Nested-Shell Heat Exchanger for Multi-Fluid Routing Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchangers that transfer heat between a liquid coolant and multiple fluid flows, such as oil coolers, face challenges in routing fluids efficiently between inlet and outlet locations and flow passages, leading to increased costs and decreased heat transfer efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design featuring a stack of nested shells with two coolant manifolds and four fluid manifolds, where coolant and fluid flow passages are interleaved, and fluid transfer conduits are used to connect manifolds between the base plate and cap plate, allowing for improved fluid routing and heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a single heat exchanger is used to cool two or more fluid flows, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but fluid routing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is divided into multiple independent flow passages, each dedicated to a specific fluid flow. The stack of nested plates creates separate channels for coolant and multiple fluid flows, allowing each fluid to be routed independently through its own passage while sharing the same heat exchange structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple flow passages are nested within the stack of plates, with each passage contained within the same overall structure. The nested arrangement allows multiple fluid flows to coexist in separate channels while maintaining compact integration, reducing the need for complex external routing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fluid flows are routed through a heat exchanger stack, then cooling capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger stack serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides separate flow passages for multiple fluid flows, maintains thermal coupling between all flows, and enables independent routing of each fluid. This multi-functionality is achieved through the universal nested plate structure that handles all fluid flows in a unified manner.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the structural parameters of the heat exchanger by using a nested plate configuration with varying numbers of flow passages. This allows the same basic structure to accommodate different numbers of fluid flows and different routing configurations, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining versatility.
3Ease of operation
If fluid manifolds extend through the entire stack length, then fluid distribution is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of extending manifolds along the entire length of the stack in one dimension, the invention uses intermediate locations within the stack to connect fluid manifolds. This dimensional change allows fluid distribution to be achieved through intermediate connections rather than continuous longitudinal manifolds, reducing complexity while maintaining distribution effectiveness.
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 design enhances the routing of fluids within the heat exchanger, improving heat transfer efficiency and reducing costs by allowing for more effective management of multiple fluid flows, thereby optimizing the cooling process.
Implementation Method 1
Heat exchanger for transferring heat between a flow of liquid coolant and two or more fluids
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger having a stack of nested shells joined to a base plate includes two coolant manifolds and four fluid manifolds extending through the stack. The coolant manifolds extend the entire length of the stack in the stacking direction. Two of the fluid manifolds extend from one end of the stack to an intermediate location along the stacking direction, and the other two fluid manifolds extend from the other end of the stack to the intermediate location. Fluid transfer conduits extend through the stack, from a face of the base plate opposite the stack to the fluid manifolds at the end of the stack opposite the base plate, in order to transfer fluid to and from fluid flow passages extending between those fluid manifolds at that end of the stack.