Annular Ridge Heat Exchange Plate Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plate-type heat exchangers have low strength due to thick plates, high manufacturing costs, and inadequate pressure-bearing capacity, especially when using high-pressure coolants like carbon dioxide, and existing raised patterns do not effectively distribute fluid or enhance strength uniformly.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchange plate design featuring protrusions arranged around ports with transitional parts forming an annular ridge, allowing for increased strength and reduced thickness, with protrusions connected via transitional parts and channel ridges to enhance fluid distribution and pressure resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the plates are made relatively thick to increase strength, then the strength of the plate-type heat exchanger is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs curved or domed protrusions instead of flat raised patterns. The spherical/curved geometry of the protrusions provides superior structural strength and pressure-bearing capacity compared to flat designs, while maintaining plate thickness at economically viable levels. The curved surfaces distribute stress more effectively throughout the plate structure.
2Reliability
If a raised pattern is provided around ports to increase strength and cause larger pressure drop, then fluid distribution is improved, but the plate thickness must be increased to maintain strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional flat raised patterns to three-dimensional protrusions with height and curvature. This dimensional change allows the protrusions to generate sufficient pressure drop for fluid distribution while maintaining structural integrity at reduced plate thickness. The vertical dimension of the protrusions provides both flow control and structural reinforcement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If independent protrusions are used in the raised pattern, then the design is not limited by heat exchange part pattern, but the strength is low in certain situations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent protrusions into a continuous annular ridge structure surrounding the port. This unified structure provides enhanced strength and pressure-bearing capacity compared to discrete protrusions, while the annular configuration maintains design flexibility for various heat exchange part patterns. The continuous ridge acts as a unified reinforcement element.
4Ease of manufacture
If long protrusions are used in the raised pattern, then the structure is simpler to manufacture, but the strength is low and stresses are not borne uniformly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies varying curvature and height characteristics to different portions of the annular ridge. The protrusions feature curved tops with optimized radius of curvature, creating localized stress distribution patterns that enhance overall strength. The non-uniform geometry provides both manufacturing simplicity and superior mechanical performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchange plate for a plate-type heat exchanger and a plate-type heat exchanger provided with said heat exchange plate. The heat exchange plate includes an opening used to form an end opening, a plurality of protrusions arranged around at least a portion of the opening along a circular line along the opening, the plurality of protrusions protruding towards one side of a plate plane; transition portions arranged between at least two neighbouring protrusions, the transition portions being located on one side of the plate plane, and being a preset distance from the plate plane. The distance from the tops of the protrusions to the plate plane is greater than the distance from the lowest points of the transition portions to the plate plane.