| Frame part for a shell-and-tube heat exchanger -> Monitor Keywords |
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Frame part for a shell-and-tube heat exchangerRelated Patent Categories: Heat Exchange, Expansion And Contraction Relieving Or Absorbing MeansFrame part for a shell-and-tube heat exchanger description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070199680, Frame part for a shell-and-tube heat exchanger. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] The present invention relates to a frame part for a shell-and-tube heat exchanger. [0002] Shell-and-tube heat exchangers comprise a number of tubes which run parallel to one another and have a heat exchange medium flowing through them. The tubes running parallel to one another form a tubular body. For reasons concerned with stability, handling and installation of shell-and-tube heat exchangers of this type, it is customary for the tubular body to be surrounded by frame parts at least on two sides running parallel to the tubes. [0003] Within the context of heat load cycles occurring during operation of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger, different thermal loading and therefore different thermal expansion of frame parts and tubular bodies take place. In this case, the problem is more serious the greater the length of the tubes. If the frame parts and the outer tubes of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger that are adjacent to frame parts are mounted in a fixed manner with respect to one another, stress peaks occur in particular in the region in which the tubes are attached and put the tightness of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger at risk, in particular in the region in which the tubes are attached. In order to counteract these stress peaks which occur in particular on the outer tubes adjacent to the frame parts, it is customary to provide expansion beads in the frame parts to compensate for the expansion in the longitudinal direction of the frame parts. [0004] Side parts of this type with expansion beads are suitable only for compensating for expansion in the longitudinal direction. None the less, the presence of at least one expansion bead as a weakening of the longitudinal rigidity of the frame part is not sufficient to achieve complete decoupling of tubular body and frame part. In addition, the production of side parts with expansion beads is associated with a high outlay on production and exacting requirements imposed on the forming tools. [0005] By contrast, it is the object of the invention to design the frame parts in such a manner that, with the frame parts being simplified to produce, complete compensation of the expansion in the longitudinal direction and, in addition, also in the transverse direction of the frame part is nevertheless ensured. [0006] The object on which the invention is based is achieved by a shell-and-tube heat exchanger according to the independent claim. [0007] A frame part for a shell-and-tube heat exchanger according to the invention has a number of tubes which run parallel to one another, form a tubular body and through which a heat exchange medium flows. In this case, the tubular body is surrounded by frame parts at least on two sides running parallel to the tubes. At least one thermal expansion element which, in a deflection of the material of the frame part, is at least a multiple of the material thickness thereof, is molded into the frame parts which are aligned parallel to the tubes. [0008] Such a deflection in the shape of the frame part has the effect that not only is a reduced longitudinal rigidly produced but so to is flexibility in the direction transverse to the profile of the frame part. By this means, it is possible not only to intercept the thermal expansion of the tubular body along the direction of the profile of the tubes but also in a transverse direction thereto. At the same time, the introduction of stresses caused by a change in temperature to the tubes on account of different thermal expansion between tubular body and frame parts is avoided. In particular, the roots of the tubes on other components, which roots have been produced, under some circumstances, by welding or soldering, are relieved from stress, and increased quality and reduced leakages of the tubes in these regions are advantageously achieved. [0009] An advantageous refinement of the thermal expansion element makes provision for it to be composed of the material of the frame part itself. This means that the frame part together with the thermal expansion element is composed of components of the same physical behavior and if, according to an advantageous refinement, it is connected integrally to the frame part at least on one side, it can be produced from one piece of material. Particularly preferred refinements of the invention make provision for frame part and thermal expansion element to be connected integrally to each other on both sides of the thermal expansion elements, so that the entire unit can be produced from a single piece of material. [0010] According to a further preferred refinement of the invention, the thermal expansion element is of essentially .OMEGA.-shaped design, with the thermal expansion element in particular protruding out of the plane of the frame part away from the tubes. According to a preferred further refinement, in the region of the thermal expansion element a height offset can be formed in the plane of extent of the frame part on both sides of the thermal expansion element. A height offset of this type has the advantage that the frame part can compensate for different heights, for example between a collecting body, into which the tubes lead, and the tubes themselves and at the same time also has great flexibility and low rigidity both in this vertical direction and in the direction of longitudinal extent of the frame part. [0011] Another advantageous refinement of the invention makes provision for two .OMEGA.-shaped partial sections to be formed one behind the other, the sections of curvature of which preferably lie on the mutually opposite sides of the frame part. In this case, the thermal expansion element can in particular include a height offset in the plane of extent of the frame part on both sides of the thermal expansion element. Such a double-.OMEGA.