TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure generally relates to a heat exchanger  and more particularly  to a heat exchanging device for cooling compressor outlet gases used in automotive breaking systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Air assisted brake systems or air brake systems are used in a variety of vehicles  such as the medium and large commercial vehicles. The air brake systems need supply of pressurized air for braking. Typically  air compressors are employed to supply pressurized air to the brake systems. The air compressors coupled with the engine and takes power from engine for their operation. With compression  the temperature of the air also increases in the compressor. Since it is considerably undesirable to supply high temperature air to the braking system  the temperature of the air is required to be brought down. In order to bring down the temperature of the braking system  an elongated compressor outlet pipe (up to Dryer Distributer Unit  DDU/ Air Processing Unit  APU) is typically used. In the typical piping arrangement  connection is done using two piece of metallic piping having total length of about 5.5 meters. Each pipe consists of adopters & tube. Among this  one pipe consists of a costly flex pipe of 0.4 -05 meters length for fitment flexibility and reduction of vibration. The use of this elongated compressor outlet pipe posses various design as well as production issues. The use of this elongated compressor outlet pipe also results in increased cost and weight of vehicle. Further  coolant/lubricant vapor in compressor outlet gases some times causes deterioration of life of Dryer Distributer Unit / Air Processing Unit.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
The objective of disclosure is to provide a reliable  cost effective  and simple  compressor outlet gas cooling device that overcomes or obviates the disadvantages associated with the prior art.
Another objective of the disclosure is to provide a heat exchanger at the compressor outlet.
Yet another objective of the disclosure is to enable reduction in length of the pipe after the compressor  while still cooling the air before it reaches the braking system.
Another object of the disclosure is to facilitate reduction in the length of the compressor outlet pipe thereby resolving packaging and excess weight related issues.
Another object of the disclosure is to increase the life of Dryer Distributer Unit / Air Processing Unit of brake system by restricting excess contamination of coolant/lubricant vapor.
Further objects and features of the disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a hollow housing with a converging portion for converting a peripheral fluid vortex into a substantially centered vortex in an opposite direction  the housing mounted with an inlet to form an inlet stream into the peripheral vortex  an outlet for receiving the substantially centered vortex  and a plurality of heat exchanging fins on the converging portion for dissipating heat associated with the inlet stream.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the hollow housing in accordance to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 2 illustrates side and top views of the hollow housing of FIG. 1  in accordance to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIGS. 3a-3c illustrates different views of a first tubular portion of the hollow housing of FIG. 1  in accordance to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view a second tubular portion of the hollow housing of FIG.1  in accordance to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 5 illustrates a sectional view of the hollow housing of FIG. 1 showing flow pattern  in accordance to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic diagram showing positioning of a hollow housing for cooling compressor outlet gases  in a braking system  in accordance to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the disclosure only  and not for the purpose of limiting the same.
Referring now to FIG. 1 through FIG. 5  the present disclosure relates to a hollow housing 100 (also referred to as a heat exchanging device 100). The heat exchanging device 100 includes a hollow housing with a converging portion for converting a peripheral fluid vortex into a substantially centered vortex in an opposite direction. The peripheral fluid vortex and the substantially centered vortex being best illustrated in FIG. 5.
The hollow housing or the heat exchanging device 100 includes a first tubular portion 102 and a second tubular portion 120. In one embodiment of the present invention  the first tubular portion 102 and the second tubular portion 120 may be integral to each other. In alternative embodiments  the first tubular portion 102 and the second tubular portion 120 may be separate components  joined with each other using conventional joining processes.
As best shown in FIG. 3  the first tubular portion 102 includes a closed end 106 and an external peripheral surface 108 connected to the closed end 106 and extending up to an open end 109.
As best shown in FIG. 4  the second tubular portion 120 has an open end 122 and a close ended converging portion 124. The open end 122 of the second tubular portion 120 may be connected to the open end 109 of the first tubular portion 102. The connection of the first tubular portion 102 and the second tubular portion 102 may be done by welding or brazing. In other embodiments of the present invention  such connection can be done using any other joining process  known to those skilled in the art.
