Patent Application
20200011619
A conventional heat exchanger comprises a generally straight tubular section having a generally smooth exterior surface with a secondary extended surface comprising generally of fin structures coupled to the exterior surface of the tubular section. The tubular section may be round or rectangular in shape. The conventional heat exchanger may comprise a singular tubular section or a plurality of tubular sections. The fin structures may be smooth, or may feature surface enhancements, such as louvers or dimples, for example. The conventional heat exchanger design, generally called compact heat exchangers, package as much surface area in a given space, without necessarily concerned with extracting as much performance out of a given surface area. Due to this design methodology, performance yield out of any given surface area is generally limited. However, the design compensates for low performance over a given surface area by packaging as much surface area in a given space. For example, wherein the primary surface area comprising a generally tubular structure transporting heat exchange medium within with the highest heat transfer performance may be limited, far more significant amount of secondary surface area may be obtained by attaching extended surfaces on the primary surface in the form of fins. This design significantly increases the amount of surface area available to facilitate heat transfer, in a magnitude of a few times over the primary surface area, such as 2 times or more, for example. In such an arrangement, the primary surface area generally performs at the highest rate of heat transfer efficiency, while the extended surface area performs at a diminished capacity. Therefore, when considered as a package, the heat exchanger of such a design mythology suffers from rather modest heat transfer performance, indicated by a low overall heat transfer coefficient, for example. Addition of fin structures may require the heat exchanger to be physically larger as a package or weigh more due to the addition of fin material. The parts count may significantly increase due to the addition of fin structures, complicating the manufacturing procedure, thus by extension, generally making the manufacturing process costly and complicated. Fin structures generally need to be fabricated out of an extremely thin material to function at an optimal performance level, making the structure prone to damage. Furthermore, applying significant amount of fin material to increase the heat transfer surface may in turn negatively impact flow of the heat transfer medium through such an arrangement, increasing the pressure drop of the heat exchange medium flow, further hampering the overall performance of the conventional heat exchanger.
A tube and chamber type heat exchanger with a medium directing insert takes a different approach to improving the heat transfer performance, by extracting as much performance out of any given surface area, while eliminating as much surface area of a heat exchanger that may not extract high level of heat transfer. Secondary surfaces in the form of fins are generally eliminated, while primary surface area extracting the highest level of heat transfer is maximized. Additionally, the heat transfer performance of a primary surface of the tube and chamber heat exchanger is enhanced by utilizing a heat exchange medium transporting technique that induces swirling and mixing effect to the heat transfer medium flowing within the heat exchanger by means of a medium directing insert, known in the art to enhance heat transfer efficiency, further enhancing the overall heat transfer performance of the heat exchanger. As a result, a heat exchanger of this kind performs at a very high efficiency level, indicated by a higher overall heat transfer coefficient throughout its available surface area, lending to a smaller heat exchanger package compared to a conventional heat exchanger design known in the art. A smaller heat exchanger package lends itself to further benefits, such as lighter weight, less material usage, and lower cost. Reduced parts count as a result lends itself to an easier manufacturing process. A typical tube and chamber heat exchanger is characterized by having a distinct tube section, a chamber section, and a medium directing insert disposed within the chamber section.
The present invention is an improved tube and chamber heat exchanger utilizing an enhanced medium directing insert design, especially suited for designs calling for a longitudinally extended chamber section. It may be a desirable feature to have the length of the chamber section extended, as the extended longitudinal length may afford greater amount of primary surface area for heat exchanging purposes without the need to couple additional chamber section to a heat exchanger, generally enhancing the heat transfer effectiveness of a heat exchanger without much cost increase. As the chamber section longitudinal length is stretched lengthwise, however, the means to evenly distribute the heat exchange medium flowing within the heat exchanger chamber section becomes increasingly difficult, which may result in an inefficient use of the primary surface for heat transfer purposes. A medium directing insert of an ordinary design may not effectively distribute the heat exchange medium flow within the chamber section, which may diminish the benefit awarded by obtaining increased primary surface area for heat transfer purposes. The present invention improves the heat exchange medium distributing means within the extended lengthwise chamber section by incorporating an enhanced medium directing insert design, having heat exchange medium distribution and throttling features, facilitating longitudinal, lateral, and vertical heat exchange medium flow coordination and adjustment means to the desired effect, providing means to fully utilize the increased primary surface area afforded by extending the chamber section, improving the overall heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger. The present invention accomplishes the improved heat transfer characteristics while minimizing the pressure drop effect to the heat exchange medium flow, effect of which may be detrimental to the heat exchanger performance, while providing the feature in a simple yet effective design, accomplishing the desired effect utilizing easily manufacturable components, without detrimentally affecting the overall manufacturing cost or manufacturing complexity.
