Cooling device
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing cooling devices in multi-stage compressors suffer from reduced heat exchange efficiency due to the presence of a separation plate that prevents fluid from reaching the outlet region, leading to fluid concentration on the inlet side and inefficient heat transfer.
Innovation Solution
A cooling device with a cylindrical shell, an inlet nozzle, an outlet nozzle, and a partition member that includes a main partition plate and guide portions to distribute the fluid flow uniformly across the cooler, enhancing heat exchange efficiency by ensuring the fluid spreads to a wider region before exiting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separation plate is provided to prevent fluid from bypassing the cooler, then fluid leakage is prevented, but fluid flow distribution becomes uneven and heat exchange efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The separation plate is divided into multiple segments (first separation plate and second separation plate) arranged at different positions along the axial direction. This segmentation allows the fluid to be guided through different paths, ensuring that fluid bypasses the cooler inlet side properly while still preventing direct leakage from inlet to outlet, thus maintaining both reliability and heat exchange efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The separation plate acts as an intermediary structure between the inlet and outlet of the cooler. By strategically positioning the first and second separation plates, the fluid flow is medially controlled to ensure it enters the cooler through the designated inlet side and exits through the outlet side, preventing direct bypass while maintaining proper flow distribution for efficient heat exchange.
2Device complexity
If fluid flow is concentrated on the inlet side, then simpler structure is achieved, but heat exchange efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The separation plate is segmented into multiple sections (first separation plate and second separation plate) positioned at different axial locations. This segmentation creates multiple flow paths that distribute fluid evenly across the cooler inlet side, preventing concentration of flow in a single region while maintaining relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the separation plate structure provide different functions: the first separation plate prevents bypass at one location while the second separation plate addresses flow distribution at another location. This local differentiation ensures uniform flow distribution across the cooler inlet side without requiring complex overall restructuring.
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 improves the heat exchange efficiency by homogenizing the fluid flow distribution, ensuring that the fluid effectively interacts with the cooling tubes, thereby enhancing the cooling performance and reducing thermal deformation of the fin plates.
Implementation Method 1
The fluid is cooled by exchanging heat with the cooling medium via the tube
Implementation Method 2
The flow homogenizing element homogenizes a flow of the fluid flowing into the heat exchanger from the inlet side portion
Data Source
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AI summary
A cooling device includes a cooler disposed inside a shell main body formed in a cylindrical shape, and having a first surface facing an inlet nozzle and an outlet nozzle, and a partition member fixed to the first surface, and partitioning a portion between the cooler and an inner peripheral surface of the shell main body into a first space communicating with the inlet nozzle and a second space communicating with the outlet nozzle. The partition member includes a main partition plate disposed between the inlet nozzle and the outlet nozzle in an axial direction, a first guide portion extending from an end portion of the main partition plate toward a first end surface of the shell main body, and a second guide portion extending from an end portion of the main partition plate toward a second end surface of the shell main body.