A heat exchange system with varying heat absorption area

Abstract

This invention provides a heat exchange system with variable heat absorption area. The system includes a loop heat pipe, which comprises multiple parallel straight pipes and a first bend and a second bend connecting the upper and lower ends of adjacent straight pipes. The first bend and the second bend are alternately arranged, forming a series structure between the straight pipes and the bends. The loop heat pipe includes an evaporation section, which includes a second bend and a portion of a straight pipe connected to the second bend. The system is characterized by further including a bypass pipe disposed at the upper end of the second bend, which connects to an adjacent straight pipe connected to the second bend. A first valve is disposed on the second bend, and a second valve is disposed on the bypass pipe. During operation, at least one of the first valve and the second valve is open. This invention can adjust the size of the heat exchange area involved in heat absorption and the flow rate of the fluid by opening and closing the first valve and the second valve, thereby automatically controlling the output temperature.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a heat exchanger, and more particularly to a heat pipe heat exchange system with varying heat absorption area. Background Technology

[0002] Heat pipe technology, a highly efficient phase change heat transfer element, originated in 1963 and was invented by George Grover at Los Alamos National Laboratory in the United States. It makes full use of the principle of heat conduction and the rapid heat transfer properties of phase change media to quickly transfer the heat of the heated object to the outside of the heat source through the heat pipe. Its thermal conductivity exceeds that of any known metal.

[0003] Loop heat pipes are an extension of traditional heat pipe technology and are highly efficient two-phase heat transfer devices. They connect the evaporator and condenser in a loop via vapor and liquid lines, utilizing only capillary force provided by the wick to drive the circulation of the working fluid within the pipe. No additional energy consumption is required; heat is transferred through a phase change in the working fluid. The structural features of loop heat pipes include separate vapor and liquid lines, and an integrated evaporator and compensator. Due to their compact structure, they exhibit low gas-liquid resistance, rapid and flexible start-up, excellent heat transfer capacity, easy installation, and long-distance heat transfer capabilities, making them widely used in military, aerospace, and electronic equipment industries.

[0004] A loop heat pipe (LHP) is a thermal management technology that has gradually developed based on split heat pipe technology. It consists of an evaporator, a condenser, and vapor and liquid piping. The evaporator in a LHP includes a compensation chamber and a vapor chamber, which are connected by a capillary wick. The capillary force provided by the wick drives the circulation of the working fluid. Compared to traditional heat pipes, the more rational capillary structure arrangement and design, as well as the split vapor-liquid piping in LHP, significantly improves the heat transfer distance and system reliability, reduces the circulation resistance of the working fluid within the system, and decreases the system's size, enabling thermal management in complex spaces.

[0005] In current loop heat pipes, the heat absorption area is fixed during heat absorption, which means the fluid temperature output from the condenser end cannot change. Alternatively, to change the fluid temperature passing through the condenser end, modifications are needed at the condenser end, leading to a complex structure. This application addresses this issue by controlling the heat absorption area of ​​the fluid in the evaporation section, thereby controlling the output temperature accordingly. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In order to overcome the defects and shortcomings of the existing technology, the present invention provides a heat exchange system with variable heat absorption area, which can automatically control the heat exchange area of ​​the evaporation section.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of the present invention is as follows:

[0008] A heat exchange system with variable heat absorption area, the system comprising a loop heat pipe, the loop heat pipe comprising a plurality of parallel straight pipes and a first bend and a second bend connecting the upper and lower ends of adjacent straight pipes, the first bend and the second bend being alternately arranged, thereby forming a series structure between the straight pipes and the bends; the loop heat pipe comprising an evaporation section, the evaporation section comprising a second bend and a portion of a straight pipe connecting the second bend; characterized in that it further comprises a bypass pipe disposed at the upper end of the second bend, the bypass pipe connecting to an adjacent straight pipe connected to the second bend, a first valve disposed on the second bend, and a second valve disposed on the bypass pipe, wherein at least one of the first valve and the second valve is in an open state when the heat exchange system is in operation.

[0009] As an improvement, a bypass pipe is provided at the upper end of each second bend.

[0010] As an improvement, the loop heat pipe includes a condenser section that releases heat to the outside for heating the fluid. The temperature of the heated fluid is controlled by controlling the opening and closing of the first and second valves and the degree of their opening.

[0011] As an improvement, if it is necessary to increase the temperature of the fluid, the opening of the first valve is increased while the opening of the second valve is decreased.

[0012] As an improvement, if a decrease in fluid temperature is required, the opening of the first valve is reduced, and the opening of the second valve is increased.

[0013] As an improvement, the loop heat pipe includes an upper connecting pipe that connects the upper ends of the two straight pipes on the leftmost and rightmost sides. The straight pipes, the bends, and the upper connecting pipe form a series structure, thereby allowing the fluid in the loop heat pipe to flow inside the series structure.

