WO2010060657A1

WO2010060657A1 - Condenser for air-conditioning circuit with integrated internal exchanger

Info

Publication number: WO2010060657A1
Application number: PCT/EP2009/056720
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anne-Sylvie Magnier-Cathenod; Carlos Martins; Matthieu Ponchant
Original assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques
Priority date: 2008-11-26
Filing date: 2009-06-02
Publication date: 2010-06-03

Abstract

The invention relates to a condenser (10) that includes a first heat-exchange block (12) for cooling a refrigerant fluid until condensation thereof using a coolant, and a second heat-exchange block (14) for sub-cooling the refrigerant fluid using a coolant. The second block (14) defines an internal exchanger (34) for the heat exchange between the condensed and sub-cooled refrigerant fluid, or high-pressure refrigerant fluid, and the same refrigerant fluid after expansion, or low-pressure refrigerant fluid. The invention can be used in automobiles.

Description

Condenser for air conditioning circuit with integrated internal heat exchanger

The invention relates to the field of air conditioning circuits, especially for motor vehicles.

It relates more particularly to a condenser ^' comprising a first heat exchange block for cooling a refrigerant until it is condensed by means of a cooling fluid and a second heat exchange block. for subcooling the condensed refrigerant from the first heat exchange block. This subcooling further cools the condensed and hot refrigerant from the first heat exchange block.

From already known from FR 2 846 733, a condenser of this type which additionally includes a brazed unbreakable bottle between the first block and the second heat exchange block, which are each formed by series of stacked plates. The subcooling of the refrigerant in the second heat exchange block is ensured in this case by the same cooling fluid as in the first heat exchange block.

The term "bottle" here designates an intermediate reservoir which makes it possible to ensure filtration and dehydration of the refrigerant and also to compensate for variations in the volume of the refrigerant and to ensure the separation of the liquid and gaseous phases.

The condenser of the publication FR 2 846 733 is designed to operate with a phase change refrigerant, such as R 134a. The condenser of the publication FR 2 846 733 is designed to operate with a phase change refrigerant, such as R 134a.

However, it may be advantageous to provide in an air conditioning circuit traversed by a phase change refrigerant an internal heat exchanger, also called internal exchanger, even if such an internal exchanger is most often used in the case of circuits traveled by refrigerants, such as CO ₂ , which do not undergo a phase change.

It will be recalled that an internal heat exchanger makes it possible to ensure a heat exchange between the refrigerant at high pressure and at high temperature, and the same refrigerant at low pressure and at low temperature, within the same circuit.

The integration of an internal exchanger in an air conditioning circuit not only requires the installation of this exchanger, but also that of additional conduits and connections, which generates congestion and creates additional sources of potential leaks.

Moreover, the integration of such an internal exchanger into a component of a circuit is often impossible given the structure of the component. This is particularly the case of the condenser according to the publication FR 2 846 733 already mentioned.

The object of the invention is in particular to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks. To this end, it proposes a condenser of the type defined in introduction, in which the second block consists of an internal heat exchanger to ensure a heat exchange between the condensed and subcooled refrigerant, called "high pressure refrigerant", and the same refrigerant once relaxed, called "low pressure refrigerant". In other words, the second block comprises only an internal heat exchanger, although the internal exchange function is then obtained in the entire second block.

The internal exchange function can thus be obtained in the second block, for example by making at least one additional pass between the condenser outlet and the return of the evaporator.

This results in a significant gain in terms of space due to the suppression of the high pressure duct connecting the condenser outlet and the internal exchanger, when not integrated, as well as that of the connection blocks.

The first and second heat exchange blocks can be connected directly to each other or via a bottle.

In another aspect the invention relates to a cooling circuit traversed by a cooling fluid and connected to the first heat exchange block of a condenser as defined above. This cooling circuit is connected only to the first block.

