Magnetic Actuator Manifold for Dynamic Refrigerant Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchangers, such as micro-channel heat exchangers, face challenges in regulating refrigerant distribution, leading to reduced uniformity and performance due to fixed opening shapes and positions, which are not adaptable to changing operating conditions.
Innovation Solution
A header assembly with a distribution member, a regulating member, and a driving member that uses magnetic forces to adjust the position of the regulating member, allowing for dynamic regulation of refrigerant distribution openings to accommodate various operational requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a distributing tube with fixed openings is used in the header, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the refrigerant distribution cannot be regulated when operating conditions change, reducing heat exchanging uniformity and performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the fixed distributing tube into a dynamic system by introducing a regulating member that can move along the distributing tube. This regulating member has opening portions that can be positioned at different locations, allowing the refrigerant distribution characteristics to be adjusted dynamically according to operating conditions, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The distributing tube is segmented into multiple sections with different opening characteristics. The regulating member divides the distributing tube into first and second sections, where each section can have different refrigerant distribution properties. This segmentation allows flexible adjustment of refrigerant flow to different evaporator regions, improving adaptability while maintaining manageable structural complexity
2Manufacturing precision
If the shape and position of distribution openings are fixed, then the manufacturing precision is easy to control, but the refrigerant distribution uniformity deteriorates when operating conditions change
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of manufacturing different fixed opening configurations for different operating conditions, the patent implements a dynamic adjustment mechanism. The regulating member can be repositioned along the distributing tube to change the effective opening positions and shapes, providing adaptability to various operating conditions while maintaining consistent manufacturing standards for the base components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the distribution system by allowing the regulating member to adjust the effective opening area, position, and shape. This enables the same physical structure to deliver different refrigerant distribution patterns (changing parameters) to match varying operating conditions, thereby improving adaptability without compromising manufacturing precision of the base components
3Reliability
If a regulatable distribution system is implemented, then the refrigerant distribution uniformity and heat exchanging performance are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The regulating member is designed to be movable along the distributing tube without requiring complex external actuation mechanisms. The system allows for self-adjustment or simple manual regulation, reducing the need for additional motors, sensors, or control systems, thereby improving heat exchanging performance while limiting the increase in device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The regulating member serves multiple functions: it adjusts refrigerant distribution, defines effective opening positions, and can potentially serve as a flow metering device. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, improving heat exchanging performance while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity
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 solution enables convenient adjustment of refrigerant distribution according to specific conditions, enhancing both the distribution effect and applicability of the header assembly, thereby improving the heat exchanging performance.
Implementation Method 1
a driving member configured to magnetically drive the regulating member to move so as to regulate the distribution opening
Data Source
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Figure 3
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AI summary
A manifold assembly and a heat exchanger are disclosed. The manifold assembly comprises a manifold (100), a distributing device arranged in the manifold (100) and provided with a distributing opening (401), an adjusting member (500) movably arranged on the distributing device and used for adjusting the distributing opening (401), and a driving member (600); the driving member (600) drives the adjusting member (500) to move by magnetic force so as to adjust the distributing opening (401). By changing the position of the driving member, the manifold assembly and the heat exchanger may change the position of the adjusting member through the magnetic force effect, so that the distributing opening is adjusted, and the distribution of coolant is further adjusted, thus satisfying requirements in different operation environments, and improving applicability and distribution effect of the coolant.