HK1080934A - Plate for heat exchange and heat exchange unit - Google Patents

Description

Heat exchange plate and heat exchange unit

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a heat exchange plate which is formed of a thin metal plate and is combined with other plates in an aligned state to form a heat exchanger; the present invention relates particularly to heat exchange plates which allow a heat exchange fluid to flow slowly and smoothly along opposite surfaces thereof for effective heat exchange when used in combination with other plates, irrespective of the flow system, which generally has: a parallel flow system in which the heat exchange fluids flow parallel to each other, a counter flow system in which the heat exchange bodies flow in opposite directions to each other, and a cross flow system in which the heat exchange fluids flow in mutually perpendicular directions. The invention also relates to a heat exchange unit formed by combining the heat exchange plate and other plates.

Background

If it is desired to use a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between a high temperature fluid and a low temperature fluid to increase a heat transfer coefficient and enhance the effectiveness of the heat exchange, a plate type heat exchanger is generally widely used. Such a plate heat exchanger has a structure in which a plurality of flat plates, i.e., heat transfer members having a plate shape, are disposed in parallel with each other at predetermined intervals to form passages separated by the respective flat plates. High temperature fluid and low temperature fluid alternately flow in the channels, and heat exchange is performed through the respective plates. An example of such a conventional plate heat exchanger is described in japanese provisional patent publication No. S53-56748.

In a conventional plate heat exchanger, a gasket member made of an elastic material is interposed between adjacent two plates such that the distance therebetween is fixed and fluid passages are formed. However, the high pressure of the heat exchange fluid flowing between the plates may deform the gasket member, thus failing to ensure good fluid separation or causing undesirable distance variations between the plates. In this case, heat exchange cannot be efficiently performed, and therefore, a problem arises. In view of these facts, the conventional heat exchanger has a problem that the heat exchange fluid can be used only in a pressure range that the gasket member can withstand.

Recently, a heat exchanger has been proposed which is constructed such that ends of metal thin plates, which are disposed at predetermined intervals, are coupled together by welding to assemble flat plates into a unit, with the intervals serving as heat exchange fluid passages being formed at opposite sides of the respective flat plates. Japanese provisional patent publication No. 2003-194490, as an example of the invention of the present inventor, describes a heat exchange unit in which thin plates are parallel to each other in spaced alignment, the peripheries of the flat plates, except for one side, are welded into a unified body having an opening closed by an end plate.

As described in the above-mentioned patent publication, the above-mentioned conventional heat exchanger, i.e., the heat exchange unit, has a structure in which each flat plate has a pattern having irregular shapes and layouts, by which heat transfer performance in the flow direction of the respective heat exchange fluids can be optimized. In most cases, the heat exchange fluid used in the heat exchanger using the flat plate has a relationship based on a parallel flow system, a reverse flow system or a cross flow system. Conventional heat exchange plates have an optimum irregularity pattern only for any one of a parallel flow system, a counter flow system and a cross flow system. When a flat plate having an irregular pattern optimized only for an originally used flow system is used in a different flow system, a change in flow conditions may deteriorate heat transfer performance, thereby resulting in a decrease in heat exchange rate and an increase in pressure loss. It is therefore desirable to use a plate having an irregular pattern that is optimal for the originally employed flow system, and only for such flow systems.

In addition, in conventional plate heat exchangers, the heat exchange fluid enters the heat exchanger from a narrow inlet, flows while expanding over the wide flat surface of the plate, and then converges to a narrow outlet. To introduce liquid onto each area of the plate, each plate has three irregular patterns, namely: an inflow expansion zone, a main heat transfer zone and an outflow condensation zone. However, the general emphasis is on poor heat transfer performance in the inflow expansion region and the outflow condensation region with irregular patterns in terms of fluid directing performance. Since these areas do not provide good heat transfer performance, as a result, the effective area for use in the heat exchanger is small relative to the total area of the plates, resulting in wasted space and increased cost.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object thereof is to provide a heat exchange plate on the surface of which an irregular pattern is appropriately formed, which has adaptability in use in a flow system, can secure good heat transfer performance with respect to a fluid and thus provide good heat transfer properties, and a heat exchange unit which combines such a heat exchange plate with other plates to provide certain heat transfer properties.