In the description which follows, made only by way of example, reference is made to the appended drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an air conditioning circuit comprising a condenser comprising a subcooling portion and an internal heat exchanger, which is not the invention;

- Figure 2 is a perspective view of an integrated bottle condenser according to the invention, adapted to be part of the air conditioning circuit of Figure 1;

FIG. 3 is a view from above of the condenser of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the condenser of FIGS. 2 and 3;

- Figure 5 is a sectional view along the line V-V of Figure 4;

- Figure 6 is a sectional view along the line VI-VI of Figure 4;

- Figures 7 and 8 are perspective views of two heat exchange plates adapted to form part of the condenser of Figures 2 to 6;

Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating an air conditioning circuit comprising a condenser in a second alternative embodiment of the circuit of Figure 1;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an air conditioning circuit similar to that of FIG. which the second block comprises only an internal heat exchanger, according to the invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an integrated bottle condenser and integrated internal heat exchanger, suitable for forming part of the air conditioning circuit of FIG. 10;

- Figure 12 is a top view of the condenser of Figure 11;

FIG. 13 is a front view of the condenser of FIGS. 11 and 12, taken on the side of the first heat exchange block;

- Figure 14 is a sectional view along the line XIV-XIV of Figure 13;

- Figure 15 is a sectional view along the line XV-XV of Figure 13;

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an air conditioning circuit analogous to FIG. 10, in which the condenser is devoid of a bottle; and

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a cooling circuit associated with the condenser of FIGS. 10 to 15.

Referring first to Figure 1 which shows a DC air conditioning circuit of a motor vehicle comprising a condenser 10. In the example, the condenser 10 is primarily intended to operate with a refrigerant capable of being present in a liquid form and in a gaseous form. It may be in particular a fluoro fluid such as that known under the name R 134a.

The condenser comprises a first heat exchange block 12 for cooling the refrigerant until it is condensed by means of a cooling fluid, a second heat exchange block 14 for sub-cooling the fluid. refrigerant by means of a cooling fluid, and a bottle 16 interposed between the blocks 12 and 14 and which is adapted to be traversed by the refrigerant. Blocks 12 and 14 constitute respectively a main block and an additional block.

However, in other embodiments, the bottle 16 may be omitted, the blocks 12 and 14 communicating directly with each other.

In the DC air conditioning circuit, the refrigerant passes through a closed loop a compressor 18, the condenser 10 (body 12, bottle 16 and body 14), an expander 20 and an evaporator 22 before returning to the compressor, and so on.

The refrigerant gas phase from the compressor 18 is first cooled until it is condensed in the first block 12. It then passes through the bottle 16, where it is filtered and dehydrated, then the second block 14 which provides the cooling the condensed refrigerant. At the exit of the second block 14, the refrigerant is expanded by the expander 20, then converted into a gas phase in the evaporator 22 to be subsequently compressed by the compressor 18. The evaporator is also swept by a stream of air which is cooled by heat exchange with the fluid refrigerant that vaporizes to produce a flow of conditioned air to be sent into a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle.

The first block 12 comprises a circulation passage 24 for the refrigerant coming from the compressor 18 and a circulation passage 26 for a cooling fluid. The latter is generally a liquid, such as water containing an antifreeze, which circulates in a circuit CR (not shown). This circuit is generally called low temperature circuit (LV) and is. separate from the High Temperature (HT) circuit used to cool the vehicle engine. The refrigerant is thus condensed by heat exchange with the cooling fluid before being sent into the bottle 16.

The second block 14 here incorporates an internal heat exchanger (also called "internal exchanger") to ensure a heat exchange between the condensed and supercooled refrigerant, called "high pressure refrigerant", and the same refrigerant once relaxed, called "fluid, low pressure refrigerant".

Although such an internal exchanger is usually used in the case of circuits traversed by a refrigerant, such as CO _{2 /} it can also find an interest in the case of circuits traversed by a phase change refrigerant. The second block 14 includes a subcooling portion 28 having a circulation passage 30 for the refrigerant from the first block 12, and more particularly the bottle 16 in this example, and a circulation passage 32 for a cooling fluid. . It is preferably the same cooling fluid as for the body 12, thus flowing in the same circuit CR.

The block 14 further includes an internal exchange portion 34 having a flow passage 36 for the high pressure refrigerant from the subcooling portion 28 and a flow passage 38 for the low pressure refrigerant. The circulation passage 36 is connected, on the one hand, to the circulation passage 30 with which it communicates directly and, on the other hand, to the expander 20. The circulation passage 38 is arranged between the evaporator 22 and the compressor 18 to which it is connected by respective lines 40 and 42.

Thus, in the block 14, the high-pressure refrigerant (HP) is first subcooled and then exchanges heat with the same low-pressure refrigerant (LP) which is at a lower temperature, which produces additional cooling of the refrigerant at high pressure.

