ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM CONNECTION TUBE AND CONDENSER

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2023-0084348 and 10-2023-0193809 filed on Jun. 29, 2023 and Dec. 28, 2023 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, respectively, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties for all purposes.

BACKGROUND
1. Field

The present disclosure relates to a connection tube and a condenser.

2. Description of Related Art

A condenser may be a heat exchanger cooling and liquefying a high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant vapor, and function to externally emit heat in a refrigeration cycle.

An evaporative condenser may cool a cooling fluid by using a hybrid method of water-cooling and air-cooling to spray water to a tube through which the cooling fluid passes, flowing air supplied from a blower to a surface of the tube, and discharging vapor that is vaporized on the surface of the tube.

Patent Document 1 discloses a reinforced condenser including a plurality of connection tubes connecting a flow path of a first header pipe and that of a second header pipe to each other. Patent Document 1 uses the plurality of connection tubes which are inserted and arranged in the first header pipe and the second header pipe. In this case, it may be difficult to insert the connection tube when connecting the plurality of connection tubes and the first or second header pipe to each other, and may also cause a defect that the connection tube is torn as an end of the connection tube is caught in the first or second header pipe.

(Patent Document 1) KR10-2023-0028015A

SUMMARY

An aspect of the present disclosure may provide a connection tube which may be easily assembled and which may effectively prevent a defect such as tearing thereof during assembly, and a condenser including the same.

Provided are a connection tube and a condenser including the same.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the connection tube may include multi-row tubes respectively connecting a flow path between a pair of header pipe assemblies disposed to be spaced apart from each other and including a plurality of header pipes disposed to be parallel to each other in a second direction, perpendicular to a first direction which is a length direction of the header pipe having the flow path formed therein and a plurality of connection holes formed in one surface, wherein the multi-row tube includes a plurality of single tubes respectively extending in the second direction, disposed to be spaced apart from each other in the second direction, and having two ends each inserted into the flow path through the connection hole of the header pipe assembly, and a wing connected between the plurality of single tubes, and chamfers are formed on two edges of each of the two ends of the single tubes.

The single tube may have a plurality of microchannels formed therein, and the chamfer may be formed across the microchannel adjacent thereto at each of the two edges of each end of the single tubes.

When viewed in the first direction, each end of the single tubes may have a length allowing the end to be inserted up to at least a central portion of the flow path.

When viewed in the first direction, each end of the single tubes may have a length allowing the end to be inserted beyond at least the central portion of the flow path, and may be spaced apart from an inner wall of the flow path facing the connection hole.

The header pipe may have a circular cross section, and when viewed in the first direction, each end of the single tubes may have a length allowing the end to be inserted in a range of 0.5 to 0.75 of a diameter of the flow path.

When the single tubes are inserted into the flow path, an insertion length of the end of the single tubes with respect to the flow path may be limited by contact between an end of the wing and an outer surface of the header pipe.

The plurality of wings may be provided, and the plurality of the wings may have the same length in a third direction.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a condenser may include: a first header pipe assembly and a second header pipe assembly disposed to be spaced apart from each other and each including a plurality of header pipes disposed to be parallel to each other in a second direction, perpendicular to a first direction which is a length direction of the header pipe having a flow path formed therein and a plurality of connection holes formed in one surface; and the connection tube described above, which connects the flow path of the first header pipe assembly and that of the second header pipe assembly to each other, and extends in a third direction, perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.

