Heat Exchanger Panel With Guide Wheels for Rack Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchanger stacks and methods for mounting heat exchanger panels to a rack structure face challenges such as difficulty in assembly, space requirements for installation and removal, and the need for heavy machinery due to the weight and size of the panels.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger stack with a rack structure featuring vertical legs, horizontal members, and wheel guiding members, along with a method for mounting heat exchanger panels using wheels that engage guiding members for guided translation and inclination, allowing for efficient horizontal translation and reduced space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heat exchanger panels are made heavy and large for structural support and heat transfer efficiency, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but assembly difficulty increases and heavy machinery is required
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger stack is divided into modular heat exchanger panels that can be independently assembled and disassembled. Each panel is a self-contained unit with frame, tubing arrangement, and fins, allowing for easier handling and assembly while maintaining overall system effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
Wheel guiding members are introduced as intermediary components between the heat exchanger panels and the rack structure. These guiding members with wheels enable controlled movement and positioning of heavy panels during assembly and disassembly, reducing the need for heavy machinery
2Reliability
If heat exchanger panels are made large for heat transfer efficiency, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but space requirements for installation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rack structure utilizes vertical space with multiple levels to accommodate heat exchanger panels. By stacking panels vertically on different levels of the rack, the system achieves high heat transfer capacity without requiring proportionally large horizontal footprint, as the guiding members enable access from the rear of the compact structure
3Strength
If heat exchanger panels are made heavy for structural integrity, then structural integrity is improved, but ease of assembly worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into modular panels with standardized frames and components. This segmentation allows each panel to be manufactured with adequate structural integrity while keeping individual panel weights manageable through optimized material usage and design
Solution Approach 2:
Wheel guiding members serve as mediators that facilitate the assembly of heavy panels by providing controlled movement paths. The guiding members with wheels allow heavy panels to be rolled into position and precisely positioned during assembly, reducing the physical effort and machinery needed
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
Facilitates easier and more space-efficient installation and removal of heat exchanger panels, reducing the need for heavy machinery and minimizing the footprint of the heat exchanger stack, while maintaining structural support and heat transfer efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of wheels mounted to the frame. Each of the wheels is rotatable about a respective axis extending generally laterally. The wheels are configured to engage respective ones of the lower and upper wheel guiding members of the rack structure for guided mounting of the heat exchanger panel on the rack structure
Implementation Method 2
a tubing arrangement supported by the frame and configured to circulate fluid therein, the tubing arrangement having an inlet and an outlet; a plurality of fins in thermal contact with the tubing arrangement, the fins being spaced apart from one another for air to flow therebetween and through the heat exchanger panel
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger stack includes a rack structure and heat exchangers disposed above one another and supported thereby. Each heat exchanger includes: a frame; a tubing arrangement configured to circulate fluid therein; a plurality of fins; and a plurality of wheels mounted to the frame for guided mounting of the heat exchanger panel on the rack structure including first and second upper wheels spaced apart from one another and first and second lower wheels spaced apart from one another. Each upper wheel engages a corresponding upper wheel guiding member of the rack structure, and each lower wheel engages a horizontal portion of a corresponding lower wheel guiding member of the rack structure so that the heat exchanger panel is translatable horizontally. A method for mounting a heat exchanger panel to a rack structure is also provided.