Referring now to Figures 2 to 6 to describe an embodiment of a condenser fit to be part of the circuit of Figure 1. The bottle 16 is removably fixed between the blocks 12 and 14 respectively via an outlet flange 44 and an inlet flange 46. These two flanges ensure the mechanical fixing of the bottle 16 between the blocks. 12 and 14, and at the same time they form interfaces for the circulation of the refrigerant, that is to say to pass from the block 12 to the block 14 via the bottle 16.

The first block 12 and the second block 14 each comprise a series of stacked plates 48, respectively 50

(Figures 5 and 6). The plates 48 of the block 12 delimit the circulation blades of the refrigerant (forming the circulation passage 24) which alternate with cooling fluid circulation blades (forming the circulation passage 26).

The block 12 comprises an interface plate 52 provided with the outlet flange 44 and an opposite interface plate 54 provided with an inlet flange 56 for the refrigerant to be condensed (FIGS. 3, 4 and 6). The stacked plates 48 are disposed between the interface plates 52 and 54. The inlet flange 56 is adapted to be connected to the output of the compressor 18 to bring the refrigerant to condense. The interface plate 54 is further provided with an inlet pipe 58 and an outlet pipe 60 for the cooling fluid (Figures 2, 4, 5 and 6).

The stacked plates 50 of the block 14 delimit first flow plates of the refrigerant which alternate with second circulation blades of another fluid. These first blades successively form the circulation passage 30 of the subcooling portion 28 and the circulation passage 36 of the internal exchange portion 34 (Figure 1).

The second blades constitute blades for the circulation of the cooling fluid in the subcooling portion 28 (circulation passage 32) and blades for the circulation of the low-pressure refrigerant in the internal exchange part 34 (passage circulation 38).

The plates 50 of the body 14 are between an interface plate 62 provided with the inlet flange 46 for the refrigerant coming from the first block 12, and more particularly from the bottle 16, and an opposite interface plate 64. The latter is provided with an outlet flange 66 for the high-pressure refrigerant, an inlet flange 68 for the low-pressure refrigerant and an outlet flange 70 for the low-pressure refrigerant (Fig. 2). . The outlet flange 66 feeds the line 40 on which the regulator 20 and the evaporator are mounted and which joins the inlet flange 68. The outlet flange 70 feeds the line 42 which comprises the compressor 18 and which joins the block 12 .

The interface plate 62 of the block 14 is further provided with an inlet pipe 72 and an outlet pipe 74 for the cooling fluid of the circuit CR. In the example, the interface plate 52 is made in one piece with the flange 44, for example by molding and machining an alloy based on aluminum. It is the same for the interface plate 54 with the flange 56, for the interface plate 62 with the flange 46, and for the interface plate 64 with the flanges 66, 68 and 70. On the other hand, the tubings 58 and 60 are attached to the interface plate 54, and the tubings 72 and 74 are attached to the interface plate 62.

The flanges 44 and 46 are adapted to be removably attached to a receiving portion 76 of the bottle 16. In the exemplary embodiment, the receiving portion 76 is a generally circular end cap that caps a body 78 of cylindrical circular general shape of the bottle, which ends with a conical bottom 80. In the example, this end cover is soldered to the body 78, the bottle 16 thus being made unmountable in itself.

The end cap 76 is fixed on an open end of the body 78, opposite the conical bottom 80, maintaining an axial tube 82 which extends in the axial direction XX of the bottle (Figure 6). This tube 82 includes a retaining flange 84 which ^'allows to keep in position a filter cartridge and desiccant 86 disposed between the end cap 76 and said flange.

The tube 82 has a lower end 88 which engages in a ring 90 held in the central region of the bottom 80 and which can pass the refrigerant. The tube further includes an upper end 92 which is held in an axial housing of the end cap.

The flange 44 comprises an outlet bore 94 adapted to come in the extension of an inlet bore 96 of the receiving part (lid 76) of the bottle following a first alignment direction D1 (Figure 6). Correspondingly, the flange 46 comprises a clean inlet bore 98 coming in the extension of an outlet bore 100 of the receiving part (lid 76) of the bottle in a second alignment direction D2 (FIG. 6). .

The inlet bore 96 passes through the thickness of the receiving portion 76 and opens into the bottle upstream of the cartridge 86. The outlet bore 100 of the receiving portion 76 opens into a radial bore 102 which communicates with the upper end 92 of the tube 82.

