Heat exchanger, refrigerating or heating system with such a heat exchanger

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heat exchangers suffer from high pressure loss and complex manufacturing processes, which hinder the achievement of high power density.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates overlapping, plate-shaped deflection segments with a cohesive connection, allowing for optimal utilization of space and improved flow dynamics, reducing pressure losses and enhancing heat transfer efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If multiple deflection elements are arranged along the longitudinal axis in the shell space, then the medium is forced into a helical flow path improving heat transfer, but the device complexity and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The deflection element is divided into multiple deflection segments arranged in a row along the longitudinal axis. Each segment is a separate component that can be manufactured independently and then assembled, reducing the manufacturing complexity of individual segments while achieving the desired helical flow path through their combined arrangement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The deflection segments are inserted into one another in an overlapping arrangement, with each segment partially containing the adjacent segments. This nested configuration reduces the overall space required, simplifies the structural design, and maintains the helical flow path while reducing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Temperature

If deflection elements are arranged to create helical flow, then heat transfer efficiency improves, but pressure loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidpressure loss
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The deflection segments are designed with specific geometric characteristics including a segment angle between 10° and 30° relative to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. This optimized local geometry creates sufficient helical flow for heat transfer while minimizing excessive pressure loss by controlling the deflection intensity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The overlapping arrangement of deflection segments creates a distributed helical flow path rather than a single aggressive deflection. This partial action approach achieves the necessary heat transfer through cumulative helical motion while reducing peak pressure losses by distributing the flow control across multiple gentler segments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If deflection segments are arranged in overlapping configuration, then space utilization improves and power density increases, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower densityVSAvoidassembly precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The deflection segments are designed with an asymmetric overlapping arrangement where adjacent segments are inserted into one another at specific angles. This asymmetric configuration optimizes space utilization and achieves high power density while the design inherently accommodates reasonable manufacturing tolerances through its geometric configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 configuration enables a high power density with low pressure loss, simplifying the manufacturing process and improving heat transfer efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The deflection elements guide the first medium in a helical or screw-shaped manner along a flow path through the shell of the heat exchanger, resulting in a flow rotating around an axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHelical flow: Vortex Ring

Implementation Method 2

At least one tube, but often a bundle of several tubes, is incorporated into the shell, through whose walls the heat can be transported from the first medium to the second medium and vice versa

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

In many applications, a phase transition from vapor to liquid or from liquid to vapor is desirable in the heat exchanger, as this phase transition allows additional heat energy to be transported from the refrigerant in the form of latent heat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase transition: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentEP3800418B1Heat exchanger, refrigerating or heating system with such a heat exchanger
Publication Date: 2024.02.14 BITZER KUEHLMASCHINENBAU GMBH
  • EP3800418B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3800418B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3800418B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a heat exchanger (2) comprising a jacket (10) through which a first medium (A) flows, having at least one first inlet (11) and at least one first outlet (12), and at least one pipe (30) through which a second medium (B) flows, wherein the pipe (30) is guided through the jacket (10) and has at least one second inlet (31) and at least one second outlet (32), wherein a deflection segment (50) or several deflection segments (50) are arranged in a row in a longitudinal axis (X) in the jacket (10), wherein the deflection segment (50) is formed from at least two subsections (51, 52) which are arranged transversely to the longitudinal axis (X) in a region overlapping and crossed.