EP1459025B1 - Device for exchanging heat - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has pipes carrying a first medium in heat exchange channels between containers and arranged in a flow of a second medium. An end piece contains a collection box with a housing and at least one collection chamber. The housing and a cover plate for at least one through channel have coaxial openings via which the collection chamber(s) communicates with the through channel(s). An independent claim is also included for the following: a coolant heat exchanger, especially for a motor vehicle air conditioning system.

Description

The invention relates to a device for exchanging heat, in particular for use in motor vehicles and in particular for use in motor vehicle air conditioning systems according to the preamble of claim 1. Such devices are described, for example in JP-A-04068297 or US-A-5174373 and are used, for example, as condensers and evaporators in automotive air conditioning systems.

The present invention will be discussed with reference to automotive air conditioning systems, but it should be understood that the heat exchange device may also be used in other air conditioning systems and to transfer heat between two media.

Such devices for the exchange of heat are already known and are used in particular for the air conditioning of a passenger compartment in a motor vehicle.

At present, only incombustible refrigerants are used in these air-conditioning systems, since flammable refrigerants increase the safety risk for persons in the vehicle interior due to a potential explosion hazard. Such refrigerants are, in particular, coolants which are at lower temperatures and Low pressure by evaporation absorb heat and give off heat at high temperature and high pressure by liquefying.

At present, refrigerants generally use refrigerants such as conventional refrigerants such as R22 (chlorodifluoromethane). In even older plants you can still find the refrigerant R12 (dichlorodifluoromethane), which has long been banned for use in refrigeration systems and air conditioning systems. The same applies since the year 2000 for the refrigerant R22.

There are also considerations to ban other refrigerants such as R134a, so there is an incentive to use alternative refrigerants.

Such refrigerants could be, for example, substances or compositions of matter which have at least one CO ₂ component.

The prior art is particularly to the non-prepublished documents EP 1300644 . EP 1300645 and EP 1321734 directed.

The object of the present invention is to provide a device for exchanging heat, which enables the use of alternative refrigerants and at the same time improves the efficiency and the economic efficiency of such units.

The invention solves this problem by providing a device having the features of claim 1. Such a device is operable with at least one refrigerant which enables the transport of thermal energy within the device and the components in fluid communication with the device.

Furthermore, the device has at least one refrigerant inlet and at least one refrigerant outlet, which open into at least one head tube.

The head pipe itself is divided by at least one partition into at least one inlet section and at least one outlet section, which are preferably associated with a respective refrigerant inlet and outlet.

The at least one separating element from each other liquid and / or gas-tight separated inlet and outlet sections of the head pipe are fluidly connected by means of at least one flow device and preferably at least one transverse distributor. The flow device has at least two flow paths oriented at least in sections parallel to one another, the openings of which open into the inlet and outlet sections of the head tube or into the lumen of at least one transverse distributor.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one head tube, at least one refrigerant inlet, at least one refrigerant outlet, at least one flow device and at least one transverse distributor form components which, when assembled together, form an assembly within the meaning of the present invention.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least two assemblies of the type described above are interconnected in such a way that the refrigerant inlets or refrigerant outlets are fluidly connected to each other.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the refrigerant inlets or refrigerant outlets are tubes with a defined cross-section, in the periphery of which are bores which are mounted in the are arranged substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal center axis of the refrigerant inlet and refrigerant outlet and, according to a particularly preferred embodiment, the longitudinal center axis of the refrigerant inlet and refrigerant outlet pipes intersect with their center line or are arranged at a predetermined distance therefrom.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the center line of the bore is offset from the longitudinal central axis of the head tube so that it represents a tangent to the outer periphery of the refrigerant inlet or refrigerant outlet tube.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the device for exchanging heat has assemblies which are connected in parallel hydraulically by means of refrigerant inlets or refrigerant outlets, that is, refrigerant is added or removed in parallel to the head pipe sections.

For example, the assemblies are connected to two refrigerant tubes in such a manner that the inlet portions of the header tubes are fluidly connected via a refrigerant inlet tube and, correspondingly, the outlet portions of the header tubes are fluidly connected by means of a refrigerant outlet tube.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, two assemblies connected in parallel hydraulically communicate with one another via at least one transverse distributor. By such a connection, on the one hand, a pressure equalization of the two modules is ensured at respective specific points within the modules, whereby optionally a more uniform loading of the modules with refrigerant is possible. On the other hand, under certain circumstances, a mixing of the refrigerant streams in the assemblies is possible, which may result a more uniform temperature distribution across the heat exchange device follows.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerant inlets or refrigerant outlets of a plurality of interconnected assemblies are made in one piece.

According to a preferred embodiment, the refrigerant inlets or outlets, the head tube and the transverse distributor are arranged on one side of the assembly.

In this case, the assembly in particular has an approximately cuboidal basic shape, which preferably has a front and a rear surface, which represents in a particular embodiment, the sides of the assembly through which substantially the gaseous medium, such as air, flows to energy, in particular Heat energy to give or take up. This front or rear surface of the assembly is limited by four side surfaces, which are determined essentially by the width of the flow device used and the subsequent cooling fins and their shape.

However, it is also possible to choose alternative designs from this preferred rectangular basic form, which in particular correspond to the requirements for arrangement in an air conditioning system or a ventilation device.

It is also within the meaning of the present invention that the refrigerant inlets and outlets, the head tube and the transverse distributor are arranged on different sides of the assembly, which has a direct influence on the position and the course of the flow device, which will be discussed in more detail below becomes.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the arrangement of the components of an assembly results from the arrangement of the flow device. In particular, the orientation of the flow paths, the number of bends and the angle of curvature, which according to the present invention between 0 ° and 180 °, preferably between 30 ° and 110 ° and more preferably between 45 ° and 90 °, sets the position of the other components firmly on or in the device.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the flow device has between 1 and 10 bends, the head tubes and the transverse distributors being arranged on the same or on opposite sides of the assembly, corresponding to the even or odd number of 180 ° bends.

