Coaxial Coiled Heat Exchanger Structure for Modular Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heat exchangers with coiled conduits arranged in series are inflexible in production and installation, require significant thermal insulators, and can only be tested after assembly, leading to increased costs and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A compact heat exchanger design featuring coiled conduits with a single internal conduit of larger diameter connected in series to two external conduits of smaller diameter, arranged coaxially with a constant pitch, allowing for efficient heat transfer and flexible production and installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If coiled conduits are packed between two opposite end walls of the casing, then the heat exchange surface is maximized, but significant masses of thermal insulators are required and the structure becomes inflexible for production and installation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat exchange surfaceVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heat exchanger is divided into modular sections with standardized end walls and peripheral parts. The coiled conduits are arranged in a flexible configuration within the casing rather than being rigidly packed between fixed end walls, allowing the same casing to accommodate different conduit arrangements for different thermal powers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The end walls and peripheral parts are designed as universal components that can be used across different heat exchanger models. The standardized casing structure allows adaptation to various thermal power requirements without requiring custom-built casings for each model.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Area of stationary object

If the axial dimensions of the casing are determined by the axial dimensions of the coiled conduits, then the heat exchange surface is optimized, but the production becomes inflexible and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat exchange surfaceVSAvoidproduction flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The heat exchanger is divided into modular sections with standardized end walls and peripheral parts. The coiled conduits are arranged in a flexible configuration within the casing rather than being rigidly packed between fixed end walls, allowing the same casing to accommodate different conduit arrangements for different thermal powers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design allows variation of thermal power parameters while maintaining the same casing dimensions. Different thermal powers are achieved by modifying the number and arrangement of coiled conduits within the standardized casing, rather than changing the casing axial dimensions for each power level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Volume of stationary object

If testing is performed only after complete assembly, then the heat exchanger structure is compact, but production defects require dismantling and reassembly increasing time and costs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecasing volumeVSAvoidtesting flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The heat exchanger is divided into modular sections with standardized end walls and peripheral parts. The coiled conduits are arranged in a flexible configuration within the casing rather than being rigidly packed between fixed end walls, allowing the same casing to accommodate different conduit arrangements for different thermal powers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Use of energy by moving object

If the positioning of water inlet and outlet connectors is fixed by the helix arrangement, then the heat exchange efficiency is optimized, but the installation flexibility in user apparatuses is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat exchange efficiencyVSAvoidinstallation flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The end walls and peripheral parts are designed as universal components that can be used across different heat exchanger models. The standardized casing structure allows adaptation to various thermal power requirements without requiring custom-built casings for each model.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 design achieves high thermal efficiency, compact dimensions, and simplified production and testing, enabling flexible installation and reduced insulator use while allowing for different thermal powers with the same casing.

Implementation Method 1

The function of a heat exchanger is that of transferring thermal energy between two fluids

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

heat that develops following upon combustion and the latent heat of condensation, contained in the combustion fumes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

the latent heat of condensation, contained in the combustion fumes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentEP2550489B1Heat exchanger
Publication Date: 2016.01.13 COSMOGAS SRL
  • EP2550489B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2550489B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2550489B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A heat exchanger (1) has an exchanger unit (20), comprising at least one first coiled conduit and one second coiled conduit (21, 23) that are substantially coaxial, and a casing (2) for housing the exchanger unit (20). The casing (2) has a first end wall (3), a second end wall (4), and a peripheral part (5) between the two end walls (3, 4). Each conduit (21 -23) has an inlet and an outlet, where the outlet of the first conduit (21, 23) is connected substantially in series to the inlet of the second conduit (22). The exchanger unit (20) is supported by the first end wall (3) of the casing (2), with the inlet of the first conduit (21) and the outlet of the second conduit (22) which are substantially at the first end wall (3) of the casing (2)·