The inlet bore 96 and the outlet bore 100 of the receiving part are parallel to each other and to the longitudinal axis XX of the bottle 16. The bores 96 and 102 are arranged in a selected angular position with respect to the longitudinal axis XX of the bottle 16. This makes it possible to give a determined angular orientation to the bodies 12 and 14 with respect to the bottle 16 as a function of the conditions of implantation of the condenser, for example in the engine compartment of a given vehicle. In the exemplary embodiment shown, this angular position is substantially 180 °, the bores 96 and 100 being disposed symmetrically on either side of the longitudinal axis.

As can be seen in FIG. 6, the outlet bore 94 of the flange 44 is connected substantially at right angles to an intermediate bore 104 opening into the first block 12. In addition, the inlet bore 98 of the flange 46 is connected substantially at right angles with an intermediate bore 106 opening into the second block 14. As a result, the refrigerant from the first block 12 enters the bottle passing successively through the intermediate bore 104 and the outlet bore 94 of the flange 44 and then through the inlet bore 96 of the receiving portion 76 , to then be filtered and dried through the cartridge 86. The refrigerant rises through the tube 82 to successively pass through the radial bore 102 and the outlet bore 100 of the receiving portion and the inlet bore 98 and the intermediate bore 106 of the second flange 46 to open into the second block 14.

To ensure the seal, there is provided each time a sealing connection between the flange 44 and the cover 76 and between the cover 50 and the flange 46. This sealing connection is advantageously formed of a pipe provided with two O-rings.

The flanges 44 and 46 are adapted to be each fixed on the receiving part 76 of the bottle by means of a screw

108, respectively 110, which each time passes through the flange and engages by screwing in the receiving part

{see Figures 2 and 3). The bottle 16 thus forms a support for the heat exchange blocks 12 and 14 which can be fixed with a mutual orientation determined according to the respective angular position of the bores.

96 and 100/102.

It is therefore possible to design different receiving portions 76 depending on the desired application to allow the blocks 12 and 14 to be implanted with particular orientations with respect to the part receiver 76 depending on the type of vehicle to which the condenser is intended.

Since the bottle at the same time forms a support, it can itself be provided with interface or attachment means (not shown) for attachment to the structure of the vehicle for which the condenser is intended.

It will be understood that the bottle can be assembled and pre-equipped before being installed and fixed between the two heat exchange blocks, which greatly simplifies the assembly and assembly operations, but also the maintenance operations.

Furthermore, because the blocks 12 and 14 and the bottle 16 are removable with respect to each other, it is possible to replace one of these three elements in case of failure,

Referring now to Figures 7 and 8 which show two heat exchange plates 50 identical but offset by 180 ° relative to each other. These two plates are shown in the open position for the sake of clarity, when in reality they come to fit together in a manner known per se.

Each plate 50 comprises a flat bottom 108 in the example of generally rectangular shape and provided with rounded corners. The bottom 108 is surrounded by a raised edge 110 made undercut. The bottom 108 comprises parallel ribs 102 arranged obliquely and acting as disrupters. In the region of the four corners of the bottom are provided fluid passage openings. Two openings 114 are provided in the flat bottom 108 at both ends of a long side and two other passage openings 116 are provided at both ends of another long side. The openings 114 are formed at the flat bottom, while the openings 116 are formed in annular regions 118 offset from the plane of the bottom 108. Thus, when the plates 50 are stacked together and brazed together by their respective edges 110 alternate blades are formed for the circulation of two different fluids.

Analogous plates are used for the block 12 and the block 14. In the case of the block 14, it is necessary to provide a partition to separate the cooling fluid circulating in the subcooling portion and the pressure-sensitive refrigerant circulating in the internal exchange part. This can be achieved by a reported partition or by an arrangement of the aforementioned communication openings.

Referring now to Figure 9 which shows an alternative embodiment of the circuit CC of Figure 1. The elements common with those of Figure 1 are designated by the same reference numerals. In this embodiment, the bottle 16 is removed and the two blocks 12 and 14 communicate directly with each other via a link 120. Concretely, the flanges 44 and 46 (FIG. 2) are then connected directly to each other, either by an intermediate element. ensuring their joining, or by an appropriate arrangement of these two flanges.

