Extruded Plate Cooler with Curved Receiving Slots

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing plate coolers for liquids, such as hydraulic oil, have complex constructions that increase production and manufacturing costs and limit their versatility due to the use of header plates and intricate designs.

Innovation Solution

A simplified plate cooler design featuring extruded aluminum profiles with ribs and continuous guide grooves, where plate bodies open into curved receiving slots in distribution and collection boxes, allowing for a liquid-tight connection using adhesives and beveled ends for adaptable piping connections, reducing the need for complex welding and header plates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If header plates and intricate designs are used in plate coolers, then the structural integrity and sealing are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidconstruction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes header plates from the construction by integrating the distribution and collection functions directly into the extruded profile plate bodies themselves. The extruded profiles contain internal fluid channels that eliminate the need for separate header plates, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining structural integrity through the unified extruded design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the functions of header plates and plate bodies into a single extruded profile component. The distribution box and collection box are integrated with the plate bodies through direct connection of the extruded profiles, merging multiple components into fewer parts and reducing overall construction complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If header plates and intricate designs are used in plate coolers, then the sealing and connection are improved, but the manufacturing costs and production complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesealingVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates header plates and complex sealing arrangements by using the extruded profile design where sealing surfaces are integrated into the extrusion process. The gaskets are simplified to seal between the extruded profiles and the distribution/collection boxes, reducing manufacturing steps and costs while maintaining sealing reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the manufacturing approach from assembling multiple separate components (plates, header plates, welds) to using extruded profiles that are formed in one piece with integrated fluid channels. This parameter change in the manufacturing process simplifies production and reduces costs while maintaining sealing through the precise extrusion geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If standard extruded profiles are used without adaptability features, then the manufacturing is simplified, but the adaptability for different piping orientations is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction simplicityVSAvoidpiping connection versatility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the extruded distribution and collection boxes universal by providing multiple threaded openings in different orientations and positions. These openings can accommodate various piping connections (vertical, horizontal, angled) without requiring different box designs, thereby maintaining manufacturing simplicity while increasing adaptability to different installation scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 a cost-effective and versatile plate cooler with reduced production complexity, allowing for easier assembly and increased usage scenarios while maintaining effective cooling performance through optimized airflow and liquid pathways.

Implementation Method 1

the inserted plate bodies are connected to the receiving slots in a liquid-tight manner by means of an adhesive

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

a package of spaced parallel plate bodies for the liquid flowing through them and air channels arranged between adjacent extruded profile plate bodies

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP2297539B1Plate cooler for fluids
Publication Date: 2019.07.17 ALPVER VERMOEGENS & LIEGENSCHAFTSVERWALTUNGS GMBH
  • EP2297539B1 patent drawingFigure 1~6
  • EP2297539B1 patent drawingFigure 4~12
  • EP2297539B1 patent drawingFigure 7~11

AI summary

The cooler has a distribution box (3) and a collection box (3') that are formed as aluminum extruded profiles. The boxes have a rib body and a through-channel forming a fluid channel. The rib body has lateral ribs including continuous guiding grooves for mounting connection elements and a receiving slot for an extruded profile plate body (1). The plate body opens out into a collection chamber via the receiving slot. The chamber is in connection with the fluid channel. The boxes are provided with inflow and discharge lines.