FR3097954A1 - Plate constituting a heat exchanger and heat exchanger comprising at least one such plate - Google Patents

Abstract

Plate constituting a heat exchanger and heat exchanger comprising at least one such plate Plate (16) constituting a heat exchanger (11) and intended to define at least one channel (17) for the circulation of a fluid, the plate (16) comprising a bottom (160) and at least one raised edge (161) which surrounds the bottom (160), the plate (16) comprising at least one rib (19) defining a "U" profile of the channel (17) circulation, the "U" profile having an elbow (24) connecting a first branch (22) to a second branch (23), the plate (16) comprising a first series (180) of protuberances (18) formed in the first branch (22) and / or in the second branch (23) and a second series (181) of protuberances (18) arranged in the elbow (24). (figure 3)

Description

Plate constituting a heat exchanger and heat exchanger comprising at least one such plate

The present invention relates to the constituent plates of a heat exchanger. Its subject is such a plate and a heat exchanger comprising such a plate.

In the automotive field, it is common to have to modify the temperature of an element, such as an electric motor, a battery, a calorie and/or cold storage device or the like. To this end, the motor vehicle is equipped with an installation which comprises a refrigerant circuit inside which a refrigerant fluid circulates and a heat transfer liquid circuit inside which a heat transfer liquid circulates. The refrigerant circuit comprises a compressor for compressing the refrigerant fluid, a heat exchanger for cooling the refrigerant fluid at constant pressure, an expansion member for allowing expansion of the refrigerant fluid and a heat exchanger which is arranged to allow heat transfer between the refrigerant and the heat transfer liquid.

The heat exchanger is an exchanger made up of plates stacked and joined together to form a tube delimiting a channel for the circulation of the refrigerant fluid or the heat transfer liquid. The plate comprises at least two openings for supplying the circulation channel with heat transfer liquid or coolant fluid. The circulation channel provides a passage section for the heat transfer liquid or the coolant which is a surface taken perpendicular to a plane in which the plate extends and perpendicular to a longitudinal elongation axis of the plate.

A problem lies in a poor distribution of the refrigerant fluid and/or the heat transfer liquid inside the circulation channel. Such poor distribution reduces the efficiency of heat transfer between the refrigerant fluid and the heat transfer liquid.

It is known to arrange protuberances inside the circulation channel to disturb a flow of the refrigerant fluid and/or of the heat transfer liquid inside the circulation channel. The protuberances result from a deformation of at least one of the plates.

Nevertheless, there persists a poor distribution of the coolant fluid and/or of the heat transfer liquid inside the circulation channel, at least inside a zone of the passage section of the coolant fluid and/or of the heat transfer liquid. In general, it is observed that a central zone of the heat exchanger and/or of the passage section sees its temperature less modified than peripheral zones of the heat exchanger and/or of the passage section , which should be improved.

An object of the present invention is to propose a plate constituting a heat exchanger which allows an optimization of a distribution of the refrigerant fluid and/or of the heat transfer liquid inside the circulation channel which the plate partially delimits.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a heat exchanger comprising at least one such plate, the heat exchanger being either a heat exchanger between a refrigerant fluid and a heat transfer liquid, such as a heat exchanger interposed between a refrigerant circuit and a coolant circuit, or a heat exchanger between a refrigerant fluid and an air flow.

The subject of the present invention is a plate constituting a heat exchanger and intended to delimit at least one fluid circulation channel, the plate comprising a bottom and at least one raised edge which surrounds the bottom, the plate comprising at at least one inlet opening and one outlet opening, the plate comprising at least one rib defining a "U" profile of the circulation channel, the "U" profile having a bend connecting a first branch to a second branch, the plate comprising a first series of protuberances made in the first branch and/or in the second branch and a second series of protuberances arranged in the elbow.

Specifically, at least one protuberance of the first series of protrusions is configured to deflect fluid from its direction of flow in the considered branch, and at least one protrusion of the second series of protuberances is configured to guide the fluid from the first branch to the second branch.

The heat exchanger includes at least one plate. This plate is made of a metallic material, for example capable of being stamped to form in particular the protrusions by stamping the plate. This metallic material is chosen from among thermally conductive metallic materials, such as aluminium.

