Separate Header Heat Exchanger for Refrigerant Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat exchangers have low heat exchange efficiency due to the integration of distributing and joining flow passages in a single header, which limits effective heat transfer between refrigerants in different states.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design featuring separate headers for distributing and joining flow passages, with at least one of the headers being a stacking type header composed of plate-like members stacked to form flow passages, enhancing control over heat exchange between refrigerants and improving refrigerant distribution and joining processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the distributing flow passage and joining flow passage are integrated in a single header, then the device complexity is reduced, but the heat exchange efficiency deteriorates due to unwanted heat transfer between refrigerants at different temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The single header is divided into two separate headers: a first header for the distributing flow passage and a second header for the joining flow passage. This segmentation prevents unwanted heat transfer between refrigerants at different temperatures while maintaining structural simplicity through the use of identical or similar header designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The joining flow passage is extracted from the first header and placed in a separate second header. This extraction eliminates the harmful thermal interaction between the distributing and joining flow passages, allowing each header to independently manage its refrigerant flow without energy loss to the other.
2Loss of energy
If separate headers are used for distributing and joining flow passages, then the heat exchange efficiency is improved by controlling temperature differences, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second headers are designed with identical or similar structures, allowing them to perform different functions (distributing and joining) while maintaining manufacturing simplicity and structural consistency. This universal design approach minimizes the impact of increased component count on overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The two separate headers are juxtaposed and connected to the heat exchanging unit, effectively combining their functions while maintaining physical separation of flow passages. This merging at the system level achieves the desired heat exchange control without requiring complex integration mechanisms.
3Manufacturing precision
If a stacking type header is used, then the manufacturing precision and heat exchange control are improved, but the ease of manufacture may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The header is segmented into multiple plate-like members that are stacked to form the flow passages. This segmentation enables precise control of flow passage geometry and thermal characteristics while allowing modular manufacturing and assembly, potentially improving both precision and ease of manufacture through standardized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The stacking type header allows for adjustment of thermal and flow parameters by varying the number, thickness, and arrangement of plate-like members. This parameter adjustability enables optimization of heat exchange performance while maintaining manufacturing flexibility through standardized plate components.
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 significantly enhances heat exchange efficiency by allowing for better temperature control and uniform distribution of refrigerants, leading to improved performance in both evaporator and condenser operations.
Implementation Method 1
heat is exchanged due to a temperature difference between the low-temperature refrigerant and the high-temperature refrigerant
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger according to the present invention includes a heat exchanging unit, and a distributing and joining unit connected to the heat exchanging unit and including a distributing flow passage and a joining flow passage. The distributing and joining unit separately includes a first header including the distributing flow passage formed therein and excluding the joining flow passage, and a second header juxtaposed to the first header and including the joining flow passage formed therein and excluding the distributing flow passage. At least one of the first header and the second header is a stacking type header including a plurality of plate-like members including partial flow passages formed therein and stacked so that the partial flow passages are communicated with each other to form the distributing flow passage or the joining flow passage.