[0014] As an improvement, the condenser section includes an upper connecting pipe, the upper part of a straight pipe, and a first bend.

[0015] As an improvement, the loop heat pipe is a pulsating heat pipe.

[0016] As an improvement, the condenser section is used to heat the air.

[0017] As an improvement, the evaporation section absorbs the waste heat of the flue gas.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0019] The present invention provides a bypass pipe that is connected to the second bend pipe, and a first valve and a second valve are provided on the second bend pipe and the bypass pipe. By controlling the closing of the first valve and the second valve, the heat exchange area of ​​the fluid in the evaporation section can be controlled. By controlling the opening of the first valve and the second valve, the flow rate of the fluid participating in different heat exchange areas can be adjusted, thereby automatically controlling the output temperature. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a loop heat pipe, which is the background technology of this invention.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the loop heat pipe structure of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the pulsating heat pipe system with an air-water tank of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the preferred fluid flow direction structure of the pulsating heat pipe system of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] Unless otherwise specified, in this article, " / " represents division, and "×" and "*" represent multiplication.

[0026] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the directional terms "up," "down," "left," "right," "vertical," and "horizontal" in this invention do not represent actual directions, but are merely for convenience of expression. The four terms "up," "down," "left," and "right" respectively represent... Figure 1 The pulsed heat pipe has four positions: "up," "down," "left," and "right." "Vertical" and "horizontal" respectively indicate... Figure 1 The "vertical" and "horizontal" directions of the pulsating heat pipe in the front view angle are for descriptive convenience and do not represent the actual "vertical" and "horizontal" directions.

[0027] Figure 2-4 A heat exchange system with varying heat absorption area is demonstrated. For example... Figure 2 As shown, a heat exchange system with variable heat absorption area is disclosed. The system includes a loop heat pipe, which comprises multiple parallel straight pipes 1 and a first bend 2 and a second bend 3 connecting the upper and lower ends of adjacent straight pipes. The first bend 2 and the second bend 3 are alternately arranged, thereby forming a series structure between the straight pipes and the bends. The loop heat pipe includes an evaporation section, which includes a second bend 3 and a portion of a straight pipe 1 connected to the second bend 3. The evaporation section also includes a bypass pipe 4 disposed at the upper end of the second bend 3. The bypass pipe 4 connects to an adjacent straight pipe connected to the second bend. A first valve 5 is disposed on the second bend, and a second valve 6 is disposed on the bypass pipe. When the heat exchange system is in operation, at least one of the first valve 5 and the corresponding second valve 6 in the same adjacent straight pipe is in the open state.

[0028] The present invention provides a bypass pipe that is connected to the second bend pipe, and a first valve and a second valve are provided on the second bend pipe and the bypass pipe. By controlling the closing of the first valve and the second valve, the heat exchange area of ​​the fluid in the evaporation section can be controlled. By controlling the opening of the first valve and the second valve, the flow rate of the fluid participating in different heat exchange areas can be adjusted, thereby automatically controlling the output temperature.

[0029] As an improvement, a bypass pipe is provided at the upper end of each second bend. During operation, at least one of the first valve 5 and the second valve 6 in each adjacent straight pipe is open. When the maximum heat exchange area is required, the first valve 5 is closed and the second valve 6 is fully open (100% opening). When the minimum heat exchange area is required, the first valve 5 is fully open (100% opening) and the second valve 6 is closed.

[0030] By installing a bypass pipe at the upper end of each second bend, the adjustable heat exchange area range is increased, resulting in a wider output temperature range.

[0031] As an improvement, a control system is set up, which is connected to the first valve 5 and the second valve 6 via data connection, and is used to control the opening and closing of the first valve and the second valve as well as the opening degree.

[0032] As an improvement, the loop heat pipe includes a condenser section that releases heat to the outside for heating the fluid. The temperature of the heated fluid is controlled by controlling the opening and closing of the first and second valves and the degree of their opening.

[0033] As an improvement, if it is necessary to increase the temperature of the fluid, the opening of the first valve is increased while the opening of the second valve is decreased.

[0034] As an improvement, if a decrease in fluid temperature is required, the opening of the first valve is reduced, and the opening of the second valve is increased.

[0035] As an improvement, the loop heat pipe includes an upper connecting pipe 6 that connects the upper ends of the two straight pipes on the leftmost and rightmost sides. The straight pipes, the bends, and the upper connecting pipe form a series structure, thereby allowing the fluid in the loop heat pipe to flow inside the series structure.

[0036] As an improvement, the condenser section includes an upper connecting pipe 8, the upper part of a straight pipe, and a first bend pipe 2.

[0037] As an improvement, the loop heat pipe is a pulsating heat pipe.

