HK1156391B

HK1156391B - Heat exchanger with heat exchange chambers utilizing respective medium directing members

Info

Publication number: HK1156391B
Application number: HK11109703.6A
Authority: HK
Inventors: M‧尼塔; T‧尼塔
Original assignee: 米库塔伊公司
Priority date: 2008-04-21
Filing date: 2009-04-20
Publication date: 2017-01-06

Description

Heat exchanger with heat exchange chambers using corresponding medium guiding elements

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to heat exchangers, and more particularly to tube and chamber arrangements for conveying a heat exchange medium.

Background

Heat exchangers are commonly used in systems where heat removal is desired. Typically the basic heat exchanger is made of tubes that conduct the heat exchange medium. A header or manifold is attached to each end of the tubes. These headers and manifolds function as reservoirs for the heat exchange medium. The efficiency of a tube heat exchanger is limited by the amount of surface area available for heat transfer.

To increase surface area, some heat exchangers (e.g., condensers) incorporate a "tube and fin" design. Such heat exchangers generally include flat tubes through which a fluid flows and a plurality of fins extending between the tubes. The fins are attached to the tubes to effectively increase the surface area of the tubes, thereby improving the heat exchange capacity of the tubes. Many tubes and fins may be stacked on top of each other, which leaves small openings to provide air passages between them. In another tube and fin design, the tubes may have a serpentine design, thus eliminating the need for headers or manifolds, as the tubes are bent back and forth into an "S" shape to produce a similar effect. Typical applications of this type of heat exchanger, in addition to a condenser, are evaporators, oil coolers and heater cores. The tube and fin design is also used in the radiator of a vehicle. Outside the automotive field, tube and fin designs are used in industrial oil coolers, compression oil coolers and other similar applications requiring high efficiency heat exchangers.

In another effort, greater heat exchange has been produced by using very thin flat tubes of increased surface area with a staggered internal rib structure. This type of heat exchanger is similar to the tube and fin design in that the fins are combined with flattened tubes, but in this particular type of heat exchanger, the flattened tubes include alternating interior chambers formed by internal rib structures. These internal rib structures help to improve the heat exchange performance of the heat exchanger. To further improve the heat transfer efficiency, the thickness of the tube is made thinner. As a result, the components are lighter in weight, thereby making the overall heat exchanger lighter in weight. However, pressure resistance is reduced and thinner tubes are more prone to failure. Furthermore, the assembly process is complicated due to the fragile nature of the components. In addition, the inner chamber is prone to clogging during the manufacturing process, especially if brazing is used. The complexity of the extrusion process may cause high costs and higher failure rates. Furthermore, by employing internal chambers inside the flat tubes to aid in heat dissipation, the overall cost of the heat exchange system may be higher, as more powerful compressors may be necessary to move the heat exchange medium through the smaller openings of the tubes. Conversely, if a more powerful compressor is not applied, then additional tubes may be required to obtain the desired heat exchange performance, since the smaller tubes significantly reduce the flow of the heat exchange medium. The additional tubes will increase the overall cost of the heat exchange system. Currently, this type of heat exchanger is used in applications requiring high heat exchange capacity, for example, a condenser of an air conditioner of an automobile.

A variation of the tube-based heat exchanger includes stacking flat ribbed plates. When stacked on top of each other, these ribbed plates form chambers for conveying a heat exchange medium. Essentially, this type of heat exchanger performs essentially the same function as a tube and fin type heat exchanger, but is manufactured differently. This type of heat exchanger is usually implemented by modern evaporators.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention is a reinforced tube for heat exchange applications comprising a flow tube (flowtube) and a chamber. A flow line is connected to the chamber. One end of the flow line may be connected to a header or manifold. The heat exchange medium flows from the header or manifold into the flow tubes. The heat exchange medium then flows into the chamber. The heat exchange medium then flows from the chamber into another flow tube connected to another header or manifold.

