Finned Heat Exchanger U-Bends for HVAC Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
HVAC systems face inefficiencies in heat transfer, leading to increased equipment size and energy consumption, which in turn raises capital and operating costs.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating finned U-bends, distributor tubes, and header manifolds in heat exchangers to increase the heat transfer surface area by disposing fins within the air flow path, thereby enhancing the efficiency of heat transfer processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional heat exchangers are used without finned U-bends, distributor tubes, and header manifolds, then the equipment size and energy consumption increase, but the heat transfer efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies finned structures to the U-bends, distributor tubes, and header manifolds, adding a dimensional extension to the heat transfer surface. By disposing fins within the air flow path, the effective heat transfer area is increased without proportionally increasing the equipment volume, thereby improving heat transfer efficiency while reducing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger is divided into multiple components including U-bends, distributor tubes, and header manifolds, each equipped with fins. This segmentation allows the heat transfer function to be distributed across multiple finned surfaces, increasing the total heat transfer area and improving overall efficiency while maintaining compact equipment size.
2Productivity
If larger equipment is used to meet HVAC requirements, then the heat transfer capacity increases, but the capital and operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By adding fins to the U-bends, distributor tubes, and header manifolds, the patent increases the heat transfer capacity within the same equipment volume. This dimensional extension allows meeting HVAC requirements without proportionally increasing equipment size, thereby reducing capital costs while maintaining or improving heat transfer capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the heat transfer surfaces by adding fins, which increases the effective surface area and heat transfer coefficient. This parameter change allows the existing equipment to achieve higher heat transfer capacity without requiring larger equipment, thus reducing capital costs.
3Productivity
If larger equipment is used to meet HVAC requirements, then the heat transfer capacity increases, but the operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The finned structures add a dimensional extension to the heat transfer surfaces of U-bends, distributor tubes, and header manifolds, increasing the effective heat transfer area. This allows the equipment to achieve higher heat transfer capacity without increasing equipment size, thereby reducing operating costs through improved thermal efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the physical parameters of the heat transfer surfaces through fin addition, the patent improves the heat transfer coefficient and effective surface area. This parameter change enhances thermal efficiency, allowing the system to meet HVAC requirements with lower energy consumption and reduced operating costs.
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 increased heat transfer surface area allows for more efficient conditioning of air with smaller, less expensive equipment, reducing electrical energy usage and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a first plurality of fins is disposed on an outer surface of the U-bend
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of coil passes is configured to direct a flow of a refrigerant therethrough to transfer heat with an air flow passing over the heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger includes a frame and a plurality of coil passes disposed within the frame. The plurality of coil passes is configured to direct a flow of a refrigerant therethrough to transfer heat with an air flow passing over the heat exchanger. The plurality of coil passes include a U-bend disposed between first and second linear portions of the plurality of coil passes to redirect the refrigerant from a first longitudinal end of the heat exchanger to a second longitudinal end of the heat exchanger. Additionally, a first plurality of fins is disposed on an outer surface the U-bend.