SE536914C2 - A heat exchange device, a system comprising a heat exchange device and a method of manufacturing a single heat exchange device - Google Patents

Description

536 914 the temperature of the incoming air to be brought closer to the indoor temperature, which results in a passive heating and / or cooling in order to avoid costs. A common form of heat exchanger for ventilation systems uses a liquid carrier to transport thermal energy from one ventilation outlet to another.

Document DE10054695 shows a plate heat exchanger in which a number of plates are formed with a zig (bulge) which keeps the plates at a distance from each other and which also separates the two fl fate channels from each other.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a new form of heat exchanger which is inexpensive to manufacture, has low operating costs and is reliable. Another object of the invention is to provide a heat exchange device which is suitable for use in ventilation applications.

According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of these objects is achieved with the heat exchange device according to the preamble of claim 1, which is further arranged in accordance with the characterizing part of the same claim.

According to a second aspect of the invention, at least one of these objects is also achieved with a heat exchange system according to claim 10.

According to the first and second aspects of the invention, a heat exchange device for transferring thermal energy between a first and a second de uid fl comprises a first fl uid chamber for the first fl uiden, a second fl uid chamber for the second fl uiden, and a set of heat conducting plate elements arranged to be in contact with both the first and the second iden uid to allow heat transfer therebetween through the material of the plate elements. The plate elements are further formed by one or more deformation operations so that each plate element comprises a middle part arranged to bridge a distance between the first and the second channel, a first part arranged to project from the middle part and to be accommodated inside the first 536 914 channel, and a second part arranged to project from the middle part and to be accommodated inside the second channel, and designed so that a heat transfer takes place substantially in a direction perpendicular to a thickness direction of the plate elements. Such plate elements are very simple and quick to manufacture, in particular by a deformation operation. Furthermore, such plate elements are very simple and quick to mount to a heat exchange device. Since the heat transfer is mainly carried out along a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the plate elements, it is easier to match the surface area of the plate elements, which are in direct contact with fl uiden, and the resulting heat transfer from fl uiden to the plate element, with the heat conduction area through plate elements. In traditional slab elements, the heat conduction is much higher within the slab compared to the surface area between the fl uid and the slab, which leads to inefficiency. Furthermore, the operation of the heat exchange device is very reliable.

A limiting factor for efficient heat transfer is very often the contact between the fl uíden and the heat conductor. By letting the first and the second part protrude from the middle part and into the volume of the fl uiden inside each chamber, the surface area between the parts of the plate which are in contact with the fl uiden in the first and second chamber, respectively, becomes very large. Preferably, the plates are shaped so that the first and second portions project longer than or equal to half the width of each chamber.

The fact that the heat transfer is carried out substantially along a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the plate elements preferably includes that the transfer is carried out along the length and / or width direction of the first, second and middle part. Since the heat transfer takes place along the length and / or width direction, high demands are placed on the thermal conductivity properties of the plate materials. The material of the plates should have a value for the heat conduction constant that is higher than the average value of the heat conduction constant for heat conduction plates that is normally used when the heat conduction takes place in the thickness direction of the plates. This in turn normally requires that the materials of the tiles are of a higher quality and purity than what can usually be accepted for tiles for which the heat conduction takes place in their thickness direction. 536 914 Preferably, the first and the second part are formed from the respective end parts of the plate elements. Preferably, the first and second parts are arranged to project into the space formed inside each respective chamber.

Thus, the fl uids inside the chambers are brought into contact with both sides of each of the first and the second part, which almost doubles the available surface area between the fl uid and the plate element. Preferably, the plates are shaped so that the first and second parts protrude longer than or equal to 80% of the width of each channel. Thus, it is ensured that a large part of the fluide in the chamber is in contact with the plates and thus subjected to heat transfer. Furthermore, it is ensured that the contact surface is large for high heat transfer.

In one embodiment, the heat exchange device is adapted to ventilate an uninhabited area of a building. By ventilating uninhabited basements, attics, building foundations and / or spaces under buildings, both a reduced risk of damage from moisture is achieved, as well as a reduced impact on health from soil emission gases, such as radon. However, the ventilation of these parts can cause heat energy losses to the environment, leading to higher heating costs. However, the increased cost due to heat loss in these spaces is generally not high enough to justify the costly measures known in standard ventilation technology for heat transfer and heat recovery. Due to the extremely low manufacturing costs of the device and system according to the present invention, the device and the system can be sufficiently cost-effective to allow an economical use even in the ventilation of uninhabited spaces, which normally have a temperature between normal outdoor temperature and outdoor temperature. With the cheap device according to the invention, it thus becomes economically efficient to recover heat also in these areas.

According to one embodiment, the plate elements are made of a plate which is then deformed into a desired shape for the plate elements. The deformation preferably comprises bending the plate to the shape of the plate element. In one embodiment 536 914, the deformation operation of the sheet includes bending, pressing and deep drawing. In a preferred embodiment, the deformation of the sheet comprises bending and / or pressing. A most preferred embodiment involves the deformation bending of the sheet. In an even more preferred embodiment, the deformation comprises only bending of the plate.