Improvements made to the medium directing insert design lends itself to improved heat transfer characteristics within the chamber section, which in turn offers opportunity to develop smaller heat exchanger assemblies while maintaining the same performance specifications. Smaller assemblies offer opportunities to save costs on raw materials, which directly translates to lower assembly costs and other cost savings.
A heat exchanger illustratively comprises an inlet tube, a chamber section, an outlet tube, and a medium directing member assembly disposed within the chamber section. The inlet tube is coupled to the chamber section as means to introduce a heat exchange medium into the heat exchanger. The outlet tube is coupled to the chamber section as means to discharge the heat exchange medium out of the heat exchanger.
The medium directing member assembly comprises of an inlet channel member, a medium directing distribution panel, and an outlet channel member. The inlet channel member comprises an inlet bottom wall, an inlet first side wall, and an inlet second side wall. The respective components comprising the inlet channel member may be coupled together, forming a unitary unit. The respective components comprising the inlet channel member form a heat exchange medium flow channel, while generally having the top vertical section open to the chamber section interior, permitting flow of the heat exchange medium therethrough. The inlet channel member generally extends longitudinally within the chamber section, with a first free end of the inlet channel member coupled to a chamber section anterior wall, while a second free end of the inlet channel member generally coupled to the medium directing distribution panel. The inlet channel member is generally disposed within the chamber section, leaving a space between respective components comprising the inlet channel member and a chamber section lateral wall, permitting flow of the heat exchange medium therebetween.
The outlet channel member comprises an outlet top wall, an outlet first side wall, and an outlet second side wall. The outlet top wall, the outlet first side wall, and the outlet second side wall may be coupled together, forming a unitary unit. The bottom vertical side of the outlet channel member is generally open to the chamber section interior, permitting flow of the heat exchange medium therethrough. The outlet channel member generally extends longitudinally within the chamber section, with a first free end of the outlet channel member coupled to the medium directing distribution panel, while a second free end of the outlet channel member generally coupled to a chamber section posterior wall. The outlet channel member comprising of the outlet top wall, the outlet first side wall, and the outlet second side wall form a channel wherein the heat exchange medium flow therethrough. The outlet channel member is generally disposed within the chamber section, leaving a space between respective components comprising the outlet channel member and the chamber section lateral wall, permitting flow of the heat exchange medium therebetween.
The orientation of the outlet channel member is generally in an inverse relationship to the positional orientation of the inlet channel member. Whereas the inlet channel member generally has the top vertical section open to the interior of the chamber section, the outlet channel member generally has the bottom vertical section open to the interior of the chamber section.
Longitudinally disposed between the inlet channel member and the outlet channel member is the medium directing distribution panel. The medium directing distribution panel features an inlet face and an outlet face, a front facing generally planar feature and a rearward facing generally planar feature, respectively. The inlet face is coupled to the second free end of the inlet channel member, while facing towards the inlet tube. The inlet face features an angled face with respect to the longitudinal axial characteristics established by the inlet channel member. The outlet face is coupled to the first free end of the outlet channel member, while generally facing towards the outlet tube. The outlet face features an angled face with respect to the longitudinal axial characteristics established by the outlet channel member.
The medium directing distribution panel features on its first and second lateral sides, a first side face medium directing distribution panel and a second side face medium directing distribution panel, respectively. The first side face medium directing distribution panel and the second side face medium directing distribution panel are extended surface features generally conforming to the interior shape of the chamber section lateral wall, while positioned spaced apart from the interior surface of the chamber section lateral wall to permit flow of the heat exchange medium therebetween. The space created between the first side face medium directing distribution panel and the interior surface of the chamber section lateral wall form a left quadrant distribution panel passageway to permit flow of the heat exchange medium therethrough. The space created between the second side face medium directing distribution panel and the interior surface of the chamber section lateral wall form a right quadrant distribution panel passageway to permit flow of the heat exchange medium therethrough.
The medium directing distribution panel on its top vertical section and its bottom vertical section features a top face medium directing distribution panel and a bottom face medium directing distribution panel, respectively. The top face medium directing distribution panel and the bottom face medium directing distribution panel are extended surface features with the shape generally conforming to the interior shape of the chamber section lateral wall, while positioned spaced apart from the chamber section lateral wall to permit flow of the heat exchange medium therebetween. The space created between the top face medium directing distribution panel and the interior surface of the chamber section lateral wall form a top quadrant distribution panel passageway to permit flow of the heat exchange medium therethrough. The space created between the bottom face medium directing distribution panel and the interior surface of the chamber section lateral wall form a bottom quadrant distribution panel passageway to permit flow of the heat exchange medium therethrough.