The plate has a bottom and a raised edge. The raised edge extends in at least one edge plane that is transverse to the bottom plane in which the bottom extends. The raised edge comprises at least two longitudinal raised edges provided facing one another and at least two lateral raised edges provided facing one another. The two longitudinal raised edges and the two lateral raised edges together form a peripheral periphery at the bottom. The lateral raised edges and the longitudinal raised edges extend inside respective planes which each form with the bottom plane an angle which is between 91° and 140°, preferably between 91° and 95°.

The plate comprises at least four openings, distributed two by two at each of its longitudinal ends. Two of these openings are configured to communicate with a first fluid circuit arranged on one side of the bottom. The bottom side considered here is the one forming a substantially right angle with the longitudinal raised edges and the lateral raised edges of the plate. These two openings correspond to the inlet opening and the fluid outlet opening. The other two openings are configured to communicate with a second fluid circuit arranged on another side of the bottom of the plate. The four openings are notably circular.

The plate comprises a rib making it possible to separate the first branch and the second branch of the "U" profile. The rib is parallel to a direction of elongation of the longitudinal raised edges. It extends between a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end of the plate. The first longitudinal end is in contact with the raised edge and preferably in contact with a first lateral raised edge that includes the raised edge. The second longitudinal end is located at a first non-zero distance from the raised edge. The rib allows the separation of the first branch of the "U" profile of the fluid circulation channel and the second branch. The first branch and the second branch are connected by means of an elbow.

A first series of protuberances emerges from the bottom of the plate in the first branch or in the second branch. A second set of protrusions emerges from the bottom of the plate in the elbow. The protrusions of the first series of protrusions and the protrusions of the second series of protrusions can be identical in shape and/or in volume in particular, except for the manufacturing tolerance. Said protuberances can also be different from each other, in particular in shape and in volume.

A protrusion of the first series of protrusions is configured to allow the fluid to be deflected from its initial path. The protuberances make it possible to disturb the fluid circulating in the channel. The protrusion of the first series of protrusions configured to deflect the fluid from its direction of flow, makes it possible to increase the disturbance of the fluid, thus increasing the efficiency of the heat exchange between the two fluids circulating each on one side of the bottom of the plate.

A protrusion of the second set of protrusions is configured to direct fluid from the first limb to the second limb, conducting it through the bend. This protuberance then allows a better flow of the fluid in the plate.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the protuberances emerge from the bottom of the plate towards the channel.

The protuberances emerge from the bottom of the plate in the direction of the raised edge, towards the fluid circulation channel. Obtained by stamping, the protuberances of the plate consist of prominences allowing the disturbance of the fluid flowing along its walls. Arranged in this way, the protrusions are in contact with the fluid and therefore cause the agitation of its flow.

According to another characteristic of the invention, at least one protuberance of the first series and/or of the second series has an oblong shape.

The protuberance of the first series and/or of the second series of protrusions is of elongated shape and has rounded corners. Such a form of protuberance makes it possible, in addition to disturbing the fluid during its flow, to guide it within the circulation channel. Driving the fluid in the circulation channel allows it to be brought into areas that would not be crossed if it followed its direction of flow.

Guiding the fluid in the circulation channel makes it possible to homogenize the heat exchanges generated by the circulation of the fluid. The fluid is evenly distributed within its circulation channel.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the oblong shape of the protrusion is rectilinear.

The rectilinear oblong shape allows the fluid to be guided. The first series of protuberances of rectilinear oblong shape can be arranged in the second branch of the channel.

Preferably, the third series of protuberances has a plurality of rectilinear oblong protuberances emerging from the second branch of the channel. These protuberances are oriented to disturb the fluid. Advantageously, the protrusions are arranged obliquely, that is to say that the elongated edges of the protrusions are oriented between 25° and 85° from the longitudinal raised edges of the plate, in particular 45°. In addition, these protuberances are arranged in such a way as to allow the flow of fluid from the elbow towards the outlet opening.

These protrusions, advantageously arranged in the second branch, make it possible to deviate the fluid from its direction of flow and thus to create disturbances in the fluid. These protuberances also allow the flow of fluid from the elbow to the outlet opening.

The first series of protuberances can also be similarly distributed in the first branch of the channel. In this case, the protrusions allow the flow of fluid from the inlet opening to the elbow.

In addition, the second series of rectilinear oblong-shaped protuberances can be arranged in the bend of the channel. Preferably, the elbow of the channel has a plurality of rectilinear oblong protrusions. These protrusions are then oriented to form a conduit for the circulation of the fluid, in order to allow it to be routed from the first branch to the second branch of the channel.

