Multi-fluid Heat Exchanger with Common Header
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-fluid heat exchanger systems require multiple separate units connected through physical attachments, leading to increased complexity, size, weight, and cost, as well as longer installation times due to the need for multiple headers and varying tube and fin arrangements for different fluid cooling requirements.
Innovation Solution
A multi-fluid heat exchanger arrangement integrating multiple heat exchanger systems into a single housing with a common header, featuring distinct tube and fin cores with customized configurations and securing techniques optimized for specific fluids, allowing for varied core depths and arrangements to enhance performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate heat exchanger units are used with distinct headers and tank, then each unit can be optimized for specific fluid cooling requirements, but the overall system complexity, size, weight, and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate heat exchanger units into a single integrated unit by using a common header and common tank that serve multiple tube cores simultaneously. This merging approach maintains the ability to optimize each tube core for specific fluids while eliminating redundant headers and tanks, thereby reducing system complexity, size, weight, and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The common header and common tank are designed to serve multiple functions by accommodating different tube cores with varying configurations. The header includes multiple opening sets that can be selectively closed to direct flow through specific tube cores, allowing a single component to perform the functions previously requiring separate units.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate heat exchanger units with distinct headers are used, then each unit can have customized tube and fin arrangements, but installation time and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating multiple tube cores into a single heat exchanger unit with a common header and tank, the patent reduces the number of separate components that need to be installed and connected. This merging of components directly reduces installation time while maintaining customized tube and fin arrangements for each tube core through selective flow path configuration.
3Reliability
If multiple separate heat exchanger units are connected through physical attachments, then each unit can operate independently, but the overall package size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple heat exchanger units into a single integrated structure where tube cores are physically attached to a common header and tank. This eliminates the need for separate headers, tanks, and inter-unit connections, significantly reducing package weight while maintaining independent operation capability through selective flow path closure.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate heat exchanger units are used, then each unit can be optimized for specific fluids, but manufacturing cost increases due to multiple headers and tanks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces manufacturing cost by eliminating redundant headers and tanks through integration. The common header and common tank are manufactured as single components that accommodate multiple tube cores, reducing material costs, manufacturing complexity, and assembly operations while maintaining the ability to optimize each tube core for specific fluids.
Solution Approach 2:
The common header and common tank are designed as universal components that can accommodate different tube core configurations. This multi-functionality allows a single header design to serve multiple fluid cooling requirements, reducing the need for multiple specialized components and thereby lowering manufacturing costs.
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 solution reduces overall package size, weight, and cost by using a single header, simplifies installation, and optimizes heat exchanger performance by customizing tube and fin configurations and securing techniques for specific fluids, while maintaining structural integrity with a core divider.
Implementation Method 1
a first tube core (30) comprising a first set of tubes (32)... a second tube core (34) comprising a second set of tubes (36)... each having opposed ends aligned and secured within the first/second set of openings in the pair of opposed headers (22, 24)
Implementation Method 2
multiple heat exchangers are used to cool multiple and different fluid streams and flows... the air stream, which is pulled by a fan, to contact each heat exchanger separately
Implementation Method 3
U.S. Pat. No. 7,096,932 to Scoville et al. shows a multi-fluid heat exchanger... the heat exchanger is assembled and then placed within a brazing oven whereat the brazing compound at the various interfaces flow to bond and seal the interfaces of the various components
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-fluid heat exchanger assembly Is provided that integrates multiple and distinct heat exchanger systems into a single, integrated system or housing utilizing a common header. Any combination of techniques as described may be utilized for optimizing exchanger performance according to the particular fluids being cooled. The heat exchanger assembly can be optimized by utilizing a pair of opposed headers having a first set of openings and a tube core arranged according to a first configuration and a second set of openings and a tube core arranged according to a second configuration and wherein the first and second configurations are different from one another. The heat exchanger assembly can also be optimized through different tube core/fin joining techniques for each of the distinct heat exchanger systems. Another technique for optimizing the heat exchanger assembly is through the use of differing core depths for each of the distinct heat exchanger systems.