US20170010046A1 - Heat Exchanger - Google Patents
Heat Exchanger Download PDFInfo
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- US20170010046A1 US20170010046A1 US15/186,645 US201615186645A US2017010046A1 US 20170010046 A1 US20170010046 A1 US 20170010046A1 US 201615186645 A US201615186645 A US 201615186645A US 2017010046 A1 US2017010046 A1 US 2017010046A1
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- Prior art keywords
- spiral
- passages
- inlet
- outlet
- heat exchanger
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
- F28D1/00—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators
- F28D1/02—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators with heat-exchange conduits immersed in the body of fluid
- F28D1/04—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators with heat-exchange conduits immersed in the body of fluid with tubular conduits
- F28D1/047—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators with heat-exchange conduits immersed in the body of fluid with tubular conduits the conduits being bent, e.g. in a serpentine or zig-zag
- F28D1/0472—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators with heat-exchange conduits immersed in the body of fluid with tubular conduits the conduits being bent, e.g. in a serpentine or zig-zag the conduits being helically or spirally coiled
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02G—HOT GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT ENGINE PLANTS; USE OF WASTE HEAT OF COMBUSTION ENGINES; NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F02G1/00—Hot gas positive-displacement engine plants
- F02G1/04—Hot gas positive-displacement engine plants of closed-cycle type
- F02G1/043—Hot gas positive-displacement engine plants of closed-cycle type the engine being operated by expansion and contraction of a mass of working gas which is heated and cooled in one of a plurality of constantly communicating expansible chambers, e.g. Stirling cycle type engines
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B9/00—Compression machines, plants or systems, in which the refrigerant is air or other gas of low boiling point
- F25B9/14—Compression machines, plants or systems, in which the refrigerant is air or other gas of low boiling point characterised by the cycle used, e.g. Stirling cycle
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
- F28D1/00—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators
- F28D1/02—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators with heat-exchange conduits immersed in the body of fluid
- F28D1/04—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators with heat-exchange conduits immersed in the body of fluid with tubular conduits
- F28D1/047—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators with heat-exchange conduits immersed in the body of fluid with tubular conduits the conduits being bent, e.g. in a serpentine or zig-zag
- F28D1/0472—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators with heat-exchange conduits immersed in the body of fluid with tubular conduits the conduits being bent, e.g. in a serpentine or zig-zag the conduits being helically or spirally coiled
- F28D1/0473—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators with heat-exchange conduits immersed in the body of fluid with tubular conduits the conduits being bent, e.g. in a serpentine or zig-zag the conduits being helically or spirally coiled the conduits having a non-circular cross-section
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
- F28F1/00—Tubular elements; Assemblies of tubular elements
- F28F1/02—Tubular elements of cross-section which is non-circular
- F28F1/022—Tubular elements of cross-section which is non-circular with multiple channels
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
- F28F1/00—Tubular elements; Assemblies of tubular elements
- F28F1/02—Tubular elements of cross-section which is non-circular
- F28F1/04—Tubular elements of cross-section which is non-circular polygonal, e.g. rectangular
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
- F28F9/00—Casings; Header boxes; Auxiliary supports for elements; Auxiliary members within casings
- F28F9/02—Header boxes; End plates
- F28F9/0246—Arrangements for connecting header boxes with flow lines
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
- F28F2210/00—Heat exchange conduits
- F28F2210/10—Particular layout, e.g. for uniform temperature distribution
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
- F28F2240/00—Spacing means
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
- F28F2250/00—Arrangements for modifying the flow of the heat exchange media, e.g. flow guiding means; Particular flow patterns
- F28F2250/10—Particular pattern of flow of the heat exchange media
- F28F2250/106—Particular pattern of flow of the heat exchange media with cross flow
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates to heat exchangers for special applications such as a heat pump.
- a heat pump presently being developed has a heat exchanger specification of high effectiveness and favorable packaging.
- a heat exchanger having such characteristics is disclosed herein as one example of such a heat exchanger to provide the desired characteristics for the heat pump.
- a cross flow heat exchanger has an inlet for a first fluid, an outlet for the first fluid, an inlet spiral having a plurality of passages therein, an inlet manifold fluidly coupling the inlet with the plurality of passages of the inlet spiral, an outlet spiral having a plurality of passages therein, and an outlet manifold fluidly coupling the outlet with the plurality of passages of the outlet spiral.
