Heat Exchanger U-Turn Return Area for Pressure Drop Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle heat exchangers, such as water chillers, face challenges in achieving efficient heat transfer and minimizing pressure drops, which affect their overall performance.
Innovation Solution
The proposed heat exchanger design includes a housing with channel tubes having inner micro-channels for a first heat transfer fluid, and a fluid flow path for a second heat transfer fluid that allows for heat exchange between the two fluids. This design features a main return area for a U-turn of the fluid flow path and local areas to modify the fluid distribution, reducing pressure drops and enhancing flow efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a conventional fluid flow path is used in heat exchangers, then the structure is simple, but the pressure drop is high and flow efficiency is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid flow path is segmented into multiple passes (upstream pass, downstream pass) with distinct flow directions. The U-turn configuration divides the return area into zones with different flow characteristics, allowing optimized pressure distribution across sections and reducing overall pressure drop while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a U-turn configuration that adds a dimensional component to the fluid flow path, transitioning from a linear arrangement to a multi-dimensional flow pattern. This dimensional change allows the fluid to traverse the heat exchanger more efficiently, reducing pressure drops by utilizing space more effectively in the return area.
2Device complexity
If a conventional fluid flow path is used in heat exchangers, then the structure is simple, but the heat transfer efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path is segmented into multiple passes with distinct flow directions, ensuring that different regions of the heat exchanger are utilized more effectively. This segmentation allows for better thermal contact between fluids and improves overall heat transfer efficiency by preventing stagnant zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The U-turn configuration introduces dimensional complexity to the flow path, creating multi-directional flow patterns that enhance heat transfer surface utilization. This dimensional approach ensures more uniform heat distribution and improves productivity by maximizing the effective heat exchange area.
3Productivity
If the main return area extends across the entire transversal dimension, then the flow distribution is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The return area is configured with different local characteristics - the main return area extends across the entire transversal dimension to provide comprehensive flow distribution, while local areas with different transversal dimensions are positioned strategically to optimize flow in specific zones. This local differentiation improves flow distribution without requiring uniform complexity throughout the entire device.
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 significantly lower pressure drops and improved flow efficiency, leading to enhanced overall performance of the heat exchanger, making it suitable for applications like chillers, water condensers, and air coolers.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of heat exchange tubes fluidically connecting a first manifold and a second manifold for a first fluid flow there between. The first fluid flows between the manifolds through the tubes and a second fluid flows around the heat exchange tubes. For instance, the disclosed water chiller enables heat exchange between the water circulating around the tubes and the refrigerant flowing through these tubes, resulting in the cooling of the water.
Implementation Method 2
a main return area configured to enable a U turn on the fluid flow path
Implementation Method 3
a local area configured to change a distribution of the second heat transfer fluid in the main return area
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a heat exchanger (1), in particular a chiller, comprising: - a housing (2); - a plurality of channel tubes (3) placed in the housing (2) and comprising inner channels (4), in particular inner micro-channels, configured to allow a circulation of a first heat transfer fluid within the inner channels; - a fluid flow path (5) for a second heat transfer fluid, said fluid flow path being formed within the housing (2) and having a fluid inlet (8) and a fluid outlet (9) located on the housing (2), the fluid flow path (5) passing between the tubes (3) to enable heat exchange between the first heat transfer fluid and the second heat transfer fluid; - a main return area (10) configured to enable a U turn on the fluid flow path (5); - a local area (11, 12) configured to change a distribution of the second heat transfer fluid in the main return area (10).