EP4339534A1 - Rotor - Google Patents

Abstract

Rotor (1), in particular a rotary heat pump, comprising: a rotation axis (2), a number of compression channels (15), in which a working medium, in particular a gas, preferably a noble gas, is led away from the rotation axis (2) to increase the pressure due to the centrifugal acceleration , a number of expansion channels (20), in which the working medium is guided towards the axis of rotation (2) to reduce the pressure due to the centrifugal acceleration, a number of first heat transfer channels (18) for the working medium and a number of second heat transfer channels (22) for a heat transfer medium, in particular a liquid, so that heat is transferred between the working medium flowing in the first heat transfer channels (18) and the heat transfer medium flowing in the second heat transfer channels (22), a number of first (10) and second rotor plates (11), which form the compression channels ( 15), which have expansion channels (20), the first heat transfer channels (18) for the working medium and the second heat transfer channels (22) for the heat transfer medium, the first (10) and the second rotor plates (11) being connected to one another along their main extension planes.

Description

• eine Rotationsachse,
• eine Anzahl von Verdichtungskanälen, in welchen ein Arbeitsmedium, insbesondere ein Gas, bevorzugt ein Edelgas, zur Druckerhöhung aufgrund der Zentrifugalkraft von der Rotationsachse weggeführt wird,
• eine Anzahl von Entspannungskanälen, in welchen das Arbeitsmedium zur Druckverringerung aufgrund der Zentrifugalkraft zur Rotationsachse hin geführt wird,
• eine Anzahl von ersten Wärmeübertragungskanälen für das Arbeitsmedium und
• eine Anzahl von zweiten Wärmeübertragungskanälen für ein Wärmeträgermedium, insbesondere eine Flüssigkeit, so dass Wärme zwischen dem in den ersten Wärmeübertragungskanälen strömenden Arbeitsmedium und dem in den zweiten Wärmeübertragungskanälen strömenden Wärmeträgermedium übertragen wird.

The invention relates to a rotor, in particular a rotary heat pump, comprising:

• an axis of rotation,
• a number of compression channels in which a working medium, in particular a gas, preferably a noble gas, is guided away from the axis of rotation to increase the pressure due to the centrifugal force,
• a number of expansion channels in which the working medium is guided towards the axis of rotation to reduce pressure due to the centrifugal force,
• a number of first heat transfer channels for the working medium and
• a number of second heat transfer channels for a heat transfer medium, in particular a liquid, so that heat is transferred between the working medium flowing in the first heat transfer channels and the heat transfer medium flowing in the second heat transfer channels.

From the WO 2015/103656 A rotary heat pump is known in which the centrifugal acceleration of the rotor is used to generate different pressure or temperature levels. Heat at a high temperature is removed from the compressed working medium and heat at a comparatively low temperature is supplied to the expanded working medium. For this purpose, the rotary heat pump has internal heat exchangers and external heat exchangers, which are arranged essentially parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotor. The inner heat exchangers are set up for heat exchange at a lower temperature and the outer heat exchangers are set up for heat exchange at a higher temperature. This type of rotary heat pump has significant advantages over stationary heat pumps. The disadvantage, however, is the high design effort of the known rotary heat pump. In addition, there is a need for improvement with regard to the rotor dynamics, which in the prior art is impaired by the mechanical connection of the individual components. Finally, there are always efforts to further increase the efficiency of such rotary heat pumps (COP - Coefficient of Performance).

The present invention therefore sets itself the task of alleviating or eliminating at least individual disadvantages of the prior art. The aim of the invention is preferably to create a rotor which combines low design effort with high efficiency.

This object is achieved by a rotor according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 13. Preferred embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

According to the invention, a number of first and second rotor plates are provided, wherein the first and / or the second rotor plates have the compression channels, the expansion channels, the first heat transfer channels for the working medium and the second heat transfer channels for the heat transfer medium, the first and the second rotor plates along their Main extension levels are connected to each other.

The arrangement of the first and second rotor plates forms a compact rotor element that is particularly stable in relation to rotational forces, which combines the functions separated into individual components such as inner and outer heat exchangers as well as expansion and compression channels in the prior art. To form the rotor element, the first and second rotor plates are stacked in contact with one another and connected to one another at their meeting main extension planes. In the first and/or in the second rotor plates, the working medium flows through flow channels, which form the first heat transfer channels, the compression channels and the expansion channels. Accordingly, the heat transfer medium flows through the second heat transfer channels of the first and/or second rotor plates in order to enable heat transfer with the working medium. So-called “Micro Channel Diffusion Bonded Heat Exchangers” were already known in the prior art, see e.g EP 3 885 691 A1 , in which a stack of heat exchanger plates with integrated flow passages are connected to each other by diffusion bonds. The invention not only replaces the internal and the external heat exchangers of known rotary heat pumps through this type of heat exchanger, but also integrates the expansion and compression channels in the first and second rotor plates of the rotor element. Thus, not only the heat transfer between the working medium and the heat transfer medium, but also the compression of the working medium when flowing away from the axis of rotation and the relaxation of the working medium when flowing towards the axis of rotation is carried out in the flow channels of the rotor element. This makes it possible to create a rotor, in particular a rotary heat pump or a heat-power machine for providing electrical current from a heat flow, in which the essential process steps are integrated into the interior of the package consisting of the first and second rotor plates. This design achieves particularly favorable rotor dynamics. What has proven to be particularly advantageous is that the first and second rotor plates virtually cannot move against each other, so that the number of balancing runs can be significantly reduced or balancing runs can be avoided entirely. Furthermore, the rotor element can be realized from the first and second rotor elements in different designs, in particular also with smaller dimensions. This has the advantage that production can be simplified and a weaker drive machine can be used. Compared to the discrete heat exchangers in the prior art, the heat exchanger surfaces available during operation of the rotor can also be increased. The integral design of the rotor element also allows the number of sealing points to be significantly reduced.

