Rotating Heat Exchanger Assembly for Small-DeltaT Medium Conditioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medium conditioning systems face challenges in achieving improved useful life, operating efficiency, and low noise while effectively maintaining a controlled temperature environment, especially when the temperature difference between the conditioned and unconditioned mediums is small.

Innovation Solution

The use of a thermoelectric heat pump with a heat exchanger assembly that rotates within the medium, creating a temperature differential and enhancing heat transfer through fins or wing-shaped features, allowing for both heating and cooling without equipment modification, and maintaining the medium temperature within a suitable range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a conventional heat exchanger is used to condition the medium, then the system structure is simple, but the operating efficiency is low due to boundary layer effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperating efficiencyVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heat exchanger is designed to rotate about an axis, transforming from a static to a dynamic structure. This rotation disrupts the boundary layer that forms on the heat transfer surfaces, continuously renewing the fluid contact and enhancing heat transfer efficiency without requiring complex external flow control systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the heat exchanger rotates to enhance heat transfer, then the operating efficiency improves, but the noise level increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidnoise

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The rotation of the heat exchanger creates controlled mechanical motion that enhances heat transfer through boundary layer disruption. The rotational speed is optimized to achieve effective heat transfer enhancement while keeping the mechanical noise within acceptable limits for the application environment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

3Reliability

If a thermoelectric heat pump is used instead of conventional refrigeration, then the system reliability improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem useful lifeVSAvoidsystem configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conventional mechanical refrigeration system with moving parts (compressors, valves, etc.) is replaced with a thermoelectric heat pump based on the Peltier effect. This solid-state device has no moving parts, eliminating mechanical wear and failure points, thereby significantly improving system reliability and useful life despite the added electrical control complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Use of energy by moving object

If the medium temperature difference is small (e.g., 10°C), then the energy consumption is low, but the heat transfer efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidheat transfer rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotating heat exchanger design is particularly effective for small temperature differences because the mechanical disruption of the boundary layer provides additional heat transfer enhancement that compensates for the reduced thermal driving force, maintaining adequate heat transfer rates without requiring large temperature differentials that would increase energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 effectively adjusts the medium temperature to a suitable range by circulating it through the heat transfer assembly, improving efficiency and extending the system's useful life by reducing boundary layer effects and enhancing heat transfer through rotation-induced turbulence.

Implementation Method 1

a thermoelectric heat pump having a first thermal side and a second thermal side. The thermoelectric heat pump may be configured to produce a temperature differential between the first thermal side and the second thermal side

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermoelectric effect: Peltier Effect

Implementation Method 2

a heat exchanger in thermal communication with the first thermal side of the thermoelectric heat pump... The heat exchanger may include one or more heat transfer features extending away from the first thermal side

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 3

rotating a heat transfer structure, such as an impeller-type heat exchanger, in the medium... drawing the medium into the rotating heat transfer structure and expelling the medium out of the rotating heat transfer structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentUS10036581B1Heat transfer assemblies, systems, and methods for conditioning a medium

Publication Date: 2018.07.31 NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS OF SANDIA LLC

AI summary

Embodiments of the invention are directed to heat exchanger assemblies, systems, and methods for conditioning medium in an environment (e.g., in a controlled environment) to a suitable temperature. In particular, embodiments may include heat transfer assemblies and medium conditioning systems that may condition the medium in the environment by raising or lowering temperature thereof to a suitable conditioned temperature.