Heat exchange unit

Abstract

A heat exchange unit includes first and second plates, which is identical to each other in configuration in a peripheral area thereof, but different from each other in a central irregularity pattern section. The irregularity pattern section has a projection-recess pattern on its surface and a recess-projection pattern corresponding thereto on another surface. These patterns are different from each other in configuration. The projection-recess pattern of the first plate has a reverse relationship in projections and recesses to the projection-recess pattern of the second plate so as to be symmetrical to each other. The first and second plates are placed alternately one upon another so that the peripheral areas of the first and second plates are directed to a same direction and projections of the irregularity pattern section of the first plate come, on peaks thereof, into contact with projections of the irregularity pattern section of the second plate.

1 . A heat exchange unit, comprising a plurality of heat exchange plates having a predetermined pattern of irregularity, which are formed of a metallic thin sheet and combined in parallel and integrally with each other so that first spaces through which a first heat exchange fluid is to pass and second spaces through which a second heat exchange fluid is to pass are provided alternately between respective heat exchange plates, 
 wherein:    said heat exchange plates comprises first plates and second plates, said first and second plates being substantially identical to each other in configuration in a peripheral area thereof, but different from each other in a central irregularity pattern section;    said irregularity pattern section of each of said first and second plates has a projection-recess pattern on a surface thereof and a recess-projection pattern corresponding thereto on another surface thereof, said projection-recess pattern being different in configuration from said recess-projection pattern so as to be asymmetrical thereto, and the projection-recess pattern of the first plate having a reverse relationship in projections and recesses to the projection-recess pattern of the second plate so as to be symmetrical to each other; and    said first and second plates are placed alternately one upon another so that the peripheral areas of the first and second plates are directed to a same direction, and kept apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and projections of the irregularity pattern section of the first plate come, on peaks thereof, into contact with projections of the irregularity pattern section of the second plate.    
   
   
       2 . The heat exchange unit as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 each of said first and second plates has a shape of rectangular or square; and    at least the irregularity pattern section of each of the first and second plates has a symmetrical shape with respect to a central position between a pair of opposite sides of the plate or another pair of opposite sides thereof.    
   
   
       3 . The heat exchange unit as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the irregularity pattern section of each of the heat exchange plates has said projections that project outward from the surface of the heat exchange plate in a form of a truncated cone or a truncated pyramid, and a plurality of intermediate protrusions each of which is placed between two projections that are adjacent to each other at a shortest distance, each of the intermediate protrusions being defined by one or more flat or curved portions that extend to opposing surfaces of the two projection, and each of the intermediate protrusions having one or more peak portions that are placed in a lower position than a top of the projection;    there is made arrangement providing simultaneously a plurality of combinations of the projection and another projection adjacent thereto at the shortest distance between which the intermediate protrusion is placed; and    a plurality of non-protruded portions each of which is placed between adjacent intermediate protrusions, each of the non-protruded portions being placed in a lowest position relative to a projecting direction of the projections, the non-protruded portions providing said recesses surrounded by the projections and the intermediate protrusions.    
   
   
       4 . The heat exchange unit as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein: 
 the irregularity pattern section of each of the heat exchange plates has said projections that project outward from the surface of the heat exchange plate in a form of a truncated cone or a truncated pyramid, and a plurality of intermediate protrusions each of which is placed between two projections that are adjacent to each other at a shortest distance, each of the intermediate protrusions being defined by one or more flat or curved portions that extend to opposing surfaces of the two projection, and each of the intermediate protrusions having one or more peak portions that are placed in a lower position than a top of the projection;    there is made arrangement providing simultaneously a plurality of combinations of the projection and another projection adjacent thereto at the shortest distance between which the intermediate protrusion is placed; and    a plurality of non-protruded portions each of which is placed between adjacent intermediate protrusions, each of the non-protruded portions being placed in a lowest position relative to a projecting direction of the projections, the non-protruded portions providing said recesses surrounded by the projections and the intermediate protrusions.