- the passages of the inlet spiral are fluidly coupled to the passages of the outlet spiral.
- Interior walls of the passages of the inlet and outlet spirals are in contact with the first fluid.
- the exterior walls of the inlet and outlet spirals are in contact with a second fluid.
- the inlet spiral is nested with the outlet spiral. A gap between adjacent turns of the inlet and outlet spirals is less than a predetermined distance.
- the predetermined distance is less than a distance at which a predetermined Reynolds number exists.
- the predetermined Reynolds number is that which is defined to lead to laminar flow for the given geometry of the gaps.
- the crossflow heat exchanger may include a plurality of braces mechanically coupling adjacent turns of the inlet and outlet spirals.
- the passages of the inlet spiral and the passages of the outlet spiral are fluidly coupled via a collector ring. In another embodiment, the passages of the inlet spiral and the passages of the outlet spiral are coupled via a transition section.
- the passages of the inlet spiral are arranged along a first line
- the passages of the outlet spiral are arranged along a second line
- the first line and the second line are parallel.
- the passages of the inlet and outlet spirals are circular, elliptical, polygonal, or any suitable shape.
- a heat pump includes a cylinder, a hot displacer disposed in the cylinder, a cold displacer disposed in the cylinder, and a crossflow heat exchanger disposed between the hot displacer and the cold displacer.
- the crossflow heat exchanger includes: an inlet spiral having a rectangular cross section and defining a plurality of passages arranged longitudinally, an inlet manifold coupled to an upstream end of the inlet spiral with the inlet spiral defining an inlet volume that fluidly couples with the plurality of passages of the inlet spiral, an outlet spiral having a rectangular cross section and defining a plurality of passages arranged longitudinally, and an outlet manifold coupled to a downstream of the outlet spiral with the outlet spiral defining an outlet volume that fluidly couples with the plurality of passages of the outlet spiral, wherein the passages of the inlet spiral are fluidly coupled to the passages of the outlet spiral.
- the passages of the inlet spiral are coupled to the passages of the outlet spiral via a transition section, a central collector ring, or any suitable transition.
- the cylinder is filled with a working fluid. And reciprocation of one of the displacers in the cylinder causes the working fluid to pass through the gaps.
- a pressurized fluid supply is coupled to the inlet manifold.
- the heat exchanger further includes a plurality of braces mechanically coupling adjacent turns.
- Newer fabrication techniques such as 3-dimensional printing and hydroforming, facilitate manufacture complicated shapes is facilitated.
- Some of the embodiments in the present disclosure which may have been very difficult to fabricate with prior fabrication techniques, may now be readily fabricated via such newer methods.
- FIG. 1 is a top view of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the disclosure
- FIG. 2 is a core of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional, isometric view of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 4 a cross-sectional view of a portion of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1 ;
- FIGS. 5-9 are illustrations of alternative cross-sectional shapes for inlet and outlet spirals of a heat exchanger
- FIGS. 10-12 are representations of alternative embodiments of heat exchanger spirals
- FIG. 13 is a schematic of a heat pump with a centrally-located heat exchanger
- FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a heat exchanger showing a bypass passage
- FIGS. 15-17 illustrate various stages of an embodiment in which a heat exchanger is assembled using sintering
- FIG. 18 is an illustration of a spiral heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
- FIG. 1 shows a top view of a heat exchanger 100 , which has a frame 102 having two nested spirals 110 and 112 .
- the term involute is an alternative term for spiral.
- frame 102 of heat exchanger 100 is welded to a cylinder (not shown) in which it is disposed.
- frame 102 is a sealing member and has any number of O-rings, or other suitable type of seals in grooves in frame 102 , to seal against a cylinder (not shown).
- Inlet spiral 110 has three turns 111 interleaved with turns 113 of outlet spiral 112 .
- a spiral may alternately called and involute.
- a gap 106 between adjacent turns has a distance 108 less than a predetermined distance.
- a liquid circulates in passages within spirals 110 and 112 and a gas travels through gaps 106 (into, or out of, the plane of FIG. 1 ) between adjacent turns of spirals 110 and 112 .
- the predetermined distance in one embodiment, is a distance in which laminar flow would exist if the length of the flow were to be enough to set up laminar flow.
- Braces 104 are provided to maintain the gaps of predetermined distance of spirals 110 and 112 with a gap that is less than or equal to the gap that provides laminar flow.
