Double-Tube Heat Exchanger Layout for Compact Subcooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The design of separation-type air conditioners faces challenges in ensuring an effective total heat period due to the limitations imposed by the size and complexity of subcoolers, which are necessary for efficient heat exchange between high-temperature and low-temperature refrigerants.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design featuring an inner tube with a bending portion and extending heat exchange portions, forming double-tube structures with outer tubes, allows for efficient heat exchange between refrigerants, enhancing the effective total heat period while offering design flexibility and ease of maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the length or size of the subcooler is increased to ensure a sufficient effective total heat period, then the heat exchange efficiency is improved, but the device complexity and design limitations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inner tube is inserted into the outer tube to form a nested double-tube structure, where the inner tube containing the bending portion is positioned within the outer tube. This nesting arrangement allows both tubes to function simultaneously as heat exchange surfaces without occupying additional space, thereby improving heat exchange efficiency while maintaining a compact design and reducing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bending portion of the inner tube extends in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the outer tube, utilizing the longitudinal dimension to increase the effective heat exchange length. This dimensional approach allows the heat exchange surface to be extended without increasing the cross-sectional area or overall footprint of the subcooler, thus improving productivity without increasing device complexity.
2Productivity
If the subcooler size is increased to ensure sufficient effective total heat period, then the heat exchange effectiveness is improved, but the space occupation and system compactness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
By nesting the inner tube within the outer tube, the patent creates a compact double-tube structure where the heat exchange surfaces are concentrically arranged. This allows a long effective heat exchange period to be achieved within a small radial volume, as the heat transfer occurs across the annular space between the tubes rather than requiring additional linear space.
Solution Approach 2:
The bending portion of the inner tube utilizes the longitudinal dimension of the outer tube to extend the heat exchange path. By curving the inner tube along the length of the outer tube, the effective heat exchange period is increased without proportionally increasing the overall volume, as the extension occurs within the existing longitudinal boundaries rather than expanding the cross-sectional area.
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 design improves the intensity and efficiency of heat exchange, allowing for a more compact and efficient heat transfer system with increased freedom in design and maintenance capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
the second refrigerant exchanges heat with the first refrigerant at the first boundary inside the first outer tube, and at the second boundary inside the second outer tube
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger including an inner tube including a bending portion, a first heat exchange portion extending from the bending portion, and a second heat exchange portion extending from the bending portion; a first outer tube forming a first double-tube structure around the first heat exchange portion; a second outer tube forming a second double-tube structure around the second heat exchange portion; and a first connection tube connecting a first through hole of the first outer tube and a second through hole of the second outer tube so as to connect the first outer tube and the second outer tube, wherein a first refrigerant is flowable through the heat exchange portions and the bending portion, a second refrigerant is flowable through the outer tubes and the first connection tube, and the second refrigerant exchanges heat with the first refrigerant at boundaries between the respective outer tubes and heat exchange portions.