Heat-Exchanger Plate

Abstract

The present invention relates to a plate ( 1 ) for a flat-tube heat exchanger produced from a drawn metal sheet, said drawing enabling a fluid inlet ( 3 a ) and a fluid outlet ( 3 b ) to be connected together, said plate having a length (L) and a width (h), said fluid inlet and outlet ( 3 a, 3 b ) being located along the length (L) of the plate, spaced apart from the edge of the plate by a distance corresponding to L/2, which is approximately 40 mm, wherein the drawing forms a first fluid flow passage ( 5 a ) located on a first side of said fluid inlet and outlet ( 3 a, 3 b ) and a second fluid flow passage ( 5 b ) located on a second side of said fluid inlet and outlet ( 3 a, 3 b ).

1 . A plate ( 1 ) for a flat tube of a heat exchanger, which plate ( 1 ) is made from a chased metal sheet which allows a fluid inlet ( 3   a ) and a fluid outlet ( 3   b ) to connect, the plate ( 1 ) having a length (L) and a width (h), wherein the fluid inlet and outlet ( 3   a,    3   b ) are situated along the length (L) at a distance from the edge of the plate ( 1 ) that corresponds to L/2, plus or minus 40 mm, and wherein the chased metal sheet forms a first fluid flow passage ( 5   a ) situated on a first side of the fluid inlet and outlet ( 3   a,    3   b ), and a second fluid flow passage ( 5   b ) situated on a second side, the opposite side to the first, of the fluid inlet and outlet ( 3   a,    3   b ). 
     
     
         2 . The plate ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second fluid flow passages ( 5   a,    5   b ) are symmetric with one another about an axis of symmetry that passes through the fluid inlet and outlet ( 3   a,    3   b ) parallel to the width (h) of the plate ( 1 ). 
     
     
         3 . The plate ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the chased metal sheet comprises ribs ( 7 ) that give the first and second fluid flow passages ( 5   a,    5   b ) a sinuous path comprising about-turns between the fluid inlet ( 3   a ) and the fluid outlet ( 3   b ). 
     
     
         4 . The plate ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the ribs ( 7 ) have rounded ends ( 11 ). 
     
     
         5 . The plate ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second fluid flow passages ( 5   a,    5   b ) comprise perturbation projections ( 9 ). 
     
     
         6 . The plate ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the length (L) of the plate ( 1 ) is greater than or equal to 400 mm. 
     
     
         7 . A flat tube for a heat exchanger comprising at least one plate ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         8 . The flat tube for a heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 7 , comprising a first and a second plate ( 1 ). 
     
     
         9 . A heat exchanger comprising at least one flat tube as claimed in  claim 7 . 
     
     
         10 . The heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 7 , which is a charge air cooler. 
     
     
         11 . The plate ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the chased metal sheet comprises ribs ( 7 ) that give the first and second fluid flow passages ( 5   a,    5   b ) a sinuous path comprising about-turns between the fluid inlet ( 3   a ) and the fluid outlet ( 3   b ). 
     
     
         12 . The plate ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the first and second fluid flow passages ( 5   a,    5   b ) comprise perturbation projections ( 9 ). 
     
     
         13 . The plate ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the first and second fluid flow passages ( 5   a,    5   b ) comprise perturbation projections ( 9 ). 
     
     
         14 . The plate ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the first and second fluid flow passages ( 5   a,    5   b ) comprise perturbation projections ( 9 ).