The condenser may further include: a connection block extending in the first direction, disposed between and in contact with the respective header pipes, and having a plurality of flow holes passing through two surfaces of the connection block that are in contact with the header pipes; and a fixing baffle disposed on two sides of the header pipe assembly in the first direction, and including a plurality of blocking parts blocking the flow path of the header pipe and spaced apart from each other in the second direction, and a fixing part connecting the plurality of blocking parts to each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a condenser according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a header pipe assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4A is a schematic perspective view of FIG. 3, and FIG. 4B is a cutaway view of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A is a plan view of FIG. 4B as viewed in a first direction, and FIG. 5B is a plan view of a header pipe assembly according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed in the first direction;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II′ of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view and partially enlarged view of the condenser when viewed in a third direction according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a partial configuration of the condenser according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, in which a first header pipe assembly, a second header pipe assembly, and a connection tube, connecting flow paths of the assemblies to each other, are coupled to one another;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view and partially enlarged view of a multi-row tube according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 11 is an exemplary cross-sectional view and partially enlarged view, taken along line III-III′ of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a condenser 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In detail, FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of the condenser 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the condenser 1 in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the condenser 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include first to sixth header rows 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, and 160 in which a plurality of header pipes 100 each having a circular cross section are disposed to be spaced apart from each other. The first to sixth header rows 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, and 160 may include a plurality of first header pipes 111, 121, 131, 141, 151, and 161 and a plurality of second header pipes 112, 122, 132, 142, 152, and 162, and may further include a plurality of connection tubes 113, 123, 133, 143, 153, and 163 respectively connecting flow paths of the first header pipes 111, 121, 131, 141, 151, and 161 and flow paths of the second header pipes 112, 122, 132, 142, 152, and 162 to each other. A connection tube 13 may include the plurality of connection tubes 113, 123, 133, 143, 153, and 163, covers 31 and 32 may be disposed on both front and rear sides of the connection tube 113, 123, 133, 143, 153, or 163, and fin members F assisting heat exchange may each be disposed between the connection tubes 113, 123, 133, 143, 153, and 163. In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of first header pipes 111, 121, 131, 141, 151, and 161 and the plurality of second header pipes 112, 122, 132, 142, 152, and 162 may each have a connection hole h, which is formed in surfaces of the pipes, opposite to each other, and into which an end of the connection tube 113, 123, 133, 143, 153, or 163 is inserted. Two ends of the connection tube 113, 123, 133, 143, 153, or 163 may each be inserted into and coupled to the flow path of each header pipe through each connection hole h of the plurality of first header pipes 111, 121, 131, 141, 151, and 161 and the second header pipes 112, 122, 132, 142, 152, and 162.

Here, a fluid inlet I may be connected to the first header pipe 111 of the first header row 110, and a fluid outlet O may be connected to the second header pipe 162 of the sixth header row 160. In addition, a water injection module (not shown) that sprays water may be disposed above the condenser 1, and a blower (not shown) that moves air between the connection tubes 113, 123, 133, 143, 153, and 163 may be disposed below the condenser 1.

In this way, a refrigerant (or fluid) may flow into the first header row 110 disposed at a lower portion of the condenser 1 and discharged to the sixth header row 160 disposed at its upper portion. Here, the water may be sprayed from top to bottom through the water injection module (not shown), and the air may pass through the connection tubes 113, 123, 133, 143, 153, and 163 from top to bottom together with the water by the blower (not shown) disposed at the bottom. The water may be vaporized while passing through the connection tubes 113, 123, 133, 143, 153, and 163, and the heat exchange may be generated between the refrigerant (or fluid) and the water/air due to latent heat of evaporation and sensible heat of the water/air, thus condensing the refrigerant (or fluid) passing through the condenser 1. Here, a heat exchange area may be increased by the fin member F disposed between the connection tubes 113, 123, 133, 143, 153, and 163.

In the condenser 1, the heat exchange may be generated between the water/air passing through the connection tube 13 and the refrigerant (or fluid) flowing in the connection tube 13. Here, the condenser may have the plurality of rows, and the heat exchange may thus be generated by their counterflows. That is, the water/air may flow from top to bottom, and the refrigerant (or fluid) may flow from bottom to top through the connection tube 13, and the heat exchange may thus be generated. Therefore, the condenser 1 may perform more heat exchange even though the condenser 1 occupies the same volume, thus achieving improved cooling efficiency.

Meanwhile, the condenser 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include four header pipe assemblies 10, as shown in FIG. 2. That is, the condenser 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include a first header pipe assembly 11 and a second header pipe assembly 12 disposed to be spaced apart from each other. In more detail, the first header pipe assembly 11 may include a first header pipe lower assembly 11a disposed at its lower portion and a first header pipe upper assembly 11b disposed at its upper portion, and the second header pipe assembly 12 may include a second header lower assembly 12a disposed at its lower portion and a second header upper assembly 12b disposed at its upper portion. In addition, the connection tube 13 may be disposed between the header pipe assemblies 10, and the connection tube 13 may include the plurality of connection tubes 113, 123, 133, 143, 153, and 163.