The first and second parts are preferably long and wide relative to their thickness, so that they provide a large surface area for the release or absorption of heat to or from the outside of the chamber compared to their cross-sectional area in the direction of heat transfer within the material of the first and second parts. . Preferably, the first and second parts retain their original flat shape so that they are thin, preferably thinner than or equal to 5 mm. The first and the second part thus protrude from the middle part similar wings or fls. Preferably, said first and second parts are also flat. However, depending on the application and geometry of a specific environment, the first and second parts may also be curved or fitted with some other suitable shape, such as corrugated to enlarge the surface area.

Preferably, the first, second and middle parts are formed from a single original plate, so that the plate element is manufactured as an integrated material part. Preferably, the middle part also retains its original plate shape so that it is thin, preferably thinner than or equal to 5 mm. Preferably, each individual plate element comprises only a first part and only a second part. Thus, it is ensured that the thickness of the middle part is sufficient to be able to conduct the thermal energy which is absorbed and emitted by said first and second parts.

According to one embodiment, the set of plate elements is arranged in a stack so that their middle parts abut each other. Thus, there is only a need to make room for a passage for the middle parts for all plate elements in a set. Preferably, the first and second chambers are separated by an inner wall, the inner wall comprising a gap or opening and the plate elements being arranged so that their middle parts pass through said gap or opening. 536 914 According to one embodiment, the set of plate elements is stacked so that the first and second parts form fl ends at a distance from each other in said first and second chambers, respectively. Thus, the first and second parts can absorb and give off heat energy homogeneously over a large volume.

According to one embodiment, the plate elements are provided with line segments which form openings which pass through the plate elements in their thickness direction, which line segments divide the plate elements into plate sections, so that the thermal conductivity between adjacent plate sections is low. Thus, a quick assembly of several sections of plate elements along the direction of the fl uides fl direction is possible, at the same time as a possible heat exchange between different fl uid packages within the same fl uid fl fate is limited. By creating two or more plate sections along a fl direction of fate, and with a low thermal transfer between the plate sections, the thermal transfer between the two fl uid den desires is improved because the heat transfer is driven by the temperature difference between the fl desires.

According to an embodiment, the middle parts of said set of plate elements are shaped so that they have a receiving part and a projecting part, wherein the projecting part of a plate element is designed to fit into the receiving part of an adjacent plate element. The middle parts of the plates in said set are thus designed so that they are stackable with each other so that they form a stack. Preferably, the receiving part is designed to receive a protruding part of an adjacent plate, which is arranged on top of or below the plate, and vice versa. The receiving / protruding part thus forms a connection which holds the plate elements together in the set of plate elements and prevents a relative movement in at least one lateral direction, which gives structural rigidity. According to a preferred embodiment, the receiving and protruding parts are formed as two mutually opposite, shaped surfaces of the middle part, the outer surface of the shaped middle part forming the protruding part and the inner surface of the shaped middle part forming the receiving part. Thus, 536 914 cost economy is obtained in the manufacture of the set of plate elements, and in addition, the assembly of the set of plate elements in a similar manner is simple and quick to achieve by stacking the plates on top of each other. According to one embodiment, the middle part of the plates in said set is formed with recessed receiving parts with gradually decreasing height and / or gradually increasing width for each subsequent plate element in the stack of plate elements, thus achieving that the first and second parts of adjacent plate elements end up on a distance from each other when mounted. The need to increase the width corresponds to the thickness of the material in the middle parts, so that, throughout the entire stack of plate elements, the protruding part of a plate fits inside the recessed, receiving part of its adjacent plate.

According to one embodiment, the middle parts of said set of plate elements are U-shaped. Preferably, the first and second portions protrude from the central portions of the legs of the U-shape, preferably from the ends (feet) of the U-shape. A U-shape is very simple and cost-effective to manufacture from tiles compared to other shapes. Furthermore, it is very easy to adapt the dimensions of the U-shape to specific embodiments, purposes or geometries. According to one embodiment, the heat exchanger comprises a set of stackable plates, and the width and depth of the U-shaped middle parts are adapted so that the outer surface of a plate element fits into the inner surface formed by the U-shape of an adjacent plate element. Preferably, the width and height of the U-shape gradually decrease for each subsequent adjacent plate element in the set of plate elements. In another embodiment, the middle part is V-shaped. Manufacturing a V-shape requires a smaller number of operations but is more demanding in terms of tolerances. In yet another embodiment, the center portions are straight, and the first and second portions project from the ends of the center portion so that each plate member is U-shaped. The manufacture of a U-shaped plate element requires only two bending operations. Preferably, a fastening element is then used to keep the U-shaped plate elements from sliding relative to each other in the stack. 536 914 According to one embodiment, the heat exchange device is provided with a moisture addition device arranged to add moisture to a gas fl desert, which is preferably an air fl desert. Preferably, the moisture is added to a gas fl desolate to be cooled. Preferably, the moisture is then added to the gas fl destiny upstream of the set of tiles. By introducing moisture to the gas stream, the moisture on the plates condenses, which increases the removal of heat from the gas stream. This is advantageous if, for example, it is the intention to cool incoming air, where it is more important to remove heat rather than recover heat.

