| Heat exchanger -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
  Heat exchangerUSPTO Application #: 20070084590Title: Heat exchanger Abstract: The heat exchanger includes a first fluid path unit 10 and a second fluid path unit 9. The first fluid path unit 10 has at least two return flow paths 26, in which a first fluid flows, in opposed relation to each other and which are stacked continuously through folded portions 27, 18. The second fluid path unit 9 with a second fluid flows therein has second fluid paths 22, 23 which are stacked in the stacking direction (Z direction) of the return flow paths 26 through communication units 14 to 19 and which are arranged between the return flow paths 26. The second fluid paths 22, 23 have U-shaped flow paths in which the second fluid turns back and makes a U turn at an end 13 on the surface substantially perpendicular to Z direction. The communication units 14 to 19 communicating with the U-shaped flow paths are arranged at the other end of the second fluid path unit. Therefore, it is possible to provide a easy to assemble heat exchanger which is able to be produced efficiently. (end of abstract)
Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C - Bloomfield Hills, MI, US Inventors: Hiroyuki Okumura, Hiroyuki Okumura, Masaaki Kawakubo, Masaaki Kawakubo USPTO Applicaton #: 20070084590 - Class: 165164000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Heat Exchange, Flow Passages For Two Confined Fluids The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070084590. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] This invention relates to a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between a first fluid and a second fluid or, in particular, to a heat exchanger for automotive vehicles to exchange heat between water and a refrigerant. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] A heat exchanger of this type is known and includes high-pressure flat tubes formed in a zigzag pattern to make up a high-pressure flow path and low-pressure flat tubes formed in a zigzag pattern to make up a low-pressure flow path, wherein three high-pressure flat tubes are formed orthogonally to each other and intertwined with three low-pressure flat tubes in an arrangement in which flows cross each other (see, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-184074, FIGS. 2 to 5). [0005] The fabrication of the conventional heat exchanger described above, however, requires the step of forming a curved tube by laying the high- and low-pressure flat tubes alternately one on another to form the paths for exchanging heat with each other, thereby posing the problem that an increased number of assembly steps are required and the productivity is low. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] This invention has been achieved in view of the problem described above and the object thereof is to provide a heat exchanger which is easy to assemble and is high in productivity. [0007] In order to achieve the object described above, the technical means described below are employed. According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a heat exchanger comprising: [0008] a first fluid path unit (10) including at least two return flow paths (26), in opposed relation to each other, having a flow path extending in the direction (X direction) in which the first fluid flows toward folded portions (27, 28) and a flow path in which the flow changes the direction at the folded portions (27, 28), the return flow paths (26) being stacked continuously; and [0009] a second fluid path unit (9) having second fluid paths (22, 23) in which a second fluid flows across the first fluid are stacked through communication units (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19) in the stacking direction (Z direction) of the return flow paths (26), and the second fluid paths (22, 23) thus stacked being each arranged between the return flow paths (26); [0010] wherein the second fluid paths (22, 23) each include a U-shaped flow path in which the second fluid flows in the direction (Y direction) substantially perpendicular to the flow (X direction) of the first fluid on the surface substantially perpendicular to the stacking direction (Z direction), and after turning back at one end (13) of the second fluid path unit (9), flows in the opposite direction to the substantially perpendicular direction (Y direction), and [0011] wherein the communication units (14 to 19) communicate with the U-shaped flow paths and are arranged at the other end of the second fluid path unit (9). [0012] In the first aspect of the invention, the communication units for establishing communication between the stacked second fluid paths communicate with the U-shaped paths, and are arranged at the other end of the second fluid path unit. By the core set operation, in which the first fluid path unit is moved from one toward the other end of the second fluid path unit and assembled on the second fluid path unit, therefore, the two fluid path units can be integrally assembled, and a heat exchanger having a high productivity is obtained. Also, each of the second fluid paths arranged between the corresponding return flow paths is configured of a U-shaped path making a U turn on the surface substantially perpendicular to the stacking direction (Z direction). Thus, a compact heat exchanger of a low height in the stacking direction, and high in both heat exchange performance and productivity, can be obtained. [0013] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a heat exchanger, comprising: [0014] a first fluid path unit (10) including at least two return flow paths (26), in opposed relation to each other, having a flow path extending in the direction (X direction) in which the first fluid flows toward folded portions (27, 28) and a flow path in which the flow changes the direction at the folded portions (27, 28), the return flow paths (26) being stacked continuously; and [0015] a second fluid path unit (29) having second fluid paths (32f, 32g) in which a second fluid flows across the first fluid are stacked through communication units (31g) in the stacking direction (Z direction) of the return flow paths (26), and the second fluid paths (32a, 32g) thus stacked being each arranged between the corresponding return flow paths (26); [0016] wherein the second fluid paths (32a to 33g) each include a U-shaped flow path in which the second fluid flows in the direction (Y direction) substantially perpendicular to the flow (X direction) of the first fluid, and after changing the direction at one end (32) of the second fluid path unit (29) and turning back by moving in the stacking direction (Z direction), flows in the opposite direction to the substantially perpendicular direction (Y direction), and [0017] wherein the communication units (31a to 31g) communicate with the U-shaped flow paths and are arranged at the other end of the second fluid path units (29). [0018] In the second aspect of the invention, the communication units for establishing communication between the stacked second fluid paths communicate with the U-shaped paths, and are arranged at the other end of the second fluid path unit. By moving the first fluid path unit from one end toward the other end of the second fluid path unit and assembling it on the second fluid path unit, therefore, the two fluid path units can be integrally assembled, and a heat exchanger having a high productivity is obtained. Also, a U-shaped path in which the second fluid flows in the direction opposite to the stacking direction (Z direction) is formed in each of the second fluid paths and, therefore, a compact heat exchanger of a small height in the direction of flow of the first fluid and high in heat exchange performance and productivity can be obtained. [0019] According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a heat exchanger, comprising: [0020] a first fluid path unit (10) including at least two return flow paths (26), in opposed relation to each other, having a flow path extending in the direction (X direction) in which the first fluid flows toward folded portions (27, 28) and a flow path in which the flow changes the direction at the folded portions (27, 28), the return flow paths (26) being stacked continuously; [0021] second flow paths (34) constituting U-shaped flow paths (34) arranged between the return flow paths (26) having, in opposed relation to each other, a flow path in which the second fluid crossing the first fluid flows in from inlets (34a, 34c, 34e, 34g) and flows in the direction (counter Y direction) substantially perpendicular to the flow (X direction) of the first fluid, and a flow path turned back to change the direction and reaches outlets (34b, 34d, 34f, 34h); and [0022] a fold member (35) having a second fluid inlet (36) and a second fluid outlet (37) and connected to the inlets (34a, 34c, 34e, 34g) and the outlets (34b, 34d, 34f, 34h); Continue reading... Full patent description for Heat exchanger Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this 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. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Heat exchanger or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Heat exchanger Next Patent Application: Device for moisture exchange between gas flows Industry Class: Heat exchange ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Heat exchanger patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 2.72336 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Qualcomm , Schering-Plough , Schlumberger , Seagate , Siemens , Texas Instruments , |
||
