FR2809482A1 - Tube matrix for motor vehicle heat exchanger has alternating first and second plates with folded edges and spacers to define crossing fluid flow channels - Google Patents

Abstract

The tube matrix for a motor vehicle heat exchanger has alternating first (20) and second (26) plates. Each first plate has parallel folded edges (22) to rest one a respective second plate and each second plate has two parallel folded edges (30) to rest on a respective first plate. Turbulence generators (24) and spacers (18) are alternatingly positioned between each first and second plate to define crossing channels for the two fluids. AN Independent claim is also included for a heat exchanger using the matrix

Description

<U> Beam <SEP> for <SEP> a <SEP> exchanger <SEP> of <SEP> heat, <SEP> in particular <SEP> of <SEP> vehicle </ U>
<tb><U> automobile, <SEP> and <SEP> exchanger <SEP> with <SEP> a <SEP> such <SEP> beam </ U>
<tb> The invention <SEP> concerns <SEP> a <SEP> beam <SEP> for <SEP> a <SEP> exchanger <SEP> of
<tb> heat, <SEP> in particular <SEP> from <SEP> vehicle <SEP> automobile, <SEP> than <SEP> by
<tb> example <SEP> a <SEP><SEP> air chiller <SEP> of <SEP> supercharging
<tb> It <SEP> concerns <SEP> more <SEP> precisely <SEP> a <SEP>SEP><SEP> beam of
<tb> heat <SEP> comprising <SEP> a <SEP> multiplicity <SEP> of <SEP> parallel <SEP> tubes
<tb> equipped <SEP> each <SEP> with <SEP> generator <SEP> of <SEP> alternating <SEP> turbulence
<tb> with <SEP><SEP> spacers.
<tb> The invention <SEP> concerns <SEP> also <SEP> a <SEP> heat exchanger <SEP> of <SEP> heat
<tb> with <SEP> a <SEP> bundle <SEP> of <SEP> this <SEP> type.
<tb> The <SEP><SEP> heat exchangers <SEP> heat <SEP> brazed <SEP> of <SEP> vehicle <SEP> automotive
<tb> include <SEP> usually <SEP> a <SEP> bundle <SEP> mounted <SEP> between <SEP> two
<tb> collector <SEP> boxes. <SEP> Each <SEP><SEP> collector <SEP> box includes <SEP> one
<tb> plate <SEP> collector, <SEP> also <SEP> called <SEP> collector <SEP> or <SEP> again
<tb> plate <SEP> to <SEP> holes, <SEP> closed <SEP> by <SEP> a <SEP> wall <SEP> of <SEP> way <SEP>'<SEP> delimit
<tb> a <SEP> room <SEP> in <SEP> which <SEP> opens <SEP> at <SEP> less <SEP> a <SEP> tubing.
<tb> The <SEP> bundle <SEP> is <SEP> formed <SEP> of a <SEP> multiplicity <SEP> of <SEP> tubes <SEP> arranged
<tb> in parallel <SEP> between <SEP> them <SEP> and <SEP> equipped <SEP> each <SEP> with a <SEP><SEP> generator
<tb> turbulence, <SEP> such <SEP> as <SEP> corrugated <SEP>. <SEP> The <SEP> tubes <SEP> alternate
<tb> with <SEP> tabs <SEP> which <SEP> are <SEP> also <SEP> of <SEP> type <SEP> corrugated. <SEP> They
<tb> are <SEP> also <SEP> formed <SEP> at <SEP> from <SEP> of a <SEP> strand <SEP> metallic <SEP> deformed
<tb> to <SEP> make <SEP> of <SEP> undulations. <SEP> So, <SEP> an <SEP> tab
<tb> arranged <SEP> between <SEP> two <SEP> adjacent <SEP> tubes <SEP> comes <SEP> to the respective <SEP><SEP> contact
<tb> of <SEP> two <SEP> tubes <SEP> by <SEP> of <SEP> end <SEP> regions <SEP> of <SEP> undulations.
<tb> Usually <SEP><SEP><SEP> heat exchanger <SEP> includes <SEP> besides <SEP> two
<tb> cheeks <SEP> still <SEP> called <SEP> sleepers, <SEP> who <SEP> frame <SEP> the <SEP> beam
<tb> and <SEP> are <SEP> arranged <SEP> parallel <SEP> to <SEP> tubes.
<tb> A <SEP> exchanger <SEP> of <SEP> heat <SEP> can <SEP> be <SEP> used <SEP> in <SEP> particular
<tb> for <SEP> build <SEP> a <SEP><SEP> air chiller <SEP> of <SEP> supercharging
<tb> of a <SEP> engine <SEP> of <SEP> vehicle <SEP> automobile. <SEP> In <SEP> this <SEP> case <SEP> tubes <SEP> of the bundle are traversed by the supercharging air and this air is cooled by heat exchange with outside air which sweeps the beam and passes between the tubes.

