Integrated Heat Exchanger Gasket Seating for Leak Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated heat exchangers face issues with sealing performance due to the expansion of bridge-type gaskets during assembly, leading to potential leaks when used over time, especially when different temperature fluids are involved.
Innovation Solution
The integrated heat exchanger incorporates a bridge-type gasket with seating protrusions matching the width of the seating space, ensuring proper seating and sealing by maintaining a filling ratio of 100% or less, and includes dummy tubes to prevent heat transfer between different temperature regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the bridge-type gasket width in the longitudinal direction is made smaller than the seating space width to account for expansion during assembly, then the gasket can be assembled, but the sealing performance deteriorates and leaks occur over time
Solution Approach 1:
The seating protrusion is formed in advance on the bridge-type gasket with a width equal to the seating space width. This preliminary structural feature ensures that during assembly, the gasket is automatically positioned and seated at the center of the seating space, preventing both excessive compression and misalignment that would lead to leakage over time.
2Ease of manufacture
If the bridge-type gasket is compressed and biased toward one side during assembly, then assembly can proceed, but sealing performance deteriorates and leakage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The seating protrusion creates an asymmetric feature on the otherwise symmetric bridge-type gasket. This asymmetric protrusion engages with the corresponding seating structure in the header, creating a mechanical guide that prevents lateral biasing during compression and ensures centered positioning for optimal sealing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If different temperature fluids are circulated in the integrated heat exchanger, then heat exchange functionality is achieved, but thermal expansion differences cause deformation and potential leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge-type gasket with seating protrusion is designed to accommodate parameter changes including thermal expansion. The gasket material and structural design allow it to expand and contract with temperature changes while maintaining the centered seating position through the protrusion feature, preventing deformation-induced leakage.
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 design enhances sealing performance by accurately seating the gasket, reducing assembly compressive loads, and preventing leaks, while maintaining efficient heat exchange across different temperature regions.
Implementation Method 1
a gasket interposed between the header and the tank to seal a coupling portion between the header and the tank
Implementation Method 2
a bridge formed in the width direction to seal a coupling portion between the baffle and the header and configured to connect one side and the other side of the peripheral portion in the width direction
Implementation Method 3
a heat blocking slot formed between the pair of baffles to block heat transfer of the two types of heat exchange media through the tank
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an integrated heat exchanger made by integrating two heat exchange parts different in temperatures of cooling fluids, and more particularly, to a technology related to an integrated heat exchanger capable of improving sealing performance of a bridge-type gasket configured to partition two different heat exchange regions.