In order to achieve the above object, a heat exchange plate of a first aspect of the present invention comprises a metal plate member having a predetermined irregular pattern, the plate member being joined to at least one other plate member to constitute a heat exchanger in parallel with each other, the heat exchanger being capable of exchanging heat between one heat exchange fluid in contact with one surface of the metal plate member and another heat exchange fluid in contact with the other surface of the metal plate member; the sheet metal element includes:

a plurality of main protrusions formed on one surface of the plate member, each of the main protrusions having any one shape of a quadrangular pyramid and a quadrangular truncated pyramid with a top, a first pair of opposite side surfaces, and a second pair of opposite side surfaces; the first pair of opposing side surfaces facing each other in a first direction and the second pair of opposing side surfaces facing each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; the main projections being aligned in a first direction and a second direction, spaced apart a predetermined distance such that a first pair of opposing surfaces and a second pair of opposing surfaces of one main projection face respective opposing surfaces of an adjacent projection; and

a plurality of medial projections formed on said plate member between adjacent ones of said main projections, each of said medial projections having opposed foot portions and a head ridge between said foot portions; each of the foot portions is located at a lowest position at which ridge lines of adjacent two main projecting portions intersect with each other; and said head ridge portion being located at a height greater than said foot portion and less than said top of each main projection, forming a curved roof shape; the intermediate projections and the main projections form the predetermined irregular pattern.

According to a first aspect of the invention, the heat exchanger plate is formed of a metal plate member having an irregular pattern including main projections and intermediate projections on the plate member. Such heat exchanger plates are joined to other heat exchanger plates so that the plates face each other on the same side and the tops of the main protrusions of the plates are in contact with the corresponding tops of the main protrusions of the other plate, or so that the plates are opposed to each other on the same other side, and the protrusions between two adjacent intermediate protrusions of a plate are in contact with the corresponding protrusions of the other plate, forming a gap between the adjacent two plates. The size of the gap is adapted to the irregular pattern of the plate. In this pattern, one unit of the same irregular pattern is repeated in two directions perpendicular to each other, and linear channels extending in the two directions are formed so as to cross each other at right angles. More specifically, each linear channel extending in the direction includes an enlarged region and a throat region alternately arranged in the same direction; on the other hand, a linear channel extending in a direction perpendicular to the above-described direction also includes an enlarged region and a throat region alternately arranged in the same perpendicular direction. Regardless of the flow system of the heat exchange fluid, i.e., the parallel flow system, the opposed flow system and the cross flow system, the use of the plates so assembled can impart substantially the same characteristics to the heat exchange fluid by orienting the heat exchange fluid flow direction in line with or perpendicular to the linear channels. As a result, even when the heat exchange fluid is combined in any way in its flowing direction in any way, smooth heat transfer can be performed at a low pressure loss, and efficient heat exchange can be performed, thereby allowing a high degree of freedom in design of the heat exchanger and superior performance in general use. In addition, regardless of the flow direction of the heat exchange fluid, the heat exchange fluid can freely flow in the above-mentioned two directions along the plate, and a fixed heat transfer property can be obtained. Thus, the heat exchange liquid can be spread over the entire area of the plate, making the entire area an effective heat transfer area, which can significantly increase the amount of heat transferred per unit area, achieving high performance. In addition, the strength of the assembled plates can be significantly improved by bringing the projecting portions of the plates into contact with the corresponding projecting portions of the other plates, so that the distance between the adjacent two plates can be kept constant even when there is a large pressure difference between the heat exchange liquids, thus enhancing the pressure resistance.

In the second aspect of the invention, the plate member has a shape of any one of a rectangle and a square with side edges, and the ridge line of the main projection is parallel or perpendicular to the side edges of the plate member along the edges.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the plate member has an irregular pattern in which the ridgeline of the main projection portion is parallel or perpendicular to the side edge of the plate member. Placing the board with such an irregular pattern so that the side edges of the board coincide with the horizontal or vertical direction may form regions between the middle projection and the foot portion, wherein each such region extends obliquely with respect to the horizontal or vertical direction. As a result, the heat exchange fluid introduced into the joined plates flows in an oblique direction, and repeatedly spreads and merges, spreading over each area of the plates. It is thus possible to spread the heat exchange fluid over the whole area of the heat exchange plates, facilitating the heat transfer between the heat exchange fluids and improving the heat exchange rate.

