EVAPORATOR

• US 20170122676A1
• Filed: 10/26/2016
• Published: 05/04/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Borgwarner Emissions Systems Spain, S.L.U. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Borgwarner Emissions Systems Spain, S.L.U. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: GRANDE FERNNDEZ, Jos Antonio, FOLGUEIRA BALTAR, Adrin, DIGUEZ, Manuel
• Granted Patent: US 10,458,723 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: F02G 5/02 Profiting from waste heat of exhaust gases
• CPC Class Codes: F22B 1/1807 using the exhaust gases of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 2021/0064 Vaporizers, e.g. evaporators
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 21/0003 the heat being recuperated from exhaust gases F28D21/0014 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 7/0058 the conduits for only one medium being tubes having different orientations to each other or crossing the conduit for the other heat exchange medium F28D7/0008 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 7/103 consisting of more than two coaxial conduits or modules of more than two coaxial conduits
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 7/16 the conduits being arranged in parallel spaced relation F28D7/0008 - F28D7/0058 take precedence; F28D7/02 - F28D7/10 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 7/1623 with particular pattern of flow of the heat exchange media, e.g. change of flow direction
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 7/1638 with particular pattern of flow or the heat exchange medium flowing inside the conduits assemblies, e.g. change of flow direction from one conduit assembly to another one F28D7/1661, F28D7/1676 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 2220/00 Closure means, e.g. end caps on header boxes or plugs on conduits
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 2275/04 by brazing
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 9/002 with fastening means for other structures
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 9/0202 Header boxes having their inner space divided by partitions
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 9/0224 Header boxes formed by sealing end plates into covers F28F9/0221 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 9/0278 in the form of stacked distribution plates or perforated plates arranged over end plates
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 20/30 Technologies for a more efficient combustion or heat usage
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies

Abstract

The present invention is a cross-flow evaporator adapted to generate vapor from the heat of the exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine. The evaporator is constituted, among other elements, by two plates spaced from one another which contain chambers. The heat exchange tubes alternately communicate the chambers of both plates, establishing a specific path for the fluid intended to change phase. The tubes extending between the chambers of the two plates are arranged transverse to the flow of the hot gas.

This evaporator is suitable for heat recovery systems using a Rankine cycle, making use of the heat from the exhaust gases.

The invention is characterized by a special configuration of the chambers by means of caps that allow the evacuation-of the gases generated during a brazing welding in the manufacturing process.

Claims

1. An evaporator for the evaporation of a first fluid by means of the heat provided by a second fluid, the second fluid being a hot gas, wherein said evaporator comprises:

a first plate (1) and a second plate (2) facing one another and arranged spaced from one another, defining an inner face, the face facing the other plate, and an outer face opposite the inner face;

wherein each of the plates (1, 2) comprises a plurality of chambers (1.1, 2.1);

an intake manifold (4) of the first fluid and an exhaust manifold (5) of the first fluid located in fluid communication with one another and with at least one different chamber (1.1, 2.1) of any of the plates (1, 2);

a plurality of heat exchange tubes (3) wherein each of the heat exchange tubes (3) extends between a chamber (1.1) of the first plate (1) and a chamber (2.1) of the second plate (2);

wherein each chamber (1.1, 2.1) of a plate (1, 2) is in fluid communication with two or more chambers (1.1, 2.1) of the other plate (1, 2) by means of at least two heat exchange tubes (3), except the chambers (1.1, 2.1) in fluid communication with the intake manifold (4) or the exhaust manifold (5);

there being for each of the heat exchange tubes (3) a path of fluid communication from the intake manifold (4) to the exhaust manifold (5) passing through the interior of said heat exchange tube (3);

two side walls (6) extending between the first plate (1) and the second plate (2) housing the plurality of heat exchange tubes (3) and establishing between both a space for the passage of the second fluid, wherein the second fluid enters through an inlet (12) and exits through an outlet (0₂);

characterized in that at least one of the chambers (1.1, 2.1) is a cavity which is open through the outer face and it is closed by means of a cap (7) attached to said chamber (1.1, 2.1).

2. The evaporator according to claim 1, wherein one or both plates (1, 2) is formed by a first elemental plate (1.2, 2.2) having perforations to allow for the passage of heat exchange tubes (3) and a second elemental, die-cut plate (1.3, 2.3) with perforations to configure the chambers (1.1, 2.1), the first elemental plate (1.2, 2.2) and the second elemental plate (1.3, 2.3) being attached to one another.

3. The evaporator according to claim 2, wherein the second elemental, die-cut plate (1.3, 2.3) is a composite plate, comprising a plurality of die-cut plates stacked on one another to reach a greater thickness.

4. The evaporator according to claim 1, wherein inner walls (1.1.1, 2.1.1) of the chamber (1.1, 2.1) in which the cap (7) is housed are perpendicular to the main plane of the plate (1, 2), and wherein said cap (7) has walls (7.1) attached to the inner walls (1.1.1, 2.1.1) of said chamber (1.1, 2.1)

5. The evaporator according to claim 4, wherein the inner walls (1.1.1, 2.1.1) and the walls (7.1) of the cap (7) are parallel.

6. The evaporator according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the caps (7) is dome-shaped (7.4) having a semicircular section.

7. The evaporator according to claim 1, wherein at least the first plate (1), the second plate (2) and the heat exchange tubes (3) are welded by means of brazing.

8. The evaporator according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the caps (7) and the plate (1, 2), where attached, is welded by means of brazing.

9. The evaporator according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the caps (7) has a ventilation opening (7.2).

10. The evaporator according to claim 9, wherein the opening (7.2) is closed either by means of welding or by means of a plug.

11. The evaporator according to claim 1, wherein at least one cap (7) comprises outer projections (7.3) adapted to act as a stop when the cap (7) is inserted in the chamber (1.1, 2.1) in which it is housed, determining the correct insertion position.

12. The evaporator according to claim 1, wherein at least one cap (7) comprises outer projections (7.4) adapted either to increase friction with the inner walls (1.1.1, 2.1.1) of the chamber (1.1, 2.1) in which the cap (7) is housed, or to abut with opposing projections also located on the inner walls (1.1.1, 2.1.1) of the chamber (1.1, 2.1) in which the cap (7) is housed;

or for both functions.

13. The evaporator according to claim 1, wherein at least the configuration of one cap (7) is elongated and arranged transverse to the flow of the second fluid.

14. The evaporator according to claim 1, wherein at least one cap (7) covers a plurality of chambers (1.1, 2.1).

15. A heat recovery system for internal combustion vehicles comprising an evaporator according to claim 1.