Microchannel Heat Exchanger Sensors for Direct Fluid Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in accurately measuring the temperature of working fluids in stacked microchannel heat exchangers due to surface temperature measurements being influenced by heat conduction and air conduction, leading to measurement errors, and the cumbersome process of connecting temperature sensors directly to the pipes for accurate readings.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a printed board with integrated temperature sensors and a wireless or wired transmission device to directly measure fluid temperatures, reducing errors by placing sensors in contact with the fluid and simplifying the connection process through a display device and heater integration near low-temperature channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If temperature sensors are attached to the outer surface of pipes by soldering, then the connection process is simplified, but measurement precision deteriorates due to heat conduction errors and temperature boundary layers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a temperature measurement element that directly contacts the working fluid through the pipe wall opening, using the fluid itself as an intermediary to eliminate heat conduction errors through pipe walls. This direct contact measurement approach resolves the contradiction by achieving both accurate measurement and simplified installation compared to traditional soldering methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the temperature sensing function from the pipe wall surface attachment method and relocates it to direct contact with the working fluid through the pipe opening. This separation allows the sensor to measure the actual fluid temperature without being influenced by external heat conduction, while the pipe structure remains intact.
2Measurement precision
If temperature sensors are inserted into pipes for direct fluid contact, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases due to additional connection components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the temperature measurement element with the pipe structure itself by utilizing the pipe wall opening as the insertion path and the pipe material as part of the measurement system. This integration eliminates separate connection components and reduces overall device complexity while maintaining direct fluid contact for accurate measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe structure serves multiple functions: it acts as both the fluid conduit and the mounting structure for the temperature measurement element. The pipe wall opening serves dual purposes as both a flow passage and the insertion path for the sensor, reducing the need for additional specialized components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple temperature sensors are installed on pipe surfaces, then temperature monitoring capability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to heat conduction and air conduction errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the working fluid as an intermediary medium for heat transfer to the measurement element, eliminating the need for heat conduction through pipe walls and external mounting structures. This approach allows multiple sensors to be installed without introducing heat conduction errors, as each sensor directly contacts the fluid it measures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the temperature measurement function into individual points of direct fluid contact, with each measurement element independently contacting the working fluid at its specific location. This segmentation allows multiple measurements to be taken simultaneously without mutual interference or heat conduction errors between sensors.
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
Facilitates accurate temperature measurement of working fluids, reduces measurement errors, and streamlines the connection process for sensors, enhancing the efficiency of temperature control in heat exchangers.
Implementation Method 1
the heat transfer plates and the metal plates are diffusion-welded and integrated with one another
Implementation Method 2
The temperature sensors need to be capable of correctly measuring temperatures of working fluids
Implementation Method 3
the measured temperature has an error 1 due to heat conduction of the metal forming the heat exchanger
Data Source
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AI summary
This microchannel heat exchanger includes: a heat exchanger body including a channel layer stack formed in such a manner that a plurality of high-temperature channel layers provided with a channel for a high-temperature fluid and a plurality of low-temperature channels layers provided with a channel for a low-temperature fluid are alternately stacked, an inlet and an outlet for the high-temperature fluid, and an inlet and an outlet for the low-temperature fluid; and a control board that is fixed in a stacking direction of the heat exchanger body, and that at least installs a plurality of temperature sensors that are inserted in the stacking method of the heat exchanger body in such a manner that a sensing point is arranged near each of the inlet and the outlet for the high-temperature fluid and the inlet and the outlet for the low-temperature fluid.