For the purposes of this disclosure, the location and direction information relates to the intended use state of the rotor, with "radial", "axial" and "circumferential" referring to the axis of rotation. In relation to the flow of the working or heat transfer medium, "inside" means closer to the axis of rotation of the rotor and "outside" means further from the axis of rotation.

In a preferred embodiment, the Main extension planes of the first and second rotor plates, ie their plate planes, in which the first and second rotor plates each have their greatest extent, are each arranged essentially perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The axis of rotation preferably passes through the centers of the first and second axes of rotation. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the first and second rotor plates are arranged essentially congruently when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation.

In a preferred embodiment, the first rotor plates each have at least one of the compression channels, at least one of the expansion channels and at least one of the first heat transfer channels for the working medium and the number of second rotor plates each have at least one of the second heat transfer channels for the heat transfer medium.

In a preferred embodiment, the first rotor plates each have at least one flow channel for the working medium, the at least one flow channel having an inlet opening for the working medium at a first end and an outlet opening for the working medium at a second end. In a preferred embodiment, the flow channel has a preferably substantially radially outwardly extending flow channel section for forming one of the compression channels and/or a preferably substantially radially inwardly extending flow channel section for forming one of the expansion channels and/or a preferably substantially circumferentially extending flow channel section Formation of one of the first heat transfer channels. The working medium can thus be distributed via the inlet openings to the flow channels within the first rotor plates. The working medium then flows along the flow channels to the outlet openings, at which the working medium is led out of the rotor element. In the flow channel section leading to the outside, the working medium can be compressed by the effect of centrifugal acceleration in the rotating state of the rotor. In the inwardly leading flow channel section, the working medium, also due to the centrifugal force. Heat can be transferred between the working medium and the heat transfer medium in the flow channel cross section that runs essentially in the circumferential direction. The individual flow channel sections are connected so that the working medium can flow through the flow channel within the first rotor plate from the inlet to the outlet opening.

In a preferred embodiment, the inlet openings and/or the outlet openings of the first rotor plates are each arranged in alignment, i.e. in a line parallel to the axis of rotation. The inlet openings and/or the outlet openings are preferably congruent when viewed in the direction parallel to the axis of rotation.

In order to enable the working medium to be passed through the second rotor plates, the second rotor plates in this embodiment preferably each have through openings arranged in alignment with the inlet openings or in alignment with the outlet openings. The working medium can thus be supplied to one side of the rotor element and distributed to the first rotor plates via the inlet openings, with second rotor plates arranged in between being passed through the through openings.

In order to keep the number of connections as low as possible, in a preferred embodiment the outlet openings are arranged in central regions of the first rotor plates through which the axis of rotation passes. The axis of rotation preferably passes through the centers of the outlet openings. The working medium can be guided along the flow channels to the outlet openings in the central regions of the first rotor plates and can be drained out of the first rotor plates via the outlet openings, which are preferably arranged in alignment. Advantageously, several flow channels of the first rotor plate can share the same outlet opening in the central area.

To maintain the flow of the working medium preferably a fan is provided. The fan is preferably arranged in the axial direction outside the rotor element made up of the first and second rotor plates. With the help of the fan, a circular flow of the working medium can be effected from the fan via the inlet openings through the flow channels within the rotor element, via the outlet openings back to the fan and finally back to the inlet openings in the flow channels within the rotor element. This means that the working medium can go through a circular process. Depending on the arrangement of the flow channels in the first rotor plates, different types of cycle processes can be achieved, for example a Joule process with essentially isobaric heat transfer.

Depending on the version, the fan can be connected to a fan drive, with which a blade wheel of the fan can be set in rotation. With the fan drive, the blade wheel can be rotated relative to the rotor element, which is preferably set in rotation with a motor that is different from the fan drive.

To achieve the circular flow of the working medium, the inlet openings of the first rotor plates can be connected to an outlet of the fan and/or the outlet openings of the first rotor plates can be connected to an inlet of the fan.

In order to improve the heat transfer between the working medium and the heat transfer medium, in a preferred embodiment the first rotor plates each have a plurality of flow channels, each with at least one preferably substantially radially outwardly extending flow channel section and/or with at least one preferably substantially substantially radially inwardly extending flow channel section and/or with at least one flow channel section that preferably runs essentially in the circumferential direction. Thus, several flow channels can be formed on the first rotor plates, through which the working medium can flow in parallel. The flow channels can cover the surface of the first Rotor plate be distributed. Preferably, more than three, in particular more than six, for example twelve, flow channels are provided at different angular positions per first rotor plate.

In a preferred embodiment, the flow channels of the first rotor plates each have a plurality of flow channel sections, which preferably run essentially in the circumferential direction, at different radial distances from the axis of rotation in order to form a plurality of first heat transfer channels. The flow channel sections running in the circumferential direction are preferably arranged in loops. Preferably there are a plurality of inner, for example S-shaped, loops for heat exchange with the heat transfer medium in inner loops of one of the second heat transfer channels of one of the second rotor plates and/or a plurality of outer, for example S-shaped, loops for heat exchange with the heat transfer medium in outer loops of one of the second Heat transfer channels of one of the second rotor plates are provided. In this embodiment, intermediate compression or expansion can be effected during the heat exchange with the heat transfer medium. This can ensure that the temperature is raised again after heat transfer in order to either transfer the heat at a substantially constant temperature or to increase efficiency if an application with a small temperature difference between the inlet and outlet of the heat transfer medium is intended.

