Condenser Outlet Channel Positioning for Leakage Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing condensers in heat transfer systems, particularly in heat pumps, suffer from excessive heating of the fluid as it flows between the grouping area and the outlet opening, leading to increased leakage risks due to higher heat transfer from the fluid tank.

Innovation Solution

The condenser design positions the second end of the outlet channel closer to the housing bottom compared to traditional designs, reducing the heat area where the fluid can be heated, thereby minimizing fluid heating and enhancing subcooling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the outlet channel is positioned with its second end closer to the housing bottom, then fluid heating is reduced and subcooling is enhanced, but the heat transfer area is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveleakage riskVSAvoidheat area
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The outlet channel is positioned in a specific location (second end closer to housing bottom) to create different thermal conditions in different regions of the condenser. This local positioning reduces fluid heating in the outlet region while maintaining overall heat transfer functionality through the channel system's design with splitting and grouping portions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Temperature

If the second end of the outlet channel is positioned nearer to the housing bottom, then fluid heating is minimized, but the distance for fluid flow increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid heatingVSAvoidoutlet channel length
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The outlet channel is configured to extend in multiple directions rather than a simple linear path. The channel system includes splitting portions and grouping portions that create a multi-dimensional flow path, allowing the second end to be positioned nearer to the housing bottom while maintaining adequate flow length through spatial optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 design improvement reduces the heat transfer from the fluid tank to the fluid, leading to a decrease in fluid heating, increased expansion valve capacity, reduced gas creation in the outlet channel, and lower leakage risks, ultimately enhancing the overall efficiency of the heat transfer system.

Implementation Method 1

The heat transfer from the fluid tank to the fluid flowing in the condenser results from that in the fluid tank warmer fluid is arranged in an upper area of the fluid tank due to density differences

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

The sustainability against leakage is influenced by the subcooling of the fluid in the condenser

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSubcooling: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP4320398B1condenser
Publication Date: 2025.06.04 BDR THERMEA GRP
  • EP4320398B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4320398B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4320398B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a condenser comprising a housing having an inlet opening for inputting fluid into the condenser and an outlet opening for outputting the fluid out of the condenser and a channel system for fluidically connecting the inlet opening and the outlet opening, wherein the channel system is arranged within the housing and comprises a splitting portion in which the inputted fluid is split to a plurality of channels and a grouping portion in which the plurality of channels is united to an outlet channel, wherein a first end of the outlet channel ends in the outlet opening and a second end of the outlet channel ends in the grouping portion. The condenser is characterized in that a distance between the second end of the outlet channel and a housing bottom in a vertical direction is between 0% to 80% of a distance between the housing bottom and an upper housing side in a vertical direction.