According to one embodiment, the heat exchange device is provided with a drying device arranged to remove moisture from at least one of the fl uid fl desires. This is important if, for example, incoming air is very humid or if the space to which the air is to be introduced should be dry. The drying device may comprise a cloth which absorbs moisture from the gas fl and which carries the moisture to a drain point or drain. Alternatively, the drying device may comprise silica or some similar substance having the capacity to absorb moisture.

According to one embodiment, the first chamber is designed to be connected to a first ventilation duct which carries a first ventilation duct, and the second chamber is designed to be connected to a second ventilation duct which transports a second ventilation duct. Preferably, the heat exchange device is adapted to achieve a heat exchange between an incoming and an outgoing ventilation fl, which are transported by the first and the second ventilation duct, respectively.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the device or system is designed for use in climate control of a building or structure. In one embodiment, the heat exchange device or heat exchange system is designed for use in normal ventilation of the normally inhabited space in a building. Preferably, at least one of said first or second fl uid fl fates is a ventilation fl fate, such as an incoming or an outgoing ventilation air fl fate. In another embodiment, the device or system is adapted for ventilation of basements, building foundations, or spaces under buildings, such as under a building foundation. 536 914 According to one embodiment, the first chamber is shaped to be connected to a first ventilation duct transporting a first ventilation fl, and the second chamber is shaped to store the second fl uid in order to allow accumulation of heat in the second fl uid, the heat exchange device further comprises a third chamber formed to be connected to a second ventilation duct which carries a second ventilation fl, and a second set of plate elements formed in the same way as the first set of plate elements and arranged with their first parts housed in the second chamber and its second parts housed in the third chamber. Preferably, the heat exchange device is further adapted to be connected to a heat pump and to provide the second fl uid in the second chamber as a heat source for the heat pump. A heat pump that recovers heat energy from an outgoing ventilation normalt normally runs only intermittently, whereby the heat in the outgoing ventilation går is lost to the outdoor air when the heat pump is passive. With the invention, the heat in the outgoing ventilation circuit is conducted by the first set of plate elements to the second circuit in the second chamber, where the heat is stored. Thus, the heat loss to the environment is smaller. Preferably, the heat exchange device comprises a conduit which is in thermal contact with the second chamber and which is adapted to conduct a heat transfer circuit between the heat pump and the second chamber.

According to a third aspect of the invention, the object is also achieved with the method for manufacturing a heat exchanger according to claim 1 1.

According to one embodiment, the method of manufacturing a heat exchanger comprises - deforming a plate along a first line to form a first part projecting from a central part of the plate, - deforming the plate along a second line to form a second part projecting from the middle part of the plate, and - arranging the plate with a number of similar plates to form a stack of plates inside a housing having first and second chambers, so that the first part 536 914 of the plates is accommodated inside the first chamber and the second parts of the plates are housed in the second chamber.

An advantage of the design of the heat exchange device and the method of manufacturing the heat exchange device according to the invention is that it is very simple to manufacture, which results in extremely low manufacturing costs.

According to one embodiment, the method of manufacturing a heat exchanger comprises deformation of the plate or sheet along at least one line to form a receiving part and a protruding part. Preferably, the method comprises deforming the plate along a third and a fourth line, which third and fourth lines are parallel and located inside the first and the second line, to form a U-shaped center portion. Preferably, the third and fourth lines are also parallel to the first and second lines.

In another embodiment, the method of manufacturing a heat exchanger comprises deforming the plate along a third line, which third line is parallel to the first and the second line and is located inside the first and the second line, to form a V-shaped middle part.

According to one embodiment, the method of manufacturing a heat exchanger comprises removing material to form line segments in the sheet, which line segments divide the sheet into sheet sections, and the line segments form openings which pass through the sheet in its thickness direction. The line segments then define sections of the plates, which sections form separate sections of the plate elements during assembly. Preferably, this step involves punching the line segments. In another embodiment, the removal of material involves cutting or sawing. Preferably, this step involves the removal of material to form line segments which together extend over almost the entire width of the plate except for one or more cohesive bridges.

These bridges are formed of materials that are not removed and that hold together the sections of the plate elements, which are separated by the punched line segments.

