Heat exchange apparatus

Abstract

A heat exchange apparatus comprises a heat exchanging portion being disposed so as to surround the outer peripheral surface of a columnar or cylindrical heat exchange target, wherein the heat exchanging portion comprises therein a hollow space for passing heat medium therethrough and is so flexible as to expand toward at least the inner peripheral side by pressure of the heat medium. Heat medium is fed to the heat exchanging portion by a pump. By introducing the heat medium into the heat exchanging portion, the heat exchanging portion expands toward the inner peripheral side, and an inner surface of the heat exchanging portion close contacts with the outer peripheral surface of the heat exchange target, thereby greatly enhancing the heat transfer efficiency. When using a hydrogen storage/discharge container in which hydrogen storage alloy is accommodated as the heat exchange target, hydrogen storage or discharge can be efficiently carried out.

1 . A heat exchange apparatus comprising a heat exchanging portion being disposed so as to surround an outer peripheral surface of a heat exchange target, 
 wherein the heat exchanging portion comprises therein a hollow space for passing heat medium therethrough and is so flexible as to expand toward at least an inner peripheral side thereof by pressure of the heat medium.    
   
   
       2 . The heat exchange apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanging portion is designed in a shape of a tube so as to be wound around the outer peripheral surface of the heat exchange target.  
   
   
       3 . The heat exchange apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanging portion is designed in a cylindrical shape so as to surround the outer peripheral surface of the heat exchange target.  
   
   
       4 . The heat exchange apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchange target is designed to be circular in outer peripheral cross section.  
   
   
       5 . The heat exchange apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a cylindrical case for supporting the heat exchanging portion is provided at the outer peripheral side of the heat exchanging portion.  
   
   
       6 . The heat exchange apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchange target is a hydrogen storage/discharge container in which hydrogen storage alloy is accommodated.  
   
   
       7 . The heat exchange apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanging portion is disposed so as to surround the outer peripheral surface of a columnar or cylindrical heat exchange target.  
   
   
       8 . The heat exchange apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanging portion expands toward at least the inner peripheral side thereof so as to contact with the outer periphery surface of the heat exchange target by pressure of the heat medium.  
   
   
       9 . The heat exchange apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanging portion is disposed at an inner diameter which is larger than an outer diameter of the heat exchange target.