FR2878614A1 - Heat exchanger for air-conditioning circuit of motor vehicle, has flat coolant circulating tube intercalated with reservoir and disposed in central zone of reservoir having two heat storage material storing volumes on both sides of tube - Google Patents

Abstract

The exchanger has a heat exchange unit (4) with a flat coolant circulating tube (12) disposed in a central zone of a reservoir (11) having two heat storage material storing volumes arranged on both sides of the tube. The reservoir and tube are intercalated. The unit (4) has two manifold cases with tube ends, each end with an annular ring for joining the end with another end to assure passage of coolant from one end to the other. The tube has lateral surfaces (14) that entirely contact with lateral surfaces (8) of the reservoir.

Description

Heat exchanger with heat accumulator

  The invention relates to a heat exchanger, for example used in the automotive field and more particularly to a heat exchanger comprising a plurality of heat transfer fluid circulation tubes, the ends of said tubes opening into collectors and tanks of material thermal storage in contact with the tubes so that the storage material and the coolant exchange heat with each other.

  A heat exchanger has the function of ensuring a heat exchange between a circulating fluid inside a plurality of tubes, called coolant, and an external fluid passing through the heat exchanger. In the case of a motor vehicle air-conditioning system, the external fluid may be air intended to be blown into the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The heat exchange allows to refresh the air blown.

  The tubes conventionally open into collectors, whose function is to put in fluid communication all or part of this plurality of tubes.

  The heat exchanger is connected to the remainder of a fluid circulation circuit, for example an air conditioning circuit for a motor vehicle. The circulation of the fluid inside the circuit is provided by a compressor driven directly by the engine of the motor vehicle.

  Therefore, when the engine of the vehicle is stopped, the circulation of the fluid in the circuit no longer takes place, and the heat exchange between the air and the heat transfer fluid can not take place. The air blown into the passenger compartment of the vehicle is then no longer refreshed. This situation is all the more problematic because recent fuel saving systems provide for the automatic stopping of the engine when the car comes to a standstill, frequently depriving the passenger compartment of cooled air.

  It is known to provide a heat exchanger of thermal storage material tanks associated with heat transfer fluid circulation tubes.

  For example, the French patent application FR 2 847 973 provides a heat exchanger provided with particular tubes having a plurality of heat transfer fluid circulation channels and a plurality of longitudinal cavities adjacent said channels. These longitudinal cavities receive a thermal storage material, while the channels ensure the circulation of the refrigerant. By contact between the cavities and the channels, the storage material and the coolant can exchange heat with each other.

  Thus, when the vehicle engine is running, the cooling fluid cools both the air passing through the heat exchanger and the thermal storage material. The thermal storage material returns the cold (more precisely frigories) to the air passing through the heat exchanger, when the engine is cut.

  Although these particular tubes have been satisfactory, their manufacture is relatively complex and expensive. One of the objects of the invention is to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a heat exchanger of a new type which comprises a plurality of heat exchange elements each housing at least one tank and at least one tube, interspersed.

  Thus, the thermal storage material at least partially surrounds the heat transfer fluid tubes improving the heat exchange between this material and this fluid.

  In one embodiment, the manifolds consist of a set of tube ends, each nozzle having junction means with another nozzle adapted to ensure the passage of heat transfer fluid from one tube end to the other. This allows to obtain collectors of reduced size.

  In this case, each endpiece preferably has a junction face arranged to bear against a junction face of an adjacent tube end, each junction face being provided with a fluid passage opening coinciding with the opening fluid passage of the junction face of the adjacent tube end. This configuration provides a smaller footprint.

  It is then advantageous for each end of the fluid circulation tube to consist of two symmetrical tabs each having a junction face and a bearing face, the bearing faces coming into contact with one another on the back of the tube. other. In this case, a tube may be wedged between the symmetrical tabs of the tube end.

  In one embodiment of the invention, said heat exchange element consists of a generally tubular reservoir in which a tube is housed. The manufacture of such a heat exchanger is considerably simplified and inexpensive. Indeed, it is sufficient to make tubes and to add a tubular reservoir easy to manufacture. In particular, the tanks and the tubes can be made separately.

  Advantageously, the tube is then disposed in a central zone of the tank leaving two storage volumes of thermal storage material on either side of said tube, so as to allow a good heat exchange between the coolant and the storage material thermal.

  Optionally, the heat exchanger may comprise at least one corrugated insert adapted to be housed in one of the storage volumes of a reservoir between the tube and said reservoir. The interlayer thus makes it possible to partition the storage volume in which it is housed.

  In an advantageous embodiment, each heat transfer fluid circulation tube has two parallel lateral faces, each reservoir has two parallel lateral faces and each of the lateral faces of a tube is in surface contact with one of the lateral faces of the tube. 'a reservoir. Thus, for the manufacture of the heat exchanger according to the invention, tubes known as "flat tubes" are used. Then, the tank can take the form of a flat tube of larger size. The surface contact makes it possible to ensure good heat transfer between the tube and the tank, which is important for the proper operation of the exchanger when the engine is running, as will be seen further.

