Plate group, plate heat exchanger and liquid cooling system

Abstract

This application relates to a plate assembly, a plate heat exchanger, and a liquid cooling system. The plate assembly is used in a plate heat exchanger and includes stacked first and second plates. The first and second plates are respectively provided with multiple first corrugated units and multiple second corrugated units extending along a first direction. The multiple first corrugated units and multiple second corrugated units are alternately arranged along a second direction intersecting the first direction. When the first and second plates are stacked relative to each other, a low-resistance channel region is formed between the first corrugated units on both plates, allowing fluid to flow along the first direction. The second corrugated units on both plates are welded together to form a turbulence channel region, allowing fluid to flow around the weld point along the first direction. The low-resistance channel region and the turbulence channel region are alternately arranged in the second direction, causing periodic pressure fluctuations in the second direction while the fluid flowing between the two plates flows along the first direction as a whole.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of liquid cooling heat exchange technology, and in particular to a plate assembly, a plate heat exchanger and a liquid cooling system. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, with the rapid development of big data, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence technologies, data centers have also experienced explosive growth. Driven by the urgent need for energy conservation and high-density power consumption heat dissipation in data centers, new thermal management technologies such as liquid cooling have emerged rapidly. The Cooling Distribution Unit (CDU) is the core equipment of cold-plate liquid cooling technology. A typical liquid-cooled CDU mainly consists of a heat exchanger, circulating pump, sensors, liquid piping, and related valves, among which the heat exchanger is the key component for achieving efficient thermal management of the CDU.

[0003] Currently, the heat exchangers used in CDUs are mainly stainless steel brazed plate heat exchangers, a type of indirect heat exchanger. The plate heat exchanger consists of a series of corrugated thin metal plates stacked in parallel. Hot and cold fluids do not directly contact each other, flowing separately in adjacent channels and exchanging heat through the plates. In existing plate heat exchanger structures, the plate surfaces are typically decorated with herringbone or diagonal corrugations. When adjacent plates are stacked, numerous contact points are formed between the opposing corrugations. To ensure the pressure-bearing capacity and sealing reliability of the plates, existing technologies typically employ brazing or diffusion welding to weld all the contacting corrugation intersections. While this structure achieves high structural strength, the fluid must repeatedly bypass the weld points as it flows through the channels between the plates, resulting in a tortuous flow path and significant flow resistance.

[0004] To reduce flow resistance, some manufacturers have adopted a weld-free region design in the central area of ​​heat exchangers. However, while this design reduces flow resistance in this weld-free region, it also affects the temperature uniformity of that region. Furthermore, this design causes significant differences in the flow patterns of the fluid in different areas of the heat exchanger, further impacting the overall temperature uniformity of the heat exchanger.

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to propose a new technical solution to overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Based on this, this application provides a plate assembly, a plate heat exchanger, and a liquid cooling system, which can reduce flow resistance and improve temperature uniformity while ensuring the structural strength of the plate assembly.

[0007] Therefore, this application adopts the following technical solution: a plate assembly for use in a plate heat exchanger, the plate assembly including a stacked first plate and a second plate, the first plate and the second plate respectively being provided with a plurality of first corrugated units and a plurality of second corrugated units extending along a first direction, the plurality of first corrugated units and the plurality of second corrugated units being alternately arranged along a second direction intersecting the first direction;

[0008] When the first plate and the second plate are stacked opposite each other, the first corrugated units on both plates are vertically opposite each other and have a gap to form a low flow resistance channel area for fluid to flow along the first direction; the second corrugated units on both plates cross each other to form a welding point to weld the two plates together and form a turbulence channel area for fluid to flow around the welding point along the first direction.

[0009] The low flow resistance channel region and the turbulence channel region are arranged alternately in the second direction, so that the fluid flowing between the two plates flows along the first direction as a whole, while generating periodic pressure fluctuations in the second direction.

[0010] In some embodiments, the width of the first corrugated unit in the second direction is greater than the width of the second corrugated unit in the second direction.

[0011] In some embodiments, each of the first corrugated units includes alternating first convex ribs and first concave ribs arranged in the first direction to form corrugated ribs, wherein the extending directions of the first convex ribs and first concave ribs are perpendicular to the first direction.

[0012] In some embodiments, each of the second corrugated units includes second convex ribs and second concave ribs arranged alternately in the first direction to form corrugated ribs, wherein the extending directions of the second convex ribs and second concave ribs have an angle of 30° to 70° with the first direction.

