Heat Exchanger Fin-Conduit Interface for Plugging Resistance

Solution Overview

Problem

Heat exchangers in debris-laden air environments tend to accumulate debris, leading to reduced airflow and heat transfer effectiveness, causing potential failure in machines that rely on cooling.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates fins with pre-defined flared interfaces and fillets to reduce debris accumulation by eliminating crevices and gaps within the heat exchanger, using materials like brazing to fill in crevices and ensure continuous airflow, and employing manufacturing methods such as 3-D printing for enhanced thermal contact and debris resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional heat exchanger designs with fins and conduits are used, then heat transfer functionality is achieved, but debris accumulates in crevices and gaps reducing airflow and heat transfer effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer effectivenessVSAvoiddebris accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fin and conduit are merged into a single integrated structure where the fin extends from the conduit surface, eliminating the interface gap between separate components. This merging prevents debris accumulation at the interface while maintaining heat transfer functionality through the integrated fin-conduit structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The interface between the fin and conduit is designed with a curved transition surface rather than a sharp corner or flat interface. This curvature eliminates crevices where debris could accumulate, while the smooth curved surface maintains structural integrity and thermal conduction pathways.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Strength

If fins are coupled to heat exchange fluid conduits at traditional interfaces, then structural support is provided, but crevices and gaps form that trap debris

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidcrevice formation

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fin and conduit are designed as an integrated structure where the fin extends directly from the conduit surface, eliminating the interface gap between separate components. This merging prevents debris accumulation at the interface while maintaining heat transfer functionality through the integrated fin-conduit structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The interface between the fin and conduit is designed with a curved transition surface rather than a sharp corner or flat interface. This curvature eliminates crevices where debris could accumulate, while the smooth curved surface maintains structural integrity and thermal conduction pathways.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional heat exchanger designs are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but airflow obstruction occurs due to debris plugging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidairflow throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The fin and conduit are designed as an integrated structure where the fin extends directly from the conduit surface, eliminating the interface gap between separate components. This merging prevents debris accumulation at the interface while maintaining heat transfer functionality through the integrated fin-conduit structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution effectively prevents debris accumulation, maintaining airflow and heat transfer efficiency, thereby preventing plugging and ensuring the continued functionality of cooling systems.

Implementation Method 1

The fin(s) is/are coupled to the heat exchange fluid conduit at an interface that is configured to reduce accumulation of debris entrained in the second heat exchange fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a first heat exchange fluid conduit that defines a passageway therethrough and is configured to receive a flow of a first heat exchange fluid. At least one fin is disposed to receive a flow of a second heat exchange fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS11346608B2Heat exchanger with improved plugging resistance

Publication Date: 2022.05.31 DEERE & CO

AI summary

A heat exchanger assembly includes a first heat exchange fluid conduit and at least one fin. The first heat exchange fluid conduit defines a passageway therethrough and is configured to receive a flow of a first heat exchange fluid. At least one fin is disposed to receive a flow of a second heat exchange fluid. The fin(s) is/are coupled to the heat exchange fluid conduit at an interface that is configured to reduce accumulation of debris entrained in the second heat exchange fluid.