Heat Exchanger Surface Elements with Convex Recesses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchangers face challenges with high material costs, weight, and limited thermal performance due to voluminous ribs, which lead to increased heat transfer resistance and reduced surface area efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design featuring surface elements with reinforcing beads and convex recesses that reduce material consumption, enhance heat conduction, and maintain a homogeneous temperature profile, while minimizing weight and frictional pressure loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If voluminous ribs are used to increase heat transfer surface area, then heat transfer resistance is reduced, but material consumption and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the rib thickness along its length, with the root portion having greater thickness for structural support and heat conduction, while the tip portion has reduced thickness to minimize material consumption. This non-uniform thickness distribution optimizes both heat transfer performance and weight reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The rib structure is segmented into different zones with distinct thickness characteristics - a root zone with larger thickness for structural integrity and heat conduction, and a tip zone with reduced thickness for weight savings. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function optimally.
2Strength
If large rib thickness is used for structural stability, then rib rigidity is improved, but the number of ribs per finned tube decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The rib thickness is locally optimized with greater thickness at the root for rigidity and structural support, and reduced thickness toward the tip to minimize material usage. This local quality variation allows thinner ribs to be used overall while maintaining necessary structural integrity at critical locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The rib is segmented into a root portion requiring high rigidity and a tip portion where reduced thickness is acceptable. This segmentation enables the use of thinner ribs overall while maintaining structural stability where it matters most, thereby increasing the number of ribs that can be accommodated.
3Area of stationary object
If three-dimensional fins are arranged on the heat exchanger, then heat transfer surface area is increased, but mass increases proportionally
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin film-like rib structures with reduced thickness, particularly at the tip portions, to increase heat transfer surface area while minimizing mass accumulation. The thin-film approach allows extensive surface area development without proportional mass increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The rib structures have non-uniform thickness with thinner sections at the tips, allowing extensive surface area to be created with minimal additional mass. The local quality variation ensures structural adequacy at the root while minimizing material consumption at the extended tip regions.
4Ease of manufacture
If ribs are aligned vertically to the flow direction, then manufacturing is simplified, but heat conduction within the rib away from the tube is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The rib root portion maintains alignment with the tube for optimal heat conduction, while the rib tip portions can extend in various directions to enhance surface area exposure to the fluid flow. This local quality differentiation allows the critical heat conduction path at the root to remain optimized while the extended portions adapt to flow patterns.
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 achieves a high thermal output with improved heat transfer performance and reduced material usage, resulting in a low-mass heat exchanger with efficient heat transfer and turbulence promotion.
Implementation Method 1
The reinforcing beads extend from the partition over at least part of the height of the surface element... enhance heat conduction... maintain a homogeneous temperature profile
Implementation Method 2
turbulence promotion... efficient heat transfer and turbulence promotion
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a heat exchanger, comprising at least one partition and surface elements, which project at least from one side of the partition and enlarge the surface of the partition and around which a fluid can flow. The surface elements having reinforcing beads and planar regions located between the reinforcing beads. The reinforcing beads extend from the partition and have a circular or oval cross-sectional form. The reinforcing beads extend from the partition over at least part of the height of the surface element. The surface elements have a plurality of convex recesses. Each of the convex recesses is arranged in one of the planar regions between two reinforcing beads and extends from an outer edge of the surface element. The vertex of the convex recess lies at a height greater than or equal to 30% and less than or equal to 70% of the total height of the surface element, the height being measured from the partition.