For example, at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 bends, with a bend angle of 180 ° of the flow device, the head tubes are placed on the opposite side to the transverse manifolds of an assembly. At 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 bends having a 180 degree bend angle, the head tubes and the transverse manifolds of an assembly are located on one side of the assembly.

According to a preferred embodiment, the segments of the flow device between the head tube and the flow device or between two bends of the flow devices are substantially the same length.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the segments of the flow device, which have the openings of the flow paths, can deviate from the length between two curves of the flow device.

According to a further particularly preferred embodiment, the openings of the flow paths of the flow device open into the interior of the head tube or the cross tube. The components are also so material-, non-positively and / or positively connected with each other that the interior of the components especially at high pressures up to 300 bar or the flow paths especially at high pressures up to 300 bar gas and / or is liquid-tight.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the separating element which divides the head pipe into an inlet or outlet section is connected to the head pipe in such a way that the exchange of gaseous or liquid media between the sections is prevented.

According to a further particularly preferred embodiment, the flow device is a flat tube whose volume is divided by means of webs in at least two flow paths.

Furthermore, the flat tube is in cross section through the width, which is between 10 mm and 200 mm, preferably between 30 mm and 70 mm, and by a height which is between 1.0 mm and 3 mm, preferably between 1.4 mm and 2, 4 mm and an outer wall thickness which is between 0.2 mm and 0.8 mm, preferably between 0.35 mm and 0.5 mm.

Furthermore, the flow paths in cross section have a circular or elliptical shape, which, however, in particular in the edge region of the flat tube, is adapted to the outer contours of the flat tube so that it does not fall below a minimum wall thickness.

According to a preferred embodiment, the flow device may also have two flat tubes, which are arranged at least partially parallel to each other and whose lumens constitute at least one flow path.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the components are in particular the flow device, such as the flat tubes made at least of a material which is selected from the group of materials which metals, in particular aluminum, manganese, magnesium, silicon, iron, brass, copper, tin , Zinc, titanium, chromium, molybdenum, vanadium and alloys thereof, in particular aluminum wrought alloys having a silicon content of 0 to 0.7% and a magnesium content of between 0.0 and 1%, preferably between 0.0 and 0.5% more preferably between 0.1 and 0.4%, preferably EN-AW 3003, EN-AW 3102, EN-AW 6060 and EN-AW 1110, plastics, fiber reinforced plastics, composites, etc. contains.

According to a further preferred embodiment, an assembly as another component on cooling fins, which are in particular connected to a portion of the outer surface of the flow device so that the transport of thermal energy is favored.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the cooling fins are materially bonded to the surface of the flow device, wherein in particular soldering, welding and adhesive bonding methods are used to produce the material bond.

Preferably, the cooling fins are connected to the surfaces of the flow device in such a way that the material connection takes place in particular at the turning points of the cooling fins.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the cooling ribs in the flow direction on a serpentine-like basic structure whose depth substantially corresponds to the depth of the assembly or the width of the flow device. Furthermore, slots are provided in the cooling fins, which extend substantially between the two connection points or inflection points of the cooling fins.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, these slots in the cooling fins are between 1 and 15 mm, preferably between 2 and 13 mm and particularly preferably 3.7 to 11.7 mm long. Furthermore, the slots have a width between 0.1 and 0.6 mm, preferably between 0.1 and 0.5 mm and particularly preferably between 0.2 and 0.3 mm. These so-called "gills" of the coolant fins allow improved heat transfer between the gas flowing through and the cooling fins or the walls of the flow devices. Furthermore, the cooling fins are characterized by a wall thickness which is between 0.01 and 0.5 mm, preferably between 0.02 and 0.07 mm and particularly preferably between 0.07 and 0.15 mm. The fin density of the cooling fins is 10 to 150 fins per dm, preferably 25 to 100 fins per dm and more preferably 50 to 80 fins per dm. The rib height is in a particularly preferred embodiment 1 to 20 mm, preferably 2 to 15 mm and more preferably 3 to 12 mm.

According to a preferred embodiment, the head tube has a substantially cylindrical basic shape, in the periphery of which a predetermined number of feedthroughs are arranged, through which the refrigerant inlets or outlets and at least one flow device, in particular a flat tube, extend into the interior of the head tube ,

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the passages for the flat tubes in the interior of the head tube are designed such that the flat tubes are not only connected by means of a material connection with the head tube, but that by an additional compression of the head tube an imported flat tube or flat tubes with the walls the head tube are positively connected.

A head pipe for this connection method has a basically Ω-shaped cross-section, in the narrowest region of the passages for the flow devices are provided in particular for a flat tube. Also, a plurality of flat tubes can be received in one or more bushings according to another embodiment.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the bushings have an outer contour which corresponds to that of the object to be carried out, in particular that of the refrigerant inlet -bzw. Refrigerant outlet and the flat tube correspond or have a predetermined distance thereof.

Furthermore, the apertures are arranged offset with respect to their center line by a predetermined distance from the center line of the head tube and the transverse distributor.

The openings are arranged at a predetermined distance with respect to the central axis of the head tube.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the head tube has at an edge of at least one passage on an extension which engages in a passage of the refrigerant inlet and outlet. Thereby, the head tube during assembly of the device with respect Fixed refrigerant inlet or outlet, so that a production of the device for exchanging heat is facilitated.

In a preferred embodiment, a refrigerant is used in the device for exchanging heat, which is at least one component from a group comprising gases, in particular carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen, air, ammonia, hydrocarbons, in particular methane, propane, n-butane and liquids , in particular water, floeice, brine, etc. comprises.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, carbon dioxide is used as the refrigerant whose physical properties can be used as a colorless, non-combustible gas to increase the cooling capacity, to reduce the size of the unit or to reduce power losses.

According to a preferred embodiment, the device for the exchange of heat is completely, but at least the flow device as a component of the device and in particular the cooling fins of a preferably gaseous medium, in particular of air, flows around.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the heat transfer between the coolant in the interior of the flow-through device and the gaseous medium flowing around the cooling fins and the flow device takes place essentially by convection and heat conduction. For example, the air flowing around heat energy to the cooling fins, from which the heat via the cooling fins and the wall of the flow device to the coolant is transferable.