In order to reduce the necessary connections for the working medium, in a preferred embodiment two adjacent flow channels of the first rotor plates are arranged mirrored with respect to a plane of symmetry spanned in the axial and radial directions, with the two adjacent flow channels having a common inlet and a common outlet opening for the working medium split. For example, if 12 flow channels are provided at different angular positions per first rotor plate, in this embodiment only six connections are required for the Entry of the working medium is required.

In a preferred embodiment, the second rotor plates each have at least one inner flow channel and at least one outer flow channel each to form one of the second heat transfer channels, the outer flow channel being arranged further out in the radial direction than the inner flow channel. When used as a rotary heat pump, the outer flow channel can be designed as an external heat exchanger, in which the heat transfer medium, here the sink medium, absorbs heat from the working medium. The inner flow channel can be designed as an internal heat exchanger, in which the heat transfer medium, here the source medium, releases heat to the working medium. Alternatively, the rotor can be designed as a heat-power machine.

In a further embodiment, the first rotor plates have the second heat transfer channels for the heat transfer medium. In this embodiment, the second rotor plates can be designed as separating plates for the first rotor plates, with the second separating plates preferably being free of flow channels for both the working medium and the heat transfer medium.

1. i. als Vertiefungen ausgehend von vorzugsweise im Wesentlichen planen Außenflächen der zweiten Rotorplatten oder
2. ii. als Vertiefungen ausgehend von vorzugsweise im Wesentlichen planen zweiten Außenflächen der ersten Rotorplatten ausgebildet sind. Die ersten und die zweiten Rotorplatten weisen parallel zu ihren Haupterstreckungsebenen vorzugsweise im Wesentlichen plane Außenflächen auf. In der ersten Ausführungsvariante strömt das Arbeitsmedium in den Vertiefungen der ersten Rotorplatten, wobei das Wärmeträgermedium in den Vertiefungen der zweiten Rotorplatten strömt. Durch die Verbindung der ersten und zweiten Rotorplatten entlang ihrer Haupterstreckungsflächen bilden die Vertiefungen der ersten Rotorplatte mit den benachbarten Außenflächen der zweiten Rotorplatten im Querschnitt geschlossene Strömungskanäle. In der zweiten Ausführungsvariante strömen das Arbeitsmedium und das Wärmeträgermedium jeweils in voneinander getrennten Vertiefungen der ersten Rotorplatten, welche an den gegenüberliegenden ersten und zweiten Außenflächen der ersten Rotorplatten ausgebildet sind. Diese Vertiefungen bilden mit den angrenzenden Außenflächen der zweiten Rotorplatten im Querschnitt geschlossene Strömungskanäle für das Arbeitsmedium und das Wärmeträgermedium.

For the integral formation of the individual flow channels, it is advantageous if the compression channels, the expansion channels and the first heat transfer channels for the working medium are designed as depressions starting from preferably essentially flat first outer surfaces of the first rotor plates, the second heat transfer channels for the heat transfer medium

1. i. as depressions starting from preferably essentially flat outer surfaces of the second rotor plates or
2. ii. are formed as depressions starting from preferably essentially flat second outer surfaces of the first rotor plates. The first and second rotor plates preferably have essentially flat outer surfaces parallel to their main extension planes. In the first embodiment variant, the working medium flows in the depressions the first rotor plates, with the heat transfer medium flowing in the recesses of the second rotor plates. By connecting the first and second rotor plates along their main extension surfaces, the depressions of the first rotor plate form flow channels that are closed in cross section with the adjacent outer surfaces of the second rotor plates. In the second embodiment variant, the working medium and the heat transfer medium each flow in separate recesses in the first rotor plates, which are formed on the opposite first and second outer surfaces of the first rotor plates. Together with the adjacent outer surfaces of the second rotor plates, these depressions form closed cross-sectional flow channels for the working medium and the heat transfer medium.

In a preferred embodiment, the first rotor plates and the second rotor plates are connected to one another via diffusion connections, i.e. by diffusion bonding.

Depending on the design, at least 50, in particular at least 200, for example from 300 to 800, first rotor plates and/or at least 50, in particular at least 200, for example from 300 to 800, second rotor plates are preferably provided. The first and/or the second rotor plates can have a wall thickness, i.e. an extension perpendicular to the main extension or plate plane from one outer surface to the other, from 0.2 mm to 5 mm, in particular from 0.5 mm to 4 mm, for example 2 mm to 3 mm. The flow channels can have a width, i.e. an extent on the outer surface of the respective first or second rotor plate transverse to the flow direction, of 0.5 mm to 5 mm, in particular from 1 mm to 3 mm. The depth of the flow channels, i.e. their extension perpendicular to the main extension plane at the deepest point, can be from 0.2 mm to 3 mm, in particular from 1 mm to 2 mm.

In a first preferred embodiment variant, the first and second rotor plates are in plan view, ie looking in axial direction, each circular. In this embodiment variant, the heat transfer surfaces can be optimized at a predetermined length, ie axial extent, of the rotor element consisting of the first and second rotor plates.

In a second preferred embodiment variant, the first and second rotor plates are each non-round when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation, i.e. not circular, in particular essentially rectangular. This embodiment can be favorable when producing the rotor element by diffusion bonding of the first and second rotor plates, since rectangular vacuum presses can be used for diffusion bonding. Advantageously, the manufacturing process can be optimized in this way; In addition, larger radial extents can be achieved.

For heat transfer between the working medium and the heat transfer medium, one of the first rotor plates and one of the second rotor plates are preferably arranged alternately. If the working medium is guided in the first rotor plates and the heat transfer medium is guided in the second rotor plates, the first heat transfer channels of the first rotor plates and the second heat transfer channels of the second rotor plates run essentially at the same radial distances and along the same sections in the circumferential direction, i.e. next to each other. When the working medium and the heat transfer medium are guided in the first rotor plates, the first heat transfer channels and the second heat transfer channels run essentially at the same radial distances and along the same sections in the circumferential direction opposite each other on the first rotor plates.