  An interesting configuration provides that the ends of the tubes protrude from the tank, and that each tank is provided with closure means arranged to allow the passage of a tube.

  The closure means can then consist of a reservoir tip in which is arranged a fluid circulation tube passage.

  In this case, it is advantageous for each end of the reservoir to consist of two symmetrical tabs, each leg having a bearing face coming into contact with the bearing face of the other leg, and for each bearing face to be present. a shaped recess adapted to at least partially accommodate a fluid circulation tube. Thus, the reservoir tip can be folded over the tank by wedging its end.

  Preferably, each bearing face of a reservoir tip has an opening into which said push-ment ment 10 opens.

  In an advantageous embodiment, each lug of a tube endpiece forms with one of the lugs of a tank nozzle a piece of a single block, which makes it possible to produce the tube and reservoir ends of a tube. single and same room.

  In another embodiment of the invention, said heat exchange element consists of a reservoir comprising two generally symmetrical cheeks each having a bearing face coming into contact with the bearing face of the other plate. , and each bearing face having a recess adapted to house at least partly a heat transfer fluid circulation tube. In this embodiment, the reservoir is made in two parts assembling by wedging a tube.

  In this embodiment, the reservoir may be provided with closure means consisting of two symmetrical shells each having a bearing face arranged to come into contact with the bearing face of the other shell.

  Preferably, each bearing face of a shell is then provided with a shaped recess adapted to accommodate at least a portion of a circulating fluid flow tube.

  In this case, each shell is advantageously provided with at least one opening coinciding with an opening of a tube end.

  Preferably, each cheek forms with a shell a piece of a single block.

  In a particular embodiment, each fluid circulation tube consists of two associated stamped plates 10.

  As an option, the associated stamped plates externally have recessed areas ensuring the retention of the thermal storage material.

  The hulls may have a hole in communication with a tank.

  In another embodiment of the invention, said heat exchange element consists of two closure plates and at least a first interposed intermediate plate, in which at least one tube profile and a reservoir profile are cut out. . Thus, the heat exchange element can be easily composed from plates, for example sheet metal, cut.

  Advantageously, the tube profile then has a general shape of U. In this case, a single collector is necessary, simplifying the structure of the heat exchanger.

  An interesting configuration provides that the branches of the U extend into forming undulations, and that the undulations of the branches are complementary. It is thus possible to produce a tube of considerable length while remaining in the space defined by the dimensions of the intermediate plate.

  In a particular embodiment, the profile of each tank is complementary to at least a portion of the profile of a tube so as to reduce the amount of material separating the tubes from the tanks and consequently to improve the heat exchange between the thermal storage material and the coolant.

  A reservoir profile can then be cut each time between the branches of the U and externally to each leg of the U so as to optimize the volume offered by the intermediate plate.

  In a preferred embodiment, said heat exchange element is furthermore constituted by a second interposed intermediate plate, in which at least one tube profile and one reservoir profile are cut out. A heat exchange element then comprises several reservoirs and several fluid circulation tubes.

  In this case, an intermediate closure plate may be provided interposed between the first and second intermediate plates.

  The intermediate closure plate then preferably comprises at least one series of holes connecting at least one tube profile and / or at least one reservoir profile of each of the first and second intermediate plates. This ensures the communication between the tanks and / or tubes.

  In an advantageous configuration, the closure plates have at least one hole in communication with a tube profile, and these plates also have an additional hole in communication with a reservoir. This makes it possible to predict the supply of a heat exchange element made of storage material and heat transfer fluid.

  In a preferred embodiment, the heat exchange fluid is a refrigerant type fluid and the thermal storage material is a frigory storage material. Thus, the heat exchanger can be used in a motor vehicle air conditioning system.

  Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic front view of a heat exchanger according to FIG. In a first embodiment provided with heat exchange elements, FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of a heat exchange element of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1 in a first configuration; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the heat exchange element of FIG. 2, FIG. 4A is a partial perspective view of a portion of a heat exchange element of the heat exchanger of FIG. FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of a heat exchanger element 30 of the exchanger of the figure in an alternative embodiment, FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 'a heat exchange element FIG. 4D is a partial cross-sectional view of the heat exchange element of FIG. 2 in an alternative embodiment, FIG. 5 is a view of the exchanger of FIG. a perspective view of a reservoir tip according to the invention in a first configuration - FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a tube endpiece according to the invention in a first configuration, - FIG. Figure 8 is a front view of a reservoir tip 15 in a second configuration and a tube end of Figure 7; FIG. 9 is a partial exploded perspective view of the heat exchange element of FIG. 8 in an alternative embodiment; FIG. 10 is a profile view of the heat exchange element of FIG. 9; FIG. 11A is a partial schematic and side view of several elements FIG. 11B is a perspective view of a part of FIG. 11A alone, FIG. 12 is a partial exploded view of a tube end and FIG. Fig. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a combined tube end and reservoir tip in another alternative embodiment; Fig. 14 is a partial perspective view of a In another alternative embodiment, FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a plurality of associated tips of FIG. 14; FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. a heat exchange element in another embodiment of the invention; FIG. 17 is a partial profile view of the heat exchange element of FIG. 16; FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view. of a heat exchange element in another mode of embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a heat exchanger constituted from heat exchange elements of FIG. 18.