In order to achieve the above object, a heat exchange plate of a third aspect of the present invention comprises: a heat exchange plate, which is composed of a metal plate member having a predetermined irregular pattern, which is combined with at least one other plate member in parallel to each other to constitute a heat exchanger capable of exchanging heat between one heat exchange fluid in contact with one surface of the metal plate member and another heat exchange fluid in contact with the other surface of the metal plate member; the sheet metal element includes:

a plurality of protrusions formed on one surface of the plate member, each of the main protrusions having any one of a quadrangular pyramid shape and a quadrangular truncated pyramid shape with a ridge line, the protrusions being aligned at a predetermined distance apart such that parallel planes include the ridge line of the protrusion; and

a plurality of depressed portions formed between adjacent two of the protruding portions on the plate member, each of the depressed portions having substantially the same shape as the protruding portion by deforming the plate member in a direction opposite to a direction in which the protruding portion protrudes; the protruding portions and the recessed portions on the surface of the plate member form the predetermined irregular pattern so as to form an irregular pattern similar to the predetermined irregular pattern on the other surface of the plate member.

According to a third aspect of the invention, the heat exchanger plate is formed of a metal plate member having an irregular pattern comprising main projections and intermediate projections provided on the plate member. Such a heat exchanger plate is joined with other heat exchanger plates so that the plates face each other on the same side, and the tops of the main protrusions of the plate are in contact with the corresponding tops of the main protrusions of the other plate. The size of the gap is adapted to the irregular pattern of the plate in which a unit of the same irregular pattern is repeated in two directions perpendicular to each other, forming linear channels extending in the two directions such that the channels cross each other at right angles. More specifically, each linear channel extending in the direction includes an enlarged region and a throat region alternately arranged in the same direction; on the other hand, a linear channel extending in a direction perpendicular to the above-described direction also includes an enlarged region and a throat region alternately arranged in the same perpendicular direction. The use of such assembled plates allows the heat exchange fluid flow direction to be aligned with the linear channels, or perpendicular thereto, and imparts substantially the same characteristics to the heat exchange fluid regardless of the flow system of the heat exchange fluid, i.e., a parallel flow system, an opposed flow system, or a cross flow system. As a result, even when the heat exchange fluid is combined in any way in its flow direction, smooth heat transfer can be performed at a low pressure loss, and efficient heat exchange can be performed, thereby allowing a high degree of freedom in design of the heat exchanger and superior performance in general use. In addition, regardless of the flow direction of the heat exchange fluid, the heat exchange fluid can freely flow in the above-mentioned two directions along the plate, and a fixed heat transfer property can be obtained. Thus, the heat exchange liquid can be spread over the entire area of the plate, making the entire area an effective heat transfer area, which can significantly increase the amount of heat transferred per unit area, achieving high performance. In addition, the strength of the assembled plates can be significantly improved by bringing the projecting portions of the plates into contact with the corresponding projecting portions of the other plates, so that the distance between the adjacent two plates can be kept constant even when there is a large pressure difference between the heat exchange liquids, thus enhancing the pressure resistance.

In order to achieve the above object, the heat exchange unit of the 4 th aspect of the present invention comprises a first group of heat exchange plates according to any one of the 1 st to 3 rd aspects of the present invention. The plate member of each of the plates has any one of a rectangular shape and a square shape with side edges, and the ridge line of the main protrusions or the projections is parallel or perpendicular to the side edges of the plate member, thus forming a predetermined irregular pattern. A second set of plates having a different predetermined irregular pattern is also included. The different predetermined irregular pattern is substantially the same as the predetermined irregular pattern of the first set of plates. But is rotated about 45 deg. relative to it. The first set of plates and the second set of plates are assembled into a unit in varying combinations.

