Tournament-Branch Heat Exchanger Passages for Uniform Flow Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat exchangers with dot-shaped convex portions for distributing fluid to heat exchange passages face challenges in controlling flow rate variations, leading to inconsistent heat exchange performance.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger with a connection passage part designed in a tournament shape, branching into two or more passages, allows for precise control of fluid distribution by repeating two-branching configurations to equalize flow rates across multiple heat exchange passages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If dot-shaped convex portions are used to distribute fluid to heat exchange passages, then fluid distribution is achieved, but flow rate variations cannot be controlled precisely
Solution Approach 1:
The connection passage part is segmented into multiple branched passages that divide the fluid flow in a tournament shape. This segmentation allows the fluid to be distributed through multiple paths, each with controlled flow characteristics, thereby reducing flow rate variations across heat exchange passages.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the connection passage part have different structural characteristics. The branched passages are designed with specific geometries (tournament shape) to create local flow control zones that equalize flow rates to different heat exchange passages, addressing the non-uniform flow distribution problem.
2Device complexity
If a single connection passage distributes fluid to multiple heat exchange passages, then device complexity is reduced, but flow rate variations increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single undivided connection passage, the passage is segmented into multiple branched passages arranged in a tournament shape. This segmentation increases flow control precision while maintaining relatively simple device structure through the systematic branching pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
The branched passages are nested within the heat transfer member structure, with the connection passage part integrated into the overall heat exchanger design. The tournament-shaped branching is nested within the plate or shell structure, achieving flow control without adding external complexity.
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 effectively suppresses flow rate variations, ensuring consistent heat exchange performance by evenly distributing fluid to each passage, reducing flow resistance and enhancing heat transfer efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the connection passage part is formed into a tournament shape in which the connection passage part is branched into two by two as it advances toward the heat exchange passages
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of heat exchange passages for making the fluid exchange heat
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3(A)~3(B)
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The heat exchanger is equipped with a heat transfer member (10, 20) including a flow port (11, 12, 21, 22) for receiving or discharging a fluid (6, 7), a plurality of heat exchange passages (13, 23), and a connection passage part (14, 24) having both ends, one of the ends being connected to the flow port and the other thereof being connected to the plurality of heat exchange passages (13, 23). The connection passage part has a tournament shape branched into two by two as it advances toward the heat exchange passages.