  The accompanying drawings may not only serve to complete the invention, but also contribute to its definition if necessary.

  Figure 1 is a schematic front view of a heat exchanger according to the invention in a first embodiment.

  The heat exchanger 1 consists of two manifolds 2 of generally parallelepipedal shape arranged vis-à-vis. Between the manifolds 2 is disposed a bundle of heat exchange elements 4 for containing a thermal storage material and a coolant, and arranged aligned. The heat exchange elements 4 are of tubular general appearance, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Between two adjacent heat exchange elements 4, there is each time a heat exchange spacer 6. The spacer is Heat exchange 6 serves to increase the heat exchange surface between a thermal storage material, a heat transfer fluid contained in the heat exchange elements 4 and the air flowing through the heat exchanger 1.

  FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of a heat exchange element 4 of the heat exchanger 1 of FIG. 1. The heat exchange element 4 consists of a tank 11. The tank 11 is of oblong section and has two large substantially rectangular parallel faces 8 substantially rectangular interconnected by junction portions 10 bent. The reservoir 11 may be considered to be a large flat tube. By the term "flat tube" means a tube whose spacing between the two large faces is small compared to the width of these large faces. The reservoir 11 may similarly be formed as a plate tube, folded tube, extruded tube, rolled tube, or any other known form.

  The heat exchange element 4 is furthermore constituted by a fluid circulation tube 12 disposed in the interior space of the tank 11, in a central zone. In this embodiment, the tube 12 is of the flat tube type. The fluid circulation tube 12 has, in a similar manner to the tubular reservoir 4, two large symmetrical and substantially rectangular planar side faces 14 connected in pairs by bent junction portions 16.

  The reservoir 11 and the tube 12 described here are of similar shapes and flat type, but other configurations are possible. It is thus possible to provide a fluid circulation tube of circular section disposed within a round section tank. It is also possible to provide a round section fluid circulation tube disposed inside a flat type tank.

  In addition, different types of flat tubes may be arranged inside the tank 4, in particular plate tubes, bent, extruded, rolled, or any other known form.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-section of the heat exchange element 4. The tube 12 has a plurality of longitudinal channels 17 ensuring the circulation of a coolant, which here is a refrigerant. Such a tube 12 is sometimes referred to as a "multi-channel flat tube". Other types of tubes may be used here, in particular single-channel tubes.

  The flat tube 12 is disposed in a central zone of the reservoir 11. The flat tube 12 being of smaller size than the reservoir 11, two longitudinal material storage volumes 18 are formed on either side of the flat tube 12 to the 11. These storage volumes 18 may be filled with a thermal storage material, for example a material for storing frigories. In the case where a refrigerant circulates inside the longitudinal channels 17, the latter in particular cools the frigory storage material contained in the storage volumes 18.

  The lateral faces 14 of the flat tube 12 are in contact on their entire surface with the lateral faces 8 of the tank 11. Thus, the heat exchange between the coolant circulating inside the longitudinal channels 17 of the flat tube 12 and the air grazing the side faces 8 of the tank 11 are optimized. To further improve the heat exchange, the heat exchange pads 6 (not shown in FIG. 3) are in contact with the lateral faces 8 of the tank 11.

  FIG. 4A illustrates an alternative embodiment of the flat tube 12. In this variant, the flat tube 12 has, associated with the junction portions 16 bent, a series of partition elements 20 of generally rectangular shape arranged so that their length follows. the length of the flat tube 12 and that their height is arranged perpendicular to the major axis of the oblong section of the flat tube 12. This height is substantially equal to the thickness of the tank 11.

  FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the flat tube 12 of FIG. 4A disposed inside the tank 11 of FIG. 2. Once this flat tube 12 has the partition elements 20 introduced inside the tank 11 the storage volumes 18 are partitioned and have a plurality of longitudinal compartments 22 containing thermal storage material.

  Figure 4C is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the partition elements 20 of Figure 4A. In this variant, the partition elements 20 are generally bent similarly to the junction portions 10 bent of the tubular reservoir 4.

  As shown in FIG. 4D, the storage volumes 18 may optionally be partitioned by means of each of a generally corrugated spacer 24.

