GB2411948A

GB2411948A - Heat exchanger

Info

Publication number: GB2411948A
Application number: GB0405264A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Somerville
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-03-09
Filing date: 2004-03-09
Publication date: 2005-09-14
Also published as: GB0405264D0

Abstract

A heat exchanger comprises a plurality of ducts defining segments 12a - 12d each being sub-divided into a plurality of interconnected chambers (13e - 13q, fig 1). The segments 12a - 12d communicate a first fluid from a common supply header 10 to a common return header 11 and a second fluid passes externally over the segments 12a - 12d and exchanges heat with the first fluid. The first fluid may communicate between the chambers by trickling through an orifice (16, fig 4 and 5) in an end rib (15) under gravity or by centrifugal force. Chambers (13e - 13q) maybe interconnected in a leak free method using gaskets (14), welding or glued and may be made from rubber, fibrous, metallic, glass or hard plastics materials. Return header 11 may be connected to a sump 17.

Description

2411 948

Specification, Description, Written Page 1

(a) Title The Trickle Flow Energy Exchange Device

(b) Technical Field

This invention is a heat exchange unit, its principle differs from other devices icy virtue that the fluid moves in the form of packets of fluid from one Chamber to another and this method of fluid movement is here in reverted to as Trickle Flow.

Depending on ambient temperature conditions either inside or outside the system heat may be either gained or dissipated.

The shapes of the basic chambers that make up the device are not constrained by factors that control systems that have their origins in the concept of full fluid flow movement. The pressure head of fluid is minimized by this system.

The Trickle flow energy exchange device may be optimised in shape, I structural design, surface Amish, and material content so that it may best utilise major components of the energy spectrum. The main members of this spectrum are radiated, conductive and convective energies.

(c) Background

The fluid flow in this system is continuous but is caused by spillage from chamber to chamber this is why this device is named The Trickle Flow Energy Exchange Device. The Orifice 16 illustrated in the Drawing example can be shaped to cause the spillage to occur in a particular fashion. This may be required to hold a greater volume of fluid within each of the chambers prior to spillage occurring.

There is no great restriction upon size of the device the Drawing example is an illustration of a prototype which has dimensions of two metres in width and up to 2 metres in height - main structural support from 10 is required but not shown in the illustration. The diameter of an average chamber unit 13 would be approximately 100 millirne:res. if each segment were a metre in length then it would take two segments to reach a height of two metros. Looking once more at the Drawing example figure 2 shows four segments giving a width of one metre then eight segments will give a width of two metres. The fluid used in the prototype was fresh tap water.

The shape of each Segment of the Device will depend on energy transfer Algorithms and uniquely to this system the aesthetically pleasing factor mall play a part in Segment design. Each Chamber can have a uniquely customised shape or outer emblem. Each segment is joined to the next in a leak free method. In the example the Connection is achieved via a set of connectingaskets 14.

Specification, Description, Written Page 2

(c) Background (continued)

The connection of componerits may be achieved via gasket arrangements and/or welded, glued or fibre resided together. indeed several segments may be constructed at the same time by the use of elastic/plastic formation and moulding technology. When all the Segments 12 are finally connected to the Suppler 10 and Retrieval I I Systems then the Sump 17 the Trickle Flow Energy Exchange Device is complete.

(d) Essential Technical Features The Fluid is fed from the supply system through each segment in order of arrangement, 12d then 12c then 12b and finally 12a. On entering each Segment the Fluid Trickle flows under gravity or centrifugal force through each Chamber. The end result is that the fluid will exit into the Retrieval system either at a higher, similar or lower temperature than at entry via the Supply

(e) Examples

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure I shows a component flow chart of a typical system arrangement.

Figure 2 illustrates the supply device l 0 positioned above four Segment Device sections 12 these in turn lead into a retrieval and storage device 1 1.

Figure 3 illustrates a connector 14 with a Chamber l Be of Segment 2a Figure 4 shows an end view of a typical Chamber unit which in this case corresponds to the top end of the Segment 12a illustrated in Figure 3. The presence of an end rib I 5 with a trickle flow orifice i6.

Figure 5 shows that Chamber units may be connected together by the use of close fitting gaskets 14. Alternative connections can be made via shaped close tolerance units and a suitable bonding material. The Gasket and bonding materials wilt depend on the material of which the Chamber units are formed. The connections will be made based upon whether or not the Chambers are to be permanent or removable units.

Specification, Description, Written Page 3

(e) Examples (continued) Referring to the drawing Chamber units can be made of various materials in venous configurations. The type of materials used should be elastic in nature examples of suitable Segment materials could be rubberized and or fibrous and or rnetailic. One method of construction and gives a fairly robust structural configuration consists of Chamber units 13 of a]uminium material constructed together with joints of fibre reinforced resin embedded gaskets 14. Such a system provides a light weight structure with high strength performance. An alternative material where elastic behaviour is not an important factor could be Inelastic materials such as glass and hard plastics.

Claims

Specification, Claims Page

I The Trickle Flow Energy Exchange Device in its basic fomm consists of a Segment Device built from a number of Chambers, fluid moves through the device via spillage of fluid from one Chamber to the next. This method of fluid movement is here in known as Trickle Plow. An energy exchange can take place between the fluid within the device and the fluid outside the device. The surface of the device can change its temperature characteristic by radiated, conductive or convective currents. This in turn can cause a change iD temperature of the fluid within the device.
2 The Trickle Flow Energy Exchange Device as claimed in claim 1 can utilise a support supply device. This can increase the number of Segment Devices attached at any given time.
3 The Trickle Flow Energy Exchange Device as claimed in claim 1 can utilise a Collector and Retrieval device to receive Trickle Flow Fluid from more than one Segment Device.
4 The Trickle Flow Energy Exchange Device as claimed in claim I utilises gravity to propel fluid through the segment device chambers.
The Trickle Flow Energy Exchange Device as claimed in claim 1 can utilise centrifugal force to propel fluid through The Segment Device Chambers.
6 The Trickle Flow Energy Exchange Device as claimed in claim I is designed to work most effectively with partial fluid flow. The nature of segmental design means that chamber units can have specific design shapes.
7 The Trickle Flow Energy Exchange Device as claimed in claim 1 can be enclosed within a transparent, translucent membrane system not shown for increased efficiency in reduced temperature regimes
8 The Trickle Flow Energy Exchange Device as claimed in claim 1 can be enclosed within a structurally supportive arrangement when the system is enclosed by adverse external conditions of fluid or solid material pressures or adverse chemical environment.
9 The Trickle Flow energy Exchange Device as claimed in claim 1 can be placed into a rotating assembly where supply item I O forms the centre of rotation, items 12 then appear like the sails of a windmill connected to a movable item 11.