The assembly of a heat exchanger of this type requires a large number of operations. It is indeed necessary to introduce turbulence generators into the tubes, to assemble the beam by alternating the tubes and the spacers, and to mount the beam between two collector plates. these collector plates must then be closed each by a wall to form the collector boxes. The assembly thus assembled is brazed by passing through a brazing furnace. The object of the invention is in particular to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages.

It aims in particular to provide a heat exchanger beam, especially for a motor vehicle, and a heat exchanger comprising a beam of this type which is of simpler construction. In particular, the invention aims to allow a simple and easy assembly of the various components of the heat exchanger.

To this end, the invention proposes a heat exchanger bundle of the type defined above, which consists of a multiplicity of plates which comprise first plates alternating with second plates, the first plates each having two first parallel folded edges arranged so as to rest on a second plate, and the second plates each having two second parallel folded edges arranged to rest on a first plate extending in a direction perpendicular to the first folded edges, and wherein the turbulence generators and the spacers are each alternately arranged between a first plate and a second plate, so as to define crossed channels for the circulation of two fluids in heat exchange relationship. Thus, the assembly of the constituent parts of the exchanger is obtained by a simple operation of stacking the plates. Interleaves and turbulence generators are also set up by simple stacking instead of having to be introduced into a confined space, namely the tube itself, or the space between two parallel tubes.

Simply to alternate, in a stack, the first plates the second plates, as well as turbulence generators and spacers.

The beam is formed by alternately stacking an interca lar a turbulence generator disposed between a first plate and a second plate successive.

The assembly of the beam parts is thus much easier. This results in a saving of time and a reduction in the manufacturing cost of the heat exchanger. In addition, the assembly of the constituents of the beam can be automatized much more easily.

In addition, the ends of the bundle are assembled directly into manifolds without the need for intermediate manifold plates as hitherto required in prior art heat exchangers.

According to another characteristic of the invention, interca lars and turbulence generators are constituted by corrugated strips whose corrugations extend in respective orthogonal directions.

This makes it possible to channel the circulation of the two fluids in heat exchange relation.

Preferably, the bundle comprises a single cheek on which the folded edges of a first plate rests. The first plates and the second plates are advantageously a generally rectangular shape. folded edges of the first plates are advantageously profiled, for example rounded, so as to reduce their resistance to flow.

Advantageously, the cheek is provided with fixing means such as fixing lugs.

Moreover, the invention relates to a heat exchanger, particularly for a motor vehicle, consisting of a beam mounted between two manifolds comprising a beam as defined above.

At least one of the manifolds may consist of two flanks and a cover. One of the flanks carries a tubulure.

The collector boxes can also be made in one piece by stamping or folding.

In a preferred application of the invention, the heat exchanger is a supercharger air cooler for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent on reading the following description of an exemplary embodiment given by way of illustration with reference to the appended figures. In these figures - Figure 1 is a perspective view of a heat exchanger according to the invention; Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the heat exchanger shown in Figure 1; FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the detail III of the beam of the heat exchanger of FIG. 2; and FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of one end of the beam of the heat exchanger shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a heat exchanger according to the invention. In this embodiment, the heat exchanger is a charge air cooler for cooling the supercharging air of a heat engine, particularly a motor vehicle, after passing through a supercharger.

However, the invention also applies to other types of heat exchangers, such as for example a heat exchanger of a cooling circuit of a motor vehicle engine, or to a condenser of an air conditioning circuit. .

The heat exchanger consists of a beam, designated by the general reference 2, arranged between two manifolds, each designated by the general reference 4. Each manifold 4 consists of two flanks 6. Each rear flank, according to the FIG. 1 comprises fastening means, such as, for example, a tab 8. The two front flanks 6 each carry a pipe 10 for the entry or exit of a heat transfer fluid into the exchanger. A lid 12 closes the collection box.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1. The beam 2 rests on a cheek 14 which comprises, in the embodiment shown, two fastening tabs 16. A spacer 18, made in the form of a corrugated strip, is placed on the cheek 14, then a first plate 20 is disposed over the spacer 18. As can be seen more particularly in Figure 3 which shows a view of detail of the beam structure, and in Figure 4, which shows a perspective view of a portion of this beam, the plate 20 has two folded parallel edges 22, in the example of the rounded edges, of which only one of these edges is shown in Figures 3 and 4.

This rounded shape of the end edges 22 of the plate 20 has the function of reducing the resistance to the flow of a fluid that passes through the heat exchanger as will be seen later.

The plate 20 thus has, in section, a very elongated U-shape which has an opening wider than the length of the spacer 18 so that the plate 20 can be arranged over the insert 18 by simply superposition by making pass the interlayer into the opening of the plate. The plate 20 rests with its folded edges 22 on a lower plate 26, said second plate, which will be described later.

