Integrated Heat Exchanger Housing to Cut Leakage and Pressure Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat exchanger modules face issues with leakage, pipe routing, connector compatibility, pressure loss due to bends and flexing, and aesthetic clutter, which hinder efficient operation and packaging in limited spaces, particularly in vehicles and stationary equipment.
Innovation Solution
A compact heat exchanger module with integrally formed fluid flow conduits on the housing, connected to the heat exchanger, pump, and storage reservoir, which reduces the need for flexible pipes and dedicated tools, providing a modular and protective enclosure that minimizes pressure loss and interference with adjacent elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If flexible connecting pipes are used to connect heat exchanger elements, then the heat exchanger module can accommodate pump and reservoir placement in limited spaces, but pressure losses increase due to pipe bends and flexing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the housing structure with integrated fluid flow conduits, merging what were previously separate components (housing and connecting pipes) into a single unified structure. This eliminates the need for flexible connecting pipes while maintaining the ability to route fluid between heat exchanger elements, pump, and reservoir within the housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the flexible connecting pipes from the system by integrating their function directly into the housing structure. The conduits are formed as integral parts of the housing, removing the need for separate flexible pipe components that caused pressure losses.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple connectors and flexible pipes are used, then element placement flexibility is improved, but device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate components (housing, connectors, and pipes) into a single integrated housing structure with built-in conduits. This reduces the total number of parts and simplifies the overall device architecture while maintaining placement flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, contains the fluid flow conduits, and eliminates the need for separate connectors and pipes. This multi-functional design reduces device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If flexible pipes with bends are used for fluid transport, then pump and reservoir can be located far from heat exchanger, but fluid flow restriction and energy loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the fluid transport function directly into the housing structure through built-in conduits, eliminating the need for separate flexible pipes. This maintains component positioning flexibility while ensuring efficient fluid flow with minimal restriction.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional heat exchanger module with separate pipes and connectors is used, then assembly is possible with standard components, but leakage and connector compatibility issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the housing and fluid conduits into a single integrated structure, eliminating multiple connector joints that were prone to leakage and compatibility issues. The integrated design ensures reliable fluid containment while maintaining ease of manufacture as a single component.
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 enables efficient heat transfer with reduced pressure loss, simplified assembly, and protection from environmental hazards, while maintaining compactness and aesthetics, allowing for flexible placement in vehicles and stationary equipment.
Implementation Method 1
The heat exchanger facilitates heat exchange between a heat exchange fluid, and either air in the case of air cooled heat exchanger module, or water in the case of a water cooled heat exchanger module
Implementation Method 2
The separate fluid flow conduits are connected to at least one inlet and at least one outlet of at least one heat exchanger disposed within the housing and configures at least a part of a heat exchange circuit to receive heat exchange fluid from the at least one heat exchanger and deliver the heat exchange fluid to the at least one heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
The storage reservoir and the pump facilitate continuous flow of the heat exchanger fluid through the cooling circuit
Data Source
AI summary
A housing for configuring a compact heat exchanger module includes separate fluid flow conduits integrally formed on at least one wall thereof and connected to at least one inlet and at least one outlet of at least one heat exchanger disposed within the housing. The separate fluid flow conduits configures at least a part of the heat exchange circuit that facilitates passage of fluid cooled/heated by the at least one heat exchanger through at least one region to be cooled/heated to extract/reject heat there-from/thereto and return heated/cooled fluid back to the at least one heat exchanger for cooling/heating thereof.