Heat Exchanger Guide Members Fluid Direction

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Solution Overview

Problem

In heat exchangers where pipes are stacked without contact, the faster flow of external fluid between them reduces heat exchange efficiency, as the fluid may pass through without sufficient contact with the pipes, leading to incomplete heat transfer.

Innovation Solution

A guide member is arranged between the heat transmitting members to change the direction of the external fluid, promoting contact with the pipes and enhancing heat exchange efficiency by facilitating the separation of thermal boundary layers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If pipes are stacked without contact to allow fluid flow, then fluid flow rate is improved, but heat exchange efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid flow rateVSAvoidheat exchange efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

A guide member is introduced as an intermediary element between the heat transmitting pipes. This guide member has a fluid introduction portion that receives external fluid and a fluid discharge portion that directs it toward the pipes. The guide member mediates the interaction between the flowing fluid and the pipes, forcing the fluid to change direction and contact the pipes more effectively, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining fluid flow and achieving sufficient heat exchange.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide member extends in a direction that is not parallel to the pipe arrangement, creating a third dimensional aspect to the fluid flow path. By introducing this additional dimensional element, the fluid is compelled to move in a direction that increases its interaction with the pipes, transforming the simple linear flow into a multi-directional flow pattern that enhances heat exchange while maintaining overall flow rate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If external fluid flows quickly between pipes, then productivity is improved, but heat transfer completeness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid processing speedVSAvoidheat transfer completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide member performs a preliminary action by directing and conditioning the external fluid before it reaches the heat transmitting pipes. The fluid introduction portion receives the fluid and the guide member's structure pre-positions the fluid flow to ensure it will contact the pipes effectively. This preliminary direction-setting action ensures that even at high flow rates, the fluid is guaranteed to interact with the pipes for sufficient heat transfer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Speed

If pipes are arranged with intervals for fluid passage, then fluid flow is improved, but contact area between fluid and pipes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid flow rateVSAvoidcontact area between fluid and pipes
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The guide member creates local quality variations in the fluid flow by directing fluid to specific regions around the pipes. Rather than uniform flow distribution, the guide member's structure creates localized zones of enhanced fluid-pipe interaction. This local concentration of fluid flow in specific areas maximizes the effective contact area between fluid and pipes in those regions, compensating for the reduced overall contact area due to pipe spacing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 guide member effectively directs the external fluid to increase contact with the heat transmitting members, improving heat exchange efficiency by reducing the thickness of thermal boundary layers and enhancing heat transfer across the entire heat exchanger.

Implementation Method 1

the guide member changes the direction of the external fluid passing through the intervals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow direction change:

Implementation Method 2

Heat is exchanged between the external fluid flowing outside the heat transmitting members and the internal fluid flowing inside the heat transmitting members

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 3

facilitating the separation of thermal boundary layers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal boundary layer separation: Boundary Layer

Data Source

PatentEP2295914B1Heat exchanger with guide members
Publication Date: 2016.05.25 PALOMA CO LTD
  • EP2295914B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2295914B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2295914B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A heat exchanger (1) includes a heat transmitting structure (2) for heat exchange and a guide member (3). The heat exchanger (1) is configured to exchange heat between external fluid flowing outside the heat transmitting structure (2) and the heat transmitting structure (2). The heat transmitting structure (2) includes a plurality of heat transmitting members (2a-2h) for heat exchange. The heat transmitting members (2a-2h) are arranged side by side in such a manner as to have intervals between the adjacent heat transmitting members (2a-2h). The guide member (3) is arranged in the intervals between the heat transmitting members (2a-2h) so as to change a direction of the external fluid flowing outside the heat transmitting structure (2).