As best shown in FIG. 4  the converging portion 124 has a converging profile at an angle ranging from zero to forty five degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis. The converging profile assists in formation of a vortex flow. A longitudinal axis (not illustrated) of the converging profile of the converging portion 124 is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the outlet pipe 112 of the first tubular portion 102.
The hollow housing 100 is mounted with an inlet to form an inlet stream into the peripheral vortex. An outlet of the hollow housing 100 also referred to as an outlet pipe 112  is for receiving the substantially centered vortex. The outlet pipe 112 passes through the closed end 106 of the first tubular portion 102 for receiving the substantially centered vortex. The outlet pipe 112 is positioned along an imaginary longitudinal axis (not illustrated) of the first tubular portion 102. The outlet pipe 112 is connected thereto  such that a first end portion of it extends outside the first tubular portion 102  whereas a second end portion of if it is positioned within the first tubular portion 102. In one embodiment of the present invention  a substantial part of the outlet pipe 112 in positioned within the first tubular portion 102. In this embodiment  the outlet pipe 112 is welded to the closed end 106 of the first tubular portion 102. An end portion of the outlet pipe 112 is positioned beyond point of connection of an inlet pipe with the first tubular portion 102.
As best shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5  the hollow housing 100 further includes a plurality of heat exchanging fins 126 on the converging portion for dissipating heat associated with the inlet stream. The plurality of heat exchanging fins 126 extend outwardly from the external peripheral surface (close ended converging portion 124) of the second tubular portion 120. In one particular embodiment of the present invention  each heat exchanging fin of the plurality of heat exchange fins 126 extends perpendicularly from external peripheral surface of the second tubular portion 120. The plurality of heat exchange fins 126 may be adapted to exchange heat with surroundings. The heat exchange fins 126 have a triangular profile and are provided with a chamfer. The heat exchanging fins 126 may be brazed/welded on external peripheral surface of the second tubular portion 120. The heat exchange fins 126 effectively increase surface contact area thus encouraging heat transfer / heat dissipation with atmospheric air.
In one embodiment of the present disclosure  the heat exchanging device 100 is installed between a compressor 14 and a braking system 10 of the vehicle. FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic diagram of such braking system 10 showing positioning of the heat exchanging device 100 for cooling compressor outlet gases  in accordance to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The braking system 10 includes  but not limited to  an air inlet system 12 for supplying air to a compressor 14  through an air inlet line. The compressor 14  as would be apparent to those skilled in the art  is driven by an internal combustion engine 16. An outlet of the compressor 14 pressurizes the air and during the process the temperature of the air also increases up to an undesired degree. A compressor outlet pipe 18 coming from the compressor 14 carrying heated gas from the compressor 14 is tangentially connected to the external peripheral surface 108 of the first tubular portion 102.
The heat exchanging device 100 of the present invention brings the temperature of the heated gases down before supplying the gases to the Dryer Distributer Unit (DDU)/ Air Processing Unit (APU) 17 and other parts of the braking system 10. The heat exchanging device 100 therefore eliminates the need of employing typical piping (not illustrated). The heat exchanging device 100 by eliminating the need of having such typical piping also eliminates problems associated with the typical piping.
In one embodiment of the present invention  the particular  the heat exchanging device 100  ensures reduction of total connection length between the compressor 14 and the DDU/ADU 17 to two meters. In addition there will be no issues in routing. Further  it will ensure to use lesser length flex pipe than in typical piping.
As best shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 4  a tangential inlet pipe 110 extends tangentially outwardly from the external peripheral surface 108 of the first tubular portion 102. In an embodiment of the present invention  the tangential inlet pipe 110 is welded tangentially from the external peripheral surface 108 of the first tubular portion 102. In such embodiment  the compressor outlet pipe 18 coming from the compressor 14 is connected to tangential inlet pipe 110.
