Thermoelectric Exhaust Heat Exchanger With Variable Rib Heat Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchangers for internal combustion engines face challenges in maintaining constant heat flow and efficient heat transfer due to varying temperature differentials along the pipe stack, requiring complex manufacturing efforts to achieve uniform heat transfer capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design featuring a wavy or corrugated rib structure in the pipes, with varying wave length, amplitude, and wall thickness, allows for continuous or discontinuous variation of heat transfer capability along the pipe stack, using conventional pipes with constant cross sections, thereby enhancing energetic efficiency and reducing manufacturing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If rib-like fins are arranged in different quantity or density to achieve homogeneous heat transfer capability, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but manufacturing effort and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the density and dimensions of ribs in different sections of the heat exchanger. Specifically, the first section has a first rib density while the second section has a second rib density, creating locally optimized heat transfer characteristics that match the temperature distribution along the heat exchanger length.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger is segmented into multiple sections (first section and second section) with different rib configurations. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized independently for its local thermal conditions, achieving homogeneous heat transfer capability without requiring complex continuous variations.
2Productivity
If the heat transfer capability is increased to compensate for decreasing temperature differential, then heat flow remains constant, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by configuring different rib densities in different sections. The first section has higher rib density where temperature differential is larger, while the second section has lower rib density where temperature differential decreases, maintaining constant heat flow without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters (rib density, rib dimensions) along the length of the heat exchanger to match the varying temperature differential. This parameter variation allows the heat transfer capability to be adjusted locally, compensating for temperature changes and maintaining constant heat flow.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional pipes with constant cross sections are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but heat transfer capability cannot be optimized along the pipe stack
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses curved or wavy ribs instead of straight ribs, creating a curved heat transfer surface that increases the effective heat transfer area within the constant pipe cross-section. This curvature allows optimized heat transfer capability while maintaining conventional pipe geometry for easy manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes heat transfer in the radial dimension by adding ribs that extend into the pipe cross-section, rather than changing the longitudinal pipe dimensions. This dimensional approach allows heat transfer optimization while keeping the pipe's external cross-section constant for simplified manufacturing.
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 achieves a homogeneous heat flow distribution and improved energetic efficiency by adjusting heat transfer capability to match temperature changes, allowing for cost-effective production and efficient energy conversion.
Implementation Method 1
the heat contained in the exhaust gas can be converted into electric energy with the help of thermoelectric generators. For this purpose, heat exchangers of the type mentioned at the outset are employed, which comprise at least one thermoelectric generator, which has a hot side and a cold side
Implementation Method 2
heat exchangers can be used in order to transfer the heat from the exhaust gas, which then serves as a heating medium, into a coolant
Implementation Method 3
transfer the heat from the exhaust gas... into a coolant, in order to thereby heat a passenger interior space or in order to evaporate the coolant
Implementation Method 4
A heat exchanger design featuring a wavy or corrugated rib structure in the pipes, with varying wave length, amplitude, and wall thickness, allows for continuous or discontinuous variation of heat transfer capability along the pipe stack
Implementation Method 5
A heat exchanger design featuring a wavy or corrugated rib structure in the pipes... enhances energetic efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger is provided for an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine. The exchanger has a thermoelectric generator which comprises a hot side and a cold side with a heating pipe arranged on one hot side of the thermoelectric generator, and with a cooling pipe arranged on one cold side of the thermoelectric generator. The thermoelectric generator the heating pipe, and the cooling pipe are stacked in a stack direction on top of one another and form a pipe stack, in which the respective thermoelectric generator, heating pipe and cold pipe extend parallel to one another in a longitudinal direction of the pipe stack. An increased energetic efficiency is obtained. A heat transfer structure has a heat transfer capability favoring a heat transfer between the respective pipe and the respective media conducted therein.