Sinusoidal Bulkhead Heat Exchanger Design for Compact Thermal Performance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bulkhead heat exchangers face challenges in optimizing the shape of the heat transfer surface for improved heat transfer performance while maintaining a compact design.
Innovation Solution
The bulkhead heat exchanger features a heat transfer surface with a shape that enhances heat transfer performance, achieved by forming the heat exchanger plates with sinusoidal flow path walls that conform to a sine curve, allowing for optimal fluid flow and heat exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the heat transfer surface shape is optimized by trial and error, then heat transfer performance may be improved, but the design process becomes time-consuming and cannot achieve optimal results efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies parameter changes by utilizing sine curve parameters (amplitude, wavelength, offset) to define the flow path wall shapes. This mathematical parameterization allows systematic optimization of heat transfer performance through calculated parameter selection rather than time-consuming trial and error, directly resolving the contradiction between improving heat transfer performance and reducing design development time
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical trial-and-error design process with a mathematical modeling approach using sine curve equations. By substituting empirical design methods with analytical mathematical models, the optimization process becomes more efficient and predictable, reducing design time while maintaining or improving heat transfer performance
2Volume of stationary object
If the heat exchanger is made compact, then space efficiency improves, but heat transfer performance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies curvature principles by using sine curve-shaped flow path walls instead of straight or simple curved geometries. The sinusoidal curvature creates more effective fluid flow patterns and heat transfer surfaces within a compact volume, simultaneously achieving compact size and high heat transfer performance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes dimensional optimization by carefully controlling the amplitude and wavelength parameters of the sine curves in the flow path walls. This dimensional parameterization allows maximizing heat transfer surface area and effectiveness within a compact volume, resolving the contradiction between compact size and heat transfer performance
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 improves heat transfer performance while maintaining a compact size, reducing thermal resistance and pressure loss, and allowing for efficient heat exchange between fluids.
Implementation Method 1
a bulkhead heat exchanger which performs heat exchange between fluids separated by a bulkhead
Data Source
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AI summary
A bulkhead heat exchanger includes a first bulkhead, a second bulkhead, and a plurality of flow path walls which divide a space formed between the first bulkhead and the second bulkhead into a plurality of first flow paths. The first bulkhead and the second bulkhead separate the plurality of first flow paths from a plurality of second flow paths through which a second fluid different from a first fluid flowing through the plurality of first flow paths flows. When a plurality of wall surfaces along a plurality of sine curves are formed and a phase overlapping an inflection point of one flow path wall of adjacent flow path walls is θ0 (= 0°), the flow path wall is a sinusoidal flow path wall having a phase range of θ0 (= 0°) < θ1 < θ2 < 90° < θ3 < θ4 < 180° < θ5 < θ6 < 270° < θ7 < θ8 < θ0 (= 360°) as one period. In the one flow path wall, a main flow path wall element is formed in a phase range of θ1 ≤ θ < θ3 and θ6 ≤ θ < θ8 by forming a portion which does not have a plurality of flow path walls, and in the other flow path wall, a main flow path wall element is formed in a phase range of θ2 ≤ θ < θ4 and θ5 ≤ θ < θ7 by forming a portion which does not have a plurality of flow path walls. Heat transfer performance of the heat exchanger is improved.