Triangular Conduit Heat Exchanger for Compact Heat Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchangers are less efficient, larger, and require more material in their construction than desired.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design featuring first and second conduits with triangular cross-sections that are interspaced by intervening conduits, arranged in a tessellated pattern to improve heat exchange efficiency and reduce material usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional heat exchanger designs are used, then heat exchange function is provided, but heat exchange efficiency is insufficient and device size is large
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is divided into multiple discrete conduits with triangular cross-sections arranged in a tessellated pattern. This segmentation allows for optimized heat transfer surfaces while maintaining a compact overall structure, resolving the contradiction between heat exchange efficiency and device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a three-dimensional tessellated arrangement of triangular conduits, utilizing spatial configuration in multiple dimensions to maximize heat transfer surface area within a compact volume. This dimensional approach enables high heat exchange efficiency without increasing the overall device footprint.
2Productivity
If conventional heat exchanger designs are used, then heat exchange function is provided, but material consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
Adjacent triangular conduits share common walls, merging material structures to reduce overall material consumption. The tessellated arrangement allows conduits to share boundaries, eliminating redundant material while maintaining effective heat transfer surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the cross-sectional geometry parameter from conventional circular or rectangular shapes to triangular sections. This parameter change optimizes the surface-area-to-volume ratio and enables efficient heat transfer with reduced material usage through the tessellated configuration.
3Productivity
If conduits are arranged closely together, then heat exchange efficiency improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The triangular conduit design serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the heat transfer surface, defines the tessellated pattern, and creates shared walls between adjacent conduits. This multi-functionality simplifies manufacturing by consolidating structural and functional requirements into a single geometric form.
Solution Approach 2:
The tessellated triangular conduit arrangement is self-organizing, where each conduit automatically shares walls with adjacent conduits through its geometric configuration. This self-service characteristic reduces manufacturing complexity by eliminating the need for separate alignment and joining operations for each conduit.
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 achieves a compact arrangement with improved heat transfer and reduced material usage, enhancing efficiency and minimizing construction materials.
Implementation Method 1
Heat exchangers are known. Heat exchangers typically take first fluid and a second fluid and convey those fluids through a structure to exchange heat between the first and second fluids.
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger is disclosed. The heat exchanger comprises a first set of first conduits for conveying a first fluid, first conduits having a triangular cross-section portion; and a second set of second conduits for conveying a second fluid, the second conduits having a triangular cross-section portion, wherein adjacent first conduits are interspaced by an intervening second conduit. In this way, the conduits may be located closely together with a space-efficient configuration which helps to improve the exchange of heat between the first and second fluids while also providing a compact arrangement which minimises the amount of material used to construct the heat exchanger.