Plate-Fin Heat Exchanger Fins With Guard Fins and Cavities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plate-fin heat exchangers face challenges in maximizing heat transfer efficiency while minimizing size and protecting delicate fin geometries from damage.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a layer of a plate-fin heat exchanger with guard fins made of a stronger material to protect herringbone-shaped fins, and cavities at the boundary between these fins to reduce pressure drop and enhance airflow transition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If lightweight and thin material is used for plates and fins to maximize heat transfer efficiency, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but the fins become easily damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material construction where thin, lightweight fin material (for heat transfer efficiency) is combined with a protective coating or overlay layer (for durability). This allows the fin to maintain its thin profile for maximum heat transfer while the protective layer prevents damage during operation and maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements protective measures in advance by incorporating a protective layer or coating on the fins before they are subjected to operational stresses. This pre-protection cushioning prevents damage to the delicate fin geometry during installation, operation, and maintenance while preserving the thin, efficient heat transfer structure.
2Productivity
If the number of plates is increased to maximize heat transfer surface area within a given envelope, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but the device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional plate arrangement to a three-dimensional structured assembly by incorporating fins that extend perpendicular to the plate surfaces. This vertical dimension multiplication allows significantly increased heat transfer surface area within the same envelope without proportionally increasing the number of plates, thereby reducing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where fins are integrated into and extend from the plate bodies, creating a compact multi-functional assembly. The fins are positioned within the flow passages defined by adjacent plates, allowing maximum surface area utilization without requiring additional separate components, thus reducing overall device complexity.
3Productivity
If fins are made with complex geometries to promote turbulent flow and heat transfer, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but the fins become more susceptible to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite construction where the fin core maintains complex geometries (herringbone, serrated, or perforated patterns) for enhanced heat transfer and flow turbulence, while a protective outer layer or reinforcement structure provides mechanical strength and damage resistance, allowing the delicate geometric features to survive operational stresses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates protective measures in the fin design by adding reinforcement ribs, protective coatings, or robust boundary structures before the fins are subjected to mechanical stresses. This pre-cushioning protects the complex, damage-prone geometric features while preserving their heat transfer functionality.
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 improves heat transfer efficiency by reducing pressure drop and protecting the fins from damage, allowing for more efficient operation within a compact size.
Implementation Method 1
Heat exchangers are arranged for flow of a primary fluid and a secondary fluid with heat being transferred between the two fluids as they flow through the device
Implementation Method 2
cavities at the boundary between these fins to reduce pressure drop and enhance airflow transition
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A layer 10 of a plate-fin heat exchanger comprising: an inlet side 18 for receiving a fluid; an outlet side 20; a plurality of first fins 16 each having a first end located at the inlet side and extending in direction towards the outlet side to a second end to provide a plurality of first flow channels for the fluid, a plurality of second fins 14 each having a first end adjacent to the second end of the plurality of first fins 16 and extending from the second end of the plurality of first fins towards the outlet end to a second end to provide a plurality of second flow channels for the fluid, and a cavity 22 provided in each of the plurality of first fins 16 and/or each of the plurality of second fins 14 at the boundary between the plurality of first fins and the plurality of second fins.