Cylindrical Heat Exchanger Layout for Compact Low-Noise Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchangers for heat transfer between fluids are inefficient in terms of volume and heat transfer surface area, and they often produce a high sound power level, making them unsuitable for applications requiring compactness and low noise.
Innovation Solution
The design of a heat exchanger with cylindrical or truncated cone-shaped heat transfer elements arranged around a central axis, featuring triangular, trapezoidal, or circular cross-sections, which creates a polygonal or annular outline structure, optimizing heat transfer volume and surface area while minimizing size, and incorporating spacer webs for fluid guidance and separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional heat exchanger designs are used, then heat transfer function is provided, but volume efficiency and heat transfer surface area are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The heat transfer elements are designed with curved surfaces including cylindrical sections, conical sections, and spherical sections arranged in sequence along the flow direction. This curved geometry increases the heat transfer surface area within a compact volume, resolving the contradiction between small volume and high heat transfer efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat transfer elements extend in the axial direction with varying cross-sectional areas, creating a three-dimensional structure that maximizes heat transfer surface area. The combination of radial extension and axial progression allows efficient heat transfer within a compact volume.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If conventional heat exchanger designs are used, then heat transfer function is provided, but sound power level is high
Solution Approach 1:
The curved surfaces of the heat transfer elements promote smooth fluid flow and reduce turbulence, thereby lowering noise generation while maintaining effective heat transfer. The gradual transitions between cylindrical, conical, and spherical sections minimize flow separation and vortex formation.
3Productivity
If heat transfer elements are arranged to maximize heat transfer surface, then heat transfer efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is divided into multiple heat transfer elements arranged in series, each with a standardized composite structure of cylindrical, conical, and spherical sections. This segmentation allows modular assembly while achieving high heat transfer efficiency through the cumulative surface area of multiple elements.
Solution Approach 2:
Each heat transfer element serves multiple functions: the cylindrical section provides primary heat transfer surface, the conical section directs fluid flow and transitions between sections, and the spherical section enhances mixing and heat transfer. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components.
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 enhances the degree of heat availability, reduces noise, and simplifies fluid line connections, resulting in a more efficient and compact heat exchanger with improved heat transfer performance.
Implementation Method 1
each heat transfer element has a first heat transfer wall which is a common heat transfer wall for this heat transfer element and for the adjacent heat transfer element
Implementation Method 2
heat exchanger for heat transfer occurring between at least two fluids
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a heat exchanger (1) for heat exchange between at least two fluids, comprising a plurality of a heat-exchange elements (2), each of which has at least one fluid-guiding path (48) for conducting at least one of the fluids through, wherein the heat exchanger (1) has a cylindrical shape or substantially a cylindrical shape having a cylinder axis (5) and the heat-exchange elements (2) are arranged adjacent to each other around the cylinder axis (5), wherein each of the heat-exchange elements (2) or at least a region of each of the heat-exchange elements forms an outline structure like a or substantially like a: triangular cylinder or trapezoidal cylinder or circle-sector cylinder or annulus-sector cylinder (6), wherein, by means of the heat-exchange elements (2) arranged adjacent to each other, the heat exchanger (1) or at least a region of the heat exchanger has an outline structure like a or substantially like a: polygonal cylinder or polygonal hollow cylinder or circular cylinder or annular cylinder (7). A cone frustum shape is also possible instead of the cylindrical shape. The invention further relates to a heat-exchange element (2) for a heat exchanger (1) and to an air device having a heat exchanger.