Heat exchanger

Abstract

First passages of a heat exchanger each include a plurality of channels that each connect an inlet formed in an inflow surface of a core and an outlet formed in an outflow surface of the core together. The channels have different channel resistances. The heat exchanger includes a flow-directing member of a first type disposed to a side of the core where the inflow surface is located to provide a uniform distribution of a dynamic pressure of the first fluid flowing into the core to the inflow surface; and a flow-directing member of a second type reducing a difference between flow rates of the first fluid through the channels arising from a difference in channel resistance between the channels forming each first passage of the core.

1 . A heat exchanger comprising:
 a core having at least a plurality of first passages through which a first fluid flows and a plurality of second passages through which a second fluid flows, and at least exchanging heat between the first fluid and the second fluid, wherein   the core has an inflow surface through which the first fluid flows into the core and an outflow surface through which the first fluid flows out of the core,   at least the first passages each include a plurality of channels that each connect an inlet formed in the inflow surface and an outlet formed in the outflow surface together, the channels having different channel resistances, and   the heat exchanger further includes:   a flow-directing member of a first type disposed to a side of the core where the inflow surface is located to provide a uniform distribution of a dynamic pressure of the first fluid flowing into the core to the inflow surface; and   a flow-directing member of a second type reducing a difference between flow rates of the first fluid through the channels arising from a difference in channel resistance between the channels forming each first passage of the core.   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein
 the flow-directing member of the second type is disposed to a side of the core where the outflow surface is located.   
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger of  claim 2 , wherein
 while the outlets of the channels are uniformly spaced from each other in the outflow surface of the core, a flow rate distribution of the first fluid through the outflow surface of the core is equivalent to a predetermined channel resistance distribution corresponding to channel resistances of the channels,   the flow-directing member of the second type is a plate-like member facing at least a portion of the outflow surface, and has a plurality of holes passing through the flow-directing member of the second type along a thickness of the flow-directing member of the second type, and   an aperture ratio of the flow-directing member of the second type defined by the holes is determined such that a distribution of the aperture ratio corresponds to the channel resistance distribution equivalent to the flow rate distribution of the first fluid through the outflow surface of the core.   
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein
 the core is a plate fin core including the first and second passages that are alternately stacked, and   at least the first passages each include a distributor fin configured to change a direction of flow of fluid through the first passage.