Multi-Channel Flat Tube Thermal Decoupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Multi-channel flat tubes used in heat exchangers suffer from high transverse heat conduction losses due to neighboring channels having opposite flow directions, leading to inefficiencies in heat transfer and mechanical instability, especially in cross-flow heat exchangers.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates regions with reduced heat transmission, such as constrictions, meander-shaped webs, or isolating channels, to minimize heat conduction along the width of the tube, while maintaining mechanical stability through optimized material distribution and flow configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If neighboring channels are arranged adjacent to each other along the width of the flat tube, then the heat transfer efficiency is improved through cross-flow heat exchange, but heat conduction losses between channels increase due to opposite flow directions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidheat conduction losses

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The flat tube is divided into multiple channel sections along its length, with each section containing channels that flow in the same direction. Connection webs with reduced heat transmission are positioned between these sections to minimize thermal coupling while maintaining structural integrity. This segmentation allows adjacent sections to have opposite flow directions without causing excessive heat conduction losses between neighboring channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection webs are designed with locally reduced heat transmission properties specifically at the interfaces between channel sections. The material cross-section of these webs is optimized to provide mechanical stability while minimizing thermal conduction in the width direction, creating a localized thermal barrier where needed without compromising overall structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of energy

If the material cross-section is reduced to minimize heat conduction losses, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but mechanical stability of the tube decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat conduction lossesVSAvoidmechanical stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The connection webs may incorporate materials or structures with different thermal and mechanical properties than the main tube body. This allows the webs to provide adequate mechanical support while having reduced thermal conductivity, effectively decoupling the thermal and mechanical requirements in different regions of the same component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Loss of energy

If separate flat tubes are series-connected in direction of air flow to eliminate heat conduction losses, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but manufacturing cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat conduction lossesVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple channel sections are merged into a single integrated flat tube structure, connected through connection webs that provide both mechanical support and thermal isolation. This combining approach eliminates the need for separate tubes and complex series connections, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while achieving the desired thermal decoupling through the optimized web structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 approach enhances heat transfer efficiency and mechanical stability, reducing heat conduction losses and allowing for more effective heat transfer in cross-flow heat exchangers without increasing the tube's space requirements or compromising stability.

Implementation Method 1

heat conduction along the width of the flat tube inevitably occurs. Reducing the heat transfer efficiency, this proportion of heat transport is not desirable

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS7836944B2Multichannel flat tube for heat exchanger

Publication Date: 2010.11.23 HANON SYST CO LTD

AI summary

The invention relates to a multi-channel flat tube for heat exchangers that contains at least two channels extending along its length and arranged essentially adjacent to each other along its width passable by fluid, or at least two channel sections formed by one or several of said channels, whereby between the channels or the channel sections over the length of the flat tube one region of reduced heat transmission in each case is provided, characterized by that the region of reduced heat transmission is defined by a connecting web and isolating channels arranged on both sides of the connecting web. The transverse heat conduction within the flat tube is reduced by this arrangement.