In one embodiment of the invention, flow lines and chambers of a heat exchanger, such as for a condenser, evaporator, radiator, etc., are provided. The heat exchanger may also be a heater core, an intercooler, or an oil cooler for automotive applications (i.e., steering, drive train, engine, etc.) as well as non-automotive applications. An advantage of the present invention is that the contact surface area of the heat exchange medium for heat dissipation is larger over a shorter distance than in conventional heat exchangers. Therefore, the efficiency of the heat exchanger is improved. Another advantage of the present invention is that the total length and weight of the reinforcement tubes for heat exchange applications can be smaller than in conventional heat exchangers, which in turn ensures lower overall costs due to less raw materials and requires less packaging. In addition, the smaller footprint of the present invention facilitates use in space-constrained applications. Yet another advantage of the present invention over conventional heat exchangers is that the manufacturing process may be simpler because the present invention requires fewer fragile components and fewer manufacturing steps. The entire unit may be brazed together, or any portion of the unit may be brazed first, and then additional components may be brazed or brazed together.

In another embodiment of the invention, more than one chamber may be used, which will further increase the surface area of the enhanced tubes for the heat exchanger. Furthermore, the first chamber may be directly connected to the other chamber.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the tube size may vary from chamber to chamber, and if more than one chamber is used, the size of the chambers may vary from one chamber to the next.

In another embodiment of the invention, each chamber may distribute the heat exchange medium throughout the chamber, which further improves the heat exchange capacity of the invention. Furthermore, each chamber may also be mixed with a heat exchange medium.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, each chamber may comprise a medium directing element and a medium redirecting element which direct and redirect the heat exchange medium in a specific direction through the chamber.

In another embodiment of the invention, the inner surface of the tube may feature indentations to increase the surface area. Furthermore, in yet another embodiment of the present invention, the inner surface of the chamber may also feature indentations to increase the surface area. In another embodiment of the invention, the redirecting element may also feature a score.

In another embodiment of the invention, the combination of tubes and chambers may be repeated and there may be multiple rows of assemblies of tubes and chambers depending on the particular application. Several tubes and chamber units may be attached to a header or manifold. There may be a plurality of tubes and chambers arranged in rows of units attached to headers or manifolds to improve the overall performance of the heat exchanger.

In some embodiments, the chamber has a larger diameter than the inlet and outlet of the chamber. In other embodiments, the chamber has a larger diameter than the inlet of the chamber, but may have the same diameter as the outlet. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the chamber may have a larger diameter than the outlet of the chamber, but may have the same diameter as the inlet.

In still other embodiments, the chamber has at least one dimension that is larger than the tube. For example, the chamber may have a greater fluid capacity, perimeter, or surface area. The ratio of the specific dimensions between the tube and the chamber may be 1: 1.1; 1: 1.5; or any other suitable ratio.

The tube and chamber may be made of aluminum, with or without cladding. The tube and chamber may also be made of stainless steel, copper or other ferrous or non-ferrous materials. The tube and chamber may also be of plastics material or other composite material.

The tube and chamber may be manufactured by stamping, cold forging or machining. The tube and the chamber may be manufactured in one piece or may be manufactured in two separate pieces.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood after reading the subsequent description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tube and chamber shown in operative relationship with a manifold to provide a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A to 2B illustrate two embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2C is a perspective view of the tube and chamber with the media directing insert;

FIG. 3 is a view of a redirect chamber with a redirect member;

FIGS. 4A through 4E illustrate various embodiments of a tube;

FIGS. 5A through 5D illustrate various embodiments of a redirect chamber;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are different views of a heat exchanger of the present invention formed by stacking plates;

FIG. 7 is a cross section of an embodiment of the invention surrounded by a compartment;

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate an embodiment of the present invention showing a media directing element;

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate yet another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate yet another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 illustrates another embodiment of a redirect chamber; and

fig. 13A and 13B illustrate an embodiment using a non-stationary redirection member in the redirection chamber.