In addition, the condenser 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may have a frame reinforcement 20 coupled to the upper or lower portion of the header pipe assembly 10. In more detail, the frame reinforcement 20 may include a first lower reinforcement member 21a disposed at a lower portion of the first header pipe lower assembly 11a, a first upper reinforcement 21b disposed at an upper portion of the first header pipe upper assembly 11b, a second lower reinforcement member 22a disposed at a lower portion of the second header lower assembly 12a, and a second upper reinforcement member 22b disposed at an upper portion of the second header upper assembly 12b.

The condenser having a multi-row structure may include the plurality of header pipes and the plurality of connection tubes, and its assembly may thus be difficult and the header pipe may be fractured due to the high temperature or high pressure of the refrigerant (or fluid). Therefore, in the condenser 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the header pipe assembly 10 in which the plurality of header pipes 100 each having the circular cross section, effective against a fracture internal pressure, are coupled to each other may be assembled using the four header pipe assemblies 11a, 11b, 12a, and 12b and the plurality of connection tubes 13, and the header pipe assembly 10 may have a reinforced assembly structure as the frame reinforcement 21a, 21b, 22a, or 22b is coupled to the upper or lower portion of the header pipe assembly 11a, 11b, 12a, or 12b.

That is, the condenser 1 having the assembly structure may be easily assembled, have a conveniently designed flow path, have the frame reinforcement structure, and thus have the fracture internal pressure increased than a condenser including a single circular header pipe. This configuration may indicate that a high-pressure fluid may flow in the condenser 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, and the condenser 1 has a risk of the fracture less than the condenser including the single circular header pipe. Hereinafter, the description describes the header pipe assembly 10 in detail.

In the present disclosure, a length direction of the header pipe may be defined as a first direction, a direction in which the plurality of header pipes are disposed may be defined as a second direction, and an extension direction of the connection tube may be defined as a third direction. Here, the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction may be directions different from one another, and may be perpendicular to one another. For example, the first direction may be an X direction, the second direction may be a Y direction, and the third direction may be a Z direction.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the header pipe assembly 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the header pipe assembly 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and FIG. 4A shows insertion of a fixing baffle in FIG. 3, and FIG. 4B is a cutaway view of FIG. 4A. The drawing shows the second header lower assembly 12a of FIG. 1 including three the header pipes 112, 122, and 132. However, the number of header pipes not is not limited thereto as long as the header pipe assembly 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes the plurality of header pipes 100.

Hereinafter, the description is provided with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, wherein the header pipe assembly 10 includes the second header lower assembly 12a, and the header pipe 100 includes the second header pipe 112, 122, and 132.

The header pipe assembly 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include the plurality of header pipes 100, a connection block 200 disposed between the header pipes 100, and a fixing baffle 300 disposed on each of two sides of the header pipe assembly 10 in the first direction.

In the header pipe assembly 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of header pipes 100 may be disposed to be parallel to one another in the second direction, perpendicular to the first direction which is the length direction of the header pipe 100. Here, the header pipe 100 may have the flow path C formed therein, and have a circular cross-sectional shape. Therefore, the header pipe 100 may have the fracture internal pressure greater than that of an existing ‘D’ shaped cross section. That is, the header pipe 100 may allow a higher pressure fluid to flow therein than that of an existing header pipe having the ‘D’ shaped cross section.

Referring to FIG. 3, in the header pipe assembly 10 according exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of header pipes 112, 122, and 132 may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other, and have a plurality of communications holes 100h formed in each of the header pipes 112, 122, and 132. Here, the communications hole 100h may be formed in one surface of the header pipe 112, 122, or 132, and may be formed in the other surface of the header pipe that is opposite to the one surface. In addition, the plurality of communications holes 100h may be formed in the first direction which is the length direction of the header pipe 112, 122, or 132, while having a regular space therebetween.

The connection block 200 may extend in the first direction, and have a plurality of flow holes 200h passing through two surfaces of the connection block 200. In addition, the connection block 200 may extend to have the same length as a length of the header pipe 100 in the first direction, and may be disposed between and in contact with the plurality of header pipes 112, 122, and 132. Here, a surface of the connection block 200 that is in contact with the header pipe 100 may be a curved surface formed in a circumferential direction of the cross section of the header pipe 100, and each of the two surfaces of the connection block 200 that is in contact with the header pipe 100 may be the curved surface having the same curvature as that of an outer circumferential surface of the header pipe 100.