For heat conduction, the component of the module and the modules are connected together so that the transport of thermal energy is favored. This is done in particular by material, non-positive and positive connection, such. Soldering, welding, flanging or gluing.

Furthermore, the transition regions of the components and assemblies through which fluids flow are connected to one another in a gas-tight and liquid-tight manner, so that replacement of the coolant with the medium flowing around is prevented. In particular, when using low molecular weight coolant, such as carbon dioxide, it is of particular importance to achieve a connection between the components and the assemblies, which prevents leakage of the coolant or components of the coolant.

In a preferred embodiment, the device for exchanging heat has on two opposite sides frame elements which extend over at least part of the side surface of the device. These frame elements are preferably profile elements which may, inter alia, have a U-shaped, V-shaped, L-shaped or other typical profile structures. Further, these frame members are connected to at least one component in the apparatus for exchanging heat frictionally and / or positively. The cohesive connection such as by soldering, welding and gluing is within the meaning of the present invention.

According to a further particularly preferred embodiment of the device for exchanging heat, the flat tube, in the region of the bushings which project into the head tube, has at least one recess, into which, for example, the separating element, which holds the Head tube divided into an inlet portion and an outlet portion, engages.

In a further embodiment, the device for exchanging heat has a separating element with a recess into which the flow device, in particular a flat tube in the region of the feedthrough into the head tube, engages.

By this arrangement it is ensured that the areas of the inlet section and the outlet section in the head tube are liquid-tight or gas-tight sealed against each other and a defined positioning and fixing of the flow is ensured.

According to another embodiment, the header pipes and / or the refrigerant inlet and outlet are designed so that the pressure of the refrigerant over the inlet and outlet sections is substantially equal or assumes a predetermined value.

This may preferably be achieved for the refrigerant inlet by virtue of the fact that the flow cross-section of the refrigerant inlet tapers over the number of head pipes which are fluid-connected to it and thus the pressure drop at each "extraction point" is largely compensated. The refrigerant outlet in this case particularly preferably has the largest possible flow cross-section.

Alternative embodiments are within the meaning of the present invention, wherein in particular the design of the opening or the refrigerant passage of the head pipe or their size can also be used to equalize the pressure or density level of the head pipes arranged at the refrigerant inlet.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the various extraction points from the refrigerant inlet and outlet can also be subdivided into flow regions by using an inserted profile which is connected in a materially cohesive manner to the cladding tube. For example, the tube is divided into 2, 3 or 4 or other flow areas. By a predetermined rotation of the profile in the pipe, the flow areas of the refrigerant inlet or refrigerant outlet are connected to the corresponding removal areas, for example the bore, which opens into the head pipe.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the volumes of the inlet or outlet sections of a head tube have a predetermined relationship to each other, this ratio in particular 1: 1, 1: 2, 1: 4, 1:10 and any intermediate values thereof can assume. In particular, this takes into account the changing density of the refrigerant during evaporation or cooling.

When using the device for exchanging heat as an evaporator, the fact can be taken into account by this arrangement, for example, that significantly increases by the evaporation of the refrigerant, the volume and thus a larger flow area for the transport of the coolant mass flow is necessary.

For example, the density ratio for CO ₂ between the refrigerant inlet and refrigerant outlet is between 1: 2 and 1:10, preferably between 1: 3 and 1: 7 and particularly preferably at about 1: 5.

A simplified construction is made possible by U-shaped tubes according to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, wherein the tubes simply or to an even simpler design several times are transformed. As a result, a transverse distributor is optionally saved in the region of the U-shaped deformation. With the exclusive use of U-tubes, it is even possible to place all head tubes and transverse distributors on one side of the device.

According to a preferred embodiment, flow paths are interconnected by a transverse manifold, which are arranged one behind the other in the main flow direction of a medium flowing around the flow-through device. This makes it possible to connect flow paths for the refrigerant parallel or antiparallel to a main flow direction of a medium flowing around the flow device. This leads to an at least partial countercurrent construction of the device for exchanging heat.

According to a preferred embodiment, the number of flow paths of at least one assembly is divisible by two. This means that a two-row arrangement of the flow paths is easily interconnected by the first half of the flow paths of a module arranged in a first row and connected to each other, whereas the second half of the sections are arranged in a second row and also connected to each other, the two halves of the assembly are connected in rows across each other. This cross-line connection occurs, for example, in a transverse distributor on an opposite side of the device for exchanging heat to the refrigerant inlet and outlet.

Particularly preferably, the number of flow paths of the assembly is divisible by four. This means that in a two-row arrangement of the flow paths with the interconnection described above, the cross-row connection on the side of the device for Heat is exchanged, which also includes the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet.

In one embodiment, the outermost flow paths within one or more flow path rows are not acted upon as hydraulic first flow paths of assemblies, since in the outermost regions of the refrigerant inlet or outlet the flow and / or pressure conditions of the refrigerant may be unfavorable for loading assemblies.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the flow paths of two adjacent assemblies are mirror-symmetrical to each other. In particular, a communication between the adjacent modules via a transverse distributor is facilitated.

In a further preferred embodiment, a flow cross-section of an assembly changes along a refrigerant flow path within the assembly. This is very easy to realize, for example, by connecting a few flow paths via appropriately configured transverse manifolds with many flow paths. Particularly preferred is an adaptation of the flow cross section of an assembly to a changing along the assembly density of the refrigerant.

An embodiment in which all flow paths of at least one subassembly in the main flow direction of a medium flowing around the flow-through device are aligned with one another is advantageous. Particularly advantageously, all assemblies of the device for exchanging heat are formed in this manner, whereby a pure countercurrent construction of the device in a simple manner, namely by appropriately arranged transverse manifold, is made possible.

According to a further preferred embodiment, at least one transverse distributor has a second separating element which divides the transverse distributor into at least two flow sections.

Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment, a device for exchanging heat has at least one flow device which extends into the interior of a transverse distributor.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, an apparatus for exchanging air, in particular for motor vehicle air conditioning systems with air flow paths and air flow control elements, has at least one air conveying device and in a housing a receiving device in which at least one device for exchanging heat, in particular according to at least one of the preceding claims, is recorded or arranged.