As the heat exchange medium is introduced from the inlet tube to the chamber section interior, the heat exchange medium generally substantially flow within the chamber section, flowing within the flow channel established by the inlet channel member. The flow established within the inlet channel terminates as the heat exchange medium comes in to contact with the inlet face of the medium directing distribution panel, while the angled face of the inlet face generally causes a swirling and mixing effect to the heat exchange medium upon impact, which is known in the art to greatly enhance heat transfer efficiency. The inlet face of the medium directing distribution panel generally directs the heat exchange medium flow towards a top quadrant anterior portion of the chamber section, where the heat exchange medium flow is further diverted into generally three flow paths provided within the top quadrant anterior portion of the chamber section comprising a left quadrant inlet channel member passageway, a right quadrant inlet channel member passageway, and the top quadrant distribution panel passageway.
The left quadrant inlet channel member passageway is a heat exchange medium flow path provided in a space laterally framed between the chamber section lateral wall and the inlet first side wall, while being longitudinally framed between the chamber section anterior wall and the first side face medium directing distribution panel. The right quadrant inlet channel member passageway is a heat exchange medium flow path provided in a space laterally framed between the chamber section lateral wall and the inlet second side wall, while being longitudinally framed between the chamber section anterior wall and the second side face medium directing distribution panel. The top quadrant distribution panel passageway facilitates a rearward flow of the heat exchange medium from the top quadrant anterior portion of the chamber section.
The means to adjust the distribution of the heat exchange medium into respective three flow paths are achieved by reducing or enlarging the respective passageway openings. The left quadrant inlet channel member passageway and the outlet quadrant inlet channel member passageway may be generally set at similar geometric openings to achieve equal distribution of the heat exchange medium flow. However, in other embodiments of the present invention, one side can be enlarged or reduced to allow more flow or reduced flow, respectively.
The flow of the heat exchange medium into the left quadrant inlet channel member passageway and the right quadrant inlet channel member passageway represent the flow of the heat exchange medium within the anterior portion of the chamber section, from the top quadrant anterior chamber section to the bottom quadrant anterior chamber section. The flow of the heat exchange medium into the left quadrant inlet channel member passageway and the right quadrant inlet channel member passageway are two divergent lateral flow patterns, generally symmetrical to one another, flowing away from one another in a semi-circular manner within their respective passageways.
When the two semi-circular flows complete their flow through their respective flow space in the left quadrant and the right quadrant of the chamber anterior section, respective heat exchange medium flows are generally directed to flow into one another at the bottom quadrant anterior portion of the chamber section in a bottom quadrant inlet channel member passageway, causing further mixing and swirling effect to the heat exchange medium, generally known to improve the heat transfer effectiveness of the heat exchange medium. The two semi-circular flows are generally merged into one singular flow once in the bottom quadrant inlet channel member passageway.
The heat exchange medium flowing through the top quadrant distribution panel passageway generally collects in a top quadrant posterior portion of the chamber section in a top quadrant outlet channel member passageway, as any further forward progress is impeded by the chamber section posterior wall. The heat exchange medium collected in the top quadrant outlet channel member passageway is further directed to flow through two heat exchange medium flow spaces, into a left quadrant outlet channel member passageway and a right quadrant outlet channel member passageway. The left quadrant outlet channel member passageway is laterally framed between the outlet first side wall and the proximate chamber section lateral wall to the outlet channel member, while longitudinally framed between the first side face medium directing distribution panel and the chamber section posterior wall. The right quadrant outlet channel member passageway is laterally framed between the outlet second side wall and the proximate chamber section lateral wall to the outlet channel member, while being longitudinally framed between the second side face medium directing distribution panel and the chamber section posterior wall. The heat exchange medium flow through the left quadrant outlet channel member passageway and the right quadrant outlet channel member passageway are two divergent lateral flow patterns, generally symmetrical to one another, flowing in a semi-circular manner within the posterior portion of the chamber section. The two semi-circular flow paths generally flow away from one another, while generally vertically axially aligned to one another, flowing within the respective spaces provided between the outlet channel member and the proximate chamber sectional lateral wall. Again, the heat exchange medium flow divergent from its initial established directional flow characteristics is known in the art to enhance heat transfer characteristics of the heat exchanger.