According to the 4 th aspect of the present invention, two kinds of plates, i.e., a first group of plates 1 and a second group of plates 10 having ridges extending in a direction different from the extending direction of the ridges of the first group of plates, are assembled as a unit in a suitable combination, and the bonding properties of the two kinds of plates having different heat exchange properties can be provided. Thus, by combining the two plates in different ways, the heat exchange properties of the overall structure of the unit can be adjusted, which makes it easier to obtain the desired heat exchange properties. As a result, a heat exchanger having an optimum performance and excellent heat exchange efficiency can be provided according to the kind, state and amount of the heat exchange liquid and the actual use of the heat exchanger.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural view of a heat exchange plate according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the basic structure of a heat exchange plate according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3(A) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 2, and FIG. 3 (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in FIG. 2; FIG. 3(C) is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4(A) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line D-D of FIG. 2, and FIG. 4(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line E-E of FIG. 2;

fig. 5(a) and 5(B) are explanatory views illustrating a gap formed between one pair of joined heat exchange plates according to the first embodiment of the present invention and other gaps formed between another pair of joined heat exchange plates according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 6 is a schematic structural view of a heat exchange plate according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 7 is an explanatory view showing the flow of heat exchange fluid in a joined heat exchange plate according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 8 is an enlarged plan view of the basic structure of a heat exchange plate according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9(A) is a cross-sectional view taken along line F-F of FIG. 8; FIG. 9(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line G-G of FIG. 8;

fig. 10(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line H-H in fig. 8, fig. 10(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I in fig. 8, and fig. 10(C) is an explanatory view illustrating a state in which heat exchange plates according to another embodiment of the present invention are coupled to each other; and

fig. 11 is a schematic structural view of a heat exchange plate unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

( First embodiment of the invention)

A first embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to fig. 1 to 5 (B). Fig. 1 is a schematic structural view of a heat exchange plate according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the basic structure of a heat exchange plate according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3(A) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 2, and FIG. 3 (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in FIG. 2; fig. 3(C) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C of fig. 2. Fig. 4(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line D-D of fig. 2, and fig. 4(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line E-E of fig. 2. Fig. 5(a) and 5(B) are explanatory views illustrating a gap formed between one pair of joined heat exchange plates according to the first embodiment of the present invention and other gaps formed between another pair of joined heat exchange plates according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 1 to 5(B), a heat exchange plate 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a rectangular-shaped one metal plate. The plate member having an irregular pattern formed by press forming includes a plurality of main protrusions 2 formed on one surface of the plate member and a plurality of middle protrusions 3 formed between two adjacent main protrusions 2 on the plate member. Each main projection 2 is in the shape of a quadrangular pyramid with a top, a first pair of opposite side surfaces and a second pair of opposite side surfaces. The first pair of opposing side surfaces face each other in a first direction. The second pair of opposing side surfaces face each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The main protrusions are aligned at a predetermined distance apart in a first direction and a second direction. With the first and second pairs of opposing surfaces of the one main projection facing respective opposing surfaces of adjacent projections. Each of the medial projections 3 has opposed foot portions 3a and a head ridge 3b disposed between the foot portions 3 a. Each of the leg portions 3a is located at the lowermost position where ridge lines 2b of adjacent two main projecting portions 2 intersect with each other. The head ridge portion 3b is placed at a height higher than the leg 3a and lower than the top 2a of each main projection 2 to form a curved roof shape. The main protrusions 2 and the middle protrusions 3 form a predetermined irregular pattern.

The heat exchange plate 1 is constructed such that a direction extending along any one ridge line 2b of the main projection 2 of the quadrangular pyramid intersects with either side surface of the rectangular flat plate at an angle of 45 c. The present invention is not limited to this configuration. But the ridge line 2b of the main protrusions may form a desired irregular pattern along a direction in which it intersects the side surface of the flat plate at a desired angle.

The heat exchanger plate 1 described above is combined with another plate having the same structure. The plates are made to face each other on the same side; and the top 2a of the main projection 2 of the plate 1 is in contact with the corresponding top 2a of the main projection 2 of the other plate; or the plates are made to face each other on the same other side with the convex portion between two adjacent middle protruding portions 3 of the plate being in contact with the corresponding convex portion of the other plate. This bonding forms a gap 4, through which a heat exchange fluid can flow, between two adjacent plates 1 except for the contact portion, thus forming a heat exchanger. In this heat exchanger, heat exchange can be performed between a heat exchange fluid in contact with the upper surface of the plate 1 and another heat exchange fluid in contact with the lower surface of the plate 1.