[0013] In some embodiments, a second concave rib on the first plate intersects with one or more second convex ribs on the second plate to form one or more welding points.

[0014] In some embodiments, each of the plates includes at least a first angle sub-unit and a second angle sub-unit, wherein the corrugated ribs in the first angle sub-unit and the second angle sub-unit extend in different directions.

[0015] In some embodiments, the first corrugated unit and the second corrugated unit each include one or more of the following: straight corrugations, herringbone corrugations, or curved corrugations.

[0016] In some embodiments, the plate assembly is rectangular, including a first fluid inlet, a first fluid outlet, a second fluid inlet, and a second fluid outlet located at the four corners of the rectangle. The first fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet are located at the ends of the same long side of the rectangle or on one diagonal of the rectangle. The second fluid inlet and the second fluid outlet are located at the ends of another long side of the rectangle or on another diagonal of the rectangle. Furthermore, the first fluid inlet and the second fluid outlet are located on the same short side of the rectangle, and the first fluid outlet and the second fluid inlet are located on another short side of the rectangle.

[0017] This application also adopts the following technical solution: a plate heat exchanger, wherein the plate heat exchanger comprises multiple groups of plates as described above.

[0018] This application also adopts the following technical solution: a liquid cooling system, the liquid cooling system including a cooling circulation loop that drives the flow of cooling medium and a plate heat exchanger as described above, the plate heat exchanger being connected to the cooling circulation loop.

[0019] The plate assembly provided in this application comprises multiple first corrugated units and multiple second corrugated units extending along a first direction on a first plate and a second plate, respectively, and arranged alternately along a second direction. After adjacent plates are stacked, the first corrugated units face each other and maintain a distance to form a low flow resistance channel region, while the second corrugated units cross-contact and are welded to form a turbulence channel region. Since the low flow resistance channel region and the turbulence channel region are alternately distributed in the second direction, when the fluid flows along the first direction as a whole, it will repeatedly experience the process of low-resistance propulsion and turbulence around the weld point, thereby generating periodic pressure fluctuations in the second direction. These pressure fluctuations can drive the fluid to undergo local turbulence and mixing in the second direction (i.e., the width direction of the plate), which helps to improve the uniformity of the fluid temperature field distribution in the width direction of the plate, thereby reducing fluid flow resistance and improving temperature uniformity. At the same time, since the low flow resistance channel region and the turbulence channel region are alternately distributed in the second direction, that is, in the second direction, the front and rear of the first corrugated units are second corrugated units that cross-contact and form weld points, the pressure-bearing capacity of the plate assembly in the second direction is enhanced, thereby ensuring the structural strength of the plate assembly. That is, the present invention can reduce flow resistance and improve temperature uniformity while ensuring the structural strength of the plate assembly. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the conventional technology, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the conventional technology will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional assembly diagram of an embodiment of the plate assembly of this application.

[0022] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of the plate assembly of this application.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a top view of an exploded view of an embodiment of the plate assembly of this application.

[0024] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A magnified view of a portion of point A in the middle.

[0025] Figure 5 for Figure 3 A magnified view of a section at point B in the middle.

[0026] Figure 6 This is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the first corrugated unit in one embodiment of the plate assembly of this application.

[0027] Figure 7 This is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the second corrugated unit in one embodiment of the plate assembly of this application.

[0028] Figure 8 This is a partial enlarged view of the second ripple unit in a top view of an embodiment of the plate assembly of this application.

[0029] The component reference numerals are as follows: 1-First plate; 2-Second plate; 11, 21-First corrugated unit; 12, 22-Second corrugated unit; 111, 211-First rib; 112, 212-First concave rib; 121, 222-Second rib; 122, 221-Second concave rib; 101-First fluid inlet; 102-First fluid outlet; 201-Second fluid inlet; 202-Second fluid outlet; F1-First direction; F2-Second direction; F3-Third direction; F4-Fourth direction; F5-Stacking direction. Detailed Implementation

[0030] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of this application. However, this application can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar modifications without departing from the spirit of this application. Therefore, this application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0031] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another component, it can be directly on the other component or there may be an intermediate component. When a component is considered to be "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or there may be an intermediate component present. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and similar expressions used in this application's specification are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementation.

