JPH10267565A - Heat exchanger - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent contact of the fluids which effect heat-exchange even when pipes are corroded by assembling a plurality of independent pipes of polygonal section in a collected and closely attached manner, and connecting the pipes adjacent to each other with a U-bend to form a flow passage. SOLUTION: Both a pipe of hexagonal section and a U-bend 2 are formed of the metal such as copper. The curvature of the U-bend is set to be extremely small so that pipes of hexagonal section adjacent to each other can be connected without bringing the pipes into contact with other U-band, and the sectional shape of a U-shaped part 2a is approximately circular, and the sectional shape of end parts 2b, 2c is hexagonal so as to facilitate the connection of pipes of hexagonal section. A plurality of independent pipes of hexagonal section are collected and attached close to each other by a band, the adjacent pipes of hexagonal section are connected by the U-bend to form a flow passage. The fluids to exchange the heat can be prevented from being brought into contact with each other even when either pipe of hexagonal section is corroded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a heat exchanger suitable for use in, for example, an air conditioner or a hot water supply device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG.
FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional heat exchanger of this type disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. H10-260, and FIG.

In each of the figures, reference numeral 30 denotes a flow passage having a honeycomb shape in cross section which forms one flow passage of a heat exchanger, 31 denotes a curved tube connecting each flow passage, and 32 denotes the other flow passage for performing heat exchange. .

The honeycomb-shaped flow path group shown in FIG. 15 is formed into a honeycomb-shaped flow path having a hexagonal cross section by applying a force in the peeling direction to each sheet after a number of sheets made of metal or the like are pasted together. . The honeycomb-shaped channels 30 formed in this way are connected by a curved tube 31, and a fluid to be heated or cooled is supplied. Also, the flow paths 32 communicate with each other at their ends through a curved tube or the like so that the respective paths communicate with each other, and heat exchange is performed by supplying a heat medium used for heating or cooling.

[0005]

The conventional heat exchanger is configured as described above, and the honeycomb-shaped flow passages have adjacent flow passages separated from each other by a common wall. Therefore, when a hole is formed in the common wall due to corrosion or the like, two fluids that perform heat exchange (one of them is a heat medium) are in direct contact with each other.

In addition, one of the fluid flow paths requires a large number of the other flow paths, and a flow path through which the fluid does not flow can be formed, so that the heat exchanger becomes large.

[0007] Even when a hole is formed in the common wall due to corrosion or the like, in order to prevent two fluids for heat exchange (one of which is a heat medium) from coming into direct contact with each other, flow is made so that the honeycomb-shaped flow paths are not adjacent to each other. It is also possible to connect a passage that does not allow fluid to flow between the passage 30 and the passage 32 by connecting one passage.
In this method, the heat exchange efficiency is reduced, and the heat exchanger is further increased in size.

By the way, in order to obtain high heat transfer performance,
A double tube, plate type heat exchanger, etc. may be used, but in the case of a double tube, the double tube is bent so that the cross section does not collapse.
It is necessary to make the shape of a circle or a track, and inside the shape of the circle or the track, useless space is generated and the entire heat exchanger becomes large.

Further, when a hole is formed in the flow path due to corrosion of the internal pipe or the like, it is possible to avoid direct contact between two fluids which exchange heat with each other (one of them is a heat medium) as in the above-mentioned conventional example. I can't.

[0010] On the other hand, if a plate-type heat exchanger is used, the size can be reduced. However, if a hole is formed in the flow path due to corrosion of an internal pipe or the like, the fluid is still in direct contact.
For this reason, these conventional heat exchangers cannot be used for heat exchange applications that dislike mixing of two heat fluids.

A technical object of the present invention is to reduce the size and performance of a heat exchanger and to prevent the fluids performing heat exchange from contacting each other even if corrosion occurs in a pipe forming a flow path, and An object of the present invention is to make it possible to detect a leak of hot fluid caused by corrosion.

[0012]

A heat exchanger according to a first aspect of the present invention combines a plurality of independently formed pipes each having a polygonal cross section so that they are brought into close contact with each other, and adjacent pipes are connected to each other by a U-bend. Thus, a flow path is formed.

A heat exchanger according to a second aspect of the present invention is one in which a groove or a projection is formed on the inner surface of the pipe.

The heat exchanger according to a third aspect of the present invention is one in which an inner fin is inserted inside a pipe.

