Brazed Plate Heat Exchanger With Embedded Probe Thermal Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Brazed plate heat exchangers pose challenges in local temperature and heat flow measurements due to their compactness and monolithic construction, limiting control and characterization capabilities, and existing measurement solutions are intrusive, complex, and costly, with significant thermal resistance and space requirements.
Innovation Solution
A method for manufacturing brazed plate heat exchangers that incorporates temperature probes integrated into grooves within the plates, allowing for precise local temperature and heat flow measurements without disrupting the heat exchanger's operation or increasing its size, by arranging the probes before brazing and filling the space between the probe and groove walls with braze material for optimal thermal contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If temperature probes are inserted into the heat exchanger after brazing, then local temperature measurements can be taken, but the probes increase thermal resistance and disrupt the monolithic construction
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature probes are inserted into grooves within the plates before the brazing process, allowing the probes to be integrated into the monolithic structure without adding thermal resistance. The preliminary placement of probes enables them to be surrounded by braze material during brazing, creating optimal thermal contact between the probe and the plate.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature probes are nested within grooves formed in the plates, with the braze material filling the space between the probe and groove walls. This nesting approach integrates the probe into the plate structure, eliminating the need for separate mounting components and reducing thermal resistance.
2Reliability
If retaining components are added to hold temperature probes, then probes can be secured in position, but the complexity of the heat exchanger construction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining function is merged with the braze material itself, which serves both to join the plates together and to secure the temperature probes in position. The grooves formed in the plates provide the retention structure, eliminating the need for separate retaining components.
Solution Approach 2:
The braze material performs multiple functions: joining the plates together and simultaneously securing the temperature probes in position within the grooves. The structure serves itself by using the same material and process for both assembly and probe retention.
3Measurement precision
If probes are inserted after brazing, then measurements can be taken, but the implementation becomes complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature probes are inserted into grooves within the plates before the brazing process, allowing the probes to be integrated into the monolithic structure without adding thermal resistance. The preliminary placement of probes enables them to be surrounded by braze material during brazing, creating optimal thermal contact between the probe and the plate.
4Ease of operation
If space is provided between probe and groove walls, then probe installation is easier, but thermal contact is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The state of the braze material is changed from solid to liquid during the brazing process, allowing it to flow into and fill the space between the probe and groove walls. This parameter change enables the braze material to create optimal thermal contact while still allowing for easy probe installation before brazing.
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
Enables precise, non-invasive local temperature and heat flow measurements, improving the control and characterization of heat exchangers, reducing thermal resistance, and maintaining the compactness and performance of the heat exchanger.
Implementation Method 1
brazing the first flat product to the second flat product, with the braze material being melted and at least a part of the braze material diffusing in the first flat product and the second flat product, at least a part of the free space provided between the temperature probe and the internal walls of the groove being filled with solidified braze material
Implementation Method 2
at least a part of the free space provided between the temperature probe and the internal walls of the groove being filled with solidified braze material
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a heat exchanger including stacking a set of plates parallel to one another and to a longitudinal direction so as to define a plurality of passages suitable for the flow in the longitudinal direction of a first fluid to be brought into a heat-exchange relationship with at least a second fluid, said plates being delimited by a pair of longitudinal edges extending in the longitudinal direction and a pair of lateral edges extending in a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and forming at least one of the plates by superposing at least a first flat product and a second flat product on top of one another, having at least one groove that extends parallel to the plates and leads towards the outside of the stack through at least one opening in a lateral or longitudinal edge.