Connection Methods for Non-Metallic, Flexible, Thin, Microchannel Heat Exchangers

Pourmohamadian, N.; Philpott, Michael L.; Shannon, Mark A.

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/12342 Copy

Description

Title

Connection Methods for Non-Metallic, Flexible, Thin, Microchannel Heat Exchangers

Author(s)

• Pourmohamadian, N.
• Philpott, Michael L.
• Shannon, Mark A.

Issue Date

2004-08

Keyword(s)

• multichannel heat exchangers
• heat exchangers

Abstract

Non-metallic, flexible, thin, microchannel heat exchangers made from heat-sealable polyimide films have recently been developed for refrigeration and air-conditioning applications. In order for these heat exchangers to function properly and independently, robust and reliable connectors are needed. The connectors must be easy to manufacture and assemble, hold high pressures without leaking, resist a pullout force, and have the ability to connect to standard tubing and piping and different heat exchangers together in series and parallel. Three uniquely different functional prototype connector designs have been developed, manufactured, and tested. The first includes a machined metal connector internally embedded within the heat exchanger that is capable of holding pressures up to 0.83 MPa and 65.5 N of pullout force before failure. The second connector design includes a two-piece polymer assembly containing an o-ring used to seal around the inlet and outlet holes of the heat exchanger. The design incorporates a 10-degree wedge that creates the sealing force when fully assembled with the heat exchanger and has been pressure tested to 1.83 MPa without leaking and 73.6 N of pullout force applied before failure. A variation of the design allows multiple heat exchangers to connect in series and in parallel. Finally, the third design contains no additional parts and connects two heat exchangers together by thermally bonding the inlet of one heat exchanger to the outlet of another. The thermally bonded connection was able to hold pressures greater than 2.07 MPa. Finally, fatigue testing of the heat exchangers is conducted using an Instron machine to develop a stress amplitude versus number of cycles to failure diagram for the zero pressure case.

Publisher

Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Center. College of Engineering. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Series/Report Name or Number

Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Center TR-231

Type of Resource

text

Language

en

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/12342

Sponsor(s)/Grant Number(s)

Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Project 144

Owning Collections