The connection blocks 200 may be disposed between the plurality of header pipes 112, 122, or 132 and coupled together with the header pipes. The connection block 200 may be coupled to the header pipe 100 by a brazing joint, which a technique for joining the header pipe 100 and the connection block 200 to each other by means of infiltration and diffusion using a wetting phenomenon and a capillary phenomenon between the header pipe 100 and the connection block 200. Here, referring to FIG. 4B, to improve brazing jointability of the connection block 200, a surface of the connection block 200 that is adjacent to a fixing part 320 may have both ends each having a curvature when viewed in the first direction.

Each of the plurality of header pipes 100 may include an insertion groove I into which the fixing baffle 300 is inserted in a direction parallel to the second direction. The fixing baffle 300 may be inserted into the insertion groove I in the third direction which is a direction, perpendicular to the first and second directions. The insertion groove I may be formed in one surface of the header pipe 100 and the other surface opposite to one surface, and accordingly, the fixing baffle 300 may be inserted through the header pipe 100.

In this way, the plurality of header pipes 112, 122, and 132 may be coupled into one assembly. In addition, each of the two surfaces of the connection block 200 may be a curved surface corresponding to that of the header pipe 100, and the connection block 200 may thus be easily coupled to the header pipe having the circular cross section. Further, the fixing baffle 300 may be inserted through the plurality of header pipes 112, 122, and 132 to thus fix the plurality of header pipes 112, 122, and 132 and the connection block 200 as one unit. Therefore, the plurality of header pipes 112, 122, or 132 may be held without being rotated.

The fixing baffle 300 may include a plurality of blocking parts 310 blocking the flow path of the header pipe 100 and the fixing part 320 connecting the plurality of blocking parts 310 to each other. When viewed in the first direction, the blocking part 310 and the fixing part 320 may respectively be disposed on two sides of the header pipe 100. The plurality of blocking parts 310 may be disposed on one side of the header pipe 100 while being spaced apart from each other in the second direction, and the fixing part 320 may extend from the other side of the header pipe 100.

The blocking part 310 may extend in the third direction which is the direction in which the fixing baffle 300 is inserted. In addition, the blocking part 310 may have two ends each formed in a curved surface having a curvature, and have a length in the second direction, the length being gradually smaller in the third direction. In addition, the blocking part 310 may include a first blocking part 311, a second blocking part 312, and a third blocking part 313 in the second direction, and the first to third blocking parts 311, 312, and 313 may respectively block the flow paths of the header pipes 112, 122, and 132.

The fixing part 320 may include a locking part 321 having two ends in the second direction that are bent outward. The fixing baffle 300 may be inserted into the insertion groove I in the third direction. Therefore, the locking part 321 may be in vertical contact with the insertion groove I, and the fixing baffle 300 may thus be in two-sided contact with the header pipe 100. Therefore, the locking part 321 may fix the fixing baffle 300 to the insertion groove I.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 4B, a length of the connection block 200 in the second direction may be smaller than its length between the adjacent blocking parts 310. That is, a length of a space between the first blocking part 311 and the second blocking part 312 spaced apart from each other in the second direction may be greater than the length of the connection block 200 in the second direction, and a length of a space between the second blocking part 312 and the third blocking part 313 spaced apart from each other in the second direction may also be greater than the length of the connection block 200 in the second direction. This configuration may indicate that a length of a space between the adjacent insertion grooves I is greater than the length of the connection block 200 in the second direction. Accordingly, the fixing part 320 may be disposed to be spaced apart from one surface of the connection block 200 facing the fixing part 320.

Further, the fixing baffle 300 may be disposed on an outer end of the connection tube 13 when viewing the condenser 1 (see FIG. 1) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure in the first direction. That is, when viewed in the first direction, the fixing baffle 300 may be inserted from the outside of the first header pipe assembly 11 (see FIG. 1) and the second header pipe assembly 12 (see FIG. 1) into the connection tube 13 (see FIG. 1).

