Heat Exchanger with Flat Filter to Reduce Refrigerant Clogging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerant fluid loop heat exchangers face challenges in filtering out particles larger than 60µm, which can damage compressor and expansion device components, and conventional filters are inefficient and prone to clogging, leading to reduced flow and increased maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A flat filter with a mesh element, surrounded by a frame and optionally an elastic band, is integrated into the heat exchanger's outlet system, featuring a meshed surface larger than the outlet surface to prevent clogging and ensure efficient filtration of particles greater than 50µm, with configurations allowing for perpendicular, parallel, or angled placement to minimize congestion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional filter is used in the refrigerant fluid loop, then particles can be filtered out, but the filter is prone to clogging and reduces refrigerant flow
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element is configured as a flat structure with a large surface area perpendicular to the refrigerant flow direction, rather than an elongated structure extending in the flow direction. This dimensional change allows the filter to provide effective filtration without creating flow resistance along the flow path, thereby maintaining refrigerant flow while filtering particles.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter element is divided into multiple parallel flow channels separated by septa, allowing refrigerant to flow through multiple paths simultaneously. This segmentation distributes the flow across the large surface area, preventing clogging in any single channel while maintaining overall filtration effectiveness and flow efficiency.
2Reliability
If the meshed surface of the filter is made larger to prevent clogging, then the filter efficiency improves, but the filter occupies more space
Solution Approach 1:
The filter utilizes a flat, planar configuration with the meshed surface oriented perpendicular to the refrigerant flow. This allows the filter to achieve a large effective filtering area within a compact footprint by extending in the dimension perpendicular to flow rather than along the flow direction, thus preventing clogging without occupying excessive space in the flow path.
3Area of stationary object
If the filter is placed perpendicular to the outlet surface to minimize congestion, then space utilization improves, but the filter structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element is integrated directly into the outlet structure of the heat exchanger, with the frame attached to the outlet surface and the meshed surface positioned perpendicular to it. This merging of the filter with the existing outlet structure achieves compact space utilization while avoiding the need for separate complex mounting arrangements, as the filter becomes part of the outlet assembly itself.
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 solution effectively filters out particles larger than 50µm, reducing the risk of damage to downstream components, minimizing clogging, and ensuring consistent refrigerant flow, while being adaptable and easy to integrate into existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
the mesh element extends in a flat area, forming the filtering part of the filter... configured to filter particles which present a diameter bigger than 50μm
Implementation Method 2
the filter can comprise at least one elastic band embedded around the frame. This elastic band function as a sealing device. It prevents refrigerant fluid leakages between the outlet of the heat exchanger and the filter
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2.1
Figure 2.2
AI summary
Heat exchanger (1) for a refrigerant fluid loop, the heat exchanger (1) comprising at least one outlet (6) configured to allow a refrigerant fluid (100) to exit the heat exchanger (1), the heat exchanger comprising a core (34) and a tank (7), that comprises said outlet (6), and the heat exchanger (1) comprising at least one filter (2), characterized in that the filter is adapted to filter (2) the refrigerant fluid (100) that exits the tank (7) and in that said filter (2) is flat. The present invention proposes various arrangements in order to integrate the filter (2) within the heat exchanger (1), including and not limited to the attachment of a connection block (3), housing the filter (2), to the heat exchanger (1).