Heat Exchanger Header with Communication Holes for Uniform Refrigerant Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing heat exchangers, refrigerant distribution is non-uniform across refrigerant tubes, leading to varying heat-exchange efficiency and performance deterioration.
Innovation Solution
The heat exchanger design includes headers with strategically positioned communication holes in pipes to redirect refrigerant flow, ensuring uniform distribution across multiple tubes by creating elongated and bent flow paths, preventing concentration in closest tubes and ensuring even distribution to all tubes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If refrigerant flows directly into multiple refrigerant tubes from a simple header, then the device complexity is reduced, but the refrigerant distribution becomes non-uniform with concentration in closest tubes
Solution Approach 1:
The header is segmented into multiple flow spaces (first flow space, second flow space, third flow space) separated by partition walls, with each space serving specific tubes. This segmentation ensures that refrigerant is distributed uniformly across all tubes rather than concentrating in the closest ones, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and uniform distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The header employs a nested structure where multiple flow spaces are arranged concentrically (inner flow space surrounded by middle flow space, which is surrounded by outer flow space). This nesting allows compact design while maintaining uniform refrigerant distribution to tubes at different radial positions, achieving both structural simplicity and distribution uniformity.
2Ease of operation
If refrigerant is introduced into the header with direct access to all tubes, then the ease of operation is improved, but the heat-exchange efficiency deteriorates due to non-uniform distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The header divides refrigerant flow into segmented paths through partition walls creating distinct flow spaces. Each flow space directs refrigerant to specific groups of tubes, ensuring all tubes receive adequate refrigerant flow. This maintains ease of operation while significantly improving heat-exchange efficiency by eliminating distribution non-uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different flow spaces are assigned to different tube groups based on their positions (closest, middle, farthest from inlet). The header provides locally optimized refrigerant distribution where each region receives appropriate refrigerant flow, improving overall heat-exchange efficiency while maintaining simple operational control.
3Manufacturing precision
If a complex header structure with multiple flow spaces is used to achieve uniform refrigerant distribution, then the refrigerant distribution uniformity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The header uses a nested concentric flow space structure where the inner flow space is surrounded by the middle flow space, which is surrounded by the outer flow space. This nesting achieves uniform refrigerant distribution to all tubes while maintaining a compact and relatively simple overall structure, reducing the complexity increase that would otherwise result from multiple flow spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple flow spaces are merged into a single integrated header body with partition walls, rather than using separate components. This combining approach achieves uniform refrigerant distribution through the multi-space design while minimizing the increase in device complexity by maintaining a unified structural form.
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 enhances refrigerant distribution, preventing concentration in closest tubes and ensuring uniform flow, thereby improving overall heat-exchange efficiency and performance by utilizing headers with communication holes to redirect refrigerant flow.
Implementation Method 1
a communication hole defined in the first and second pipe to allow the refrigerant to pass therethrough
Implementation Method 2
the heat exchanger cools or heats air through heat-exchange with the air
Implementation Method 3
a radiation fin 6 for easily heat-exchanging the refrigerant with the external air
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of refrigerant tubes through which a refrigerant flows, a header including a tube connection part coupled to the plurality of refrigerant tubes and a refrigerant inflow part, a first pipe provided in the header to define a first flow space for the refrigerant, a second pipe surrounding the outside of the first pipe to define a second flow space for the refrigerant, and a communication hole defined in the first or second pipe to allow the refrigerant to pass therethrough.