Multi-Path Evaporator Layout for Uniform Cooling at Low Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing evaporators with two heat exchangers arranged face-to-face in an air flow direction are unable to completely eliminate uneven temperature distribution, particularly when coolant is circulated at a low flow rate.
Innovation Solution
The evaporator design includes a first and second heat exchanger with specific path configurations and tube arrangements to optimize coolant distribution, featuring a smaller number of tubes in the first path and equal or greater number in the second path, with partitions to divide the tanks into multiple paths, ensuring uniform coolant flow and heat exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If liquid coolant is circulated at a low flow rate through the heat exchanger, then energy consumption is reduced, but uneven temperature distribution occurs and cooling efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is divided into multiple independent paths (first path, second path, third path) with different tube configurations. Each path handles a portion of the coolant flow, ensuring that even at low total flow rates, each segment receives sufficient coolant to maintain uniform temperature distribution and prevent localized overheating.
Solution Approach 2:
Different paths are designed with different numbers of tubes to create local variations in flow characteristics. The first path has fewer tubes while the second and third paths have equal or greater numbers of tubes, optimizing coolant distribution in different regions of the heat exchanger to maintain temperature uniformity under low flow conditions.
2Quantity of substance
If the number of tubes is increased to improve heat exchange area, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but coolant distribution becomes more uneven at low flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchange area is segmented into multiple paths with different tube counts. By distributing the total heat exchange area across three paths rather than concentrating all tubes in a single path, the system maintains adequate heat exchange capacity while ensuring each path receives sufficient coolant flow to prevent distribution unevenness.
Solution Approach 2:
Each path is assigned a specific number of tubes based on its position and flow characteristics. The first path has fewer tubes while the second and third paths have equal or greater numbers, creating localized optimization that balances heat exchange area with coolant distribution requirements in different regions.
3Device complexity
If a single path configuration is used to simplify the structure, then device complexity is reduced, but temperature distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is segmented into three distinct paths with different tube configurations, allowing each path to be optimized for its specific flow and heat exchange requirements. This segmentation enables uniform temperature distribution by preventing any single region from becoming a bottleneck for coolant flow.
Solution Approach 2:
Each path is designed with specific local characteristics (different numbers of tubes) to optimize coolant distribution in that region. The first path has fewer tubes while the second and third paths have equal or greater numbers, creating local optimizations that collectively achieve overall temperature uniformity.
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 effectively minimizes uneven temperature distribution by ensuring uniform coolant distribution and heat exchange, even at low flow rates, enhancing the evaporator's cooling efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
tubes extending vertically and arranged side by side in a longitudinal direction of the upper and lower tanks and configured to connect the upper and lower tanks to each other and communicate with the upper and lower tanks
Implementation Method 2
coolant that has entered through the coolant inlet flows downwardly
Data Source
AI summary
An evaporator includes a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger. The first heat exchanger includes a first path in which coolant flows downwardly, a second path in which the coolant from the first path flows upwardly, and a third path in which the coolant from the second path flows downwardly. The second heat exchanger includes at least two paths including a first path in which the coolant from the first heat exchanger flows upwardly. The number of tubes in the first path of the first heat exchanger is smaller than that in any one of the other paths of the exchangers. The number of tubes in the second path of the first heat exchanger is equal to or greater than that in the third path of the first heat exchanger. The number of tubes in the first path of the second heat exchanger is smaller than that in the third path of the first heat exchanger.