FR2985010A1 - PLATE FOR THERMAL EXCHANGER - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a plate for a heat exchanger (1) comprising a plurality of superposed plates in a stack (2), comprising a plurality of profiled edge portions (11, 12, 13, 21, 22, 23) distributed on the contour (3) of the plate (10, 20), said plate (10, 20) being characterized in that at least two contoured edge portions (11, 21) comprise at least a first connecting surface (4) and a second connecting surface (5), said first connecting surface (4) and said second connecting surface (5) being arranged at two different vertical levels (n1, n2) on both sides of the general plane (P) of the plate (10, 20), and arranged at two different distances (d1, d2) from the contour (3) of the plate.

Description

The present invention relates to the field of aerodynamics and particularly relates to a plate for a heat exchanger comprising a set of superimposed plates in a stack, and such a heat exchanger and a method of mounting such a heat exchanger .

It is known to produce a heat exchanger comprising a set of superimposed plates in a stack, said plate extending substantially in the same general plane and comprising a plurality of contoured edge portions of the same type distributed over the outline of the plate. and intended to bear on or serve as support for profiled edge portions of the same type of a plate of the same type adjacent to said plate in the stack of superposed plates. In heat exchangers according to the state of the art, the sealing between the plates is achieved by the welding of two adjacent plates.

However, these welds have the effect of degrading the continuity of the lateral sealing between two adjacent plates, which increases the internal and / or external leakage and tends to vary the efficiency of the heat exchanger. The present invention aims to solve all or some of the disadvantages mentioned above. To this end, the present invention relates to a plate for a heat exchanger comprising a plurality of plates superimposed in a stack, said plate extending substantially in the same general plane and comprising a plurality of contoured edge portions distributed over the contour of the plate and intended to bear on or serve as support for contoured edge portions of a plate adjacent to said plate in the stack of superposed plates, said plate being characterized in that at least two portions one of the plurality of profiled edge portions 30 includes at least one first and a second bonding surface, said first bonding surface and said second bonding surface being intended to engage respectively with a first bonding surface, connecting a second adjacent plate in the stack of 35 superimposed plates, and with one of uxth connecting surface of a third adjacent plate in the stack of superimposed plates, said first connecting surface and said second connecting surface being arranged at two different vertical levels on either side of the general plane of the plate, and disposed at two different distances from the contour of the plate.

These arrangements make it possible to bond the plates together with an improved lateral sealing continuity and to achieve a seal in the circulation of the flows passing through the heat exchanger. In addition, the production of the first and second connecting surfaces makes it possible to manufacture the plates easily, by molding, injection, thermoforming or stamping, depending on the material used. According to one aspect of the invention, the first connecting surface and / or the second connecting surface is (are) flat (s). This arrangement provides good reach between two adjacent plates and facilitates bonding of the plates by reducing bonding distances. According to one aspect of the invention, the plane in which the first connecting surface and / or the plane in which the second connecting surface extends is (are) substantially parallel to the general plane of the plate. . This arrangement facilitates the binding of the plates. According to one aspect of the invention, the second connecting surface is contiguous to the contour of the plate. This arrangement facilitates the binding of the plates. According to one aspect of the invention, the projection of the plate on its general plane forms a polygon with a number of even sides, preferably a hexagon. According to one aspect of the invention, the profiled edge portions of the first type are arranged opposite on two opposite sides of the plate. According to one aspect of the invention, the plate comprises, in addition to profiled edge portions comprising at least a first connecting surface and a second connecting surface, said of a first type, at least one profiled edge of a second type and at least one profiled edge of a third type, the profiled edge of the second type comprising a first connecting surface arranged on a first side of the general plane of the plate 35 identical to that in which is disposed the first surface of connecting the profiled edge portion of the first type, and the profiled edge of the third type comprising a second connecting surface arranged on a second side of the general plane opposite to the first side and identical to that in which the second connecting surface is disposed; the profiled edge portion of the first type.

According to one aspect of the invention, the plate comprises a continuity of the first connecting surfaces of the profiled edge portions of the first type and of an edge portion of the second adjacent type, and a continuity of the second connecting surfaces of the edge portions. profile of the first type and an edge portion of the third adjacent type.

