Modular Exchanger Integrated With Accumulator for Enthalpy Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automotive refrigeration systems require significant space and increased piping due to additional exchangers for enthalpy recovery, compromising efficiency and compactness.
Innovation Solution
A modular exchanger designed as configurable modules compatible with the refrigeration system's accumulator, comprising stacked exchange plates with parallel grooves and flat surfaces forming air-tight pipes for pressurized and low-pressure fluid circulation, allowing enthalpy recovery while minimizing space and enhancing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If an additional exchanger is added to the refrigeration system for enthalpy recovery, then the exchange efficiency is improved, but the space requirements and piping complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the additional exchanger with the accumulator to form an integrated component. The exchanger is positioned inside the accumulator, sharing its space, which eliminates the need for separate installation space and reduces overall system footprint while maintaining enthalpy recovery functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The exchanger is nested within the accumulator structure. The smaller exchanger component is placed inside the larger accumulator volume, utilizing the available internal space of the accumulator for dual purposes: both for gas accumulation and for heat exchange operations
2Productivity
If an additional exchanger is added to the refrigeration system for enthalpy recovery, then the exchange efficiency is improved, but the piping complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The exchanger and accumulator are merged into a single integrated component with shared connections to the refrigeration system. This integration reduces the number of separate connection points and simplifies the overall piping arrangement compared to having two separate components requiring independent connections
3Area of stationary object
If the exchanger is integrated with the accumulator, then the space requirements are reduced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated component is designed as an assembly of separate parts (accumulator body, exchanger core, closure plates, sealing elements) that can be manufactured independently using standard processes, then assembled together. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific manufacturing requirements while achieving an integrated final product
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 modular exchanger achieves high exchange efficiency with reduced space requirements, optimizing the refrigeration system's performance by effectively recovering enthalpy and integrating seamlessly with existing components.
Implementation Method 1
the grooves 22 of an exchange plate define, cooperating with the continuous flat surface 23 of an overlapped plate, a series of parallel pipes 24 for the circulation of the pressurised operating fluid Fa or low pressure operating fluid Fb
Implementation Method 2
the modular exchanger 10 is intended for the recovery of the enthalpy of the pressurised operating fluid Fa subsequently transferring it to the low pressure operating fluid Fb
Data Source
AI summary
A modular exchanger (10) for an automotive refrigeration system (1), comprises at least one exchanger pack (11) in turn comprising a battery of stacked exchange plates (20), each exchange plate has a first surface (21) furrowed by a plurality of parallel grooves (22), and a second flat continuous surface (23) opposite to the first, the exchange plates (20), are juxtaposed in such a manner that the grooves (22) of an exchange plate define with the continuous flat surface (23) of a plate laid over the first, a series of parallel pipes (24) for the circulation of the pressurised (Fa) or low pressure (Fb) operating fluid, provided in each of such exchange plates (20) are a plurality of first and second openings (51,52) respectively having the function of inlet/outlet or passing through of the fluid (Fa, Fb), the parallel grooves of each exchange plate (20) are arranged perpendicularly to the ones of the exchange plate arranged above and/or below.