Heat Exchanger With Irregular Structures For Thermal Stress Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heat exchangers face issues with plastic deformation due to temperature differences during heat exchange, leading to reduced waste heat recovery performance.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design featuring an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder with continuous irregular structures that alleviate thermal stress through elastic deformation, preventing plastic deformation and enhancing heat transfer efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a heat exchanger constantly collects waste heat from the first fluid to the second fluid, then heat recovery performance is improved, but the radiator capacity must be increased to discharge the collected waste heat when it is not needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing the phase transition of the refrigerant (from liquid to gas) based on temperature conditions. When the inner cylinder temperature reaches the boiling point of the refrigerant, the refrigerant vaporizes and fills the flow paths, automatically suppressing heat exchange without requiring radiator capacity adjustment. This dynamic parameter change resolves the contradiction between constant heat recovery and variable discharge needs.
2Productivity
If the inner cylinder temperature exceeds the boiling point of the refrigerant, then heat exchange should be suppressed, but the structure must allow automatic switching between heat promotion and suppression
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger employs a self-service mechanism where the refrigerant automatically responds to temperature changes. When the inner cylinder temperature exceeds the refrigerant's boiling point, the refrigerant naturally vaporizes and fills the flow paths, suppressing heat exchange without external control. This self-regulating mechanism eliminates complex switching devices while achieving automatic heat exchange control based on thermal conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cylinders and flow paths are introduced to enable heat exchange switching, then heat exchange control is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by designing the refrigerant to serve dual purposes: as a heat transfer medium when in liquid form and as a heat exchange suppressor when in gaseous form. The same refrigerant and flow path structure perform both heat promotion and heat suppression functions based on phase transition, eliminating the need for separate mechanisms and reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining adaptability.
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 effectively suppresses plastic deformation and improves heat recovery performance by managing thermal stress, ensuring efficient heat transfer between fluids.
Implementation Method 1
at least a part of the outer cylinder and/or the inner cylinder has at least one continuous irregular structure
Implementation Method 2
plastic deformation of members due to a temperature difference during heat exchange
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger 100, including: an inner cylinder 10 through which a first fluid can flow, the inner cylinder 10 being configured to house a heat recovery member 30; and an outer cylinder 20 disposed so as to be spaced on a radially outer side of the inner cylinder 10 such that a second fluid can flow between the outer cylinder 20 and the inner cylinder 10. In the heat exchanger 100, at least a part of the outer cylinder 20 and/or the inner cylinder 10 has at least one continuous irregular structure 40.