According to the structure of the fixing baffle 300 described above, the fixing baffle 300 may be inserted into and coupled to the insertion groove I of the header pipe 100, and the fixing baffle 300 may be smoothly inserted into the insertion groove I as each of the two ends of the blocking part 310 has the curved surface having the curvature and is smaller in the second direction. In addition, the plurality of header pipes 112, 122, and 132 may each be in the two-sided contact with the fixing baffle 300 by the locking part 321, and thus be fixed without a rotation. Further, the fixing part 320 may be disposed to be spaced apart from one surface of the connection block 200 that the fixing part 320 faces, and thus be easily assembled to the connection block 200 with no interference between the assemblies.

FIG. 5A is a plan view of the header pipe assembly 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed in the first direction, and FIG. 5B is a plan view of a header pipe assembly 10 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed in the first direction. In detail, FIG. 5A is a plan view of the second header lower assembly 12a in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5B is a plan view of the second header upper assembly 12b in FIG. 1.

The fixing baffle 300 may block the refrigerant (or fluid) flowing in the header pipe 100 from being externally discharged from the header pipe 100 in the first direction. Here, referring to FIG. 5A, the header pipe 100 and the connection block 200 may be connected to each other for the communications hole 100h and the flow hole 200h to be in contact with each other. Accordingly, the refrigerant (fluid) may flow through the communications hole 100h and the flow hole 200h in the second direction, perpendicular to the length direction.

That is, the communications hole 100h may be formed in one surface of the header pipe, and formed in one surface of the header pipe to be opposite to the other surface of the header pipe that is opposite to one surface. Therefore, the flow path in the second direction may be designed based on a location of the communications hole 100h. That is, as shown in FIG. 5A, the communications hole 100h of the second header pipe 122 may be formed in one surface to be opposite to the other surface opposite to one surface, and connected to and in contact with the flow hole 200h. Therefore, the refrigerant (or fluid) may flow from the second header pipe 112 of the first header row 110 to the second header pipe 132 of the third header row 130 in the second direction. Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 5B, the second header pipe 152 of the fifth header row 150 may have the flow hole 200h formed only in one surface, thus blocking the flow path toward the second header pipe 162 of the sixth header row 160 in the second direction. In the same manner as above, the condenser 1 (see FIG. 1) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may design the flow of the flow path in the second direction.

Further, the blocking part 310 may include a flow path hole 310h formed inside the cross section of the header pipe 100 when viewed in the first direction. That is, as shown in FIG. 5B, the fixing baffle 300 inserted into the second header pipe 142, 152, and 162 may include the third blocking part 313 in which the flow path hole 310h is formed. In this way, the fluid outlet O (see FIG. 1) may be connected to the second header pipe 162 disposed in the sixth header row 160 (see FIG. 1) to thus be connected to another cooling cycle.

In other words, the header pipe assembly 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may have the fluid inlet I (see FIG. 1) or the fluid outlet O (see FIG. 1) connected to the flow path hole 310h, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant (or fluid) delivered from a compressor may flow through the fluid inlet I, and the liquefied refrigerant (or fluid) may be discharged through the fluid outlet O.

Each of FIGS. 6 to 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the condenser 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 1; FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II′ of FIG. 1; and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view and partially enlarged view of the condenser viewed in the third direction according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Hereinafter, the description describes the flow of the refrigerant (or fluid) with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8.

FIG. 6 shows the flow of the refrigerant (or fluid) flowing in the condenser 1 in the second and third directions according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 6, in the condenser 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the refrigerant (or fluid) may flow into the first header pipe 111 disposed in the first header row 110, and the refrigerant (or fluid) may be discharged through the second header pipe 162 disposed in the sixth header row 160.

Here, the refrigerant (or fluid) flowing into the first header pipe 111 may be divided into each of the first header pipes 121 and 131 and moved in the second direction through the flow hole 200h of the connection block 200 that is in contact with the communications hole 100h. Here, the first header pipe 131 disposed in the third header row 130 may have the communications hole 100h formed only in one surface of the second header row 120, thus blocking the flow of the fluid toward the fourth header row 140. Accordingly, the refrigerant (or fluid) flowing into the first header pipe 111, 121, or 131 may be moved through the connection tube 13 to the second header pipe 112, 122, or 132 in the third direction.