Furthermore, at least one heat exchanging device according to at least one of the preceding claims is disposed in a heat exchanging device provided with at least a condenser, a compressor, a throttle and a collector particularly for automotive air conditioners.

It should also be noted that the substantially cylindrical head tubes, refrigerant inlets or refrigerant outlets and the transverse distributor can also have deviating forms in addition to an exact cylindrical or tubular shape, which are for example deformed cylindrical or elliptical, polygonal or rectangular cross-sections.

Vorieile, features and applications of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the embodiments in conjunction with the claims and the drawings.

The embodiments are not to be understood as limiting the invention. Furthermore, it should be noted that in the figures described embodiments, in which the head tube does not have an Ω-shaped cross-section, does not belong to the subject invention, unless there is referred to such an embodiment with Ω-shaped cross-section.

• Fig. 1 eine Draufsicht auf eine Vorrichtung zum Austauschen von Wärme gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung;
• Fig. 2 eine Seitenansicht einer Vorrichtung zum Austauchen von Wärme gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung aus Fig. 1;
• Fig. 3 eine Seitenansicht des Kältemitteein- bzw. -auslasses für eine Vorrichtung zum Austauschen von Wärme gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung aus Fig. 1;
• Fig. 4 eine Draufsicht auf eine alternative Ausführungsform einer Vorrichtung zum Austauschen von Wärme gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung;
• Fig. 5 eine Seitenansicht einer Vorrichtung zum Austauschen von Wärme aus Fig. 4;
• Fig. 6 eine Seitenansicht des Kältemitteleinlasses bzw. -auslasses für eine Vorrichtung zum Austausch von Wärme gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung aus Fig. 4;
• Fig. 7 einen Querschnitt durch ein Flachrohr für eine Vorrichtung zum Austausch von Wärme gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung;
• Fig. 8 eine alternative Ausführungsform für ein Flachrohr im Querschnitt;
• Fig. 9 eine alternative Ausführungsform eines Flachrohrs für eine Vorrichtung zum Austauschen von Wärme gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung im Querschnitt;
• Fig. 10 eine schematische Darstellung des Kältemittelflusses durch eine Baugruppe gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung;
• Fig. 11a eine schematische Darstellung eines Kopfrohres für eine Vorrichtung zum Austauschen von Wärme gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung;
• Fig. 11b eine schematische Darstellung der Durchführungen eines Kopfrohrs für eine Durchflußeinrichtung;
• Fig. 11c eine Schnittdarstellung durch das Kopfrohr aus Fig. 11b entlang der Linie A-A;
• Fig. 12 eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zum Austausch von Wärme gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung;
• Fig. 13 eine alternative Ausführungsform für eine Vorrichtung zum Austauschen von Wärme gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung;
• Fig. 14 eine perspektivische Darstellung einer alternativen Ausführungsform einer Vorrichtung zum Austauschen von Wärme;
• Fig. 15 eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zum Austauschen von Wärme; und im Ausschnitt;
• Fig. 16 eine weitere perspektivische Darstellung im Ausschnitt einer Vorrichtung zum Austausch von Wärme im Ausschnitt gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung;
• Fig. 17 eine Seitenansicht auf eine alternative Ausführungsform einer Vorrichtung zum Austausch von Wärme gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung;
• Fig. 18 eine Seitenansicht einer Vorrichtung zum Austauschen von Wärme aus Fig. 17;
• Fig. 19 eine Draufsicht auf die alternative Ausführungsform einer Vorrichtung zum Austauschen von Wärme gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung aus Fig. 17;
• Fig. 20 eine schematische Darstellung eines Kopfrohrs für eine Vorrichtung gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung;
• Fig. 21 eine Seitenansicht von links der Kopfrohrs aus Fig. 20;
• Fig. 23 eine Ansicht von unten des Kopfrohrs für eine Vorrichtung gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung aus Fig. 20;
• Fig. 24 zeigt die Draufsicht auf eine alternative Ausführungsform für ein Kopfrohr ;
• Fig. 25 zeigt die Seitenansicht des Kopfrohrs aus Fig. 24;
• Fig. 26 zeigt die Ansicht von unten des Kopfrohrs aus Fig. 24;
• Fig. 27 zeigt eine Schnittdarstellung des Kopfrohrs aus Fig. 25 entlang der Schnittlinie A-A;
• Fig. 28 zeigt drei Ansichten für einen Kältemitteleinlaß bzw. -auslaß;
• Fig. 29 zeigt drei Ansichten einer alternativen Ausführungsform für einen Kältemitteleinlaß bzw. Kältemittelauslaß;
• Fig. 30 zeigt drei Ansichten einer weiteren alternativen Ausführungsform für einen Kältemitteleinlaß bzw. -auslaß; und
• Fig. 31 zeigt drei Ansichten einer weiteren alternativen Ausführungsform für eine Kältemitteleinlaß bzw. Kältemittelauslaß.

In the following, preferred aspects of the invention will be described with reference to the figures. It shows

