Method and system for evaluating fluid flow through a heat exchanger
US7428919B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 2, 2004 |
| Grant date | Sep 30, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 31, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01K2201/00
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A heat exchanger evaluation system (84) includes a refrigeration subsystem (126) and a platform (94) in communication with the subsystem (126) for attachment of a heat exchanger (32). The system, (84) further includes a thermal imaging camera (168) and a monitor (100). A method (180) entails routing a fluid (38) through the heat exchanger (32) via the refrigeration subsystem (126). The camera (168) detects the temperature variation across the heat exchanger (32) as the fluid (38) flows through the heat exchanger, and provides successive thermal images representing the temperature variation responsive to the flow of the fluid (38). The thermal images are utilized to determine an efficacy of the flow through the heat exchanger (32). In particular, a determination can be made as to whether the flow deviates from a pre-determined flow path (79) of the fluid (38) through the heat exchanger.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.