Phase-Change Heat Exchanger Tube Design for Thermal Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchanger designs with phase change material reservoirs suffer from reduced heat transfer efficiency due to protrusions and recessions on the tubes, which increase the surface area but also hinder heat transfer between the refrigerant fluid and the phase change material, and the thickness of the material involved in the heat transfer process.
Innovation Solution
A phase-change material reservoir tube design using only two types of plates - circulation plates and reservoir plates, where the phase change material is directly in contact with the circulation plates, facilitating improved heat energy exchange, with recesses on the circulation plates for increased storage and mechanical strength, and a common orifice for filling the cavities, allowing for enhanced heat transfer and assembly simplicity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If protrusions and recesses are added to the tubes to increase surface area, then the surface area for heat exchange is improved, but the heat transfer efficiency between the first heat transfer fluid and the phase change material deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the protrusions and recesses from the tube design. By using smooth-walled tubes instead of corrugated tubes, the patent removes the structural features that were causing the heat transfer efficiency problem, while maintaining adequate surface area through the plate heat exchanger configuration itself
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the heat exchanger into distinct functional components: smooth tubes for efficient heat transfer, separate plate structures for surface area expansion, and a dedicated phase change material reservoir. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without the compromises required by integrated corrugations
2Strength
If the thickness of material involved in heat transfer is increased, then the structural strength is improved, but the heat transfer efficiency between the refrigerant fluid and the phase change material deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different thickness requirements to different parts of the system. The tube walls maintaining necessary structural strength, while the phase change material reservoir wall is optimized for heat transfer efficiency. The plate structures provide additional strength where needed without interfering with the heat transfer path between the tube and phase change material
3Reliability
If multiple types of plates are used in the heat exchanger bundle, then the functional performance is improved, but the production cost and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the plates universal by designing them to serve multiple functions. The plates provide structural support, define flow channels, and support the phase change material reservoir. By consolidating these functions into standardized plate designs, the patent reduces the number of different plate types needed while maintaining all necessary functional performance
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 enhances heat energy exchange between the first heat transfer fluid and the phase change material, increases the storage capacity of phase change material, and improves mechanical strength, enabling efficient cooling even when the engine is stopped, with reduced production costs and simplified assembly.
Implementation Method 1
the phase-change material absorbs heat energy from the air passing through the evaporator, thereby cooling it
Implementation Method 2
the phase-change material absorbs heat energy from the air passing through the evaporator
Implementation Method 3
the phase change material is in direct contact with the circulation plate, which facilitates and improves the exchange of heat energy between the first heat transfer fluid and the phase change material
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7~8
AI summary
The present invention relates to a tube (1) with a reservoir of phase-change material for a heat exchange bundle (100) of a heat exchanger, said tube (1) with a reservoir of phase-change material comprising: two flow plates (3) which are configured to be assembled with one another in a fluidtight fashion and form at least one duct (31) in which a first heat-transfer fluid flows between said flow plates (3), at least one reservoir plate (5) comprising cavities (51), said reservoir plate (5) being configured so that it can be assembled in fluidtight fashion on an external face of one of the two flow plates (3) so as to close the cavities (51) and form housings for the phase-change material, said cavities (51) projecting from the external face of the reservoir plate (5) so that a second heat-transfer fluid can circulate between said cavities (51).