Self-regulating Heat Exchanger with Shape Memory Alloy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional plate fin heat exchangers lack the ability to adjust pressure drop and thermal efficiency in response to changing operational temperatures, requiring designers to balance these factors manually.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a shape change material, such as a shape-memory alloy, into the flow channel of the heat exchanger, which changes shape with temperature, allowing for increased thermal efficiency by altering its configuration from a tubular or aligned fin shape to a swirl or step-wise shifted shape, thereby optimizing thermal performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional plate fin heat exchangers use fixed flow channel geometry, then manufacturing and design are simple, but thermal efficiency cannot be adjusted in response to changing operational temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The flow channel geometry is made dynamic through shape memory alloy (SMA) wires that can change the channel configuration between at least two distinct shapes in response to temperature changes. This allows the heat exchanger to adapt its thermal efficiency to varying operational conditions while maintaining a relatively simple fixed structure when not actuated.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameter of flow channel geometry by using SMA wires that alter the channel shape in response to temperature. This parameter change enables the system to optimize thermal efficiency for different operating temperatures without requiring multiple different heat exchanger designs.
2Productivity
If fixed flow channel geometry is used in traditional heat exchangers, then device complexity is low, but the ability to optimize thermal performance across varying temperatures is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The flow channel geometry is made dynamic through shape memory alloy (SMA) wires that can change the channel configuration between at least two distinct shapes in response to temperature changes. This allows the heat exchanger to adapt its thermal efficiency to varying operational conditions while maintaining a relatively simple fixed structure when not actuated.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses temperature-sensitive SMA materials that automatically respond to operational temperature changes by altering the flow channel geometry. This passive feedback mechanism optimizes heat transfer efficiency based on actual operating conditions without requiring external control systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If shape change material is incorporated into the flow channel, then thermal efficiency can be optimized for varying temperatures, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical parameter of flow channel geometry by using SMA wires that alter the channel shape in response to temperature. This parameter change enables the system to optimize thermal efficiency for different operating temperatures without requiring multiple different heat exchanger designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow channel structure incorporates shape memory alloy wires integrated with the channel geometry, creating a composite structure that combines the structural integrity of the channel material with the temperature-responsive properties of the SMA material.
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 heat exchanger achieves self-regulation of thermal efficiency and pressure drop, enhancing heat transfer efficiency and allowing for adaptive operation across varying temperatures without significant increases in pumping power.
Implementation Method 1
The shape change material can include a shape-memory alloy, for example. The shape-memory alloy can include at least one of a nickel-titanium alloy (NiTi), Cu—Al—(X), Cu—Sn, Cu—Zn—(X), In—Ti, Ni—Al, Fe—Pt, Mn—Cu, or Fe—Mn—Si.
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger includes a flow channel operatively connecting a channel inlet to a channel outlet to channel fluid to flow therethrough. The flow channel is defined at least partially by a shape change material. The shape change material changes the shape of the flow channel based on the temperature of the shape change material.