Stacked Plate Heat Exchanger Header for Refrigerant Distribution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat exchangers in refrigerant cycle devices, such as air conditioners, face inefficiencies in refrigerant flow management due to the design of headers and heat transfer tubes, leading to suboptimal heat exchange and refrigerant distribution.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design featuring a header system composed of stacked plate-shaped members with specific opening configurations and orientations, allowing for efficient refrigerant flow paths and improved heat transfer by optimizing the connection between refrigerant pipes and heat transfer tubes, with the header's longitudinal direction tilted at ±45 degrees relative to the horizontal plane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional header design with simple openings is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the refrigerant flow distribution becomes biased and heat exchange efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The header is divided into multiple plate-shaped members stacked together, with each plate containing specific openings. This segmentation allows independent optimization of flow paths at different levels, enabling better refrigerant distribution to heat transfer tubes while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The header transitions from a conventional single-plane structure to a multi-layer stacked structure with openings distributed across different planes. The openings in upper and lower plates are positioned at different locations, creating three-dimensional flow paths that improve refrigerant distribution uniformity without excessive complexity
2Productivity
If the header openings are simply arranged, then the manufacturing precision requirements are reduced, but the refrigerant flow path optimization is insufficient leading to distribution bias
Solution Approach 1:
The header is segmented into multiple plates, each carrying a subset of openings. This allows the precision requirements to be distributed across multiple components rather than requiring all openings in a single complex header to be perfectly positioned, while still achieving optimized flow distribution through the combined structure
Solution Approach 2:
Different plates are designed with openings at different locations and configurations tailored to local flow requirements. Each plate's opening pattern is optimized for its specific position in the stack, allowing localized flow optimization without requiring perfect precision across the entire header structure
3Productivity
If liquid and gas refrigerants are not effectively mixed, then the device complexity is reduced, but the heat exchange performance deteriorates due to insufficient refrigerant distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The stacked plate structure creates vertical flow paths where liquid and gas refrigerants can interact across multiple levels. Refrigerant flows through openings in different plates at different heights, naturally promoting mixing through gravity and flow direction changes without requiring additional mixing mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The header structure itself provides the mixing function through its multi-layer geometry and opening arrangement. The structure utilizes the natural flow characteristics of refrigerant and gravity to achieve mixing, eliminating the need for separate mixing devices or complex mechanical mechanisms
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
Enhances refrigerant flow distribution and heat exchange efficiency, reducing biases in refrigerant distribution and allowing for effective mixing of liquid and gas refrigerants, thereby improving the overall performance of the refrigerant cycle device.
Implementation Method 1
The header forms a refrigerant flow path between the refrigerant pipe and the heat transfer tubes. The first plate-shaped portion has one or a plurality of first openings that form the refrigerant flow path. The second plate-shaped portion has one or a plurality of second openings that form the refrigerant flow path.
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger to which a refrigerant pipe is connected and that includes a plurality of heat transfer tubes and a header
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger, connected to a refrigerant pipe, includes: heat transfer tubes; and a header that connects the refrigerant pipe and the heat transfer tubes, and that forms a refrigerant flow path between the refrigerant pipe and the heat transfer tubes. The header includes a first member that includes a first plate-shaped portion, and a second member that includes a second plate-shaped portion that is stacked on a heat transfer tubes side of the first plate-shaped portion. The first plate-shaped portion has a first opening that forms the refrigerant flow path. The second plate-shaped portion has a second opening that forms the refrigerant flow path. When viewed in a stacking direction of the first plate-shaped portion and the second plate-shaped portion, the second opening and the first opening overlap each other at a first region and at a second region that is different from the first region.