Dual Concentric Fin-Tube Heat Exchanger for Compact Water Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need to improve the operating efficiency and reduce the footprint of water heaters by enhancing the design of heat exchangers, specifically in the construction of fin tubes, to optimize water heating processes.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an inner and outer ring of fin tubes with bent circumferentially lateral portions, where the outer fin tubes have radially outer bent portions creating V-shaped spaces, and V-shaped baffles are placed within these spaces, along with a method of manufacturing that involves assembling rings of fin tubes with wiped sides to enhance packing and gas flow efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional fin tube design is used, then manufacturing is simpler, but operating efficiency is lower and footprint is larger
Solution Approach 1:
The fin tube design employs curved or serpentine fin configurations instead of straight fins, creating a curved heat transfer path that increases surface area and improves heat exchange efficiency. The curved fins are formed by bending the tube and fin material in specific patterns to optimize gas flow and heat transfer while maintaining a compact footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dual concentric ring configuration with inner and outer rings of fin tubes arranged in multiple layers. This three-dimensional arrangement maximizes heat transfer surface area within a compact volume, allowing efficient heat exchange without increasing the horizontal footprint of the water heater.
2Productivity
If dual concentric ring fin tube architecture is used, then heat transfer efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger employs a nested concentric ring configuration where an inner ring of fin tubes is surrounded by an outer ring of fin tubes. Both rings share a common central axis and are radially arranged, creating a compact nested structure that maximizes heat transfer surface area while maintaining a small overall footprint and simplifying the support structure requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The fin tube assembly is segmented into multiple discrete rings (inner ring, outer ring) that can be independently configured and assembled. Each ring contains multiple fin tubes with fins, allowing modular construction and optimized heat transfer zones while simplifying manufacturing and assembly processes.
3Area of stationary object
If fin cross-section dimension is reduced, then footprint is smaller, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fin tubes are formed with curved or serpentine configurations using controlled bending processes. The curvature is designed to fit within reduced cross-sectional dimensions while maintaining effective heat transfer surface area. Standard manufacturing processes can achieve the required bending precision for these curved configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
By arranging fin tubes in dual concentric rings and using curved fin configurations, the design reduces the horizontal footprint while maintaining heat transfer efficiency through three-dimensional space utilization. This allows compact packaging without requiring excessive manufacturing precision in any single dimension.
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 results in a more compact water heater with improved gas flow patterns, leading to higher efficiency and reduced footprint, achieving operating efficiencies up to 87% with a nominal output of 3.5 MBtu per hour.
Implementation Method 1
A burner tube is located radially inward of the inner ring of inner fin tubes and is configured to combust a fuel and air mixture
Implementation Method 2
radially project heated gases past the inner and outer rings of fin tubes to heat water flowing through the fin tubes
Implementation Method 3
bent circumferentially lateral portions of the inner fin tube fins to reduce a lateral cross-section dimension of the inner fin tube fins
Implementation Method 4
V-shaped baffles are placed within these spaces
Data Source
AI summary
A water heater apparatus includes an elongated radial burner extending along a longitudinal central axis of the apparatus. First and second concentric rows of longitudinally extending fin tubes around the radial burner. The fin tubes may have multiple wiped circumferentially laterally portions allowing close packing of the fin tubes for improved efficiency and reduced footprint.