Detailed Description

Referring to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a heat exchanger 100 is shown. The heat exchanger 100 includes a manifold 200 matingly engaged with the free ends of the tubes 10, which are brazed to the redirect chamber 20. As shown in fig. 1, the redirect chamber 20 has a greater fluid capacity than the tube 10. The heat exchange medium 50 flows from the outlet 210 of the manifold 200 into the inlet 11 of the tube 10. The heat exchange medium 50 passes through the outlet 19 of the tube 10 into the inlet 21 of the redirect chamber 20. The heat exchange medium 50 then exits the outlet 29 of the redirect chamber 20. The process from the tubes 10 into the redirect chamber 20 may be repeated several times until the heat exchange medium 50 is received by another manifold 202. There may also be several rows of tube 10 and redirect chambers 20 combinations. Furthermore, one embodiment may allow only one tube 10 and one redirect chamber 20. Throughout the period of time that the heat exchange medium 50 is conveyed through the heat exchanger 100, heat from the heat exchange medium 50 is transferred to the environment outside the heat exchanger 100. While not meant to be limiting, common heat exchange media known in the art include various refrigerants (i.e., R-134A), carbon dioxide, butane, oils, gases (e.g., air), mixtures of water and water, and other coolants.

In another embodiment of the heat exchanger 100, the heat exchanger 100 may be used in a reverse method. Instead of the heat exchanger 100 being used to transfer heat from the heat exchange medium 50 to the ambient environment of the heat exchanger 100, the heat exchanger 100 may be used to raise the temperature of the heat exchange medium 50 flowing within the present invention. For example, water at ambient temperature may flow through the tubes 10 and the chamber 20 of the heat exchanger 100, wherein the environment surrounding the heat exchanger 100 has a temperature higher than the temperature of the water. Continuing the example, heat from the environment surrounding the heat exchanger 100 is transferred to the water, thereby raising the temperature of the water. An example of this embodiment may be (and is not meant to be limited to) a water heater.

Referring to fig. 2A, the interior of the tube 10 is hollow, which allows for the flow of a heat exchange medium 50. The tube 10 is fitted to the redirect chamber 20. The redirect chamber 20 houses a media directing insert 30. A media guide insert 30 is positioned in the intersection space between the tube 10 and the redirect chamber 20. The heat exchange medium 50 flows through the tubes 10 until the heat exchange medium 50 flows into contact with the medium directing insert 30. The media guide insert 30 guides the heat exchange media 50 to the interior of the redirect chamber 20. According to the present embodiment, the heat exchange medium 50 is distributed throughout the redirect chamber 20, and heat is transferred from the heat exchange medium 50 to the redirect chamber 20.

Referring to FIG. 3, one embodiment of the redirect chamber 20 is shown. A redirect member 28 is attached to the redirect chamber 20. In this embodiment, the redirection member 28 is attached to the inner wall of the redirection chamber 20. Although not meant to be limiting, in fig. 3, the redirection member 28 is fixed at an angle. In addition, other embodiments may secure the redirection member 28 vertically inside the redirection chamber 20, that is, the redirection member 28 is at a 90 degree angle.

Referring to fig. 2B, the interior of the tube 10 is hollow, which allows the flow of the heat exchange medium 50. The tube 10 is fitted to the redirect chamber 20. The redirect chamber 20 houses a media directing insert 30. A media guide insert 30 is positioned in the intersection space between the tube 10 and the redirect chamber 20. The heat exchange medium 50 flows through the tubes 10 until the heat exchange medium 50 flows into contact with the medium directing insert 30. The media guide insert 30 guides the heat exchange media 50 to the interior of the redirect chamber 20. According to the embodiment of fig. 2B, the redirection member 28 directs the heat exchange medium 50 in a particular direction within the redirection chamber 20 and heat is transferred from the heat exchange medium 50 to the redirection chamber 20.