As described above, when the boards are coupled with each other, the main protrusions 2 and the middle protrusions 3 protrude into the gap, and the middle protrusions 3 of the board 1 having a height lower than the main protrusions 2 face the corresponding middle protrusions 3 of the other board 1 to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. In addition, the foot portion 3a of the board 1 located at the lowest height faces the corresponding foot portion 3a of the other board 1 to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined large distance. The regions formed between the middle protrusions 2 and the regions formed between the foot portions 3a are alternately communicated with each other to form linear channels in the shape of a mesh. In such a linear passage, the area between the foot portions 3a forms a hole larger than the hole formed by the area between the middle protruded portions 3, and as a result, the corresponding passage includes an expanding area and a contracting area which are alternately repeated, extend along a straight line, and intersect with the other passages, communicating with them (see fig. 5 (a)).

On the opposite side of the projecting direction of the projecting portions 2, 3 of the plate, the space region formed between the opposing intermediate projecting portions 3 having a smaller height than that of the main projecting portion 2 communicates the adjacent regions formed between the opposing main projecting portions 2 with each other to form a linear passage. In such a linear channel, holes larger than the holes formed by the areas between the middle projections 3 are formed in the areas between the main projections 2. As a result, the respective channels comprise an enlarged area and a reduced area. They are alternately repeated, extend linearly in the direction aligned with the main projection 2, intersect with other passages, communicate with them (see FIG. 5(B))

The operation of the heat exchanger using the heat exchange plate according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the coupled assembled state of the heat exchange plates 1 in parallel with each other, a heat exchange fluid is introduced into the gaps 4 into which the respective projecting portions 2, 3 project and discharged from the gaps 4, while another heat exchange fluid is introduced through the gaps 5 on the side opposite to the projecting side of the projecting portions 2, 3, the gaps 5 being separated from the gaps 4 by the heat exchange plates 1, and heat exchange is performed between the two heat exchange fluids.

The gaps 4, 5 formed between the plates are adapted to the respective shape of the projections 2, 3 and extend linearly in a direction aligned with the projections 2, 3. Even when two heat exchange fluids are introduced into the gaps 4, 5 respectively according to any one of the parallel flow system, the reverse flow system and the cross flow system, the heat exchange fluids can be in substantially the same condition. The heat exchange fluid can be efficiently heat-exchanged smoothly through the gaps 4, 5, respectively. In addition, the heat exchange fluid passes through the special form of the channel having the enlarged area and the throat area alternately disposed to perform effective heat exchange with respect to the flat plate, so that the heat exchange efficiency between the fluids can be improved and the pressure loss in the channel can be eliminated.

In addition, the strength of the assembled plate can be remarkably improved by bringing the protruding portion of the plate into contact with the corresponding protruding portion of the other plate, and thus the distance between the adjacent two plates can be kept constant, so that it is possible to cope with a situation where a large pressure difference exists between the heat exchange fluids.

A heat exchanger plate 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is constructed of a rectangular metal plate member having an irregular pattern including main protrusions and intermediate protrusions provided thereon. Such a heat exchanger plate 1 is combined with other heat exchanger plates so that the plates face each other on the same side and the tops 2a of the projections 2 of the plates are brought into contact with the respective tops of the main projections of the other plate, or so that the plates face each other on the same other side and the projections between two adjacent intermediate projections of the plate are brought into contact with the respective projections of the other plate, whereby a gap 4 can be formed between the adjacent two plates. Another plate is bonded to one of the plates in the same way, forming another gap 5 between them. Each of the above-mentioned gaps 4, 5 is adapted in size to the irregular pattern of the plate in which the cells of the same irregular pattern repeat in two mutually perpendicular directions, forming linear channels extending in the above-mentioned two directions, such that the channels cross each other at right angles. More specifically, each linear channel extending in the direction includes an enlarged region and a throat region alternately arranged in the same direction; on the other hand, a linear channel extending in a direction perpendicular to the above-described direction also includes an enlarged region and a throat region alternately arranged in the same perpendicular direction. The use of the plates thus assembled allows the operating conditions of the heat exchange fluid to be substantially the same regardless of the flow system of the heat exchange fluid, i.e., any one of the parallel flow system, the counter flow system and the cross flow system, with the result that even when the heat exchange fluid is combined in any way in the flow direction thereof, heat transfer can be smoothly performed at a low pressure loss to perform efficient heat exchange, thereby allowing the heat exchanger to have a high degree of freedom in design and to be superior in general use.

