Heat-exchanger device and method for conditioning a working medium

Abstract

The invention relates to a heat-exchanger device ( 99 ), in which a working medium ( 13 ) is conditioned by means of a heat-transfer medium ( 21 ). The conditioning process, which creates a desired working point, is achieved by an exchange of heat between the working medium ( 13 ) and the heat-transfer medium ( 21 ). Heat-transfer surfaces are configured in the heat-exchanger device ( 99 ), said surfaces enabling the exchange of heat in such a way that the two media ( 13, 21 ) remain separate from one another. According to the invention, said device is equipped with a chamber ( 10 ), into which the working medium ( 13 ) flows. The chamber ( 10 ) is penetrated or delimited by at least one conduit ( 20 ), which is traversed by the heat-transfer medium ( 21 ).

1 . A heat exchange device having a working medium and a heat exchange medium, the working medium, with a view to producing a desired working point, exchanging heat with the heat exchange medium via heat exchange surfaces, characterized in that a chamber is formed, working medium flowing into the chamber and the chamber having at least one line passing through it and/or being delimited, in particular surrounded, by at least one line, which line has heat exchange medium flowing through it.  
   
   
       2 . The heat exchange device as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the chamber has at least one line passing through it in the direction of its greatest longitudinal extent.  
   
   
       3 . The heat exchange device as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the at least one line has heat exchange fins.  
   
   
       4 . The heat exchange device as claimed in  claim 3 , characterized in that the heat exchange fins are arranged on the outer side of the line and project into the chamber from the line.  
   
   
       5 . The heat exchange device as claimed in  claim 4 , characterized in that the heat exchange fins are designed to be positioned perpendicularly, in particular to protrude radially, with respect to the direction in which the at least one line runs.  
   
   
       6 . The heat exchange device as claimed in  claim 4 , characterized in that the heat exchange fins are designed to match the direction in which the working medium flows into the chamber.  
   
   
       7 . The heat exchange device as claimed in  claim 4 , characterized in that the heat exchange fins are designed to match the direction in which the working medium flows out of the working chamber.  
   
   
       8 . The heat exchange device as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the at least one line is formed in the region of at least one inflow opening in the chamber.  
   
   
       9 . The heat exchange device as claimed in  claim 8 , characterized in that a plurality of inflow openings are provided, with a line running in the region of each inflow opening.  
   
   
       10 . The heat exchange device as claimed in  claim 9 , characterized in that in each case one common line is assigned to a plurality of inflow openings.  
   
   
       11 . The heat exchange device as claimed in  claim 9 , characterized in that each inflow opening is assigned to a different line.  
   
   
       12 . The heat exchange device as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the at least one line is formed in the region of at least one outflow opening.  
   
   
       13 . The heat exchange device as claimed in  claim 12 , characterized in that a plurality of outflow openings are provided, with a line running in the region of each outflow opening.  
   
   
       14 . The heat exchange device as claimed in  claim 13 , characterized in that in each case one common line is assigned to a plurality of outflow openings.  
   
   
       15 . The heat exchange device as claimed in  claim 13 , characterized in that each outflow opening is assigned a different line.  
   
   
       16 . The heat exchange device as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that each line is assigned at least one inflow opening and at least one outflow opening, preferably at least one and in particular precisely one inflow opening and precisely one outflow opening.  
   
   
       17 . The heat exchange device as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that at least one line which surrounds the chamber is arranged in a wall of the chamber, the wall in particular being provided with heat exchange fins.  
   
   
       18 . The heat exchange device as claimed in  claim 17 , characterized in that heat exchange fins of the wall, together with heat exchange fins of a line passing through the chamber, form means for guiding the flow of the working medium.  
   
   
       19 . The heat exchange device as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the working medium flows through the region provided with heat exchange fins on the flow path from inflow opening to outflow opening.  
   
   
       20 . The heat exchange device as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the chamber forms a storage tank for working medium.  
   
   
       21 . The heat exchange device as claimed in  claim 20 , characterized in that the chamber forms a pressurized reservoir.  
   
   
       22 . The heat exchange device as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the chamber is part of a functional component of a vehicle.  
   
   
       23 . The heat exchange device as claimed in  claim 22 , characterized in that the chamber is an integral part of an engine component, in particular of the exhaust system of an engine, of an exhaust gas recirculation device, of a brake device or of a compressor.  
   
   
       24 . The heat exchange device as claimed in  claim 23 , characterized in that the chamber is formed in the immediate vicinity of the engine block or forms part of the engine block.  
   
   
       25 . The heat exchange device as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the fin height is between 1 mm and approx. 40 mm, and the spacing between the fins is between 0.1 and approx. 20 mm.  
   
   
       26 . A method for conditioning a working medium by means of a heat exchange medium, characterized in that the working medium flows into a chamber and the heat exchange medium flows through at least one line which passes through the chamber.  
   
   
       27 . The method as claimed in  claim 26 , characterized in that the conditioning of the working medium in the chamber takes place at least partially through free convection.  
   
   
       28 . The method as claimed in  claim 26 , characterized in that the working medium, at least when it is flowing into or out of the chamber, flows through a region provided with heat exchange fins.  
   
   
       29 . The method as claimed in  claim 28 , characterized in that the heat exchange fins are oriented in the inflow and/or outflow direction of the working medium.  
   
   
       30 . The method as claimed in  claim 28 , characterized in that the heat exchange fins are oriented in the direction of the profile of a convective flow in the chamber.  
   
   
       31 . The method as claimed in  claim 26 , characterized in that the working medium is stored in the chamber, with the working medium being subjected to pressure in the chamber.  
   
   
       32 . The method as claimed in  claim 26 , characterized in that the working medium is used for operation of an engine or of a brake device of a vehicle.  
   
   
       33 . (canceled)