Heat Exchanger Core Layer With Varying Channel Width
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heat exchanger core designs with a wider dimension than length lead to uneven fluid flow, causing local variations in heat transfer and performance issues due to significant differences in fluid flow path lengths across the core layer.
Innovation Solution
The design features a heat exchanger core layer with channels that are narrower closer to the divider and wider closer to the sides, maintaining uniform fluid flow velocity by varying channel density across the layer, which reduces pressure drop differences and enhances heat transfer efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the heat exchanger core has a wider dimension than length to improve space utilization and ease of connection, then the compactness and ease of installation are improved, but the fluid flow path length difference across the core layer increases significantly causing uneven fluid flow distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the channel width across different regions of the core layer. Channels near the divider are made narrower while channels near the outer edges are made wider. This non-uniform channel width distribution compensates for the different flow path lengths, ensuring that fluid velocity remains relatively uniform across all channels despite the wide overall core dimension.
2Stress or pressure
If channels are made uniformly wide across the core layer to reduce flow resistance, then the pressure drop is reduced, but the fluid flow velocity becomes uneven due to different path lengths from inlet to outlet
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by making channels narrower near the divider and wider near the outer edges. This local variation in channel width creates different flow resistances in different regions, compensating for the path length differences and maintaining uniform fluid velocity across the core layer while keeping pressure drop at acceptable levels.
3Manufacturing precision
If channels are made narrower near the divider to compensate for longer flow paths, then the fluid flow velocity uniformity is improved, but the local flow resistance increases in those regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying the channel width parameter across the core layer. Channels near the divider are made narrower (smaller width parameter) to increase flow velocity and reduce stagnation, while channels near the outer edges are made wider (larger width parameter) to reduce flow resistance. This controlled parameter variation achieves uniform fluid flow distribution across the entire core layer.
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 ensures uniform fluid flow and improved heat transfer by compensating for longer flow paths with wider channels, reducing stagnation and increasing thermal efficiency while allowing for wider heat exchanger configurations without performance degradation.
Implementation Method 1
heat is exchanged across the boundary between the channels
Implementation Method 2
Thermal properties are improved by the introduction of turbulence in the flow channels
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger core layer having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first side extending between the first end and the second end and a second side, extending between the first end and the second end opposite the first side, and a divider extending from the first end and extending towards the second end between the first side and the second side, wherein a first flow region is formed between the first side and the divider, a second flow region is defined between the divider and the second side and a turnaround region is defined adjacent the second end between the first flow region and the second flow region; the layer having a plurality of first flow channels in the first flow region for directing a fluid flow, in use, in a first direction from the first end to the turnaround region.