Referring to fig. 2C, a perspective view of tube 10 and chamber 20 is shown. The interior of the tube 10 is hollow, which allows for the flow of a heat exchange medium 50, the direction of flow being illustrated by the arrows. The tube 10 is fitted to the redirect chamber 20. The redirect chamber 20 houses a media directing insert 30. A media guide insert 30 is positioned in the intersection space between the tube 10 and the redirect chamber 20. The heat exchange medium 50 flows through the tubes 10 until the heat exchange medium 50 flows into contact with the medium directing insert 30. The media guide insert 30 guides the heat exchange media 50 to the interior of the redirect chamber 20. According to the present embodiment, the heat exchange medium 50 is distributed throughout the redirect chamber 20, and heat is transferred from the heat exchange medium 50 to the redirect chamber 20.

Referring to fig. 4A, in the illustrated embodiment, the tube 10 is hollow and circular. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4B, the tube 10 is hollow and non-circular in shape. In yet another embodiment, as shown in fig. 4C, ribs 18 are placed inside the tube 10 to improve heat exchange performance, the ribs 18 dividing the area inside the tube 10 into smaller compartments for conveying the heat exchange medium 50. Fig. 4D illustrates an embodiment of the tube 10 in which the tube wall 12 includes an extension 14. Fig. 4E illustrates another embodiment of the tube 10 having tube fins 16 covering the outer surface of the tube 10.

Referring to fig. 5A, in the illustrated embodiment, the redirect chamber 20 is hollow and circular. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5B, the redirect chamber 20 is hollow and non-circular in shape. Fig. 5C illustrates an embodiment of the redirect chamber 20 having an inward score 22 and an outward score 24. Fig. 5D illustrates another embodiment of the redirect chamber 20 with chamber fins 26 covering the outer surface of the redirect chamber 20. Although not meant to be limiting, the diameter of the inlet 21 of the redirect chamber 20 is less than the overall diameter of the redirect chamber 20. Furthermore, the diameter of the outlet 29 of the redirect chamber 20 will be smaller than the overall diameter of the redirect chamber 20.

The embodiment of the tube 10 shown in fig. 4A-4E may be mated with the embodiment of the redirect chamber 20 shown in fig. 5A-5D in various combinations. Additional tube fins 16 and chamber fins 26 or other material may be attached to the outer surface of the tube 10 or redirect chamber 20 and the additional material need not be attached to the entire length of the tube 10. The tube 10 and redirect chamber 20 near the inlet end of the present invention may have additional material characteristics. Other embodiments of the tube and the chamber, not depicted, may also be combined and the invention is not limited to said embodiments.

Referring to fig. 6A and 6B, another embodiment of a heat exchanger is shown. The plate 600 includes at least one aperture 610 through the thickness of the plate 600. On one side of the plate 600, and centered on the hole 610, a cavity 620 is formed in the plate 600 without completely penetrating the plate 600, the cavity 620 having a diameter larger than that of the hole 610. One end of the media guide insert 30 is attached to the outer edge of the cavity 620 and the opposite end of the media guide insert 30 is attached to the inner edge of the cavity 620. When a plate 600a is stacked on another plate 600b and the holes 610 are aligned, the holes 610 create tubular segments and the cavities 620 create chambers. The heat exchange medium 50 may flow through the holes 610 into the cavity 620, where the heat exchange medium 50 encounters the medium directing insert 30 within the cavity 620, the medium directing insert 30 reintroducing the heat exchange medium 50 into the cavity 620, the direction of flow being illustrated by the arrows.

Referring to fig. 7, another embodiment of a heat exchanger is shown. The compartment 700 surrounds the tube and chamber combination 710. The compartment 700 has an inlet 701 and an outlet 702. The compartment 700 directs the airflow 750 around the tube and chamber combination 710 while the heat exchange medium 50 flows through the tube and chamber combination 710. According to this embodiment, heat transfer is further facilitated by the movement of the airflow 750 across the tube and chamber combination 710.

Referring to fig. 8A and 8B, one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The chambers 20 are directly connected to one another 20, each housing a redirection element 28. In each chamber 20, the redirection members 28 redirect the heat exchange medium 50 throughout the chamber 20. The arrows illustrate how the heat exchange medium 50 is redirected according to the illustrated embodiment.

