that the capillary tube mat completely covers the first section of the cavity with the free ends of the microcapillaries and the ends of the microcapillaries rest on the opposite side of the mold.

An upper part of the mold having a shaped second portion of a three-dimensional shape is then positioned over the lower part of the mold to close the mold.

After closing the mold, the resulting spatial form is filled with a material which is preferably a casting material. Both extrudable and gravity-fillable molding compounds come into consideration.

After filling the mold and solidifying the molding compound, the mold is opened and the capillary tube mat is removed with the molded intermediate structure.

By a separation process, a part of the intermediate structure is then removed, wherein the ends of the microcapillaries contained in the intermediate structure are cut.

A further embodiment may provide, by an additional separating cut, the capillary tube ends projecting into the cross-section of the collecting line so far that they no longer substantially influence the flow in the collecting line. This separation can be done directly during the positioning of the capillary tube to the manifold or even with permanently connected manifold using a special tool.

Preferably, however, an arrangement of the above-described intermediate structure is arranged such that it is arranged in the surface of a prefabricated capillary tube mat. That is, on both sides of the intermediate structure is usable area of a capillary tube mat.

In such a case, the outer profile of the intermediate structure is designed so that after the parting two complete end structures of capillary tube mats are present. A particular advantage is that in the production of the intermediate structure within the mold cavity no open end of a capillary tube is present and blockages are not to be feared.

In end structures made by this method, the manifold can be created by means of a slotted sleeve member by unbending the sleeve, positioning the end structure of the capillary tube mat between the legs of the sleeve and then allowing the sleeve to return to its original shape leaving a residual stress. by which the tightness is achieved with respect to the end structure of the capillary tube mat.

In the case of the method to be carried out with an intermediate structure, a further embodiment of the method and its features can likewise be carried out in various ways.

It can be used as a molding compound multi-component mixtures.

The intermediate structure can be advantageously produced from rubber-elastic materials. This is particularly advantageous if the intermediate structure has a low Shore hardness in its interior and a high Shore hardness on the outer shell.

The outer profile of the intermediate structure can be designed arbitrarily. Preference is given to profile shapes in which plane-parallel surfaces or areas with groove-shaped depressions are used either for the capillary tube mat.

By dividing the intermediate structure creates a non-usable remnant piece.

This embodiment of the method is particularly advantageous if the precursor of the capillary tube mat is present, for example, as a textile fabric in webs and the intermediate structures are to be introduced at specific length intervals.

Further embodiments may consist in that the sleeve-shaped component is produced from a spring material. Likewise, that it is a plastic part produced by prototyping, which can be sealed in addition to the spring action also cohesively or by means of a subsequent encapsulation with respect to the capillary tube mat.

In the manufacturing method described above, a collecting line is formed in the region of one end of a capillary tube mat in such a way that a tubular profile arises as a collecting line with openings present at the front ends. In these openings adapted and produced by known methods of mechanical engineering or plastics processing end pieces can be used. Likewise, all known connection solutions can be realized on the end pieces of the manifolds, so that specific application requirements can be taken into account at any time.

Fig. 1 -

Eine zweite Ausführungsform des Anschlusses einer Sammelleitung an eine Kapillarrohrmatte und deren Lage mit einem Zwischenschritt betreffend die Herstellung einer Zwischenstruktur mit Hilfe eines Formwerkzeuges.

Fig. 3 -

Eine Kapillarrohrmatte mit angeformter Zwischenstruktur und durch einen Trennschnitt innerhalb der Zwischenstruktur geöffneten Mikrokapillaren und einem hülsenförmigen Ummantelungsteil für die Sammelleitung in einer Explosivdarstellung.

Fig. 4 -

Eine mit einer Zwischenstruktur erzeugte Sammelleitung, die durch eine zusätzliche Behandlung abgedichtet ist.

Fig. 5 -

Eine schematische Darstellung der Möglichkeit, in einem fortlaufenden Verfahren an flächenhafte Kapillarrohrmatten Zwischenstrukturen anzubringen und damit vorkonfektionierte Kapillarrohrmatten herzustellen.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to some embodiments and drawings. Showing:

Fig. 1 -

A second embodiment of the connection of a manifold to a capillary tube mat and their position with an intermediate step concerning the production of an intermediate structure by means of a molding tool.

Fig. 3 -

A capillary tube mat with molded intermediate structure and opened by a separating cut within the intermediate structure microcapillaries and a sleeve-shaped casing part for the manifold in an exploded view.

Fig. 4 -

A manifold created with an intermediate structure that is sealed by additional treatment.

Fig. 5 -

A schematic representation of the possibility of attaching intermediate structures to planar capillary tube mats in a continuous process and thus to produce prefabricated capillary tube mats.

