Flow deflector

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for deflecting coolant fluid flow in a heat exchanger, particularly a heat exchanger of an EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) system, better cooling of the fluid to be cooled and flowing through the bundle of tubes of said heat exchanger being obtained.

1 . A flow deflector adapted for being installed in heat exchangers of the type comprising a shell with an inner chamber through which a first coolant fluid circulates and where said shell houses at least a bundle of tubes through which a second fluid to be cooled circulates, where between the bundle of tubes and the wall of the inner chamber of the shell there is a perimetral gap in at least one section of the length of the bundle of tubes, where said deflector comprises:
 a tubular body adapted for surrounding at least one section of the length of the bundle of tubes,   a first expansion section arranged at one end of the tubular body such that the tubular body is extended longitudinally by means of the first expansion section where:   the first expansion section covers a larger perimeter than the perimeter covered by the tubular body to reduce the perimetral gap between the bundle of tubes and the wall of the inner chamber of the shell; and,   between the first expansion section and the tubular body there is a transition such that a first coolant fluid flow passage restriction is established for restricting it to the space between the tubes of the bundle of tubes.   
     
     
         2 . The flow deflector according to  claim 1 , where the tubular body comprises a second expansion section located at the end of the tubular body opposite to the end where the first expansion section is located. 
     
     
         3 . The flow deflector according to  claim 1 , where at least one of the expansion sections is elastically deformable to assure support against the wall of the inner chamber of the shell. 
     
     
         4 . The flow deflector according to  claim 1 , where at least one of the expansion sections comprises a curved section in the region adapted for contacting with the wall of the inner chamber of the shell to prevent wedging. 
     
     
         5 . The flow deflector according to  claim 1 , where the second expansion section has at least one window to favor the coolant fluid passage through the space between the tubes of the bundle of tubes and the gap between the bundle of tubes and the wall of the inner chamber of the shell. 
     
     
         6 . The flow deflector according to  claim 5 , where the window is prolonged along a region of the tubular body. 
     
     
         7 . The flow deflector according to  claim 1 , where the tubular body comprises perimetral expansions for housing baffles of the bundle of tubes. 
     
     
         8 . The flow deflector according to  claim 1 , where the deflector is made of die-cut and pressed sheet. 
     
     
         9 . The flow deflector according to  claim 1 , where the elastically deformable expansion sections are configured by means of longitudinal grooves, according to the longitudinal direction defined by the bundle of tubes, making deformation easier. 
     
     
         10 . The flow deflector according to  claim 1 , where the deflector is configured in two or more portions attached to one another by clipping. 
     
     
         11 . A heat exchanger comprising:
 a shell with an inner chamber through which a first coolant fluid circulates,   a core comprising at least a bundle of tubes through which a second fluid to be cooled circulates, where said shell houses the at least one bundle of tubes, and where between the bundle of tubes and the wall of the inner chamber of the shell there is a perimetral gap in at least one section of the length of the bundle of tubes,   a deflector located in the perimetral gap, where said deflector comprises:   a tubular body adapted for surrounding at least one section of the length of the bundle of tubes,   a first expansion section arranged at one end of the tubular body such that the tubular body is extended longitudinally by means of the first expansion section where:   the first expansion section covers a larger perimeter than the perimeter covered by the tubular body to reduce the perimetral gap between the bundle of tubes and the wall of the inner chamber of the shell; and,   between the first expansion section and the tubular body there is a transition such that a first coolant fluid flow passage restriction is established for restricting it to the space between the tubes of the bundle of tubes.