Referring to fig. 9A, a cross-section of another embodiment of the present invention is shown. The chamber 20 is connected to the tube 10 and the tube 10 is connected to another chamber 20. In the present embodiment, each chamber 20 houses a redirection element 28, in this embodiment, the redirection element 28 is attached to the inner surface of the chamber 20. The redirection member 28 allows the heat exchange medium to pass through a plurality of holes 90 in the redirection member 28. The arrows illustrate how the heat exchange medium 50 is redirected according to the illustrated embodiment. Referring to FIG. 9B, one embodiment of a redirection member 28 is shown. The redirection member 28 includes an opening 90 that allows the heat exchange medium 50 to pass through.

Referring to fig. 10A, a cross-section of yet another embodiment of the present invention is shown. The chamber 20 is connected to the tube 10 and the tube 10 is connected to another chamber 20. In this embodiment, each chamber 20 may house a redirection element 28, in this embodiment, the redirection element 28 is attached at some point to the inner surface of the chamber 20, which exits the opening 91 along the inner surface of the chamber 20. The redirection member 28 allows the heat exchange medium 50 to pass through a plurality of holes 90 in the redirection member 28. The arrows illustrate how the heat exchange medium 50 is redirected according to the illustrated embodiment. Referring to FIG. 10B, one embodiment of a redirection member 28 is shown. The redirecting element 28 comprises an opening 91 that allows the heat exchange medium 50 to pass through the redirecting element 28.

Referring to fig. 11A, a cross-section of yet another embodiment of the present invention is shown. The tube 10 is matingly engaged to the redirect chamber 20. The redirect chamber 20 houses a media directing insert 30. The media guide insert 30 is secured within the intersection space between the tube 10 and the redirect chamber 20. The chamber 20 is connected to the tube 10 and the tube 10 is connected to another chamber 20. In the present embodiment, each chamber 20 has a score 92 in the chamber wall. The arrows illustrate how the heat exchange medium 50 may be directed according to the illustrated embodiment. Referring to fig. 11B, an embodiment of a wall of the chamber 20 is shown. The walls of the chamber 20 include indentations 92 that redirect and mix the passing heat exchange medium 50 as the heat exchange medium 50 flows through the chamber 20.

Referring to fig. 12, in combination with any of the above embodiments, the redirect chamber 20 need not be cylindrical, and other embodiments may be shaped as a cube (with different proportions of height, length, and width dimensions) or other geometric shapes.

Fig. 13A and 13B illustrate an embodiment of the invention in which the redirection members 28 are not secured to the inner surface of the chamber 20. The arrows illustrate how the heat exchange medium 50 may be directed according to the illustrated embodiment. By way of example, the redirection member 28 may be a ball bearing or a combination of a plurality of ball bearings that participate in the mixing and agitation process inside the chamber 20, as indicated by the arrows in fig. 13, which assists the heat exchange process. The invention is not limited to the use of ball bearings in the chamber, as other non-fixed redirection elements may be used alone or in combination with each other for obtaining a higher heat exchange efficiency, e.g. redirection elements that are moved to a specific position by contact with a heat exchange medium.

The chamber typically has at least one dimension that is larger than the tube. For example, the chamber may have a greater fluid capacity, perimeter, or surface area. The ratio of the particular dimensions between the tube and the chamber may be 1: 1.1, 1: 1.5, or any other ratio.

