Heat Transfer Fins Integrating Heat Pipes for Thermal Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat exchangers with fin-type heat transfer devices have limitations in achieving improved thermal efficiency, particularly in effectively transferring heat between a working fluid and the ambient atmosphere.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design incorporating a fin body with a heat pipe having a hollow core filled with a working fluid that transitions between liquid and gas phases, combined with a mesh structure between heat pipes of varying sizes and shapes to enhance thermal communication and conduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional fin-type heat transfer devices are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the thermal transfer efficiency is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pipe is nested within the fin body structure, with the heat pipe extending into the conduit of the fin body. This nested configuration allows the heat pipe to be integrated within the existing fin structure, enhancing thermal transfer efficiency without requiring a completely separate system, thus maintaining manufacturing feasibility while improving performance
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pipe utilizes phase change of the working fluid between liquid and gas phases to transfer heat. The working fluid evaporates at the evaporator section, absorbs latent heat, condenses at the condenser section, and releases heat, creating a highly efficient thermal transfer mechanism that overcomes the limitations of conventional fins
2Reliability
If heat pipes with phase change are introduced, then thermal transfer efficiency is significantly enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pipe and fin body are merged into a single integrated structure, where the heat pipe is positioned within the fin body and both work together as a unified heat transfer system. This merging eliminates the need for separate heat pipe and fin assemblies, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the enhanced thermal transfer benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The fin body serves multiple functions: it provides the conventional fin structure for heat dissipation, contains the conduit for coolant flow, and houses the heat pipe structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while achieving superior thermal transfer efficiency
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 configuration significantly enhances thermal transfer efficiency by leveraging the phase change of the working fluid and the structural arrangement of heat pipes and mesh structures, leading to superior heat transfer properties.
Implementation Method 1
the heat pipe includes a hollow core filled with a heat pipe working fluid having a liquid phase that is configured to transition to gas and to be returned to the liquid phase
Implementation Method 2
the heat pipe includes a hollow core filled with a heat pipe working fluid having a liquid phase that is configured to transition to gas
Implementation Method 3
the heat pipe includes a hollow core filled with a heat pipe working fluid having a liquid phase that is configured to transition to gas and to be returned to the liquid phase
Implementation Method 4
a heat exchanger includes a fin body and a heat pipe having a first portion disposed on or at least partially within the fin body and a second portion extending from the fin body
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger includes a fin body and a heat pipe having a first portion disposed on or at least partially within the fin body and a second portion extending from the fin body, wherein the heat pipe includes a hollow core filled with a heat pipe working fluid having a liquid phase that is configured to transition to gas and to be returned to the liquid phase at an operational temperature of the heat exchanger.