Concentric Dimpled Pipe Heat Exchanger for Corrosion-Resistant Pool Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Swimming pool heat pumps require longer tubing lengths for heat exchange, increasing costs and complexity, while existing materials like copper and cupronickel are prone to corrosion, leading to inefficiencies and system failures.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchange system with concentric pipes and radially extending dimples that create micro flow passages, enhancing heat transfer efficiency and reducing tubing length, using materials like titanium and PVC to facilitate fluid flow and prevent leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional copper and cupronickel heat exchanger materials are used, then the system can function for extended periods, but corrosion from chlorinated water eventually causes leaks and system failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material construction by combining titanium for the inner pipe (direct contact with chlorinated water) and PVC for the outer pipe. This composite approach leverages titanium's exceptional corrosion resistance to pool chemicals while utilizing PVC's durability and cost-effectiveness, creating a heat exchanger that resists corrosion from chlorinated water indefinitely without sacrificing thermal performance.
2Productivity
If longer tubing lengths are used for heat exchange, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but material costs and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested pipe configuration where the titanium pipe is positioned inside the PVC pipe, creating concentric heat exchange passages. This nesting arrangement maximizes the heat transfer surface area within a compact footprint, effectively providing long tubing length for heat exchange without the associated costs and complexity of actually installing extensive tubing runs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from linear tubing arrangements to a three-dimensional concentric pipe structure. By utilizing the radial dimension with multiple heat exchange passages (inner passage, annular passage, outer passage), the system achieves enhanced heat transfer efficiency without increasing the linear length of tubing required, thereby reducing material costs and installation complexity.
3Productivity
If more heat exchanger surface area is provided, then heat transfer efficiency improves, but the amount of tubing required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nested concentric pipe design provides multiple heat exchange surfaces (inner titanium pipe surface, annular space between pipes, outer PVC pipe surface) simultaneously within a single compact unit. This nesting strategy delivers extensive effective heat transfer area without requiring proportionally increased tubing length, as the same titanium tubing serves multiple heat exchange functions through its nested configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple heat exchange functions into a single integrated concentric pipe assembly. The inner pipe, annular passage, and outer pipe work together as a unified heat transfer system, providing enhanced surface area for heat exchange without the need for separate tubing runs for each heat transfer zone, thereby reducing the total tubing length required while maintaining high heat transfer efficiency.
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 system achieves efficient heat transfer with reduced tubing length, minimizing material costs and corrosion risks, thereby improving the operational efficiency and longevity of swimming pool heat pumps.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of dimples may extend from at least one of a radially inner surface of the second pipe or a radially outer surface of the first pipe
Implementation Method 2
a first pipe including a first inlet, a first outlet, and a first sidewall extending therebetween; a second pipe including a second inlet, a second outlet, and a second sidewall extending therebetween
Implementation Method 3
the second sidewall and the first sidewall may define a second fluid passage configured to permit flow of a second fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchange device may include a first pipe including a first inlet, a first outlet, and a first sidewall extending therebetween; a second pipe including a second inlet, a second outlet, and a second sidewall extending therebetween; and a plurality of dimples extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall. The second sidewall may surround and extend about the first sidewall, the first sidewall may define a first fluid passage configured to permit flow of a first fluid, and the second sidewall and the first sidewall may define a second fluid passage configured to permit flow of a second fluid.