- Manifold housing 114 is an inlet area and manifold housing 116 is an outlet area, which will be discussed below.
- a central collector 118 has an internal passage that fluidly couples with passages in spirals 110 and 112 .
- FIG. 2 a representation of a core 120 of heat exchanger 100 (of FIG. 1 ).
- the core is essentially the “negative” of heat exchanger 100 , i.e., the part where the fluid would flow inside heat exchanger 100 .
- Core 120 has an inlet 122 and an outlet 124 .
- Inlet 122 leads to an inlet spiral passages (only one of which is visible) 132 via an adapter 136 to a central collector 134 .
- the fluid moves from central collector 134 to outlet spiral passages (only one of which is visible) 130 via an adapter 138 .
- Outlet spiral passages 130 fluidly couple to outlet 124 .
- Inlet spiral passages 132 interleave with outlet spiral passages 130 , although offset by 180 degrees in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 .
- the three-turn embodiment with 180 degree offset in FIG. 2 is provided by way of example only and not intended to be limiting as the turns can be any suitable number and the offset can be altered to accommodate desired inlet and outlet locations or for
- FIG. 3 an isometric view of a section of heat exchanger 100 is shown. The cross section is taken through two of braces 104 .
- outlet spiral passage 130 appears as a single spiral.
- there are four parallel outlet spirals passages arranged along a line such as illustrated with one of the turns shown arranged along dash dot line 140 .
- a single slot could be provided.
- a plurality of passages essentially provides bracing and prevents collapse that might occur with a single slot.
- inlet spiral passage 132 has four parallel spirals.
- the passages of one of the turns is shown lying in a line, as illustrated with dash-dot line 142 .
- Central collector 134 is shown as a single slot.
- the four passages of the inlet spiral passage 132 combine to form a single slot passage of central collector 134 and then manifolds into four passages of outlet spiral passage 130 .
- Central collector 134 has beefier walls than spiral passages 130 and 132 . If thinner walls for the central collector are desired, the central collector may alternatively have a plurality of passages that correspond to the passages in the spirals.
- FIG. 4 a portion of heat exchanger 100 is shown in cross section.
- An inlet 152 leads to a manifold 154 that fluidly couples with inlet spiral passages 132 .
- a similar manifold is provided for the outlet spiral passages (not shown).
- passages 132 appear to be in a block with an array of passages.
- FIG. 5 a single turn of a spiral 200 is shown in cross section with the cross section taken at a place away from a brace. Within that turn are multiple circular passages 200 .
- passage 206 in turn 204 are substantially square. Passages 206 have rounded corners to avoid stress risers.
- passages 210 are substantially rectangular. Any suitable passage shape can be used.
- the spiral has straight sides.
- adjacent turns 220 and 222 of spirals have a gap distance 224 that is consistent along the gap.
- Heat exchanger 240 has an inlet spiral 242 interleaved with an outlet spiral 244 .
- the spirals are not regular, but have kinks in them.
- Heat exchanger 240 has a central opening 248 to accommodate a post.
- opening 248 is filled with a plug so that gasses flow through the gaps between adjacent turns of the spirals.
- the gaps in FIG. 10 are exaggerated for illustration convenience. The gaps are to be consistent and are generally narrow.
- plugs 250 and 252 are provided.
- a transition section 246 is provided to connect inlet spiral 242 with outlet spiral 244 .
- Another heat exchanger 260 alternative is shown in FIG. 11 with inlet spiral 262 , outlet spiral 264 , plugs 270 and 272 , opening to accommodate a post 268 , and transition section 266 .
- another alternative heat exchanger 280 is shown in FIG. 12 .
- Heat exchange 280 has: inlet spiral 282 , outlet spiral 284 , plugs 290 and 292 , opening to accommodate a post 288 , and transition section 296 .
- FIGS. 10-12 show the inlet and outlet spirals to be single lines for illustration simplicity.
- the turns of the spirals are wider than is implied in the Figures and the gap between adjacent turns is a predetermined width. That predetermined width is based on the properties of the gas that travels through the gap and the velocity of the gas traveling through the gap such that the Reynolds number is in a range defined to provide laminar flow.
- Heat pump 300 has a cylinder 302 in which a hot displacer 304 and a cold displacer reciprocate.
