Radiator Bypass Valve Control for Heat Exchanger Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radiators risk overheating or overcooling, potentially damaging the heat exchanger when water temperatures exceed its operational range, as they lack effective temperature regulation mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A radiator system featuring a passageway modifying mechanism, such as a three-way valve, that determines whether to allow water to flow directly to the heat exchanger or divert it through a bypass piping based on temperature ranges to prevent excessive temperatures from reaching the heat exchanger.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If cold water or hot water is supplied to the supply piping to reach preset temperature, then cooling and heating functions are achieved, but the heat exchange coil may break when water temperature exceeds its working range
Solution Approach 1:
The determination unit checks the water temperature before it reaches the heat exchange coil and determines in advance whether the temperature is within the prescribed range. Based on this preliminary determination, the passageway modifying mechanism is set to the appropriate state (first state for normal operation, second state for protection) to prevent damage before it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The passageway modifying mechanism acts as an intermediary between the water supply and the heat exchange coil. It includes a bypass piping that allows water to flow around the heat exchange coil when the temperature is not within the prescribed range, thereby protecting the coil from damage while still allowing the system to operate.
2Reliability
If the passageway modifying mechanism is set to divert water through bypass piping to protect the heat exchanger, then heat exchanger damage is prevented, but water flow to the heat exchanger is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The passageway modifying mechanism dynamically changes its state based on the water temperature conditions. When the temperature is within the prescribed range, it is set to the first state allowing full water flow to the heat exchange coil for maximum efficiency. When the temperature exceeds the range, it switches to the second state diverting water through the bypass piping to protect the coil. This dynamic adaptation ensures optimal performance under normal conditions while providing protection under abnormal conditions.
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 solution reduces the risk of heat exchanger damage by ensuring water within safe temperature ranges is used, thereby extending its lifespan and maintaining efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger (52) and a fan (53)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A radiator (50) cools and/or heats by sucking cold water or hot water from a heat source unit (10). In addition, the radiator (50) comprises a heat exchanger (52), a first piping (5a), a three-way valve (54), a heat exchanger temperature detection unit (56), and a control unit (60). The first piping (5a) is a piping wherethrough water flows from the heat source unit (10) side to the heat exchanger (52) side. The three-way valve (54) assumes a first state and a second state. In the first state, a flow of the water from the heat source unit (10) side to the heat exchanger (52) side is permitted. In addition, in the second state, the flow of the water from the heat source unit (10) side to the heat exchanger (52) side is blocked. The heat exchanger temperature detection unit (56) is capable of detecting a water temperature. The water temperature is the temperature of the water flowing to the heat exchanger (52). The control unit (60) comprises a water temperature determination unit (66) and an operation unit (64). The water temperature determination unit (66) determines whether the water temperature detected by the heat exchanger temperature detection unit (56) is within a prescribed temperature range. The operation unit (64), based on a determination result of the water temperature determination unit (66), sets the three-way valve (54) to a state selected from the group consisting of the first state and the second state.