Stacked disc heat exchanger for a thermal management module

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12590763-B2
Application number	US-202318123977-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 20, 2023
Priority date	Mar 21, 2022
Publication date	Mar 31, 2026
Grant date	Mar 31, 2026

Abstract

A stacked disc heat exchanger for a thermal management module may include a plurality of stacked discs arranged following one another in a stacking direction. Each stacked disc of the plurality of stacked discs may include a bottom extending transversely to the stacking direction. An outermost disc of the plurality of stacked discs in the stacking direction defining a cover disc. The cover disc may include at least one convexity formed in the stacking direction towards an outside. The at least one convexity may extend transversely to the stacking direction and may form a channel for a flow path extending through the stacked disc heat exchanger of a fluid. The cover disc may further include at least one opening that is open in the stacking direction towards the outside for fluidic connection with the thermal management module.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1 . A thermal management module, comprising:
a stacked disc heat exchanger including a plurality of stacked discs arranged following one another in a stacking direction; each stacked disc of the plurality of stacked discs including a bottom extending transversely to the stacking direction; an outermost disc of the plurality of stacked discs in the stacking direction defining a cover disc; the cover disc including at least one convexity formed in the stacking direction towards an outside, the at least one convexity extending transversely to the stacking direction and forming a channel for a flow path extending through the stacked disc heat exchanger of a fluid; a block attached to the cover disc; and at least one component attached to the block; wherein the cover disc further includes at least one opening that is open in the stacking direction towards the outside; wherein the block and/or the at least one component is fluidically connected with the at least one opening; wherein the flow path extends through the stacked disc heat exchanger, the block, and the at least one component; wherein the at least one component includes i) a collector for collecting the fluid, ii) a first valve, and iii) a second valve; and wherein the first valve and the second valve are each attached to the block and fluidically connected with the block.

2 . The thermal management module according to claim 1 , wherein:
the at least one opening is disposed in the at least one convexity; the at least one opening is a recess disposed in the bottom of the cover disc; and/or the channel includes the at least one opening.

3 . The thermal management module according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one convexity is stamped into the bottom of the cover disc.

4 . The thermal management module according to claim 1 , wherein:
the cover disc further includes a connecting piece projecting towards the outside in the stacking direction; and the at least one opening is disposed in the connecting piece.

5 . The thermal management module according to claim 4 , wherein the connecting piece is stamped into the bottom of the cover disc.

6 . The thermal management module according to claim 4 , wherein the at least one opening and the channel terminate in a plane extending transversely to the stacking direction.

7 . The thermal management module according to claim 1 , wherein the block and/or the at least one component is directly connected fluidically with the at least one opening.

8 . The thermal management module according to claim 1 , wherein the collector is attached to an outer side of the block facing transversely to the stacking direction, is disposed spaced apart from the stacked disc heat exchanger, and is fluidically connected with the block.

9 . The thermal management module according to claim 1 , wherein the collector is a pressurized fluid collection tank.

10 . The thermal management module according to claim 1 , wherein:
the first valve and/or the second valve is a multi-way valve; and the multi-way valve is attached to a side of the block facing away from the cover disc.

11 . The thermal management module according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one convexity is structured as a hollow dome projecting from the bottom of the cover disc.

12 . The thermal management module according to claim 1 , wherein:
the at least one opening includes a plurality of openings; the at least one convexity includes a plurality of convexities; the cover disc further includes a connecting piece disposed on the bottom spaced apart from the plurality of convexities and projecting towards the outside in the stacking direction; a first opening of the plurality of openings is disposed in the connecting piece; and a second opening of the plurality of openings is disposed in a first convexity of the plurality of convexities and is in direct fluid communication with a first channel defined by the first convexity.

13 . The thermal management module according to claim 1 , wherein:
the block includes at least one hollow space disposed in and defined by the block; and the at least one component is in fluid communication with the heat exchanger via the at least one hollow space of the block and the at least one opening of the heat exchanger.

14 . The thermal management module according to claim 1 , wherein:
the first valve is an expansion valve configured to expand the fluid; and the second valve is a flow-regulation valve configured to regulate a flow of the fluid along the flow path.

15 . A thermal management module, comprising:
a stacked disc heat exchanger including a plurality of stacked discs arranged following one another in a stacking direction; an outermost disc, relative to the stacking direction, of the plurality of stacked discs defining a cover disc; the cover disc including:
a bottom extending transversely to the stacking direction;
at least one elongated hollow dome projecting from the bottom away from a disc of the plurality of stacked discs that is disposed adjacent to the cover disc in the stacking direction, the dome extending along the bottom transversely to the stacking direction and at least partially defining a channel through which a refrigerant is flowable; and
at least one opening via which the cover disc is fluidically connectable to a thermal management module;
a block attached to the cover disc; and at least one component attached to the block; wherein the block and/or the at least one component is fluidically connected with the at least one opening; wherein a flow path of the refrigerant extends through the heat exchanger, the block, and the at least one component; wherein the at least one component includes i) a collector for collecting the refrigerant, ii) a first valve, and iii) a second valve; and wherein the first valve and the second valve are each attached to the block and fluidically connected with the block.

16 . A thermal management module, comprising:
a stacked disc heat exchanger including a plurality of stacked discs arranged following one another in a stacking direction; an outermost disc, relative to the stacking direction, of the plurality of stacked discs defining a cover disc; the cover disc including:
a bottom extending transversely to the stacking direction;
a plurality of connecting pieces arranged on the bottom;
a plurality of elongated hollow domes projecting from the bottom, the plurality of domes extending along the bottom transversely to the stacking direction and at least partially defining a respective channel through which a refrigerant is flowable; and
a plurality of openings;
a block attached to the cover disc; and at least one component attached to the block; wherein a first opening of the plurality of openings is disposed in a first connecting piece of the plurality of connecting pieces; wherein a second opening of the plurality of openings is disposed in a first elongated hollow dome of the plurality of domes and is in direct fluid communication with a first channel defined by the first dome; wherein the block and/or the at least one component is fluidically connected with at least one of the plurality of openings; wherein a flow path of the refrigerant extends through the heat exchanger, the block, and the at least one component; wherein the at least one component includes i) a collector for collecting the refrigerant, ii) a first valve, and iii) a second valve; and wherein the first valve and the second valve are each attached to the block and fluidically co

Assignees

• Mahle Int Gmbh

Inventors

• Feldkeller Timo
• Kies Anja

Classifications

• F28D21/00

  Heat-exchange apparatus not covered by any of the groups F28D1/00 - F28D20/00 · CPC title

• F28D2021/008

  for vehicles · CPC title

• F28F3/08

  Elements constructed for building-up into stacks, e.g. capable of being taken apart for cleaning · CPC title

• F25B39/00

  Evaporators; Condensers · CPC title

• F28D2021/0085

  Evaporators · CPC title