[0032] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0033] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature and the second feature are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0034] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this application have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terminology used in this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application. The term "and / or" as used in this application includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0035] Please see Figures 1 to 8 As shown, this application provides a plate assembly for use in a plate heat exchanger. The plate assembly includes a first plate 1 and a second plate 2 stacked together. The first plate 1 and the second plate 2 are respectively provided with first corrugated units 11 and 21 and second corrugated units 12 and 22. For ease of explanation, in the accompanying drawings, the first corrugated unit of the first plate 1 is denoted as 11, the first corrugated unit of the second plate 2 is denoted as 21, the second corrugated unit of the first plate 1 is denoted as 12, and the second corrugated unit of the second plate 2 is denoted as 22.

[0036] In this application, the first plate 1 and the second plate 2 are respectively provided with a plurality of first corrugated units 11, 21 and a plurality of second corrugated units 12, 22 extending along a first direction F1. The plurality of first corrugated units 11, 21 and the plurality of second corrugated units 12, 22 are alternately arranged along a second direction F2 intersecting the first direction F1. Specifically, each first corrugated unit 11, 21 is approximately a long strip of corrugated segment, and its extension direction is its length direction, which is also the direction of its corrugation, as shown in the figure, the first direction F1; similarly, each second corrugated unit 12, 22 is also approximately a long strip of corrugated segment, and its extension direction is its length direction, which is also the direction of its corrugation, as shown in the figure, the first direction F1. These long strip-shaped first corrugated units 11, 21 and second corrugated units 12, 22 are alternately arranged along the second direction F2 to form the corrugated structure on the entire plate. When the first plate 1 and the second plate 2 are stacked opposite each other in the stacking direction F5 (i.e., the direction of plate thickness), the first corrugated units 11 and 21 on both plates are vertically opposite each other and spaced apart to form a low flow resistance channel region. The second corrugated units 12 and 22 on both plates cross each other to form a welding point, so as to weld the two plates together and form a turbulence channel region for fluid to flow around the welding point. Because the low flow resistance channel region and the turbulence channel region are alternately arranged in the second direction F2, the fluid flowing between the two plates flows along the first direction F1 as a whole, while generating periodic pressure fluctuations in the second direction F2. These periodic pressure fluctuations can enhance the turbulence of the fluid in the second direction F2, which is beneficial to improving the uniformity of the fluid temperature field between the plates.

[0037] The plate assembly provided in this application simultaneously sets first corrugated units 11 and 21 and second corrugated units 12 and 22 on the same plate. When adjacent plates are stacked, the first corrugated units 11 and 21 are arranged vertically opposite each other and maintain a distance to form a smooth low flow resistance channel area. At the same time, the second corrugated units 12 and 22 are arranged to cross and weld each other to form a reliable connection point and form a turbulence channel area. With this arrangement, the second corrugated units 12 and 22 form alternating welding points of "channel area-welding area" in the second direction F2, which ensures the overall structural strength and connection reliability of the plate assembly and realizes local disturbance in the transverse direction (i.e., the second direction F2) when the fluid flows, improving the uniformity of the fluid temperature field. At the same time, the fluid does not need to repeatedly bypass the welding points when flowing through the area of ​​the first corrugated units 11 and 21, which significantly reduces the flow resistance. Thus, while taking into account the heat exchange performance, it achieves the effects of low flow resistance, uniform fluid temperature field and high connection reliability.

[0038] Specifically, such as Figures 1 to 3As shown, in this embodiment, the first plate 1 and the second plate 2 are generally rectangular thin plate structures, which can be made of thermally conductive metal materials such as stainless steel and copper through a stamping process. The first plate 1 and the second plate 2 are respectively provided with multiple corrugated ribs with concave and convex arrangements. These corrugated ribs constitute first corrugated units 11 and 21 and second corrugated units 12 and 22 according to their different functions and geometric characteristics. The first corrugated units 11 and 12 on the first plate 1 correspond to the first corrugated units 21 and 22 on the second plate 2 in shape, extension direction (first direction F), and arrangement direction (second direction F2). This ensures that when the two plates are stacked, the first corrugated units 11 of the first plate 1 and the first corrugated units 21 of the second plate 2 can precisely correspond and cooperate, and the second corrugated units 12 of the first plate 1 and the second corrugated units 22 of the second plate 2 can precisely correspond and cooperate to form the aforementioned low-resistance channel area and connection point.

[0039] Specifically, the first plate 1 and the second plate 2 each include a plurality of first corrugated units 11, 21 and a plurality of second corrugated units 12, 22. Each first corrugated unit 11, 21 and each second corrugated unit 12, 22 is an elongated strip-shaped region that extends along a first direction F1, that is, the length direction of the elongated strip-shaped region is the first direction F1. Furthermore, the first corrugated units 11, 21 and the second corrugated units 12, 22 on each plate are arranged alternately along a second direction F2 that intersects with the first direction F1.

