Alternating-Plate Heat Exchanger Dimples for Low Pressure Drop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchanger designs with protrusions and turbulators increase pressure drop, which is undesirable.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger configuration featuring alternating plates with upward and downward impressions that enhance heat exchange while maintaining a low pressure drop, utilizing a specific geometric arrangement of upstanding and descending impressions on adjacent plates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If protrusions and turbulators are added to heat exchanger plates, then heat exchange performance is enhanced, but pressure drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curved surfaces through domed protrusions and corresponding concave impressions instead of flat or sharp-edged features. The domed shape creates a gradual transition for fluid flow, reducing turbulence and pressure drop while still enhancing heat exchange through increased surface area and fluid disruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes geometric parameters including the height, diameter, and spacing of domed protrusions, as well as the depth and shape of impressions. By carefully controlling these parameters, the design achieves effective heat transfer enhancement while keeping pressure drop within acceptable limits.
2Productivity
If complex protrusion configurations are used, then heat exchange efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger plates are divided into multiple zones with different protrusion patterns and densities. This segmentation allows optimization of heat transfer in different regions while maintaining manufacturability and avoiding overly complex single-pattern designs across the entire plate.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the heat exchanger plates feature different protrusion configurations, densities, and types. Areas with higher heat transfer requirements have more密集 protrusions, while other areas use different patterns, allowing localized optimization without requiring complex features throughout the entire device.
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
Improves heat exchange performance while maintaining a low pressure drop, outperforming prior art configurations in both heat exchanger efficiency and pressure drop characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
Heat exchangers include a plurality of alternating plates to allow heat exchange between two different fluids
Implementation Method 2
the alternating plates often include one or more protrusions and/or turbulator inserts to enhance the heat exchange between the adjacent plates
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~3A
AI summary
An oil cooler (10) has alternating first and second heat exchanger plates (26, 28) coupled to a base heat exchanger plate (24). The first heat exchanger plate (26) includes upstanding impressions (68, 70) extending upwardly a first distance (96) from a generally planar surface (66) away from the base heat exchanger plate (24). The second heat exchanger plate (28) includes descending impressions (88, 90) extending downwardly a second distance (98) from the second generally planar surface (66) toward the base heat exchanger plate (24). Planar portions of the first and second plates (26, 28) are spaced apart a third distance (100). The first distance (96) is less than the third distance (100) and the second distance (98) is less than the third distance (100). The upstanding impressions (68, 70) extend along a first length (72), and the descending impressions (88, 90) extend along a second length (92). A third length of each upstanding impression (68, 70) abuts a fourth length of the respective descending impression (88, 90). The third length is less than the first length (72) and the fourth length is less than the second length (92).