Offset Multi-Port Heat Exchanger Tube Turbulence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchangers face challenges in promoting turbulence within heat exchanger tubes efficiently, particularly in cost-effective and complex manufacturing processes, such as in Transmission Oil Coolers, which hinder high heat transfer efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An extruded multi-port heat exchanger tube design featuring laterally offset segments to increase turbulence, achieved through a manufacturing process that includes extruding the tube and applying a force to deform the ports, creating a plurality of segments with alternating lateral offsets to enhance fluid mixing and heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If complex internal features or inserts are added to the heat exchanger tube to increase turbulence, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The tube is divided into multiple longitudinal segments with alternating lateral offsets, creating turbulence through the segmented structure rather than adding complex internal features. This segmentation approach promotes fluid mixing while maintaining a relatively simple overall tube structure that can be manufactured using standard extrusion processes.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of modifying the tube in the radial dimension with internal inserts or features, the invention introduces lateral offsets in the longitudinal dimension. This dimensional approach creates turbulence by displacing fluid flow paths along the length of the tube, achieving heat transfer enhancement without radial complexity.
2Temperature
If complex manufacturing processes are used to create turbulence-inducing features, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tube is divided into multiple longitudinal segments with alternating lateral offsets, creating turbulence through the segmented structure rather than adding complex internal features. This segmentation approach promotes fluid mixing while maintaining a relatively simple overall tube structure that can be manufactured using standard extrusion processes.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of modifying the tube in the radial dimension with internal inserts or features, the invention introduces lateral offsets in the longitudinal dimension. This dimensional approach creates turbulence by displacing fluid flow paths along the length of the tube, achieving heat transfer enhancement without radial complexity.
3Productivity
If internal inserts or features are added to increase turbulence, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The tube is divided into multiple longitudinal segments with alternating lateral offsets, creating turbulence through the segmented structure rather than adding complex internal features. This segmentation approach promotes fluid mixing while maintaining a relatively simple overall tube structure that can be manufactured using standard extrusion processes.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of modifying the tube in the radial dimension with internal inserts or features, the invention introduces lateral offsets in the longitudinal dimension. This dimensional approach creates turbulence by displacing fluid flow paths along the length of the tube, achieving heat transfer enhancement without radial complexity.
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 heat exchange efficiency by promoting turbulence and increasing convective heat transfer, reducing the need for complex internal features and costly manufacturing processes while maintaining high heat transfer performance.
Implementation Method 1
at least one lateral offset is formed within the extruded tube to promote turbulence within each port of the heat exchanger tube
Implementation Method 2
The heat energy must be exchanged between the two fluids via walls of the heat exchanger tubes
Implementation Method 3
increasing the turbulence of the fluid at a boundary between the fluid and the wall of the tube in order to reduce the thermal boundary layer thickness
Data Source
AI summary
An extruded multi-port tube for use in a heat exchanger comprises a main body extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end thereof. The main body is divided into a plurality of longitudinally extending segments. Each of the ports formed in the main body extend from the first end to the second end thereof for conveying a fluid therethrough. Each of the ports extend substantially parallel to the main body along each of the segments thereof. Both the main body and each of the ports of one of the segments are offset laterally relative to both the main body and each of the ports of an adjacent one of the segments.