Microchannel Heat Exchanger Pipe Bending for Direct Pipe Contact
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat exchangers with bent heat exchange pipes suffer from poor heat exchange efficiency due to the spacing between adjacent pipes, which limits their effectiveness in transferring heat in a limited space.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates flat heat exchange pipes with a preset bending line perpendicular to the pipe's direction, allowing adjacent pipes to contact each other after bending, and includes torsional and bending portions to enhance contact and prevent excessive deformation, along with a fin structure on adjacent pipes to improve heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If heat exchange pipes are bent to increase heat exchange area in limited space, then the heat exchange area is improved, but adjacent pipes are arranged at intervals which reduces heat exchange efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by bending the heat exchange pipes into U-shaped configurations with specific radius ratios (R1/R2 between 0.5-2.0). This curvature design allows adjacent pipes to contact each other at their bent portions while maintaining sufficient heat exchange area, directly resolving the contradiction between area and efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nesting by arranging multiple U-shaped pipes in a compact configuration where adjacent pipes are nested closely together. The pipes are positioned such that their bent portions contact each other, maximizing space utilization while ensuring thermal contact, thus improving heat exchange efficiency without sacrificing area
2Volume of moving object
If heat exchange pipes are bent to achieve compact arrangement, then space utilization is improved, but pipe deformation may occur which affects structural integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls deformation by specifying precise parameter ranges: bending radius ratio R1/R2 between 0.5-2.0, and included angle α between 30°-150°. These parameter constraints ensure the pipes achieve compact U-shaped arrangements while maintaining structural integrity and avoiding excessive deformation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by designing support structures and connection mechanisms that prevent excessive deformation during installation and operation. The rigid connection portions and support brackets provide preemptive structural reinforcement to protect the bent pipes from damage
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 configuration enhances the heat exchange efficiency by allowing direct contact between adjacent pipes and controlling deformation, thereby improving the overall heat transfer performance of the heat exchanger.
Implementation Method 1
the first pipe segment is provided with a preset bending line... after the first pipe segment being bent along the preset bending line
Implementation Method 2
a fin structure on adjacent pipes to improve heat transfer
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger and a microchannel heat exchanger are provided. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of heat exchange pipes arranged in sequence along a preset direction, each of the plurality of heat exchange pipes is a flat pipe and includes a first pipe segment and a second pipe segment which are connected with each other; the first pipe segments is provided with a preset bending line, and the preset bending line is perpendicular to the preset direction; an included angle is defined between a plane where a flat side of the first pipe segment is located and a plane where a corresponding flat side of the second pipe segment is located, after the plurality of first pipe segments being bent along the preset bending line, the first pipe segments of adjacent two of the heat exchange pipes are capable of being in contact with each other.