Once the two semi-circular heat exchange medium flows complete their flow through their respective flow space in the left quadrant and the right quadrant of the chamber posterior section, the respective heat exchange medium flows are generally directed to flow into one another at the bottom quadrant posterior portion of the chamber section, causing further mixing and swirling effect to the heat exchange medium, generally known to improve the heat transfer effectiveness of the heat exchange medium. Once the two semi-circular heat exchange medium flows meet at the bottom quadrant posterior portion of the chamber section, the two semi-circular heat exchange medium flows are merged into generally one singular flow. The merged heat exchange medium flow is further generally directed to flow into the outlet channel member passageway.
The heat exchange medium flow diverted into three distinct flow paths in the top quadrant anterior portion of the chamber section fully merge into singular flow once again in the bottom quadrant posterior portion of the chamber section in the outlet channel member passageway, prior to discharge out of the chamber section. The flow of the combined heat exchange medium generally conform to the longitudinal axial characteristics of the outlet channel member, once the heat exchange medium is directed in to the outlet channel member passageway.
Provided with the medium directing member assembly are means to coordinate and regulate flow of the heat exchange medium to fully and effectively utilize the surface area for heat transfer purposes provided by the chamber section, especially suited for chamber section having an extended longitudinal length for added heat transfer surface. The medium directing distribution panel provides for means to have multi-directional fluid passageways in the form of the top quadrant distribution panel passageway, the bottom quadrant distribution panel passageway, the left quadrant distribution panel passageway, and the right quadrant distribution panel passageway, along with fluid throttling means provided by the two vertical and two lateral surfaces of the medium directing distribution panel, allowing for infinite adjustment of the heat exchange medium flow within the chamber section, in an easy, cost effective manner. The medium directing distribution panel easily allows for means to adjust the flow direction of the heat exchange medium within the chamber section, while also maintaining ease of manufacturability. Regardless of the type of heat exchange medium utilized, whether it be gas, liquid, or a combination of two or more types of mediums, the present invention allows for means to effectively direct the flow of the heat exchange medium within the chamber section to fully utilize heat transfer surface provided by the chamber section, enhancing the overall performance of the heat exchanger.
The heat exchanger may comprise the inlet tube, the chamber section, the outlet tube, and the medium directing member assembly disposed within the chamber section. In other embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of heat exchangers as described herein may be coupled together in a serial or a parallel fashion to form a larger heat exchanger assembly. As such, the flow pattern described herein may be repeated several times dependent upon the number of inlet tubes, chamber sections, outlet tubes, and medium directing member assemblies packaged within an embodiment of a heat exchanger assembly.
The tube and chamber section flow path surfaces as well as the medium directing member assembly may feature surface enhancements, such as, but not limited to, dimples, fins, louvers, known in the art to enhance heat transfer effectiveness in a heat exchanger application.
The heat exchanger may comprise of ferrous or non-ferrous material. The material may be an alloy, plastics, composites, or other material suitable for use as a heat exchanger known in the art. In other embodiments of the present invention, more than one type of material may be utilized in composition of the heat exchanger, such as by combining aluminum alloy components with components comprising of composites, for example.
The tube and chamber sections as well as the medium directing member assembly of the heat exchanger may be manufactured by stamping, cold forging, machining, casting, 3-D printing, or by other manufacturing methods known in the art. The tube and chamber sections of the heat exchanger may be manufactured from one piece of material or may be manufactured as separate pieces. The medium directing member assembly of the heat exchanger may be manufactured from one piece of material or may comprise as an assembly of two or more components. The heat exchanger may be coupled together by means of brazing, soldering, welding, mechanical means, or adhesive means known in the art.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood after reading the subsequent description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Referring to the drawings, and in particular
The heat exchanger 100 generally utilizes two heat exchange mediums. A first heat exchange medium flow within the heat exchanger 100. A second heat exchange medium flow outside of the heat exchanger 100. The heat exchange medium utilized within the heat exchanger 100 may be of the same variant as the heat exchange medium utilized outside of the heat exchanger 100. Alternatively, the heat exchange medium utilized within the heat exchanger 100 may be of a different variant than the heat exchange medium utilized outside of the heat exchanger 100. The objective of the heat exchanger 100 is generally to transfer heat from the first heat exchange medium contained within the heat exchanger 100 to the second heat exchange medium flowing outside of the heat exchanger 100, or vice versa. The heat exchange medium may by gas or liquid. The heat exchange medium may comprise of one or a plurality of substances. In some embodiments of the present invention, solids may be mixed with gaseous or liquid compounds, such as in refrigerant medium with silica solids, for example.