It is quite conceivable to have such protuberances in the first branch, in the elbow and in the second branch independently or in combination.

It is also entirely possible for the first series of protrusions and the second series of protrusions to have a plurality of shapes of protrusions.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the oblong shape is curved.

The curved oblong shape allows the fluid to be guided in the circulation channel, while reducing the number of protrusions.

The plate advantageously has a plurality of curved oblong protuberances which can be distributed over the first branch and/or over the elbow and/or over the second branch, in other words, the protuberances of curved oblong shapes can be distributed over the first series of protrusions and/or in the second series of protrusions.

The first series of curved oblong protuberances of the first branch allow the fluid to be distributed over the whole of the first branch, by disturbing the fluid circulating between the inlet opening and the elbow.

The first series of curved oblong protrusions of the second branch allow the fluid to be distributed over the whole of the second branch, by disturbing the fluid circulating between the elbow and the outlet opening.

The curved oblong protuberances of the elbow allow the fluid to be conducted from the first branch to the second branch of the channel.

It is quite conceivable to have such protuberances in the first branch, in the elbow and in the second branch independently or in combination.

It is also conceivable that the first series of protrusions and the second series of protrusions have a plurality of shapes of protrusions.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the plate comprises a third series of protrusions.

The third series of protuberances can emerge from the first branch or from the second branch of the channel. Advantageously, the third series springs from the first branch of the fluid circulation channel. This third series has an oblong shape which can be straight and/or curved.

It is quite conceivable that the third series of protrusions has a plurality of shapes of protrusions.

Thus, the first series of protuberances, the second series of protuberances as well as the third series of protuberances of rectilinear oblong and/or curved oblong shape can be arranged in any of the possible combinations in the first branch, in the elbow and in the second branch.

According to another characteristic of the invention, at least one protuberance of the third series is configured to guide the fluid from the inlet opening towards the elbow.

The rectilinear and/or curved oblong shape makes it possible to guide the fluid. The third series of protuberances of rectilinear oblong shape can be arranged in the first branch of the channel. In this case, a rectilinear and/or curved oblong-shaped protuberance can be arranged near the fluid inlet opening, in such a way that it allows the guiding of this fluid towards the desired area. At any other location on the first branch, the protuberance is preferably arranged in the direction of fluid flow. That is to say, the elongated edges of said protrusion are arranged parallel to the longitudinal raised edges of the plate.

Preferably, a plurality of protuberances of rectilinear and/or curved oblong shape emerge from the bottom of the plate, in the first branch. Thus, the protrusions around the inlet opening are arranged in such a way that they allow the distribution of the fluid over the whole of the first branch. The protuberances on any other location are arranged parallel to the longitudinal raised edges, in order to guide the fluid in the first branch and lead it from the inlet opening towards the bend of the channel.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the first branch and/or the second branch comprises at least one protuberance from the first series of protuberances and at least one protuberance from the third series of protuberances.

The first branch and/or the second branch has a combination of protuberances. Thus, the protrusions of the first series of protrusions and the protrusions of the third series of protrusions allow the routing of the fluid from the inlet opening to the elbow and/or from the elbow to the outlet opening, but also a deflection of the fluid, causing its disturbance and therefore better heat transfer between each of the fluids on one side of the plate.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the plate comprises an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice for a second fluid arranged on a first lateral edge of the plate, the inlet opening and the outlet opening of the plate being arranged on a second side edge of the plate.

The plate comprises at least four openings, distributed two by two at each of its longitudinal ends. Two of these openings are configured to communicate with a first fluid circuit arranged on one side of the bottom. The bottom side considered here is the one forming a substantially right angle with the longitudinal raised edges and the lateral raised edges of the plate. These two openings correspond to the inlet opening and the fluid outlet opening. The other two openings are configured to communicate with a second fluid circuit arranged on another side of the bottom of the plate. The four openings are notably circular.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the rib emerges from the first lateral edge of the plate, between the inlet opening and the fluid outlet opening and extends longitudinally over at least a part of the plate, a free end of the rib being disposed at a non-zero distance from the second side edge of the plate.

The plate comprises a rib making it possible to separate the first branch and the second branch of the "U" profile. The rib is parallel to a direction of elongation of the longitudinal raised edges. It extends between a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end of the plate. The first longitudinal end is in contact with the raised edge and preferably in contact with a first lateral raised edge that includes the raised edge. The second longitudinal end is located at a first non-zero distance from the raised edge. The rib allows the separation of the first branch of the "U" profile of the fluid circulation channel and the second branch. The first branch and the second branch are connected by means of an elbow.