- a heat exchanger 310 is located within cylinder 302 .
- a top edge of heat exchanger 310 is substantially at the bottom end of travel of hot displacer 304 ; a bottom edge of heat exchanger 310 is substantially at the top of travel of cold displacer 306 .
- Heat exchanger 310 has an inlet 314 and an outlet 316 and passages fluidly coupling inlet 314 with outlet 316 .
- the fluid within heat exchanger 310 is a liquid, but alternatively a gas.
- Flow within heat exchanger 310 is in the plane of such heat exchanger. Flow on the exterior surface is substantially perpendicular to the flow with heat exchanger 10 . Gas flows through gaps 312 .
- both cold and hot displacers 304 and 306 move upward or downward, the gases flow from one side of heat exchanger 310 to the other side. If only one of the displacers moves, the gases that flow through heat exchanger 310 bypasses the cylinder. That is, for example, if cold displacer 306 moves upwardly while hot displacer 304 is stationary, gases from the volume within cylinder 302 that is above displacer 306 flow through gaps 312 into the volume above heat exchanger 310 through a bypass tube 340 , a regenerator 342 , a bypass tube 344 , and a heat exchanger 346 then into the volume within cylinder 302 that is below displacer 306 .
- Another bypass path is provided that has a bypass tube 334 , a regenerator 332 , a bypass tube 330 , and a heat exchanger 336 .
- These elements provide desired function in the context of a heat pump, in particular a Vuilleumier heat pump, further description of which can be found elsewhere.
- the heat exchanger disclosed herein is suitable for such a heat pump, but this is a non-limiting application.
- a cross section through a heat exchanger 400 shows bypass passages 430 and 440 .
- the cross section in FIG. 14 happens to cut through two such passages 430 and 440 .
- the cross section of FIG. 14 is away from the brace section.
- a turn of the inlet spiral in which passage 402 is located is displaced by a gap 406 from a turn of the outlet spiral in which passage 404 is located.
- FIG. 15 One of the processes by which a heat exchanger according to the present disclosure can be manufactured is via 3D printing. Alternatively, a sintering process is used.
- FIG. 15 two portions 450 are shown in cross section. The two portions 450 are shown sintered together at interface 452 in FIG. 16 .
- An assembly 456 of a grid of such portions 450 is shown in which the portions are sintered at interfaces 452 and interfaces 454 . Gaps 458 less than a predetermined width are provided between each column.
- annular heat exchanger such as a heat exchanger 500 shown in FIG. 18 .
- An inlet 502 leads inwardly and couples to a turnaround 504 which causes heat exchanger 500 to spiral outwardly to outlet 506 .
- Heat exchanger 500 allows for space 510 in the center to provide the annular shape.
- displacers can reciprocate through the middle of heat exchanger 500 .
Abstract
Description
- The present disclosure relates to heat exchangers for special applications such as a heat pump.
- There are many heat exchanger configurations that have been used over the years. Many of these designs have been constrained by manufacturing limitations. However, with the advent of new manufacturing techniques, heat exchangers that might have not been conceived of previously might now be fabricated.
- A heat pump presently being developed has a heat exchanger specification of high effectiveness and favorable packaging. A heat exchanger having such characteristics is disclosed herein as one example of such a heat exchanger to provide the desired characteristics for the heat pump.
- A cross flow heat exchanger is disclosed that has an inlet for a first fluid, an outlet for the first fluid, an inlet spiral having a plurality of passages therein, an inlet manifold fluidly coupling the inlet with the plurality of passages of the inlet spiral, an outlet spiral having a plurality of passages therein, and an outlet manifold fluidly coupling the outlet with the plurality of passages of the outlet spiral. The passages of the inlet spiral are fluidly coupled to the passages of the outlet spiral. Interior walls of the passages of the inlet and outlet spirals are in contact with the first fluid. The exterior walls of the inlet and outlet spirals are in contact with a second fluid. The inlet spiral is nested with the outlet spiral. A gap between adjacent turns of the inlet and outlet spirals is less than a predetermined distance.
- The predetermined distance is less than a distance at which a predetermined Reynolds number exists. The predetermined Reynolds number is that which is defined to lead to laminar flow for the given geometry of the gaps.
- The crossflow heat exchanger may include a plurality of braces mechanically coupling adjacent turns of the inlet and outlet spirals.
