Heat exchanger with variable heat transfer properties

Abstract

A heat exchanger is designed with variable heat transfer properties. The apparatus may include provisions for altering or varying the heat exchange characteristics of a heat exchanger by using one or more movable members that are connected to the inner surface of a heat exchange conduit to impede flow. The movable members may be positioned in a number of desired positions depending on the heat transfer rate needed.

1 . A heat exchanger comprising:
 a conduit defining an interior surface and an exterior surface;   said interior surface configured to contain a first fluid;   said exterior surface adapted to be in contact with a second fluid;   a movable member attached to said interior surface of said conduit for acting on the first fluid; and   a control system operably coupled to said movable member and altering a heat transfer characteristic of said heat exchanger by moving said movable member.   
   
   
       2 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein said control system comprises:
 an electronic control unit exterior to said conduit to determine a desired heat transfer rate and to move said movable member.   
   
   
       3 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 2 , wherein said control system further comprises:
 an electromagnet exterior to said conduit and adjacent to said movable member;   said electronic control unit operably connected to said electromagnet; and   said electromagnet responding to the desired heat transfer rate and in magnetic communication with said movable member through said conduit to move said movable member.   
   
   
       4 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 3 , wherein said movable member comprises:
 a permanent magnet moving in response to a magnetic field created by said electromagnet.   
   
   
       5 . A heat exchanger comprising:
 a conduit defining an interior surface and an exterior surface;   said interior surface configured to contain a first fluid;   said exterior surface adapted to be in contact with a second fluid;   multiple movable members attached to said interior surface of said conduit for acting on the first fluid; and   an electromagnetic control system operably coupled to said movable members and altering a desired heat transfer rate between said interior surface of said conduit and said exterior surface of said conduit by moving said multiple movable members.   
   
   
       6 . The heat exchanger of  claim 5 , comprising:
 said multiple movable members organized into multiple units;   each of said multiple units comprised of at least one movable member.   
   
   
       7 . The heat exchanger of  claim 6 , wherein said electromagnetic control unit independently moves said each of said multiple units to achieve the desired heat transfer rate between said interior of said conduit and said exterior of said conduit. 
   
   
       8 . A heat exchanger comprising:
 a conduit defining an interior surface and an exterior surface;   said interior surface configured to contain a first fluid;   said exterior surface adapted to be in contact with a second fluid;   a stationary member connected to said interior surface of said conduit and angled in a downstream direction to impede flow of the first fluid through said conduit.   a movable member attached to said interior surface of said conduit for acting on the first fluid; and   an electromagnetic control system operably coupled to said movable member and controlling a flow characteristic of the first fluid.   
   
   
       9 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 8 , wherein said movable member is movable from a retracted position, in which said movable member is proximal to said interior surface of said conduit, to a distal position, in which a portion of said movable member is distal from said interior surface of said conduit. 
   
   
       10 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 9 , wherein said movable member is movable to a desired position between the retracted position and the distal position. 
   
   
       11 . A heat exchange system comprising:
 a heat exchanger;   a device that heats fluid as a byproduct of use;   a first conduit fluidly connecting an outlet of said device to an inlet of said heat exchanger;   a second conduit fluidly connecting an outlet of said heat exchanger to an inlet of said device; and   wherein said heat exchanger comprises:
 a third conduit defining an interior surface and an exterior surface; 
 said interior surface configured to contain a first fluid; 
 said exterior surface adapted to be in contact with a second fluid; 
 a movable member attached to said interior surface of said third conduit for acting on the first fluid; and 
 a control system operably coupled to said movable member and altering a heat transfer characteristic of said heat exchanger by moving said movable member. 
   
   
   
       12 . The heat exchange system according to  claim 11 , wherein said control system comprises:
 a sensor in communication with said device to detect a thermodynamic property of one of said first fluid or said device.   
   
   
       13 . The heat exchange system according to  claim 12 , wherein said control system further comprises:
 an electronic control unit exterior to said conduit; and   said electronic control unit in communication with said sensor and responding to said thermodynamic property by determining a desired heat transfer rate.   
   
   
       14 . The heat exchange system according to  claim 13 , wherein said control system further comprises:
 an electromagnet exterior to said conduit and adjacent to said movable member;   said electronic control unit operably connected to said electromagnet to move said movable member; and   said electromagnet responding to the desired heat transfer rate and in magnetic communication with said movable member through said conduit to move said movable member.   
   
   
       15 . The heat exchange system according to  claim 14 , wherein said movable member comprises:
 a permanent magnet moving in response to a magnetic field created by said electromagnet.   
   
   
       16 . The heat exchange system according to  claim 15 , wherein said thermodynamic property is temperature. 
   
   
       17 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one stationary member connected to said interior surface of said conduit. 
   
   
       18 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 17 , wherein said at least one stationary member is angled in a downstream direction to impede flow of the first fluid through said conduit. 
   
   
       19 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein said movable member is attached to said interior surface of said conduit through a hinge. 
   
   
       20 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , further comprising a stop to limit movement of said movable member. 
   
   
       21 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 9 , wherein said movable member is located within a recess within said conduit when said movable member is in the retracted position. 
   
   
       22 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 10 , wherein said movable member is connected to an interior surface of said recess and moves from the retracted position to a desired position.