  It should be noted that in the heat exchange element 4, the tank 11 and the tube 12 are arranged interposed or nested so that, in a median plane of the heat exchange element 4 parallel to the large faces 8 of the reservoir 11, there is obtained a heat transfer fluid circulation tube section 12 flanked by two portions of the thermal storage material tank 11. This arrangement makes it possible to obtain a good heat exchange between the storage material and the coolant.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a reservoir tip 26 comprising two symmetrical lugs 28 each provided with a bearing face 30. The symmetrical lugs 28 are interconnected by a metal loop 31, which can be folded so that the bearing faces 30 come into contact with one another. Each bearing face 30 has a first recess 32 whose shape is provided so as to receive substantially half of the section of the flat tube 12. Each bearing face 30 also has a second recess 34 of shape adapted to to accommodate approximately half of the tank section 11. The first 32 and second 34 depressions communicate. By folding the symmetrical lugs 28 against each other, the second recesses 34 of the bearing faces 34 delimit a first housing whose shape is adapted to receive one of the ends of the tank 11 and to ensure the passage of the tube dish 12.

  Thus the tank tip 26 closes the end of the tank 11 while allowing the passage of the flat tube 12, which protrudes from the tank nozzle 26. The flat tubes 12 protruding from the tanks 11, and more specifically the end caps of the tanks 26, they can be received in manifolds 2.

  In another embodiment of a heat exchanger according to the invention, a tube endpiece 36, which is illustrated seen in perspective in Figure 6, may be provided. The tube end 36 consists of two symmetrical tabs 38 each having a bearing face 40 and a junction face 42. The bearing faces 40 are arranged to bear against each other and thus close. the tube endpiece 36. Each of the bearing faces 40 has a not shown depression capable of accommodating a portion of the section of a flat tube 12. Thus, once closed the tube endpiece 36 is capable of receiving the end of a flat tube 12. Each of the bearing surfaces 40 and junction 42 of the same symmetrical lug 38 are traversed by a same circular fluid passage opening 41 allowing the passage of the refrigerant fluid from the flat tube 12 to the outside of the tube end 36. Each of the junction faces 42 is further provided with an annular collar 44 projecting from the junction face 42 and bordering the fluid passage opening 41. The annular collar 44 is arranged to rest on an annular collar 42 of a tip of tu be 12 adjacent. In this embodiment, a manifold is made by successive stacks of tube ends 36, each annular flange 44 resting on an annular flange 44 of an adjacent tube tip 36.

  FIG. 7 illustrates, seen in perspective, a flat fluid circulation tube 12 provided with the end piece 36 illustrated in FIG. 6 and disposed inside a reservoir 11 to form a heat exchange element 4.

  In a particular embodiment (not shown), a heat exchanger is made by jointly using the reservoir tip 26 of FIG. 5 to plug the reservoirs 11 and the tube end 36 of FIG. 6 to form collectors. of fluid.

  In an alternative embodiment, which is illustrated in FIG. 8, the shape of the first recesses 32 of the reservoir tip 26 is not intended either to house the flat tube 12 but to partially house one of the symmetrical legs A tube end 36. Thus, the lower part of the tube end 36 is trapped in the reservoir tip 26, as shown in FIG.

  Optionally, it can be provided on one of the symmetrical lugs 28 of the reservoir tip 26 a passage opening of thermal storage material 45 which communicates with one of the second recesses 34. This opening can be used for filling the storage volumes 18.

  FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative embodiment comprising a reservoir nozzle 26 of the type illustrated in FIG. 8, a tube endpiece 36 of the type described above and a tube 12 of the type illustrated in FIG. 4A.

  FIG. 10 is a side view of the variant embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 9. It can be optionally provided with a tubular-shaped joining member 46 provided at its end with a collar 48 projecting from a symmetrical tab 28 of the reservoir tip 26 and surrounding a passage opening of thermal storage material. A flange 48 of a connecting member 46 is arranged to rest on the flange 48 of a connecting member 46 of an adjacent reservoir tip 11. The successive stacking of the connecting members 46 forms a conduit for the passage of the thermal storage fluid which feeds each of the tanks 11 of a heat exchanger.

  Thus the filling of the tanks 11, i.e storage volumes 18 is facilitated.

  FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate an alternative embodiment in which a heat storage material passage opening 50 is provided on each of the lateral faces 8 of the tanks 11. In a tank 11, one of the openings communicates with one storage volumes 18, the other opening being in communication with the other storage volume 18. There is then provided a connecting member 52. As shown in detail in FIG. 11B, the connecting member 52 is provided under the form of a short segment of circular section tube 54, each end of which ends in the shape of a flared collar 56. One of the flared collars 56 of a connecting member 52 bears on a lateral face 8 of a reservoir 11 surrounding a passage opening of thermal storage material 50, the other flared collar 56 bearing on another tubular reservoir 4 in a similar manner. The connecting members 52 make it possible to create a supply duct for the tanks 11 as previously described.

