Micro-channel Heat Exchanger Fin Guiding Structure for Condensate Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Micro-channel heat exchangers face poor drainage due to water droplet accumulation at the bottom of heat exchange fins, leading to degraded performance, as the narrow channels between fins hinder water flow to drainage grooves.
Innovation Solution
A micro-channel heat exchanger design featuring heat exchange fins with a guiding structure below the bottommost flat tube to direct condensed water droplets to drainage grooves, ensuring efficient water removal and preventing accumulation, while maintaining heat exchange efficiency through strategically placed heat dissipation structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If heat exchange fins are arranged closely together to increase heat exchange area, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but water droplets accumulate at the bottom and drainage performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchange fin is segmented into an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion includes a drainage groove that divides the fin surface into multiple drainage regions, allowing water droplets to be channeled separately to different drainage outlets, preventing accumulation despite close fin spacing
Solution Approach 2:
A guiding structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the condensed water droplets and the drainage groove. This guiding structure directs water droplets along a predetermined path to the drainage groove, ensuring efficient drainage while maintaining the close spacing of fins for high heat exchange area
2Productivity
If louver structures are added to heat exchange fins to enhance heat dissipation, then heat exchange performance is improved, but water droplet drainage capability deteriorates due to narrow channels
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchange fin exhibits local quality differentiation: the upper portion features louver structures for enhanced heat dissipation, while the lower portion incorporates a drainage groove and guiding structures optimized for water drainage, allowing each region to perform its specific function effectively
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage groove is arranged vertically along the fin, creating a new dimensional pathway for water drainage that is independent of the horizontal narrow channels between fins. This vertical drainage dimension allows water to bypass the restricted horizontal pathways created by louver structures
3Productivity
If multiple flat tubes are connected between manifolds to increase heat exchange capacity, then system efficiency is improved, but water drainage becomes more complex and difficult to manage
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple flat tubes are merged into a single integrated heat exchange fin structure with a unified drainage groove and guiding structures. This merging approach allows water from multiple tube regions to be collected and drained through a single integrated drainage system, simplifying the drainage architecture while maintaining high heat exchange capacity
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 guiding structure effectively prevents water accumulation, enhancing the overall performance and efficiency of the micro-channel heat exchanger and the associated heat pump system by ensuring smooth drainage and maintaining heat exchange efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
water droplets condensed on the surface of the at least one heat exchange fin
Implementation Method 2
Due to gravity, water droplets gradually flow to the bottom of the heat exchange fins
Implementation Method 3
the refrigerant exchanges heat with the fluid outside the flat tube 13, such as the ambient air
Implementation Method 4
the refrigerant exchanges heat with the fluid outside the flat tube 13
Data Source
AI summary
A micro-channel heat exchanger comprises: a first manifold and a second manifold; a plurality of micro-channel flat tubes, sequentially connected from top to bottom between the first manifold and the second manifold; and a plurality of heat exchange fins, spaced at a predetermined distance from each other and formed with tube holes for the plurality of micro-channel flat tubes to pass through. The plurality of heat exchange fins have heat dissipation structures. The heat dissipation structures are located above the micro-channel flat tube, and a drainage groove is arranged vertically at the same side of the plurality of heat exchange fins. A portion of at least one heat exchange fin of the plurality of heat exchange fins below the bottommost micro-channel flat tube has a guiding structure for guiding water droplets condensed on the surface of the heat exchange fin to the drainage groove.