Flat-Plate Heat Exchanger Layout for Lower Refrigerant Pressure Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchangers for Stirling-type refrigerators with flat heat absorbing portions face high pressure losses due to complex refrigerant flow paths, leading to inefficient energy usage for refrigerant circulation despite achieving high heat-exchange performance.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design featuring a plate member with a flat bottom and a refrigerant flow path covered by a plate cover, where the arrangement density of the flow path is higher far from the straight line connecting the inlet and outlet, facilitating balanced refrigerant flow and reducing pressure loss, with a preferred rhombic lattice pattern and specific dimensions for groove elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a labyrinth-like refrigerant flow path is used, then heat-exchange performance is improved, but pressure loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the arrangement density of the refrigerant flow path in different regions. The flow path density is increased in areas far from the straight line connecting inlet and outlet, and decreased in areas close to this straight line. This localized adjustment optimizes heat exchange in regions where it is most needed while maintaining lower pressure loss in the overall flow direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetry by creating an uneven distribution of flow path density that is specifically tailored to the thermal requirements of different regions. The flow path arrangement is asymmetric with respect to the straight line connecting inlet and outlet, with higher density on one side and lower density on the other, matching the asymmetric heat exchange needs of the flat heat absorbing portion.
2Power
If a complicated refrigerant flow path is used, then heat-exchange performance is improved, but driving energy for refrigerant circulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the arrangement density of the refrigerant flow path in different regions. The flow path density is increased in areas far from the straight line connecting inlet and outlet, and decreased in areas close to this straight line. This localized adjustment optimizes heat exchange in regions where it is most needed while maintaining lower pressure loss in the overall flow direction.
3Power
If high arrangement density of refrigerant flow path is used, then heat-exchange performance is improved, but pressure loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the arrangement density of the refrigerant flow path in different regions. The flow path density is increased in areas far from the straight line connecting inlet and outlet, and decreased in areas close to this straight line. This localized adjustment optimizes heat exchange in regions where it is most needed while maintaining lower pressure loss in the overall flow direction.
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 design achieves high heat-exchange performance while significantly reducing refrigerant pressure loss, making it suitable for Stirling-type refrigerators with flat heat absorbing portions, and simplifies manufacturing by using consistent machining tools.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger which is suitable for being combined with a refrigerator whose heat absorbing portion has a flat shape and which can suppress a pressure loss of the refrigerant while providing high heat-exchange performance
Implementation Method 2
the refrigerant can flow in a well-balanced manner in respective routes from the area on the one side communicating with the refrigerant inlet toward the area on the other side communicating with the refrigerant outlet
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger provided with: a plate member having a flat bottom part and a refrigerant flow path formed therein; and a plate cover for covering the plate member. The plate cover has a refrigerant inlet communicating with an area on one side of the refrigerant flow path, and a refrigerant outlet communicating with an area on the other side of the refrigerant flow path. The refrigerant flow path is more densely arranged in an area far from a straight line connecting the area that is on the one side and communicates with the refrigerant inlet to the area that is on the other side and communicates with the refrigerant outlet, than in an area close to the straight line connecting the area that is on the one side and communicates with the refrigerant inlet to the area that is on the other side and communicates with the refrigerant outlet.