Microchannel Flat Tube With Variable Width Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microchannel heat exchangers face inefficiencies due to mismatched refrigerant flow distribution and heat exchange temperature differences across side-by-side flow channels, leading to reduced heat exchange efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The design features a microchannel flat tube with channels of varying widths in a linear relationship, where the first, second, and third channels have equal heights but decreasing widths, optimizing flow cross-sectional areas to match wind direction, and fins with different turbulence levels to enhance heat exchange efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If multiple side-by-side flow channels with the same cross-sectional area are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the refrigerant flow distribution does not match the heat exchange temperature difference, reducing heat exchange efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making each flow channel have a different cross-sectional area tailored to its specific position and heat exchange requirements. Channels with larger heat exchange needs have larger cross-sectional areas, while channels with smaller needs have smaller areas, creating a non-uniform distribution that optimizes local heat transfer efficiency throughout the heat exchanger.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the flow channels by varying the cross-sectional area from uniform to non-uniform. This parameter change allows the refrigerant flow rate in each channel to be proportional to its heat exchange capacity, thereby resolving the mismatch between flow distribution and temperature difference that plagues conventional designs.
2Productivity
If channels with varying cross-sectional areas are used to optimize heat exchange efficiency, then heat exchange efficiency improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the heat exchanger into multiple independent flow channels, each with its own optimized cross-sectional area. This segmentation allows for customized channel dimensions in different regions while maintaining a modular structure that can be manufactured using standard techniques, balancing complexity with manufacturability.
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 design improves heat exchange efficiency by aligning channel sizes with wind direction, reducing material waste, and optimizing heat transfer while minimizing wind resistance, resulting in enhanced performance within the same flat tube volume.
Implementation Method 1
a refrigerant in the flat tube flow channel of the microchannel heat exchanger exchanges heat with the air
Implementation Method 2
When wind generated by an external fan acts on microchannel fins and the flat tubes, a refrigerant in the flat tube flow channel of the microchannel heat exchanger exchanges heat with the air
Implementation Method 3
the refrigerant evaporates or condenses in the side-by-side flow channel of the flat tube. When used as an evaporator, the refrigerant is evaporated in the side-by-side flow channel of the flat tube
Implementation Method 4
the refrigerant evaporates or condenses in the side-by-side flow channel of the flat tube. When used as a condenser, the refrigerant is cooled in the side-by-side flow channel of the flat tube
Data Source
AI summary
A microchannel flat tube applicable in a microchannel heat exchanger includes a flat tube body and a row of channels. The row of channels is arranged in the flat tube body along a width direction. The row of channels extends through the flat tube body along a length direction. A cross-section of each channel includes a first width in the width direction and a first height in a thickness direction. The row of channels at least includes a first group of first channels, a second group of second channels and a third group of third channels along the width direction. The first widths of the first channels, the second channels and the third channels decrease at a fixed value, thereby facilitating the control of the thickness of the microchannel flat tube and improving the heat exchange efficiency.