[0040] It should be noted that, in one embodiment of this application, the corrugated ribs are distributed with the same degree of sparseness at various locations on the plate, and the rib width, recess depth, or protrusion height of each corrugated rib is set to be the same. Of course, in other embodiments, the sparseness of the corrugated ribs distributed at various locations on the plate may be different, and / or, the rib width, recess depth, or protrusion height of each corrugated rib may be different.

[0041] like Figure 3 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, in this embodiment, the first direction F1 is the length direction of the plate, and the second direction F2 is the width direction of the plate. The first corrugated unit 11 on the first plate 1 and the first corrugated unit 21 on the second plate 2 are arranged vertically opposite each other, and the second corrugated unit 12 on the first plate 1 and the second corrugated unit 22 on the second plate 2 are arranged vertically opposite each other. In order to reduce flow resistance while ensuring welding reliability, this application designs the first corrugated units 11 and 21 as non-welding areas and the second corrugated units 12 and 22 as welding areas, which will be described in detail below.

[0042] Please combine Figures 3 to 6As shown, on the first plate 1, each first corrugated unit 11 includes alternating first raised ribs 111 and first concave ribs 112 arranged in the first direction F1. Both the first raised ribs 111 and the first concave ribs 112 are elongated strips, extending perpendicularly to the first direction F1, meaning each first raised rib 111 and first concave rib 112 extends approximately along the width direction of the plate (i.e., the second direction F2). Similarly, on the second plate 2, each first corrugated unit 21 also includes alternating first raised ribs 211 and first concave ribs 212 arranged in the first direction F1. Both the first raised ribs 211 and first concave ribs 212 are also elongated strips extending along the width direction of the plate. Here, all the aforementioned raised ribs refer to upwardly protruding ribs, and all the aforementioned concave ribs refer to downwardly recessed ribs.

[0043] When the first plate 1 and the second plate 2 are stacked opposite each other, the first corrugated unit 11 on the first plate 1 and the first corrugated unit 21 on the second plate 2 are vertically opposite each other. Figure 6 As shown, the first rib 111 of the first plate 1 protrudes upward and the first concave rib 112 is recessed downward; correspondingly, the first rib 211 of the second plate 2 protrudes upward and the first concave rib 212 is recessed downward. Through this design, the first rib 111 of the first plate 1 and the first rib 211 of the second plate 2 are vertically opposite and parallel to each other, and the first rib 112 of the first plate 1 and the first rib 212 of the second plate 2 are vertically opposite and parallel to each other, with a predetermined distance between them, thereby forming a continuous and unobstructed low-resistance channel region. The flow direction of the fluid in the low-resistance channel region includes, for example,... Figure 6 The flow exhibits an up-and-down undulating pattern in the direction indicated by the middle arrow, and in any direction forming an angle with that direction. Since the first plate 1 and the second plate 2 are not welded together at the first corrugated units 11 and 21, the fluid is not obstructed by weld protrusions when flowing through the area of ​​the first corrugated units 11 and 21, resulting in a smooth and unobstructed flow path and low fluid resistance. Simultaneously, the periodic undulating structure of the first raised ribs 111 and 211 and the first concave ribs 112 and 212 still manages to turbulently move the fluid, creating turbulence and thus enhancing the heat transfer effect. In other words, the first corrugated units 11 and 21 provide an effective heat transfer area and a moderate turbulence effect with virtually no increase in flow resistance.

[0044] Next, please refer to Figures 3 to 5 , Figure 7 and Figure 8As shown, on the first plate 1, each second corrugated unit 12 includes alternating second convex ribs 121 and second concave ribs 122 arranged in the first direction F1. The extending directions of the second convex ribs 121 and second concave ribs 122 have an angle of 30° to 70° with the first direction F1. In other words, the corrugated ribs in the second corrugated unit 12 are not perpendicular to the first direction F1, but are at a certain angle of inclination. Similarly, on the second plate 2, each second corrugated unit 22 includes alternating second convex ribs 222 and second concave ribs 221 arranged in the first direction F1. The extending directions of the second convex ribs 222 and second concave ribs 221 also have an angle of 30° to 70° with the first direction F1.

