Rotating Heat Exchanger Support for Centrifugal Force Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotating heat pumps and heat engines face stability issues due to high centrifugal forces, leading to sagging heat exchangers and compromised operational safety.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a support body that uniformly supports heat exchangers against radial forces, using thermally insulating materials for outer heat exchangers and omitting insulation for inner heat exchangers to maintain temperature stability and reduce strength losses, with materials like aluminum, steel, or fiber composites for enhanced rigidity and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If heat exchangers are clamped at the front ends, then the device structure is simple, but the heat exchangers sag during operation which impairs stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from point support (clamps at front ends only) to continuous linear support (along the entire length between end faces). This dimensional change in the support distribution resolves the sagging issue while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support function is segmented into multiple discrete support points distributed along the length of the heat exchanger between the end faces, rather than relying on a single clamp structure. This segmentation provides uniform support and prevents sagging.
2Temperature
If thermal insulation is added to outer heat exchangers, then temperature stability is improved, but strength losses occur due to high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies thermal insulation selectively only to the outer heat exchanger that requires temperature stability, while leaving the inner heat exchanger and support body uninsulated. This local application maintains strength where needed while providing thermal stability where required.
Solution Approach 2:
A thermal insulation layer is introduced as an intermediary between the outer heat exchanger and the support body. This intermediary protects the support body from high temperatures while allowing the outer heat exchanger to maintain its temperature stability.
3Stress or pressure
If the rotor rotates at high speed to generate centrifugal forces, then pressure increase is achieved, but operational safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multiple support points along the heat exchanger length before operational issues can arise. This preventive support structure cushions against the high centrifugal forces generated during high-speed rotation, maintaining operational safety while achieving the required pressure increase.
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 achieves a stable design capable of withstanding high forces, minimizing strength losses and internal stresses, while maintaining efficient heat transfer and operational safety.
Implementation Method 1
the pressure increase or pressure reduction of the working medium occurs as a result of the centrifugal acceleration, with the working medium flowing radially outwards in a compression unit with respect to an axis of rotation and radially inwards in an expansion unit
Implementation Method 2
Heat exchangers are provided for heat exchange between the working medium and a heat exchange medium
Implementation Method 3
the at least one outer heat exchanger has an insulation element made of a thermally insulating material between the outer pipe and the support body
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device (20) for converting thermal energy of a low temperature into thermal energy of a high temperature by means of mechanical energy, and vice versa, comprising a rotor (21) which is mounted so as to rotate about a rotational axis (22) and in which a flow channel is provided for a working medium that circulates in a closed circuit process, said medium being conducted outwards, relative to the rotational axis, in a compression unit (23) in order to increase pressure, and being conducted inwards, relative to the rotational axis (22), in an expansion unit (24) in order to reduce pressure. At least one heat exchanger (1") that is positioned inwardly relative to the rotational axis and at least one heat exchanger (1') that is positioned outwardly relative to the rotational axis are provided for exchanging heat between said working medium and a heat exchange medium, said heat exchangers (1'; 1") preferably being arranged substantially parallel to the rotational axis of the rotor (21), and said rotor (21) comprising a support element (51) which supports said inner (1") and/or outer heat exchanger (1') along the length such that said inner (1") and/or outer heat exchanger (1') is retained.