A drain valve 114 is fitted on bottom side of the external peripheral surface 108 of the first tubular portion 102 for removal of moisture and coolant/lubricant accumulated therein. Further  an O-ring is fitted around joining area of drain valve to ensure leak proof joining of the drain valve 114 and the peripheral surface 108 of the first tubular portion 102.
The total length of the heat exchanging device 100 is about within 0.5 meter. All the parts of the heat exchanging device 100 except inlet & outlet pipe are made of high thermal conductive aluminum material. Other parts are of Aluminum based iron alloy. The thickness of all sheets or plates is within 1 to 2 millimeter thick. Further  all child parts are simple in design wise to ensure easy manufacturability.
FIG. 5 illustrates a sectional side view of the heat exchanging device 100 to show the flow pattern  heated and pressurized gases from the compressor 14 are supplied to the first tubular portion 102 through the tangential inlet pipe 110. The gases  in a vortex flow (illustrated by darker set of arrows)  travel within the first tubular portion 102 up to the conical close ended converging portion 124 of the second tubular portion 120. Evidently  as the gases flow within the first tubular portion 102 up to the conical close ended converging portion 124 of the second tubular portion 120  the gases collide with the conical close ended converging portion 124 of the second tubular portion 120. The plurality of heat exchange fins 126  present on the second tubular portion 120  and facilitate the heat exchange of the heated gases. Therefore  when the gases  upon collision with the conical close ended converging portion 124 of the second tubular portion 120 are returned (illustrated by lighter set of arrows  again in a vortex flow) towards the outlet pipe 112 for exit thereof  are cooled down to a desired level.
The foregoing description provides specific embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that these embodiment are described for purpose of illustration only  and that numerous other alterations and modifications may be practiced by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. It is intended that all such modifications and alterations be included insofar as they come within the scope of the disclosure as claimed or the equivalents thereof.
Referral Numerals Description
100 Heat exchanging device/ hollow housing
10 Braking system
12 Air inlet system
14 Compressor
16 Internal combustion engine
18 Compressor outlet pipe
102 First tubular portion
106 Closed end
108 External peripheral surface
110 Tangential inlet pipe
112 Outlet pipe
114 Drain valve
120 Second tubular portion
122 Open end
124 Close ended converging portion
126 Heat exchanging fins
17 Dryer Distributer Unit (DDU)/ Air Processing Unit (APU)
109 Open end of the first tubular portion 102

We claim:

1. A hollow housing (100) with a converging portion for converting a peripheral fluid vortex into a substantially centered vortex in an opposite direction  the hollow housing (100) mounted with an inlet to form an inlet stream into the peripheral vortex  an outlet (112) for receiving the substantially centered vortex  and a plurality of heat exchanging fins (126) on a close ended converging portion (124) for dissipating heat associated with the inlet stream.
2. The hollow housing (100) as claimed in claim 1  wherein the hollow housing (100) includes a first tubular portion (102) having a closed end (106)  an open end (109) longitudinally opposite to the closed end (106)  and a second tubular portion (120) having an open end (122) and the close ended converging portion (124).
3. The hollow housing (100) as claimed in claim 1  wherein an inlet pipe (110) is connected to peripheral surface (108) of the first tubular portion (102) to form the peripheral vortex.
4. The hollow housing (100) as claimed in claim 1  wherein an outlet pipe (112) is connected to the closed end (106) for outlet vortex flow.
5. The hollow housing (100) as claimed in claim 1  wherein the plurality of heat exchanging fins (126) are adapted to exchange heat with surroundings thereby cooling the outlet gases circulating within the close ended converging portion (124).
6. The hollow housing (100) as claimed in claim 1  wherein the close ended converging portion (124) is at an angle ranging from zero to forty five degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis.
7. The hollow housing (100) as claimed in claim 1  wherein an end portion of the outlet pipe (112) is positioned beyond point of connection of the inlet pipe (110) with the first tubular portion (102).
8. The hollow housing (100) as claimed in claim 1 is installed between a compressor (14) and a braking system of a vehicle (10).
9. The hollow housing (100) as claimed in claim 1 further includes a drain valve (114) located at the peripheral surface (108) of the first tubular portion (102).