Heat exchanger
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat exchangers in climate control systems face inefficiencies in heat recovery across ducts due to uneven air flow distribution and refrigerant phase changes affecting heat transfer, particularly in systems operating in both heating and cooling modes.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger system utilizing a heat pipe assembly with vertically extending heat pipes and adjustable flow restrictors to optimize air flow through specific sections of ducts, ensuring maximum heat transfer during evaporation and condensation phases, and switching damper configurations for heating and cooling modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional heat exchangers are used in climate control systems, then heat recovery is provided between exhaust and supply air streams, but uneven air flow distribution and refrigerant phase changes reduce heat transfer efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is divided into multiple sections (first section and second section) along the air flow path, with each section containing heat pipe assemblies. This segmentation allows different sections to handle different refrigerant phases and optimize heat transfer at each stage, resolving the contradiction by improving heat recovery efficiency through structured segmentation while maintaining heat transfer efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the heat exchanger are designed with different characteristics - the first section handles refrigerant evaporation while the second section handles condensation. Flow restrictors are strategically placed to control air flow distribution to specific sections based on operational needs. This local quality approach optimizes heat transfer efficiency in each section while maximizing overall heat recovery efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If heat exchangers operate in both heating and cooling modes, then versatility is improved, but heat transfer efficiency decreases due to refrigerant phase changes
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger incorporates adjustable flow restrictors that can dynamically change air flow distribution between sections based on operational mode (heating or cooling). This dynamic adjustment optimizes heat transfer efficiency in each mode by directing air flow to sections where refrigerant phase changes are most effective, resolving the contradiction between mode versatility and heat transfer efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger is specifically designed to utilize refrigerant phase transitions (evaporation in first section, condensation in second section) as the core heat transfer mechanism. By aligning air flow distribution with phase change locations through flow restrictors, the system maintains high heat transfer efficiency during phase transitions while operating in both heating and cooling modes.
3Productivity
If air flow is distributed evenly through all duct sections, then simplicity of operation is maintained, but heat recovery efficiency decreases due to uneven heat transfer potential
Solution Approach 1:
The flow restrictors are designed to automatically adjust air flow distribution to different sections based on the operational mode and heat transfer requirements, without requiring manual intervention. The system self-regulates to direct more air flow to sections with higher heat transfer potential (where refrigerant phase changes occur), improving heat recovery efficiency while maintaining ease of operation through automatic control.
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
Enhances heat recovery efficiency by directing air flow through sections with higher heat transfer potential, maximizing evaporation and condensation processes, and adapting to operational modes for improved energy efficiency in two-season climate control systems.
Implementation Method 1
a heat pipe system comprising a refrigerant. The heat pipe system includes a first heat pipe portion and a second heat pipe portion that is configured to be fluidly connected to the first heat pipe portion such that the refrigerant can flow through the heat pipe system between the first heat pipe portion and the second heat pipe portion
Implementation Method 2
heat is transferrable between the first heat pipe portion and air flowing through the first duct portion... heat is transferrable between the second heat pipe portion and air flowing through the second duct portion
Implementation Method 3
A flow restrictor is configured to be installed in the ventilation system inside the first duct portion. The flow restrictor is configured to substantially restrict the air flowing through the first duct portion from flowing through a first section of the first duct portion and allow passage of the air flowing through the first duct portion through a second section of the first duct portion
Implementation Method 4
heat is transferrable between the first heat pipe portion and air flowing through the first duct portion
Implementation Method 5
heat is transferrable between the second heat pipe portion and air flowing through the second duct portion
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger for exchanging heat between first and second duct portions of a ventilation system includes first and second heat pipe portions in the first and second duct portions, respectively. Each heat pipe portion can be a heat pipe subassembly including one or more vertical heat pipes fluidly coupled to top and bottom headers, which are respectively connected to the top and bottom headers of the other subassembly to form a refrigerant loop. One or more flow restrictors can block air flow through a respective section of the first or second duct portion. The blocked section can be operatively aligned with a segment of the respective heat pipe portion along which there is a low probability of refrigerant phase change. Each flow restrictor can be an adjustable damper. The damper(s) can be selectively opened and closed as the ventilation system switches between heating and cooling modes.