This arrangement makes it possible to seal the lateral parts of the plate, in particular in the case of the hexagon on 4 sides of the hexagon. According to one aspect of the invention, the profiled edge portions of the second type and the third type distributed over the contour of the plate have roundings arranged to form at least partially a leading or trailing edge of a part of the plate with respect to a flow of fluid for passing through the exchanger. This arrangement increases the flow of air in and out of the heat exchanger.

According to one aspect of the invention, the plate comprises on an upper and / or lower surface, a set of patterns for forming channels to facilitate the distribution and supply of air to the heat exchanger, the patterns being formed by a set of ribs and throats. According to one aspect of the invention, in addition to the first set of channels for forming channels to facilitate the distribution and supply of air to the heat exchanger, the plate comprises a second set of patterns, forming a set of ribs and throats. These provisions provide laminar flow flow to ensure heat transfer under greater pressure. The present invention also relates to a heat exchanger comprising a set of plates as previously described superimposed in a stack, characterized in that said assembly comprises a plate of the first type and a plate of second type different from that of the first type, the plate of the first type being alternated with a plate of the second type in the stack of plates, the first connecting surfaces of a plate of the second type being superimposable on the first connecting surfaces of a plate of the first type, and the second connecting surfaces of a plate of the first type being superimposable on the second connecting surfaces of a plate of the second type. This arrangement makes it possible to carry out a first superposition of ducts in which a first flow enters and leaves the exchanger in a first direction and a second superposition of ducts in which a second flow enters and leaves the exchanger in a second direction different from the first direction. The present invention also relates to a method of mounting a heat exchanger from a stack of superimposed plates, each plate comprising a plurality of contoured edge portions, said method comprising in this order steps consisting of: ): producing a plurality of first sets each comprising two plates of different types as described above, (ii): producing a second set comprising at least two first sets.

This arrangement simplifies the assembly process of the heat exchanger, the first step can be carried out beforehand for each pair of plate heat exchanger, the actual assembly of the heat exchanger taking place during the second step.

According to one implementation of the method, each plate comprises a plurality of edge portions of the same type comprising a first connecting surface and a second connecting surface, and: the first step (i) comprises a sub-step of linking between they have plates at their first bonding surface to form pairs of plates; the second step (ii) comprises a sub-step of bonding the pairs of plates together at their second bonding surface. In any case, the invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to the appended schematic drawing showing, by way of non-limiting example, a plate, a heat exchanger according to the invention as well as a method of implementing the mounting of such a heat exchanger. Figure 1 is a general view of a heat exchanger according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a top view of a plate according to the invention. FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram showing the profile of a first type of plate according to various sections shown on the plate of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a simplified diagram showing the profile of a second type of plate according to various sections shown on the plate of FIG. 2. FIG. 5 shows the profile of the first type of edge portions of a plate stack of FIG. a first type and plates of a second type. Figure 6 illustrates the relative position of the different profiled edge portions in a plate of the first type. Figure 7 illustrates the relative position of the different profiled edge portions in a plate of the second type. Figure 8 shows the surface of a plate according to the invention. Figure 9 shows a partial view of the arrangement of the plates in a stack forming the heat exchanger of Figure 1. Figure 10 shows the steps of a method according to the invention. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a heat exchanger 1 comprises a plurality of plates 10, 20 superimposed on a stack 2. Each plate 10, 20 extends along a general plane P. In the embodiment presented, the stack 2 is obtained by alternating a plate of a first type with a plate of a second type 20. Each plate 10, 20 is in the form of a regular hexagon with sides of the same length and an outer contour 3 Figure 2 schematically shows a plate 10, viewed from above with AA, BB, and CC section planes. FIGS. 3 and 4 respectively illustrate the profile along these cutting planes A-A, B-B and C-C for the plates of the first type 10 and for the plates of the second type 20.

