Brazed Plate Heat Exchanger With Deformable Sealed Compartments

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional brazed-plate heat exchangers face structural weakening and deformation issues due to the use of large hydrogen dispensing heads for catalyst distribution, leading to inefficient catalyst distribution and reduced mechanical strength.

Innovation Solution

A heat exchanger design that includes deformable sealed compartments capable of absorbing mechanical stresses from welding, allowing for easier powder distribution and maintaining structural integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If large hydrogen dispensing heads are used for catalyst distribution, then even powder distribution is achieved, but the heat exchanger structure is weakened and deformed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatalyst distribution uniformityVSAvoidheat exchanger mechanical strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The heat exchanger body is divided into multiple compartments separated by partition walls, allowing the dispensing head to distribute catalyst into specific compartments without requiring the entire cross-section to be open. This segmentation enables localized catalyst filling while maintaining structural integrity in other areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dispensing head openings are positioned to align with specific compartments rather than requiring full cross-sectional coverage. This local quality approach allows catalyst distribution in targeted areas while maintaining structural strength in non-filling regions, resolving the contradiction between distribution effectiveness and structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If large dispensing heads are used, then catalyst can be inserted, but welding stresses deform the heat exchanger structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatalyst insertion capabilityVSAvoidheat exchanger structural deformation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The heat exchanger body is pre-assembled with partitions and sealing structures before catalyst insertion. This preliminary action creates a rigid framework that can withstand subsequent welding stresses during dispensing head attachment, preventing structural deformation while maintaining catalyst insertion capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The partition walls and sealing structures act as cushioning elements that absorb and distribute welding stresses before they can deform the overall heat exchanger structure. This beforehand cushioning protects the structural integrity during the catalyst insertion process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of operation

If end bars are removed to allow catalyst insertion, then powder distribution is facilitated, but the overall structure is weakened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatalyst filling easeVSAvoidstructural strength and welding stress distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The heat exchanger is segmented into multiple compartments with localized access points. This segmentation allows catalyst to be inserted into specific compartments through smaller openings rather than requiring removal of entire end bars, maintaining structural strength while facilitating catalyst filling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of removing end bars entirely, the design provides localized access points or openings in specific regions where catalyst insertion is needed. This local quality approach maintains the structural integrity and welding stress distribution function of the end bars in other critical areas while enabling catalyst filling operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

The design enables effective absorption of mechanical stresses during welding, facilitating even catalyst distribution and maintaining the mechanical strength of the heat exchanger, thus enhancing its efficiency and performance.

Implementation Method 1

at least one sealed compartment, capable of deformation following the welding operation... enables the exchanger structure to absorb the mechanical stresses inherent in cooling the weld

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a body provided with a plurality of compartments wherein a fluid is capable of flowing... heat exchanger

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS20250129992A1Brazed plate heat exchanger with sealed compartments capable of local deformation

Publication Date: 2025.04.24 ALFA LAVAL GOLBEY SAS

AI summary

Heat exchanger (1) comprising:-a body (3) provided with a plurality of compartments (10) in which a fluid is capable of flowing, and at least one sealed compartment (11), and-separating walls (5) disposed between the compartments (10, 11) and intended to hermetically separate the compartments (10, 11) from one another,-at least one dispensing or collection head (9) for distributing a fluid into the compartments (10) or for collecting the fluid exiting said compartments (10), in which heat exchanger (1) the dispensing or collection head (9) is secured to the body (3) by a welding operation and wherein said at least one sealed compartment (11) is capable of deformation following the welding operation.