In the circuit of FIG. 9, the bottle is replaced by an accumulator 122 which is arranged in the line 42, between the outlet of the internal exchange part 34 and the compressor 18. Moreover, the pressure reducer 20 is here replaced by a calibrated orifice 124,

Referring now to Figure 10 which shows an air conditioning circuit CC similar to that of Figure 1 and comprising a condenser 210, according to the invention.

The condenser 210 comprises a first heat exchange block 212 and a second heat exchange block 214 similar respectively to the blocks 12 and 14 described above, as well as a bottle 216 interposed between the blocks 212 and 214. The bottle 216 is similar to the bottle 16 described above and can be optionally removed.

The air conditioning circuit CC further comprises a compressor 218, a pressure reducer 220 and an evaporator 222 similar respectively to the compressor 18, to the expander 20 and to the evaporator 22 of FIG.

The first block 212 includes a circulation passage 224 for the refrigerant from the compressor 218 and a circulation passage 226 for a cooling fluid.

The second block 214 here constitutes an internal heat exchanger (also called "internal exchanger") to ensure a heat exchange between the condensed and subcooled refrigerant, called "high pressure refrigerant", from the first exchange block of heat and the same refrigerant once relaxed, called "low pressure refrigerant". The second block 214 differs from the second block 14 of the previous embodiment in that it comprises only an internal heat exchanger and therefore has no subcooling portion. This results in a simplification of the structure of the block 214 and its connections, particularly advantageous when the internal heat exchanger alone suffice to the need for under cooling.

The invention thus offers the advantage of a simplified structure, especially since the cooling only concerns the first block and not both the first and second blocks as in the cases described above.

The second block 214, forming an internal exchanger, comprises a circulation passage 228 for the high pressure refrigerant from the first block 212 via the bottle 216 and a circulation passage 230 for the low pressure refrigerant from the evaporator 222. The circulation passage 228 is connected upstream to the bottle 216 and downstream to the expander 220. The circulation passage 230 is disposed between the evaporator 222 and the compressor 218 to which it is connected by respective lines 232 and 234.

Thus, in the second block 214, the high pressure refrigerant (HP) exchanges heat with the same low pressure refrigerant (LP) which is at a lower temperature, thereby producing additional cooling of the condensed refrigerant at room temperature. high pressure from the first block 212. Reference will now be made to FIGS. 11 to 17 to describe an embodiment of a condenser 210 suitable for forming part of the circuit of FIG. 10. The condenser 210 here forms a module which comprises the blocks 212 and 214 and the bottle 216.

The bottle 216 is removably attached between the blocks 212 and 214 respectively via an outlet flange 236 of the block 212 and an inlet flange 238 of the block 214. These two flanges provide the mechanical fixing of the bottle 216 between the blocks 212 and 214, and at the same time they form interfaces for the circulation of the refrigerant, that is to say to pass from the block 212 to the block 214 via the bottle 216.

The first block 212 and the second block 214 each comprise a series of stacked plates 240, respectively 242 (Figures 11, 14 and 15). In the example, the number of plates 240 is greater than that of the plates 242, so that the first block 212 is more bulky than the second block 214 in the direction of the stack.

The plates 240 of the block 212 define refrigerant circulation strips (forming the circulation passage 224) which alternate with cooling fluid circulation blades (forming the circulation passage 226).

The first block 212 comprises an interface plate 244 provided with the outlet flange 236 and an opposed interface plate 244 provided with an inlet flange 248 for the refrigerant to be condensed (FIGS. 12, 13 and 15). ). The stacked plates 240 are arranged between the interface plates 252 and 254. The inlet flange 248 is adapted to be connected to the output of the compressor 218 to bring the refrigerant to condense. The interface plate 246 is further provided with an inlet pipe 250 and an outlet pipe 252 for the cooling fluid (Figures 11, 13, 14 and 15).

The stacked plates 242 of the second block 214 define first circulation blades for the high refrigerant which alternate with second circulation blades for the low pressure refrigerant. The first blades and the second aforementioned blades thus constitute respectively the circulation passages 228 and 230 of FIG.

The plates 242 of the block 214 are between an interface plate 254 provided with the inlet flange 238 for the refrigerant coming from the first block 212 via the bottle 216, and an opposite interface plate 256. The latter is provided with an outlet flange 258 for the high pressure refrigerant, an inlet flange 260 for the low pressure refrigerant and an outlet flange 262 for the low pressure refrigerant (Fig. 11). The outlet flange 258 feeds the line 232 (FIG. 10) on which the regulator 220 and the evaporator 222 are mounted, and which joins the inlet flange 260. The outlet flange 262 supplies the line 234 (FIG. 10), on which is mounted the compressor 218, and which joins the block 212.