The method of manufacturing the manifold is to position a capillary mat 16 over the bottom 17 of a mold so that the ends of the microcapillaries protrude at least into the portion 18 of the mold cavity. After positioning the capillary tube mat 16 , the mold is closed by lowering the upper part 19 and subsequently filled with a molding compound. The molding compound may be either a thermoplastic composition which is injected into the mold or a casting compound, for example a reaction resin mixture. After curing of the molding compound, the upper part 19 is lifted off again and the capillary tube mat 16 is removed with the intermediate structure 20 then located at its end. Thereafter, in a plane 21 a separating cut is carried out in such a way that a part of the intermediate structure 20 is separated and at the same time all capillary tube ends are cut off and thus opened.

As in Fig. 1 shown, the capillary tube mat 16 is preferably inserted so that its front end 22 protrudes beyond the mold. This avoids that individual microcapillaries take up the molding compound and thus may be permanently closed.

The capillary tube mat with the now existing end structure 23 has on its front side 24 open ends 25 of microcapillaries.

The capillary tube mat with the now existing end structure 23 has on its front side 24 open ends 25 of microcapillaries.

For the manifold to be generated then a sleeve-shaped member 26 is used which has resilient properties and acts with its opening 27 on the top 28 and bottom 29 of the end structure 23 . The spring action of the component 26 generates at the bearing surfaces 30 and 31 of the end structure 23 the necessary pressing force to close this area tight.

It is possible to additionally provide the end structure 23 and the component 26 with a potting, in particular in the transition areas 32 and 33 responsible for the tightness. Likewise, the end structure 23 may be coated with an adhesive and / or a sealant prior to assembly of the component 26 .

For the component 26, all materials can be used which are suitable to ensure the necessary contact pressure to achieve the tightness over a longer period. Both prefabricated Kuni fabric parts and metallic sleeves, which are preferably made of spring materials come into consideration here.

In the above-described embodiments of the method for producing the connection of a capillary tube 16 via an intermediate structure 20 attached thereto, there is a possibility to design the production method such that intermediate structures 20 are produced at regular or irregular intervals in a continuous capillary tube mat 16 , which are then respectively replaced by a capillary tube mat 16 Separation cut to two end structures 23 further processed. This embodiment of the method makes it possible to produce quasi-continuously prefabricated capillary tube mats, which have arranged on both end faces in each case an end structure 23 and in which so by additional components 26 manifolds for the supply and discharge of a capillary tube mat are attached. Thus, there is a simple way to produce largely prefabricated Capillary tube mats for frequently recurring sizes and uses.

The methods of the present invention are configured to sequentially manufacture and mount the assemblies described above in the order described, and finally to provide a manifold at one end of a capillary tube mat.

The invention has the advantage that it proposes a method for producing manifolds on capillary tube mats, which is mainly equipped with microcapillaries and proposes the parts for its production and easy and inexpensive to implement solutions.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

16

capillary tube

17

lower part

18

section

19

top

20

intermediate structure

21

level

22

Front end

23

final structure

24

front

25

Open ends of microcapillaries

26

component

27

opening

28

top

29

bottom

30

bearing surface

31

bearing surface

32

Transition area

33

Transition area

Claims (4)

1. A method for the manufacture of a manifold in a capillary tube mat (16),
   characterised in that,
   a capillary tube mat (16) is positioned above a first section (18) of a cavity in a lower part (17) of a mould, such that the micro-capillaries therein arranged run approximately transverse to the latter, and at least protrude into the latter,
   by attaching an upper part (19) of the mould to the second section of a cavity, a mould cavity is formed into which the capillary tube mat (16) protrudes,
   the formed cavity is filled with a material, the material is solidified and an intermediate structure (20) is generated,
   after the opening of the mould, and the removal of the capillary tube mat (16) from the mould with the intermediate structure (20), the latter is severed with a parting cut, and the open ends (25) of the capillary tubes are located in the plane (21) of the end structure (23),
   the end structure (23) is then connected in the longitudinal direction with a hollow structure, such that a manifold is formed incorporating the cut surface of the mould part and the hollow structure.
2. A method for the manufacture of a manifold in a capillary tube mat (16) in accordance with patent claim 1,
   characterised in that,
   the intermediate structure (20) is arranged in the surface of the capillary tube mat (16),
   and by means of a parting cut two end structures (23) are generated, located opposite one another.
3. A method for the manufacture of a manifold in a capillary tube mat (16) in accordance with one of the patent claims 1 or 2,
   characterised in that,
   the hollow structure is formed by an elongated sleeve-form component (26) having spring elasticity, and in an additional operational step the latter is connected with the remaining part of the end structure (23).
4. A method for the manufacture of a manifold in a capillary tube mat (16) in accordance with patent claim 3,
   characterised in that,
   the end structure (23) remaining in the capillary tube mat (16) is materially bonded with the elongated sleeve-form component (26).

Images