  Figure 12 illustrates, in perspective, a combined nozzle 58 providing both the functions of a tube tip 36 and a tank nozzle 26. The combined nozzle 58 is in the form of two symmetrical tabs 60 each having a bearing face 62 and a junction face 64. Each symmetrical lug 60 has a reservoir tip portion at which the bearing face 62 has a first depression 66 capable of accommodating about half of the section of the reservoir. tank 11 near its end. Each of the first depressions 66 is prolonged by a second depression

  68 adapted to accommodate about half of the section of the flat tube 12. Each of the second recesses 68 opens radially into a heat transfer fluid passage opening 41 surrounded by an annular collar 44 of the type described above. In this embodiment, it is noted that the reservoir 11 is provided with a circular opening passage of thermal storage material 50 of the type described above and a junction member 46 also described above.

  Figure 13 is a view from another angle of the combined tip 58 of Figure 12.

  FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a combined nozzle as an alternative embodiment of the combined nozzle 58 of FIG. 12. The combined nozzle 70 is in the form of two symmetrical branches 72 interconnected by a loop junction 74 which can be folded to support the branches 72 against each other. Each of the symmetrical branches 72 is of generally cylindrical shape with a ring-shaped section comprising an inner wall 76 of cylindrical shape and an outer wall 78 also of cylindrical shape. The inner wall 76 internally defines a central space 80. Externally, the inner wall defines in combination with the outer wall 78 an inner space 82 of ring section.

  At each of its ends, the outer wall 78 widens to form in each case an annular collar 84A and 84B. Once folded loop 74, one of the annular collars, designated annular support collar 84A of a symmetrical branch 72 bears on one of the annular flanges 84, ie the annular support collar 84A, the Another branch 72. The annular flanges 84 left free will be called annular junction collars and denoted 84B. The inner wall 76 widens at one and the other of its ends so as to form in each case an annular collar called respectively the support collar 86A or the connecting collar 86B, depending on whether they come into contact with a collar of the same combined tip 70 or not. Once the loop 74 folded, the support collars 86A and 84A of the inner walls 76 and outer 78 bear against the bearing collars 86A and 84A of the inner walls 76 and outer 78 of the other symmetrical branch 82.

  Each symmetrical branch 82 has on the side of the support collars 84A and 86A a first recess 88 of a shape adapted to house a portion of the section of the reservoir 11 and a second recess 90 of a shape adapted to partially house the section of the flat tube 12 , the first 88 and second 90 recess communicating with each other. The second depression 90 opens into the central space 80 while the first depression 88 opens into the inner space 82 of the symmetrical branch 82.

  By successive stacking of combined tips 70 of the type illustrated in Figure 15, are formed: - by association of the central spaces 80 a refrigerant circulation duct 92 acting as a collector, - by association of interior spaces 82 in communica15 tion a supply duct 94 of thermal storage material.

  This configuration of the combined nozzle 70 offers the advantage of a small footprint while ensuring a simple supply of each of the storage volumes of the tanks 11.

  Fig. 16 is an exploded perspective view of a heat exchange element 95 in another embodiment of the invention. The heat exchange element 95 consists of a reservoir 96 and a fluid circulation tube 98.

  The reservoir 96 of FIG. 16 consists of two stamped plates 96A, or cheeks, shaped in a metal sheet and each having a bearing face 98 and an outer face 100. The bearing faces 98 are arranged so that the bearing face 98 of a stamped plate 96A can bear against the bearing face 98 of the other stamped plate 96A. Each bearing face 98 is further provided with a recess 102, the shape of which is designed to accommodate substantially half of the section, and much of the length, of a fluid circulation tube.

  In a particular embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 16, the heat transfer fluid circulation tube 104 is a two-part tube consisting of two stamped plates 104A each having an outer face 106 and a bearing face 108. support 108 of each of the stamped plates 104A is arranged so that it can bear against the bearing face 108 of the other pressed plate 104A. The bearing faces 108 are provided with a recess 110 in the shape of a U and thus forming a generally U-shaped tube, by association of the two stamped plates 104A. On the outer face 106 of the stamped plates 104A are provided recesses 112 able to retain, once the tube 104 housed between the two stamped plates 102, the thermal storage material. At the free ends of the branches of the U of each of the stamped plates 104A, there is provided a half-end tube 114 formed in the same sheet metal plate at the origin of the stamped plate 104A. The half-tube end 114 has on the side of the outer face 106 two annular flanges 116.

  In a non-illustrated variant embodiment of the heat exchange element 95 of FIG. 16, the bearing face 98 of each stamped plate 96A bears against the outside face 106 of a stamped plate 104A and the faces 108 support stamped plates 104A bear against each other.

