Heat exchanger for stirling machine, method for manufacturing heat exchanger, and stirling machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing of heat exchangers for Stirling machines is time-consuming and costly due to the need for processes like brazing, welding, and the time-consuming process of stacking metal fibers for the regenerator.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design where the heater, regenerator, and cooler are continuously connected and formed in one piece using additive manufacturing with metal powder, reducing the need for separate components and assembly processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If brazing, welding, or stacking metal fibers is used to assemble heat exchanger components, then the heat exchanger can be manufactured with functional components, but the manufacturing time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The heater, regenerator, and cooler are merged into a single integrated heat exchanger component manufactured by additive manufacturing, eliminating the need for separate brazing, welding, or assembly operations between these components
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional mechanical assembly methods (brazing, welding, stacking) are replaced by additive manufacturing technology, which builds the entire heat exchanger structure in one piece through layer-by-layer material deposition
2Ease of manufacture
If brazing, welding, or stacking metal fibers is used to assemble heat exchanger components, then the heat exchanger can be manufactured with functional components, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heater, regenerator, and cooler are merged into a single integrated heat exchanger component manufactured by additive manufacturing, eliminating the need for separate brazing, welding, or assembly operations between these components
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional mechanical assembly methods (brazing, welding, stacking) are replaced by additive manufacturing technology, which builds the entire heat exchanger structure in one piece through layer-by-layer material deposition
3Ease of manufacture
If separate components are assembled to form the heat exchanger, then manufacturing flexibility is maintained, but gas leakage occurs at connection points
Solution Approach 1:
The heater, regenerator, and cooler are merged into a single integrated heat exchanger component manufactured by additive manufacturing, eliminating the need for separate brazing, welding, or assembly operations between these components
4Ease of manufacture
If separate components are assembled to form the heat exchanger, then manufacturing flexibility is maintained, but dead volume increases at connection points
Solution Approach 1:
The heater, regenerator, and cooler are merged into a single integrated heat exchanger component manufactured by additive manufacturing, eliminating the need for separate brazing, welding, or assembly operations between these components
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 approach significantly reduces manufacturing time and cost while preventing gas leakage and minimizing dead volume, thereby enhancing the efficiency and performance of the Stirling machine.
Implementation Method 1
a first flow channel communicating with the expansion chamber and the regenerator and configured to allow the working fluid to flow therethrough, and a second flow channel configured to allow a first fluid for exchanging heat with the working fluid to flow therethrough
Implementation Method 2
a second flow channel configured to allow a first fluid for exchanging heat with the working fluid to flow therethrough
Implementation Method 3
a third flow channel communicating with the compression chamber and the regenerator and configured to allow the working fluid to flow therethrough, and a fourth flow channel configured to allow a second fluid for exchanging heat with the working fluid to flow therethrough
Implementation Method 4
a fourth flow channel configured to allow a second fluid for exchanging heat with the working fluid to flow therethrough
Implementation Method 5
a regenerator; and a heater, the regenerator, and the cooler are continuously connected to each other, provided in one piece
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A heat exchanger for a Stirling machine that includes an expansion chamber and a compression chamber, the heat exchanger including: a heater; a regenerator; and a cooler, in which the heater includes a first flow channel communicating with the expansion chamber and the regenerator and configured to a working fluid to flow therethrough, and a second flow channel configured to allow a first fluid for exchanging heat with the working fluid to flow therethrough, the cooler includes a third flow channel communicating with the compression chamber and the regenerator and configured to flow the working fluid to flow therethrough, and a fourth flow channel configured to flow a second fluid for exchanging heat with the working fluid to flow therethrough, and the heater, the regenerator, and the cooler are continuously connected to each other in series in a flow direction of the working fluid, provided in one piece.