The sections are then held together so that a single deformation operation, such as a bending operation, can form all sections of the plate element simultaneously. 536 914 In one embodiment, the bridges can be left intact, so that the plate is retained in one piece. During the assembly of the intact plates by stacking, fl your stacks of sections are thus created at the same time as a single operation. Because the bridges are very small, the heat conduction through the bridges is very small, and can be ignored for less demanding applications. The separation of the stacked sections achieved with the incompletely punched line segments may therefore be sufficient to reduce any heat conduction in the direction between the sections or the stacks of plates in the longitudinal direction of the heat exchanger. Preferably the bridges are between 0.3 to 1 mm in width, preferably 0.5 mm. In one embodiment, the method comprises breaking the bridges after the deformation steps have been performed, so that the sections form completely separated stacks of plate elements. This is advantageous if a plurality of stacks of plate elements are arranged in compartments inside, for example, an accumulator tank.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described as a number of non-limiting examples of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 shows a first example of a heat exchange device according to the invention.

Fig. 2 shows an example of a plate for a heat exchange device according to the invention.

Fig. 3 shows a heat exchange system which comprises a heat exchange device according to the invention.

Fig. 4 shows another example of a heat exchange device and a system.

Fig. 5 shows an example of a method for manufacturing a heat exchange device. 11 536 914 Fig. 6 shows further examples of possible shapes for the plate and the plate element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION I fi g. 1 shows an example of a heat exchange device 1 according to a first example of the invention. I fi g. 2 shows plates 5 which form plate elements 7 designed to be arranged inside the heat exchange device in fi g. 1, and in fi g. 3 shows the heat exchange device 1 installed in a heat exchange system 3. In this example, the heat exchange device 1 is adapted for use in a ventilation system 9 for a building. The heat exchange device and the ventilation system can then be adapted for ventilation of a habitable, indoor space 11 inside the building, or, as shown here in a preferred alternative, for ventilation of non-habitable spaces 13 in the building, or for ventilation of a basement, or a combination thereof. In an example of the invention, the heat exchange device is used for removing radon and moisture from the space under a building. However, it should be understood that the heat exchanger can also be used in other applications, and the person skilled in the art can then subject it to one or more of your adaptations.

The heat exchange device comprises a housing 15 having outer walls 17 enclosing the heat exchange device. Inside the house, a first 19 and a second 21 chambers are arranged for a first and a second respektive uid, respectively.

The first and the second chambers are here designed as parts of two ventilation ducts arranged parallel to, and lying next to each other, and intended to each transport a ventilation duct. The chambers 19, 21 are housed inside the same housing, and the walls of the housing also form the interior walls of the chambers, which allows a saving of the amount of material needed to construct the device. In this example, the heat exchange device 1 comprises an inner wall 23 which separates the first and the second chamber. The housing further includes four inlet / outlet openings into the chambers at respective ends of the housing to allow in and out of the first and second outlets. The two ducts are adapted in size and shape 12 536 914 to allow a fl fate of ventilation air comprising an incoming air fl fate and an outgoing air fl fate, respectively. The size of the chambers is in turn adapted to the size of the ventilation ducts in the building and to the specific ventilation needs that prevail. Ventilation air fl deserts are further intended to fl desolate in opposite directions relative to each other inside the two chambers and ducts. This is natural because the incoming and outgoing air fl fates should already be directed in opposite directions for entry or exit from the building, and an opposite fl fate also allows for more efficient heat transfer. In this regard, the first chamber is designed to be connected to a first ventilation duct which carries a first ventilation fl, and the second chamber is designed to be connected to a second ventilation duct which carries a second ventilation.. The heat exchange device is thus adapted to perform a heat exchange between the incoming and the outgoing ventilation circuit.

The heat exchange system 3 further comprises a first 27a and a second 27b för married to drive said id uid fl fates. In another example, the fl spouts are instead provided by the ventilation system in which the heat exchange system is installed. In yet another example, the fls are included inside the heat exchange device 1. In yet another alternative, the fl uid fl fates can also be achieved by any other means, such as with pumps in the event of liquids, thermal convection, gravity, natural or artificial pressure differences, etc.

In order to allow a transfer of heat energy between the first and the second chamber, and thus between the first and the second fl uid fl desires, the heat exchange device comprises a set of plate elements 7 arranged to conduct heat from a warmer fl uid package in one of the fl uid fl desires and which is in contact with the plate in one position, to a colder fl uid packet in the second fl uid fl fate and which is in contact with the same plate in another position.

The set of plates is thus arranged to be in contact with both the first and the second fl uid fl fate at the same time and to allow heat transfer between the first and the second fl uid fl fate through the material of the plates. The plate elements 7 are further shaped so that each plate element has a middle part 29 arranged to bridge a distance between the first and the second chamber, a first part 31 arranged to project from the middle part 29 and to be accommodated inside the first chamber 19. to be in contact with the first fluid fl fate, and a second part 33 arranged to project from the middle part 29 and to be accommodated inside the second chamber 21 in order to be in contact with the second fl uid fl fate, so that heat transfer is allowed between the first and the second fl fates in said chamber along a longitudinal direction of the plates.

