Integrated Heat Exchanger Valve for Compact Fluid Bypass Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional heat exchanger systems with external control valves or thermal bypass valves require multiple fluid connections, increasing costs and potential points of failure, and face size constraints in compact designs.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger assembly with an integrated valve unit that includes a housing with multiple fluid ports and a temperature-responsive actuator, allowing for direct integration of the valve mechanism within the heat exchanger, reducing external connections and enhancing compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If control valves are connected externally to heat exchangers using separate fluid lines, then the valves can be positioned upstream or downstream for fluid direction control, but the number of fluid connections increases, leading to higher costs, more potential failure points, and larger system size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control valve and heat exchanger into a single integrated assembly where the valve is positioned within the heat exchanger housing. This integration eliminates the need for separate external fluid lines connecting the valve to the heat exchanger, thereby reducing the total number of fluid connections while maintaining the ability to control fluid direction through the valve mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If control valves are connected externally to heat exchangers, then the system has flexible valve positioning, but the overall system size increases due to multiple external connections and components
Solution Approach 1:
The control valve is integrated within the heat exchanger housing, combining two previously separate components into one compact unit. This merging eliminates the space required for external fluid lines and connections, significantly reducing the overall system volume while maintaining operational flexibility through the valve's positioning within the integrated assembly.
3Ease of operation
If multiple external fluid connections are used to connect control valves and heat exchangers, then fluid management is achieved, but the number of potential leakage points and failure points increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the control valve within the heat exchanger housing, the patent reduces the total number of external fluid connections required for fluid management. Fewer connections mean fewer potential leakage points and failure points, thereby improving system reliability while maintaining effective fluid management capabilities through the integrated valve mechanism.
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 integrated valve unit reduces the number of external connections, minimizes leakage points, and enables more compact designs while maintaining efficient fluid management and temperature control within the heat exchanger system.
Implementation Method 1
The valve mechanism is actuated by a temperature responsive actuator
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly includes a valve integration unit attached to a transmission oil heater. The valve integration unit includes a valve mechanism and a housing having first to sixth fluid ports for oil input and output. The interior space of the housing has three portions, including a second portion defining a valve chamber and a third portion defining a bypass flow passage between the first and second portions. The valve mechanism has a temperature responsive actuator and first, second and third valve members. The movement of the first and second valve members is actuated by the temperature responsive actuator. The third valve member and the third valve opening are located in the second portion of the interior space. The third valve member is actuatable in response to a pressure differential between the first and second portions of the interior space.