Counterflow Heat Exchanger Segmented Tent Sections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional counterflow heat exchangers experience high pressure drop and increased volume and weight due to the need for narrow tent sections to maintain structural integrity and practical duct sizes, which affects the efficiency of fluid flow and heat transfer.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates multiple counterflow sections with shorter tent sections and shared headers, along with a solid wall to oppose pressure forces, reducing the length and density of fins and headers, thereby minimizing pressure drop and weight while maintaining effective heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If narrow tent sections are used to maintain practical duct sizes, then heat exchanger volume is reduced, but pressure drop through the tents becomes undesirably high
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is divided into multiple counterflow sections (first counterflow section, second counterflow section, etc.) with each section having its own tent sections. This segmentation allows the flow to be distributed across multiple parallel paths, reducing the pressure drop in each individual tent section while maintaining compact overall volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a third dimension by stacking multiple counterflow sections vertically, creating a three-dimensional arrangement where fluid flows through multiple layers. This dimensional expansion allows for reduced pressure drop in each individual tent section while maintaining compact heat exchanger volume through efficient spatial utilization.
2Strength
If minimum distance between fins is maintained throughout the core and tents for structural reasons, then structural integrity is ensured, but pressure drop through the tents becomes high
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the heat exchanger into multiple counterflow sections with separate tent sections, the patent reduces the flow resistance in each individual section. The minimum distance between fins is maintained for structural integrity, but the segmented design allows for reduced pressure drop through better flow distribution across multiple parallel paths.
3Ease of operation
If tent sections are positioned at angles relative to counterflow core fin sections, then hot and cold fluids are segregated and channeled, but pressure drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fluid flow paths into multiple separate counterflow sections, each with its own tent sections. This segmentation allows for effective fluid segregation and channeling while reducing the pressure drop by distributing the flow across multiple parallel sections rather than forcing it through a single angled path.
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 configuration reduces pressure drop and heat exchanger volume, enhancing fluid flow efficiency and reducing weight and cost by optimizing the arrangement of counterflow sections and headers.
Implementation Method 1
heat exchanger plates configured to transfer heat between a first fluid and a second fluid flowing in an opposite directions
Implementation Method 2
The tent sections are configured to angle the flow direction of the first and second fluids in the tent sections relative to the flow direction in the counterflow sections
Implementation Method 3
A wall is positioned between each tent section and each counterflow section configured to provide a load path at opposite ends of the heat exchanger to oppose forces due to pressure on the tent sections
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger including a plurality of heat exchanger plates in a stacked arrangement. At least two counterflow sections are positioned adjacent each other. The counterflow sections comprise an intermediate section of each heat exchanger plate. The heat exchanger plates configured to transfer heat between a first fluid and a second fluid flowing in an opposite directions from the first fluid through a respective heat exchanger plate. At least one tent section is positioned on each end of each counterflow section. The tent sections are configured to angle the flow direction of the first and second fluids in the tent sections relative to the flow direction in the counterflow sections. A wall is positioned between each tent section and each counterflow section configured to provide a load path at opposite ends of the heat exchanger to oppose forces due to pressure on the tent sections.