Compliant B-Tube With Segmented Partitioning Wall

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional B-shaped flat tubes in heat exchangers experience durability issues due to thermal cycling, as the central partitioning wall restricts thermal expansion, leading to elevated stresses and potential failure.

Innovation Solution

A modified tube design with a partitioning wall featuring windows for fluid communication between flow channels, enhancing compliancy and turbulence, and incorporating tabbed portions to facilitate fluid mixing and stress relief.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a central partitioning wall is added to reinforce the flat tube, then structural strength is improved, but thermal expansion compliance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidthermal expansion compliance

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous partitioning wall is segmented by introducing windows at regular intervals along the tube length. This segmentation allows different sections of the tube to expand and contract independently during thermal cycling, accommodating thermal expansion while maintaining structural integrity where the partitioning wall is present.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The partitioning wall is designed with varying properties along its length - solid sections provide structural reinforcement, while window sections provide compliance for thermal expansion. This local variation in structure allows the same component to fulfill multiple functions at different locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If a central partitioning wall is added to divide flow channels, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but stress concentration worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat exchange efficiencyVSAvoidstress concentration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The partitioning wall is divided into multiple discrete sections by windows, which interrupts the continuous rigid structure. This segmentation allows stress to be distributed across multiple locations rather than concentrated at a single continuous wall, reducing peak stress values during thermal cycling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The windows act as intermediary elements between the solid partitioning wall sections. These window regions serve as stress relief zones that accommodate dimensional changes and reduce stress transmission between adjacent reinforced sections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the partitioning wall is made continuous for reinforcement, then structural stability is improved, but durability under thermal cycling deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoiddurability under thermal cycling

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous partitioning wall is replaced with a segmented structure featuring windows at regular intervals. This allows the tube to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction through the window regions while maintaining structural stability at the reinforced partitioning wall locations, thereby improving durability under thermal cycling conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 modified tube design improves durability by accommodating thermal expansion, reducing stress, and enhancing heat exchange efficiency through increased fluid mixing and turbulence.

Implementation Method 1

The first fluid exchanges heat energy with a second fluid flowing through the spaces between adjacent ones of the flat tubes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

enhancing heat exchange efficiency through increased fluid mixing and turbulence

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Implementation Method 3

accommodating the thermal expansion thereof

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS10801781B2Compliant b-tube for radiator applications

Publication Date: 2020.10.13 HANON SYST CO LTD

AI summary

A tube for use in a heat exchanger including a base portion, an upper portion spaced from and opposing the base portion, and a partitioning wall extending between the base portion and the upper portion to divide a hollow interior of the tube into a first flow channel and a second flow channel. The partitioning wall includes a plurality of windows spaced from each other in a longitudinal direction of the tube to provide fluid communication between the first flow channel and the second flow channel. At least one of the windows includes a tabbed portion of the partitioning wall bent to extend into one of the first flow channel or the second flow channel.