Further, the refrigerant (or fluid) flowing into the second header pipe 112, 122, or 132 may be moved to the fourth header row 140 and the fifth header row 150 in the second direction through the flow hole 200h of the connection block 200 that is in contact with the communications hole 100h. Here, the second header pipe 152 disposed in the fifth header row 150 may have the communications hole 100h formed only in one surface of the fourth header row 140, thus blocking the flow of the fluid toward the sixth header row 160. Accordingly, the refrigerant (or fluid) flowing into the second header pipe 142 or 152 may be moved through the connection tube 13 to the first header pipe 141 or 151 in the third direction.

In addition, the refrigerant (or fluid) flowing into the first header pipe 141 or 151 may be moved to the sixth header row 160 in the second direction in the same manner as above, and the first header pipe 161 disposed in the sixth header row 160 may have the communications hole 100h formed only in one surface of the fifth header row 150. Therefore, the refrigerant (or fluid) may be moved to the second header pipe 162 through the connection tube 13 in the third direction.

In this way, it is possible to increase cross-sectional areas of the header pipe and the connection tube through which the refrigerant (or fluid) passes. Accordingly, the condenser may have improved cooling efficiency, and perform a large amount of heat exchange when having even the same size. Therefore, it is possible to use the condenser having a smaller size when the condensers have the same capacity, and use the condenser capable of cooling a larger capacity when the condensers have the same size.

FIG. 7 shows the flow of the refrigerant (or fluid) in the condenser 1 in the first and third directions. Referring to FIG. 7, the refrigerant (or fluid) flowing into the first header pipe assembly 11 may flow in the first direction which is the length direction of the first header pipe assembly 11. Here, the refrigerant (or fluid) may flow through the plurality of connection tubes 13 in the third direction.

Here, the refrigerant (or fluid) flowing through the connection tube 13 may perform the heat exchange by using the water/air flowing from the top to the bottom of the condenser 1, and may be partially changed from gas to liquid, thus reducing a volume of the fluid having the same weight.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the condenser 1 when viewed in the third direction. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, in the condenser 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the connection tube 13 may extend in the third direction between the first header pipe assembly 11 and the second header pipe assembly 12. The connection tube 13 may include a multi-row tube 15 extending in the second direction. That is, the connection tube 13 may include the plurality of multi-row tubes 15. As shown in FIG. 8, the connection tubes 13 may include a first multi-row tube 15a disposed in the first to third header rows 110, 120, and 130, and a second multi-row tube 15b disposed in the fourth to the sixth header rows 140, 150, and 160. The first multi-row tube 15a may be coupled to the first header pipe lower assembly 11a (see FIG. 2) and the second header lower assembly 12a (see FIG. 2), and the second multi-row tube 15b may be coupled to the first header pipe upper assembly 11b (see FIG. 2) and the second header upper assembly 12b (see FIG. 2). Here, the first multi-row tube 15a and the second multi-row tube 15b may have the same structure. However, the multi-row tubes are not limited thereto, and may have different structures if necessary. The multi-row tube 15 may include a plurality of single tubes 14 and wings 16. As shown in FIG. 7, the plurality of single tubes 14 may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other in the second direction, and have two ends 14a and 14b, each inserted into the connection hole h of the first header pipe assembly 11 and the second header pipe assembly 12. The single tube 14 may have a plurality of microchannels, that is, microchannels M and M1, formed in a length direction of the multi-row tube 15.

That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the number of passing header rows may be decreased as the direction is changes. Therefore, in the condenser 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the number of connection tubes through which the fluid passes may be decreased by considering a fact that the refrigerant (or fluid) used to have a low density has an increased density through the heat exchange to thus properly achieve the cooling in a section where a phase change of the fluid is generated by the reduced cross-sectional area. In this manner, the condenser 1 may achieve the improved cooling efficiency.

The wing 16 may be connected between the plurality of single tubes 14. That is, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, in the multi-row tube 14, the plurality of single tubes 144, 154, and 164 disposed in the fourth to the sixth header rows 140, 150, and 160 may be connected to each other by the wings 16.