  At one end of each of the stamped plates 96A, there is provided a hull 118 of parallelepiped general appearance, in the form of a depression of the bearing face 102 of the stamped plate 96A. Two shells 118 associated form the tip of the tank 96. Two circular holes 120 are provided in each of the shells 118, which correspond to the openings defined by the annular flanges 116 of the stamped plates 104A. Once the two stamped plates 104A associated and housed between the two stamped plates 96A joined, there is in the presence of a reservoir 96 inside which is housed a fluid circulation tube 104. Each of the shells 118 has a face d support 122 located on the same side as the outer face 100 of the stamped plate 96A and which can bear against the bearing face 122 of an adjacent shell 118 in the heat exchanger.

  Thus associated by successive stacking of the bearing faces 122, the shells 118 in combination with the annular collars 116 form two tubular fluid circulation ducts having an axis perpendicular to the axis of the U-shaped tubes. these conduits, can circulate the refrigerant.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the stamped plates 96A are provided at the level of the depression of their bearing face 98 with additional recesses 124 regularly distributed over the height of each of the stamped plates 96A and running over the entire width of the stamped plate 96A. These recesses 124 make it possible to put in communication the retention recesses 112 of the U-shaped fluid circulation tubes. Optionally, the bearing face 122 of the shells 118 may have a passage 126, circular in this embodiment, allowing supplying the interior of the reservoir 96 with thermal storage material.

  It should be noted that in the heat exchange element 95, the tube 94 and the reservoir 96 are arranged interposed, or nested, so that, in a plane parallel to the stamped plates 96A, the portion of the fluid circulation tube is framed. by two tank portions of thermal storage material.

  Fig. 18 is an exploded perspective view of a heat exchange element 127 in another embodiment of the invention. The heat exchange element consists of two generally rectangular closure plates 128, between which are inserted a first intermediate plate 130 and a second intermediate plate 132, both having a generally rectangular shape and substantially identical to the closing plates. 128. Between the first 130 and second 132 intermediate plates, is interposed an intermediate closure plate 134 of generally rectangular shape and substantially identical to the appearance of the closing plates 128 and intermediate 130 and 132.

  In the first 130 and second 132 intermediate plates are cut the profiles of a first 136 and a second 138 heat transfer fluid tubes. The first 136 and second 138 profiles are of similar shape and have a general shape in U. Each of the branches of the U has a series of undulations such that the oscillations of a branch are complementary to the oscillations of the U-shaped branch. to face. Between the branches of the U of the first 136 and the second 138 tube profile are cut respectively a profile of the first central reservoir 140 and a second central reservoir profile 142. The shape of the profiles of the first 140 and second 142 central reservoirs is complementary to the shape of each of the branches of the U. Externally to the branches of the U of each of the intermediate plates and 132 are formed respectively of the first 144 and second 146 side tanks. The shape of the first 144 and second 146 side tanks is partly complementary to a branch of the U and for the rest, an edge of the intermediate plate 136 or 138. At the free ends of the branches of the U, the profiles of the first 136 and second 138 tubes widen to form each time a substantially ovoidal end 148. The intermediate closure plate 134 has a series of first holes 150 distributed in a U-shaped arrangement. This U-shaped arrangement follows the pace of the first 140 and second 142 tubes.

  Once the first 130 and second 132 intermediate plates affixed to either side of the intermediate closure plate 134, the first 140 and second 142 profiles of fluid circulation tubes are placed in communication via the first holes 150 Thus the regular distribution of the first holes 150 ensures good fluid communication between the first 140 and second 142 tubes. In a particular embodiment, the first holes 150 are diamond-shaped.

  In addition, the intermediate closure plate 134 has a series of second holes 152 arranged aligned along the central height of the intermediate closure plate 134 and which make it possible to put in communication the first 140 and second 142 central tanks. The intermediate closure plate 134 finally has a series of third lateral holes 154 arranged aligned along the height of the intermediate closure plate 134 and for communicating the first 144 and second 146 side tanks.

  The closure plates 128 and the intermediate closure plate 134 have in their upper part each two ovoid orifices 156 corresponding to the ovoid profile of the free ends 148 of the u of the fluid circulation tubes.

  In addition, the closure plates 128 and 134 have an additional orifice 158 of substantially triangular shape and which is superimposed both on a portion of the first 140 and second 142 central tanks and a portion of the first 144 and second 146 side tanks . Thus, this additional orifice 158 makes it possible to fill the reservoirs with storage materials.

  When the closure plates 128, the intermediate closure plate 134 and the first 130 and second 132 intermediate plates are assembled, the heat exchange element 127 comprises a first 136 and a second fluid flow tube 136. general U-shape and communication between them. The heat exchange element 127 further comprises six tanks of thermal storage material also in communication with each other.

  In the heat exchange element 127, the tubes 136 and 138 and the reservoirs are arranged interposed, or nested. Indeed, in a plane parallel to the closure plates, for example, there is each time between two tanks a fluid circulation channel.

  FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a heat exchanger formed from heat exchange elements of FIG. 18. In this heat exchanger, a plurality of heat exchange elements 127 aligned in beam and communicated with each other via spacers 160. A spacer 160 is also shown in Figure 18. The spacer 160 is in the form of a parallelepiped piece in which are formed two holes separate 162 corresponding to the holes 156 provided in the closure plates 128 and a third separate hole 164 corresponding to the additional holes 158 provided in the closure plates 128. The stack of these spacers 160 allows to create a manifold 166.

  Other embodiments may be envisaged from those described above.

  Thus, it has been illustrated in FIG. 18, a heat exchange element 127 whose corrugations of the profiles of the first 136 and second 138 fluid circulation tubes are in phase opposition (ie a corrugation of the profile of the first tube 136 oriented towards the nearest edge of the first intermediate plate 130 is vis-à-vis a corrugation of the profile of the second tube 138 facing the edge farthest from the second intermediate plate 132). It may be envisaged to provide the corrugations of the profiles of the first 136 and second 138 fluid flow tubes in phase. In this case, the intermediate closure plate 134 may be omitted, and the first 130 and second 132 associated intermediate plates, for example by brazing.

  The first 130 and second 132 intermediate plates shown in FIG. 18 are identical and have been arranged in opposition. They can be identical and arranged symmetrically. Then, the intermediate closure plate 134 may be omitted as described in the previous paragraph.

  The profiles of the first 136 and second 138 tubes may also differ from each other. In this case, the portions of these profiles which are superimposed are advantageously placed in communication by at least one hole provided each time in the intermediate closure plate 134 opposite these portions.

  The holes provided in the intermediate closure plate 134 have been described as diamond shaped for the first holes 150 and circular in shape for the second 152 and third 154. Different shapes may be used for these holes.

  In a non-illustrated embodiment of the heat exchange element 127, the first intermediate plate 130 and the second intermediate plate 132 may be made by stamping. In this case, the profiles of the first 136 and second 138 tubes are shaped by stamping into a sheet metal plate. They each present a background. Therefore, the closure plates 128 may be omitted.

  The tubes have the function of creating fluid circulation channels. The tubes can thus be of the plate type, bent, extruded, flat tubes, or any other known embodiment.

  The purpose of reservoirs is to create channels suitable for receiving thermal storage materials. These tanks may be of the tank type plate, folded tube tank, extruded tank, capsule tank, or any other known embodiment.

  Different types of tube can be combined with tanks of different types.

  The coolant can be a storage fluid of 20 calories or frigories, that is to say a refrigerant, for example 002.

  The thermal storage material may be a cold storage material or a heat storage material. In addition, it may take the form of a solid material (for example in the form of salt), a liquid with a phase change, or else be of the coolant type.

  The tanks can be implemented in a so-called passive storage device, that is to say in which there is no circulation of thermal storage material inside the tanks, or in a so-called device active storage device, that is to say a device in which a circulation of the storage material is ensured inside the tanks, by means of a loop or circuit of thermal storage material set in motion using a pump.

  Finally, it has been described, in particular in FIG. 1, a heat exchanger equipped with two manifolds 2. It can be envisaged a heat exchanger provided with a single manifold associated with so-called fluid circulation tubes. U. In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17, on the one hand, and 18 and 19, on the other hand, the circulation of the heat transfer fluid is in a U-shaped path. However, it is possible to carry out a circulation in I, for example by dissociating the two branches of the U so as to form two fluid circulation tubes or by associating them in a single tube I. The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above only to As an example, but encompasses all the variants that may be considered by those skilled in the art within the scope of the claims below.

Claims (31)

