Compact Heat Exchanger with Flange-Integrated Cylindrical Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchangers face challenges in achieving a compact structure while maintaining effective heat exchange, particularly when incorporating cones for connecting to exhaust pipes, which increases axial length and complicates the provision of a compact design.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design featuring a pillar-shaped honeycomb structure with an inner and outer cylindrical member, and upstream and downstream cylindrical members with flange portions, where the flange rising positions are axially inner to the flow path ends, allowing for a compact structure and efficient heat exchange by optimizing the flow paths and reducing pressure loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cones are added for connecting to exhaust pipes, then the heat exchanger can be connected to the exhaust system, but the axial length increases and compact structure is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the connecting function directly into the cylindrical members (inner and outer cylindrical members) that form the heat exchange structure, rather than adding separate cone components. The flange portions of these cylindrical members serve dual purposes: maintaining the heat exchange geometry and providing connection interfaces for the exhaust system, thereby eliminating the need for additional axial length.
Solution Approach 2:
The cylindrical members are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: they define the flow paths for heat exchange, maintain the structural geometry, and provide connection interfaces through their flange portions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated connection components, achieving compactness while maintaining adaptability.
2Loss of energy
If the cross-sectional area of the honeycomb structure is increased, then pressure loss is reduced, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The honeycomb structure is segmented into multiple cells with partition walls, allowing the cross-sectional area to be effectively increased through additive arrangement rather than enlarging individual cell dimensions. This segmentation approach reduces pressure loss by providing multiple parallel flow paths while maintaining manageable manufacturing complexity through standardized cell designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner cylindrical member is nested within the outer cylindrical member, creating a concentric structure that maximizes the effective cross-sectional area for heat exchange without proportionally increasing external dimensions. This nested arrangement allows pressure loss reduction through increased flow area while controlling overall device complexity.
3Length of moving object
If the axial length is reduced for compactness, then the device size is reduced, but the heat exchange efficiency and catalyst activation capability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a primarily axial heat exchange configuration to one that utilizes radial dimensions more effectively. The concentric cylindrical structure with multiple flow paths arranged radially allows sufficient heat exchange surface area and volume to be achieved within a reduced axial length, maintaining heat exchange efficiency while achieving compactness through dimensional redistribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchange function and catalyst support function are merged into the same honeycomb structure, eliminating the need for separate catalyst components that would increase axial length. The honeycomb cells serve dual purposes as both heat exchange conduits and catalyst carriers, achieving compact integration without sacrificing heat exchange efficiency.
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 design achieves a compact heat exchanger with improved heat recovery efficiency and reduced pressure loss, enabling efficient heat transfer and catalyst activation, while maintaining mechanical strength and durability.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger, comprising: a pillar shaped honeycomb structure (10) comprising: partition walls (13) defining a plurality of cells (12), each of the cells extending from a first end face (11a) to a second end face (11b) to form a flow path for a first fluid; and an outer peripheral wall (14); an inner cylindrical member (20) fitted to the outer peripheral wall of the honeycomb structure; an outer cylindrical member (30) arranged on a radially outer side of the inner cylindrical member with a distance such that at least a part of the outer cylindrical member forms a flow path for a second fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger includes: a pillar shaped honeycomb; an inner cylindrical member; an outer cylindrical member arranged on a radially outer side of the inner cylindrical member such that a part of the outer cylindrical member forms a flow path for a second fluid; an upstream cylindrical member having a cylindrical portion and a flange portion, the upstream cylindrical member being located on a side of a first end face of the honeycomb structure, and an end portion of the flange portion being connected to the inner cylindrical member and/or the outer cylindrical member; and a downstream cylindrical member having a cylindrical portion and a flange portion, the downstream cylindrical member being located on a side of a second end face of the honeycomb structure, and an end portion of the flange portion being connected to the inner cylindrical member and/or the outer cylindrical member.