Heat Exchanger Header Pipe With Segregating Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Finned heat exchanger devices face inefficiencies due to high material and processing costs, and difficulty in complete drainage, especially in applications with many tubes and bends, which affects their performance and cost-effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A header pipe design for heat exchanger devices featuring a separating element that divides the pipe into outflow, inflow, and deflection areas, allowing for a functional subdivision and reduced component requirements, enabling efficient fluid flow and easier production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If many tubes are used to increase heat transfer efficiency, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but material and processing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple tubes into a single tube bundle assembly that functions as one integrated heat transfer unit. This reduces the number of individual tube components needed while maintaining the required heat transfer surface area, thereby lowering material costs and simplifying the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The tube bundle assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides heat transfer surface area, enables fluid distribution through integrated manifolds, and facilitates drainage. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, lowering both material and processing costs.
2Productivity
If many tubes with turns and bends are used to increase heat transfer efficiency, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but complete drainage becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The tube bundle assembly is segmented into multiple parallel tube rows with integrated manifolds that create distinct flow paths. This segmentation allows fluid to be distributed evenly across all tubes and facilitates complete drainage by providing multiple exit paths, eliminating the drainage problems associated with single bent tubes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single bent tubes to a three-dimensional tube bundle array with manifolds positioned at both ends. This dimensional change creates multiple flow dimensions and drainage paths, allowing complete emptying of the heat exchanger while maintaining high heat transfer efficiency.
3Productivity
If tube spacing is reduced to increase heat transfer efficiency, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but the number of tubes required increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple tubes are merged into a single tube bundle assembly that functions as one integrated component. This reduces the total number of separate tube components needed while providing the required heat transfer surface area, thereby addressing both efficiency and quantity concerns.
Solution Approach 2:
The tube bundle assembly with integrated manifolds performs multiple functions: heat transfer, fluid distribution, and drainage. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed compared to using many individual bent tubes, lowering both quantity and complexity.
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 design enhances the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of heat exchanger devices by eliminating the need for additional components like bends and distribution pipes, facilitating easier drainage and adaptation to various applications.
Implementation Method 1
the separating element pushes the header pipe into an outflow area in which the outflow opening is arranged, in an inflow area in which the inflow opening is arranged and in a first deflection area in which the deflection openings are arranged divided
Data Source
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AI summary
Collector pipe (1) for a heat exchanger device (13), wherein the collector pipe (1) comprises an outflow opening (2), an inflow opening (3) and a plurality of diverter openings (4), and a collector pipe axis (A) is formed in an axial longitudinal direction of the collector pipe (1). The collector pipe (1) comprises a divider element (5), wherein the divider element (5) is embodied and arranged in the collector pipe (1) in such a way that the divider element (5) divides the collector pipe (1) into an outflow region (6), in which the outflow opening (2) is arranged, into an inflow region (7), in which the inflow opening (3) is arranged, and into a first diverter region (8), in which the diverter openings (4) are arranged, and the divider element (5) is arranged in such a way with respect to the collector pipe axis (A) that the divider element (5) encloses an angle (a) with the collector pipe axis (A).