Heat Exchanger Header Conduit Layout for Uniform Refrigerant Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heterogeneous feeding of refrigerant fluid in heat exchangers leads to disparities in heat exchange and temperature management, causing inefficiencies in air conditioning systems for vehicles, particularly due to the separation of liquid and gas phases, which results in uneven cooling across the passenger compartment.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerant fluid distribution device featuring an external conduit with spraying orifices and an internal conduit of reduced thickness, where the internal conduit has a single communication orifice aligned with the central part of the spraying zone, enhancing the mixing of liquid and gas phases and reducing head losses by optimizing fluid circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple small orifices are used to spray refrigerant fluid in the header, then homogeneous distribution of refrigerant fluid is improved, but head losses increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The internal conduit is segmented into multiple sections along its length, with each section having a communication orifice that opens into the external conduit. This segmentation allows the refrigerant fluid to be introduced at multiple locations along the header, achieving homogeneous distribution without requiring multiple small spraying orifices that would cause high head losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal conduit acts as an intermediary element that receives refrigerant fluid through communication orifices and distributes it along the header. This intermediary structure enables fluid distribution while maintaining larger passage sizes, thereby reducing head losses compared to direct spraying through multiple small orifices.
2Ease of manufacture
If the internal conduit has uniform thickness throughout, then manufacturing is simpler, but the communication volume between internal and external conduits is insufficient for proper fluid mixing
Solution Approach 1:
The internal conduit features a local variation in thickness, with a section having reduced thickness that creates an enlarged communication volume between the internal and external conduits. This local quality change provides sufficient space for proper mixing of liquid and gas phases of the refrigerant fluid without complicating the overall manufacturing process.
3Ease of manufacture
If communication orifices are positioned away from the central part of the spraying zone, then manufacturing alignment is easier, but homogeneous distribution of refrigerant fluid is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The communication orifices are positioned to align with the central part of the spraying zone, creating an equipotential distribution pattern. This positioning ensures that refrigerant fluid is introduced at optimal locations along the header, achieving homogeneous distribution. The design simplifies alignment requirements by using a standardized central positioning reference.
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 solution ensures homogeneous distribution of refrigerant fluid, minimizing head losses and achieving uniform temperature management across the heat exchanger, thereby improving the thermal efficiency and consistency of air conditioning systems.
Implementation Method 1
the refrigerant fluid passing through the communication orifice or orifices to be distributed better along the communication volume
Implementation Method 2
The liquid phase refrigerant fluid is therefore sprayed through the orifices in the form of droplets over the whole of the length of the conduit
Implementation Method 3
the refrigerant fluid circulates inside the tubes of the bundle and the flow of fluid circulates between the tubes of the bundle to cool it, the exchange of heat being effected by conduction
Implementation Method 4
This heat exchanger is intended to perform an exchange of heat between the refrigerant fluid and a flow of fluid
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a device for distribution of a refrigerant fluid in a header of a heat exchanger comprising at least two conduits (12, 13), an external conduit (12) and an internal conduit (13), with the internal conduit accommodated in the external conduit in such a manner as to form a volume (14) for communication between the internal conduit and the external conduit, the external conduit comprising spraying orifices (120) each having an axis (120A) intersecting a principal lengthwise axis (12A) of the external conduit, the internal conduit comprising at least one communication orifice having an axis intersecting a principal lengthwise axis of the internal conduit. According to the invention, the internal conduit (13) comprises a portion (16) of reduced thickness formed by removal of material from an external face of the internal conduit (13), the external face facing toward the external conduit (12).