Heat-exchange module for liquid

Abstract

A heat-exchange module for liquid includes a heat-exchange member and at least one heater unit. The heat-exchange member includes a first portion having at least one liquid passageway through which a liquid flows, a second portion coupled with the at least one heater unit for heating the second portion, and at least one thermal adjusting channel between the first portion and the second portion of the heat-exchange member. The heater unit heats the second portion to a predetermined temperature to thereby store heat energy in the heat-exchange member. The thermal adjusting channel maintains a temperature difference between the first portion and the second portion such that the liquid is heated to a temperature substantially not greater than the predetermined temperature after flowing through the liquid passageway.

1 . A heat-exchange module for liquid, the heat-change module comprising a heat-exchange member and at least one heater unit, said heat-exchange member comprising: 
 a first portion including at least one liquid passageway through which a liquid flows;    a second portion coupled with said at least one heater unit for heating the second portion; and    at least one thermal adjusting channel between the first portion and the second portion of the heat-exchange member;    said at least one heater unit heating the second portion to a predetermined temperature to thereby store heat energy in the heat-exchange member, said at least one thermal adjusting channel maintaining a temperature difference between the first portion and the second portion such that the liquid is heated to a temperature substantially not greater than the predetermined temperature after flowing through said at least one liquid passageway.    
   
   
       2 . The heat-exchange module for liquid as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said at least one thermal adjusting channel includes a fin structure on an inner circumference of said at least one thermal adjusting channel.  
   
   
       3 . The heat-exchange module for liquid as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the fin structure includes a plurality of fins that are staggered or parallel to one another or arranged irregularly.  
   
   
       4 . The heat-exchange module for liquid as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a heat-buffering material mounted in said at least one thermal adjusting channel.  
   
   
       5 . The heat-exchange module for liquid as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the first portion has a sectional area smaller than that of the second portion.  
   
   
       6 . The heat-exchange module for liquid as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising an anti-oxidation coating on an inner circumference defining said at least one liquid passageway for preventing the liquid from contacting the heat-exchange member.  
   
   
       7 . The heat-exchange module for liquid as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said at least one liquid passageway is defined by an anti-oxidation metal tube for preventing the liquid from contacting the heat-exchange member.  
   
   
       8 . The heat-exchange module for liquid as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said at least one heater unit is a heat pipe or a thermoelectric chip.  
   
   
       9 . The heat-exchange module for liquid as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said at least one heater unit is embedded in the second portion of the heat-exchange member.  
   
   
       10 . The heat-exchange module for liquid as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said at least one heater unit is wound around an outer perimeter of the second portion of the heat-exchange member.  
   
   
       11 . The heat-exchange module for liquid as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a heat-insulating material mounted around an outer perimeter of the heat-exchange member.  
   
   
       12 . The heat-exchange module for liquid as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a vacuum-insulating structure mounted around an outer perimeter of the heat-exchange member.  
   
   
       13 . The heat-exchange module for liquid as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a control unit external to the heat-exchange member and connected to said at least one heater unit, said control unit controlling said at least one heater unit to preheat the heat-exchange member.  
   
   
       14 . The heat-exchange module for liquid as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the heat-exchange member is annular.  
   
   
       15 . The heat-exchange module for liquid as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the first portion and the second portion of the heat-exchange member are concentric to each other.  
   
   
       16 . The heat-exchange module for liquid as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the first portion is radially outward relative to the second portion.  
   
   
       17 . The heat-exchange module for liquid as claimed in  claim 16  wherein said at least one heater unit is located in a center of the second portion for uniformly heating the heat-exchange member.