The invention also relates to a heat exchanger comprising at least one plate as described above.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the heat exchanger comprises a first plate and a second plate delimiting a first circuit configured to be traversed by a refrigerant fluid, the second plate and a third plate delimiting a second circuit configured to be traversed by a heat transfer liquid, the first plate, the second plate and the third plate conforming to any one of the characteristics of the first object of the invention and nested one inside the other.

The heat exchanger comprises two plates which together delimit the fluid circulation channel. The first plate includes any of the preceding features. The second plate can comprise the same characteristics as the first plate or else be different. The first plate and the second plate are nested one inside the other and a space, which forms the fluid circulation channel, is formed between the two plates.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent through the description which follows on the one hand, and several embodiments given by way of indication and not limiting with reference to the appended diagrammatic drawings on the other hand, on which :

is a schematic view of an installation comprising at least one heat exchanger according to the invention;

is a schematic view of a heat exchanger participating in the installation shown in Figure 1;

is a front view of a constituent plate of the heat exchanger illustrated in FIG. 2;

is a front view of a plate according to another embodiment of the invention, constituting the heat exchanger in FIG. 2;

is a front view of a plate according to yet another embodiment of the invention, constituting the heat exchanger in FIG. 2;

is a cross-sectional view of any of the plates shown above.

The features, variants and different embodiments of the invention may be associated with each other, in various combinations, insofar as they are not incompatible or exclusive of each other. In particular, variants of the invention may be imagined comprising only a selection of characteristics described below in isolation from the other characteristics described, if this selection of characteristics is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from to the state of the prior art.

In particular, all the variants and all the embodiments described can be combined with each other if nothing prevents this combination from a technical point of view.

In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

In FIG. 1, a motor vehicle is equipped with an element 1 which should be cooled or heated, for example to optimize its operation. Such an element 1 is in particular an electric or thermal motor intended to at least partially propel the motor vehicle, a battery provided for storing electrical energy, a calorie and/or cold storage device or the like. To this end, the motor vehicle is equipped with an installation 2 which comprises a coolant circuit 3 inside which circulates a coolant fluid 4, carbon dioxide for example or the like, and a coolant circuit 5 at the inside which circulates a heat transfer liquid 6, in particular glycol water or the like. Installation 2 comprises at least one heat exchanger 11, 12 according to the present invention. Installation 2 is described below, but the characteristics of installation 1 described are in no way restrictive for the heat exchanger 11, 12 of the present invention. In other words, the installation 2 is likely to have distinct structural characteristics and/or different operating methods than those described without the heat exchanger 11, 12 derogating from the rules of the present invention.

The refrigerant fluid circuit 3 comprises a compressor 7 for compressing the refrigerant fluid 4, an exchanger for refrigerant fluid/external air 8 for cooling the refrigerant fluid 4 at constant pressure, for example placed on the front face of the motor vehicle, an expansion device 9 to allow expansion of the coolant 4 and a first heat exchanger 11 which is arranged to allow heat transfer between the coolant 4 and the heat transfer liquid 6. The coolant circuit 3 comprises a second heat exchanger 12 which is arranged to allow heat transfer between the refrigerant fluid 4 and an air flow 10, the air flow 10 circulating for example inside a pipe 13 of a ventilation, heating and/or air conditioning, before being delivered inside a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle.

To this end, the element 1 is in relation with a heat exchanger 14, the heat exchanger 14 being capable of modifying a temperature of the element 1, in particular by direct contact made between the element 1 and the heat exchanger 14 , the heat exchanger 14 being constitutive of the heat transfer liquid circuit 5.

The heat-transfer liquid circuit 5 comprises a pump 15 for circulating the heat-transfer liquid 6 inside the heat-transfer liquid circuit 5. The heat-transfer liquid circuit 5 comprises the first heat exchanger 11 which also constitutes the refrigerant circuit 3. The first heat exchanger 11 comprises at least a first circulation path 21 of the refrigerant fluid 4 and at least a second circulation path 22 of the heat transfer liquid 6, the first circulation path 21 and the second circulation path 22 being arranged to allow heat exchange between the refrigerant fluid 4 present inside the first circulation path 21 and the heat transfer liquid 6 present inside the second circulation path 22. Preferably, the first heat exchanger 11 comprises several first circulation paths 21 and several second circulation paths 22. A first circulation path 21 is interposed between two second circulation paths 22, and a second circulation path 22 is interposed between two first circulation paths 21. The first exchanger of heat 11 thus comprises an alternation of first circulation path 21 and second circulation path 22.

