Helical Heat Exchanger Support with Shape Memory Fasteners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional support arrangements for helical tube heat exchangers face challenges such as complex assembly, limited design flexibility, thermal inertia, and potential adverse effects on heat exchanger performance due to mismatched thermal expansion properties and non-optimal tube spacing.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger support system utilizing a curved, tubular sheet material with engagement formations and self-tightening fasteners made from shape memory alloys, allowing for customizable tube support and reduced thermal contact to enhance heat transfer efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional linear support bars with predetermined fixation points are used, then tube support strength is provided, but assembly complexity increases and design flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple modular support bars, each with standardized features. This segmentation allows independent manufacturing and assembly of individual bars, reducing overall assembly complexity while maintaining support strength through the distributed modular structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The support bars are designed with universal features including standardized engagement formations and adjustable positioning mechanisms. This universality allows the same support bar design to accommodate various tube configurations and pitches, providing both strength and design flexibility without increasing assembly complexity.
2Strength
If thicker support bars are used to bear large tube bundles, then support strength increases, but thermal inertia increases and heat exchanger performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support bars feature localized reinforcement only at critical load-bearing points such as engagement formations and tube contact areas. The majority of the bar structure uses thinner walls, reducing overall thermal mass and thermal inertia while maintaining sufficient support strength where mechanically required.
Solution Approach 2:
The support bars utilize thin-walled construction with strategic reinforcement, resembling flexible shell structures. This approach provides adequate mechanical strength for supporting tube bundles while minimizing thermal mass, thereby reducing thermal inertia and improving heat exchanger thermal performance.
3Ease of manufacture
If linear support bars with fixed engagement points are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to various tube arrangements is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support bars incorporate adjustable and reconfigurable features such as movable engagement formations and variable positioning mechanisms. These dynamic elements allow the standardized support bar design to adapt to different tube arrangements, pitches, and configurations without requiring custom-manufactured bars for each design variant.
Solution Approach 2:
The support bar design includes variable parameters such as adjustable engagement point positions, configurable spacing, and modular length options. These parameter changes enable a single standardized support bar design to accommodate multiple tube arrangements and heat exchanger configurations, providing design adaptability while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardization.
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 solution simplifies assembly, accommodates various heat exchanger designs, matches thermal expansion properties with the tubes, and improves heat transfer efficiency by minimizing thermal inertia and contact resistance.
Implementation Method 1
self-tightening fasteners made from shape memory alloys
Implementation Method 2
self-tightening fasteners
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4A~7C
AI summary
There is disclosed herein a heat exchanger (10) and an associated method of manufacture. The heat exchanger (10) comprises a flow conduit (14) for accommodating flow of a heat transfer fluid. The conduit is wound around a central axis (12) so as to form a plurality of turns, for example in a helical fashion. A support member (18) for the conduit (14) is formed of a sheet material shaped to extend in a circumferential direction about the central axis (12), wherein the support member is common to said plurality of turns. A plurality of fasteners (20) are arranged to attach the conduit (14) to the support member at spaced locations along its length.