-shaped design makes it possible to integrate a large length of material into the thermal expansion element and therefore, in particular in the longitudinal direction of the frame part, also to integrate a high degree of thermal expandability. [0012] A further refinement of the invention makes provision for the thermal coefficient of expansion of the frame part in the region of the thermal expansion element to be at most equal to, preferably smaller than, the thermal coefficient of expansion of the tubes. This measure ensures that the expandability of the frame part in the direction of extent of the tubes is at most equal to it, preferably smaller than it, and therefore loading due to different thermal expansion between frame part and tubes is largely avoided. In a refinement of this type, an adaptation to the thermal behavior of the tubes in the case of temperature fluctuations is therefore achieved not only by low mechanical rigidity of the frame part but also by an appropriately high degree of thermal expansion in the region of the expansion element. [0013] According to further refinements of the invention, the thermal expansion element is designed as at least one web which does not extend over the entire width of the frame part. The thermal expansion element preferably comprises two such webs which run on both sides to form a continuous edge with the frame part. This measure firstly achieves a lower mechanical rigidity and therefore better expandability of the frame part in the region of the thermal expansion element in the longitudinal direction of the frame part and secondly material is advantageously saved, which leads to the frame part having a lower weight which constitutes a desired advantageous measure. By two webs forming a continuous edge, a closed rectilinear outer contour of the frame part is maintained at the same time. [0014] According to a further refinement of the invention, a thermal expansion element is formed in at least one section of the frame part that corresponds to an end region of the tubes. This is preferably the region of a fastening, in particular fastening by welding or soldering, of the tubes to another body, such as a collecting tube or a distributor tube. The tubular body of a heat exchanger extends in particular between a distributor tube and a collecting tube, with the inflowing heat exchange medium first of all being guided into the distributor tube and the mass flow being distributed by the distributor tube to the different tubes of the tubular body, thus achieving an enlargement of the surface area of the heat-conducting elements, which promotes the exchange of heat. The partial flows are collected again in the collecting tube and the entire flow is brought together. In a large number of refinements, in particular "monoblock heat exchangers", the tubes of the tubular body are in each case fastened on both sides by welding or soldering into corresponding holes on the distributor tube and collecting tube. These fastening points, in particular, constitute particular weak points with regard to the mechanical rigidity of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger. Owing to the fact that the thermal expansion element is formed in particular in this end region of the tubes, great flexibility of the frame part is produced here. The frame part extends in particular over the entire length of the tubes between the collecting tube and the distributor tube and has a respective thermal expansion element in the end region of the tubes, in particular on both sides. [0015] A further advantageous refinement of the invention makes provision for external ribs which surround the tubes and are contacted thermally by these tubes to be provided. These external ribs are aligned in particular transversely to the longitudinal direction of the tubes and, in particular on the end, bear at least on one side against a frame part and are preferably connected thereto. The external ribs which are contacted thermally increase the heat exchange surface, with the transfer of heat between the external ribs taking place by thermal conduction in the material. In order to ensure a secure position of the external ribs and good support of the external ribs protruding on the end side, said external ribs are fastened to the frame part. The fastening can advantageously take place by means of hard soldering. The frame parts therefore provide a closed body. [0016] According to a further, particularly material-saving and lightweight refinement of the frame part, the latter is reduced between the thermal expansion elements to a meandering material web which has planiform material tongues which preferably protrude laterally and are aligned in the plane of the frame part. In this case, it is possible in particular for the external ribs surrounding the tubes to be connected in the region of the material tongues to the frame part, in particular by welding or soldering. [0017] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawing, in which: [0018] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a frame part according to the invention; [0019] FIG. 2 shows a side view and top view of a second embodiment of a frame part according to the invention, with a height offset being integrated here in the region of the expansion element into the frame part; [0020] FIG. 3 shows a heat exchanger with a frame part according to FIG. 2; [0021] FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment of a frame element according to the invention; and [0022] FIG. 5 shows a heat exchanger with a frame part according to FIG. 4. [0023] FIG. 1 shows the frame part 10 which is divided by the two thermal expansion elements 11, which are integrated into the frame part, into two outer sections 12 and a central piece 13. It can be seen in the enlarged partial detail that the thermal expansion element 13 is formed from a web 14 which describes an essentially .OMEGA.-shaped curve and extends as far as the edge, i.e. the outer contour of the frame part 10. In this case, the width of the web 14 is smaller than the width of the frame part 10, with the result that a respective web 14 is arranged on the edge on both sides and a central section 15 which is free from material is situated in between. [0024] FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal section and a top view of another frame part 10 in a sectional illustration. In this case, a thermal expansion element 11 which is formed from two webs 14 is situated between a central piece 13 and an outer section 12, the webs 14 running to the outer section 12 in a manner forming a continuous edge in the contour while the central piece 13 has a greater width than the outer section 12. In this case too, there is a central section 15 which is free from material between the two webs 14. This obtains a saving on material and weight and reduces the mechanical rigidity. Furthermore, the design of the frame part of FIG. 2 corresponds essentially to the design of the frame part of FIG. 1. However, there is a height offset h between the outer section 12 and the central section 13 in the region of the thermal expansion element 11. Continue reading about Frame part for a shell-and-tube heat exchanger... Full patent description for Frame part for a shell-and-tube heat exchanger Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Frame part for a shell-and-tube heat exchanger patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. 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