Inside the heat transfer liquid circuit 5, the heat transfer liquid 6 circulates from the pump 15 to the first heat exchanger 11, then circulates inside the first heat exchanger 11 by taking the second circulation paths 22 to exchange calories with the refrigerant fluid 4 present inside the first circulation paths 21, then returns to the pump 15.

Inside the refrigerant circuit 3, the refrigerant 4 circulates from the compressor 7 to the refrigerant/external air exchanger 8, then to the expansion device 9.

According to a first mode of operation of the refrigerant fluid circuit 3, the refrigerant fluid 4 then circulates inside the first heat exchanger 11 by taking the first circulation paths 21 inside which the refrigerant fluid 4 exchanges calories with the heat transfer liquid 6 present inside the second circulation paths 22, then returns to the compressor 7.

According to a second mode of operation of the refrigerant circuit 3, the refrigerant fluid 4 circulates inside the second heat exchanger 12 by taking circulation paths within which the refrigerant fluid 4 exchanges calories with the flow of heat. air 10, then returns to compressor 7.

In FIG. 2, the first heat exchanger 11 is generally parallelepipedic and comprises a flange 100 which is provided with an inlet for the heat transfer liquid 101 via which the heat transfer liquid enters the interior of the first heat exchanger 11 The flange 100 is also provided with an evacuation of the heat transfer liquid 102 via which the heat transfer liquid 6 is evacuated from the first heat exchanger 11. The second circulation paths 22 extend between the inlet of the liquid coolant 101 and the evacuation of the coolant 102. The flange 100 also comprises an inlet of the coolant 103 via which the coolant 4 penetrates inside the first heat exchanger 11 and an evacuation of the coolant 104 via which the refrigerant fluid 4 is evacuated from the first heat exchanger 11. The first circulation paths 21 extend between the refrigerant fluid inlet 103 and the refrigerant fluid outlet 104.

As visible in Figure 3, the plate 16 extends mainly along a longitudinal axis of elongation A1. The plate 16 comprises a bottom 160 and at least one raised edge 161 which surrounds the bottom 160. In other words, the raised edge 161 is provided at the periphery of the bottom 160 and the raised edge 161 surrounds the bottom 160. 16 is arranged in a generally rectangular bathtub, the bottom of the bathtub being constituted by the bottom 160 and the edges of the bathtub being constituted by the raised edge 161. More particularly, the raised edge 161 comprises a first longitudinal raised edge 162 and a second edge longitudinal statement 163 arranged facing each other as well as a first lateral raised edge 164 and a second lateral raised edge 165 arranged facing each other.

The plate 16 comprises four openings 25, in particular circular, including a fluid inlet opening 250 and a fluid outlet opening 260, which are distributed two by two at each longitudinal end of the plate 16, and more particularly at each of the bottom corners 166 of the plate 16. The inlet opening 250 and the outlet opening 260 are configured to communicate with one of the first circulation paths provided on one side of the bottom 160 and the two other openings 25 , respectively 270 and 280, are configured to communicate with one of the second circulation paths provided on another side of the bottom 160.

Two of these openings 25 formed at the same longitudinal end of the plate 16 are each surrounded by a collar 167, so that these openings 25 surrounded by this collar 167 extend in a plane offset with respect to a bottom plane P4 in which fits the bottom 160. The other two openings 25 located at the other longitudinal end of the plate 16 extend in the bottom plane P4.

Two plates 16 are nested one inside the other and in contact with each other at least via their raised edges 161. In other words, two plates 16 are stacked one above and spare between them a space which forms a channel 17 for the circulation of the refrigerant fluid 4 or the heat transfer liquid 6.

The bottom 160 is provided with a plurality of protrusions 18 which with at least the bottom 160 and the raised edge 161 delimit a circulation channel 17 of the refrigerant fluid 4 or the heat transfer liquid 6.

