Same-Side Manifold Heat Exchanger With Curved Tube Ends

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional heat exchangers with manifolds on opposite sides require extensive connecting pipelines, increasing costs and complexity.

Innovation Solution

The heat exchanger design features manifolds arranged on the same side, with heat exchange tubes having ends that deviate from the center line by curving, and connecting parts formed by bending or U-shaped tubes, allowing for efficient fluid communication and reduced pipeline requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If manifolds are arranged on opposite sides of the heat exchanger, then fluid communication between manifolds is simplified, but connecting pipelines increase in number and complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnecting pipelinesVSAvoidfluid communication
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of separate connecting pipelines into the heat exchange tubes themselves. The heat exchange tubes are configured to directly connect the first manifold and second manifold, eliminating the need for additional connecting pipelines. This is achieved by having the heat exchange tubes extend from one manifold to the other, with their ends deviating from center lines to facilitate direct connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The heat exchange tubes feature curved or deviated ends that depart from straight center lines. This curvature allows the tubes to connect manifolds arranged on opposite sides while reducing the number of required connecting pipelines. The deviated configuration enables direct fluid communication without requiring additional linear connecting components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Device complexity

If manifolds are arranged on the same side of the heat exchanger, then connecting pipelines are reduced, but fluid communication between manifolds becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnecting pipelinesVSAvoidfluid communication
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the fluid communication challenge by utilizing three-dimensional spatial arrangement. Heat exchange tubes are configured with deviated ends that extend in multiple directions from the same-side manifolds, creating complex 3D fluid pathways. This dimensional approach allows direct connection between manifolds on the same side without requiring additional connecting pipelines, as the tubes themselves navigate the spatial complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If heat exchange tubes have straight ends aligned with center lines, then manufacturing is simplified, but connecting pipelines increase and heat exchange area utilization decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnecting pipelinesVSAvoidheat exchange tube configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The heat exchange tubes incorporate curved or deviated ends instead of straight center-line alignments. This curvature is integrated into the tube manufacturing process, allowing the tubes to connect manifolds more efficiently while reducing the need for additional connecting pipelines. The deviated configuration optimizes heat exchange area utilization by positioning tube ends strategically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the geometric parameters of the heat exchange tubes by deviating their ends from center lines. This parameter change allows the tubes to serve dual functions: maintaining structural simplicity for manufacturing while reducing the need for connecting pipelines and optimizing heat exchange area utilization through strategic positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 design reduces the need for connecting pipelines, lowers costs, and enhances the uniformity of wind field and output temperature, while increasing the utilization rate of the heat exchange area.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of heat exchange tubes (20), each heat exchange tube (20) having: a first heat exchange part (21) and a second heat exchange part (22)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

Heat exchangers comprising two manifolds arranged on the same side are disclosed in CN-A-103245132, JP-A-2010169289 and EP-A-1762808

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

the heat exchanger further comprises: a fin, disposed between the first heat exchange part and the second heat exchange part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP3370019B1Heat exchanger
Publication Date: 2020.06.17 DANFOSS MICRO CHANNEL HEAT EXCHANGER JIAXING
  • EP3370019B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3370019B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3370019B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Disclosed in the present invention is a heat exchanger, comprising: a first manifold and a second manifold disposed on the same side of the heat exchanger; and a plurality of heat exchange tubes, each heat exchange tube having: a first heat exchange part and a second heat exchange part which are substantially parallel; and a first end and a second end connected to the first heat exchange part and the second heat exchange part respectively, with the first end deviating from a center line of the first heat exchange part by curving, such that the first end and the second end are connected to, and in fluid communication with, the first manifold and the second manifold respectively. In the heat exchanger, the manifolds are arranged on the same side, so connecting pipelines are saved, and costs are lower.