In addition, in the condenser 1 according to an exemplary embodiment, the fin member F may be disposed between the plurality of connection tubes 13, thus increasing heat exchange efficiency. The fin member F may be coated using a hydrophilic porous material or a porous material including a hydrophilic property to evenly spread the water sprayed from above the condenser 1, and the porous material may be coated using a metal organic framework (MOF).

In this way, the condenser 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may allow easy alignment of the multi-row tubes 15, including the single tubes 14 integrally connected to each other by the wing 16, thus shortening an assembly time of the condenser 1. In addition, the wing 16 may be made of a material having a width smaller than that of the single tube 14 when viewed in the third direction. Accordingly, a space through which the water/air may flow may be formed between the wing 16 and the fin member F, and the water/air may be condensed on the wing 16, thus increasing the heat exchange efficiency between the refrigerant (or fluid) flowing in the single tube 14 and the water/air passing through the space.

Hereinafter, the description specifically describes the connection tube connecting the flow path between the first header pipe assembly and the second header pipe assembly in the condenser according exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a partial configuration of the condenser according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, in which the first header pipe assembly 11, the second header pipe assembly 12, and the connection tube 13, connecting flow paths C of the assemblies to each other, are coupled to one another. In detail, FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing that the first header pipe upper assembly 11b, the second header pipe upper assembly 12b, and the plurality of connection tubes 13, connecting the flow paths C of the first and second header pipe upper assembly 11b and 12b to each other, are coupled to one another. FIG. 10 is a perspective view and partially enlarged view of the multi-row tube according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 11 is an exemplary cross-sectional view and partially enlarged view, taken along line III-III′ of FIG. 9. The cross-sectional view of FIG. 11 omits a configuration of the microchannel in the single tube 14. Although FIGS. 9 to 11 omit the fin member, the fin member which is disposed between the connection tube 13, if necessary, may also fall within the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 9 to 11, the multi-row tube 15 may include the plurality of single tubes 14 disposed to be spaced apart from each other in the second direction and having two ends inserted into the flow path C through each connection hole h of the first header pipe upper assembly 11b and the second header upper assembly 12b, and the wing 16 connected between the plurality of single tubes 14.

The multi-row tube 15, the first header pipe upper assembly 11b, and the second header upper assembly 12b may be connected to one another by brazing. In this case, to prevent a leakage from occurring after the brazing, it is necessary to implement a tight coupling structure between the multi-row tube 15, the first header pipe upper assembly 11b, and the second header upper assembly 12b. Therefore, a defect may occur such as the end of the single tube 14 being torn by being caught on an edge of the connection hole h of the first header pipe upper assembly 11b or that of the second header upper assembly 12b in a process of inserting the single tube 14 into the flow path C through the connection hole h of the first header pipe upper assembly 11b or the second header upper assembly 12b. Furthermore, difficulties may exist in an assembly work of inserting the plurality of single tubes 14 into each of the header pipes.

In the present disclosure, chamfers 17 may be formed on two edges of the end 14a or 14b of the single tubes 14 to achieve easy assembly between the single tube 14 and the header pipe and improve the defect occurring during the assembly. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the chamfer 17 in an exemplary embodiment may be formed across the microchannel M1 adjacent thereto at each of two edges E of each end 14a or 14b of the single tubes 14. Here, the microchannel M1 may indicate the microchannel disposed on each of two outermost sides among the plurality of microchannels M. The drawings show that the chamfer 17 is formed across one microchannel M1 adjacent to each of the two edges E of each end 14a or 14b of the single tubes 14. However, the chamfer 17 is not limited thereto, and may be formed on a portion of one microchannel M1 adjacent to each of the two edges E of each end 14a or 14b of the single tubes 14, or formed across the plurality of microchannels M and M1 adjacent to the two edges E of each end of the single tubes 14 based on the size, shape, or the like of the connection hole of the single tube 14, the microchannel M, or the header pipe. The chamfer 17 formed on the single tubes 14 may function as a guide to ensure proper insertion of the multi-row tube 15 into the connection hole h of the first header pipe upper assembly 11b or the second header upper assembly 12b.