The tube and chamber may be made of aluminum, with or without cladding. The tube and chamber may also be made of stainless steel, copper or other ferrous or non-ferrous materials. The tube and chamber may also be of plastics material or other composite material. Also, the redirecting element may be made of aluminum, either with or without cladding. The redirecting element may also be made of stainless steel, copper or other ferrous or non-ferrous materials. The redirecting element may also be a plastic material or other composite material. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention allow for a tube made of a different material than the material used for the chamber, and the redirecting element may be made of a different material than the material used for the chamber and the tube. If more than one redirecting element is used in embodiments of the invention, one redirecting element may be made of a different material than another redirecting element. The redirecting elements may also have different shapes from each other. Furthermore, in embodiments using more than one redirection element, one or more redirection elements may be fixed to the inner wall of the chamber and another redirection element may be free to move around inside the redirection chamber.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner. The term "redirect" means to change the direction or course of the heat exchange medium, or to block its progress, even with minimal differences in angle or velocity. It is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.

Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.

Claims

1. A heat exchange chamber comprising:

first and second generally parallel walls defining a chamber interior, the first wall having an inlet in fluid communication with the chamber interior for receiving a heat exchange medium flowing in a first flow direction on an initial flow line; and the second wall having an outlet in fluid communication with the chamber interior for outputting a heat exchange medium in a first flow direction; and

a media guide element arranged to provide a first inclined surface across the inlet and a second inclined surface across the outlet inside the chamber,

wherein the first wall extends radially outwardly in all directions from a first central region surrounding the inlet to an outer region defining the periphery of the chamber interior, and the second wall extends radially outwardly in all directions from a second central region surrounding the outlet to an outer region defining the periphery of the chamber interior to provide first and second medium contacting surfaces, respectively, each of which is substantially planar and substantially perpendicular to the first flow direction,

wherein the chamber wall, the inlet, the outlet and the medium directing element are configured and arranged to flow the medium into the inlet in the first flow direction:

to impinge on the first inclined surface of the medium directing element, whereby the medium is directed to flow in a second flow direction along a first substantially straight section in the chamber interior, the second flow direction being substantially perpendicular to the first flow direction,

flowing inside the chamber in first and second opposite generally semicircular flow paths, the first generally semicircular flow path including a first generally straight segment in a second flow direction, a first curved segment bounded in the second flow direction by a top periphery of the interior of the chamber and a second generally straight segment, and the second generally semicircular flow path including a first generally straight segment in the second flow direction, a second curved segment bounded in the second flow direction by a bottom periphery of the interior of the chamber and a second generally straight segment, and

to impinge on the second inclined surface of the media-directing element such that the media is diverted at the termination of the second substantially straight segment of the first and second substantially semicircular flow paths to flow in the first flow direction through the outlet, and

wherein the chamber wall, the inlet, the outlet and the media guide element are further configured and arranged such that the first and second substantially straight segments are axially aligned with each other in the second flow direction on opposite sides of the media guide element.

2. A heat exchange chamber according to claim 1, wherein each of the first inclined surface of the medium directing element across the inlet and the second inclined surface of the medium directing element across the outlet is a single planar surface that is non-parallel to each of the first and second flow directions.

3. A heat exchange chamber according to claim 1 or 2, the inlet and the outlet being axially aligned along an initial flow path, and the centre of the initial flow path intersecting a line joining the centres of the first and second substantially straight sections at a point on or in the media directing element.

4. A heat exchange chamber according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the chamber interior has a substantially cylindrical shape.

5. A heat exchange chamber according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least a portion of at least one of the chamber walls extends beyond the chamber interior in a radial direction.

6. A heat exchange chamber according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising at least one redirection element arranged inside the chamber for assisting the dispersion of the medium inside the chamber.

7. A heat exchange chamber according to claim 6, wherein the redirection element is achieved by a score in at least one of the chamber walls.

8. A heat exchange chamber according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heat exchange chamber is realized by a plate, the chamber interior being formed by a cavity within the plate, the cavity being centered on the hole and having a diameter larger than the diameter of the hole, and the inlet being formed by a hole in the plate.

9. A heat exchange assembly comprising:

a plurality of tubular segments for conveying heat exchange medium in a first flow direction on an initial flow line; and

a plurality of heat exchange chambers joined between adjacent pairs of the tubular segments, each of the heat exchange chambers comprising:

10. A heat exchange assembly according to claim 9, wherein each of the first inclined surface of the media directing element across the inlet and the second inclined surface of the media directing element across the outlet is a single planar surface that is non-parallel to each of the first and second flow directions.