- In some embodiments, the passages of the inlet spiral and the passages of the outlet spiral are fluidly coupled via a collector ring. In another embodiment, the passages of the inlet spiral and the passages of the outlet spiral are coupled via a transition section.
- In some embodiments, the passages of the inlet spiral are arranged along a first line, the passages of the outlet spiral are arranged along a second line, and the first line and the second line are parallel.
- The passages of the inlet and outlet spirals are circular, elliptical, polygonal, or any suitable shape.
- A heat pump is disclosed that includes a cylinder, a hot displacer disposed in the cylinder, a cold displacer disposed in the cylinder, and a crossflow heat exchanger disposed between the hot displacer and the cold displacer. The crossflow heat exchanger includes: an inlet spiral having a rectangular cross section and defining a plurality of passages arranged longitudinally, an inlet manifold coupled to an upstream end of the inlet spiral with the inlet spiral defining an inlet volume that fluidly couples with the plurality of passages of the inlet spiral, an outlet spiral having a rectangular cross section and defining a plurality of passages arranged longitudinally, and an outlet manifold coupled to a downstream of the outlet spiral with the outlet spiral defining an outlet volume that fluidly couples with the plurality of passages of the outlet spiral, wherein the passages of the inlet spiral are fluidly coupled to the passages of the outlet spiral.
- The passages of the inlet spiral are coupled to the passages of the outlet spiral via a transition section, a central collector ring, or any suitable transition.
- Turns of the inlet spiral interleave with turns of the outlet spiral, and gaps exists between adjacent turns.
- The cylinder is filled with a working fluid. And reciprocation of one of the displacers in the cylinder causes the working fluid to pass through the gaps.
- A pressurized fluid supply is coupled to the inlet manifold.
- Turns of the inlet spiral interleave with turns of the outlet spiral, and a gap exists between adjacent turns. The heat exchanger further includes a plurality of braces mechanically coupling adjacent turns.
- A liquid flows from the inlet manifold into passages in the inlet spiral into passages in the inlet ring into passages in the outlet spiral into the outlet manifold.
- A crossover passage in parallel with gaps between inlet spirals through which the second fluid may bypass the heat exchanger.
- Newer fabrication techniques, such as 3-dimensional printing and hydroforming, facilitate manufacture complicated shapes is facilitated. Some of the embodiments in the present disclosure, which may have been very difficult to fabricate with prior fabrication techniques, may now be readily fabricated via such newer methods.
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FIG. 1 is a top view of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the disclosure; -
FIG. 2 is a core of the heat exchanger ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional, isometric view of the heat exchanger ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 4 a cross-sectional view of a portion of the heat exchanger ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIGS. 5-9 are illustrations of alternative cross-sectional shapes for inlet and outlet spirals of a heat exchanger; -
FIGS. 10-12 are representations of alternative embodiments of heat exchanger spirals; -
FIG. 13 is a schematic of a heat pump with a centrally-located heat exchanger; -
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a heat exchanger showing a bypass passage; -
FIGS. 15-17 illustrate various stages of an embodiment in which a heat exchanger is assembled using sintering; and -
FIG. 18 is an illustration of a spiral heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the disclosure. - As those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, various features of the embodiments illustrated and described with reference to any one of the Figures may be combined with features illustrated in one or more other Figures to produce alternative embodiments that are not explicitly illustrated or described. The combinations of features illustrated provide representative embodiments for typical applications. However, various combinations and modifications of the features consistent with the teachings of the present disclosure may be desired for particular applications or implementations. Those of ordinary skill in the art may recognize similar applications or implementations whether or not explicitly described or illustrated.