A turbulence generator 24, made in the form of a corrugated strip, is disposed on the back 23 of the first plate 0, then a second plate 26 is placed on the same back of the plate 20. The plate 26 has a back plane 28 which extends over the entire width of the exchanger beam, and two edges folded at right angles 30. The two ends of the folded edges 30 are folded again at right angles to the inside of the beam so as to determine two borders 32 (Figure 3), whose surface extends parallel to that of the back 28. It is by these two edges that the plate 26 rests on the back 23 of the plate 20 which is immediately lower.

The respective backs 23 and 28 of the first plate 20 and the second plate 26 are rectangular in shape and have substantially the same dimensions in length and width. On the other hand, their respective folded edges extend in perpendicular or crossed directions.

This shows that the plate 26 has, in section, the shape of a very elongated U. In the same way as for the plate 20, the opening of the U is wider than the width of the turbulence generator 24. In this way, the plate 26 can be arranged over the turbulence generator 24 simple overlay. The spacers 18 turbulence generators 24 are arranged alternately and their respective undulations extend in perpendicular or crossed directions.

The spacer 28, the first plate 20, the turbulence generator 24 and the second plate 26 constitute four basic elements which form the beam of the heat exchanger. With the exception of the single cheek 14, the beam consists only of these four elements which overlap in an alternating manner. In particular, it is necessary to provide a second cheek to the upper part of the exchanger, since it is the back 23 of the last plate 20 which provides this function. These basic elements are made of a metallic material, advantageously based on aluminum, covered with a solder plating.

Note also that it is not necessary to provide a header plate. Indeed, the superposition of the first plates 20 and the second plates 26 defines crossed channels at right angles for the circulation of two fluids in heat exchange relationship. In the exemplary embodiment, the supercharging air that passes through the beam in the direction of its length passing through turbulence generators 24, while the outside air passes through the beam 2 perpendicular to its length through the spacers 18 .

The charge air enters the heat exchanger through one of the manifolds and leaves it through the other with manifolds.

After soldering the exchanger, the contact between the rounded edges of the first plate 20 and the surface of the cheek 14 joined and sealed. It is the same with regard to the contact of the edges 32 with the back of the successive plates 20, as well as the contact of the rounded edges 22 following plates with the back of the successive plates 26 at each end of the bundle 2 are mounted boxes 4. In FIG. 2, the right collector box is assembled, whereas on the left-hand part of the figure only the side 6 which carries the pipe 0, and the cover 12 are shown. In an alternative embodiment, the collector boxes 2 could be made in one piece by stamping or bending. The manifolds 4 are brazed to the beam, at the same time as the structure of the latter.

It can be seen that the beam of the exchanger which has just been described can be assembled easily and quickly by placing a plane in play and then by superimposing one by one the different elements which constitute the beam the exchanger in a suitable order. This assembly does not require slips spacers and turbulence generators in tight spaces, as is the case in the exchangers of the prior art. It is enough to put the latter a flat surface, then to have a plate over these elements.

Thus, beam assembly can be automated easily. This gives a heat exchanger whose structure is compact and whose manufacturing cost is lowered compared to that of a heat exchanger of the prior art Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment previously described by way of example and extends to other variants.

Claims (4)

<U> Claims </ U> 1. A heat exchanger bundle, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a multiplicity of parallel tubes each equipped with a turbulence generator and alternating with dividers, characterized in that it consists of a multiplicity of plates (20, 26) which comprise first plates (20) alternating with second plates (26), the first plates (20) each having two first parallel folded edges (22) arranged to rest on a second plate (26) and the second plates (26) each having two second folded parallel edges (30) arranged to rest on a first plate (20) extending in a direction perpendicular to the first folded edges (), and in that the turbulence generators ( 24) and the interconnections (18) are alternately arranged between a first plate (20) and a second plate (26) so as to define channels s for the circulation of two fluids in heat exchange relationship. 2. Beam according to claim 1, characterized in that, is formed by alternately stacking a spacer (18) and a turbulence generator (24) disposed between a first plate (20) and a second plate (26) successive. 3. Beam according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the spacers (18) and the turbulence generators (24) are constituted by corrugated sheets whose corrugations extend in respective orthogonal directions. 4. Beam according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a single cheek (14) on which rests the folded edges (22) of a first plate (20). Beam according to one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the first plates (20) and second plates (26) are of generally rectangular shape Beam according to one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that the folded edges (22) first plates 20) are profiled so as to reduce their resistance to flow. Beam according to claim 6, characterized in that the folded edges (22) of the first plates 20) are rounded. Beam according to one of claims 4 to 7 characterized in that the cheek (14) is provided with fastening means 16). Heat exchanger, especially for a motor vehicle, consisting of a bundle (2) mounted between two manifolds (4), characterized in that the bundle (2) is according to one of claims 1 to 8. 10. Exchanger according to claim 9, characterized in that at least one of the manifolds (4) consists of two flanks (6) and a cover (12) and that one flank (6) carries a tubing (10). Heat exchanger according to claim 9, characterized in that the manifolds (4) are made in one piece by stamping or bending. Heat exchanger according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that it constitutes a charge air cooler for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle.