Flow Deflector

Abstract

The present invention is a flow deflector suitable for a heat exchanger of the type consisting of at least one core made up of tubes forming a bundle arranged inside a shell and at least one baffle. The deflector according to the invention is an easily manufactured part independent from the construction of the bundle of tubes and of the baffle which allows modifying the coolant fluid or liquid flow path with greater freedom than that achieved by combining internal openings in the baffle or baffles. Another object of this invention is the heat exchanger obtained using the deflector for optimising coolant liquid flow path. The application of the invention in heat exchangers for EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) systems is of special interest.

1 . A flow deflector suitable for a heat exchanger comprising at least one core made up of tubes forming a bundle ( 2 ) arranged inside a shell and at least one baffle, such that said deflector comprises:
 a main body ( 1 ) extending along an X-X direction,   a plurality of at least three fixing elongations ( 1 . 2 ,  1 . 3 ) protruding transversely with respect to the X-X direction of the main body ( 1 ) defining a main plane (P) containing the X-X direction, wherein such fixing elongations ( 1 . 2 ,  1 . 3 ) define two groups, a first group of fixing elongations ( 1 . 2 ) and a second group of fixing elongations ( 1 . 3 ) such that the first group of fixing elongations ( 1 . 2 ) is distributed along the X-X direction and located on one side of the main plane (P); and wherein the second group of fixing elongations ( 1 . 3 ) is distributed along the X-X direction in positions different from the positions of the elongations of the first group of fixing elongations ( 1 . 2 ) and located on the opposite side of the main plane (P), wherein each of the elongations ( 1 . 2 ,  1 . 3 ) is arranged at least in a sector away from the main plane (P) defining a housing (H) such that the set of housings (H) of the elongations ( 1 . 2 ,  1 . 3 ) is suitable for housing a sector of baffle ( 2 . 2 ) of the heat exchanger ( 2 ) for fixing the flow deflector ( 1 ), and   deflecting extensions ( 1 . 2 . 2 ,  1 . 3 . 2 ,  1 . 5 ) suitable for being located in the spaces located between the tubes ( 2 . 1 ) of the core made up of tubes of the heat exchanger ( 2 ) and suitable for modifying the coolant flow path.   
     
     
         2 . The deflector according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the fixing elongations ( 1 . 2 ,  1 . 3 ) are distributed in groups of 3 elongations, two elongations belonging to one of the first or second group of fixing elongations ( 1 . 2 ) and one belonging to the other of the first or second group of fixing elongations ( 1 . 3 ). 
     
     
         3 . The deflector according to  claim 1  or  2 , characterised in that the deflecting extensions ( 1 . 2 . 2 ,  1 . 3 . 2 ) are extensions of the fixing elongations ( 1 . 2 ,  1 . 3 ). 
     
     
         4 . The deflector according to  claim 3 , characterised in that the transition between at least one fixing elongation ( 1 . 2 ,  1 . 3 ) and the deflecting extension ( 1 . 2 . 2 ,  1 . 3 . 2 ) is by means of a step ( 1 . 2 . 1 ,  1 . 3 . 1 ) suitable to allow resting on the edge of the baffle ( 2 . 2 ) arranged inside the bundle ( 2 ) of tubes ( 2 . 1 ) of the heat exchanger ( 1 ). 
     
     
         5 . The deflector according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the main body ( 1 ) extends by means of a resistant bridge ( 1 . 4 ) to one side of the plane (P) and in a direction transverse to the X-X direction such that at the end of said resistant bridge ( 1 . 4 ) there are located deflecting extensions ( 1 . 5 ) being orientated such that in the operating position they are located in the spaces between the tubes of the bundle ( 2 ) of tubes ( 2 . 1 ) of the heat exchanger ( 2 ). 
     
     
         6 . The deflector according to  claim 5 , characterised in that the deflecting extensions ( 1 . 5 ) are inclined with respect to the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the resistant bridge ( 1 . 4 ) extends. 
     
     
         7 . The deflector according to  claim 5 , characterised in that the deflecting extensions ( 1 . 5 ) are elongated by means of reinforcement ribs to the group of fixing elongations ( 1 . 2 ,  1 . 3 ) arranged on the side of the plane (P) coinciding with the side to where the resistant bridge ( 1 . 4 ) extends. 
     
     
         8 . The deflector according to  claim 5 , characterised in that the main body ( 1 ) comprises a channel ( 1 . 6 ) arranged in the X-X direction suitable for housing the edge of the baffle ( 2 . 2 ). 
     
     
         9 . The deflector according to  claim 1 , characterised in that one or more deflecting extensions ( 1 . 2 . 2 ,  1 . 3 . 2 ,  1 . 5 ) has a reinforced sector for fitting in the space between the tubes. 
     
     
         10 . The deflector according to  claim 5 , characterised in that the end arranged deflecting extensions ( 1 . 2 . 2 ,  1 . 3 . 2 ,  1 . 5 ) have a reinforced sector ( 1 . 5 . 1 ) for resting on the outer surface of the bundle ( 2 ) of tubes ( 2 . 1 ). 
     
     
         11 . A heat exchanger comprising at least one core made up of tubes ( 2 . 1 ) forming a bundle ( 2 ) arranged inside a shell for the circulation of a coolant fluid between the bundle ( 2 ) of tubes ( 2 . 1 ) and the shell such that the bundle ( 2 ) comprises at least one baffle ( 2 . 2 ) for maintaining the separation between the tubes of the bundle ( 2 ) of tubes ( 2 . 1 ) this baffle ( 2 . 2 ) being formed, at least on one of its sides, by a plate sector with an edge protruding from the bundle ( 2 ) being extended according to a direction (X-X) transverse to the direction of the tubes of said bundle ( 2 ) and wherein the plate has an opening arranged inside the bundle ( 2 ) for the coolant fluid to pass through it and comprising at least one flow deflector according to  claim 1 .