The general shape of the plates is shown in more detail in fi g. In this example, each individual plate 7 comprises only a first part 31 and only a second part 33, respectively. At least the main part of the plates 7 in this example are made from an originally flat plate 5 of a highly conductive metal, which is then formed by bending to the plate 5, so that the first and second parts protrude from the plate. In this example, the first and second parts are formed from each end of the plate. In this example, the first and second portions are formed as sections of the thin plate so that they have first and second, mutually opposite surfaces 77, 79 which they deny the extent of respective first and second portions, and a thickness therebetween. The fluid thus flows on either side of each part, in contact with the first and the second surface, so that a very large contact surface is allowed between the parts and the surfaces.

The first and second parts are thin with a small thickness relative to their extent. This is advantageous because the fl ash neck in heat transfer applications normally consists of the interface between fl uid and the heat conduction plate. The length and width of each part are longer than the corresponding thickness.

In a preferred example, the length of the first and second portions (corresponding to a direction perpendicular to the fl uid fl fate or the length of the chambers) is 35-65 cm, the width (coinciding with the fl uid fl fate direction or the length of the chambers) is 4-7 cm, and the thickness is 1 -3 mm. (The dimensions shown in the drawings are chosen to simplify the understanding of the principles and not to illustrate the dimensions of a real device.) The first and second parts are thus flat and form wings or fl axes projecting into the first and second chambers. , and thus into the current of the fl outflows. In this example, the first and second parts are arranged to project from the middle part and into the chambers a distance corresponding to at least half the width of the chamber. Preferably, the first and second parts are arranged to project a distance which is longer than or equal to at least 70% of the width of the chamber. This ensures that the surface is large, and also that a larger part of the fl uid fl fate is exposed to heat transfer. The first and second parts thus project out and into the space formed by the chambers, in particular into the space surrounded by the walls of the chambers. In this example, the first and second parts are substantially flat. However, the first and second parts of another example are curved, for example to better fit the geometry of a chamber. In yet another example, the first and second parts are corrugated in order to further increase the surface area in contact with the fl uids.

The middle part 29 of the plates is in this example U-shaped. The middle part thus comprises a recessed receiving part 81, corresponding to the inside of the U, and an protruding part corresponding to the outside of the U. The plates are arranged stackable with each other, the protruding part 82 of one plate being fitted inside the recessed receiving part of the next, adjacent plate.

This means that the plates are held together and locked against lateral movement, which gives structural rigidity. In this example, the width of the u-shape is extended for each subsequent plate (seen in the order from the bottom upwards in the fi guren, or tapered if seen from the top to the bottom) in order to allow space for the material thickness of the plates, so that the protruding part of one plate, access is permitted inside the recessed receiving part of the next plate. Furthermore, the height of the U-shape is gradually shortened in a corresponding manner, so that the first and second parts of adjacent plates are arranged at a regular distance from each other when the plates are mounted. In this example, the first and second parts are arranged to protrude from the feet of the U-shaped middle part, as this allows a very simple manufacturing process for the plates. The distance between the first and second parts of subsequent slabs thus directly corresponds to the change in height. In this respect, the plates in said set are shaped stackable so that the top of a protruding part is substantially in contact with the bottom of a subsequent receiving part. However, if each 536 914 U-shaped center portion is formed with a gradually tapered configuration, a distance may remain between these portions when the plate is stacked. In this example, the bottom plate of said set of plates comprises a receiving section arranged to receive at least a part of said inner wall.

In the example above, the middle part of the plate is U-shaped. However, other forms are also conceivable for the middle part without necessarily departing from the scope of the invention. In one example, the middle part is V-shaped, which leads to a slightly different size, but is faster to manufacture because only one bending operation is needed instead of two. Other shapes that allow stacking of the plates so that the first and second parts of adjacent plates are arranged at suitable distances are also considered to be part of the invention, but are too many to be listed in an exhaustive manner.

In use, heat is absorbed from an fl uid through one of the first or second part of a plate, the heat is transported through the middle part driven by a temperature difference, and further to the other of the first or second part where the heat is absorbed by the second fl uid fl fate. The heat is thus conducted in a longitudinal or longitudinal direction along the extent of the plate elements 9.

According to this example, the heat exchange device comprises at least one stack of plates 35 as described above. In this example, the heat exchange device also comprises fl your such stacks of plates 35, arranged one after the other along the des path of fate for said first and second fl uid fl fates, that is, along the length of the first and second chambers. Since the fl uids fl desert in the opposite direction relative to each other, the heat exchange thus becomes more efficient, with the ability to transfer a larger amount of the heat energy from one fl to the other. The first and second parts of each plate are further arranged to project in a general direction perpendicular to each path of fate or chamber. In this example, each plate element 9 in a stack of plates 35 is connected to a plate element in an adjacent stack of plates 35 via connecting bridges 37.

