Modular Heat Exchanger Tube Groups for Easier Bending and Better Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heat exchangers with A-type structures have complex designs and poor heat exchange performance due to symmetrical flow areas and complicated bending processes, which affect their efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design featuring at least two heat exchange tube groups connected by a simple connecting member with communication cavities and a bent plate member, allowing independent heat exchange and a multi-circuit flow arrangement, reducing structural complexity and processing difficulties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If heat exchangers are designed with A-type structure and bent from the middle, then the heat exchanger can be formed, but the bending portion is difficult to process and produces negative influence on heat exchange performance
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is divided into multiple heat exchange tube groups (first heat exchange tube group and second heat exchange tube group) that are connected by a connecting member. This segmentation eliminates the need for bending the middle portion of a single continuous structure, making processing easier while maintaining heat exchange performance through the modular connection design.
2Device complexity
If heat exchanger is arranged in symmetrical structure with unchanged flow area, then the structure is simple, but the heat exchange effect is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetrical design in the flow area configuration of the heat exchange tubes. The flow area of heat exchange tubes is designed to be different at the inlet side and outlet side, creating an asymmetrical flow path that enhances heat exchange effectiveness while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
3Device complexity
If heat exchange tube groups are connected and communicated, then the structure is integrated, but the heat exchange performance deteriorates due to mixed circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting member is designed with separate communication cavities for different heat exchange tube groups, creating independent communication channels. This allows the heat exchange tube groups to be structurally integrated while maintaining functional independence of heat exchange circuits, preventing performance deterioration from mixed flows.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting member acts as an intermediary structure that connects heat exchange tube groups while controlling their communication. It provides separate communication cavities that mediate the interaction between different tube groups, allowing connection without unwanted fluid mixing between circuits.
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 design improves heat exchange performance by allowing independent heat exchange between tube groups, simplifies the structure and processing, and enhances efficiency through asymmetrical flow arrangements.
Implementation Method 1
at least two heat exchange tube groups, wherein the heat exchange tube group includes at least two heat exchange tubes
Implementation Method 2
the at least two heat exchange tubes in the each heat exchange tube group are communicated with each other
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a heat exchanger, including: at least two heat exchange tube groups—wherein each heat exchange tube group includes at least two heat exchange tubes; and a connecting member, wherein the at least two heat exchange tubes are communicated with each other by the connecting member—the at least two heat exchange tube groups are connected by the connecting member, and the at least two heat exchange tube groups are not communicated with each other.