[0045] In this embodiment, each plate includes at least a first angle sub-unit and a second angle sub-unit, wherein the corrugated ribs within the first angle sub-unit and the second angle sub-unit extend in different directions. Figure 4 Taking the first plate 1 as an example, two second corrugated units 12 located on the upper and lower sides of the area of ​​the first corrugated unit 11 are, respectively, a first angle sub-unit (e.g., the one located on the upper side), whose corrugated ribs extend in the direction of the third direction F3 in the figure, tilting to the left from top to bottom; and the other is a second angle sub-unit (e.g., the one located on the lower side), whose corrugated ribs extend in the direction of the third direction F3 in the figure, tilting to the left from top to bottom. Figure 4 As shown in the fourth direction F4, it is inclined to the right from top to bottom. The angle formed by the third direction F3 and the fourth direction F4 with the first direction F1 can be 35°, 40°, 45°, 50°, 55°, 60°, 65°, etc. Generally speaking, the smaller the angle, the more transverse the corrugated ribs are, the smaller the flow resistance but the weaker the disturbance; the larger the angle, the more longitudinal the corrugated ribs are, the stronger the disturbance and heat transfer, but the resistance increases. The structure of the second plate 2 is similar, as shown in the figure. Figure 5 As shown, two second corrugated units 22 located on the upper and lower sides of a first corrugated unit 21 region are respectively a first angle sub-unit and a second angle sub-unit, with the corrugated ribs extending in different directions. It should be noted that when the first plate 1 and the second plate 2 are stacked, the angle sub-units with different corrugated rib extension directions are positioned vertically opposite each other, that is, the left-leaning corrugated rib of the first plate 1 corresponds to the right-leaning corrugated rib of the second plate 2, and the right-leaning corrugated rib of the first plate 1 corresponds to the left-leaning corrugated rib of the second plate 2, to form an X-shaped cross.

[0046] like Figure 7 and Figure 8As shown, when the first plate 1 and the second plate 2 are stacked opposite each other in the stacking direction F5 (i.e., the thickness direction), because the inclination directions of the corrugated ribs at the second corrugated units 12 and 22 are different, the second concave rib 122 of the first plate 1 and the second convex rib 222 of the second plate 2 will not be directly aligned vertically, but will intersect each other. That is, the bottom surface of the second concave rib 122 of the first plate 1 and the top surface of the second convex rib 222 of the second plate 2 will form one or more contact points / surfaces. At the intersection contact positions, welding points are formed by welding processes such as brazing, thereby firmly connecting the first plate 1 and the second plate 2 together. It can be understood that since each second corrugated unit 12 and 22 has multiple alternately arranged second convex ribs 222 and second concave ribs 122, and each rib extends a certain distance along the inclination direction, multiple discrete welding points will be formed between the first plate 1 and the second plate 2 within the area of ​​the second corrugated unit 12 and 22. These weld points are evenly distributed at different locations in the plate assembly, providing reliable structural support and pressure bearing capacity for the entire plate assembly, effectively preventing the plates from bulging or deforming under fluid pressure. Moreover, and more importantly, these weld points force the fluid flowing through them to flow laterally (i.e., along the second direction F2) to bypass these weld points, forming multiple turbulence channel areas that are alternately distributed laterally, thereby creating relatively dispersed, localized disturbances within the entire plate assembly to improve the uniformity of the fluid temperature field distribution.

[0047] In this embodiment, a second concave rib 122 on the first plate 1 intersects with at least two second convex ribs 222 on the second plate 2, thereby forming at least two welding points. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 8 As shown, from a top-down view, the second concave rib 122 of the first plate 1 extends diagonally to the right from top to bottom, while the second convex rib 222 of the second plate 2 extends diagonally to the left from top to bottom, forming a mesh-like intersection. Since the structure of the second corrugated units 12 and 22 in the first direction F1 is periodically repeated, one second concave rib 122 will intersect with multiple second convex ribs 222, and a welding point can be formed at each intersection, such as... Figure 8As shown, a second concave rib 122 of the first plate 1 intersects with two second convex ribs 222 of the second plate 2 to form two welding points, a and b. This design allows for a significant increase in the number of welding points without increasing the number of corrugated ribs, thereby improving the connection strength and reliability of the plate assembly. Simultaneously, the area around the welding points remains unobstructed, allowing fluid to flow through the gaps without excessively increasing flow resistance. Those skilled in the art can adjust the arrangement density and number of welding points of the second corrugated units 12 and 22 according to the required pressure rating. For example, in high-pressure applications, the proportion of the second corrugated units 12 and 22 can be appropriately increased to obtain more welding points. Of course, in some embodiments, a second concave rib 122 on the first plate 1 and a second convex rib 222 on the second plate 2 can intersect to form a welding point.