claims   1. Heat exchanger comprising a plurality of heat transfer fluid circulation tubes (12, 104, 136, 138), the ends of said tubes (12, 104, 136, 138) opening into collectors (2.36, 58, 70, 104, 160), and reservoirs ( 11,96,142,144,146) of thermal storage material in contact with the tubes (12,104,136,138) so that the storage material and the coolant exchange heat with each other, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of exchange elements thermal device (4,95,127) each housing at least one reservoir (11, 96,142,144, 146) and at least one tube (12,104,136,138) interposed therebetween.   2. Heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that the manifolds consist of a set of tube ends (36,58,70, 114), each endpiece having connecting means (44,116) with another nozzle adapted to ensure the passage of heat transfer fluid from one end of tube to another.   3. Heat exchanger according to claim 2, characterized in that each tube end (36,58,70,114) has a junction face (64,42, 86B) arranged to bear against a junction face of a adjacent tube tip, each junction face being provided with a fluid passage opening (41,80) coinciding with the fluid passage opening of the junction face of the adjacent tube tip.   4. Heat exchanger according to claim 3, characterized in that each tube end (36,58,70,114) of fluid flow consists of two symmetrical tabs each having a junction face (64,42,86B) as well as a bearing face (84A, 62, 40), the bearing faces coming into contact with one another.   5. Heat exchanger according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said heat exchange element (4) consists of a tank (11) of generally tubular shape inside which is housed a tube ( 12).   6. Heat exchanger according to claim 5, characterized in that the tube (12) is disposed in a central zone of the reservoir (11) providing two storage volumes of material (18) for thermal storage on either side of said tube (12).   7. Heat exchanger according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises at least one interlayer (20,24) of corrugated form adapted to be housed in one of the storage volumes of a reservoir (11) between the tube (12) and said reservoir (11).   8. Heat exchanger according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each tube (12) of coolant circulation has two side faces (14) parallel to each other, that each reservoir (11) has two side faces (8). ) parallel to each other and that each of the side faces (8) of a tube (12) is in surface contact with one of the side faces (14) of a tank.   9. Heat exchanger according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the ends of the tubes (12,104) protrude from the reservoir (4,96), and each reservoir (4,96) is provided with closure means arranged to allow the passage of a tube (26,118).   10. Heat exchanger according to claim 9, caractéri-35 in that the closure means consist of a reservoir nozzle (26, 118) in which is arranged a passage of tube (32) fluid circulation.   11. Heat exchanger according to claim 10, characterized in that each reservoir tip (36,58,70) consists of two symmetrical lugs (28,60,72), each lug having a bearing face ( 40,62, 84A) coming into contact with the bearing face of the other leg, and in that each bearing face has a recess (32,68,90) of a shape adapted to at least partially accommodate a tube (12) fluid circulation.   12. Heat exchanger according to claim 11, characterized in that each bearing face (62,84A) of a reservoir nozzle (58,70) has an opening (41,80) in which said depression (68) opens. , 90).   13. Heat exchanger according to one of claims 11 and 12, characterized in that each lug (60,72) of a tube end (58,70) forms with one of the legs of a tank nozzle a piece (60,72) of a single block.   14. Heat exchanger according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said heat exchange element (95) consists of a reservoir (96) comprising two cheeks (96A) generally symmetrical each having a face of support (98) coming into contact with the bearing face (98) of the other cheek, and in that each bearing face (98) has a recess (102) able to accommodate at least partly a tube (104) heat transfer fluid circulation.   15. Heat exchanger according to claim 14, characterized in that the reservoir (96) is provided with closure means consisting of two symmetrical shells (118) each having a bearing face arranged to come into contact with the face of support of the other hull (118).   16. Heat exchanger according to claim 15, characterized in that each bearing face of a shell (118) is provided with a recess shaped to accommodate at least partly a tube end (114) circulation of heat transfer fluid.   17. Heat exchanger according to claim 16, characterized in that each shell (118) is provided with at least one opening (120) coinciding with an opening of a tube end.   18. Heat exchanger according to one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that each cheek (96A) forms with a shell (118) a piece of a single block.   19. Heat exchanger according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each tube (104) fluid circulation consists of two stamped plates (104A) associated.   20. Heat exchanger according to claim 19, characterized in that the stamped plates (104A) associated externally have recessed areas (112) ensuring the retention of the thermal storage material.   21. Heat exchanger according to one of claims 15 to 20, characterized in that the shells (118) have a hole (126) in communication with a reservoir (96).   22. Heat exchanger according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said heat exchange element (127) consists of two closure plates (128) and at least a first intermediate plate (130,132) intercalated, wherein are cut at least one tube profile (136,138) and a reservoir profile (140,142,144, 146).   23. Heat exchanger according to claim 22, characterized in that the tube profile (136,138) has a general appearance of U. 24. Heat exchanger according to claim 23, characterized in that the legs of the U extend forming undulations, and in that the corrugations of the branches are complementary.   25. Heat exchanger according to one of claims 22 to 24, characterized in that the profile of each reservoir (140, 142, 144, 146) is complementary to at least a portion of the profile of a tube (136, 138). .   26. Heat exchanger according to one of claims 23 to 25, characterized in that a reservoir profile (140,142) is cut each time between the branches of the U and external-ment each branch of the U. 27. Heat exchanger according to one of claims 22 to 25, characterized in that said heat exchange element is further constituted by a second interposed intermediate plate (132), in which are cut at least one tube profile (138) and a reservoir profile (142,146).   28. Heat exchanger according to claim 27, characterized in that an intermediate closure plate (134) is provided interposed between the first (130) and second plates (132) intermediate.   29. Heat exchanger according to claim 28, characterized in that the intermediate closure plate (134) comprises at least one series of holes (150,152,154) communicating at least one tube profile (136,138) and / or at least one reservoir profile (140,142,144,146) of each of the first (130) and second (132) intermediate plates.   Heat exchanger according to one of claims 22 to 29, characterized in that the closure plates (128) have at least one hole (156) in communication with a tube profile (136, 138), and that plates further have an additional hole (158) in communication with a reservoir (140,142,144,146).   31. Heat exchanger according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heat transfer fluid is a refrigerant type fluid and the thermal storage material is a frigory storage material.