The bottom 160 comprises a rib 19 which is arranged so that the channel 17 has a U-shaped profile. The rib 19 is parallel to a direction D of elongation of the first longitudinal raised edge 162 and of the second longitudinal raised edge 163, the direction D of elongation of the first longitudinal raised edge 162 and of the second longitudinal raised edge 163 being preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis of elongation A1 of the plate 16. The rib 19 extends between a first longitudinal end 20 and a second longitudinal end 26, the first longitudinal end 20 being in contact with the raised edge 161 and preferably in contact with the first lateral raised edge 164 that comprises the raised edge 161. The second longitudinal end 26 is located at a first non-zero distance D1 from the edge raised 161, the first distance D1 being taken between the second longitudinal end 26 of the rib 19 and the raised edge 161, measured along the longitudinal elongation axis A1 of the plate 16.

These arrangements are such that the channel 17 is shaped like a U of which a first branch 22 of the U is parallel to a second branch 23 of the U, the first branch 22 and the second branch 23 being connected by an elbow 24. The first branch 22 and the second branch 23 are parallel to the first longitudinal raised edge 162 and to the second longitudinal raised edge 163 of the plate 16. In addition the first branch 22 and the second branch 23 are separated by the rib 19. The elbow 24 for its part adjoins the second lateral raised edge 165 which is formed longitudinally opposite the first lateral raised edge 164.

The rib 19 is arranged for example at an equal second distance D2 from the first longitudinal raised edge 162 and from the second longitudinal raised edge 163 of the plate 16. Alternatively, the rib 19 is arranged at a second distance D2 from the first longitudinal raised edge 162 which may be greater or less than a third distance D3 taken between the rib 19 and the second longitudinal raised edge 163 of the plate 16. The second distance D2 and/or the third distance D3 are measured between the rib 19, taken its center, and one of the first longitudinal raised edge 162 and/or of the second longitudinal raised edge 163, perpendicular to the longitudinal elongation axis A1 of the plate 16.

The protrusions 18 are divided into at least two series, a first series 180 of protrusions 18 arranged, according to an embodiment visible in Figure 3, in the second branch 23 and the second series 181 of protrusions 18 arranged in the elbow 24. At least one protuberance 18 of the first series 180 is configured to deviate the refrigerant fluid 4 or the heat transfer liquid 6 from its direction of flow.

As seen in Figure 3, the first series 180 and the second series 181 each comprise a plurality of protrusions 18 of rectilinear oblong shape. Indeed, the protrusions 18 have an elongated shape with rounded corners. Emerging from the bottom 160 of the plate 16, these protuberances 18 make it possible to disturb as well as to direct the fluid flowing in the channel 17.

In addition, at least one protrusion 18 of the first series 180 disposed in the second branch 23 is configured to deflect the refrigerant fluid 4 or the heat transfer liquid 6 from its direction of flow, and thus disturb it.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first series 180 comprises a plurality of protuberances 18 of rectilinear oblong shape. These are arranged obliquely. The elongated edges 183 of the protuberances 18 are oriented between 25° and 85° from the second longitudinal raised edge 163. Advantageously, the elongated edges 183 of the protuberances 18 are oriented at 45° from the second longitudinal raised edge 163.

The first series 180 may also include protrusions 18 of circular shape. In such a case, the protrusions 18 of circular shape emerge from the bottom 160 of the plate 16 near the rib 19 and the second longitudinal raised edge 163.

The second series 181 of protrusions 18 distributed in the elbow 24 is configured to guide the fluid from the first branch 22 to the second branch 23. The elbow 24 comprises a plurality of protuberances 18 of rectilinear oblong shape. The protuberances 18 of the elbow 24 are arranged to allow the refrigerant fluid 4 or the heat transfer liquid 6 to bypass the second longitudinal end 26 of the rib 19. Thus, the protuberances 18 are arranged in three different orientations. The first part 240 of the protrusions 18 of the elbow 24 is oriented at 45° from the first longitudinal raised edge 162 of the plate 16. The first part 240 therefore allows the refrigerant fluid 4 or the heat transfer liquid 6 to be deflected from its direction of flow. Then, a second part 241 of protrusions 18 of the elbow 24 is oriented parallel to any one of the first lateral raised edge 164 or of the second lateral raised edge 165. The protrusions 18 of this second part 241 allow the refrigerant fluid 4 or the liquid coolant 6 to be guided towards a third part 242 of protuberances 18 of elbow 24. The third part 242 of protrusions 18 of elbow 24 comprises a plurality of rectilinear oblong protrusions 18 . These protuberances are oriented at 45° from the second longitudinal raised edge 163 of the plate 16. This third part 242 makes it possible to guide the fluid from the second part 241 towards the second branch 23. The first part 240, the second part 241 and the third part 242 allow, together, to form the elbow 24 and therefore to guide the fluid from the first branch 22 to the second branch 23.

