Heat Exchanger Dynamic Flow Configuration for Efficiency and Pressure Drop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing internal heat exchangers in air conditioning loops face challenges in efficiently regulating both efficiency and pressure drop, leading to suboptimal performance when efficiency increases beyond a threshold.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design featuring multiple sets of tubes fluidically connected between manifolds, allowing for configuration changes to control the flow of fluids, thereby regulating efficiency and pressure drop.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the efficiency of the internal heat exchanger is increased beyond a threshold value, then heat exchange performance is improved, but problems occur in the air conditioning loop
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic flow configuration system where the second fluid can switch between different flow paths (U-flow configuration and straight-through configuration) through valve control. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to optimize heat exchange efficiency while preventing excessive pressure drop by selecting appropriate flow configurations, thus resolving the contradiction between improved productivity and maintained reliability.
2Productivity
If the internal heat exchanger is configured with U-flow configuration, then efficiency is improved, but pressure drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic valve control to switch between U-flow configuration (for high efficiency when low pressure drop is tolerable) and straight-through configuration (for low pressure drop when efficiency is sufficient). This dynamic adjustment allows real-time optimization of the efficiency-pressure drop trade-off based on operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the flow path configuration parameter of the second fluid between different states (U-flow vs. straight-through) to control the balance between heat exchange efficiency and pressure drop. By adjusting this parameter through valve positioning, the system can optimize performance for different operating requirements.
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 heat exchanger effectively manages efficiency and pressure drop by switching between different configurations, optimizing performance according to specific needs.
Implementation Method 1
When the high pressure fluid from the high pressure fluid circuit transfers heat energy to the low pressure fluid from the low pressure fluid circuit, the efficiency of the internal heat exchanger increases.
Data Source
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AI summary
A heat exchanger comprises a first set of tubes fluidically connected between a first and second manifold, wherein a first fluid flows from the first manifold to the second manifold through the first set of tubes. The heat exchanger comprises a second set of tubes fluidically connected between the first and second manifold, wherein a second fluid flows from the first manifold to the second manifold through the second set of tubes. The heat exchanger comprises a third set of tubes fluidically connected between the first and second manifold, wherein at a first configuration, the second fluid flows from the second manifold to the first manifold through the third set of tubes; at a second configuration, the second fluid flows from the first manifold to the second manifold through the third set of tubes; and at a third configuration, the second fluid does not flow through the third set of tubes.