Heat Transfer Plate Gasket Groove Reinforcing Pattern
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Solution Overview
Problem
Plate heat exchangers face leakage risks due to gasket deformation and displacement under high pressures, especially around openings where gaskets are unsupported, leading to potential fluid leaks between the primary and secondary sides.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a reinforcing pattern in the gasket groove with a second recess at a different level than the first recess, providing additional structural support and varying reinforcement, combined with corrugations that allow the gasket to be compressed into troughs for enhanced sealing, addresses the issue of gasket instability under pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the gasket is positioned at the edge portion of the heat transfer plate to seal the flow paths, then the sealing function is achieved, but the gasket becomes unsupported under high pressure leading to deformation and leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reinforcing pattern with recesses at different levels (first recess level and second recess level) in the gasket groove, transforming a two-dimensional groove into a multi-level three-dimensional structure. This provides additional structural support to the gasket from below, preventing deformation under high pressure while maintaining sealing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcing pattern is strategically positioned at specific locations within the gasket groove, particularly in areas subjected to high pressure. The varying depths of recesses create localized reinforcement zones that provide maximum support where needed, rather than uniform reinforcement throughout the entire groove.
2Ease of manufacture
If the gasket groove is simplified without reinforcing patterns, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the groove lacks sufficient reinforcement under high pressure causing gasket displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket groove is segmented into multiple levels with distinct recesses at different depths. The first recess and second recess create separate structural zones within the groove, allowing each segment to serve specific reinforcement functions while maintaining manufacturability through standardized forming processes.
3Strength
If uniform reinforcement is provided throughout the gasket groove, then the structural support is maximized, but the complexity and material usage increase unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing pattern employs varying depths of recesses at different locations within the gasket groove. Deeper recesses are positioned in high-pressure areas requiring maximum reinforcement, while shallower or absent recesses are located in lower-pressure zones, optimizing both strength and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than providing uniform maximum reinforcement throughout the entire groove, the patent applies partial reinforcement only where needed. The varying depths of recesses provide sufficient support in critical areas without excessive material usage or structural complexity in non-critical regions.
Data Source
AI summary
A plate heat exchanger includes a plurality of heat transfer plates stacked on top of each other, wherein gaskets are positioned between adjacent heat transfer plates, wherein each gasket is arranged in a gasket groove formed in a heat transfer plate and a bottom part of the gasket groove defines a base level, wherein the gasket groove comprises a reinforcing pattern having a first recess at a first recess level and extending in a lengthwise direction of the gasket groove. The reinforcing pattern comprises a second recess at a second recess level extending in lengthwise direction of the gasket groove.