Shared-Fin Heat Exchanger Layout for Part-Load Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air-conditioning systems with separate heat exchangers for two circuits face inefficiencies in heat exchange capacity, particularly during part load conditions, as they do not effectively utilize the heat exchange area and can lead to reduced performance when one circuit is turned off.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design featuring multiple circuits with alternating heat exchange tubes and fins, bent in shapes like L, U, or C, and connected with manifolds to enhance heat exchange efficiency, allowing for shared fins and independent operation of circuits, thereby improving heat exchange capacity and maintaining refrigerant flow during part load conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate heat exchangers are used for two circuits, then circuit independence is achieved, but heat exchange capacity is reduced during part load conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate heat exchanger circuits into a single integrated heat exchanger unit with shared fins. The first and second heat exchange tubes from different circuits are arranged alternately and share common fins, allowing the system to maintain circuit independence while improving heat exchange capacity during part load conditions by utilizing the shared fin structure.
2Area of stationary object
If separate heat exchangers are used for two circuits, then complete heat exchange area utilization is achieved, but system efficiency is reduced when one circuit is turned off
Solution Approach 1:
The shared fins in the integrated heat exchanger serve multiple functions: they act as heat exchange surfaces for both the first and second circuits simultaneously. When one circuit is turned off, the other circuit can still utilize the full heat exchange area including the shared fins, thereby maintaining system efficiency and avoiding the waste of heat exchange area that occurs with separate heat exchangers.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate heat exchangers are used, then independent operation is achieved, but heat exchange efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two independent heat exchanger circuits into one integrated structure where the first and second heat exchange tubes are alternately arranged with shared fins. This merging allows the system to maintain independent operation capability while significantly improving heat exchange efficiency through the shared fin structure that increases heat transfer surface area and improves thermal coupling between circuits.
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 enhances heat exchange capacity, particularly in part load conditions, and allows for continued operation of air-conditioning systems even if one circuit fails by utilizing shared fins and maintaining refrigerant flow, thus improving overall system efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
heat exchange tubes, wherein the heat exchange tubes include first heat exchange tubes configured to form a first circuit, and second heat exchange tubes configured to form a second circuit
Implementation Method 2
first fins, at least a portion of each of which extends in a first direction, which are arranged in a row in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and which are arranged alternately with the heat exchange tubes
Implementation Method 3
first fins, at least a portion of each of which extends in a first direction, which are arranged in a row in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and which are arranged alternately with the heat exchange tubes
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a heat exchanger and an air-conditioning system. The heat exchanger includes heat exchange tubes. The heat exchange tubes have first heat exchange tubes configured to form a first circuit, and second heat exchange tubes configured to form a second circuit. With the heat exchanger and the air-conditioning system according to the embodiments of the present invention, for example, a heat exchange capacity of the heat exchanger in a part load condition is improved.