In a preferred embodiment, the first rotor plates and/or the second rotor plates each have at least one recess. On the one hand, this can achieve weight savings. Insulation can also be achieved in areas where unwanted heat transfer needs to be minimized. Thus, it can Recess, for example, form an insulation area between the compression and expansion channels or between the outer heat exchanger, in particular with a comparatively high temperature, and the inner heat exchanger, in particular with a comparatively low temperature.

In a preferred embodiment, the first and second rotor plates are formed from a material selected from austenite, duplex steel, copper, titanium and aluminum.

• Vorsehen eines Rotors in einer der oben beschriebenen Ausführungsformen,
• Zuführen des Arbeitsmedium in den Rotor,
• Zuführen des Wärmeträgermediums in den Rotor, und
• Rotieren des Rotors um die Drehachse Rotationsachse.

The invention further relates to a method for heat transfer between a working medium, in particular a noble gas, and a heat transfer medium, in particular a liquid, with the steps:

• Providing a rotor in one of the embodiments described above,
• Feeding the working medium into the rotor,
• Supplying the heat transfer medium into the rotor, and
• Rotating the rotor around the rotation axis rotation axis.

• Vorsehen von ersten Rotorplatten,
• Vorsehen von zweiten Rotorplatten,
• Ausbilden von Verdichtungskanälen, Entspannungskanälen, ersten Wärmeübertragungskanälen für ein Arbeitsmedium und zweiten Wärmeübertragungskanälen für ein Wärmeträgermedium in den ersten und/oder in den zweiten Rotorplatten,
• Stapeln der ersten und zweiten Rotorplatten,

Verbinden der ersten Rotorplatten mit den zweiten Rotorplatten entlang ihrer Haupterstreckungsebenen, undThe method according to the invention for producing a rotor, in particular a rotary heat pump, has at least the following steps:

• Providing first rotor plates,
• Providing second rotor plates,
• Forming compression channels, expansion channels, first heat transfer channels for a working medium and second heat transfer channels for a heat transfer medium in the first and/or in the second rotor plates,
• stacking the first and second rotor plates,

Connecting the first rotor plates to the second rotor plates along their main extension planes, and

Rotary mounting of a rotor element formed from the first and second rotor plates about an axis of rotation.

• Vorsehen der ersten Rotorplatten,
• Vorsehen der zweiten Rotorplatten,
• Ausbilden der Verdichtungskanäle, Entspannungskanäle und ersten Wärmeübertragungskanäle für das Arbeitsmedium in den ersten Rotorplatten,
• Ausbilden der zweiten Wärmeübertragungskanäle für das Wärmeträgermedium in den zweiten Rotorplatten,
• Stapeln der ersten und der zweiten Rotorplatten,
• Verbinden der ersten Rotorplatten mit den zweiten Rotorplatten entlang ihrer Haupterstreckungsebenen, und
• Drehlagerung des aus den ersten und den zweiten Rotorplatten gebildeten Rotorelements um die Rotationsachse.

If the flow channels for the working medium are to be formed in the first rotor plates and the second heat transfer channels for the heat transfer medium are to be formed in the second rotor plates, the method for producing the rotor, in particular a rotary heat pump, preferably at least the following steps:

• Providing the first rotor plates,
• Providing the second rotor plates,
• Forming the compression channels, expansion channels and first heat transfer channels for the working medium in the first rotor plates,
• Forming the second heat transfer channels for the heat transfer medium in the second rotor plates,
• stacking the first and second rotor plates,
• Connecting the first rotor plates to the second rotor plates along their main extension planes, and
• Rotary bearing of the rotor element formed from the first and second rotor plates about the axis of rotation.

• Vorsehen der ersten Rotorplatten,
• Vorsehen der zweiten Rotorplatten,
• Ausbilden der Verdichtungskanäle, der Entspannungskanäle und der ersten Wärmeübertragungskanäle für das Arbeitsmedium in den ersten Rotorplatten, vorzugsweise als Vertiefungen von ersten Außenflächen der ersten Rotorplatten,
• Ausbilden der zweiten Wärmeübertragungskanäle für das Wärmeträgermedium in den ersten Rotorplatten, vorzugsweise als Vertiefungen von zweiten Außenflächen der ersten Rotorplatten,
• Stapeln der ersten und der zweiten Rotorplatten,
• Verbinden der ersten Rotorplatten mit den zweiten Rotorplatten entlang ihrer Haupterstreckungsebenen, und
• Drehlagerung des aus den ersten und den zweiten Rotorplatten gebildeten Rotorelements um die Rotationsachse.

If the flow channels for the working medium and the second heat transfer channels for the heat transfer medium are to be formed in the first rotor plates, the method for producing the rotor, in particular a rotary heat pump, preferably has at least the following steps:

• Providing the first rotor plates,
• Providing the second rotor plates,
• Forming the compression channels, the expansion channels and the first heat transfer channels for the working medium in the first rotor plates, preferably as depressions in first outer surfaces of the first rotor plates,
• Forming the second heat transfer channels for the heat transfer medium in the first rotor plates, preferably as depressions in second outer surfaces of the first rotor plates,
• stacking the first and second rotor plates,
• Connecting the first rotor plates to the second rotor plates along their main extension planes, and
• Rotary bearing of the rotor element formed from the first and second rotor plates about the axis of rotation.

In a preferred embodiment, the first rotor plates and the second rotor plates are connected to one another by diffusion bonding, in particular in a vacuum press.

The compression, the expansion, the first heat transfer channels and/or the second heat transfer channels are preferably formed in the first and/or second rotor plates by etching or milling.