These bridges occur only due to manufacturing considerations, which will be described later. The inner wall 23 separating the first and second chambers is furthermore slightly lower in height than the height of the respective chambers, so that a gap 38 is left between the upper part of the inner wall 23 and the ceiling of the housing. The middle parts of the set of plates are arranged to pass through said spaces. Preferably, the size of the gap is adapted to correspond to the combined thickness of the middle parts in the stack of plates, so that the gap is closed after the heat exchanger has been mounted. Furthermore, the depth of the recessed receiving part, i.e. the height of the U-shaped part of the lower plate is equal to or slightly lower than the height of the inner wall, and the width is likewise adapted to the width of the inner wall, so that it allows the lower the plate is placed on top of the inner wall. In another example, the inner wall can also be completely constituted by the middle parts of said stack of plates.

The heat exchange device and / or the heat exchange system further comprises a by-pass channel 39 which allows the passage of a utan fate without causing any heat exchange. This is advantageous if the temperature of a target body of the iden uiden or any other place affected by the heat exchange device already has a desired level.

The heat exchange device or heat exchange system further comprises a moisture addition device 41 arranged to add moisture to one or more of their outlets, in this example to the incoming air outflow. In the event of a desire to cool the incoming air, an addition of moisture to the incoming air upstream of the heat exchange plates leads to the moisture condensing on the plates. This in turn leads to a significant removal of energy and a subsequent reduction in temperature, in addition to the heat exchange.

The temperature is therefore reduced even more than would have been the case with the single heat exchanger.

In this example, the heat exchange device comprises a drying device 43 arranged to dry one or more of the particles from moisture. In this example, the drying device comprises a moisture-absorbent textile or cloth. The textile then leads the moisture to a tapping point or an evaporation point. This is advantageous, for example, when ventilating the space under a building or a basement, where it is important that the incoming air is dry. Of course, depending on the application, the heat exchange device may also include combinations of a by-pass channel 39, a moisture addition device and a drying device.

Fig. 4 shows another example of a heat exchange device 83 and a ventilation system 85. The heat exchange device comprises a first chamber 91 formed to be connected to a first ventilation duct leading a first ventilation path, a second chamber 93 designed to store a second fluid 97 in to allow accumulation of heat in the second vent, and a third chamber 95 designed to be connected to a second vent duct leading a second vent. The heat exchange device further comprises a first set of plate elements 99 formed by a deformation operation so that each plate element comprises a middle part 103 arranged to bridge a distance between the first 91 and the second 93 chamber, a first part 101 arranged to project from the middle part 103 and housed inside the first chamber 91, and a second portion 105 arranged to project from the central portion 103 and to be housed inside the second chamber 93. The heat exchange device further comprises a second set of plate elements 107 similarly formed by a deformation operation so that each plate element comprises a middle part 109 arranged to bridge a distance between the second 93 and the third 95 chamber, a first part 11 arranged to project from the middle part 109 and housed inside the second chamber 93 and a second part 113 arranged to project from the middle part 103 and to be accommodated inside the third chamber 95. Thus heat is conducted between the first and second ventilation ducts via the combination of the first and second sets of plate elements and the second chamber in the second chamber.

The ventilation system further comprises a heat pump 1 arranged to supply the building in which the ventilation system is installed with heat via a heat pump mechanism. The heat exchange device is further adapted to be connected to the heat pump and to provide the second flow in the second chamber as a heat source to the heat pump. In this example, the heat exchange device comprises a conductor 117 in the form of a pipe which is in thermal contact with the second chamber and arranged to conduct a heat transfer circuit mellan between the heat pump and the second chamber. The heat exchange device is thus arranged to function both as a heat source for the heat pump and for the transfer of heat between the incoming and outgoing ventilation fl fates.

Fig. 5 shows an example of a method for manufacturing the heat exchange device.

In a first selectable step 45, the method comprises providing a housing for the heat exchange device. In this example, the method comprises the provision of an upper part of the housing intended to form the roof of the housing. The method also comprises the provision of a lower part of the housing, comprising a floor part 47, and two parallel side walls 49. The lower part also comprises an inner wall 23 parallel to the side walls, and which separates the interior of the house into two separate chambers. The inner wall 23 has a lower height than the height of said side walls so that a space is left between the inner wall 23 and the ceiling. The gap allows passage of the set of plates so that the plates can extend between the chambers. In this example, the housing does not include end walls, which leaves the ends of the housing open to form inlet / outlet openings for easy access to said chambers. However, the housing may also be provided with end walls, provided that these end walls comprise suitable inlet / outlet openings to a corresponding duct, or the end walls may be closed so that the chamber provides a closed storage container for the outside. The method preferably comprises that the housing is formed of sheet metal. However, the housing can also be provided in other types of materials. Optionally, the house can also be provided by an external supplier.