Referring now to
Now referring to
The inlet channel member 115 comprising the inlet bottom wall 195, the inlet first side wall 185, and the inlet second side wall 190 form an inlet channel member passageway 285, a flow channel wherein the heat exchange medium flow therethrough. As can be observed in
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The first side face medium directing distribution panel 215 and the second side face medium directing distribution panel 220 may be positioned spaced apart from the interior surface of the chamber section lateral wall 245, permitting flow of the heat exchange medium therebetween. The flow space provided between the first side face medium directing distribution panel 215 and the interior surface of the chamber section lateral wall 245 provides a left quadrant distribution panel passageway 260, permitting flow of the heat exchange medium therethrough. The flow space provided between the second side face medium directing distribution panel 220 and the interior surface of the chamber section lateral wall 245 provides a right quadrant distribution panel passageway 265, permitting flow of the heat exchange medium therethrough. The shape of the first side face medium directing distribution panel 215 and the second side face medium directing distribution panel 220 may be generally similar in shape. Furthermore, the flow space created between the first side face medium directing distribution panel 215 and the interior surface of the chamber section lateral wall 245 may be generally similar in size to the flow space provided between the second side face medium directing distribution panel 220 and the interior surface of the chamber section lateral wall 245, to permit equal distribution of heat exchange medium flow between respective spaces. In other embodiments of the present invention, however, the two flow spaces may have dissimilar amount of space created between respective components to obtain a desired effect to the flow characteristics of the heat exchange medium within the chamber section 115. Furthermore, the two spaces may have dissimilar shape or configuration to obtain a desired effect to the flow characteristics of the heat exchange medium through respective spaces. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the first side face medium directing distribution panel 215 and the second side face medium directing distribution panel 220 may feature generally planar surface. Furthermore, in yet another embodiment of the present invention, the first side face medium directing distribution panel 215 and the second side face medium directing distribution panel 220 may have surface features, such as but not limited to, serrated surface or protrusions, for example.
Reference is now made to
The plane generally established by the outward facing surface of the top face medium directing distribution panel 225 generally extends above the leading vertical edge of the inlet first side wall 185 as well as the leading vertical edge of the inlet second side wall 190. The plane generally established by the outward facing surface of the bottom face medium directing distribution panel 230 generally extends above the plane generally established by the outward surface of the inlet bottom wall 195, surface of which faces towards the interior surface of the chamber section lateral wall 245. In other embodiments of the present invention, the plane generally established by the outward facing surface of the top face medium directing distribution panel 225 may be generally on the same plane as the leading vertical edge of the inlet first side wall 185. In yet other embodiments of the present invention, the plane generally established by the outward facing surface of the top face medium directing distribution panel 225 may be generally on the same plane as the leading vertical edge of the inlet second side wall 190. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the plane generally established by the outward facing surface of the bottom face medium directing distribution panel 230 may be generally on the same plane as the plane generally established by the outward surface of the inlet bottom wall 195.
The top face medium directing distribution panel 225 and the bottom face medium directing distribution panel 230 may be positioned spaced apart from the interior surface of the chamber section lateral wall 245, permitting flow of the heat exchange medium therebetween. The space provided between the top face medium directing distribution panel 225 and the interior surface of the chamber section lateral wall 245 forms a top quadrant distribution panel passageway 250, a flow path permitting flow of the heat exchange medium therethrough. The space provided between the bottom face medium directing distribution panel 230 and the interior surface of the chamber section lateral wall 245 forms a bottom quadrant distribution panel passageway 255, a flow path permitting flow of the heat exchange medium therethrough. In an embodiment of the present invention, the shape of the top face medium directing distribution panel 225 and the bottom face medium directing distribution panel 230 may be generally similar in shape. Furthermore, the flow space created between the top face medium directing distribution panel 225 and the interior surface of the chamber section lateral wall 245 may be generally similar in size to the flow space provided between the bottom face medium directing distribution panel 230 and the interior surface of the chamber section lateral wall 245, to permit equal distribution of heat exchange medium flow between the two respective spaces. However, in other embodiments of the present invention, the shape as well as space created between respective components may be dissimilar. In yet another embodiment of the present invention the top face medium directing distribution panel 225 and the bottom face medium directing distribution panel 230 may feature generally planar surface. Furthermore, in yet another embodiment of the present invention, the top face medium directing distribution panel 225 and the bottom face medium directing distribution panel 230 may have surface features, such as but not limited to, serrated surface or protrusions, for example.
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Once the two semi-circular flows complete their flow through their respective flow space in the left quadrant and the right quadrant posterior section of the chamber section 115, the two separate heat exchange medium flows are generally directed to collide into one another at the bottom quadrant posterior portion of the chamber section 115, generally just below the outlet channel member passageway 305 merging into generally a singular flow. The merging of the two separate heat exchange medium flows into a singular flow causes further mixing and swirling effect to the heat exchange medium as the two flows are combined. The merged heat exchange medium flow is then generally further directed to flow into the outlet channel member passageway 305 of the outlet channel member 150, flowing longitudinally within the outlet channel member passageway 305, following the longitudinal axial characteristics of the outlet channel member 150.