The second series 181 of protuberances 18 may also comprise protrusions 18 of frustoconical shape. These protrusions 18 of frustoconical shape are advantageously arranged between the two openings 25, then disturbing the refrigerant fluid 4 or the heat transfer liquid 6.

As seen in Figure 4, the plate 16 includes a third series 182 of protuberances 18. The protuberances 18 of this third series 182 are distributed in the first branch 22 of the channel 17. The protrusions 18 of this third series 182 are configured to guide the refrigerant fluid 4 or the heat transfer liquid 6 from the inlet opening 250 towards the elbow 24. With the aim of distributing the refrigerant fluid 4 or the heat transfer liquid 6 in the first branch 22, that is to say between the first longitudinal raised edge 161 and the rib 19, protrusions 18 of rectilinear oblong shape are distributed around the inlet opening 250. The protuberances 18 arranged around the inlet opening 250 are arranged in such a way that the refrigerant fluid 4 or heat transfer liquid 6 is evenly distributed within the first formwork 22.

In addition, the third series 182 of protuberances 18 comprise protrusions 18 of rectilinear oblong shape distributed along the first branch 22 over all or part of its length. The protuberances 18 are there juxtaposed to each other and arranged in several rows, each row being parallel to any one of the first longitudinal raised edge 162 or of the second longitudinal raised edge 163. These protuberances 18 are configured to guide the refrigerant fluid 4 or the heat transfer liquid 6 from the inlet opening 250 towards the elbow 24.

The plate 16 is made of metallic material, such as aluminum, capable of being stamped in order to form the protuberances 18 in particular by stamping. The metallic material is chosen from thermally conductive metallic materials.

As illustrated in Figure 5, the first series 180 and the second series 181 may each comprise a plurality of protuberances 18 of curved oblong shape. Indeed, the protrusions 18 have an elongated shape with rounded corners with a curvature along their length. Emerging from the bottom 160 of the plate 16, these protuberances 18 make it possible to disturb and direct the fluid flowing in the channel 17.

In addition, at least one protrusion 18 of the first series 180 disposed in the second branch 23 is configured to deflect the refrigerant fluid 4 or the heat transfer liquid 6 from its direction of flow, and thus disturb it.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first series 180 comprises a plurality of protuberances 18 of curved oblong shape. The latter are arranged obliquely, so as to deflect the fluid from its rectilinear trajectory.

The first series 180 may also include protrusions 18 of circular shape. In such a case, the protrusions 18 of circular shape emerge from the bottom 160 of the plate 16 near the rib 19 and the second longitudinal raised edge 163.

The second series 181 of protrusions 18 distributed in the elbow 24 is configured to guide the fluid from the first branch 22 to the second branch 23. The elbow 24 comprises a plurality of protuberances 18 of rectilinear oblong shape. The protuberances 18 of the elbow 24 are arranged to allow the refrigerant fluid 4 or the heat transfer liquid 6 to bypass the second longitudinal end 26 of the rib 19. Thus, the protuberances 18 are arcuate in order to accompany the fluid from the first branch 22 towards the second branch 23.

The second series 181 of protuberances 18 may also comprise protrusions 18 of frustoconical shape. These protrusions 18 of frustoconical shape are advantageously arranged between the two openings 25, then disturbing the refrigerant fluid 4 or the heat transfer liquid 6.

The plate 16 may comprise a third series 182 of protuberances 18 of oblong shape curved on the first branch 22 of the channel 17. These protuberances are configured to guide the refrigerant fluid 4 or the heat transfer liquid 6 from the inlet opening 250 towards the elbow 24. In order to distribute the coolant 4 or the heat transfer liquid 6 in the first branch 22, that is to say between the first longitudinal raised edge 163 and the rib 19, protrusions 18 of curved oblong shape are distributed around the inlet opening 250. The protrusions 18 arranged around the inlet opening 250 are arranged so that the refrigerant fluid 4 or heat transfer liquid 6 is evenly distributed within the first formwork 22.

