Heat Exchanger Connection Layout for Vertical Expansion Valve Mounting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing connection devices for heat exchangers, particularly evaporators in air conditioning systems, face challenges in optimizing the orientation of expansion valves while maintaining rectilinear internal fluid ducts and avoiding increased size, especially when the evaporator bundle is vertically oriented.
Innovation Solution
A connection device with a lateral panel featuring transversely aligned inlet/outlet openings and a connector of the same length, allowing for rectilinear orientation of internal fluid ducts, and utilizing a connection element with coaxial and elbow conduits to guide fluids, enabling the expansion valve to be positioned vertically or slightly inclined without increasing the exchanger's size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the expansion valve is positioned horizontally with rectilinear internal fluid ducts, then the connection device structure is simple, but the expansion valve cannot be optimally oriented for operation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from horizontal to vertical orientation by utilizing the thickness dimension of the lateral panel. The connection element is positioned within the thickness of the lateral panel, allowing the expansion valve to be vertically oriented while maintaining a compact overall structure. This dimensional approach resolves the contradiction by enabling optimal valve orientation without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the connector is extended towards internal fluid ducts to achieve vertical orientation, then the expansion valve can be optimally positioned, but the connection device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of extending the connector in the longitudinal direction (which would increase size), the invention positions the connection element within the thickness dimension of the lateral panel. This allows vertical orientation of the expansion valve while keeping the overall length of the connection device compact, as the connection element utilizes the available thickness space rather than adding to the longitudinal dimension.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection element is specifically positioned within the thickness of the lateral panel at a location that does not increase the overall external dimensions of the connection device. By utilizing the local thickness dimension rather than extending the overall length, the invention achieves vertical valve orientation while maintaining compact size.
3Ease of operation
If the connection element is made thick to accommodate vertical orientation, then the expansion valve can be optimally oriented, but the connection device becomes too thick
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes the thickness dimension of the lateral panel as the available space for positioning the connection element. Rather than making the connection element excessively thick, it is positioned within the existing thickness of the lateral panel, thereby achieving vertical orientation of the expansion valve without disproportionately increasing the overall thickness of the connection device.
Data Source
AI summary
A connection device for a heat exchanger between a first fluid (L) and a second fluid (G), said device comprising a connector (30) and a lateral end panel (37) of a heat exchange bundle (14) of said exchanger, said lateral panel (37) including at least one connection element (38) comprising transversely aligned inlet/outlet openings (47, 47′), said connection element (38) allowing the first fluid to flow between the bundle and the inlet and outlet openings (34, 36) of the connector (30), aligned longitudinally or at an angle relative to said inlet/outlet openings (47, 47′) of the connection element (38), said connection element (38) and said connector (30) being of substantially the same length.