Segmented Collecting Tank Heat Exchanger for Lower Flow Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchangers for air conditioning systems have complex setups and high energy consumption due to the arrangement of heat exchanger pipes, which hinders efficient heat exchange between fluids.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design featuring two collecting tanks with separating walls, allowing fluid to flow through four paths, enabling smaller and more spaciously arranged heat exchanger pipes, reducing flow resistance and energy consumption by optimizing pipe arrangement and condensate drainage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If heat exchanger pipes are arranged closely together to maximize heat exchange area, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but flow resistance for air increases and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collecting pipes are divided into multiple sections by separating walls, creating multiple flow paths for the coolant. This segmentation allows air to flow more easily between the heat exchanger pipes while the coolant is distributed across multiple sections, maintaining heat exchange efficiency without increasing air flow resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The separating walls extend in the longitudinal direction of the collecting pipes, creating a three-dimensional flow path structure. This dimensional arrangement allows the coolant to flow through multiple sections (first and second pipe sections) while air flows horizontally between the pipes, separating the flow dimensions to reduce mutual interference and energy loss
2Use of energy by moving object
If heat exchanger pipes are arranged at larger distances to reduce flow resistance, then energy consumption is reduced, but heat exchange efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the collecting pipes into multiple sections with separating walls, the coolant flow is distributed across multiple paths. This allows heat exchanger pipes to be spaced farther apart (reducing air flow resistance) while maintaining adequate coolant distribution and heat exchange surface area through the segmented structure
Solution Approach 2:
The separating walls serve multiple functions: they divide the coolant flow into multiple sections, provide structural support for the collecting pipes, and create defined flow paths that maintain heat exchange efficiency even when pipes are spaced farther apart
3Productivity
If a complex setup with multiple components is used to optimize heat exchange, then heat exchange performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The separating walls are integrated directly into the collecting pipes, merging the flow division function with the pipe structure itself. This eliminates the need for separate flow dividers or complex internal components, simplifying the overall setup while maintaining optimized heat exchange performance through the segmented flow paths
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 simplifies the setup, reduces energy consumption, and enhances efficiency by minimizing flow resistance and optimizing condensate discharge, leading to improved heat exchange performance in air conditioning systems.
Implementation Method 1
a first fluid, for example a coolant, as well as a second fluid, for example air, flows through a generic heat exchanger, so that a heat exchange takes place between the two fluids
Implementation Method 2
heat exchanger pipes, through which the second fluid flows, so as to realize the heat exchange between the fluids
Implementation Method 3
the collecting pipes of one of the collecting tanks are each provided with a separating wall, so that a fluid, which flows through the collecting tanks and heat exchanger pipes, in particular a coolant, flows through the heat exchanger across a total of four flow paths
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger may include a first collecting tank and a second collecting tank. The first collecting tank may include a first collecting pipe having a first collecting pipe opening for letting in a fluid and a second collecting pipe having a second collecting pipe opening for discharging the fluid. The second collecting tank may be arranged opposite the first collecting tank and may include a third collecting pipe and a fourth collecting pipe. The heat exchanger may also include a plurality of heat exchanger pipes fluidically connecting the first collecting pipe to the third collecting pipe and the second collecting pipe to the fourth collecting pipe. The heat exchanger may also include a separating wall arranged in each of the first collecting pipe and the second collecting pipe respectively dividing each into a first pipe section and a second pipe section.