CNT Refrigerant Pipe Heating for Uniform Heat Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerant heating apparatuses are inefficient in size and cost, and prone to localized heating issues that can cause refrigerant boiling, with limited flexibility in design and reliability due to the use of conventional heating elements.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerant heating apparatus utilizing carbon nanotube heating elements connected to electrodes on the outer surface of refrigerant pipes, allowing for efficient heat distribution and reduced size, with the ability to maintain continuous heating even if individual elements fail, and adaptable to various shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional heating elements are used, then heating function is provided, but the size and manufacturing cost of the heating unit increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the heating element from conventional materials to carbon nanotube material. This material substitution reduces both the size and manufacturing cost while maintaining or improving heating reliability, as carbon nanotubes offer superior electrical and thermal properties compared to traditional heating elements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs carbon nanotube composite material for the heating element. This composite material provides enhanced performance with reduced size and cost, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing ease and heating reliability by leveraging the unique properties of carbon nanotube composites
2Reliability
If conventional heating elements are used, then heating function is provided, but localized heating causes refrigerant boiling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the heating function into multiple segmented carbon nanotube heating elements arranged along the refrigerant pipe. This segmentation ensures uniform heat distribution across different sections, preventing localized overheating and refrigerant boiling while maintaining overall heating reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies heating elements with specific local characteristics - carbon nanotube elements with controlled resistance and heat output at different positions. This local quality control ensures each section provides appropriate heating without causing refrigerant boiling, while the overall system maintains reliable heating function
3Volume of moving object
If heating unit size is reduced, then apparatus size is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical heating elements with carbon nanotube-based heating elements that can be deposited or grown directly on the refrigerant pipe surface. This substitution reduces the physical size of the heating unit while the deposition process simplifies manufacturing compared to assembling complex compact heating components
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 use of carbon nanotube heating elements reduces the size and manufacturing cost of the heating unit, ensures continuous refrigerant heating, and allows for flexible design, preventing localized boiling and extending the apparatus's operational lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of carbon nanotube heating elements which are electrically connected to the plurality of electrodes, are heated by an applied power
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerant heating apparatus is provided. The refrigerant heating apparatus includes a refrigerant pipe in which a refrigerant flows and a heating unit that is provided on an outer surface of the refrigerant pipe. The heating unit includes a plurality of electrodes that are provided at an outer surface of the refrigerant pipe and are spaced from each other and a plurality of carbon nanotube heating elements that are electrically connected to the plurality of electrodes. The plurality of carbon nanotube heating elements are heated by an applied power, and are disposed to be spaced from each other.