In the heat exchanger according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a sealing material having a high heat conduction performance is interposed between the contact surfaces of the pipes.

Further, in the heat exchanger according to claim 5 of the present invention, the outside of the assembled pipes is covered with a heat insulating material.

In the heat exchanger according to claim 6 of the present invention, a saucer is arranged below the assembled pipes,
The apparatus is provided with a leak detecting means for detecting the liquid in the tray.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiment 1 Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on the illustrated embodiments. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first example of a heat exchanger according to claim 1 of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a hexagonal pipe forming its flow path, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a front view showing a state in which adjacent pipes are connected by a U-bend, and FIG. 5 is a fluid circuit diagram of a heat pump showing an example of use.

The heat exchanger 10 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of hexagonal pipes 1 formed independently so as to be separable, a plurality of U-bends 2 connecting adjacent hexagonal pipes to form a bent portion flow path, A band 3 for bundling the hexagonal pipes 1 and bringing them into close contact with each other.

This will be described in more detail.
Each of the bends 2 is formed from a metal such as copper. The U-bend 2 has an extremely small curvature R so that adjacent hexagonal pipes can be connected to each other without contacting other U-bends as shown in FIG. 1, and the U-shaped portion 2a as shown in FIG. Is formed in a substantially circular shape, and the cross-sectional shapes of both ends 2b and 2c are formed in a hexagonal shape to facilitate connection with the hexagonal pipe 1. The diameter of the hexagonal pipe 1 is as shown in FIG. It is set to a size that can fit into The hexagonal pipe 1 and the U-bend 2 are joined and fixed by welding, brazing, or the like in a state where the U-bend 2 is inserted into the hexagonal pipe 1. Reference numeral 4 in the drawing is a brazing material used for brazing.

The band 3 is made of metal or resin, and has a function of fixing the hexagonal pipes 1 by tightening them, and a function of improving the heat exchange performance by increasing the tightness between the hexagonal pipes. In this way, the hexagonal pipes 1 are bundled by the band 3 and brought into close contact with each other, a combination is selected and connected by the U-bend 2, and two flow paths, that is, high-temperature fluid flow paths (flow paths indicated by hatching in FIG. 1) By forming the low-temperature fluid flow path 1a and the low-temperature fluid flow path (the flow path shown in white in FIG. 1) 1b, it is possible to manufacture a compact, lightweight, and inexpensive heat exchanger 10 having excellent heat exchange performance. In FIG. 1, the symbol “x” indicates a fluid inlet port, and the symbol “流体” indicates a fluid outlet port. Further, here, the combination in which the high-temperature fluid flow path 1a and the low-temperature fluid flow path 1b are entangled in an S-shape in plan view is described as an example, but these two flow paths are described in a second embodiment described later. , 3, 4, and 5, various combinations are possible, and the size of the assembled hexagonal pipe, the shape of the hexagonal pipe, and the flow path length can be freely changed.

The heat exchanger of the present embodiment configured as described above is used, for example, as a heat exchanger of a heat pump shown in FIG. This heat pump system has a general well-known configuration except for the heat exchanger 10 of the present embodiment, and the high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21 reaches the heat exchanger 10, where Pump 22
As a result, the low-temperature water and the high-temperature refrigerant circulating in the water circuit exchange heat, the water becomes hot water and is stored in the tank 23, and the refrigerant is condensed to become a liquid refrigerant. The refrigerant that has become the liquid refrigerant enters a low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase state via the expansion valve 24, evaporates in the air heat exchanger 25, becomes a low-temperature gas refrigerant, and is sucked into the compressor 21. Further, by inverting the four-way valve 26, it is also possible to condense and evaporate the refrigerant by the heat exchanger opposite to the above, and to make the heat exchanger 10 produce cold water. By performing the heat exchange between the refrigerant and the water as described above, hot or cold water can be produced.

As described above, in the heat exchanger of this embodiment, a plurality of independently formed hexagonal pipes 1 are brought into close contact with each other by the band 3, and adjacent hexagonal pipes are connected to each other by the U-bend 2 to form a flow path. Since the heat exchanger 10 is formed, the heat exchanger 10 is downsized, the heat exchange efficiency is improved, and the performance is improved.

In addition, since the hexagonal pipes 1 forming the flow paths are formed independently of each other, even if any one of the hexagonal pipes 1 is corroded, it is possible to prevent the fluids performing heat exchange from coming into contact with each other. Can be. For this reason, it can also be used for heat exchange applications that dislike mixing of two heat fluids.

