Heat Exchanger External Flange Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional heat exchangers in power systems are bulky and large, making their assembly cumbersome due to interference with mountings and accessories, and their placement reduces effective space within the enclosure, obstructing access for service or repair.

Innovation Solution

A compact heat exchanger design with a housing featuring a flange for external attachment to the power system enclosure, allowing for easy installation and removal without interfering with internal components, and a screen to prevent operator contact with heat exchange tubes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional heat exchanger is used, then heat exchange function is provided, but the device occupies large space and interferes with internal components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat exchange functionVSAvoidheat exchanger size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heat exchanger is nested within a receptacle that is integrated into the power system enclosure. The housing fits inside the receptacle, and the flange extends outward to attach to the external mounting surface, creating a compact nested arrangement that saves space while maintaining functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The heat exchanger is repositioned from an internal mounting configuration to an external mounting configuration using the flange that attaches to the outer surface of the enclosure. This dimensional change allows the heat exchanger to be mounted outside the main enclosure volume, eliminating interference with internal components while maintaining the heat exchange function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the heat exchanger is fastened from inside the enclosure, then it is secured, but assembly becomes cumbersome due to interference with mountings and accessories

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat exchanger securingVSAvoidassembly process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of fastening the heat exchanger from the inside of the enclosure, the flange is designed to attach from the outside of the enclosure to the outer surface. This inverted mounting approach eliminates interference with internal mountings and accessories, making assembly much easier while still providing secure fastening

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting function is extracted from the internal enclosure space and placed on the external surface through the flange. This separates the securing function from the internal component space, allowing independent access for assembly without interfering with other internal mountings and accessories

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the heat exchanger is placed inside the enclosure, then it is integrated, but effective space is reduced and access for service/repair is obstructed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenclosure integrationVSAvoidaccess for service/repair

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The heat exchanger system is segmented into two parts: the housing with heat exchange tubes that fits within the receptacle for integration, and the flange that extends externally for mounting. This segmentation allows the heat exchanger to be integrated into the enclosure structure while maintaining external accessibility for service and repair operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Facilitates efficient installation and maintenance by reducing space constraints and eliminating interference with internal components, enabling easier access for service and repair of the power source.

Implementation Method 1

The heat exchanger may be used for many applications such as to receive hot air from the turbine compressor and cool it to provide purge air to a fuel line associated with the dual fuel engine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

receive hot air from the turbine compressor and cool it

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

at-least one heat exchange tube supported between one and more of side walls of the housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConduction (thermal): Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS9470460B2Heat exchanger for power system

Publication Date: 2016.10.18 SOLAR TURBINES INC

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a heat exchanger for a power system. The heat exchanger includes a housing. The housing includes a first side and a second side. The second side is configured to be received in a receptacle of a power system enclosure. The heat exchanger includes at-least one heat exchange tube supported between one or more of side walls of the housing. The heat exchanger includes a screen attached to the second side of the housing. The screen includes at-least one inlet opening for the heat exchange tube, and at-least one outlet opening for the heat exchange tube. The heat exchanger further includes a flange attached to the first side of the housing wherein the flange is configured to be removably attached to an outer surface around the receptacle of the power system enclosure.