Economizer Heat Exchanger Header Layout for Compact Flat Tube Linking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat exchangers with flat porous tubes require longer headers when multiple tubes are linked, making the device less compact and increasing manufacturing costs due to the need for extensive header lengthening.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design featuring a header with sub-channels and spacer holes that allow flat tubes to be linked at a perpendicular angle, eliminating the need for extensive header lengthening and integrating tube-adhering and immobilizing members to minimize components and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If flat porous tubes are linked to the header with alignment direction along the longitudinal direction, then the header can be extended to accommodate multiple tubes, but the device becomes less compact and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the orientation of the flat porous tubes from aligning with the longitudinal direction of the header to aligning with the width direction (transverse direction). This dimensional reorientation allows multiple tubes to be arranged side-by-side across the width of the header rather than extending along its length, thereby maintaining adaptability to link multiple tubes while significantly improving compactness by reducing the overall length of the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces curved linking channels within the header that connect the refrigerant inlet/outlet to the flat porous tubes arranged in the width direction. These curved channels enable fluid flow accommodation while maintaining the compact transverse arrangement, resolving the contradiction between linking multiple tubes and maintaining compact dimensions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the header is lengthened to link multiple flat porous tubes, then more tubes can be accommodated, but manufacturing costs increase due to extensive header lengthening
Solution Approach 1:
By reorienting the flat porous tubes to align with the width direction of the header instead of the longitudinal direction, the patent enables multiple tubes to be accommodated across the transverse dimension. This approach increases the number of linkable tubes without requiring extensive header lengthening, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the header into multiple independent linking channels that can connect to flat porous tubes arranged in the width direction. This segmentation allows for modular manufacturing and assembly, reducing the complexity of manufacturing a single long header while enabling accommodation of multiple tubes.
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 enables a more compact heat exchanger with reduced manufacturing costs by allowing flat tubes to be efficiently linked to headers without requiring extensive lengthening, enhancing the device's compactness and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
heat is exchanged between the first refrigerant flowing through the first refrigerant-channel holes and the second refrigerant flowing through the second refrigerant-channel holes
Data Source
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AI summary
An economizer heat exchanger (6) comprises a header (61), a first flat porous tube (64a), and a second flat porous tube (64b). The header (61) has a first primary channel (62a1) and a second primary channel (62a2), a first refrigerant flowing through the first primary channel (62a1), and a second refrigerant flowing through the second primary channel (62a2). The first flat porous tube (64a) has a plurality of first refrigerant-channel holes (65a) through which the first refrigerant flows. The second flat porous tube (64b) has a plurality of second refrigerant-channel holes (65b) through which the second refrigerant flows. The header (61) has a tube-connecting member (63). The tube-connecting member (63) forms a first sub-channel (62c1) and a second sub-channel (62c2). The first sub-channel (62c1) allows the first primary channel (62a1) to be communicated with the first refrigerant-channel holes (65a). The second sub-channel (62c2) allows the second primary channel (62a2) to be communicated with the second refrigerant-channel holes (65b). The first flat porous tube (64a) and the second flat porous tube (64b) are in close contact to allow heat exchange between the first refrigerant and the second refrigerant.