Heat exchanger

Abstract

The heat exchanger includes a first fluid path unit 10 and a second fluid path unit 9 . The first fluid path unit 10 has at least two return flow paths 26 , in which a first fluid flows, in opposed relation to each other and which are stacked continuously through folded portions 27, 18 . The second fluid path unit 9 with a second fluid flows therein has second fluid paths 22, 23 which are stacked in the stacking direction (Z direction) of the return flow paths 26 through communication units 14 to 19 and which are arranged between the return flow paths 26 . The second fluid paths 22, 23 have U-shaped flow paths in which the second fluid turns back and makes a U turn at an end 13 on the surface substantially perpendicular to Z direction. The communication units 14 to 19 communicating with the U-shaped flow paths are arranged at the other end of the second fluid path unit. Therefore, it is possible to provide a easy to assemble heat exchanger which is able to be produced efficiently.

1 . A heat exchanger comprising: 
 a first fluid path unit including at least two return flow paths, in opposed relation to each other, having a flow path extending in the direction (X direction) in which the first fluid flows toward folded portions and a flow path in which the flow changes the direction at the folded portions, the return flow paths being stacked continuously; and    a second fluid path unit having second fluid paths in which a second fluid flows across the first fluid are stacked through communication units in the same direction as the stacking direction (Z direction) of the return flow paths, and the second fluid paths thus stacked being each arranged between the return flow paths;    wherein the second fluid paths each include a U-shaped flow path in which the second fluid flows in the direction (Y direction) substantially perpendicular to the flow (X direction) of the first fluid on the surface substantially perpendicular to the stacking direction (Z direction), and after turning back at one end of the second fluid path unit, flows in the opposite direction to the substantially perpendicular direction (Y direction), and    wherein the communication units communicate with the U-shaped flow paths and are arranged at the other end of the second fluid path unit.    
   
   
       2 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , 
 wherein the flow paths making up the first fluid path unit are flat tubes having a longitudinal surface extending in the direction (Y direction) of flow of the second fluid between the return flow paths.    
   
   
       3 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 2 , 
 wherein the flat tubes are flat tubes having many bores formed by extrusion molding.    
   
   
       4 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , 
 wherein the size of the gap between the return flow paths making up the first fluid path unit is larger than the size of the return paths in the stacking direction.    
   
   
       5 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , 
 wherein the return flow paths and the second fluid paths are coupled by being brazed to each other.    
   
   
       6 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 5 , 
 wherein the second fluid paths and the first fluid paths are coupled by being brazed to each other by forming a partial joint on the outer surfaces of the flow paths.    
   
   
       7 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 6 , 
 wherein a sacrifice corrosion layer corroded first is formed on the partially formed joint, and a space in contact with the atmosphere is formed at the end portion in the direction (Y direction) substantially perpendicular to the direction (X direction) of flow of the first fluid.    
   
   
       8 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , 
 wherein the second fluid path unit is formed by stacking plate members.    
   
   
       9 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 8 , 
 wherein fins are arranged in the second fluid paths making up the second fluid path unit.    
   
   
       10 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , 
 wherein the second fluid paths are formed of a pipe having a circular section.    
   
   
       11 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , 
 wherein the second fluid paths are configured of flat tubes having a flat surface in opposed relation to the outer surface of the return flow paths.    
   
   
       12 . A heat exchanger comprising: 
 a first fluid path unit including at least two return flow paths, in opposed relation to each other, having a flow path extending in the direction (X direction) in which the first fluid flows toward folded portions and a flow path in which the flow changes the direction at the folded portions, the return flow paths being stacked continuously; and    a second fluid path unit having second fluid paths in which a second fluid flows across the first fluid are stacked through a communication unit in the stacking direction (Z direction) of the return flow paths, and each of the second fluid paths stacked being each arranged between the return flow paths;    wherein the second fluid paths each include a U-shaped flow path in which the second fluid flows in the direction (Y direction) substantially perpendicular to the flow (X direction) of the first fluid, and after changing the direction, moving in the stacking direction (Z direction) and turning back at one end of the second fluid path unit, flows in the opposite direction to the substantially perpendicular direction (Y direction), and    wherein the communication units communicate with the U-shaped flow paths and are arranged at the other end of the second fluid path unit.    
   