[0048] In one embodiment of this application, in the region where the plates are a continuous and complete plane in the second direction F2, the first convex ribs 111 and 211 on each plate are connected end-to-end to their adjacent second convex ribs 121 and 222, and the first concave ribs 112 and 212 on each plate are connected end-to-end to their adjacent second concave ribs 122 and 221, thereby forming a continuous zigzag rib with a "slanted-straight-slanted-straight" pattern. Several such zigzag continuous ribs are arranged in the first direction F1. This structure allows the fluid to flow smoothly in the second direction F2 while flowing along the first direction F1 as a whole, which is beneficial for the homogenization of the fluid temperature field. Of course, for regions where the plates are discontinuous, such as regions with fluid inlets and outlets, the above-mentioned zigzag lines can be broken.

[0049] Please continue reading. Figure 8 As shown, this application defines the area formed by the first corrugated units 11 and 21 on the first plate 1 and the second plate 2 as the low flow resistance channel area, and the area formed by the second corrugated units 12 and 22 as the turbulence channel area. The so-called low flow resistance channel area refers to an area where the first protruding ribs 111, 211 and the first concave ribs 112, 212 of the first plate 1 and the second plate 2 are vertically opposite each other and maintain a predetermined distance, without any welding between them. Therefore, when fluid flows through this area, it is not blocked by weld points, the flow path is smooth, and the flow resistance is significantly reduced. The fluid flow direction within it is as follows: Figure 8 As indicated by the straight arrow, this is the first direction, F1. The so-called turbulence channel region refers to this area where the second corrugated units 12 and 22 of the first plate 1 and the second plate 2 intersect and contact each other due to the different inclination directions of the corrugated ribs. Discrete weld points are formed at the contact points through brazing. When fluid flows through this region, it must bypass these weld points, thus causing a local deflection of the flow direction and generating disturbance. Therefore, it is called the turbulence channel region. The fluid flow direction within it is as follows: Figure 8As indicated by the arrow in the middle curve.

[0050] Because multiple first corrugated units 11, 21 and multiple second corrugated units 12, 22 are alternately arranged along the width direction of the plate (i.e., the second direction F2), low-resistance channel regions and turbulence channel regions also alternate along the second direction F2. When fluid enters from one end of the plate assembly and flows as a whole along the first direction F1 to the other end, the fluid moves forward relatively smoothly with low flow resistance in each low-resistance channel region. However, in the turbulence channel region adjacent to the low-resistance channel region in the second direction F2, the fluid is forced to bypass the welding point and change its local flow direction. Therefore, while the fluid in this region is pushed forward with relatively high overall flow resistance, it also changes its local flow direction laterally, achieving local disturbance. In the low-resistance channel region, the pressure generated by the fluid is relatively low and the distribution is relatively uniform. In the turbulence channel region, due to the obstruction and flow bypass effect of the welding point, the fluid has more local turbulence, resulting in relatively high pressure. This appears as periodic pressure fluctuations in the second direction F2 while flowing in the first direction F1. This pressure fluctuation is beneficial for improving the problem of fluid stratification or uneven temperature distribution.

[0051] In this application, as Figure 5 As shown, the individual width dimension W1 of the first corrugated units 11 and 21 in the second direction F2 is set to be larger than the individual width dimension W2 of the second corrugated units 12 and 22 in the second direction F2. In other words, the proportion of the low flow resistance channel region in the width direction of the plate is larger than that of the turbulence channel region. With this setting, on the one hand, since the low flow resistance channel region has the characteristics of low flow resistance and high flow velocity, setting its width to be larger can keep the fluid moving smoothly in most of the flow path, thereby significantly reducing the overall flow pressure drop of the plate group; on the other hand, it ensures that the turbulence channel region only disturbs a certain part of the adjacent low flow resistance channel region (the part close to the turbulence channel region), while the disturbance to the central part of the turbulence channel region is smaller, which is conducive to the formation of periodically alternating pressure waves. Through the above-mentioned width ratio configuration of the wide low resistance region and the narrow turbulence region, the plate group can achieve an optimized balance between flow resistance and heat transfer uniformity by utilizing the alternating pressure fluctuations while keeping the overall pressure drop small.