The design of the rotor element from the first and second rotor plates enables application with high pressures. In a preferred embodiment, the maximum pressure of the working medium in the rotating state of the rotor within the first rotor plates is at least 80 bar, in particular at least 120 bar, for example from 160 bar to 240 bar. Advantageously, these pressures result in lower pressure losses for the same mass flow and thus higher efficiency, which is determined with the “Coefficient of Performance” (COP) when the rotor is designed as a heat pump.

• Fig. 1 zeigt einen erfindungsgemäßen Rotor für eine Verwendung als Rotationswärmepumpe.
• Fig. 2A, Fig. 2B und Fig. 3 zeigen Ansichten eines aus ersten und zweiten Rotorplatten gebildeten Rotorelements der Rotationswärmepumpe gemäß Fig. 1.
• Fig. 4 bis 9 zeigen jeweils eine weitere Ausführungsform von Teilen des Rotorelements.
• Fig. 10A zeigt eine erste rechteckige Ausführung, Fig. 10B und Fig. 10C zeigen eine zweite rechteckige Ausführung.
• Fig. 11 und Fig. 12 zeigen eine weitere Ausführungsform des Rotorelements, bei welcher das Arbeitsmedium und das Wärmeträgermedium jeweils in Mikro-Kanälen der ersten bzw. zweiten Rotorplatten geführt wird.
• Fig. 13 und Fig. 14 zeigen eine weitere Ausführungsform des Rotorelements, bei welcher das Arbeitsmedium und das Wärmeträgermedium in Kanälen der ersten Rotorplatten geführt werden, wobei die zweiten Rotorplatten als Trennplatten zwischen den ersten Rotorplatten angeordnet sind.

The invention is further explained below using an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings.

• Fig. 1 shows a rotor according to the invention for use as a rotary heat pump.
• Fig. 2A , Fig. 2B and Fig. 3 show views of a rotor element of the rotary heat pump formed from first and second rotor plates Fig. 1 .
• 4 to 9 each show a further embodiment of parts of the rotor element.
• Fig. 10A shows a first rectangular version, Fig. 10B and Fig. 10C show a second rectangular version.
• Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 show a further embodiment of the rotor element, in which the working medium and the heat transfer medium are each guided in micro-channels of the first and second rotor plates.
• Fig. 13 and Fig. 14 show a further embodiment of the rotor element, in which the working medium and the heat transfer medium are guided in channels of the first rotor plates, the second rotor plates being arranged as separating plates between the first rotor plates.

Fig. 1 shows a rotor 1, which in the embodiment shown is designed as a device for converting mechanical energy into thermal energy (and vice versa). The rotor 1 is used in particular as a rotary heat pump. Depending on the design, the rotor 1 can be accommodated in a stationary housing in which a negative pressure can prevail. The rotor 1 has a rotation axis 2, which is preferably horizontal in the operating state, around which the rotor 1 is rotated with the aid of a motor 37. To form the axis of rotation 2, the rotor 1 has two pivot bearings 3. The rotor 1 has an in Fig. 1 only symbolically shown rotor element 4, which is connected on one side with connections 5 for a heat transfer medium, in particular water, and on the other side with connections 6 for a working medium, for example a noble gas. Furthermore, a fan 7 is provided to maintain a circular flow of the working medium. The fan 7 is connected to a fan drive 8 in order to rotate a blade wheel of the fan 7 relative to the rotor element 4 rotated by the motor 37. Furthermore are in Fig. 1 Rotary unions 9 for the (water) connections 5 can be seen.

Fig. 2A , Fig. 2B and Fig. 3 show schematically an embodiment of the rotor element 4, which is constructed from a plurality of first rotor plates 10 and second rotor plates 11. For the sake of clarity, in Fig. 2 only two first rotor plates 10 and two second rotor plates 11 are shown. In Fig. 3 the flow of the working medium is illustrated with solid lines and the flow of the heat transfer medium is illustrated with dashed lines. The first rotor plates 10 and the second rotor plates 11 are connected to one another on their outer surfaces parallel to their main extension or plate planes (which are vertically aligned during operation). The first 10 and the second rotor plates 11 alternate with one another as seen in the axial direction. In this embodiment, the first rotor plates 10 each have a plurality of flow channels 12 through which the working medium flows. The working medium flows into an initial section of the flow channel 12 via an inlet opening 13 and out of an end section of the flow channel 12 via an outlet opening 14. In the embodiment shown, several adjacent, parallel flow channels 12 are provided per inlet opening 13, cf Fig. 2A Detail B highlighted with a circle Fig. 2B . The inlet openings 13 are connected to an output of the fan 7. The outlet openings 14 are connected to an input of the fan 7. In the example shown, the outlet openings 14 are arranged in the central regions of the first rotor plates 10 through which the axis of rotation 2 passes. To form a compression channel 15, the flow channel 12 has a flow channel section 16 that leads essentially radially outwards, in which the working medium is guided away from the axis of rotation 2 to increase the pressure due to the centrifugal acceleration. The essentially radially outwardly leading flow channel section 16 is adjoined by at least one essentially circumferentially extending flow channel section 17, with which a first heat transfer channel 18 is formed for heat exchange with the heat transfer medium. The peripheral flow channel section 17 is adjoined by a flow channel section 19 which leads essentially radially inwards and, as a relaxation channel 20, causes a pressure reduction in the working medium due to the centrifugal acceleration. Adjacent to the essentially radially inwardly leading flow channel section 19 is at least one further essentially circumferentially extending flow channel section 21, which is designed as a further first heat transfer channel 18 for heat exchange with the heat transfer medium. The inlet openings 13 and the outlet openings 14 of the first rotor plates 10 are each arranged in alignment. The second rotor plates 11 have corresponding through openings 32 for the passage of the working medium.