The invention is not limited solely to the first embodiment of the invention described above, in which the heat exchanger plates are directly connected to each other by welding, forming a heat exchanger. The invention can be used in conventional plate heat exchangers in which the plates are assembled as a unit with sealing gaskets of elastic material placed between the plates.

( Second embodiment of the invention)

A second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to fig. 6 and 7. Fig. 6 is a schematic structural view of a heat exchange plate according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7 is an explanatory view showing the flow of heat exchange fluid of the joined heat exchange plates according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 6 and 7, a heat exchanger plate 10 according to a second embodiment of the present invention has the same irregular pattern with main projections 11 and intermediate projections 12 as the above-described first embodiment of the present invention. However, the heat exchange plate 10 according to the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the ridgeline 14 of the main projection 11 is parallel or perpendicular to the side edge of the heat exchange plate 10.

With respect to the irregular pattern of the heat exchanger plates, the main protrusions 11 and the intermediate protrusions 12 protrude in the gaps, and the intermediate protrusions 12 of the plate having a lower height than the main protrusions 11 face the corresponding intermediate portions 12 of the other plate 1, being spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance; and the respective foot portions 5 of the lowest-lying board face the respective foot portions 15 of the other board and are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined greater distance, as in the first embodiment of the invention described above.

The operation state of the heat exchange fluid flowing on the respective surfaces of the heat exchange plate according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In a state where the heat exchange plates are assembled to be disposed in parallel with each other as a unit, different kinds of heat exchange fluids flow on opposite surfaces of the heat exchange plates 10, respectively, forming a reverse flow system as in the first embodiment of the present invention. However, on the upper surface of the plate from which the projections 11, 12 project, the fluid passages extend obliquely in two directions along which the projections 11 and the intermediate projections 12 are alternately arranged. The middle projection 12 having the middle height and the foot portion 15 having the lowest height in each fluid passage are alternately repeated. The heat exchange fluid flows downward in the fluid passages (as indicated by solid hollow arrows in fig. 7). On the side of the lower surface of the plate opposite to the projecting direction of the projecting portions 11, 12, other fluid passages extending obliquely are formed by a combination of the depressed portion formed directly under the main projecting portion 11 and the other depressed portion formed directly under the intermediate projecting portion 2, and another heat exchange fluid flows upward in these fluid passages (as indicated by the hollow arrows of the broken lines in fig. 7). Each of the heat exchange fluids flows obliquely while being repeatedly dispersed and merged, and is smoothly spread over each area of the heat exchange plates 10. As a result, efficient heat transfer can be performed through the heat exchange plates 10 between different kinds of heat exchange fluids.

The plate member of the heat exchanger plate according to the second aspect of the present invention has an irregular pattern in which the ridgeline of the main protrusions 11 extends parallel or perpendicular to the side edges of the plate 10. Placing the board 10 with such an irregular pattern so that the side edges of the board coincide with the horizontal or vertical direction may form regions between the middle protruding portion 12 and the foot portion 15, each of which extends obliquely with respect to the horizontal or vertical direction. As a result, the heat exchange fluid introduced into the joined plates flows in an oblique direction, and repeatedly spreads and merges, spreading over each area of the plate 10. It is thus possible to spread the heat exchange fluid over the entire area of the heat exchange plates 10, facilitating heat transfer between the heat exchange fluids and improving the heat exchange rate.