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FIG. 1 shows a top view of aheat exchanger 100, which has aframe 102 having twonested spirals frame 102 ofheat exchanger 100 is welded to a cylinder (not shown) in which it is disposed. In other applications,frame 102 is a sealing member and has any number of O-rings, or other suitable type of seals in grooves inframe 102, to seal against a cylinder (not shown).Inlet spiral 110 has threeturns 111 interleaved withturns 113 ofoutlet spiral 112. A spiral may alternately called and involute. - A
gap 106 between adjacent turns has adistance 108 less than a predetermined distance. In one embodiment, a liquid circulates in passages withinspirals FIG. 1 ) between adjacent turns ofspirals Braces 104 are provided to maintain the gaps of predetermined distance ofspirals housing 114 is an inlet area andmanifold housing 116 is an outlet area, which will be discussed below. Acentral collector 118 has an internal passage that fluidly couples with passages inspirals - In
FIG. 2 , a representation of acore 120 of heat exchanger 100 (ofFIG. 1 ). The core is essentially the “negative” ofheat exchanger 100, i.e., the part where the fluid would flow insideheat exchanger 100.Core 120 has aninlet 122 and anoutlet 124.Inlet 122 leads to an inlet spiral passages (only one of which is visible) 132 via anadapter 136 to acentral collector 134. The fluid moves fromcentral collector 134 to outlet spiral passages (only one of which is visible) 130 via anadapter 138.Outlet spiral passages 130 fluidly couple tooutlet 124.Inlet spiral passages 132 interleave with outletspiral passages 130, although offset by 180 degrees in the embodiment shown inFIG. 2 . The three-turn embodiment with 180 degree offset inFIG. 2 is provided by way of example only and not intended to be limiting as the turns can be any suitable number and the offset can be altered to accommodate desired inlet and outlet locations or for other purposes. - In
FIG. 3 , an isometric view of a section ofheat exchanger 100 is shown. The cross section is taken through two ofbraces 104. InFIG. 2 ,outlet spiral passage 130 appears as a single spiral. However, in the embodiment inFIG. 3 , there are four parallel outlet spirals passages arranged along a line, such as illustrated with one of the turns shown arranged alongdash dot line 140. In place of four openings alongline 140, a single slot could be provided. However, in some embodiments in which the pressure difference between the inside and the outside is great, a plurality of passages essentially provides bracing and prevents collapse that might occur with a single slot. Similarly,inlet spiral passage 132 has four parallel spirals. The passages of one of the turns is shown lying in a line, as illustrated with dash-dot line 142.Central collector 134 is shown as a single slot. Thus, the four passages of theinlet spiral passage 132 combine to form a single slot passage ofcentral collector 134 and then manifolds into four passages ofoutlet spiral passage 130.Central collector 134 has beefier walls thanspiral passages - In
FIG. 4 , a portion ofheat exchanger 100 is shown in cross section. Aninlet 152 leads to a manifold 154 that fluidly couples withinlet spiral passages 132. A similar manifold is provided for the outlet spiral passages (not shown). - The cross section of
heat exchanger 100 shown inFIG. 3 is taken throughbrace 104. Thus,passages 132 appear to be in a block with an array of passages. InFIG. 5 , a single turn of aspiral 200 is shown in cross section with the cross section taken at a place away from a brace. Within that turn are multiplecircular passages 200. In an alternative,passage 206 inturn 204 are substantially square.Passages 206 have rounded corners to avoid stress risers. Inturn 208,passages 210 are substantially rectangular. Any suitable passage shape can be used. In the embodiments shown inFIGS. 3-7 the spiral has straight sides. However, in an alternative configuration shown inFIG. 9 ,adjacent turns gap distance 224 that is consistent along the gap. - An
alternative heat exchanger 240 configuration is also contemplated, as shown inFIG. 10 .Heat exchanger 240 has aninlet spiral 242 interleaved with anoutlet spiral 244. In the embodiment inFIG. 10 , the spirals are not regular, but have kinks in them. Herein, such a configuration or other similar configurations with slight kinks are called spirals.Heat exchanger 240 has acentral opening 248 to accommodate a post. In other configurations, opening 248 is filled with a plug so that gasses flow through the gaps between adjacent turns of the spirals. The gaps inFIG. 10 are exaggerated for illustration convenience. The gaps are to be consistent and are generally narrow. To fill any blank spaces that would allow gases to flow rather than between the spirals, plugs 250 and 252 are provided. Atransition section 246 is provided to connectinlet spiral 242 withoutlet spiral 244. Anotherheat exchanger 260 alternative is shown inFIG. 11 withinlet spiral 262,outlet spiral 264, plugs 270 and 272, opening to accommodate apost 268, andtransition section 266. And yet, anotheralternative heat exchanger 280 is shown inFIG. 12 .Heat exchange 280 has:inlet spiral 282,outlet spiral 284, plugs 290 and 292, opening to accommodate apost 288, and transition section 296. - The illustrations in