In this embodiment, the second rotor plates 11 each have second heat transfer channels 22 through which the heat transfer medium flows. As second heat transfer channels 22, the second rotor plates 11 each have at least one inner flow channel 23 with at least one section 24 running in the circumferential direction to form an inner heat exchanger and at least one outer flow channel 25 with a section 26 running in the circumferential direction to form an outer heat exchanger. The outer flow channel 25 is arranged further outward than the inner flow channel 23 when viewed in the radial direction. The circumferentially extending section 24 of the inner heat exchanger of the second rotor plate 11 runs next to the circumferentially extending flow channel section 21 of the first rotor plate 10. The circumferentially extending section 26 of the outer heat exchanger of the second rotor plate 11 runs next to the circumferentially extending flow channel section 17 of the first rotor plate 10. The inner flow channel 23 of the second rotor plate 11 has an inlet opening 27 for the entry of the heat transfer medium and an outlet opening 28 for the exit of the heat transfer medium. Correspondingly, the outer flow channel 25 has a further inlet opening 29 for the entry of the heat transfer medium and a further outlet opening 30 for the exit of the heat transfer medium. The input openings 27, the output openings 28, the further input openings 29 and the further output openings 30 are each arranged in alignment. The first rotor plates 10 have corresponding passage openings 31 for the passage of the heat transfer medium.

In the embodiment of Fig. 2A , Fig. 2B and Fig. 3 the first 10 and the second rotor plates 11 are circular in the direction of rotation of the axis of rotation 2. Each of the first rotor plates 10 has several, for example 12, flow channels 12, which are identical and distributed at different angular positions over the first rotor plates 10. As mentioned above, a plurality of flow channels 12 can also be provided at each angular position, which are located next to one another Extend inlet opening 13 to outlet opening 14. In the embodiment shown, the flow channels 12 each have a plurality of circumferentially extending flow channel sections 21 in a radially inner region of the first rotor plate 10 and a plurality of circumferentially extending flow channel sections 17 in a radially outer region of the first rotor plate 10, each in loops at different radii R1 , R2, R3 are arranged to the axis of rotation 2. Correspondingly, the second rotor plates 11 have several, for example 12, inner flow channels 23 and several, for example 12, outer flow channels 24. In the embodiment shown, the inner flow channels 23 of the second rotor plates 11 each have a plurality of sections 24 running in the circumferential direction as an inner heat exchanger and a plurality of sections 26 running in the circumferential direction as an outer heat exchanger, which in addition to the flow channel sections 21 running in the circumferential direction in the radially inner region of the first rotor plate 10 or next to the flow channel sections 17 running in the circumferential direction in the radially outer region of the first rotor plate 10. In the embodiment of the Fig. 2A , 2 B and Fig. 3 the working medium is compressed or expanded during heat transfer.

In Fig. 4 A further embodiment is shown, for example using one of the first rotor plates 10, in which two adjacent flow channels 12 are arranged mirrored with respect to a plane of symmetry S spanned in the axial and radial directions. The two adjacent flow channels 12 each share a common inlet opening 13 and a common outlet opening 14 for the working medium. In this embodiment, the flow channels of the second rotor plates 11 run congruently with the flow channels 12 of the first rotor plates 10 in the area of the heat transfer channels and are preferably flowed through in countercurrent.

In Fig. 5 , Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 A further embodiment is shown in each case, in which the working medium is compressed or expanded during heat transfer.

According to Fig. 5 the working medium is compressed during the external heat transfer, preferably in order to achieve low temperature differences between the working medium and the heat transfer medium on the sink side at low spreads or at a substantially constant temperature of the heat transfer medium on the sink side. Furthermore, the working medium is expanded during the internal heat transfer in order to achieve a low temperature difference between the working medium and the heat transfer medium on the source side at low spreads or at a substantially constant temperature of the heat transfer medium on the source side. Low temperature differences between the working medium and the respective heat transfer medium lead to low exergy losses and high efficiency (COP) of the entire system. The prerequisite is that the respective heat transfer medium and the working medium are guided through the channels in the countercurrent principle.

According to Fig. 6 the working medium is compressed during the external heat transfer, preferably in order to achieve low temperature differences between the working medium and the heat transfer medium on the sink side at low spreads or at a substantially constant temperature of the heat transfer medium on the sink side. Furthermore, the working medium is also compressed during the internal heat transfer in order to achieve a low temperature difference between the working medium and the heat transfer medium on the source side with high spreads of the heat transfer medium on the source side. The respective heat transfer medium and the working medium are guided through the channels in the countercurrent principle.

According to Fig. 7 During the external heat transfer, the working medium is expanded in order to achieve low temperature differences between the working medium and the heat transfer medium on the sink side with high spreads of the heat transfer medium on the sink side. Furthermore, the working medium is compressed during the internal heat transfer in order to achieve high spreads of the Heat transfer medium on the source side in turn to achieve a low temperature difference between the working medium and the heat transfer medium on the source side. The respective heat transfer medium and the working medium are guided through the channels in the countercurrent principle.

In Fig. 8 A further embodiment is shown in which no intermediate compression or intermediate expansion of the working medium takes place. For this purpose, the working medium flows through only one flow channel section 21 running in the circumferential direction in the radially inner region of the first rotor plate 10 per flow channel 12, ie not as in Fig. 2A , Fig. 2B and Fig. 3 several flow sections 21 connected to one another in loops. Accordingly, the working medium in the radially outer region of the first rotor plate 10 flows through only one flow channel section 17 running in the circumferential direction per flow channel 12, ie not as in Fig. 2A , Fig. 2B and Fig. 3 several flow channel sections 17 connected to one another in loops.