• Fig. 1 a plan view of a device for exchanging heat according to the present invention;
• Fig. 2 a side view of a device for heat removal according to the present invention Fig. 1 ;
• Fig. 3 a side view of the refrigerant inlet for a device for exchanging heat according to the present invention from Fig. 1 ;
• Fig. 4 a plan view of an alternative embodiment of a device for exchanging heat according to the present invention;
• Fig. 5 a side view of a device for exchanging heat Fig. 4 ;
• Fig. 6 a side view of the refrigerant inlet or outlet for a device for exchanging heat according to the present invention from Fig. 4 ;
• Fig. 7 a cross section through a flat tube for a device for exchanging heat according to the present invention;
• Fig. 8 an alternative embodiment for a flat tube in cross section;
• Fig. 9 an alternative embodiment of a flat tube for a device for exchanging heat according to the present invention in cross section;
• Fig. 10 a schematic representation of the refrigerant flow through an assembly according to the present invention;
• Fig. 11a a schematic representation of a head tube for a device for exchanging heat according to the present invention;
• Fig. 11b a schematic representation of the passages of a head pipe for a flow device;
• Fig. 11c a sectional view through the head tube Fig. 11b along the line AA;
• Fig. 12 a perspective view of a device for exchanging heat according to the present invention;
• Fig. 13 an alternative embodiment for a device for exchanging heat according to the present invention;
• Fig. 14 a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a device for exchanging heat;
• Fig. 15 a perspective view of a device for exchanging heat; and in cutting;
• Fig. 16 a further perspective view in the neck of a device for exchanging heat in the cutout according to the present invention;
• Fig. 17 a side view of an alternative embodiment of a device for exchanging heat according to the present invention;
• Fig. 18 a side view of a device for exchanging heat Fig. 17 ;
• Fig. 19 a plan view of the alternative embodiment of a device for exchanging heat according to the present invention from Fig. 17 ;
• Fig. 20 a schematic representation of a head pipe for a device according to the present invention;
• Fig. 21 a side view from the left of the head tube Fig. 20 ;
• Fig. 23 a bottom view of the head tube for a device according to the present invention from Fig. 20 ;
• Fig. 24 shows the top view of an alternative embodiment for a head pipe;
• Fig. 25 shows the side view of the head tube Fig. 24 ;
• Fig. 26 shows the view from below of the head tube Fig. 24 ;
• Fig. 27 shows a sectional view of the head pipe Fig. 25 along the section line AA;
• Fig. 28 shows three views for a refrigerant inlet and outlet;
• Fig. 29 shows three views of an alternative embodiment for a refrigerant inlet and outlet;
• Fig. 30 shows three views of a further alternative embodiment for a refrigerant inlet and outlet; and
• Fig. 31 shows three views of a further alternative embodiment for a refrigerant inlet or outlet.

So shows Fig. 1 the top view of a device for exchanging heat, in particular an evaporator, in which the refrigerant via the refrigerant inlet 1 and the adjoining refrigerant inlet pipe 3 from the coolant circuit, for example, an air conditioner is supplied. Here, the input section has a cutting seal, which is connected in combination with, for example, a releasable coupling connection 2 with the continuing piping system. The refrigerant inlet pipe 3 opens into a first head pipe 7 and is continued thereafter to the two head pipes 8 and 9. At position 7, the refrigerant inlet tube is closed gas or liquid-tight. This is done in particular by the installation of a soldered separator or by welding. The closing of the tube by bending is within the scope of the present invention.

The head tubes 7, 8 and 9, according to a particularly preferred embodiment, at least one separating element, not shown, which is arranged for example in the middle of the head tube. In this way, the head tubes are divided into at least two sections, from which the refrigerant is introduced into the flow device 19 and is passed via the flow paths of the flow device in the transverse manifold 10 ', 10 ", 11', 11" and 12. From there flows the refrigerant, which has received ready to a certain extent heat from the circulating medium, for example in the rear region of the transverse distributor and is guided by this in turn into the rear flow paths of the flow device 19. At the end of these flow paths open into the outlet section of the head pipe 7, 8 and 9 and are returned via the refrigerant outlet pipe 4 in the piping system of the air conditioning. Also in this case, for example, the refrigerant return pipe has a seal 6 and, for example, a coupling system 5 for connection to the piping system. In addition to the refrigerant-carrying components of the device for exchanging heat, this embodiment also has frame elements 16 and 17. The reference numeral 18 designates the position of the cooling fins for the device.

According to the plan view Fig. 1 shows Fig. 2 the side view of a device for exchanging heat, in which in particular a preferred embodiment of the head pipes and the transverse manifold shown is. Here, the head pipes and the transverse manifolds show a round cross-section, with two flow-through devices 19 opening into the head pipes 8 and 9 in particular.

In particular, according to this embodiment, the flow device is a flat tube which, in a serpentine manner, provides the connection between the head tube and the transverse distributor. Between the respective serpentine sections of the flow device, in particular cooling ribs 18 are arranged, which improve the heat transfer between the medium flowing through, such as air, and the coolant flowing in the flow device.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the cooling fins are designed such that they also extend serpentine between the serpentine portions of the flow device and the depth of the device for exchanging heat in addition with so-called gills, that is provided with slots, which in particular for the production of Turbulence and thus to an improved heat transfer between the medium flowing through and the heat dissipating cooling ribs serve.

As shown Fig. 2 Furthermore, it is clear that the flow-through device, in particular the flat tube, has a certain penetration depth into the transverse distribution tubes or into the head tubes. Further, the end portions of the serpentine portions opening in the head pipe and the transverse distribution pipe, respectively, are made longer to have a predetermined spacing of the head pipe and the transverse distribution pipe, respectively, from the main body of the heat exchanging apparatus.

Fig. 3 adjusts the left side view of a heat exchanging device Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 In addition to the frame member 16, the refrigerant drain 4 and the refrigerant inflow 3 and the head pipe 7 can be seen.

Fig. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of a device for exchanging heat, in which in addition to the refrigerant inlet 41 of the refrigerant outlet 42, a pipe connection device 40 and the head pipes 43, 45 and 47 can be seen. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, in this illustration, the separating elements 49 can be seen, which divide the head pipes 43, 45 and 47 in an inlet 41 'and an outlet portion 42'. The connected to the head pipe 43, 45 and 47 flow device 53 opens into the transverse distribution tubes 44, 46 and 48. Further shows Fig. 4 the frame members 51 and 52 and the cooling fins 18, which protrude beyond the flow device 53.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the transverse distributors and the head pipes are closed off fluid-tight at their outer boundaries by means of additional separating elements. These separating elements are preferably material, force and / or positively connected to the head pipe, transverse distribution pipe or the coolant inlet or Kühlmittelauslaßrohr.

Fig. 5 shows the alternative embodiment according to the Fig. 4 In addition, the Ω-shaped configuration of the head pipes 43, 45 and 47 and the transverse distribution pipes 44, 46 and 48 can be seen.