FIGS. 10-12 show the inlet and outlet spirals to be single lines for illustration simplicity. In reality, the turns of the spirals are wider than is implied in the Figures and the gap between adjacent turns is a predetermined width. That predetermined width is based on the properties of the gas that travels through the gap and the velocity of the gas traveling through the gap such that the Reynolds number is in a range defined to provide laminar flow. - An illustration of a
heat pump 300 is shown in cross section inFIG. 13 .Heat pump 300 has acylinder 302 in which ahot displacer 304 and a cold displacer reciprocate. Aheat exchanger 310 is located withincylinder 302. A top edge ofheat exchanger 310 is substantially at the bottom end of travel ofhot displacer 304; a bottom edge ofheat exchanger 310 is substantially at the top of travel ofcold displacer 306.Heat exchanger 310 has aninlet 314 and anoutlet 316 and passages fluidly couplinginlet 314 withoutlet 316. The fluid withinheat exchanger 310 is a liquid, but alternatively a gas. Flow withinheat exchanger 310 is in the plane of such heat exchanger. Flow on the exterior surface is substantially perpendicular to the flow with heat exchanger 10. Gas flows throughgaps 312. - If both cold and
hot displacers heat exchanger 310 to the other side. If only one of the displacers moves, the gases that flow throughheat exchanger 310 bypasses the cylinder. That is, for example, ifcold displacer 306 moves upwardly whilehot displacer 304 is stationary, gases from the volume withincylinder 302 that is abovedisplacer 306 flow throughgaps 312 into the volume aboveheat exchanger 310 through abypass tube 340, aregenerator 342, abypass tube 344, and aheat exchanger 346 then into the volume withincylinder 302 that is belowdisplacer 306. Gases reverse that flow path whenhot displacer 304 moves upwardly whilehot displacer 306 is stationary. Another bypass path is provided that has abypass tube 334, aregenerator 332, abypass tube 330, and aheat exchanger 336. These elements provide desired function in the context of a heat pump, in particular a Vuilleumier heat pump, further description of which can be found elsewhere. The heat exchanger disclosed herein is suitable for such a heat pump, but this is a non-limiting application. - In
FIG. 14 , a cross section through aheat exchanger 400 shows bypasspassages heat exchanger 400. The cross section inFIG. 14 happens to cut through twosuch passages FIG. 3 that is through a brace section, the cross section ofFIG. 14 is away from the brace section. A turn of the inlet spiral in whichpassage 402 is located is displaced by agap 406 from a turn of the outlet spiral in whichpassage 404 is located. - One of the processes by which a heat exchanger according to the present disclosure can be manufactured is via 3D printing. Alternatively, a sintering process is used. In
FIG. 15 , twoportions 450 are shown in cross section. The twoportions 450 are shown sintered together atinterface 452 inFIG. 16 . Anassembly 456 of a grid ofsuch portions 450 is shown in which the portions are sintered atinterfaces 452 and interfaces 454.Gaps 458 less than a predetermined width are provided between each column. - In some applications, it is desirable to have an annular heat exchanger, such as a
heat exchanger 500 shown inFIG. 18 . Aninlet 502 leads inwardly and couples to aturnaround 504 which causesheat exchanger 500 to spiral outwardly to outlet 506.Heat exchanger 500 allows forspace 510 in the center to provide the annular shape. In the case of a Vuilleumier heat pump, displacers can reciprocate through the middle ofheat exchanger 500. - While the best mode has been described in detail with respect to particular embodiments, those familiar with the art will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments within the scope of the following claims. While various embodiments may have been described as providing advantages or being preferred over other embodiments with respect to one or more desired characteristics, one or more characteristics may be compromised to achieve desired system attributes, which depend on the specific application and implementation. These attributes include, but are not limited to: cost, strength, durability, life cycle cost, marketability, appearance, packaging, size, serviceability, weight, manufacturability, ease of assembly, etc. The embodiments described herein that are characterized as less desirable than other embodiments or prior art with respect to one or more characteristics are not outside the scope of the disclosure and may be desirable for particular applications.
Claims (20)
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US15/186,645 US20170010046A1 (en) | 2015-07-08 | 2016-06-20 | Heat Exchanger |
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US201562189847P | 2015-07-08 | 2015-07-08 | |
US15/186,645 US20170010046A1 (en) | 2015-07-08 | 2016-06-20 | Heat Exchanger |
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US15/186,645 Abandoned US20170010046A1 (en) | 2015-07-08 | 2016-06-20 | Heat Exchanger |
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