A plate heat exchanger
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plate heat exchangers are susceptible to cracking due to the low height of the peripheral rim, which positions the restriction hole close to the edge, leading to a short distance and increased risk of cracking, especially under pressure.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an inlet chamber adjacent to the peripheral rim, with a nozzle member containing restriction holes that communicate with the first plate interspaces, allowing fluid flow without direct passage through the peripheral rim, thereby reducing the risk of cracking. The nozzle member is located between the inlet chamber and the first plate interspaces, and the inlet chamber is annular, surrounded by an annular flat portion to enhance strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the restriction hole is positioned close to the edge of the peripheral rim to simplify the structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to increased susceptibility to cracking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an inlet chamber as an intermediary component between the inlet channel and the first plate interspaces. This inlet chamber is positioned adjacent to the peripheral rim but separated from it, serving as a buffer zone that prevents direct stress transmission to the rim structure. The nozzle member with restriction holes is located within this inlet chamber, allowing fluid flow control without requiring holes in the peripheral rim itself, thus eliminating the cracking issue while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Loss of substance
If the peripheral rim height is kept low to reduce material usage, then the loss of substance is reduced, but the strength of the peripheral rim deteriorates, making it more prone to cracking
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet chamber acts as a mediator that decouples the structural requirements from the fluid control requirements. By positioning the nozzle member with restriction holes within the inlet chamber rather than in the peripheral rim, the design allows the peripheral rim to maintain low height and minimal material usage while still providing adequate structural strength. The inlet chamber absorbs the functional requirement for fluid restriction without imposing additional structural demands on the peripheral rim.
3Ease of manufacture
If the restriction hole is positioned close to the edge of the peripheral rim to simplify assembly, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to cracking risk
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet chamber serves as a pre-assembled intermediary component that contains the nozzle member with restriction holes. This approach simplifies the overall assembly process because the inlet chamber can be manufactured and prepared separately, then integrated into the heat exchanger structure. The restriction holes are positioned within the inlet chamber rather than directly in the peripheral rim, eliminating the need for complex rim modifications while maintaining assembly simplicity. The inlet chamber acts as a modular unit that combines both structural and fluid control functions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design reduces the susceptibility of the peripheral rim to cracking by locating the fluid flow through the nozzle member within the inlet chamber, ensuring proper fluid distribution and maintaining structural integrity around the inlet channel, even at low pressure depths.
Implementation Method 1
The nozzle member comprises one or more restriction holes. Such restriction hole may be made in advance, before the plate heat exchanger is assembled. The one or more restriction holes provide a restriction or throttling of the first fluid passing through the nozzle member.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A plate heat exchanger comprises first heat exchanger plates (1), second heat exchanger plates (2), first plate interspaces each formed by a primary pair (I) of one second heat exchanger plate and an adjacent first heat exchanger plate, and second plate interspaces each formed by a secondary pair (II) one first heat exchanger plate and an adjacent second heat exchanger plates. Each first heat exchanger plate comprises a peripheral rim (15) surrounding a first porthole (11) and defini ng an inlet channel (21) for a first fluid through the plate heat exchanger. Each secondary pair encloses an inlet chamber (30) adjacent to the peripheral rim. The inlet chamber is closed to the second plate interspaces, open to the inlet channel and communicates with one of the first plate interspaces via a nozzle member (31), thereby permitting a flow of the first fluid from the inlet channel to the first plate interspace.