These tubes have an Ω-shaped cross-section, in the throat region of which recesses are provided, through which, for example, the flow devices are received. It should be emphasized in particular that the flow device has a predetermined depth of penetration into the head tube or the transverse distribution tube, and that for the assembly of the components in the manufacture of the device for transferring heat, the flow device can be clamped with the head tubes or transverse manifolds. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the penetration depth is 0.01 to 10 mm, preferably 0.1 to 5 mm and particularly preferably 0.15 to 1 mm. Further, the head pipes 45 and 47 and the transverse manifolds 44 and 46 show embodiments in which two flow devices open into the interior of the head pipes or transverse manifolds. Here, the outlet legs of the head pipes and the transverse manifold are adapted to the entry angle of the flow devices, so that they extend at least in a section parallel to this.

In Fig. 6 is the side view of the alternative embodiment from the left Fig. 5 in which the refrigerant inlet 41 and refrigerant outlet 42 are shown in addition to the connecting means 40 'and 40 "Further, the separating element 49 and the outer separating elements of the head pipe 43 with the reference numerals 49' and 49". The frame member 53 laterally closes the heat exchanging device.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the show FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 further design forms for a flow device, in particular for a flat tube, with the flow paths 73, which have a hydraulic diameter between 0.1 and 3 mm, preferably between 0.5 and 2 mm and particularly preferably between 1.0 and 1.6 mm.

The bursting pressure range of a device is in particular according to the present invention> 300 bar, whereby the wall thickness must have a minimum thickness depending on the material. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the wall between the outer boundary of the flat tube and the inner boundaries of the flow paths has a wall thickness which is between 0.1 and 0.3 mm, more preferably between 0.15 and 0.25 mm, and particularly preferred between 1.17 and 2.2 mm.

Fig. 7 FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a flow device with 25 flow paths 73, the average hydraulic diameter of which is about 1.0 mm. The tube width 75 is about 1.8 mm and the wall thickness 71 about 0.3 mm. The distance between the flow paths 72 is about 1.6 mm. The distance 74 of the flow path 73 and the lateral outer wall 70 is about 0.6 mm.

Fig. 8 has 28 flow paths, wherein the hydraulic diameter is about 1.4 mm. The tube width 75 is about 2.2 mm and the wall thickness 71 about 0.3 mm. The distance between the flow paths 72 is about 1.9 mm. The distance 74 of the flow path 73 from the lateral outer wall 70 is about 0.6 mm.

In Fig. 9 a flat tube with 35 flow paths is shown, whose average diameter is between 1.0 mm. The tube width 75 is about 1.8 mm and the wall thickness 71 about 0.3 mm. The distance between the flow paths 72 is about 1.6 mm. The distance 74 of the flow path 73 from the lateral outer wall 70 is about 0.6 mm.

Fig. 10 shows a schematic course of the coolant through an assembly of a device for exchanging heat, wherein the reference numeral 100 to the schematic representation of Indicates refrigerant inlet. Via the head tube whose position is designated by the reference numeral 101, the coolant is supplied to the flow device 102 and experiences in the region 108 the first change in direction, which is due to the serpentine curvature of the Durchfuußeinrichtung. The flowing in the flow paths of the flow means coolant flows in the region 103 in the transverse manifold and is deflected by this in the rear part of the flow device, that is, in the rear flow paths 105.

According to the section 102, in the section 105, heat energy is extracted from the flowing medium, such as the air, and transmitted to the coolant. This refrigerant is combined in the outlet portion of the head tube 106 as a liquid-gas mixture and returned via the refrigerant discharge 107 in the subsequent piping system, such as an air conditioner.

Fig. 11a shows a schematic representation of a head pipe in the side view, wherein in addition to the separating elements 110, 111 and 112, the passages for the coolant inlet and outlet 113 'and 113 "can be seen .. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the openings 113' and 113th offset from the central axis of the head tube 114 by a distance 115, said distance according to the present invention between 0 and 20 mm, preferably between 0 and 10 mm and particularly preferably between 0 and 5 mm. The partition member 110 divides the header pipe into two sections 115 and 116, respectively, which constitute either the refrigerant inlet section or the refrigerant outlet section according to the arrangement of the header pipe. The separators 111 and 112 close the head tube to the environment, these separators spaced from the outside Arranged edge of the head tube or can be arranged flush with these flush. According to a further preferred embodiment, the section of the head tube can also be closed by a soldering or welding point. The bushings for the flow device are in the Fig. 11a not shown.

Fig. 11b shows an alternative embodiment for a passage of the flow device in a head pipe. Here, in addition to the two legs 120 and 121 of the head tube, the passage 122 can be seen, which is designed according to a preferred embodiment so that it corresponds to the outer shape of the flat tube to be inserted. According to a further embodiment, the opening can also be designed so that, for example, two or more flat tubes can be accommodated in the head tube.

Fig. 11c shows the cross section through a head pipe according to the Fig. 11 b along the lines AA. The illustration shows the Ω-shaped basic structure of the head tube, which according to the present invention represents a particularly preferred embodiment. The flow device enters into the passage 130 of the head tube and extends to a predetermined point in the interior 132 of the head tube. This embodiment also has the possibility of connecting the flow-through device to the head tube before the material-locking connection of the individual components in the production of an assembly or assemblies. In this case, in particular, the geometric shape of a head pipe according to the embodiment of Fig. 11c is used so that the tapered portion 131 is jammed after insertion of a flow device with this.

According to another particularly preferred embodiment, two or more flow devices in a head tube of Shape out Fig. 11c lead. Here, a particularly preferred arrangement of the flow device is provided as in Fig. 5 represented by the reference numeral 54.

Figure 12 shows a perspective view of a device for exchanging heat, which can be seen in addition to the refrigerant inlet 200 "and a head tube 201 with the separating elements 202, 203 and 204. According to the illustrated embodiment, the separating element 203 extends within the lumen of Head pipe 201 is engaged with a recess of the flow passage 205. Further, the head pipe 201 is divided by the partition member 203 into a refrigerant inlet portion 207 and a refrigerant outlet 208. The refrigerant flows from the refrigerant inlet 207 into the transverse manifold via the flow paths 209 of the flow device 212, which is also closed to the environment by two divider members 211 and 212. In the lateral divider 212, the refrigerant is then redirected to the return flow paths 210 which terminate in the refrigerant outlet portion 208 subsequent to the flow means. From this, the refrigerant is discharged via the refrigerant outlet 200 ".

