Lightweight flow heat exchanger

Abstract

A heat exchanger is disclosed for the exhaust gas train of a motor vehicle with an exhaust gas carrying exchanger tube that is formed separately and is disposed in a closed housing formed separately, a coolant flowing through the housing and around the outer side of the exchanger tube. The housing forms at least one housing cover and one housing case, the housing case being tightly closed by the housing cover. Both ends of the exchanger tube are conducted for gas and liquid tight connection through the housing cover so that the inlet and the outlet of the exchanger tube are disposed outside of the housing.

1 . A heat exchanger for an exhaust gas system of a motor vehicle comprising:
 a closed housing including at least one housing cover and one housing case, wherein the housing case is enclosed by the housing cover; and   an exhaust gas carrying exchanger tube disposed in the housing, an outer surface of the exchanger tube forming a substantially fluid tight seal with the housing and a first end and a second end of the exchanger tube are disposed outside of the housing wherein a coolant flows through the housing and around an outer surface of the exchanger tube.   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the exchanger tube is made from a corrosion and heat resistant, substantially flexible material. 
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the housing cover is produced from a material of the same material as the exchanger tube. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the housing case is produced from one of a castable material and a material that is deep-drawn. 
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the housing case is formed as a cast part. 
     
     
         6 . The heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein a seal is disposed between the housing case and the housing cover. 
     
     
         7 . The heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the seal is produced from an elastic material. 
     
     
         8 . The heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the housing cover and the housing case are separate parts joined together by means of mechanical retaining means. 
     
     
         9 . The heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the housing cover forms an interface for connecting the heat exchanger to the exhaust gas system of the motor vehicle. 
     
     
         10 . The heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the exchanger tube is substantially made from one piece between points at which the exchanger tube forms a seal with the housing. 
     
     
         11 . The heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the exchanger tube is curved in a substantially U-shape between points at which the exchanger tube forms a seal with the housing. 
     
     
         12 . The heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of exchanger tubes disposed in the housing, the tubes forming a bundle connected in parallel in terms of fluid flow. 
     
     
         13 . The heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the flow paths of the exchanger tubes have no contact to each other between respective inlets and outlets. 
     
     
         14 . The heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the exchanger tube is a smooth-walled tube. 
     
     
         15 . The heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the exchanger tube is a swirl tube. 
     
     
         16 . The heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the heat exchanger tube is widened in spirals. 
     
     
         17 . The heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 16 , a winding distance of the spirals is between 1 and 15 millimeters. 
     
     
         18 . The heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein a depth of the spirals is between 1 and 20% of an outer diameter of the exchanger tube. 
     
     
         19 . The heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein a flow path extends in the exchanger tube, the flow path running as a winding flow path at least inside the housing and including an angle of rotation of at least 135°. 
     
     
         20 . The heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the exchanger tube has an outer diameter between 1 and 15 millimeters.