Parallel plate support elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional heat exchangers in HVAC systems face inefficiencies in dehumidification and cooling processes, particularly in maintaining channel widths and facilitating simultaneous heat transfer between multiple fluid flows in different phases.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a plate assembly with predetermined patterns of support structures on both sides of conditioning and exhaust channels, allowing for efficient dehumidification and cooling by maintaining channel widths and enabling simultaneous heat transfer between gas and liquid flows through the use of wicking media and heat transfer elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional heat exchangers are used for dehumidification and cooling, then basic heat transfer function is provided, but channel width maintenance and simultaneous heat transfer between multiple fluid flows in different phases is inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedehumidification and cooling efficiencyVSAvoidchannel width maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The heat exchanger is divided into multiple parallel plate channels, each with dedicated support structures. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each channel's width maintenance while collectively improving dehumidification and cooling efficiency through increased surface area and parallel fluid flow paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Support structures are strategically positioned at specific locations within channels where width maintenance is critical. This local reinforcement approach ensures reliable channel geometry without adding unnecessary complexity to the entire heat exchanger structure, thereby improving efficiency while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If support structures are added to maintain channel widths, then channel geometry stability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel width maintenanceVSAvoidsupport structure configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support structures serve multiple functions: maintaining channel width, providing structural support between plates, and potentially serving as flow distributors. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The parallel plate design uses thin plate structures with integrated support features rather than bulky rigid frameworks. This approach maintains channel geometry stability through the thin plate configuration itself, reducing overall device complexity while ensuring reliable channel width maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Productivity

If parallel plate design with support structures is implemented, then simultaneous heat transfer between gas and liquid flows is enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidplate assembly fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple plates are assembled together with support structures integrated into the plate design itself rather than as separate attachment components. This merging of functions into a unified plate assembly simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining the ability to facilitate simultaneous heat transfer between gas and liquid flows through the parallel channel configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 enhances the dehumidification and cooling efficiency by maintaining channel widths and facilitating effective heat transfer between multiple fluid flows, improving the overall performance of HVAC systems.

Implementation Method 1

The first side is configured to receive desiccant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

facilitating simultaneous heat transfer between gas and liquid flows through the use of wicking media

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

enabling simultaneous heat transfer between gas and liquid flows through the use of heat transfer elements

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS20240369312A1Parallel plate support elements

Publication Date: 2024.11.07 BLUE FRONTIER INC

AI summary

The disclosure relates to parallel plate and manifold assemblies for heat exchangers. In some examples, a plate assembly includes at least one plate. The plate includes a first side defining a side of a conditioning channel, where the first side is configured to receive desiccant. The plate also includes a second side that is opposite the first side. The second side defines a side of an exhaust channel. In addition, at least one of the first side and the second side include a plurality of support structures that are distributed in a predetermined pattern and are configured to maintain a predetermined width of the respective conditioning channel or exhaust channel.