Fig. 13 shows an alternative embodiment of a heat exchange device in which the refrigerant inlet 200 'and the refrigerant outlet 200''are connected to the head tube 301. According to this particularly preferred embodiment, the head tube 301 has four separator elements 302, 303, 304 and 305 which dividing the head pipe 301 into three sections 306, 307 and 308. The refrigerant is led into the first section of the head pipe 306 via the refrigerant inlet 201 and directed via the flow device into the transverse manifold section 308. From there, the refrigerant is returned to the head pipe section 307, and afterwards back to the Cross manifold section 309 passed thereafter to be returned thereafter via the flow device in the third section 308 of the head pipe. Subsequent to section 308, the refrigerant is directed into the refrigerant outlet 200 "and returned to the piping system, such as an air conditioner.

Fig. 14 shows an alternative embodiment of a device for exchanging heat, in which in particular the transverse distributor 400 is closed by two externally applied separating elements 401 and 402.

Fig. 15 shows a detail of the device for exchanging heat in a perspective view, in which in addition to the head tube 501, the flow device 502 and the schematically illustrated cooling fins 503 can be seen. The illustration shows, in particular in the lumen of the head tube 501, the penetration depth 505 of the flow device 502 into the interior of the head tube and the opening (s) 504 in the refrigerant inlet tube, through which the head tube is fluidly connected to the refrigerant inlet or refrigerant outlet.

Fig. 16 shows a section of the device for exchanging heat in a perspective view, in which in addition to the head tube 501, the separating element 507, the flow device 503, the refrigerant inlet 506 and another separator 508, which divides the head tube 501 in an inlet or outlet section, can be seen.

Fig. 17 shows an alternative embodiment of a heat exchange device according to the present invention, the head tubes 601, 602, 603 and 604 are arranged on one side of the device and opposite the transverse distribution tubes 605, 606 and 607. Further, the refrigerant inlet 608 "and the refrigerant outlet 608 'open in a coupling device 609, which the two Piping to the piping system, such as an air conditioner connects.

Fig. 18 is a side view of the device for exchanging heat according to Fig. 17 , Here, in particular, the arrangement of the refrigerant inlet 608 'and the refrigerant outlet 608' can be seen, whose center line are each offset by a different amount from the center line of the head tubes. Furthermore, the two tubes have a different cross-section in order to take into account the different density of the refrigerant before and after the device for exchanging heat.

Fig. 19 shows the top view of the device for exchanging heat according to Fig. 17 , Besides the header pipes 601, 602, 603 and 604, the refrigerant inlet 608 "and the refrigerant outlet 608", the connector 609 and the lateral distribution pipes 605, 606 and 607 can be seen. Further, the header pipes are divided by the partition members 610 into an outlet 611 and inlet portion 612, respectively.

Fig. 20 shows a head pipe for a device according to the present invention, which has two openings 700 'and 701 "in addition to two openings 702 and 703 for the refrigerant inlet or refrigerant outlet According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the refrigerant inlet has a smaller diameter than the refrigerant outlet, since the use of the device for exchanging heat as an evaporator, the specific gravity of the refrigerant decreases by evaporation.

Fig. 22 shows the head pipe Fig. 20 in the side view.

Fig. 23 shows the head pipe fig.20 in a plan view, wherein in particular the two openings 702 and 703 can be seen for the refrigerant inlet or refrigerant outlet.

Fig. 24 shows a further embodiment of a head pipe according to the present invention.

In addition to the different flow cross-sections for the refrigerant inlet 703 and refrigerant outlet 702, this embodiment has four feedthroughs 705, 706, 707 and 708 for a flow device which in the lumen, d. H. in the interior of the head pipe, open.

Fig. 25 shows the side view of such a head tube, whose passages for the flow device with the reference numerals 707 and 708 are shown. In particular, the angle 704 determines in what manner the flow devices Fig. 27 open into the interior of the head pipe.

Fig. 26 Fig. 3 shows the bottom view of a head pipe according to the present invention having four through-passages 705, 706, 707 and 708 for the flow device.

The FIGS. 28, 29 . 30 and 31 show different embodiments for the refrigerant inlet or refrigerant outlet. In addition to the arrangement of the outlet openings, the embodiments differ in the shape of the openings for the transition into the head pipes and their hydraulic diameter.

Claims (43)

