Compact Heat Transfer Module With Integrated Decoupling Bottle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating and air conditioning installations that use decoupling bottles for hydraulic independence are costly, large, time-consuming to assemble, and prone to leakage due to the number of hydraulic connections required.
Innovation Solution
A compact heat transfer module with a decoupling bottle directly connected to a heat exchange device, featuring a pump integrated within the decoupling bottle, a bent pipe to manage fluid flow, and a thermoplastic material with low thermal conductivity, reducing the need for extensive pipework and minimizing size while ensuring hydraulic decoupling and efficient fluid circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a decoupling bottle is used to achieve hydraulic independence between primary and secondary loops, then hydraulic independence is achieved, but the installation cost increases due to additional parts and hydraulic connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the decoupling bottle with the heat exchange device into a single integrated unit. The decoupling bottle is positioned inside the heat exchange device housing, and both components share common hydraulic connections. This integration eliminates the need for separate decoupling bottle connections to the heat exchange device, reducing the total number of hydraulic connections and parts while maintaining hydraulic independence between primary and secondary loops.
2Reliability
If a decoupling bottle is used to achieve hydraulic independence, then hydraulic independence is achieved, but the installation size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing the decoupling bottle inside the heat exchange device housing. The decoupling bottle occupies internal space within the existing heat exchange device structure rather than requiring separate external space. This nested arrangement allows both the heat exchange device and decoupling bottle to coexist in a compact configuration, reducing the overall installation footprint while maintaining the hydraulic independence function.
3Reliability
If multiple hydraulic connections are used for the decoupling bottle, then hydraulic independence is achieved, but assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the hydraulic connection points of the decoupling bottle with those of the heat exchange device. The decoupling bottle's inlet and outlet connections are aligned with and integrated into the heat exchange device's connection points, allowing both components to share the same hydraulic interfaces. This integration reduces the number of separate connection operations required during assembly, thereby reducing assembly time while maintaining hydraulic independence.
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 solution reduces installation costs, assembly time, and leakage risks while maintaining hydraulic independence and efficient heat transfer, making it a more compact and reliable option for fluid thermal regulation systems.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchange device intended to exchange calories with fluid circulating in the heat exchange device from a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet
Implementation Method 2
the decoupling bottle being adapted to hydraulically decouple a fluid flow flowing between the first fluid outlet and the first fluid inlet, from a fluid flow flowing between the second fluid outlet and the second fluid inlet
Implementation Method 3
a pump, fixed to the decoupling bottle and intended to circulate fluid from the second fluid inlet of the decoupling bottle to the first fluid outlet of the decoupling bottle, via the device for heat exchange
Implementation Method 4
the decoupling bottle is made of a material having a heat conduction of less than 1 W.m-1
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~3
AI summary
The module (30) has a heat exchange device (32) including a cold water inlet (34) and a hot water outlet (36). A decoupling bottle (44) includes a hot water inlet (46), a cold water inlet, a hot water outlet and a cold water outlet (52). The bottle hydraulically decouples the water flow between the hot water outlet and the hot water inlet, and the water flow between the cold water outlet and the cold water inlet. The hot water inlet and the cold water outlet of the bottle are connected directly to the hot water outlet and the cold water inlet of the heat exchange device. An independent claim is also included for a thermal control installation of water.