Referring to
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The distribution of the heat exchange medium within the chamber section 115, along the longitudinal axis, either to the anterior portion of the chamber section 115 towards the chamber section anterior wall 235 or to the posterior portion of the chamber section 115, towards the chamber section posterior wall 240, may be achieved by altering the thickness of the first free end or the second free end of the first lateral wall 175, with concurrent alteration made to the thickness of the first free end or the second free end of the second lateral wall 180. Keeping all dimensions constant within the chamber section 115, with an exception of the thickness of the first free end of the first lateral wall 175 and the first free end of the second lateral wall 180, the flow of the heat exchange medium towards the anterior portion of the chamber section 115 interior may be increased or decreased. When the thickness of the first free end of the first lateral wall 175 and the first free end of the second lateral wall 180 are simultaneously increased, the flow of heat exchange medium may be decreased towards the anterior portion of the chamber section 115 by reducing the spatial separation between the first lateral wall 175 and the chamber section lateral wall 245, as well as the spatial separation between the second lateral wall 180 and the chamber section lateral wall 245. Alternatively, to achieve greater flow of the heat exchange medium towards the anterior portion of the chamber section 115 interior, the thickness of the first free end of the first lateral wall 175 and the first free end of the second lateral wall 180 may be decreased, thereby increasing the spatial separation between the first lateral wall 175 and the chamber section lateral wall 245, as well as the spatial separation between the second lateral wall 180 and the chamber section lateral wall 245, allowing for more flow of the heat exchange medium towards the anterior portion of the chamber section 115 interior. Similar effect to the heat exchange medium flow may be achieved by altering the thickness of the respective second free end of the first lateral wall 175 and the second lateral wall 180. The thickness of the first lateral wall 175 and the second lateral wall 180 may be partly increased or decreased, wherein a portion of the respective walls may be altered by means of forming an indentation or a protrusion on the plane established by the respective lateral walls facing towards the chamber section lateral wall 245. Similarly, the thickness of the first lateral wall 175 and the second lateral wall 180 may be altered by having a taper on the surface of the respective lateral walls facing towards the chamber section lateral wall 245, wherein the first free longitudinal end of the respective walls may be thicker or thinner than the second free longitudinal end of the respective walls, or vice versa.
Now, references are made to
Reference is now made to
The flow of the heat exchange medium into the left quadrant inlet channel member passageway 270 and the right quadrant inlet channel member passageway 275 represent the flow of the heat exchange medium within the anterior portion of the chamber section 115, from the top quadrant anterior portion of the chamber section 115 to the bottom quadrant anterior portion of the chamber section 115. The flow through the top quadrant distribution panel passageway 250 represents the heat exchange medium flow towards the posterior portion of the chamber section 115 from the top quadrant anterior portion of the chamber section 115. Distribution of the heat exchange medium flow between the anterior portion of the chamber section 115 and the posterior portion of the chamber section 115 may be varied by adjusting the combined passageway size of the left quadrant inlet channel member passageway 270 and the right quadrant inlet channel member passageway 275, along with the passageway opening provided in the top quadrant distribution panel passageway 250. When the space provided in the top quadrant distribution panel passageway 250 is increased, flow of the heat exchange medium to the left quadrant inlet channel member passageway 270 and the right quadrant inlet channel member passageway 275 may be decreased. The reverse effect may be achieved by decreasing the opening space provided in the top quadrant distribution panel passageway 250, allowing for more flow of the heat exchange medium into the left quadrant inlet channel member passageway 270 and the right quadrant inlet channel member passageway 275.