As illustrated respectively in these two figures 3 and 4, the first type plate 10 has two profiled edge portions 11 of a first type apparent on the section BB and distributed on two opposite sides of the hexagonal plate of the first type 10, and the second type plate 20 has two profiled edge portions 21 of the same type visible on the section BB and distributed on two opposite sides of the second type hexagonal plate 20. In addition, each contoured edge portion 11, 21 of first type comprises a first connecting surface 4 and a second connecting surface 5. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the first connecting surface 4 and the second connecting surface 5 are arranged at two different vertical levels n1, n2 on each side and else of the general plane P of the plate 10, 20, and arranged at two different distances d1, d2 of the outer contour 3 of the plate 10, 20.

In the embodiment shown, the first connecting surface 4 and the second connecting surface 5 are flat and substantially parallel to the general plane P of the plate 10, in order to facilitate the connection of the plates 10, 20. However, in a Another embodiment not illustrated, the first connecting surface 4 and the second connecting surface 5 could have another profile, for example sawtooth. As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the second connecting surface 5 is contiguous to the contour 3 of the plate 10, 20. The first type plate 10 also has two profiled edge portions 12 of a second apparent type 12. on the AA cut and two profiled edge portions of a third type 13 apparent on the section CC. These other two types of edge portions 12, 13 are also arranged on two opposite sides of the first type 10 hexagonal plate. Similarly, the second type plate 20 further has two profiled edge portions according to a second type 22 apparent on the AA cut and two profiled edge portions of a third type 23 apparent on the section CC.

These two other types of edge portions 22, 23 are also arranged on two opposite sides of the second type hexagonal plate 20. The location of these different borders is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 respectively for the first type plate. 10 and for the plate of the second type 20. In addition, the heights h border portions of second type 12, 22 and the heights of the second type of edge portions 13, 23 are substantially equal to each other and substantially equal to half of the height H of a first-type edge portion 11, 21. The second-type shaped edge portions 12, 22 comprise a first connecting surface 4. The third-type profiled edge portions 13, 23 comprise a second connecting surface 5. Each profiled edge portion of the first type 11, 21 extends vertically on either side of the general plane P of the plate 10, 20. Each profiled edge portion of FIG. second type 12, 22 extends substantially vertically in a half-plane bounded by the general plane P of the plate 10, 20. 20 Each profiled edge portion of the third type 13, 23 extends substantially vertically in the other half limited by the general plane P of the plate 10, 20. Each profiled edge portion 21, 22, 23 of the second plate 20 is symmetrical with each profiled edge portion of the first plate relative to a plane of symmetry coincides with the general plane P for a specific cutting plane. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 5, for a plate of the first type 10, the first connecting surface 4 and the second connecting surface 5 are intended to come into contact respectively with a first connecting surface 4 of a second plate adjacent second type 20 in the stack 2 of superposed plates, and with a second connecting surface 5 of a third adjacent plate of second type 20 in the stack 2 of superposed plates forming the heat exchanger 1. Similarly, for a second type plate 20, the first connecting surface 4 and the second connecting surface 5 are intended to come into contact respectively with a first connecting surface 4 of a second adjacent first type plate 10 in the stack 2 of superimposed plates, and with a second connecting surface 5 of a third adjacent plate of first type 10 in the stack 2 of superposed plates forming the heat exchanger 1.

FIG. 9 shows a portion of the stack 2 of plates 10, 20, of the heat exchanger 1 shown in FIG. 1 in which the first connection surface 4 of a profiled edge portion 12 of the second type of plate of FIG. first type 10 support the first connecting surface 4 of a profiled edge 22 of the second type of second type plates 20.

According to the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the portion of the plate adjoining the contour 3 and protruding from the shaped edge portion 12, 22 is removed, although this contoured edge portion 12, 22 is contiguous to the contour 3 of the plate 10, 20. As illustrated in FIG. 5, a pair of plates comprising a plate of the first type 10 and a plate of the second type 20 form a first set 100. A pipe 8 for the circulation of the heat flows is formed between each plate 10, 20 of the plate pair. This duct 8 has a height substantially equal to twice the height h of a second type of edge portion 12, 22, at twice the height h of a third type of edge portion 13, 23, or equal to the height H of a profiled edge portion of the first type 11, 21. The contoured edge portions of the second type 12, 22 and the third type 13, 23 distributed over the contour 3 of the plates 10, 20 of the stack 2 have roundings 6 arranged to at least partially form a leading or trailing edge 9 of a portion of the plate 10, 20 with respect to a flow of fluid for passing through the exchanger 1. In addition, each plate 10, 20 has a continuity of the first connecting surfaces 4 of the profiled edge portions of the first type 11, 21 and a bordering portion of the second type 12, 22 adjacent, and a continuity of the second connection surfaces 5 portions contoured edge of the first type 11, 21 and a portion of Border of the third type 13, 23 adjacent to maintain the sealing of the side walls of the ducts 8. As illustrated in this same figure 5, a plurality of first sets 100 forms a second assembly 200.