The interface plate 244 is made in one piece with the flange 236, for example by molding and machining an alloy based on aluminum. It is the same for the 246 interface plate with the flange 248, for the interface plate 254 with the flange 238, and for the interface plate 256 with the flanges 258, 260 and 262. In contrast, the pipes 250 and 252 are reported on the interface plate 246.

The flanges 236 and 238 are removably attached to a receiving portion 264 of the bottle 216. In the exemplary embodiment, the receiving portion 264 is a generally circular end cap that caps a body 266 of the bottle. . The body 266 has a generally cylindrical circular shape and ends with a conical bottom 268. In the example, the receiving portion 264 is brazed to the body 266, the bottle 216 thus being made unmountable.

The receiving portion 264 is attached to an open end of the body 266, opposite the conical bottom 268, maintaining an axial tube 270 which extends in the axial direction XX of the bottle (Figure 15). This tube 270 comprises a retaining collar 272 for holding in position a filter cartridge and desiccant 274 disposed between the receiving portion 264 and said flange.

The tube 270 has a lower end 276 which engages in a ring 278 held in the central region of the bottom 268 and which can pass the refrigerant. The tube further comprises an upper end 280 which is held in an axial housing of the receiving portion 264.

The flange 236 of the block 212 comprises an outlet bore 282 suitable for coming in the extension of an inlet bore. 284 of the receptor portion 264 of the bottle in a first alignment direction (Fig. 15). Correspondingly, the flange 238 of the block 214 comprises an inlet bore 286 adapted to be in the extension of an outlet bore 288 of the receptor portion 264 of the bottle in a second alignment direction (FIG. 15).

The inlet bore 284 passes through the thickness of the receiving portion 264 and opens into the bottle upstream of the cartridge 274. The outlet bore 288 of the receiving portion 264 opens into a radial bore 290 which communicates with the upper end 280 of the tube 270.

The inlet bore 284 and the outlet bore 288 of the receiving part are parallel to one another and to the longitudinal axis XX of the bottle 216. The bores 284 and 288 are arranged in a selected angular position with respect to the longitudinal axis XX of the bottle 216. This makes it possible to give a specific angular orientation to the blocks 212 and 214 with respect to the bottle 216 as a function of the installation conditions of the condenser, for example in the engine compartment of a given vehicle. In the exemplary embodiment shown, this angular position is substantially 180 °, the bores 284 and 288 being disposed symmetrically on either side of the longitudinal axis.

As can be seen in FIG. 15, the outlet bore 282 of the flange 236 is connected substantially at right angles to an intermediate bore 292 opening into the first block 212. In addition, the inlet bore 286 of the flange 238 is connected substantially at right angles to a intermediate bore 294 opening into the second block 214.

As a result, the refrigerant from the first block 212 enters the bottle passing successively through the intermediate bore 292 and the outlet bore 282 of the flange 236 and then through the inlet bore 284 of the receiving portion 264. , to then be filtered and dried by passing through the cartridge 274. The refrigerant rises through the tube 270 to successively pass through the radial bore 290 and the outlet bore 288 of the receiving part and then the inlet bore 286 and the intermediate bore 294 of the flange 238 to open into the second block 214.

The flanges 236 and 238 are each fixed to the receptor portion 264 of the bottle by means of a screw 296, respectively 298, which each time passes through the flange and is screwed into the receiving part (see FIGS. 11, 12 and 15).

The bottle 216 thus has the same structure and the same functions as the bottle 16 described above. These will not be described again in detail.

The plates 240 and 242 are similar to the plates 48 and 50 previously described and will not be described in detail.

FIG. 16 shows an alternative embodiment of the air-conditioning circuit CC of FIG. 10. The elements common with those of FIG. 10 are designated by the same numerical references. In this embodiment, the bottle 216 is removed and the two bodies 212 and 214 communicate directly with each other via a link 300. Concretely, the flanges 236 and 238 (FIG. 11) are then connected directly to each other, either by an intermediate element. ensuring their joining, or by an appropriate arrangement of these two flanges. It is also possible to directly join the bodies 212 and 214 of heat exchange.