[0052] Furthermore, provided that the cooperation relationship between the first corrugated units 11, 21 and the second corrugated units 12, 22 included in the first plate 1 and the second plate 2 satisfies the above-described conditions, the specific form of the corrugated ribs included in the first corrugated units 11, 21 and the second corrugated units 12, 22 can be diverse. In some embodiments, the corrugated ribs included in each of the first corrugated units 11, 21 and the second corrugated units 12, 22 are one or more of straight corrugations, herringbone corrugations, or curved corrugations. Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, in this embodiment, the first raised rib 111, the first concave rib 112, the second raised rib 121, and the second concave rib 122 are all straight corrugations. Straight corrugations have the advantages of simple processing and low mold cost. In other embodiments, the first and second corrugated units can also adopt herringbone corrugations, that is, the corrugated ribs present a periodic herringbone zigzag pattern in the extension direction. This shape can generate stronger turbulence at low flow rates and achieve higher heat transfer efficiency. In other embodiments, curved corrugations, such as S-shaped or arc-shaped, can also be used. This shape can, to a certain extent, combine the effects of increasing heat transfer efficiency and reducing flow resistance. It should be emphasized that, regardless of the specific shape of the corrugated ribs used, it is necessary to ensure that the design features of no welding and maintaining spacing between adjacent plates at the first corrugated units 11 and 21, and cross contact and welding between adjacent plates at the second corrugated units 12 and 22 are met.

[0053] To facilitate the description of the fluid inlet and outlet paths of the plate assemblies in the plate heat exchanger, this application further specifies the inlet and outlet arrangement of the plate assemblies. Please refer again. Figure 1 As shown, the plate assembly is rectangular in shape, with through holes at each of its four corners. These through holes are interconnected after the plates are stacked to form a main pipe. Specifically, the plate assembly includes a first fluid inlet 101, a first fluid outlet 102, a second fluid inlet 201, and a second fluid outlet 202. The first fluid inlet 101 and the first fluid outlet 102 are used to flow a first type of medium, such as the refrigerant-side medium in a data center CDU, specifically, for example, a 25% ethylene glycol or propylene glycol solution; the second fluid inlet 201 and the second fluid outlet 202 are used to flow a second type of medium, such as cooling water-side medium.

[0054] In practical applications, the plate heat exchanger can be configured with either a side-flow or diagonal flow arrangement based on the overall interface layout requirements. Side-flow refers to the inlet and outlet of the same medium being located at opposite ends of the same long side. For example... Figure 1As shown, the first fluid inlet 101 and the first fluid outlet 102 are located on the same long side of the rectangular plate, with the first fluid inlet 101 near the lower right end and the first fluid outlet 102 near the upper right end. Correspondingly, the second fluid inlet 201 and the second fluid outlet 202 are located on the other long side, with the second fluid inlet 201 near the upper left end and the second fluid outlet 202 near the lower left end. Thus, the first medium flows into the plate assembly from the lower right corner, flows horizontally between the plates, and exits from the upper right corner; the second medium flows in from the upper left corner, flows horizontally in the opposite direction, and exits from the lower right corner, forming counter-current heat exchange. Diagonal flow refers to the inlet and outlet of the same medium being located on a diagonal line of the rectangular plate. For example, the first fluid inlet 101 is located at the upper left corner, and the first fluid outlet 102 is located at the lower right corner; the second fluid inlet 201 is located at the lower left corner, and the second fluid outlet 202 is located at the upper right corner. Of course, the fluid entry and exit methods are not limited to these two arrangements; any inlet and outlet arrangement that enables heat exchange between hot and cold fluids within the plate assembly can be adopted.

[0055] The specific structure of the plate assembly provided in this application has been described in detail above. Furthermore, this application also provides a plate heat exchanger with multiple sets of the plate assemblies described above. In actual manufacturing, dozens or even hundreds of first plates 1 and second plates 2 are typically stacked alternately. The first plates 1 and second plates 2 can have identical structures; during stacking, the second plates 2 are rotated 180° relative to the first plates 1. Of course, in some embodiments, the structures of the first plates 1 and second plates 2 may not be identical. After all plates are stacked, they are placed together in a vacuum brazing furnace for overall brazing. At this time, welding points are formed at the second corrugated units 12 and 22 of adjacent plates, while no welding is performed at the first corrugated units 11 and 21. Because the areas of the first corrugated units 11 and 21 are not welded, the resulting plate heat exchanger has a large number of low-resistance flow channels and a large number of turbulence channels. Simultaneously, the welding points provided by the second corrugated units 12 and 22 ensure that the entire plate heat exchanger can withstand high pressure without leakage or damage. Compared to traditional fully welded plate heat exchangers, the plate heat exchanger of this application can significantly reduce the flow pressure drop under the same heat exchange area and flow rate, thereby reducing the power consumption of the circulating pump and helping to improve the energy efficiency ratio of the entire cooling system.

