Heat Pipe Heat Exchanger Separation Plate Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional heat pipe heat exchangers suffer from reduced heat exchange efficiency due to the assembly of heat pipes, which limits the coupling of heat radiation fins to only one side of the heat pipe, thereby restricting the expansion of the heat exchange area.

Innovation Solution

The heat pipe heat exchanger incorporates a separation plate with first and second separation portions and guide rails, allowing heat exchange units with heat pipes and radiation fins to be easily coupled to both sides of the high and low temperature portions, thereby expanding the heat exchange area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the heat pipe is inserted into the separation plate for coupling, then the heat pipe can be securely fixed between high temperature and low temperature portions, but the heat radiation fins can only be coupled to one side of the heat pipe, reducing the heat exchange area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat exchange areaVSAvoidassembly structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The separation plate is divided into a first separation portion and a second separation portion that are separable from each other. The heat pipe passes through both portions, allowing heat radiation fins to be coupled to both the high temperature side and low temperature side of the heat pipe, effectively doubling the heat exchange area while maintaining secure fixation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A coupling member is introduced as an intermediary component to connect the first and second separation portions. This coupling member allows the heat pipe to pass through while enabling heat radiation fins to be attached on both sides, resolving the conflict between secure fixation and expanded heat exchange area

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If heat radiation fins are coupled to expand the heat exchange area, then heat exchange efficiency improves, but the assembly process becomes more complex due to heat pipe insertion requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat exchange efficiencyVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The first and second separation portions are designed to be separable and reconfigurable. This dynamic structure allows heat radiation fins to be easily attached to both sides of the heat pipe during assembly, improving heat exchange efficiency without significantly complicating the manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The separation plate structure is pre-configured with first and second separation portions positioned to accommodate heat pipe insertion and heat radiation fin attachment. This preliminary arrangement simplifies the assembly process by providing clear pathways and mounting points, making the complex assembly more manageable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This design enhances heat exchange efficiency by allowing heat radiation fins to be coupled to both sides of the heat pipe, effectively expanding the heat exchange area and improving thermal performance.

Implementation Method 1

a heat pipe heat exchanger for exchanging heat between a high temperature portion and a low temperature portion using a heat pipe

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat pipe: Heat Pipe

Implementation Method 2

transferred heat from the high temperature portion to the low temperature portion for heat exchange

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

heat radiation fins disposed in the high temperature portion and coupled to an outer circumferential surface of the heat pipe to expand a heat exchange area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP4215859B1Heat pipe heat exchanger
Publication Date: 2025.05.28 AJOU UNIV IND ACADEMIC COOP FOUND
  • EP4215859B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4215859B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4215859B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to the present invention, there is provided a heat pipe heat exchanger of the present invention including a high temperature portion formed with a high temperature chamber through which a high temperature fluid flows in and out; a low temperature portion formed with a low temperature chamber through which a low temperature fluid flows in and out; a separation plate installed between the high temperature portion and the low temperature portion to partition the high temperature portion and the low temperature portion; and a plurality of heat exchange units installed to pass through the separation plate and transferring heat from the high temperature portion to the low temperature portion for heat exchange, in which the separating plate includes a pair of first separation portions spaced apart from each other, a plurality of second separation portions disposed between the pair of first separation plates, and a pair of guide rails that slidably support both ends of the first and second separation portions, and are spaced apart from each other, and the plurality of heat exchange portions are inserted and fixed between the first separation portion and the second separation portion, and between the second separation portions adjacent to each other.