Heat Exchanger Wall Conductor Gaps for Thermal Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat exchangers face issues with thermal expansion differences between heat conductors and the body, leading to potential cracks and reduced heat exchange efficiency when heat conductors are fitted into holes without gaps.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates wall-shaped heat conductors that are smaller than the holes, creating gaps to absorb thermal expansion differences, preventing cracks and maintaining high heat exchange efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If heat conductors are fitted into holes without gaps to improve heat exchange efficiency, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but thermal expansion difference causes cracks in the passage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by intentionally designing gaps between the heat conductors and the passage walls. These gaps serve as pre-established cushioning spaces that absorb thermal expansion differences before cracks can form. The gaps are specifically positioned to accommodate the expansion and contraction movements of heat conductors during temperature changes, preventing stress concentration and crack initiation in the passage structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the dimensional parameters of the heat conductors relative to the holes. Instead of making heat conductors fit tightly (zero gap), the patent deliberately reduces the diameter or cross-sectional dimensions of heat conductors to create specific gap sizes. This parameter adjustment allows the system to accommodate thermal expansion while maintaining effective heat transfer surface area.
2Reliability
If heat conductors are made smaller than holes to create gaps for thermal expansion, then thermal expansion is absorbed, but heat exchange efficiency may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating non-uniform gap distributions. The gaps are not uniformly distributed but are strategically positioned in areas where thermal expansion occurs most significantly, while maintaining tighter fits in areas where heat transfer is most critical. This localized approach allows the system to absorb thermal expansion in specific regions without compromising the overall heat exchange efficiency across the entire heat conductor surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by creating gaps only in specific portions of the heat conductors rather than uniformly throughout. The gaps are positioned to provide sufficient thermal expansion accommodation while minimizing the reduction of heat transfer surface area. By applying the gap configuration partially rather than excessively, the patent achieves the necessary reliability improvement without overly sacrificing heat exchange efficiency.
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
This solution effectively absorbs thermal expansion differences, preventing cracks and ensuring high heat exchange efficiency, even when heat conductors are smaller than the holes, and maintains efficient heat transfer across varying fluid flow rates.
Implementation Method 1
thermal expansion difference between the heat conductors and the body may not be absorbed according to material of the heat conductors and the body, thereby to cause cracks in the passage due to stress
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of wall-shaped heat conductors being protruded from the contact face of the member body and arranged inside the body
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger comprises a body having a passage through which fluid to be heat-exchanged passes, a heat transfer plate conducting heat exchange relative to the fluid to be heat-exchanged through the body. The heat transfer plate is provided with a plate body having a contact face that contacts an outer surface of the body, and a plurality of wall-shaped heat conductors being protruded from the contact face of the plate body and arranged inside the body. The body is provided with a plurality of slit-shaped holes into which the plurality of wall-shaped heat conductors are inserted and fitted at positions avoiding the passage, respectively, thereby to cause the heat conductors to be arranged inside the body. Each one heat conductor is formed smaller than a hole fitted to define a gap relative to said hole fitted.