Manifold Curved Surface Fluid Redirection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Heat exchanger apparatuses face inefficiencies due to uneven fluid distribution and directional changes, leading to energy losses and pressure drops, particularly when fluid enters and exits in different directions.

Innovation Solution

A manifold structure with a first fluid opening oriented in one direction and a second fluid opening perpendicular to it, featuring a concave curvature for redirecting fluid flow, and a heat exchanger with interconnected manifold cavities and flow passages to promote even distribution and minimize energy losses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If fluid enters the housing in a different direction to which it exits the housing, then the heat exchanger can be arranged within the housing, but directional changes result in energy losses and increases in pressure drops

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat exchanger arrangement flexibilityVSAvoidenergy losses from directional changes

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The manifold cavity incorporates curved surfaces instead of sharp angles to redirect fluid flow. The curved geometry allows the fluid stream to transition smoothly between inlet and outlet directions, reducing turbulence and energy losses associated with sharp directional changes while maintaining the ability to arrange the heat exchanger within the housing in different orientations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Device complexity

If the fluid inlet is positioned at a specific location, then the heat exchanger structure can be optimized, but the incoming fluid stream may not be evenly distributed through the fluid channels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat exchanger structure optimizationVSAvoidfluid distribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The manifold cavity features non-uniform geometry with varying cross-sectional areas and curved surfaces positioned at specific locations to guide and distribute the fluid stream. The curved surfaces are strategically placed to redirect flow toward different regions of the heat exchanger inlet, ensuring even distribution across multiple fluid channels while maintaining an optimized overall structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The curved surfaces within the manifold cavity guide the fluid stream along smooth paths, preventing abrupt directional changes that would cause uneven distribution. The curvature distributes the flow uniformly across the heat exchanger inlet area, ensuring all fluid channels receive appropriate flow rates while maintaining structural optimization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of manufacture

If the manifold cavity has a simple geometry, then the manufacturing process is easier, but the fluid flow cannot be effectively redirected between different directions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanifold cavity fabricationVSAvoidfluid flow redirection capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The manifold cavity incorporates curved surfaces that can be formed using standard molding or machining processes, maintaining ease of manufacture while providing effective flow redirection. The curved geometry is integrated into the overall cavity shape, allowing the manifold to redirect fluid flow between different directions without requiring complex assembly of multiple components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 ensures more even fluid distribution and reduced energy losses by redirecting fluid flow through a concave curvature, enhancing the heat transfer performance and overall efficiency of the heat exchanger apparatus.

Implementation Method 1

a first curved surface forming a bottom portion of said manifold cavity generally opposite to said first fluid opening, said first curved surface having a concave curvature; wherein said first curved surface is a flow diverting surface for redirecting fluid flow from either said first or second direction to the other of said first or second direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow redirection through concave curvature:

Data Source

PatentUS10077952B2Manifold structure for re-directing a fluid stream

Publication Date: 2018.09.18 DANA CANADA CORP

AI summary

A manifold structure for re-directing a fluid stream between first and second ends of a manifold cavity for delivering or discharging a fluid to or from a corresponding fluid transmitting device, such as a heat exchanger is disclosed. In particular, a a flow box enclosing a fluid transmitting device is disclosed wherein an incoming or outgoing fluid is re-directed between first and second directions when being delivered to or discharged from the enclosed fluid transmitting device In one embodiment, the manifold structure includes a first curved surface having a concave curvature for redirecting a fluid stream from a first direction to a second direction. In another embodiment, the manifold structure includes a second curved surface having a convex curvature that is disposed in facing, spaced-apart relationship to the first curved surface, the first and second curved surfaces together inducing swirling movement into the incoming or outgoing fluid stream.