Compact adsorption heat exchangers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for fabricating adsorption heat exchanger parts struggle to achieve small gaps between planar fins, leading to reduced heat transfer rates and performance due to clogged gaps and ineffective adsorbent layer formation.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a linear guiding element with planar structures mounted via slider joints, allowing for coating and subsequent fixation to achieve gaps as small as 500-900 μm, utilizing an adsorbent coating like micro pore zeolite, and fixing methods such as hydraulic expansion or soldering to maintain compact arrangements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If prior art fabrication methods are used to coat planar fins with adsorbent material, then coating can be applied, but gaps between fins become clogged and cannot achieve small gaps (500-900 μm)
Solution Approach 1:
The planar structures are mounted on the linear guiding element with slider joints BEFORE the adsorbent coating is applied. This preliminary mounting establishes the precise spatial arrangement and small gaps (500-900 μm) between structures before coating occurs, preventing the coating process from creating larger gaps or clogging the spaces between fins.
Solution Approach 2:
The linear guiding element with slider joints acts as an intermediary mechanism that precisely positions and maintains the planar structures at predetermined small gaps during the coating process. This intermediary framework allows the coating to be applied without compromising the gap dimensions, solving the contradiction between achieving small gaps and maintaining coating feasibility.
2Ease of manufacture
If larger gaps between planar structures are used to facilitate coating, then coating process is easier, but heat transfer rates and energy density are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The planar structures are pre-mounted on the linear guiding element at optimal small gaps (500-900 μm) before coating is applied. This preliminary positioning ensures that the structures are already arranged for maximum heat transfer efficiency and energy density, while the coating process subsequently adapts to this predetermined configuration rather than dictating the gap size.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of determining gap size based on coating process requirements (traditional approach), this invention inverts the sequence by first establishing the optimal gap size for heat transfer performance, then adapting the coating process to work within these predetermined dimensions. The linear guiding element enables this reversal by providing precise positioning independent of coating constraints.
3Stability of the object's composition
If planar structures are fixed in position before coating, then positioning is stable, but gaps cannot be optimized to 500-900 μm due to coating process constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The planar structures are mounted on the linear guiding element with slider joints BEFORE coating is applied, establishing both stable positioning and optimized small gaps (500-900 μm) simultaneously. The slider joint mechanism provides stability while allowing the precise gap dimensions to be maintained throughout the coating process, unlike fixed positioning methods that must accommodate coating constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The slider joints provide a dynamic mounting mechanism that allows the planar structures to be precisely positioned at optimal gaps during assembly, then stabilized during coating. This dynamic approach enables both position stability and manufacturing precision, as the structures can be adjusted to exact dimensions before being secured in place.
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
This approach enhances heat transfer rates and energy density, achieving improved adsorption cooling power and energy efficiency per unit volume, surpassing prior art methods by allowing more compact and effective adsorption heat exchanger designs.
Implementation Method 1
The adsorbent coating comprises a micro pore zeolite
Implementation Method 2
the joint element configured to cooperate with the linear guiding element to form a slider joint
Data Source
AI summary
According to certain embodiments, an adsorption heat exchanger (AdHEX) part is provided. The AdHEX part comprises a linear guiding element, and a plurality of planar structures that include fins. Each of the planar structures is: mounted on the linear guiding element via a joint element, the joint element configured to cooperate with the linear guiding element to form a slider joint, coated with an adsorbent coating, and fixed on the linear guiding element, at a respective position, by a fixing means that restricts linear sliding movement of each of the planar structures to form an arrangement of coated planar structures that are stacked along the linear guiding element.