The alternating stack 2 of plates of first type 10 and plates of second type 20 form two series of superimposed passages 8 offset by 60 °. As illustrated in FIG. 8, each plate 10, 20, on an upper but also lower surface (not shown), comprises on the one hand a first set of patterns 30 intended to form channels to facilitate a heat exchange between a fluid disposed above said plate 10, 20 and a fluid disposed below said plate 10, 20, the patterns 30 being formed by a set of ribs 31 and grooves 32 and 10 further comprises a second set of patterns 40 , forming a set of ribs 41 and grooves 42. The ribs 31, 41 extend longitudinally to the general plane P of the plate 10, 20. The patterns of the second set 40 extend into a first surface area 43 located between the two double edge portions 11, 21 of the plate 10, 20. The patterns of the first set 30 occupy in turn two surface areas 33, 34 located on either side of the first surface area 43 on all the remaining area of the plate 10, 20. The patterns of the first set 30 are larger than those of the second set 40. In particular, the ribs 31 of the patterns of the first set 30 have a height substantially equal to that of the high edge portions 12, 22 or low 13, 23 depending on the upper or lower face 25 considered of the plate 10, 20. In addition, the arrangement of the ribs 31 is formed so that the ribs 31 of an adjacent plate in the stack 2 s' support or create points of support 7 on or for the ribs 31 of the plate 10, 20 considered, thereby reinforcing the cohesion of the stack 2 of plates 10, 20. Each rib 31 extends from a low edge 13 , 23, to the first surface area 43 of the second set 40. Once in two, the end of these ribs 31 closest to the contour 3 of the plate 10, 20 comprises a rounded bulge 35.

These arrangements make it possible to preserve a laminar flow which limits the turbulence and therefore the pressure drops in the heat exchanger 1. The subject of the present invention is also a method for mounting such a heat exchanger 1. As illustrated in FIG. 10 this method comprises in this order steps consisting in: (i): producing a plurality of first sets 100 each comprising two different types of plates 10, 20, and 10 (ii): producing a second set 200 comprising at least two first As previously described, these two assemblies 100, 200 are illustrated in FIG. 5 for two pairs of the first set 100 formed by a plate of the first type 10 and by a plate of the second type 20.

In addition, the first step (i) of the method comprises a sub-step (i ') of binding together plates at their first connecting surface 4 to form pairs of plates 10, 20, and the second step (ii) comprises a sub-step (ii ') of interconnecting the pairs of plates 10, 20 at their second connecting surface 5.

The connecting means used to bond together the bonding surfaces 4, 5 may consist of glue, solder, solder or any other equivalent bonding means having the effect of obtaining a strong and watertight connection of the plates between they. It will be understood that the various embodiments detailed above are only examples of implementations of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Variations of these different embodiments can be envisaged and the various embodiments described can be easily combined by the skilled person. 30

Claims (11)

