Corrugated Fin Structure With Convex Features for Heat Exchangers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional fin structures in heat exchangers, such as straight fins and corrugated fins, suffer from poor heat exchange performance on the leeward side, frost buildup under wet conditions, and increased flow resistance, which limits their effectiveness in high-efficiency applications.
Innovation Solution
A corrugated fin structure with convex parts, including annular and lateral convex features, enhances airflow disturbance and increases the effective heat exchange area, while minimizing frost formation and reducing flow channel blockage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If slotted structures are used to increase contact area and enhance heat exchange, then heat exchange performance is improved, but flow resistance increases and frost buildup occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adding convex parts only at specific locations (outer circumference of tube holes) rather than using uniform slotted structures across the entire fin. This localized modification enhances heat exchange at critical areas while maintaining smooth surfaces elsewhere to prevent frost buildup and reduce overall flow resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The fin surface is segmented into different functional zones: smooth areas for low resistance and localized convex structures for enhanced heat exchange. This segmentation allows different regions to serve different purposes, avoiding the trade-off between heat exchange enhancement and frost resistance.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional corrugated fins are used for industrial applications, then manufacturing ease and structural stability are improved, but heat dissipation performance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the advantages of traditional corrugated fins (manufacturing ease, structural stability) with additional convex structures (enhanced heat exchange). The base corrugated structure provides mechanical robustness while the added convex parts boost thermal performance, achieving both ease of manufacture and high heat dissipation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a new dimensional element (convex parts protruding from the fin surface) to the traditional two-dimensional corrugated structure. This third-dimensional feature increases the effective heat exchange area and disrupts boundary layers without compromising the original corrugated structure's manufacturing advantages.
3Reliability
If fin spacing is decreased to increase heat exchange area, then heat exchange performance is improved, but flow resistance increases and frost blockage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly decreasing fin spacing across the entire heat exchanger, the patent applies convex structures only at specific locations (tube hole circumferences). This localized approach increases effective heat exchange area without proportionally increasing flow resistance or frost blockage risk in the overall system.
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 enhanced fin structure improves heat exchange performance by increasing fluid mixing and reducing thermal resistance, resulting in a 4.37% increase in heat exchange amount, 11.16% increase in Nusselt number, and 14.52% decrease in thermal resistance compared to traditional fins.
Implementation Method 1
the structure irregularity disturbs a flow field, which enhances the mixing between fluids
Implementation Method 2
fin tube heat exchangers are widely used in chemical, ventilation, heating, air conditioning, refrigeration and other industries
Implementation Method 3
how to maximally transfer heat and utilize thermal energy (enhancing heat transfer) has always been the focus of research in the industry
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a fin tube heat exchanger in which multiple stacked fins are formed into a particular shape so as to make the air flow between the fins smoother and which exhibits excellent heat transfer performance by increasing the ridge lines that are the lines of intersection between surfaces in order to enhance the heat transfer performance between the fins and the air flow. A fin tube heat exchanger wherein: stacked heat-transfer fins each have a wedge-shaped dent (80) on the upstream wind side and the downstream wind side of a fin collar (60); the dent (80) is configured from a first ridge line (80a) extending in the column direction in the upstream wind side and downstream wind side of the fin collar (60), and two second ridge lines (80b) which are arranged in the shape of a V and which derive from the vertex (P) of the first ridge line (80a) and a ridge line (40b) on the valley side extending in the step direction; and two V-shaped slanted planes are formed by means of the first ridge line (80a) and the second ridge lines (80b).