In Fig. 9 A further embodiment is shown, in which the first rotor plates 10 and/or the second rotor plates 11 each have at least one recess 33. The recesses 33 can be arranged in such a way that heat transfer between the flows of the working medium in flow channels 12 at different angular positions of the respective first rotor plate 10 is reduced, in particular essentially prevented. Furthermore, the heat transfer of the heat transfer media in the flow channels of the second rotor plates 11 to adjacent channels can be reduced, in particular essentially prevented, with the recesses 33. Furthermore, the recesses 33 can be arranged so that the heat transfer between the working medium and the heat transfer medium can essentially only take place at those points where the heat transfer is desired.

Fig. 10A shows a first embodiment variant, in which the first 10 and the second rotor plates 11 are out of round when viewed in the direction of rotation axis 2, here essentially rectangular, are. In the embodiment shown, the two shorter sides of the first 10 and second rotor plates 11 are curved and the two longer sides of the first 10 and second rotor plates 11 are straight.

Fig 10B and Fig. 10C show another essentially rectangular design of the rotor element. In Fig. 10B one of the first rotor plates 10 is shown, the channels of the adjacent second rotor plate 11 being shown in dashed lines. In Fig. 10C the second rotor plate 11 is shown. This version results in the following differences from the exemplary embodiments described above.

How out Fig. 10B As can be seen, the first rotor plate 10 in this embodiment has several, preferably between 10 and 200, preferably essentially parallel flow channels 12 for the working medium, which extend between the inlet openings 13 and at least one outlet opening 14, here a common outlet opening 14. For the sake of clarity, in Fig. 10B seven flow channels 12 per quarter of the first rotor plate 10, ie a total of 28 flow channels 12, are shown. The flow channels 12 each have one of the compression channels 15 leading away from the axis of rotation 2 to the outside, an outer one of the first heat transfer channels 18, an expansion channel 20 and an inner one of the first heat transfer channels 18. The first heat transfer channels 18 for forming the outer heat exchanger and the first heat transfer channels 18 for forming the inner heat exchanger are each arranged at different distances from the axis of rotation 2. The first heat transfer channels 18 on the outside are each connected to the corresponding first heat transfer channels 18 on the inside, so that the differences in the distances from the axis of rotation 2 are essentially the same. Thus, for example, the innermost channel of the parallel, essentially circumferentially leading first heat transfer channels 18 of the internal heat transfer is also connected to the innermost channel of the parallel, essentially in Circumferentially leading first heat transfer channels 18 of the external heat transfer are connected. The two radii of the connected inner and outer heat transfer channels 18 are designed so that the temperature difference between the inner and outer heat transfer channels is essentially the same in all parallel channels. This enables essentially the same temperature curves and constant heat transfer performance in all parallel heat transfer channels, which means that exergy losses are kept low and there is no preferential flow due to increased or reduced pressure differences.

Furthermore, the working medium flows in the embodiment of Fig. 10B , 10C in the area of heat transfer across the heat transfer medium, although low temperature differences (and thus low exergy losses) still occur. In Fig. 10A This is shown using the external heat transfer, in which the working medium in each of the parallel channels is compressed during the heat exchange in such a way that a constant temperature is established in this channel. The temperature spread for the cross-flowing heat transfer medium can be adjusted via the number and radius difference in the heat transfer area of the parallel channels. Due to the high number of parallel channels (with the same radial extent as in the versions with loops described above) and the comparatively short channel length, the pressure loss is reduced compared to the other versions. The same effect can be achieved in the area of internal heat transfer if each of the parallel inner channels is expanded during the heat exchange with the heat transfer medium via a radius reduction in the flow direction in such a way that the temperature within a channel is kept constant.

In Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 is a part of the rotor element 4 according to the embodiment Fig. 2A , Fig. 2B and Fig. 3 shown in greater detail. Accordingly, several flow channel sections 21 extending essentially in the circumferential direction extend next to each other, six in the example shown radially inner region, substantially circumferentially extending flow channel sections 17 in the radially outer region of the first rotor plates 10, substantially circumferentially extending sections 24 of the inner heat exchanger and substantially circumferentially extending sections 26 of the outer heat exchanger of the second rotor plates 11. Furthermore, in the Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 an end plate 34 without channels can be seen.

As the Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 show, the flow channels 12 of the first rotor plates 10 and the second heat transfer channels 22 of the second rotor plates 11 are each designed as depressions 35, which sink in relation to the flat outer or connecting surfaces 36 of the first 10 and second rotor plates 11. By stacking the first 10 and second rotor plates 11, the closed channels for the working or heat transfer medium are formed. The first rotor plates 10 and the second rotor plates 11 can be connected to one another via diffusion connections. These compounds are, for example, in the EP 3 885 691 described.

In Fig. 13 and the in Fig. 13 Detailed view of the marked with a rectangle Fig. 14 A further embodiment of the rotor is shown, with only the differences from the previous versions being discussed below. In the embodiment of the Fig. 13 and Fig. 14 the first rotor plates 10 not only have the compression channels 15, the expansion channels 20 and the first heat transfer channels 18 for the working medium, but also the second heat transfer channels 22 for the heat transfer medium. For this purpose, the first rotor plates 10 have on their first outer surfaces 36A the depressions 35 for forming the compression channels 15, the expansion channels 20 and the first heat transfer channels 18 for the working medium and on their second outer surfaces 36B depressions 35 for forming the second heat transfer channels 22 for the heat transfer medium on. The second rotor plates 11 are separating plates between the first rotor plates 10, free of the recesses 35 arranged to close the depressions 35 of the first rotor plates 10 in order to form the flow channels 12 and the second heat transfer channels 22.