The heat exchanger plate according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention has a structure using a combination of the main protrusions 2, 11 having a quadrangular pyramid shape and the middle protrusions 3, 12 having a curved cap shape having a lower height than the main protrusions 2, 11. The present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the configurations shown in fig. 8 to 10(c) may be employed. In this structure, the irregular pattern is constituted by a plurality of projections 6 and a plurality of depressions 7. The protrusions 6, each of which protrudes in the form of a quadrangular pyramid or a quadrangular truncated pyramid having 4 ridgelines, are arranged in two mutually perpendicular directions such that the protrusions 6 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance and the ridgelines of the protrusions 6 are located on a straight line corresponding to the two directions. Each of the concave portions 7 is formed in a quadrangular pyramid or quadrangular truncated pyramid shape between the 4 protruding portions and surrounded by the four protruding portions 6. As a result, the opposite surfaces of the plate are provided with irregular patterns having an opposite projecting relationship, with projecting portions 6 in corresponding areas of the upper surface and recessed portions 7 in corresponding areas of the lower surface. When the heat exchange plate is combined with another plate having the same structure such that the projection 6 of the former is brought into contact with the projection of the latter, the ridgeline 6a of the projection of the plate faces the ridgeline of the corresponding projection of the other plate by a predetermined distance; while the concave portion 7 of the plate faces the corresponding portion of the other plate, separated by a predetermined distance within the space 8. The spaces formed between adjacent protruding portions 6 alternately communicate with the spaces formed by the depressed portions 7 to form linear channels. Thus, each linear channel extending in this direction comprises an enlarged region and a throat region arranged alternately in the same direction; on the other hand, the linear passage extending in the direction perpendicular to the above direction includes an enlarged region and a throat region also alternately arranged in the perpendicular direction (see fig. 10 (C)). Even when two heat exchange fluids are introduced into the gap 8 according to any one of the parallel flow system, the counter flow system and the cross flow system, respectively, the heat exchange fluids are under substantially the same conditions as in the first embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, the heat exchange fluid can smoothly pass through the gaps 8, respectively, and effective heat exchange can be performed.

In the heat exchange plates according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention, there is no limitation in the introduction and discharge directions of the two heat exchange fluids flowing on the opposite surfaces of the heat exchange plates so as to perform heat exchange between the fluids and in the flow system thereof. These limits are given according to the use of the heat exchanger. More specifically, a structure may be adopted in which the inlet and outlet of the first fluid are respectively provided on the longitudinal opposite edges of the heat exchange plate, and the inlet and outlet of the second fluid are respectively provided on the opposite edges of the lateral sides of the heat exchange plate. Thus, according to a cross-flow system, the first fluid flows in the longitudinal direction and the second fluid flows in the transverse direction. Alternatively, a configuration may be employed in which the inlet and outlet for the first fluid are provided on opposite edges of the longitudinal sides of the heat exchange plates, respectively, and the inlet and outlet for the second fluid are provided on opposite edges of the remaining longitudinal sides of the heat exchange plates, respectively. Thus, according to a parallel flow system or a reverse flow system, the first fluid flows in the longitudinal direction, and the second fluid also flows in the longitudinal direction. It is also possible to provide the inlet and outlet of the first fluid on opposite edges of the longitudinal sides of the heat exchanger plates, respectively, and the inlet and outlet of the second fluid on the same opposite edges, respectively. Thus, according to a reverse flow system, the first fluid flows in a longitudinal direction and the second fluid flows in the opposite longitudinal direction.

( Third embodiment of the invention)

A third embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to fig. 11. A third embodiment illustrates the assembly of the above-described heat exchange plates of the present invention into a heat exchange unit parallel to each other, and fig. 11 is a schematic structural view of the heat exchange unit according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 11, the heat exchange unit 50 has a structure in which a predetermined number of first heat exchange plates according to the first embodiment and a predetermined number of second heat exchange plates according to the second embodiment are combined with each other. More specifically, first heat exchange plates each having an irregular pattern in which the ridgeline 2b of the main protrusions 2 intersects any one side surface of a rectangular plate at an angle of 45 °, and second heat exchange plates each having an irregular pattern in which the ridgeline 14 of the main protrusions 11 intersects any one side surface of a rectangular plate in parallel or perpendicularly, are assembled in a proper combination to form the unit.

The heat exchange plates used in the heat exchange unit 50 are divided into: a first group of heat exchanger plates 1 having the same irregular pattern and placed one on top of the other; and a second group of heat exchanger plates 10 identical to each other but different from the first group of heat exchanger plates 1 and placed one on top of the other as well. The use of two groups of heat exchanger plates, which differ in heat exchange properties due to the difference in irregularity patterns and which are placed in parallel with each other, provides an intermediate property between the first property according to a unit using only the heat exchanger plates of the first group and the second property according to a unit using only the heat exchanger plates of the second group. When such a unit is used in a heat exchange fluid adapted to such intermediate properties, the heat exchange can be carried out in a suitable manner, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency.