   
       13 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 12 , 
 wherein the flow paths making up the first fluid path unit are flat tubes having a longitudinal surface extending in the direction (Y direction) of flow of the second fluid between the return flow paths.    
   
   
       14 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 13 , 
 wherein the flat tubes are flat tubes having many bores formed by extrusion molding.    
   
   
       15 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 12 , 
 wherein the size of the gap between the return flow paths making up the first fluid path unit is larger than the size of the return flow paths in the stacking direction.    
   
   
       16 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 12 , 
 wherein the return flow paths and the second fluid paths are coupled by being brazed to each other.    
   
   
       17 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 16 , 
 wherein the second fluid paths and the first fluid paths are coupled by being brazed to each other by forming a partial joint on the outer surfaces of the flow paths.    
   
   
       18 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 17 , 
 wherein a sacrifice corrosion layer adapted to be corroded first is formed on the partially formed joint, and at least a space in contact with the atmosphere is formed at the end portion in the direction (Y direction) substantially perpendicular to the direction (X direction) of flow of the first fluid.    
   
   
       19 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 12 , 
 wherein the second fluid path unit is formed by stacking plate members.    
   
   
       20 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 19 , 
 wherein fins are arranged in the second fluid paths making up the second fluid path unit.    
   
   
       21 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 12 , 
 wherein a partitioning member is arranged in the second fluid paths and a U-shaped flow path with the flow turned back before and after the partitioning member is formed.    
   
   
       22 . A heat exchanger comprising: 
 a first fluid path unit including at least two return flow paths, in opposed relation to each other, having a flow path extending in the direction (X direction) in which the first fluid flows toward folded portions and a flow path in which the flow changes the direction at the folded portions, the return flow paths being stacked continuously;    a second fluid path making up U-shaped second fluid paths arranged between the return paths and having a first flow path in which the second fluid crossing the first fluid flows in from inlets and flows in the direction (counter Y direction) substantially perpendicular to the flow (X direction) of the first fluid and a second flow path turned back to change the direction of flow and reaches outlets, the first and second flow paths being in opposed relation to each other; and    a fold member having a second fluid inlet and a second fluid outlet and connected to the inlets and the outlets;    wherein the second fluid inlet and the second fluid outlet communicate with each other through all the second fluid paths connected to the fold member.    
   
   
       23 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 22 , 
 wherein the flow paths making up the first fluid path unit are flat tubes having a longitudinal surface extending in the direction (Y direction) in which the second fluid flows between the return flow paths.    
   
   
       24 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 23 , 
 wherein the flat tubes are flat tubes having many bores formed by extrusion molding.    
   
   
       25 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 22 , 
 wherein the size of the gap between the return flow paths making up the first fluid path unit is larger than the size of the return flow paths in the stacking direction.    
   
   
       26 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 22 , 
 wherein the return flow paths and the second fluid paths are coupled by being brazed to each other.    
   
   
       27 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 26 , 
 wherein the second fluid paths and the first fluid paths are coupled by being brazed to each other by forming a partial joint on the outer surface of the flow paths.    
   
   
       28 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 27 , 
 wherein a sacrifice corrosion layer adapted to be corroded first is formed on the partially formed joint, and a space in contact with the atmosphere is formed at the end portion in the direction (Y direction) substantially perpendicular to the direction (X direction) in which the first fluid flows.    
   
   
       29 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 22 , 
 wherein the second fluid paths are configured of flat tubes having a flat surface in opposed relation to the outer surface of the return flow paths.    
   
   
       30 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 22 , 
 wherein the second fluid path is formed of U-shaped flat tubes communicating in stacking direction of the return flow path, and an open end of each of a plurality of the U-shaped flat tubes arranged in the same direction (Z direction) is inserted between the corresponding return flow paths and further connected to the fold member.    
   
   
       31 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 30 , 
 wherein the U-shaped flat tubes are arranged in two rows in the direction (X direction) in which the first fluid flows and the two rows of the U-shaped flat tubes are connected to the fold member at positions staggered in stacking direction (Z direction).