Embodiment 2 FIG. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a pipe arrangement showing a second example of the heat exchanger according to claim 1 of the present invention. In the figure, the same members as those of the above-described first embodiment (FIG. 1) are the same. The code is attached.

The heat exchanger 10A of this embodiment comprises two flow paths formed by bundling the hexagonal pipes 1 and bringing them into close contact, selecting a combination, and connecting adjacent hexagonal pipes to each other by the U-bend 2. That is, the high-temperature fluid flow path (the flow path shown by hatching in FIG. 6) 1a and the low-temperature fluid flow path (the flow path shown by white paint in FIG. 6) 1b are combined so as to be spirally entangled in plan view. Things. The other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

In the heat exchanger of this embodiment, since the flow path is formed so as to surround the heat medium, the heat exchanger is compact, lightweight, and excellent in heat exchange performance as in the first embodiment. It is possible to manufacture the heat exchanger 10A.

Embodiment 3 FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a pipe arrangement showing a third example of the heat exchanger according to claim 1 of the present invention. In the figure, the same members as those of the above-described first embodiment (FIG. 1) are the same. The code is attached.

The heat exchanger 10B of this embodiment is composed of two flow paths formed by bundling hexagonal pipes 1 to bring them into close contact, selecting a combination and connecting adjacent hexagonal pipes to each other by U-bends 2, That is, the high-temperature fluid flow path (the flow path shown by hatching in FIG. 7) 1a and the low-temperature fluid flow path (the flow path shown by white in FIG. 7) 1b are combined in parallel. The other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

In the heat exchanger of this embodiment, the heat exchanger 10B can be formed in a plate shape by combining the high-temperature fluid passage 1a and the low-temperature fluid passage 1b in parallel. Production becomes possible.

By stacking a plurality of the plate-shaped heat exchangers 10B, the heat exchange capacity can be easily changed.

Embodiment 4 FIG. FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a pipe arrangement showing a fourth example of the heat exchanger according to claim 1 of the present invention. In the figure, the same members as those of the above-described first embodiment (FIG. 1) are the same. The code is attached.

In the heat exchanger 10C of this embodiment, a plurality of square pipes 1A which are formed independently so as to be separable are bundled and brought into close contact, a combination is selected, and adjacent square pipes are connected to each other by a U-bend 2. The two flow paths, that is, the high-temperature fluid flow path (the flow path indicated by hatching in FIG. 8) 1a and the low-temperature fluid flow path (the white flow path shown in FIG. 8) 1b They are combined so that they are intertwined in a shape. The other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

In the heat exchanger of this embodiment, it is preferable that the cross-sectional shape of both ends of the U-bend 2 is formed in a square shape in order to facilitate connection with the square pipe 1A.

As shown in this embodiment, in the heat exchanger of the present invention, the shape of the polygonal cross section of the pipe forming the flow path is not limited to a specific shape, but includes various modifications. . That is, the sectional shape of the pipe may be appropriately selected according to the sectional shape of the installation space of the heat exchanger. In the case of the square pipe 1A of this embodiment, it is effective when the sectional shape of the installation space of the heat exchanger is a rectangular space.

Embodiment 5 FIG. FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of a pipe arrangement showing a fifth example of the heat exchanger according to claim 1 of the present invention. In the figure, the same members as those of the above-described first embodiment (FIG. 1) are the same. The code is attached.

In the heat exchanger 10D of this embodiment, a plurality of triangular pipes 1B which are independently formed so as to be separable are bundled and brought into close contact with each other, a combination is selected, and adjacent triangular pipes are connected to each other by a U-bend 2. The two flow paths, that is, the high-temperature fluid flow path (the flow path indicated by hatching in FIG. 9) 1a and the low-temperature fluid flow path (the flow path indicated by white in FIG. 9) 1b are formed into a spiral shape in plan view. It is a combination that is intertwined. The other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

In the heat exchanger of this embodiment, it is preferable that the cross-sectional shape of both ends of the U-bend 2 is formed in a triangular shape to facilitate connection with the triangular pipe 1A.

In this embodiment, the plurality of triangular pipes 1B are bundled in a hexahedral shape and brought into close contact, but they may be bundled in a trihedral shape and brought into close contact with each other. That is, the cross-sectional shape of the pipe and the shape of the assembly block may be selected according to the cross-sectional shape of the installation space of the heat exchanger.

