Duct or vessel comprising a separating element

Abstract

A duct or vessel has a separating element having a pair of plates, each of which has a central portion and a peripheral edge raised with respect to the central portion. The plates are joined to each other at their central portions so as to define an annular gap around the central portions, interposed between the peripheral edges of the plates. Each of the plates has a profile in radial cross-section having an inflection point between the central portion and the peripheral edge. A tangent to the plate at the inflection point defines an opening angle α with respect to an interface plane between the plates. The opening angle α satisfies the relation θ+α≥90°, where θ is a wetting angle between a molten braze-welding filler material and a base material of the separating element.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A duct or vessel comprising a separating element that divides an interior of the duct or vessel into a first inner space and a second inner space, and is joined to the duct or vessel by braze-welding,
 wherein the separating element comprises a pair of plates, each of which comprises a central portion and a peripheral edge raised with respect to the central portion, the plates being joined to each other at their central portions so as to define an annular gap around the central portions, interposed between the peripheral edges of the plates, the annular gap fluidically communicating with a through-hole formed on a side wall of the duct or vessel,   wherein each of the plates has a profile in radial cross-section comprising an inflection point between the central portion and the peripheral edge, wherein a tangent to the plate at the inflection point defines an opening angle α with respect to an interface plane between the plates, and   wherein the opening angle α satisfies the relation:   
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   θ 
                   + 
                   α 
                 
                 ≥ 
                 
                   90 
                   ⁢ 
                   ° 
                 
               
               , 
             
           
         
         where θ is a wetting angle between a molten braze-welding filler material and a base material of the separating element. 
       
     
     
         2 . A heat exchanger comprising a first distributor and a second distributor, and a plurality of parallel, coplanar tubes interconnecting the first distributor and the second distributor, wherein each of the first and second distributors has a tubular body, on a side wall of which a plurality of slits are formed, wherein in each slit of the plurality of slits an end of a respective tube of the plurality of parallel, coplanar tubes is inserted, and wherein at least one of the first and second distributors is the duct or vessel of  claim 1 .