Liquid-cooled condenser

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid-cooled condensers in vehicles do not efficiently facilitate heat exchange between refrigerant and coolant fluids, affecting the efficiency of both systems.

Innovation Solution

A liquid-cooled condenser design with a specific duct layout featuring plate-like elements, turbulator elements, and a tubular element with a radial collar, optimizing refrigerant and liquid paths for enhanced heat exchange and condensation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a conventional liquid-cooled condenser design is used, then the structure is simple, but the heat exchange efficiency between refrigerant and coolant fluids is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat exchange efficiencyVSAvoidduct layout complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The condenser is divided into multiple sequential ducts (first duct, second duct, third duct, fourth duct) that segment the refrigerant flow path. This segmentation allows for optimized heat exchange in each section while maintaining overall system efficiency, resolving the contradiction between heat exchange performance and structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a three-dimensional duct layout with vertical and horizontal components. The refrigerant flows through ducts arranged in multiple dimensions, increasing the heat exchange surface area and efficiency without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If the refrigerant fluid path is not optimized, then the device structure is simple, but the condensation efficiency is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecondensation efficiencyVSAvoidrefrigerant path configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The duct layout is designed to guide refrigerant through a predetermined path that maximizes condensation before exit. The sequential arrangement of ducts ensures that refrigerant undergoes progressive condensation, improving productivity while maintaining a manageable structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The refrigerant flows continuously through the connected ducts without interruption, maintaining continuous heat exchange and condensation action throughout the device. This continuous flow path optimizes condensation efficiency while avoiding complex intermittent mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Loss of energy

If plate-like elements and turbulator elements are added, then heat exchange is enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat exchange performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses plate-like elements as thin-walled structures that provide large surface area for heat exchange. These thin-film structures enhance heat transfer performance while remaining relatively simple to manufacture compared to bulky conventional heat exchangers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

Turbulator elements are incorporated into the duct walls to create controlled turbulence and enhance heat exchange. These elements are integrated into the duct structure in a way that improves thermal performance without requiring separate complex assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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 design enhances heat exchange efficiency, optimizes refrigerant fluid path for condensation, and ensures stable integration and operation, improving the overall performance of the cooling system.

Implementation Method 1

the liquid-cooled condenser is suitable for carrying out a heat exchange operation between two fluids, that is between a refrigerant and a coolant liquid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the refrigerant fluid condenses, giving up heat to the coolant liquid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentUS20260049747A1Liquid-cooled condenser

Publication Date: 2026.02.19 UFI INNOVATION CENTER SRL

AI summary

A liquid-cooled condenser of a vehicle cooling system includes a refrigerant inlet and outlet mouths, through which the refrigerant fluid flows, and a liquid inlet mouth and a liquid outlet mouth through which the liquid flows. The liquid-cooled condenser includes upper and lower plate-like end elements, wherein the mouths are on the plate-like end elements. Intermediate plate-like elements in their mutual stacking define a refrigerant region, in which the refrigerant fluid flows, having refrigerant supply sections, in fluidic communication with the refrigerant inlet and outlet mouths. Transverse refrigerant sections, and a liquid region, into which the liquid flows, include liquid supply sections, in fluidic communication with the liquid inlet and outlet mouths. Transverse liquid sections alternate with the transverse refrigerant sections. A tubular element extending into the outlet refrigerant supply section, includes transverse section smaller than a transverse section of the outlet refrigerant supply section, forming a condensation gap.