Flat-Pipe Heat Exchanger Fins for Condensate Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchangers face challenges in promptly draining water accumulated on flat pipes, leading to increased ventilation resistance and reduced heat exchange efficiency due to frost formation and condensation.
Innovation Solution
The heat exchanger design features flat heat transfer pipes with fins that have vertically positioned ribs with extension and enlarged portions, facilitating the drainage of water by directing it towards the edges of the pipes, thereby reducing ventilation resistance and enhancing heat exchange efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If flat heat transfer pipes are used to reduce ventilation resistance, then air flow resistance decreases, but water drainage efficiency deteriorates due to water accumulation on the flat pipe surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The fin surface is segmented into multiple inclined surfaces (first inclined surface, second inclined surface, third inclined surface) that divide the water drainage path into separate zones. Each inclined surface directs water toward specific drainage locations, preventing water accumulation on the flat pipe surfaces while maintaining low ventilation resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a flat, two-dimensional fin surface to a three-dimensional structured surface with multiple inclined planes. This dimensional change creates gravitational drainage pathways that actively channel condensed water away from the flat pipes, solving the water accumulation problem without compromising the flat pipe configuration.
2Productivity
If fins with narrow spacing are used to increase heat exchange efficiency, then heat transfer performance improves, but water accumulation increases leading to ventilation resistance increase
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the fin are given different local qualities through the inclined surface configuration. The first, second, and third inclined surfaces create localized drainage zones with varying slopes and directions, ensuring that water is efficiently channeled away from critical areas while maintaining narrow fin spacing for high heat exchange 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
This configuration effectively discharges water from the flat pipes, reduces ventilation resistance, and improves heat exchange efficiency by ensuring prompt drainage and minimizing frost formation.
Implementation Method 1
Condensed water due to dew condensation drops along the fin due to gravity force
Implementation Method 2
multiple flat heat transfer pipes configured such that refrigerant for heat exchange with air flowing inside
Implementation Method 3
an enlarged portion configured such that a distance to the flat portion gradually increases from the extension portion in a direction of one end side
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger is provided which has: multiple flat heat transfer pipes configured such that refrigerant for heat exchange with air flowing inside; and a fin having a heat exchange surface between adjacent ones of the heat transfer pipes, wherein the multiple heat transfer pipes are arranged such that flat portions of the heat transfer pipes face each other, the fin has one end and other end in an air flow direction, and a first rib formed vertically above the flat portion, and the first rib has an extension portion extending along the flat portion, and an enlarged portion configured such that a distance to the flat portion gradually increases from the extension portion in a direction of one end side.