In a second step 51, the method comprises providing a plate 5 of a material with a high thermal conductivity. The method optionally comprises cutting the plate to appropriate dimensions. In this example, the plate is cut to a suitable length, which is slightly less than the length of the chambers in said housing, so that the stack of plates made from the plate can fit inside the chambers. The method further comprises optionally cutting the plate to a suitable width, so that the width is sufficient to form the length of said first and second parts and the middle part, and also short enough so that the plates made of the plate can fit inside the housing. Preferably, the plate is cut so that the length of the first and second parts extends at least 50% of the respective width of the chambers, and more preferably at least 70% of the width of the chambers.

In a third step 53, the method comprises cutting, or more preferably punching, line segments 55 through the plate in its width direction, in order to form a number of distinct plate sections 57 of the plate. The line segments thus form open holes which pass through the material of the plate. Each sheet metal section is intended to form its own plate in the finished heat exchange device. In this example, the line segments are cut or punched so that bridges 37 of intact material remain between the line segments arranged along the same line, with the function of holding together the plate sections 55 of the plate even after the line segments have been formed. Preferably, at least two line segments, but less than six, line segments are formed along each line, resulting in between one and seven bridges depending on whether bridges are also left at the end of each edge of the sheet or not. By allowing bridges 37 to remain, the plate sections 37, each of which forms a distinct plate element, will be held together so that all plate sections in the same plate can be bent simultaneously in a single bending operation.

In a fourth step 59, the method comprises bending the plate 5 along at least one line to form a center portion comprising a recessed receiving portion and a protruding portion. In this example, the fourth step 59 of the method comprises bending the plate along a first 61 and second 63 center lines arranged along the longitudinal direction of the plate in order to form U-shaped center portions from the plate sections of the plate. The first and second center lines are therefore parallel and located at a distance from each other which defines the width of the U 536 914. In this example, the method involves bending third and fourth lines to an angle between 80-110 degrees, preferably close to 90 degrees, in addition to standard machining tolerances. In another example of the invention, the fourth step may instead include bending the plate along only a center line to form a V-shaped center portion.

In a fifth step 69, the method includes bending the plate 5 to form a first 31 and a second 33 portion projecting from the center portion of each section of the plate. In this example, the method comprises bending the plate along a first 65 and a second 67 outer line arranged along the longitudinal direction of the plate.

The first and second outer lines are here located outside the first and second center lines. When bending the plate along the first and second lines, said first and second parts are formed which protrude from the middle part. The distance between the outer 65 and the first center lines defines the height of the U-shaped middle part. In this example, the method involves bending the first 65 and second 67 outer lines to an angle between 80-110 degrees, preferably close to 90 degrees, in addition to standard machining deviations. The plate is thus bent into the shape of a U-shaped middle part which has two wing-shaped, first and second parts which project 90 degrees from the foot of the U-shape.

In a sixth step 71, the method comprises mounting the heat exchange device. In this example, the mounting step comprises arranging the shaped plate 5 with a plurality of similarly shaped plates to form a stack of plates 5 inside the housing, so that the first parts 31 are placed inside the first chamber 19, the second parts 23 are placed inside the second chamber 21, and so that the middle parts 29 span the distance between the first and the second chamber by being placed on said inner wall. The U-shaped middle part of the lower plate is rotated so that the mouth of its U-shape meets the upper part of the inner wall, and then pressed onto the inner wall so that the inner wall is received inside the U-shape. The next plate is then stacked on the bottom plate by pressing the U-shape of the next plate on top of the U-shape of the bottom plate in a corresponding manner, and so on until the whole stack of plates has been formed. Since the plates are held together by said bridges, all separate stacks of plate elements 7 of the heat exchange device are mounted simultaneously.

In another example, the plate can instead first be separated into individual plate elements by breaking said bridges, and then mounting them in separate stacks of plates. In this embodiment, however, the assembly becomes more expensive, but the heat conduction in a longitudinal direction between adjacent stacks of plates decreases.

In a seventh step 73, the method comprises that a lid 75 is attached to the housing and forms the roof of the heat exchange device. The cover 75 can be attached in any suitable way, such as by welding, soldering, riveting, screwing, etc.

The lid is preferably fastened tightly, so that it forms a tight connection relative to the housing, and also tightly against the top of the middle parts of the top plate, in order to prevent leaks between the first and the second chamber.

I fi g. 6a shows plate elements 119 formed with a V-shaped middle part 121, and first 123 and second 125 parts projecting from the ends of the legs constituting the V-shape. The plate elements are stackable with each other in that the tip of the V-shaped middle part of a plate is slidable into the V-shaped middle part of an adjacent middle plate. By forming the V-shape in different sizes, the first and second parts of adjacent plate elements can be arranged at a distance from each other inside the first and the second chamber.

I f1g. 6b shows a plate element 127 which is U-shaped. The center portion 129 is straight and extends a distance between the first and second chambers.