11. A heat exchange assembly according to claim 9 or 10, the inlet and the outlet being axially aligned along an initial flow path, and the centre of the initial flow path intersecting a line joining the centres of the first and second substantially straight sections at a point on or in the media directing element.

12. A heat exchange assembly according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the chamber interior has a substantially cylindrical shape.

13. A heat exchange assembly according to claim 9 or 10, wherein at least a portion of at least one of the chamber walls extends beyond the chamber interior in a radial direction.

14. A heat exchange assembly according to claim 9 or 10, further comprising at least one re-directing element disposed inside the chamber for assisting in the dispersion of the medium inside the chamber.

15. A heat exchange assembly according to claim 14, wherein the redirection element is achieved by a score in at least one of the chamber walls.

16. A heat exchanger, comprising:

a first reservoir having a plurality of outlets;

a second reservoir having a plurality of inlets, each of the inlets in the second reservoir corresponding to one of the outlets in the first reservoir; and

a plurality of heat exchange assemblies, each of the assemblies comprising:

a plurality of sets of tubular segments for conveying heat exchange medium from the first reservoir to the second reservoir, each set of tubular segments being arranged between one of the outlets of the first reservoir and a corresponding inlet in the second reservoir for conveying the medium in a first flow direction on a respective initial flow line; and

a plurality of heat exchange chambers joined between adjacent pairs of the tubular segments on respective initial flow lines, each of the heat exchange chambers comprising:

first and second generally parallel walls defining a chamber interior, the first wall having a chamber inlet in fluid communication with the chamber interior for receiving a heat exchange medium flowing in a first flow direction on an initial flow line; and the second wall having a chamber outlet in fluid communication with the chamber interior for outputting a heat exchange medium in a first flow direction; and

a media guide element arranged to provide a first inclined surface across the chamber inlet and a second inclined surface across the chamber outlet inside the chamber,

wherein the first wall extends radially outwardly in all directions from a first central region surrounding the chamber inlet to an outer region defining the periphery of the chamber interior, and the second wall extends radially outwardly in all directions from a second central region surrounding the chamber outlet to an outer region defining the periphery of the chamber interior to provide first and second media contact surfaces, respectively, each of which is substantially planar and substantially perpendicular to the first flow direction,

wherein the chamber wall, the chamber inlet, the chamber outlet and the medium guiding element are arranged to flow the medium into the chamber inlet in the first flow direction:

to impinge on the second inclined surface of the medium directing element such that the medium is diverted at the termination of the second substantially straight section of the first and second substantially semicircular flow paths to flow in the first flow direction through the chamber outlet, and

wherein the chamber wall, the chamber inlet, the chamber outlet and the media guide element are further arranged such that the first and second substantially straight sections are axially aligned with each other in the second flow direction on opposite sides of the media guide element.

17. A heat exchanger according to claim 16, wherein each of the first inclined surface of the medium directing element across the chamber inlet and the second inclined surface of the medium directing element across the chamber outlet is a single planar surface that is non-parallel to each of the first and second flow directions.

18. A heat exchanger according to claim 16 or 17, the chamber inlet and the chamber outlet being axially aligned along an initial flow path, and the centre of the respective initial flow paths intersecting a line joining the centres of the first and second substantially straight sections at a point on or in the media directing element.

19. A heat exchanger according to claim 16 or 17 wherein the chamber interior has a generally cylindrical shape.

20. A heat exchanger according to claim 16 or 17, wherein at least a portion of at least one of the chamber walls extends beyond the chamber interior in a radial direction.

21. A heat exchanger according to claim 16 or 17, further comprising at least one redirecting element arranged inside the chamber for assisting the dispersion of the medium inside the chamber.

22. A heat exchanger according to claim 21, wherein the redirection element is realized by a score in at least one of the walls.