1. A device for exchanging heat, in particular for use in motor vehicles and in particular for use in motor vehicle air-conditioning systems, with
   at least one coolant inlet (1,41) and at least one coolant outlet (42), which open into at least one head tube (7,8,9,43,45,47), wherein the head tube is subdivided by at least one partition element (49) into at least one inlet section and at least one outlet section; and
   at least one flow device (53) which has at least two flow paths arranged at least partially parallel to one another; wherein
   the flow paths of the flow device (53) are fluidically connected so that the inlet section is fluidically connected to the outlet section of the head tube,
   characterised in that
   the head tube has a Ω-shaped cross section, in the narrow region of which is provided a recess, through which the flow device is received.
2. A device for exchanging heat according to claim 1,
   characterised in that
   a head tube (7,8,9,43,45,47), a coolant inlet and outlet, a flow device and a transverse distributor are components which form a module.
3. A device for exchanging heat according to at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   at least two modules are connected together so that the coolant inlets or outlets, respectively, of the modules are fluidically connected together.
4. A device for exchanging heat according to at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the modules are hydraulically connected in parallel.
5. A device for exchanging heat according to at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the coolant inlets or outlets, respectively, of a plurality of interconnected modules are formed in one piece.
6. A device for exchanging heat according to at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   two modules communicate with one another via at least one transverse distributor.
7. A device for exchanging heat according to at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the coolant inlet and outlet, the head tube (7,8,9,43,45,47) and the transverse distributor are arranged on one side of the module.
8. A device for exchanging heat according to at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   at least the openings of the flow paths of the flow device open into the interior of the head tube (7,8,9,43,45,47) and of the transverse distributor.
9. A device for exchanging heat according to at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the partition element subdivides the head tube (7,8,9,43,45,47) into inlet and outlet sections in a gas-tight and liquid-tight manner.
10. A device for exchanging heat according to at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    the flow device (53) is a flat tube, the channel of which is subdivided into at least two flow paths by webs.
11. A device for exchanging heat according to at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    the flow device (53) has at least two flat tubes arranged at least partially parallel, the channels of which constitute the flow paths.
12. A device for exchanging heat according to at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    the flow device (53) has in particular at least one flat tube, which is made of at least one material from a group of materials which contains metals, in particular aluminum, manganese, magnesium, silicon, iron, brass, copper, tin, zinc, titanium, chromium, molybdenum, vanadium and their alloys, for example EN-AW 3002, EN-AW 3102, EN-AW 6060 and EN-AW 1110, plastics, fibre-reinforced plastics, composites.
13. A device for exchanging heat according to at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    at least one module has cooling fins as a further component, which are connected at least to an outer surface of the flow device (53) so that the transport of thermal energy is promoted.
14. A device for exchanging heat according to at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    the head tube has an essentially cylindrical basic shape and a predetermined number of feeds are arranged in its circumference, through which the coolant inlets or outlets and at least one flow device (53) extend into the interior of the head tube.
15. A device for exchanging heat according to at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    the head tube has a projection on an edge of at least one feed, which engages in a feed of the coolant inlet or outlet.
16. A device for exchanging heat according to at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    the coolant is a fluid which has at least one component from a group of components which comprises gases, in particular carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen, air, ammonia, hydrocarbons, in particular methane, propane, n-butane and liquids, in particular water, floe-ice, sols.
17. A device for exchanging heat according to at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    a gaseous medium, in particular air, can flow around at least the flow device and in particular the cooling fins.
18. A device for exchanging heat according to at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    the heat transfer between the coolant inside the flow device and the gaseous medium, flowing around the cooling fins and the flow device, takes place essentially by convection and heat conduction.
19. A device for exchanging heat according to at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    the components of the module and the modules are connected together so that they promote the transport of thermal energy.
20. A device for exchanging heat according to at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    the junction regions of the components and modules through which fluid flows are connected together in a gas-tight and liquid-tight manner with respect to the medium flowing around.
21. A device for exchanging heat according to at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    the device has frame elements on at least two mutually opposite sides, which extend over at least a part of the side area of the device, preferably have a U-shaped profile and are connected to at least one component, in particular by friction locking, by a form-fit and/or by a bonding material.
22. A device for exchanging heat according to at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    the flow device has at least one recess in the vicinity of the feeds of the head tube, in which the partition element of the head tube engages.
23. A device for exchanging heat according to at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    the partition element of the head tube has a recess, in which the flow device engages in the head tube in the region of the feeds.
24. A device for exchanging heat according to at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    the flow cross sections of the head tube and/or of the coolant inlets and/or outlets are configured so that the pressure of the fluid is essentially equal or has a predetermined value in at least two inlet and/or outlet sections.
25. A device for exchanging heat according to at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    coolant feeds of a plurality of head tubes have different flow cross sections.
26. A device for exchanging heat according to at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    the flow cross sections of the coolant feeds increase in the direction of a decreasing pressure, which the coolant has inside the coolant inlets or outlets, respectively, in a region of the coolant feeds during operation of the heat exchanger.
27. A device for exchanging heat according to at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    the flow cross sections of the coolant feeds increase in the direction of a decreasing density, which the coolant has inside the coolant inlets or outlets, respectively, in a region of the coolant feeds during operation of the heat exchanger.
28. A device for exchanging heat according to at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    the coolant inlet feeds of a plurality of head tubes have different flow cross sections, and in that in particular the coolant outlet feeds of the head tubes have flow cross sections which are at least as large as the flow cross section of the largest coolant inlet feed.
29. A device for exchanging heat according to at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    the volumes of the inlet and outlet sections have a predetermined ratio, this ratio being in particular 1:1, 1:2, 1:4, 1:10 or any arbitrary values between these, which are not necessarily whole numbers.
30. A device for exchanging heat according to at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    the flow device has at least one curved section, in which the extension direction changes by preferably 5°, 10°, 25°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 90°, 120°, 180° or any arbitrary values between these.
31. A device for exchanging heat according to at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    two hydraulically consecutive flow paths of a module are arranged in an approximately U-shaped tube.
32. A device for exchanging heat according to at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    two flow paths of a module are arranged next to each other in a primary flow direction of a medium flowing around the flow device.
33. A device for exchanging heat according to at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    two flow paths of a module are arranged one behind the other in a primary flow direction of a medium flowing around the flow device.
34. A device for exchanging heat according to at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    the number of flow paths of at least one module is divisible by two, and in particular by four.
35. A device for exchanging heat according to at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    in each module, further flow paths on two opposite sides neighbor the flow path hydraulically consecutive to the header within a row of flow paths.
36. A device for exchanging heat according to at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    the flow paths of two neighboring modules extend with mirror symmetry with respect to one another.
37. A device for exchanging heat according to at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    the flow paths of a module have different flow cross sections.
38. A device for exchanging heat according to at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    the flow cross section of the flow paths increases in the direction of a decreasing density, which the coolant has inside a module during operation of the device for exchanging heat.
39. A device for exchanging heat according to at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    all flow paths of at least one module are flush with one another in a primary flow direction of a medium flowing around the flow device.
40. A device for exchanging heat according to at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    at least one transverse distributor has a second partition element, which subdivides the transverse distributor into at least two flow sections.
41. A device for exchanging heat according to at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    at least one flow device extends into the interior of at least one transverse distributor.
42. Apparatus for exchanging air, in particular for motor vehicle air-conditioning systems, with air flow paths, air flow control elements, at least one air delivery device and a housing, in which a device for exchanging heat according to at least one of the preceding claims for exchanging heat is arranged.
43. Apparatus for exchanging heat, in particular for motor vehicle air-conditioning systems, with at least a condenser, a compressor, a throttle, a manifold and at least one device for exchanging heat according to at least one of the preceding claims.

Images