Furcating Unit Cell Heat Exchanger Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchangers face challenges in achieving high heat transfer efficiency due to the formation of boundary layers, material properties, surface areas, flow configurations, pressure drops, and thermal resistivity. Additionally, they often require significant space and weight, and their joints can deteriorate over time, reducing their service life.
Innovation Solution
The development of a heat exchanger comprising furcating unit cells that are coupled together. Each unit cell has a sidewall with defined openings for fluid inlet and outlet, and interior passageways that direct the fluid flow and divide it into separate orthogonal flows. This design allows for efficient heat transfer between two fluids flowing through interior and exterior passageways without mixing, while also reducing thermal boundary layers and improving flow configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heat transfer fluids flow through conventional heat exchangers, then heat transfer occurs, but boundary layers form which increase thermal resistance and reduce heat transfer efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flow diverters that create turbulence and disrupt boundary layers through fluid dynamic mechanisms, effectively using flow-induced mechanical motion to prevent the formation of stable thermal boundary layers and enhance heat transfer efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The flow diverters are designed with curved surfaces that redirect fluid flow in specific patterns, creating swirling motion and preventing boundary layer stabilization, thereby reducing thermal resistance and improving heat transfer
2Volume of stationary object
If heat exchanger size is reduced to meet system volume requirements, then space utilization improves, but heat transfer efficiency characteristics are affected
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is divided into modular unit cells that can be arranged in various configurations, allowing the system to achieve high heat transfer efficiency in a compact volume by optimizing the arrangement of individual functional units
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional flow patterns and vertical arrangement of flow diverters to maximize heat transfer surface area within limited horizontal space, effectively transitioning from two-dimensional to three-dimensional heat exchange configurations
3Adaptability or versatility
If heat exchangers are formed using multiple joints such as brazed and welded joints to meet system requirements, then system integration is achieved, but joints deteriorate over time decreasing service life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the flow diverters and heat exchange surfaces into a single monolithic structure formed by additive manufacturing, eliminating separate joints and connections that would otherwise be prone to deterioration, thereby significantly extending service life while maintaining system integration
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 furcating unit cell design enhances heat transfer efficiency by reducing thermal boundary layers and increasing the surface area for heat exchange. It also allows for a more compact and lightweight heat exchanger that can be tailored to specific system requirements, with reduced risk of joint deterioration over time.
Implementation Method 1
a second fluid can flow through the exterior volumes and exchange heat with the first fluid flowing through the interiors of the unit cells without the first fluid and the second fluid mixing with each other
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger is provided that can include furcating unit cells coupled with each other. Each of the unit cells can be elongated along an axis and include a sidewall that defines annular ring openings on opposite ends of the unit cell along the axis. The sidewall also can define undulating annular rings between the annular ring openings and axially separated from each other along the axis. The sidewall can further define angled openings into the unit cell both above and below each of the undulating annular rings. At least a first opening of the annular ring openings and the angled openings can be configured to be an inlet to receive a first fluid into the unit cell and at least a second opening of the annular ring openings and the angled openings configured to be an outlet through which the first fluid exits the unit cell.