The heat exchange medium flowing through the left quadrant inlet channel member passageway 270 and the right quadrant inlet channel member passageway 275 generally collect at the bottom quadrant inlet channel member passageway 280, once flowing through their respective passageways. In an embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchange medium flow through the left quadrant inlet channel member passageway 270 and the right quadrant inlet channel member passageway 275 may be caused to follow a more vertical downward flow from the top quadrant anterior section of the chamber section 115 to the bottom quadrant inlet channel member passageway 280, when the opening in the left quadrant distribution panel passageway 260 and the right quadrant distribution panel passageway 265 are restricted. In such an arrangement, the two semi-circular flow of the heat exchange medium respectively in the left quadrant inlet channel member passageway 270 and the right quadrant inlet channel member passageway 275 may be directed to flow into one another at the bottom quadrant inlet channel member passageway 280 with more impact, causing extensive mixing and agitating effect to the heat exchange medium, known in the art to enhance the heat transfer effectiveness by reducing the formation of boundary layers to the heat exchange medium.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the flow of the heat exchange medium from the top quadrant anterior portion of the chamber section 115 may be directed to partially flow in a longitudinally downward diagonal flow from the top quadrant anterior portion of the chamber section 115 towards the bottom posterior portion of the chamber section 115, by enlarging the spatial openings provided in the left quadrant distribution panel passageway 260 and the right quadrant distribution panel passageway 265, while restricting the opening of the bottom quadrant distribution panel passageway 255. In such an embodiment of the present invention, the two semi-circular flow of the heat exchange medium flow in the left quadrant inlet channel member passageway 270 and the right quadrant inlet channel member passageway 275 partially merge with the two semi-circular flow of heat exchange medium flowing through the left quadrant outlet channel member passageway 290 and the right quadrant outlet channel member passageway 295, prior to fully merging into a singular flow at the bottom quadrant posterior portion of the chamber section 115, generally in the outlet channel member passageway 305. In such an embodiment of the present invention, the mixing and agitating effect to the heat exchange medium may be maintained, thereby having superior heat transfer efficiency, while reducing pressure drop effect to the heat exchange medium flow by providing an overall greater spatial heat exchange medium flow passageway within the chamber section 115.
Referring now to
The medium directing distribution panel 155 allows for more flow of the heat exchange medium from the anterior portion of the chamber section 115 to the top posterior portion of the chamber section 115, generally in the top quadrant outlet channel member passageway 300, by adjusting the opening of the top quadrant distribution panel passageway 250. Flow of the heat exchange medium through the top quadrant distribution panel passageway 250 may be increased by enlarging the spatial separation between the top face medium directing distribution panel 225 and the interior surface of the chamber section lateral wall 245, permitting increased flow of the heat exchange medium therebetween. The opposite effect to the heat exchange medium flow may be achieved by decreasing the spatial separation between the top face medium directing distribution panel 225 and the interior surface of the chamber section lateral wall 245, thereby decreasing the flow of the heat exchange medium therebetween (See
The medium directing distribution panel 155, similarly have means to easily adjust the flow of the heat exchange medium from the anterior bottom section of the chamber section 115, generally in the bottom quadrant inlet channel member passageway 280, to the bottom quadrant posterior portion of the chamber section 115 by adjusting the opening of the bottom quadrant distribution panel passageway 255. Flow of the heat exchange medium through the bottom quadrant distribution panel passageway 255 may be increased by enlarging the spatial separation between the bottom quadrant distribution panel passageway 255 and the interior surface of the chamber section lateral wall 245, permitting increased flow of the heat exchange medium therebetween. The opposite effect to the heat exchange medium flow may be achieved by decreasing the spatial separation between the bottom quadrant distribution panel passageway 255 and the interior surface of the chamber section lateral wall 245.
The medium directing distribution panel 155 further provides for means to adjust the flow of the heat exchange medium through the top quadrant distribution panel passageway 250 and the bottom quadrant distribution panel passageway 255, by having the ability to alter the flow distribution by means of adjusting the openings of the left quadrant distribution panel passageway 260 and the right quadrant distribution panel passageway 265. The left quadrant distribution panel passageway 260 is provided between the first side face medium directing distribution panel 215 and the interior surface of the chamber section lateral wall 245. The flow through the left quadrant distribution panel passageway 260 may be increased by enlarging the spatial separation between the first side face medium directing distribution panel 215 and the interior surface of the chamber section lateral wall 245. The opposite effect may be achieved by decreasing the spatial separation between the first side face medium directing distribution panel 215 and the interior surface of the chamber section lateral wall 245 (See
The right quadrant distribution panel passageway 265 is provided between the second side face medium directing distribution panel 220 and the interior surface of the chamber section lateral wall 245. The flow through the right quadrant distribution panel passageway 265 may be increased by enlarging the spatial separation between the second side face medium distribution panel 220 and the interior surface of the chamber section lateral wall 245. The opposite effect may be achieved by decreasing the spatial separation between the second side face medium distribution panel 220 and the interior surface of the chamber section lateral wall 245 (See
