Corrugated Wall Heat Exchanger for Low-Inertia Ceiling Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating/cooling solutions for buildings face challenges such as high thermal inertia, unsightly joints, adaptability issues, excessive weight, and non-homogeneous heat exchange, leading to increased energy costs and condensation problems, particularly in ceiling applications where decorative elements and sound insulation are concerns.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger comprising a self-supporting corrugated plate with flexible pipes and a thermally conductive material, allowing for dry installation, reduced contact with the support, and optimized heat exchange, enabling efficient heating/cooling over entire surfaces while maintaining a slim profile and supporting decorative elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If exchanger pipes are covered or embedded in the mass (concrete, etc.), then heat exchange effectiveness is improved, but the thickness and weight become excessive for ceiling applications
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is segmented into modular cassette units that can be independently installed and positioned. Each cassette contains the piping system embedded within a lightweight matrix structure, dividing the overall system into manageable sections that reduce individual weight while maintaining collective heat exchange effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger employs a composite structure combining metal piping with a lightweight matrix material (such as plastic or resin) that provides structural support while minimizing weight. This composite approach allows the pipes to be effectively embedded without requiring heavy concrete, thus maintaining ceiling load compatibility.
2Manufacturing precision
If cassettes are prepared in the factory with collectors, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to different building configurations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cassette system incorporates flexible connection elements and adjustable mounting mechanisms that allow the pre-fabricated units to be dynamically adapted to various building configurations. The collectors are designed with flexible piping sections and adjustable connectors that can accommodate different spatial arrangements while maintaining the precision of the factory-assembled components.
Solution Approach 2:
The cassette design incorporates universal mounting interfaces and standardized connection points that enable the same factory-prepared unit to be installed in multiple different configurations. The collectors are designed to accommodate various pipe routing options and mounting positions, allowing a single cassette design to serve multiple architectural requirements.
3Area of stationary object
If the surface is completely covered with a mesh support, then coverage area is improved, but heat exchange homogeneity is reduced due to non-exchangeable areas
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger system applies different functional qualities to different areas of the ceiling surface. The mesh support structure is designed with varying densities and configurations in different zones, allowing areas with higher thermal exchange requirements to have more open configurations while other areas provide structural support. This local differentiation ensures homogeneous heat exchange across the entire surface while maintaining complete coverage.
4Shape
If decorative elements are placed on the ceiling, then aesthetic quality is improved, but heat exchange effectiveness is reduced due to blocked surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger system is designed to be nested within or behind the decorative ceiling elements. The piping and exchange surfaces are positioned in layers beneath the decorative features, allowing the decorative elements to be installed without blocking the thermal exchange paths. This nested arrangement enables both aesthetic quality and heat exchange effectiveness to coexist.
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 provides efficient, low-inertia heating/cooling with reduced energy consumption, avoiding condensation and visual traces, while supporting decorative elements and offering sound insulation, making it suitable for both new and existing buildings with minimal disruption.
Implementation Method 1
coils in which a heat transfer fluid, generally water, circulates
Implementation Method 2
made of a thermally conductive material, this plate serving to ensure a heat exchange with the surrounding air
Implementation Method 3
by reducing the heat exchanges between the support and the heat exchanger
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a heat exchanger for a heating/cooling wall comprising at least one sheet (2) made of a thermally conducting material, this sheet (2) comprising a series of parallel corrugations (3) extending from one edge of the sheet (2) to the other, these corrugations (3) each delimiting a passage volume opening to the outside via an opening (5), at least one thermally conducting duct (8), this duct (8) extending inside the said passage volume, and attachment means (11) for attaching the said sheet (2) to a support (10) on the opposite face of the sheet (2) to the aforementioned openings (5), by way of spacing means (6) designed so that once the sheet (2) has been attached to the support (10), the aforementioned corrugations (3) lie a predetermined distance from the said support (10), the shape and dimensions of the duct (8) and of the passage volume being such that the said at least one duct (8) comes at least partially into contact over the entire length of the interior surface of the corrugation (3). The invention applies in particular to the production of heating/cooling walls, ceilings in existing buildings or buildings under construction.