Heat Exchanger Fluid Distributor With Tilt-Tolerant Flow Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid distributors in heat exchangers suffer from nonuniform fluid distribution due to gravitational effects, leading to inefficiencies and reduced fault tolerance.
Innovation Solution
A fluid distributor design featuring a flow guide frame with a flow equalizing plate and inclined extension portions that guide fluid to two outlet passages, ensuring uniform distribution even when tilted, using a combination of plate-shaped members and a flow guide frame to partition fluid flow into separate channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional fluid distributor is used, then the structure is simple, but the fluid distribution is nonuniform due to gravitational effects
Solution Approach 1:
The flow guide frame is divided into multiple flow guide spaces (first flow guide space, second flow guide space, etc.) that are spatially segmented to guide fluid to different outlet flow passages. This segmentation allows independent control of fluid distribution to multiple outlets, achieving uniform distribution even under gravitational influence without requiring complex external control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a vertical height direction dimension by positioning inlet and outlet flow passages at different heights and using inclined flow equalizing plate extension portions. This dimensional approach allows the fluid to flow upward against gravity through the inclined portions, compensating for gravitational effects and achieving uniform distribution across multiple outlets located at different positions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the distributor is tilted to adapt to installation conditions, then the adaptability improves, but the fluid distribution uniformity deteriorates due to gravity
Solution Approach 1:
The flow equalizing plate with its inclined extension portions serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides fluid flow, equalizes distribution to multiple outlets, and compensates for gravitational effects even when the distributor is tilted during installation. This multi-functionality allows the distributor to maintain uniform fluid distribution across various installation orientations without requiring orientation-specific designs.
3Manufacturing precision
If the flow equalizing plate extension portions are made longer to improve distribution, then the distribution uniformity improves, but the device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flow equalizing plate extension portions are designed with specific inclination angles relative to the height direction, creating a dynamic flow path that leverages fluid momentum and pressure gradients. This dynamic design allows the fluid to naturally follow the inclined paths and distribute uniformly to multiple outlets without requiring excessively long extension portions, thus achieving good distribution uniformity while controlling the overall size of the distributor.
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 enhances uniformity of refrigerant distribution and improves fault tolerance by mitigating gravitational influences, maintaining consistent flow velocities and distribution ratios, even under tilting conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a flow equalizing plate adjacent to the inlet flow passage and located below the inlet flow passage in the height direction, and the flow equalizing plate includes a flow equalizing plate bottom portion which is located below the inlet flow passage, and flow equalizing plate extension portions which extend upward from the flow equalizing plate bottom portion to two sides of the flow equalizing plate bottom portion while being inclined in the height direction to distribute the fluid flowing in from the inlet flow passage to the two sides of the flow equalizing plate bottom portion
Data Source
AI summary
This application provides a fluid distributor and a heat exchanger. The fluid distributor includes: a first plate-shaped member in which an inlet flow passage is formed; a second plate-shaped member in which a first outlet flow passage and a second outlet flow passage spaced apart in a height direction are formed; a flow guide frame sealingly fixed between the first plate-shaped member and the second plate-shaped member, having a first flow guide space and a second flow guide space partitioned inside. The flow guide frame includes a flow equalizing plate, and the flow equalizing plate includes a flow equalizing plate bottom portion, and flow equalizing plate extension portions which extend upward from the flow equalizing plate bottom portion to two sides of the flow equalizing plate bottom portion while being inclined in the height direction. This application improves uniformity and a fault tolerance of a refrigerant distribution.