Embodiment 6 FIG. FIG. 10 shows claim 1 of the present invention.
2 is a main part configuration diagram showing a first example of a heat exchanger according to FIG.
In the figure, the same members as those of the above-described first embodiment (FIG. 1) are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The heat exchanger of this embodiment has a hexagonal pipe 1
Are formed with a large number of spiral grooves 1c on the inner surface thereof, and the other configuration is the same as that of the above-described first embodiment.

In this embodiment, since a large number of grooves 1c are formed on the inner surface of the hexagonal pipe 1 which is a heat exchange part, the internal flow of the hexagonal pipe 1 can be disturbed, and the temperature near the wall can be reduced. The boundary layer can be made thin. For this reason, the heat exchange performance is improved, and the number of hexagonal pipes 1 to be used can be further reduced and the size can be reduced.

Embodiment 7 FIG. 11 shows claim 1 of the present invention.
2 is a main part configuration diagram showing a second example of the heat exchanger according to 2,
In the figure, the same members as those of the above-described first embodiment (FIG. 1) are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The heat exchanger of this embodiment has a hexagonal pipe 1
Are formed with a large number of protrusions 1d on the inner surface thereof, and the other configuration is the same as that of the above-described first embodiment.

Also in this embodiment, the internal flow of the hexagonal pipe 1 can be disturbed by the protrusion 1d on the inner surface of the hexagonal pipe 1, and the temperature boundary layer near the wall can be thinned. For this reason, the heat exchange performance is improved, and the number of hexagonal pipes 1 to be used can be further reduced and the size can be reduced.

Embodiment 8 FIG. FIG. 12 shows claim 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a main part configuration diagram showing a heat exchanger according to No. 3, in which the same members as those of the first embodiment (FIG. 1) described above are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The heat exchanger of this embodiment has a hexagonal pipe 1
The radial inner fins 5 extending in the pipe axis direction are inserted into the inside, and the other configuration is the same as that of the above-described first embodiment.

In this embodiment, since the area contributing to heat transfer can be increased by inserting the inner fin 5 into the hexagonal pipe 1, heat received from the outside via the tube wall can be obtained. The heat transfer performance can be improved by efficiently transmitting the heat to the fluid in the pipe or the heat received from the heat medium flowing through the pipe to the pipe wall.

In each of the first to eighth embodiments described above, an example is described in which polygonal pipes forming a flow path are in direct contact with each other. If a sealing material or the like having a high thermal conductivity is applied between the contact surfaces when the polygonal pipes are assembled, the non-contact portion is eliminated, so that the heat transfer performance can be further improved.

Embodiment 9 FIG. FIG. 13 shows claim 1 of the present invention.
It is a block diagram which shows the heat exchanger which concerns on 2,3,4,5. In the figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same member as that of 1st Embodiment (FIG. 1) mentioned above.

The heat exchanger of this embodiment has a hexagonal pipe 1
The heat exchanger 10 made of a foam material such as urethane or the like is formed on the outside of the heat exchanger 10 which is formed by bundling and closely contacting each other, selecting a combination and connecting adjacent hexagonal pipes by the U-bend 2.
The other configuration is the same as that of the above-described first embodiment.

In the heat exchanger of this embodiment, the heat insulating coating (heat insulating material) is formed by first manufacturing the heat exchanger 10, that is, the collecting pipe, putting it into a mold, and then placing the heat insulating material 6 around the collecting pipe. That is, it is performed by filling a foam material such as urethane and fixing the collecting pipe.

In this embodiment, since the collecting pipe is covered with the heat insulating material 6, high heat insulating performance is obtained, and the heat exchange efficiency is further improved.

Further, since a foaming material such as urethane is used as the heat insulating material 6, a tightening force can be applied to the collective pipe by the elastic force of the foaming material, thereby further increasing the degree of close contact between the hexagonal pipes and heat exchange. The performance can be improved.

Although a case where a foam material is used as the heat insulating material 6 has been described here as an example, the heat insulating material 6 may be wound around the outside of the collecting pipe instead of a sheet-like heat insulating material.

