Heat exchanger comprising a multi-channel distribution element

Abstract

A heat exchanger of the brazed plate and fin type, including a plurality of plates arranged in a mutually parallel manner so as to define at least one set of passages for a first fluid configured to exchange heat with at least a second fluid to flow through, the passages extending in a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, each passage being divided, in the longitudinal direction, into at least one distribution zone and one heat-exchange zone, the at least one distribution zone of a passage comprising a distribution element, said distribution element including a plurality of dividing walls arranged so as to divide said distribution zone into a plurality of channels for the first fluid to flow through.

1 .- 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A heat exchanger of the brazed plate and fin type, comprising:
 a plurality of plates arranged in a mutually parallel manner so as to define at least one set of passages for a first fluid configured to exchange heat with at least a second fluid to flow through, the passages extending in a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction perpendicular to said longitudinal direction,   each passage being divided, in the longitudinal direction, into at least one distribution zone and one heat-exchange zone,   the at least one distribution zone of a passage comprising a distribution element, said distribution element comprising a plurality of dividing walls arranged so as to divide said distribution zone into a plurality of channels for the first fluid to flow through, said channels defining flow paths of different lengths and having variable passage sections for fluid along said flow paths,   wherein in that the dividing walls of the distribution element are secured together via a support, said support being brazed to an adjacent plate.   
     
     
         19 . The heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the dividing wall project from the support into the passage. 
     
     
         20 . The heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the support comprises a flat bottom, the dividing walls projecting perpendicularly to the bottom. 
     
     
         21 . The heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 18 , further comprising a first end forming an inlet or an outlet for the first fluid and a second end fluidically connected to the heat-exchange zone when the distribution element is arranged in a distribution zone, each dividing wall being formed from a single part and extending continuously from the first end to the second end. 
     
     
         22 . The heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein each channel is provided with a first opening and a second opening situated at the first and second ends, respectively, at least one first opening having a passage section for fluid that is different than the passage section for fluid of another first opening, and/or at least one second opening having a passage section for fluid that is different than the passage section for fluid of another second opening. 
     
     
         23 . The heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the first openings and/or the second openings of one and the same channel have passage sections for fluid that are larger the longer the flow path defined by said channel. 
     
     
         24 . The heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein one or more channels comprise means for modifying the linear flow resistance of said channels. 
     
     
         25 . The heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein said means comprise a shape of the interior profiles of said channels. 
     
     
         26 . The heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein said means comprise partitions arranged within said channels. 
     
     
         27 . The heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein said means comprise porous structures arranged within said channels. 
     
     
         28 . The heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the dividing walls have rectilinear profiles in longitudinal section. 
     
     
         29 . The heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the dividing walls have predetermined curvilinear profiles in longitudinal section. 
     
     
         30 . The heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein said predetermined curvilinear profiles comprise at least one inflection point. 
     
     
         31 . The heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the distribution element extends along a length in a longitudinal direction and across a width in a lateral direction, the ratio between a length and the width being less than 20%. 
     
     
         32 . The heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the distribution element extends along a length less than 500 mm. 
     
     
         33 . The heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the distribution element has a height, measured in a vertical direction orthogonal to the plates, of at least 2 mm. 
     
     
         34 . The heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the distribution element is a monolithic element manufactured by an additive manufacturing method or by casting.