[0038] As an improvement, the condenser section is used to heat cold water. As an improvement, the evaporator section absorbs waste heat from the flue gas. A loop heat pipe is installed in the boiler system, with the evaporator section located within flue 9 and the condenser section located within water tank 7, through which cold water circulates. The heated cold water is then supplied to the user, thus saving energy. The user can input the desired temperature at the user's end. The control system receives the user's input temperature and controls the opening and closing of the first and second valves, as well as their opening degree, to heat the cold water in the water tank to the user's input temperature.

[0039] A temperature sensor is installed to detect the temperature of the water output from the water tank, and the temperature sensor is connected to the control system.

[0040] If the number of second bends is n, then the number of first valves and second valves is also n. Therefore, a method for intelligently controlling the heat exchange area of ​​the above heat exchange system includes the following steps:

[0041] 1. Fully open m valves and close nm valves of the first valve. At the same time, close m valves and fully open nm valves of the second valve in the bypass pipe of the same adjacent straight pipe corresponding to the first valve. Then, one of the first valve and the second valve in the same adjacent straight pipe is fully open and the other is closed. Measure the temperature of the water output from the water tank and store the temperature of the water output from the water tank and the opening and closing status of the first valve and the second valve into the first database.

[0042] 2. m takes values ​​from 1 to n in sequence to obtain n sets of data. The water temperature data and the opening and closing status of the first valve and the second valve in the n sets of data are stored in the first database in sequence, so as to obtain the water temperature output by the water tank when the first valve and the second valve are fully open and closed.

[0043] 3. The user inputs the required temperature data on the user terminal, and the control system automatically retrieves the temperature data from the first database upon receiving the temperature data;

[0044] 4. If the user's temperature data is the same as a certain temperature data in the first database, the opening and closing status of the corresponding first valve and second valve will be retrieved directly, and the required temperature data will be output directly.

[0045] 5. If the user's temperature data is different from the temperature data in the first database, retrieve two temperature data from the first database so that the user's temperature data is between the two temperature data. Then, by adjusting the opening of the first valve and the second valve corresponding to the two temperature data, the required temperature data is output.

[0046] As an improvement, the first valve corresponding to the larger temperature data from the selected first database is in a fully open state. As an improvement, the opening degree of the first valve is reduced, while the second valve is opened and its opening degree is adjusted to output the required temperature data.

[0047] As an improvement, the first valve corresponding to the smaller temperature data from the selected first database is in a fully closed state. As an improvement, the opening degree of the second valve is reduced, while the first valve is opened and its opening degree is adjusted, thereby outputting the required temperature data.

[0048] As an improvement, during operation, the temperature of the water output from the tank, the opening and closing status of the first and second valves, and their respective opening degrees are stored in a first database. By continuously storing operational data into the first database, when the user needs new temperature data later, they can directly retrieve the corresponding temperature data and the opening and closing status of the first and second valves from the database, thereby achieving rapid output temperature. As the number of operations increases, the database accumulates more and more data, resulting in increasingly accurate output temperatures.

[0049] As an improvement, when the temperature data corresponding to the detected first and second valve states changes, the new temperature data is stored in the first database to replace the past temperature data, thereby achieving continuous correction.

[0050] As an improvement, such as Figure 4 As shown, water tank 7 is divided into an independent upper water tank 71 and a lower water tank 72 by a partition 10. The upper and lower water tanks each have a fluid outlet and a fluid inlet, respectively. The first bend pipe is located in the lower water tank, and the upper connecting pipe 8 is located in the upper water tank. The heated water from the upper and lower water tanks is mixed and then delivered to the user. The temperature sensor detects the temperature of the heated water from both tanks.

[0051] As an improvement, the temperature sensor can be installed inside the water tank, with temperature sensors installed in both the upper and lower water tanks. The temperature of the water output from the water tank is calculated based on the temperatures detected by the upper and lower water tanks, as well as the flow rate of the water output from the upper and lower water tanks.

[0052] The inlet and outlet of the upper water tank are configured such that the fluid in the upper water tank flows in the opposite direction to the fluid in the first connecting pipe 8; a vertical baffle 721 is provided in the lower water tank, the vertical baffle includes a lower baffle extending upward from the lower wall of the water tank and an upper baffle extending downward from the partition, the lower baffle and the upper baffle are spaced apart, the vertical baffle is arranged between adjacent vertical pipes, the inlet and outlet of the lower water tank are configured such that the water in the lower water tank flows in the opposite direction to the fluid in the straight pipe; the partition is a heat conductor, the inlet and outlet of the upper water tank and the inlet and outlet of the lower water tank are configured such that the fluid in the upper water tank flows in the opposite direction to the fluid in the lower water tank.

