Clamshell Heat Exchanger Passageway for Compact Heat Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat exchangers face challenges in achieving high efficiency when dimensions are constrained, such as in space-limited HVAC systems, making it difficult to recover heat effectively.
Innovation Solution
A clamshell heat exchanger design with a passageway aspect ratio of 0.5 or less, formed by shaping sheet metal into two halves with a serpentine path and seal regions, which includes a combustion region and exhaust regions with U-bends and a venturi inlet, enhancing heat transfer efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional heat exchanger designs are used with constrained dimensions, then the device can be installed in space-limited HVAC systems, but heat recovery efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the conventional heat exchanger design by changing the aspect ratio of the passageway from height>depth to height≤depth (specifically achieving a ratio of 0.5 or less). This dimensional reconfiguration allows the heat exchanger to maintain high heat transfer efficiency (at least 70%) while fitting within constrained spatial dimensions, directly resolving the contradiction between efficiency and size constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies parameter changes by modifying the geometric parameters of the heat exchanger passageway, specifically the height-to-depth aspect ratio. By setting this ratio to 0.5 or less and optimizing other dimensions, the design achieves high heat recovery efficiency without requiring large volume, thus resolving the technical contradiction between energy recovery and spatial constraints
2Loss of energy
If the passageway aspect ratio is reduced to 0.5 or less, then heat transfer efficiency increases to at least 70%, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is divided into two separate clamshell halves that are formed independently and then joined together. This segmentation simplifies the manufacturing process by allowing each half to be formed using standard sheet metal shaping techniques, while the final assembled configuration achieves the desired low aspect ratio (0.5 or less) for high heat transfer efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The invention maintains ease of manufacture by applying parameter changes to the geometric configuration rather than requiring complex manufacturing processes. The specific aspect ratio parameter (height/depth ≤ 0.5) is achieved through controlled shaping of sheet metal blanks into clamshell halves, which can be manufactured using conventional forming techniques
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The clamshell heat exchanger achieves an efficiency of at least 70% and allows for compact design, enabling high heat output in constrained spaces, with potential for overall furnace efficiency of up to 90% through subsequent heat recovery.
Implementation Method 1
The heat exchanger includes a first clamshell half and a second clamshell half. When joined, the first and second clamshell halves form a passageway having an inlet and an outlet. The passageway has a height and a depth. A ratio of the height to the depth is about 0.5 or less. The heat exchanger has an efficiency of at least about 70%.
Implementation Method 2
which includes a combustion region and exhaust regions with U-bends and a venturi inlet
Data Source
AI summary
A clamshell heat exchanger for use in a gas-fired direct combustion furnace. The exchanger comprises a first clamshell half and a second clamshell half that when joined with the first clamshell half forms a passageway having an inlet and an outlet. The passageway includes a U-bend located between the inlet and the outlet, wherein the U-bend includes a re-entrant sectional profile.