Interleaved Heat Exchanger Channels with Inclined Conduits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchangers face challenges in optimizing heat transfer efficiency while minimizing pressure drop and heat loss to surroundings, particularly in interleaved channel configurations with baffles.
Innovation Solution
The heat exchanger employs an interleaved channel design with unequal numbers of channels in each group, where odd-numbered channels pass hot fluid and even-numbered channels pass cold fluid, along with inclined conduits that interconnect channels without fully occluding them, promoting fluid mixing and thermal energy transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If baffles are introduced into channels to improve heat transfer efficiency, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but pressure drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is divided into multiple channels with alternating hot and cold fluid flow paths. The channels are segmented into odd-numbered channels for hot fluid and even-numbered channels for cold fluid, creating an interleaved arrangement that improves heat transfer while managing pressure drop through distributed flow paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an unequal number of channels in each group (odd-numbered vs even-numbered channels), creating an asymmetric channel configuration. This asymmetry allows for optimized heat transfer surfaces while maintaining manageable pressure drops through the interleaved arrangement and unequal channel distribution.
2Temperature
If interleaved channel configuration is used to improve heat transfer, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but heat loss to surroundings increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the hot and cold fluid channels into a single interleaved structure where hot and cold channels alternate together. This merging of channel types into an integrated interleaved configuration improves heat transfer efficiency while the structured arrangement helps minimize heat loss to surroundings by reducing exposed surfaces.
3Ease of operation
If unequal numbers of channels in each group are used, then fluid mixing is improved, but channel configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different channel configurations to different regions of the heat exchanger. Odd-numbered channels are configured for hot fluid flow while even-numbered channels are configured for cold fluid flow, creating local quality differences that promote fluid mixing at the interfaces while maintaining overall system functionality.
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 enhances heat transfer efficiency and reduces pressure drop by allowing fluid intermixing and optimizing thermal energy transfer between hot and cold fluids, while maintaining structural integrity and manufacturing feasibility.
Implementation Method 1
thermal energy transfer between hot and cold fluids
Implementation Method 2
fluid intermixing and optimizing thermal energy transfer
Data Source
Figure 2
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
There is disclosed a heat exchanger comprising: a plurality of first fluid channels, a plurality of conduits for interconnecting the first fluid channels, a plurality of second fluid channels, a plurality of conduits for interconnecting the second fluid channels, wherein the heat exchanger is configured as a plurality of repeating units, each repeating unit comprising: a base plate comprising a first opening, and a first conduit extending from the plate, the shape of the opening corresponding to the shape of the conduit.