[0056] Furthermore, this application also provides a liquid cooling system, particularly suitable for heat dissipation in data center cabinets. This liquid cooling system includes a cooling circulation loop that drives the flow of cooling medium and a plate heat exchanger as described above, connected to the cooling circulation loop. In a typical data center liquid cooling system, the system may include a primary side circulation and a secondary side circulation. The cooling medium in the primary side circulation exchanges heat with the medium in the secondary side circulation within the plate heat exchanger. The secondary side medium further flows through the cold plates within the server cabinet, carrying away heat generated by the heat-generating components within the server cabinet. Because the plate heat exchanger in this application has the advantages of low flow resistance and high reliability, it allows the secondary side circulation pump to operate at a lower head, thereby reducing pump energy consumption.

[0057] In summary, the plate assembly, plate heat exchanger, and liquid cooling system provided in this application simultaneously provide first corrugated units 11 and 21 and second corrugated units 12 and 22 on the plates. When stacked, the first corrugated units 11 and 21 are positioned opposite each other and maintain a distance without welding to form a low flow resistance channel region. The second corrugated units 12 and 22 are cross-contacted and welded to form a turbulence channel region. The first corrugated units 11 and 21 and the second corrugated units 12 and 22 both extend in the first direction F1 and are alternately arranged in the second direction F2, thereby forming a low flow resistance channel region and a turbulence channel region that are alternately distributed in the second direction F2. This helps to improve the lateral uniformity of the fluid temperature field. While ensuring the structural strength of the plate assembly, it reduces flow resistance and improves temperature uniformity, which has high industrial practical value and is especially suitable for application in large-scale data center cooling distribution units.

[0058] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementation methods of this application, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, and these all fall within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the patent protection scope of this application should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A plate assembly for use in a plate heat exchanger, the plate assembly comprising stacked first and second plates, characterized in that: The first plate and the second plate are respectively provided with a plurality of first corrugated units and a plurality of second corrugated units extending along a first direction, and the plurality of first corrugated units and the plurality of second corrugated units are alternately arranged along a second direction intersecting the first direction; When the first plate and the second plate are stacked opposite each other, the first corrugated units on both plates are vertically opposite each other and have a gap to form a low flow resistance channel area for fluid to flow along the first direction; the second corrugated units on both plates cross each other to form a welding point to weld the two plates together and form a turbulence channel area for fluid to flow around the welding point along the first direction. The low flow resistance channel region and the turbulence channel region are arranged alternately in the second direction, so that the fluid flowing between the two plates flows along the first direction as a whole, while generating periodic pressure fluctuations in the second direction.

2. The plate assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The width of the first corrugated unit in the second direction is greater than the width of the second corrugated unit in the second direction.

3. The plate assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the first corrugated units includes alternating first convex ribs and first concave ribs arranged in the first direction to form corrugated ribs, wherein the extending directions of the first convex ribs and first concave ribs are perpendicular to the first direction.

4. The plate assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the second corrugated units includes second convex ribs and second concave ribs arranged alternately in the first direction to form corrugated ribs, wherein the extending directions of the second convex ribs and second concave ribs have an angle of 30° to 70° with the first direction.

5. The plate assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, A second concave rib on the first plate intersects with one or more second convex ribs on the second plate to form one or more welding points.

6. The plate assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, Each of the plates includes at least a first angle sub-unit and a second angle sub-unit, wherein the corrugated ribs in the first angle sub-unit and the second angle sub-unit extend in different directions.

7. The plate assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The first corrugated unit and the second corrugated unit each include one or more of the following: straight corrugations, herringbone corrugations, or curved corrugations.

8. The plate assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The plate assembly is rectangular and includes a first fluid inlet, a first fluid outlet, a second fluid inlet, and a second fluid outlet located at the four corners of the rectangle. The first fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet are located at the two ends of the same long side of the rectangle or on one diagonal of the rectangle. The second fluid inlet and the second fluid outlet are located at the two ends of another long side of the rectangle or on another diagonal of the rectangle. Furthermore, the first fluid inlet and the second fluid outlet are located on the same short side of the rectangle, and the first fluid outlet and the second fluid inlet are located on another short side of the rectangle.

9. A plate heat exchanger, characterized in that, The plate heat exchanger includes multiple sets of plates as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A liquid cooling system, characterized in that, The liquid cooling system includes a cooling circulation loop that drives the flow of cooling medium and a plate heat exchanger as described in claim 9, the plate heat exchanger being connected to the cooling circulation loop.

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