REVENDICATIONS1. Plate (10, 20) for a heat exchanger (1) comprising a plurality of superimposed plates in a stack (2), said plate (10, 20) extending substantially in the same general plane (P) and comprising a plurality of profiled edge portions (11, 12, 13, 21, 22, 23) distributed over the contour (3) of the plate (10, 20) and intended to bear on or serve as support for contoured edge portions (11, 12, 13, 21, 22, 23) of a plate (10, 20) adjacent to said plate in the stack (2) of superposed plates, said plate (10, 20) being characterized in that at least two profiled edge portions (11, 21) of the plurality of profiled edge portions (11, 12, 13, 21, 22, 23) comprise at least a first connecting surface (4) and a second connecting surface (5), said first connecting surface (4) and said second connecting surface (5) being intended to come into contact respectively with a first surface linking (4) a second adjacent plate in the stack (2) of superposed plates, and with a second connecting surface (5) of a third adjacent plate in the stack (2) of superposed plates, said first connecting surface (4) and said second connecting surface (5) being arranged at two different vertical levels (n1, n2) on both sides of the general plane (P) of the plate (10, 20) , and arranged at two different distances (d1, d2) from the contour (3) of the plate (10, 20). 2. Plate (10, 20) according to claim 1, wherein the first connecting surface (4) and / or the second connecting surface (5) is (are) flat (s). 3. Plate (10, 20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the profiled edge portions (11, 21) comprising at least a first connecting surface (4) and a second connecting surface (5) are arranged facing on two opposite sides of the plate. 30 4. Plate (10, 20) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising, in addition to profiled edge portions (11, 21) comprising at least a first connecting surface (4) and a second connecting surface (5). , say of a first type, at least one profiled edge of a second type (12, 22) and at least one shaped edge of a third type (13, 23), the profiled edge of the second type (12, 22) comprising a first connecting surface (4) arranged on a first side of the general plane (P) of the plate identical to that in which is disposed the first connecting surface (4) of the profiled edge portion of the first type (11), and the profiled edge of third type (13, 23) comprising a second connecting surface (5) arranged on a second side of the general plane (P) opposite to the first side and identical to that in which is disposed the second connecting surface (5) of the profiled edge portion of the first type (11). 5. Plate (10, 20) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a continuity of the first connecting surfaces (4) profiled edge portions of the first type (11, 21) and a border portion of the second type (12, 22) adjacent, and a continuity of the second connecting surfaces (5) of the profiled edge portions of the first type (11, 21) and a border portion of the third type (13, 23) adjacent. 6. Plate (10, 20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the profiled edge portions of the second type (12, 22) and the third type (13, 23) distributed over the contour (3) of the plate (10, 20) have roundings (6) arranged to at least partially form a leading or trailing edge of a portion of the plate (10, 20) with respect to a flow of fluid for passing through the exchanger (1). 7. Plate (10, 20) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising on an upper and / or lower surface, a set of patterns (30) for forming channels to facilitate the distribution and supply of air to the air. heat exchanger (1), the patterns being formed by a set of ribs (31) and grooves (32). A plate (10, 20) according to claim 7, wherein in addition to the first set of patterns (30) for forming channels to facilitate the distribution and supply of air to the heat exchanger (1), the plate (10, 20) comprises a second set of patterns (40), forming a set of ribs (41) and grooves (42). 9. Heat exchanger (1) comprising a set of 30 plates (10, 20) according to one of claims 1 to 8 superimposed in a stack (2), characterized in that said assembly comprises a plate of the first type (10) and a second type plate (20) different from that of the first type (10), the first type plate (10) being alternated with a second type plate (20) in the stack (2) of plates (10). 20) and the first connecting surfaces (4) of a second type plate (20) being superposable on the first connecting surfaces (4) of a first type plate (10) and the second connecting surfaces ( 5) of a first type plate (10) being superposable on the second connecting surfaces (5) of a second type plate (20). A method of mounting a heat exchanger (1) from a stack (2) of superimposed plates (10, 20), each plate (10, 20) comprising a plurality of contoured edge portions (11, 12). , 13, 21, 22, 23), said method comprising in this order steps consisting of: (i): producing a plurality of first sets (100) each comprising two plates (10, 20) of different types according to the claim 9, (ii): providing a second set (200) comprising at least two first sets (100). The method of claim 10, wherein each plate (10, 20) comprises a plurality of border portions (11, 21) of the same type comprising a first bonding surface (4) and a second bonding surface (5). and wherein: the first step (i) comprises a substep (i ') of bonding plates (10, 20) at their first bonding surface (4) together to form pairs of plates (10, 20), the second step (ii) comprises a sub-step (ii ') of interconnecting the pairs of plates (10, 20) at their second connecting surface (5).