The medium directing distribution panel 155 by means of adjusting the shape and configuration of the first side face medium directing distribution panel 215, the second side face medium directing distribution panel 220, the top face medium directing distribution panel 225, and the bottom face medium directing distribution panel 230, permit infinite adjustment of the spatial separation between the respective surfaces and the interior surface of the chamber section lateral wall 245, thereby allowing for precise adjustment of the heat exchange medium flow characteristics within the chamber section 115, in an easy, cost effective manner (see
Referring now to
In an embodiment of the present invention, the surface of the second side face medium directing distribution panel 220 facing towards the internal surface of the chamber section lateral wall 245 may have a convex face. The arc of the convex face of the second side face medium directing distribution panel 220 generally face internal circumference of the chamber section lateral wall 245 equal to arc length of 90 degrees shown as 3A in
In an embodiment of the present invention, the surface of the top face medium directing distribution panel 225 facing towards the internal surface of the chamber section lateral wall 245 may have a convex face. The arc of the convex face of the top face medium directing distribution panel 225 generally face internal circumference of the chamber section lateral wall 245 equal to arc length of 90 degrees shown as 1A in
In an embodiment of the present invention, the outer surface of the bottom face medium directing distribution panel 230 facing towards the internal surface of the chamber section lateral wall 245 may have a convex face. The arc of the convex face of the bottom face medium directing distribution panel 230 generally face internal circumference of the chamber section lateral wall 245 equal to arc length of 90 degrees, shown as 4A in
The combined outward facing surface of the medium directing distribution panel 155 towards the interior surface of the chamber section lateral wall 245 comprising the first side face medium directing distribution panel 215, the second side face medium directing distribution panel 220, the top face medium directing distribution panel 225, and the bottom face medium directing distribution panel 230 may face the full circumference of the internal surface of the chamber section lateral wall 245. In other embodiments of the present invention, the combined outward facing surface of the medium directing distribution panel 155 comprising the first side face medium directing distribution panel 215, the second side face medium directing distribution panel 220, the top face medium directing distribution panel 225, and the bottom face medium directing distribution panel 230 may not face the full circumference of the internal surface of the chamber section lateral wall 245. Longitudinal surface length of the first side face medium directing distribution panel 215, the second side face medium directing distribution panel 220, the top face medium directing distribution panel 225, and the bottom face medium directing distribution panel 230 may be similar in length. In other embodiment of the present invention, the longitudinal length of one or more panels may be longer or shorter than the other panels.
The heat exchanger 100 may comprise the inlet tube 110, the chamber section 115, the outlet tube 120, and the medium directing member assembly 145 disposed within the chamber section 115. In other embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of heat exchangers 100 as described herein may be coupled together in a serial or a parallel fashion to form a larger heat exchanger assembly. As such, the heat exchange medium flow pattern described herein may be repeated several times dependent upon the number of the inlet tubes 110, the chamber sections 115, the outlet tubes 120, and the medium directing member assemblies 145 packaged within an embodiment of a heat exchanger assembly.
The heat exchange medium flow paths established by the inlet tube 110, the outlet tube 120, and the chamber section 115, as well as the surface features of the medium directing member assembly 145 may feature surface enhancements, such as, but not limited to, dimples, fins, louvers, that is known in the art to enhance heat transfer effectiveness in a heat exchanger application.
The heat exchanger 100 may comprise of ferrous or non-ferrous material. The material may be an alloy, plastics, composites, or other material suitable for use as a heat exchanger known in the art. In other embodiments of the present invention, more than one type of material may be combined to construct the heat exchanger 100, such as with use of an aluminum alloy along with composite material, for example.
The inlet tube 110, the outlet tube 120, and the chamber section 115 as well as the medium directing member assembly 145 may be manufactured by stamping, cold forging, machining, casting, 3-D printing, or by other manufacturing methods known in the art. The inlet tube 110, the outlet tube 120, and the chamber section 115 of the heat exchanger 100 may be manufactured as one piece or may be manufactured as separate pieces. The medium directing member assembly 145 may be manufactured as one piece or may comprise as an assembly of two or more components. The heat exchanger 100 may be coupled together by means of brazing, soldering, welding, mechanical means, or adhesive means known in the art.
The heat exchanger 100 may be utilized as a cooler, a condenser, an evaporator, a radiator, or any other application requiring heat to be transferred from one heat exchange medium to another heat exchange medium. The heat exchange medium may be air, liquid, or gas, known in the art. The heat exchange medium flowing within the heat exchanger 100 may be the same as the heat exchange medium flowing outside of the heat exchanger 100. In another embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchange medium flowing within the heat exchanger 100 may be different from the heat exchange medium flowing outside of the heat exchanger 100. In an embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchange medium may be a compound, combining more than one type of heat exchange medium known in the art. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchange medium may by combined with more than one type of material, such as with air and silica solids to obtain additional desired features, for example.
Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.