According to the heat exchange unit of the third embodiment of the present invention, two kinds of plates, i.e., a first group of plates 1 and a second group of plates 10 having ridges extending in a direction different from the extending direction of the ridges of the first group of plates, are assembled into one unit in a proper combination, and can provide the combination properties of the different heat exchange properties of the two kinds of plates. It is thus possible to provide a heat exchanger with effective heat exchange properties which cannot be obtained with a combination of plates.

In a heat exchange unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention, two kinds of heat exchange plates 1, 10 are assembled into the unit such that a first group of plates having the same irregular pattern and a second group of plates having the same irregular pattern are combined in parallel with each other. The present invention is not limited to this structure. A number of plates with different irregular patterns, e.g. two plates, i.e. heat exchanger plates with different regular patterns as shown in figure 1 and heat exchanger plates 10 with irregular patterns as shown in figure 6, may be placed alternately one on top of the other. Alternatively, one or more plates having different irregular patterns may be placed between sets of plates having the same irregular pattern. In this way, the combination of plates can be varied exactly according to the number of plates in the respective group. Accordingly, the arrangement of the various plates having different heat exchange properties due to different irregularity patterns can be appropriately adjusted to obtain desired heat exchange properties of the overall structure of the unit, which can provide a heat exchanger having optimal properties and superior heat exchange efficiency according to the kind, state and number of heat exchange fluids and the actual use of the heat exchanger.

Claims (4)

1. A heat exchange plate comprising a metal plate member having a predetermined irregular pattern, the plate member being joined to at least one other plate member in parallel to constitute a heat exchanger capable of exchanging heat between one heat exchange fluid in contact with one surface of the metal plate member and the other heat exchange fluid in contact with the other surface of the metal plate member; the sheet metal element includes:

a plurality of main protrusions formed on one surface of the plate member, each of the main protrusions having any one shape of a quadrangular pyramid and a quadrangular frustum of a pyramid with a top, a first pair of opposite side surfaces facing each other in a first direction, and a second pair of opposite side surfaces facing each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the main protrusions being aligned in the first direction and the second direction at a predetermined distance such that the first pair of opposite surfaces and the second pair of opposite surfaces of one main protrusion face the corresponding opposite surfaces of an adjacent protrusion; and

a plurality of medial projections formed on said plate member between adjacent ones of said main projections, each of said medial projections having opposed foot portions and a head ridge between said foot portions; each of the foot portions is located at a lowest position where ridge lines of adjacent two main protrusions intersect with each other, and the head swelling portion is located at a height higher than the foot portions and lower than the top of each main protrusion, forming a curved roof shape, the middle protrusions and the main protrusions forming the predetermined irregular pattern.

2. A heat exchange plate of claim 1, wherein the plate member has a shape of any one of a rectangle and a square with side edges along which the ridgeline of the main protrusions is parallel or perpendicular to the side edges of the plate member.

3. A heat exchange plate comprising a metal plate member having a predetermined irregular pattern, said plate being joined to at least one other plate member in parallel to each other to constitute a heat exchanger capable of exchanging heat between one heat exchange fluid in contact with one surface of said metal plate member and another heat exchange fluid in contact with the other surface of said metal plate member; the sheet metal element includes:

a plurality of protruding portions formed on one surface of the plate member, each of the protruding portions having any one of a quadrangular pyramid shape with a ridge line and a quadrangular truncated pyramid shape; said projections being aligned a predetermined distance apart such that the parallel planes include said ridges of said projections; and

a plurality of depressed portions formed between adjacent two of the protruding portions on the plate member, each of the depressed portions having substantially the same shape as the protruding portion by deforming the plate member in a direction opposite to a protruding direction of the protruding portion, the protruding portions and the depressed portions on a surface of the plate member forming the predetermined irregular pattern to form an irregular pattern similar to the predetermined irregular pattern on the other surface of the plate member.

4. A heat exchange unit comprising:

a first plurality of heat exchanger plates according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the plate members of each of said plates having any one of a rectangular and a square shape with side edges along which main projections or ridges of projections extend parallel or perpendicular to the side edges of the plate members, forming the predetermined irregular pattern;

a second set of plates having a different predetermined irregular pattern that is substantially the same as the predetermined irregular pattern of the first set of plates, but rotated approximately 45 ° relative to the pattern of the first set of plates, the first set of plates and the second set of plates being assembled in varying combinations into a unit.