Embodiment 10 FIG. FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a heat exchanger according to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth aspects of the present invention. In the figure, the same members as those of the first embodiment (FIG. 1) are used. Are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The heat exchanger of this embodiment has a hexagonal pipe 1
And a pair of hexagonal pipes are connected to each other by a U-bend 2 and disposed in a saucer 7 below the heat exchanger 10, and a leak detecting means for detecting a liquid in the saucer 7 is provided. 8 is provided. As the leak detecting means 8, various types such as a float switch and a liquid detecting sensor composed of a pair of electrodes which are energized by being immersed in a liquid can be adopted, and may be appropriately selected. The other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, when a hole due to corrosion or the like is formed in the hexagonal pipe 1 of one of the two flow paths, that is, the high-temperature fluid flow path and the low-temperature fluid flow path, the liquid is transmitted downward from the gap between the flow paths. The solution is dropped into the pan 7. If the liquid accumulates in the tray 7, the leak is detected by the leak detecting means 8, and the occurrence of the liquid leak is notified by an alarm or the like.
For this reason, it is possible to prevent a system using the heat exchanger 10 from being left for a long time in a state where the heat exchanger 10 does not work due to the liquid leakage.

[0059]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of independently formed pipes each having a polygonal cross section are combined and brought into close contact, and adjacent pipes are connected to each other by U-bends. Therefore, the heat exchanger can be downsized, the heat exchange efficiency can be improved, and the performance can be improved. Furthermore, even if any one of the pipes forming the flow path is corroded, the fluids performing the heat exchange can be prevented from contacting each other. Can also be used.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the grooves or projections are formed on the inner surface of the pipe, the internal flow of the pipe can be disturbed, and the temperature boundary layer near the wall can be made thinner. it can. Therefore, the heat exchange performance is improved, and the number of pipes to be used can be further reduced and downsized.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the inner fin is inserted into the inside of the pipe, it is possible to increase the area contributing to the heat transfer, and to receive the external fin through the pipe wall. The heat can be efficiently transmitted to the fluid in the pipe, or the heat received from the heat medium flowing in the pipe can be efficiently transmitted to the pipe wall, thereby improving the heat transfer performance.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the sealing member having high heat conduction performance is interposed between the contact surfaces of the pipes, the non-contact portion is eliminated and the heat transfer performance can be further improved. .

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the outside of the assembled pipes is covered with the heat insulating material, high heat insulating performance is obtained, and the heat exchange efficiency is further improved.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the saucer is disposed below the assembled pipes, and the leak detecting means for detecting the liquid in the saucer is provided. If the liquid inside leaks, this leak can be detected. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a system using the heat exchanger from being left for a long time in a state where the heat exchanger does not work due to the liquid leakage.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a heat exchanger according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a hexagonal pipe forming a flow path of the heat exchanger according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating a U-bend that forms a curved path portion of the heat exchanger according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a state in which adjacent pipes of the heat exchanger according to the first embodiment are connected to each other by a U-bend.

FIG. 5 is a fluid circuit diagram of a heat pump showing an example of use of the heat exchanger according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a pipe arrangement of a heat exchanger according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing a pipe arrangement of a heat exchanger according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing a pipe arrangement of a heat exchanger according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram showing a pipe arrangement of a heat exchanger according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a main part configuration diagram showing a heat exchanger according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a main part configuration diagram showing a heat exchanger according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a main part configuration diagram showing a heat exchanger according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram illustrating a heat exchanger according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram showing a heat exchanger according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a conventional heat exchanger.

FIG. 16 is a longitudinal sectional view of a conventional heat exchanger.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 hexagonal pipe (pipe), 1A square pipe (pipe), 1B triangular pipe, 1c groove on inner surface of pipe, 1d
Projection of pipe inner surface, 2 U bend, 5 inner fins, 6 heat insulating material, 7 saucer, 8 leak detection means, 10,
10A, 10B, 10C, 10D heat exchangers.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A heat exchanger characterized in that a plurality of independently formed pipes each having a polygonal cross section are combined so as to be brought into close contact with each other, and adjacent pipes are connected to each other by a U-bend to form a flow path. . 2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein a groove or a projection is formed on an inner surface of the pipe. 3. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein an inner fin is inserted inside the pipe. 4. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein a sealing material having high heat conduction performance is interposed and installed on the contact surfaces between the pipes. 5. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein an outside of the assembled pipe is covered with a heat insulating material. 6. The heat exchange according to claim 1, wherein a tray is arranged below the assembled pipes, and leak detecting means for detecting a liquid in the tray is provided. vessel.