Reference number list:

1. 1 rotor
2. 2 rotation axis
3. 3 pivot bearings
4. 4 rotor element
5. 5 water connections
6. 6 gas connections
7. 7 fan
8. 8 fan drive
9. 9 rotary unions
10. 10 first rotor plates
11. 11 second rotor plates
12. 12 flow channels of the first rotor plates 10
13. 13 inlet openings of the flow channels 12
14. 14 outlet openings of the flow channels 12
15. 15 compression channel
16. 16 flow channel section leading radially outwards
17. 17 flow channel section running in the circumferential direction
18. 18 first heat transfer channel
19. 19 flow channel section leading radially inwards
20. 20 relaxation channel
21. 21 flow channel sections running in the circumferential direction
22. 22 second heat transfer channels
23. 23 inner flow channels of the second rotor plates 11
24. 24 sections of the inner flow channels 23 running in the circumferential direction
25. 25 outer flow channels of the second rotor plates 11
26. 26 sections of the outer flow channels 25 running in the circumferential direction
27. 27 entrance openings
28. 28 exit openings
29. 29 additional entrance openings
30. 30 more exit openings
31. 31 passage openings in the first rotor plates 10
32. 32 through openings in the second rotor plates 11
33. 33 cutouts
34. 34 end plate
35. 35 wells
36. 36 exterior or connecting surfaces
37. 37 engine

Claims (15)

Rotor (1), in particular a rotary heat pump, comprising: an axis of rotation (2), a number of compression channels (15), in which a working medium, in particular a gas, preferably a noble gas, is led away from the axis of rotation (2) to increase the pressure due to centrifugal acceleration, a number of expansion channels (20), in which the working medium is guided towards the rotation axis (2) to reduce the pressure due to the centrifugal acceleration, a number of first heat transfer channels (18) for the working medium and a number of second heat transfer channels (22) for a heat transfer medium, in particular a liquid, so that heat is transferred between the working medium flowing in the first heat transfer channels (18) and the heat transfer medium flowing in the second heat transfer channels (22), marked by a number of first (10) and second rotor plates (11), which have the compression channels (15), the expansion channels (20), the first heat transfer channels (18) for the working medium and the second heat transfer channels (22) for the heat transfer medium, wherein the first (10) and the second rotor plates (11) are connected to one another along their main extension planes. Rotor (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the number of first rotor plates (10), each at least one of the compression channels (15), at least one of the expansion channels (20) and at least one of the first heat transfer channels (18) for the working medium and the number of second rotor plates (11) each have at least one of the second heat transfer channels (22) for the heat transfer medium. Rotor (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the first rotor plates (10) each have at least one flow channel (12) with a preferably substantially radially outwardly extending flow channel section (16) to form one of the compression channels (15) and/or with a preferably substantially radially inwardly extending flow channel section (19) to form one of the expansion channels (20) and/or with a flow channel section (17, 21) which preferably runs essentially in the circumferential direction to form one of the first heat transfer channels (18), wherein the at least one flow channel (12) has an inlet opening (13) for the working medium at a first end and an outlet opening (14) for the working medium at a second end. Rotor (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a fan (7) is provided to maintain the flow of the working medium, preferably the inlet openings (13) having an outlet of the fan (7) and/or the outlet openings (14) are connected to an input of the fan (7). Rotor (1) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the first rotor plates (10) each have a plurality of flow channels (12), each with at least one preferably substantially radially outwardly extending flow channel section (16) and/or with at least one preferably essentially radially inwardly extending flow channel section (19) and/or with at least one preferably substantially circumferentially extending flow channel section (17, 21). Rotor (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the flow channels (12) of the first rotor plates (10) each have a plurality of flow channel sections (17, 21) which preferably extend essentially in the circumferential direction in order to form a plurality of first heat transfer channels (10). Have radial distances from the axis of rotation (2). Rotor (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that two adjacent flow channels (12) of the first rotor plates (10) are arranged mirrored with respect to a plane of symmetry spanned in the axial and radial directions, the two adjacent flow channels (12) sharing a common one Share inlet (13) and a common outlet opening (14) for the working medium. Rotor (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the second rotor plates (11) each have at least one inner flow channel (23) and at least one outer flow channel (25) each for forming one of the second heat transfer channels (22), wherein the outer flow channel (25) is arranged further outward in the radial direction than the inner flow channel (23). Rotor (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the first rotor plates (10) have the second heat transfer channels (22) for the heat transfer medium. Rotor (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the compression channels (15), the expansion channels (20) and the first heat transfer channels (18) for the working medium as depressions (35) starting from preferably essentially flat first outer surfaces (36A) of the first rotor plates (10) are formed, the second heat transfer channels (22) for the heat transfer medium i. as depressions (35) starting from preferably essentially flat outer surfaces (36) of the second rotor plates (11) or ii. are formed as depressions (35) starting from preferably essentially flat second outer surfaces (36B) of the first rotor plates (10). Rotor (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the first rotor plates (10) and the second rotor plates (11) are connected to one another via diffusion connections. Rotor (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the first (10) and the second rotor plates (11) are each substantially circular or non-round, in particular substantially rectangular. Method for producing a rotor (1), in particular a rotary heat pump, with the steps: Providing first rotor plates (10), Providing second rotor plates (11), Forming compression channels (15), expansion channels (20), first heat transfer channels (18) for a working medium and second heat transfer channels (22) for a heat transfer medium in the first (10) and/or in the second rotor plates (11), Stacking the first (10) and second rotor plates (11), connecting the first rotor plates (10) to the second rotor plates (11) along their main extension planes, and Rotary mounting of a rotor element (4) formed from the first (10) and the second rotor plates (11) about an axis of rotation (2). Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the first rotor plates (10) and the second rotor plates (11) are connected to one another by diffusion bonding. Method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the compression (15), the expansion (20), the first heat transfer channels (18) and/or the second heat transfer channels (22) are preferably formed by etching or milling in the first and/or or be formed in the second rotor plates (11).

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