The first 131 and second 133 parts are formed by bending the plates so that the first and the second part protrude from the respective ends of the middle part 129. The first and second parts thus form fl faces within the first and the second chamber. Adjacent plate elements are formed with increasing length of the middle part, so that the first parts of adjacent plate elements end up at a distance from each other after assembly in the heat exchange device. Since these plate elements are not secured against a lateral movement by their own design, they are accompanied by a fastening element 135 to hold the plate elements 127 together.

The invention is not limited to the examples and embodiments shown but can be varied freely within the scope of the appended claims. For example, the plates in said set can be shaped so that their middle parts together form an inner wall which at least partially separates the first and the second chamber from each other. Furthermore, features exclusively shown for an example or embodiment in the description may just as well be used in another embodiment and example. 23

Claims (14)

10 15 20 25 30 536 914 PATENT CLAIMS A heat exchange device for conducting thermal energy between a first and a second id uid, which heat exchange device (1) comprises a first fl uid chamber (19) for the first fl uid, a second fl uid chamber (21) for the second fl uid, and a set of heat conducting plate elements (7) arranged to be in contact with both the first and the second fl surface to allow heat transfer therebetween through the material of the plate elements (7), characterized in that the plate elements (7) are formed by a deformation operation so that each plate element (7) comprises a middle part (29) arranged to bridge a distance between the first (19) and the second (21) chamber, a first part (31) arranged to project from the middle part (29) and to be accommodated inside the first chamber (19), and a second part (33) arranged to protrude from the middle part (29) and to be accommodated inside the second chamber (21), so that a heat transfer takes place in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the plate elements (7), and by the outer parts of said set of plate elements are formed with a recessed part and a projecting part, the projecting part of a plate element being shaped to fit into the recessed part of an adjacent plate element. A heat exchange device according to claim 1, characterized in that the set of plate elements (7) are arranged in a stack so that their middle parts abut against each other. A heat exchange device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first and the second chamber are separated by an inner wall, the inner wall comprising a gap or an opening, the plate elements (7) being arranged so that their middle parts pass through said gap or opening. A heat exchange device according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the set of plate elements (7) are stacked so that the first and the second part form ns ends located at a distance from each other in said first and second chambers, respectively. 24 10 15 20 25 30 536 914 A heat exchange device according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the plate elements (7) are provided with line segments forming openings which pass through the plate elements in their thickness direction, which line segments divide the plate elements (7) into plate sections so that the thermal conductivity between adjacent slab sections are low. A heat exchange device according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that the middle parts of said set of plate elements (7) are U-shaped. A heat exchange device according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that the first chamber is designed to be connected to a first ventilation duct transporting a first ventilation duct, and the second chamber is designed to be connected to a second ventilation duct transporting - a second ventilation fate. A heat exchange device according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that the first chamber is designed to be connected to a first ventilation duct which carries the fate of a first ventilation fl, and the second chamber is designed to store a second fl uid in order to allowing the accumulation of heat in the second fl uiden, the heat exchange device further comprising a third chamber configured to be connected to a second ventilation duct transporting a second ventilation fl, and a second set of plate elements designed in the same manner as the first set of plate elements and arranged with their first parts so that they fit into the second chamber and their second parts so that they fit into the third chamber. A ventilation system for ventilating air in connection with a building or structure, the ventilation system comprising a first fl outlet duct for outgoing air and a second fl outlet duct for incoming air, and a heat exchanger arranged to switch heat energy between the outgoing and the incoming air fl fate, characterized in that the heat exchanger is a heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1-8. 25 10 15 20 25 30 536 914 A method of manufacturing a heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that the method comprises - deforming a plate or plate along a first line to form a first part projecting from a central part of the plate or plate, - deforming the plate or the plate along a second line to form a second part projecting from the central part of the plate or plate, - arranging the plate or plate with a number of similar plates or plates to form a stack of plates or plates inside a housing having first and second chambers, so that the first parts of the plates are accommodated in the first chamber and the second parts of the plates are accommodated in the second chamber, so that the middle part is arranged to bridge a distance between the first and the second chamber, and so that a heat transfer takes place in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the plate elements, and - arranging the middle parts of said set of plate elements so that a protruding part fits s in a recessed part of an adjacent plate element. A method of manufacturing a heat exchanger according to claim 10, characterized in that the method comprises, - deforming the plate or plate along a third and a fourth line, which third and fourth lines are parallel and located inside the first and the second line , so that a U-shaped middle part is formed. A method of manufacturing a heat exchanger according to claim 10, characterized in that the method comprises - providing a plate, and - removing material to form line segments in the plate, which line segments form holes which pass through the material of the plate in its thickness direction, and which line segments divide the plate into sections, which form the individual plates. A method of manufacturing a heat exchanger according to claim 12, characterized in that the method comprises 26 536 914 - shaping the line segments by removing material so that at least one bridge of intact material remains between at least a pair of sections in the plate . A method of manufacturing a heat exchanger according to claim 13, characterized in that the deformation operation comprises a bending operation of the plate. 27