Raised Heat Exchange Fin Geometry for Low Pressure Drag
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat exchangers face challenges in improving heat transfer performance while minimizing pressure loss and preventing clogging due to dirt and dust, particularly in outdoor applications, and there is a need for a design that enhances heat transfer characteristics without increasing pressure drag.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchange promotion member with planar and raised parts slanted relative to the fluid flow direction, featuring alternating first and second raised portions forming a letter-V shape, and a width and height within specific ranges to maintain laminar flow and reduce pressure loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If slits or louvers are formed on extended heat transfer surfaces to improve heat transfer performance, then heat transfer rate increases, but pressure drag and pressure loss increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The heat transfer surface is segmented into multiple raised portions spaced apart from each other in the flow direction. Each raised portion acts as an independent element that promotes heat transfer locally while maintaining overall flow continuity, avoiding the complete blockage effect of conventional slits or louvers.
Solution Approach 2:
Raised portions are selectively formed at specific locations on the heat transfer surface rather than uniformly across the entire surface. This local modification creates turbulence and enhances heat transfer at critical regions while preserving smooth flow paths in other areas, thereby balancing heat transfer enhancement with pressure loss control.
2Temperature
If slitted or louvered fins are used to improve heat transfer, then heat exchange performance increases, but dirt and dust accumulation causes flow rate decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful function of dirt and dust accumulation is eliminated by removing the slits and louvers that attract and trap particles. The continuous surface structure with raised portions does not provide cavities for dirt accumulation, allowing the heat exchanger to be used outdoors without suffering from reduced flow rate due to contamination.
3Temperature
If bumpy deformations are added to heat transfer surface to improve heat transfer characteristics, then heat transfer rate improves, but flow separation causes large pressure loss
Solution Approach 1:
The raised portions are designed with specific dimensions and spacing that create dynamic flow patterns. The flow transitions from laminar to turbulent in a controlled manner over the raised portions, enhancing heat transfer coefficients while the spacing between portions prevents excessive flow separation and maintains reasonable pressure loss levels.
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 transfer performance by promoting swirls and reducing flow resistance, resulting in improved heat exchange efficiency with minimal pressure loss and resistance to dirt accumulation.
Implementation Method 1
The design enhances heat transfer performance by promoting swirls and reducing flow resistance
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchange promotion member that exchanges heat with a flowing fluid
Implementation Method 3
maintain laminar flow and reduce pressure loss
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a heat exchange promotion member and a heat exchanger that can improve heat transfer performance while holding down an increase in pressure drag of a fluid that exchanges heat with the heat exchange promotion member. A heat dissipation fin 14 of the present invention is a heat exchange promotion member that exchanges heat with a flowing fluid. The heat dissipation fin 14 includes a planar part 12 which is a surface substantially parallel to the fluid flowing direction and a raised part 13 that protrudes from the planar part 12 toward the fluid. The raised part 13 has a portion slanted relative to the direction in which the fluid flows, and there are a plurality of the raised parts 13 formed spaced apart from one another in the fluid flowing direction.