Integrated Heat Exchanger and Control Valve Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchanger systems with integrated control valves and thermal bypass valves often require external fluid lines, leading to increased complexity, cost, and potential points of failure due to multiple connections, while also facing size constraints in compact applications.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger assembly design that integrates two heat exchangers with a control valve, where the heat exchangers are directly attached to the valve housing through manifold openings and fluid ports, allowing for internal fluid communication and reduced external connections, and includes a pressure-actuated bypass valve for efficient fluid flow management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If external fluid lines are used to connect control valves to heat exchangers, then the system can be assembled with separate components, but the number of connections increases leading to higher cost, more potential failure points, and increased leakage risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the control valve and heat exchanger into a single unified component where the valve is built directly into the heat exchanger structure. This eliminates external fluid lines and multiple connections, reducing leakage risk while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through integrated molding or casting processes
2Adaptability or versatility
If external fluid lines are used to connect heat exchangers, then component flexibility is improved, but the overall system size increases and compactness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the control valve and heat exchanger into a single integrated component, the patent eliminates the space required for external fluid lines and connectors, significantly reducing the overall assembly size while maintaining the functional adaptability of the system
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple external connections are used in heat exchanger systems, then system configurability is enhanced, but device complexity increases with more parts and connections
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of control valve and heat exchanger into a single component reduces the number of discrete parts and connections, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining configurability through the valve's control mechanisms and system design
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 connection efficiency between control valves and heat exchangers, reduces the number of external connections, and provides a compact assembly with improved reliability by minimizing potential leakage points and simplifying fluid management, while maintaining effective heat transfer capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a first heat exchanger (12) and a second heat exchanger (14)... effective heat transfer capabilities
Implementation Method 2
fluid circuiting through the automobile systems... heat exchangers to either direct a fluid to a heat exchanger unit to be cooled/heated
Implementation Method 3
the first valve element is configured to selectively block or allow flow of the first fluid through the first valve chamber... the second valve element is configured to selectively block or allow flow of the first fluid through the second valve chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger assembly includes first and second heat exchangers integrated with a thermally actuated control valve assembly having first and second surfaces to which the first and heat exchangers are attached at various orientations to each other, including at 90 and 180 degrees to each other, and side-by-side. The valve assembly has two fluid ports for connection to an external fluid source, and two fluid ports in fluid communication with inlet and outlet manifolds of each heat exchanger. The heat exchangers may be a transmission oil heater and a transmission oil cooler, and the valve assembly controls the flow of transmission oil to the heat exchangers depending on the oil temperature. One or both of the heat exchangers may be brazed or mechanically secured to the valve assembly. The housing of valve assembly may be segmented, with each heat exchanger being brazed to one of the segments.