[0053] This invention divides the condenser tank into two parts, and the two parts exchange heat with water in different flow channels. This allows for the convenient configuration of different water flow directions. For example, the heat exchange fluid in each tank can be close to counter-current heat exchange, which improves the heat exchange effect. At the same time, the water in the upper and lower tanks and the fluid in the heat pipe can also exchange heat in a counter-current flow. The counter-current flow in three major directions further improves the heat exchange effect.

[0054] As an improvement, such as Figure 4 As shown, the inlet and outlet of the upper water tank are located on the left and right sides of the upper water tank, respectively, while the inlet and outlet of the lower water tank are located on the right and left sides of the lower water tank, respectively. As an improvement, the flow direction of the fluid in the heat pipe is from bottom to top in the rightmost connecting pipe 3. The above arrangement can form a three-counterflow flow, thereby achieving the best heat exchange effect.

[0055] As an improvement, the baffle acts as a heat conductor, allowing heat exchange between the fluids in the upper and lower flow channels. By installing the heat-conducting baffle, heat exchange between the fluids in the upper and lower flow channels can be achieved, resulting in heat complementarity between the two channels. This allows the higher-temperature fluid in one channel to transfer heat to the lower-temperature fluid, and then the higher-temperature fluid, after cooling down, absorbs heat from the heat pipe, thus maximizing heat exchange. Through the complementary heat conduction of the baffle, optimal heat exchange performance can be achieved.

[0056] As an improvement, the thermal conductivity of the partition varies at different locations, gradually decreasing from the center towards the left and right sides. With the cold water in the upper and lower tanks flowing in opposite directions, the inlet and outlet of the tanks are located on the left and right sides respectively. This maximizes the temperature difference between the two, resulting in the best heat exchange effect. By increasing the thermal conductivity of the middle section, the heat exchange effect is enhanced, achieving overall heat exchange balance and thus realizing optimal heat exchange performance.

[0057] As an improvement, the thermal conductivity decreases at an increasingly greater rate from the center of the partition towards the left and right sides. This design further enhances the heat exchange effect, achieving a more balanced overall heat exchange and ultimately resulting in optimal heat exchange performance.

[0058] While the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can make various modifications and alterations without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention; therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A heat exchange system with variable heat absorption area, the system comprising a loop heat pipe, the loop heat pipe comprising a plurality of straight pipes arranged in parallel and first and second bend pipes connecting upper ends and lower ends of adjacent straight pipes, the first and second bend pipes being arranged alternately so that a series structure is formed between the straight pipes and the bend pipes; the loop heat pipe comprising an evaporation section, the evaporation section comprising the second bend pipe and a portion of the straight pipe connected to the second bend pipe; characterized in that, The bypass pipe is arranged at the upper end of the second bend pipe, and is communicated with the adjacent straight pipe connected with the second bend pipe. The first valve is arranged on the second bend pipe, and the second valve is arranged on the bypass pipe. At least one of the first valve and the second valve is in an open state when the heat exchange system is working. The system controls the heat exchange area of the fluid in the evaporation part by controlling the closing of the first valve and the second valve, and adjusts the flow of the fluid participating in different heat exchange areas by controlling the opening degree of the first valve and the second valve, thereby automatically controlling the output temperature.

2. The heat exchange system as set forth in claim 1, wherein The bypass pipe is arranged at the upper end of each second bend pipe.

3. The heat exchange system as set forth in claim 2, wherein The loop heat pipe comprises a condensation part, the condensation part is used for heating fluid, and the temperature of the heated fluid is controlled by controlling the opening and closing and the opening degree of the first valve and the second valve.

4. The heat exchange system as set forth in claim 3 wherein, If the temperature of the fluid needs to be increased, the opening degree of the first valve is controlled to increase, and the opening degree of the second valve is controlled to decrease.

5. The heat exchange system as set forth in claim 3 wherein, If the temperature of the fluid needs to be decreased, the opening degree of the first valve is controlled to decrease, and the opening degree of the second valve is controlled to increase.

6. The heat exchange system as set forth in claim 3 wherein, The loop heat pipe comprises an upper communication pipe connected with the upper ends of the two straight pipes at the leftmost side and the rightmost side. The straight pipes, the bend pipes and the upper communication pipe form a series structure, so that the loop heat pipe fluid flows in the series structure.

7. The heat exchange system as set forth in claim 6 wherein, The condensation part comprises the upper communication pipe, the upper part of the straight pipe and the first bend pipe.

8. The heat exchange system as set forth in claim 7, wherein The loop heat pipe is a pulsating heat pipe.

9. The heat exchange system as set forth in claim 7, wherein The condensation part is used for heating air.

10. The heat exchange system as set forth in claim 7, wherein The evaporation part absorbs the waste heat of flue gas.

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