Heat exchanger and a method for its production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchangers face challenges in maintaining high heat transfer capability and resistance to freezing in cold environments, particularly when used with low-temperature fluids.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design featuring plastic components, including a coiled tubing structure with a conical shape and axial and radial dividers, optimized for low-temperature operation, ensuring consistent flow speed and reduced freezing risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heat exchangers are used in cold environments with low-temperature fluids, then heat transfer capability is required, but freezing resistance becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from traditional metals to plastic polymers, which have different thermal and mechanical properties that provide both adequate heat transfer capability and inherent resistance to freezing conditions. The plastic material remains flexible and functional at low temperatures without freezing
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger employs composite construction with plastic tubing and structural components, combining materials that provide thermal efficiency while maintaining flexibility and resistance to freezing. The composite plastic structure allows for design optimization of both heat transfer and freezing resistance
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional heat exchanger designs are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but performance in cold environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter to plastic, which can be manufactured using standard plastic forming processes, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving superior low-temperature performance compared to conventional metal designs
3Reliability
If all components are made of plastic, then freezing resistance is improved, but heat transfer capability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making specific components (tubing and structural elements in contact with low-temperature fluid) from plastic for freezing resistance, while optimizing the overall design and geometry to maintain heat transfer capability. The conical shape and flow path design compensate for lower thermal conductivity of plastic
4Productivity
If heat exchangers are designed for high heat transfer, then energy recovery efficiency is improved, but complexity of design increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs curved conical geometry in the heat exchanger design, which optimizes fluid flow patterns and heat transfer surfaces. The conical shape naturally promotes turbulent flow and enhances heat transfer efficiency without requiring complex internal structures or additional components
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
Enhances heat transfer efficiency and prevents freezing by maintaining flow speed and uniform temperature distribution, even in cold waters near freezing temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
The heat exchanger is usable in waters at low temperatures, even close to the freezing temperature... for collecting heat to a heat pump circuit or for dissipating heat from the circuit
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 6
AI summary
According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a heat exchanger comprising a cylindrical core (1), a heat exchanger tubing (2) for a first liquid, a body (3, 13) surrounding the heat exchanger tubing (2), wherein the inner surface of the body (3) has the same shape as the outer borderline of the heat exchanger tubing (2), the heat exchanger tubing (2) having a first part (4) formed as a cone having first diameter and a second larger diameter, and a second part (5) formed as a cylinder having the same diameter as the second larger diameter of the cone, and the inner surface of the body (3) is formed as a shell around the heat exchanger tubing (2) and delineates with the core (19 a flow path for a second liquid.