In the circuit of FIG. 16, the bottle is replaced by an accumulator 302 which is disposed in the line 234, between the outlet of the body 214 and the compressor 218. Moreover, the regulator 220 is produced here in the form of a calibrated orifice.

FIG. 17 shows a cooling circuit CR associated with the condenser 210 with integrated internal exchanger of FIGS. 10 to 15. It is found in FIG. 17 the condenser 210 formed of the heat exchange blocks 212 and 214 and of the bottle 216.

The cooling circuit CR (sketched in FIG. 10) comprises a cooling radiator 304. It is a radiator qualified as a low-temperature radiator or "radiator BT". The cooling fluid is advantageously water added with antifreeze. The cooling fluid leaves the block 212 via a line 306 connecting the outlet pipe 252 (FIG. 11) to the inlet of the radiator 304. The cooling fluid is then cooled in the radiator 304 by heat exchange with outside air. which scans the beam of the radiator. Then the cooled fluid regains block 212 by a line 308 connecting the outlet of the radiator 304 to the inlet pipe 250 (Figure 11) of the block 212.

This results in a simplification of the cooling circuit CR since the latter has only one level of heat exchange with the condenser, that is to say only with the block 212. The circuit CR thus comprises only a single circulation loop formed by lines 306 and 308.

On the other hand, in the case of the condenser according to the publication FR 2 846 733, two levels of heat exchange were required, one at "low temperature" (LV loop) with the first block and the other at "Super low". Temperature "(SBT loop) with the second block.

This results in a decrease in the number of tubings and pipes in the vehicle. The cooling radiator is simpler because it has only one input and one output. The use of the low-pressure coolant exiting the evaporator to subcool the same high-temperature coolant in block 214 eliminates the "Super Low Temperature" pass from the cooling radiator.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above as examples and extends to other variants. Thus, the cooling circuit of FIG. 17 can be associated with a condenser with integrated internal exchanger, but without a bottle, as represented in FIG. It finds particular application to air conditioning circuits for motor vehicles.

Claims

claims

Condenser, in particular for a motor vehicle air conditioning circuit, comprising a first heat exchange unit (212) for cooling a refrigerant until it is condensed by means of a cooling fluid, and a second heat exchange block (214) for subcooling the refrigerant by means of a coolant, characterized in that the second block (214) is in the form of a heat exchanger. internal heat exchanger for providing heat exchange between the condensed refrigerant from the first block (212), referred to as "high pressure refrigerant", and the same refrigerant once expanded, referred to as "low pressure refrigerant".

2. Condenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the second block (214) comprises a circulation passage (228) for the high pressure refrigerant from the first block (212) and a circulation passage (230) for the fluid. low pressure refrigerant.

3. Condenser according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the second block (214) comprises a series of stacked plates (242) which define first high pressure refrigerant circulation blades which alternate with second blades of circulation of low pressure refrigerant.

4. Condenser according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the second block (214) comprises an interface plate (254) provided with an inlet flange (238) for the fluid friqorigène from the first block (212) and an opposing interface plate (256) provided with an outlet flange (258) for the high pressure refrigerant, an inlet flange (260) for the low pressure refrigerant and an outlet flange (262) for the low pressure refrigerant.

5. Condenser according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it further comprises a bottle (216) interposed between the first block (212) and the second block (214) and adapted to be traversed by the fluid refrigerant.

6. Condenser according to claim 5 characterized in that the bottle (216) is removably attached between the first block (212) and the second block (214) via respectively an outlet flange (236) and an inlet flange (238) which are attached to a receiving part (264) of the bottle (116) and which at the same time form interfaces for the circulation of the refrigerant.

7. Condenser according to claim 6, characterized in that the first block (212) comprises an interface plate (244) provided with the outlet flange (236) and an opposite interface plate (246) provided with an inlet flange (248) for the refrigerant to be condensed.

8. Condenser according to claim 7, characterized in that the opposite interface plate (246) of the first block (12; 212) is further provided with an inlet pipe (250) and an outlet pipe (252) for the cooling fluid.

9. Condenser according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the first block (12; 212) and the second block (14; 214) communicate directly with each other.

Cooling circuit (CR) traversed by a cooling fluid and connected to the first heat exchange unit (212) of the condenser (210) according to one of claims 1 to 9.

11. Cooling circuit (CR) according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises a single circulation loop (306, 308) connected to a cooling radiator (304).