In addition, the third series 182 of protuberances 18 comprise protrusions 18 of curved oblong shape distributed along the first branch 22 over all or part of its length. The protuberances 18 are there juxtaposed to each other and arranged in several rows, each row being parallel to any one of the first longitudinal raised edge 162 or of the second longitudinal raised edge 163. These protuberances 18 are configured to guide the refrigerant fluid 4 or the heat transfer liquid 6 from the inlet opening 250 towards the elbow 24.

In FIG. 6, three plates 16 are nested one inside the other so that the raised edge 161 of one plate 16 is recessed inside the raised edge 161 of the immediately successive plate 16 and so that that the bottom 160 of a plate 16 is in contact with the protrusions 18 of the immediately successive plate 16. Such a stack of plates 16 is also made in such a way that the bottoms 160 of the plates 16 are arranged parallel to each other in a distant and stepped superposition of the bottoms 160. The raised edges 161 of two plates 16 embedded one in the other are in contact and are intended to be brazed to each other to seal the channel 17 thus provided between two adjacent plates 16. Two adjacent plates 16 are also associated in such a way that the ribs 19 of the two adjacent plates 16 are superimposed on one another, the median planes P1 of the adjacent plates 16 being superimposed on one another.

It is understood on reading the foregoing that the present invention proposes a plate for a plate heat exchanger, which comprises means for bringing the fluid in question into zones which are not normally supplied with fluid correctly. The efficiency of heat exchange is thus enhanced and the temperature is more homogeneous over the entire plate.

The invention cannot however be limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated here, and it also extends to any equivalent means or configuration and to any technical combination operating such means. In particular, the shape of the plate or of the protrusions can be modified without harming the invention, insofar as the plate, ultimately, fulfills the same functions as those described in this document.

Claims (12)

Plate (16) constituting a heat exchanger (11) and intended to delimit at least one channel (17) for the circulation of a fluid, the plate (16) comprising a bottom (160) and at least one raised edge ( 161) which surrounds the bottom (160), the plate (16) comprising at least one inlet opening (250) and an outlet opening (260), the plate (16) comprising at least one rib (19) defining a "U" profile of the circulation channel (17), the "U" profile having an elbow (24) connecting a first branch (22) to a second branch (23), the plate (16) comprising a first series ( 180) of protrusions (18) provided in the first branch (22) and/or in the second branch (23) and a second series (181) of protuberances (18) arranged in the elbow (24), characterized in that at least one protrusion (18) of the first series (180) of protrusions (18) is configured to deviate the fluid from its direction of flow in the branch considered, and in that at least one protrusion (18) of the second set (181) of protrusions (18) is configured to guide fluid from the first leg (22) to the second leg (23). Plate (16) according to the preceding claim, in which the protrusions (18) emerge from the bottom (160) of the plate (16) towards the channel (17). Plate (16) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which at least one protuberance (18) of the first series (180) and/or of the second series (181) has an oblong shape. Plate (16) according to the preceding claim, in which the oblong shape of the protrusion (18) is rectilinear. A plate (16) according to claim 3, wherein the oblong shape of the protuberance (18) is curved. A plate (16) according to any preceding claim including a third series (182) of protuberances (18). Plate (16) according to the preceding claim, in which at least one protuberance (18) of the third series (182) is configured to guide the fluid from the inlet opening (250) towards the elbow (24). Plate (16) according to Claim 6, in which the first leg (22) and/or the second leg (23) comprises at least one protrusion (18) of the first series (180) of protrusions (18) and at least one protrusion (18) of the third series (182) of protrusions (18). Plate (16) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an inlet (270) and an outlet (280) of a second fluid, disposed on a first lateral edge of the plate, the opening of the inlet (250) and the outlet opening (260) of the plate (16) being disposed on a second side edge of the plate (16). A plate (16) according to any preceding claim, wherein the rib (19) projects from the first side edge of the plate (16), between the inlet opening (250) and the outlet opening (260 ) of the fluid and extends longitudinally over at least part of the plate (16), a longitudinal end (26) of the rib (19) being disposed at a non-zero distance from the second lateral edge of the plate (16). Heat exchanger comprising at least one plate (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 10. Heat exchanger according to the preceding claim, comprising a first plate (16) and a second plate (16) delimiting a first circuit configured to be traversed by a refrigerant fluid (4), the second plate (16) and a third plate (16 ) delimiting a second circuit configured to be traversed by a heat transfer liquid (6), the first plate (16), the second plate (16) and the third plate (16) being in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 10 and nested in each other.