Parallel-Flow Immersion Heat Exchanger with Air Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchangers in internal combustion engines face inefficiencies in maximizing heat transfer between engine oil and coolant while minimizing fluid flow resistance, particularly in parallel-flow configurations.
Innovation Solution
A parallel-flow immersion heat exchanger design featuring a heat exchanger body with distinct fluid passages and sealing elements, incorporating a fluid control device and temperature sensor for optimized coolant flow regulation, and an electronic controller to manage valve operation based on temperature readings, enhancing thermal insulation and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the surface area of the heat exchanger body is increased to maximize heat transfer, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but fluid flow resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger body is segmented into multiple parallel fluid passages (first, second, and third passages) instead of a single large passage. This segmentation increases the total surface area for heat transfer while maintaining lower flow resistance by distributing fluid flow across multiple smaller channels, resolving the contradiction between heat transfer efficiency and fluid flow resistance.
2Productivity
If multiple fluid passages are added to increase heat transfer surface area, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple fluid passages are merged into a single integrated heat exchanger body structure. The first, second, and third passages are combined within one body, sharing common end caps and sealing elements, which reduces the number of separate components and simplifies assembly while still providing increased heat transfer surface area through the multiple internal passages.
3Reliability
If thermal insulation is added between fluid passages to prevent heat loss, then thermal insulation efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Thermal insulation is applied locally only between specific fluid passages (the second passage is thermally insulated from the first and third passages) rather than throughout the entire heat exchanger. This localized insulation approach prevents unnecessary heat transfer between adjacent passages while minimizing the addition of insulating materials and structural 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
The design improves heat transfer efficiency by regulating coolant flow and utilizing thermal insulation to effectively cool engine oil, allowing for better engine performance and reduced energy loss.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one second fluid passage is configured to hold a volume of air to thereby thermally insulate the first fluid passage from the at least one third fluid passage
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger body arranged along an axis and having an external surface in contact with a surrounding first fluid... Each of the first and the at least one third fluid passages is configured to accept a flow of a second fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger includes a heat exchanger body arranged along an axis and having an external surface in contact with a surrounding first fluid. The body defines a first fluid passage centered on and extending along the axis. The body also defines a second fluid passage extending parallel with respect to the axis and spaced away from the axis by a second passage distance, and a third fluid passage extending parallel with respect to the axis and spaced away from the axis by a third passage distance. The first, second, and third passages are parallel to one another, while the third passage distance is greater than the second passage distance. Each of the first and third passages is configured to accept a flow of a second fluid and the second fluid passage is configured to hold a volume of air to thermally insulate the first passage from the third passage.