Heat Exchanger Fitting Assembly Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stacked plate-type heat exchanger fitting assemblies face challenges with proper alignment and excessive angular movement during coupling, and the use of clad material on both sides of the reinforcement plate is inefficient, leading to increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A fitting assembly where the fitting is sandwiched between a first and second plate, with the fitting being inserted and swaged between the plates to ensure proper alignment and positioning, and clad material is only applied on one side of the reinforcement plate for brazing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fitting is brazed to the reinforcement plate with flange, then the fitting is securely attached to the heat exchanger, but proper alignment is difficult to achieve and sliding or shifting of the fitting occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting is pre-positioned between the reinforcement plate and cover plate before the brazing operation. The plates are assembled with the fitting in place, ensuring proper alignment is established prior to the brazing process, preventing sliding or shifting during attachment
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement plate and cover plate act as intermediary elements that sandwich the fitting during assembly. This sandwich structure provides mechanical support and alignment guidance during the brazing process, preventing the fitting from shifting while being attached
2Strength
If clad material is provided on both sides of the reinforcement plate for brazing, then the bonding between reinforcement plate and cover plate is strengthened, but the cost increases due to excessive material usage
Solution Approach 1:
Clad material is applied selectively only on the specific areas of the reinforcement plate that require brazing, rather than coating the entire plate. This localized application provides sufficient bonding strength at the joint interfaces while significantly reducing overall material consumption and cost
3Manufacturing precision
If the fitting is inserted and swaged between the reinforcement plate and cover plate, then proper alignment and positioning are ensured, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting itself serves as the alignment feature through its geometric shape and dimensions. The fitting's outer diameter and shape provide natural alignment with the aperture, eliminating the need for additional alignment features or complex positioning mechanisms in the plate structure
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 solution provides a self-positioning fitting assembly that reduces the need for clad material, ensuring accurate alignment and minimizing angular movement, while maintaining efficient fluid flow and reducing material costs.
Implementation Method 1
the fitting being inserted and swaged between the plates to ensure proper alignment and positioning
Implementation Method 2
clad material is only applied on one side of the reinforcement plate for brazing
Data Source
AI summary
A fitting assembly containing a fitting, a first plate and a second plate are provided. The first plate has a first plate wall and a first-plate aperture, the first-plate wall being positioned along an edge of the first plate defining the first-plate aperture. The second plate has a second-plate wall and a second-plate aperture, the second-plate wall being positioned along an edge of the second plate defining the second-plate aperture. The fitting assembly having the fitting being sandwiched between the first plate wall and the second plate wall. Also disclosed is a heat exchanger having the fitting assembly as described herein, and a method of forming the fitting assembly.