That is, it is difficult to insert the multi-row tube, including the multiple single tubes, into the header pipe. Therefore, the present disclosure may secure improved overall workability by facilitating the assembly work of inserting the single tubes 14 into the header pipe based on the single tubes 144, 154, are 164 integrally connected to one another by the wings 16 and the chamfer 17 formed at the end 14a or 14b of the single tube 144, 154, or 164.

In an exemplary embodiment, when viewed in the first direction, each end 14a or 14b of the single tubes 14 may have a length allowing the end 14a or 14b to be inserted up to at least the central portion of the flow path C of the header pipe 100. As shown in FIG. 11, when viewed in the first direction, each end 14a or 14b of the single tubes 14 may have a length allowing the end to be inserted into the header pipe beyond at least the central portion of the flow path C of the header pipe 100, and may be spaced apart from an inner wall surface S of the flow path C facing the connection hole h of the header pipe 100. Each end 14a or 14b of the single tubes 14 may have a length allowing the end to be inserted only before the central portion of the flow path C of the header pipe 100. In this case, the single tubes 14 may not be sufficiently inserted into the header pipe 100, resulting in the leakage defect. On the other hand, each end 14a or 14b of the single tubes 14 may be over-inserted into the header pipe 100 beyond the central portion of the flow path C of the header pipe 100. In this case, the end 14a or 14b may be excessively close to the inner wall S of the flow path C that is opposite to the connection hole h of the header pipe 100, thus causing obstruction of the refrigerant flow and causing a loss of refrigerant differential pressure. In an exemplary embodiment, when viewed in the first direction, each end 14a or 14b of the single tubes 14 may have a length allowing the end to be inserted into the header pipe in a range of 0.5 to 0.75 of a diameter of the flow path C of the header pipe 100, thus effectively preventing the leakage defect and simultaneously securing the heat exchange efficiency by not affecting the refrigerant and the flow path.

Further, when the single tube 14 is inserted into the flow path C of the header pipe 100, the insertion length of the end 14a or 14b of the single tubes 14 may be limited by contact between an end 16a or 16b of the wing 16 and an outer surface of the header pipe 100 to evenly insert each single tube 14 of the multi-row tube 15 into the flow path C of the header pipe 100 while having a constant insertion length. That is, the end 14a or 14b of the single tubes 14 may extend in the third direction to be longer than the end 16a or 16b of the wing 16. Here, the plurality of the wings 16 may have the same length in the third direction when the plurality of wings 16 are provided, that is, when the multi-row tube includes at least three single tubes 14. Accordingly, the wing 16 may act as a stopper that is caught in contact with the outer surface of the header pipe 100 by using its length in the third direction when the multi-row tube 15 is inserted into the flow path C through the connection hole h of the header pipe 100. The multi-row tube 15 may be evenly inserted into the flow path C of the header pipe 100 while having a certain insertion length by the stopper function of the wing 16 to prevent the non-insertion or over-insertion of each end of the single tubes 14 into the flow path C of the header pipe 100. In addition, in the present disclosure, it is possible to facilitate the assembly and reduce the work hours and manufacturing costs by using the multi-row tube 15 which includes the wing functioning as the stopper without any need for a separate configuration.

The present disclosure may provide the connection tube in which the connection tube and the header pipe are easily assembled to each other and which effectively prevents the defect such as the tearing of the connection tube in the assembly, and the condenser including the same.

Referring to FIGS. 9 to 11, the description hereinabove describes the configuration of the condenser 1 where the first header pipe upper assembly 11b, the second header upper assembly 12b, and the plurality of connection tubes 13, connecting the flow path C of the first header pipe upper assembly 11b and that of the second header upper assembly 12b to each other, are coupled to one another. However, the same description may also be provided for a configuration of the condenser 1 where the first header pipe lower assembly 11a, the second header lower assembly 12a, and the plurality of connection tubes 13, connecting the flow path of the first header pipe lower assembly 11a and that of the second header lower assembly 12a to each other, are coupled to one another.

As set forth above, the present disclosure may provide the connection tube which may be easily assembled and may effectively prevent the defect such as its tearing in the assembly by using the condenser structure described above, and the condenser including the same.

While the exemplary embodiments have been shown and described above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations could be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

Number	Date	Country	Kind
1020230084348	Jun 2023	KR	national
1020230193809	Dec 2023	KR	national

ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM CONNECTION TUBE AND CONDENSER

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