Heat Exchanger Frame Plate Lining for Standardized Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchanger lining designs require multiple specialized components and are not versatile enough to be used across different heat transfer plate designs, leading to increased complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A tubular lining with flanges is introduced, featuring a middle section and an outer section that accommodates a sealing element between the frame plate and neighboring heat transfer plates, allowing for standardized sealing elements to be used across various heat exchanger designs, with the flanges extending parallel to the frame and heat transfer plates, and the tubular part being formed of two sections that overlap within the frame plate opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple specialized components are used in lining designs, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple specialized components (lining plate, sealing elements, fastening elements) into a single integrated lining assembly that is inserted as one unit into the frame plate. This merging approach maintains sealing reliability while reducing device complexity by eliminating the need for multiple separate specialized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The lining assembly is designed with universal features that allow it to be used across different heat exchanger configurations and frame plate designs. The standardized interface and modular structure enable the same lining assembly to serve multiple functions and adapt to various sealing requirements without requiring specialized custom components for each application.
2Ease of manufacture
If standardized sealing elements are used across different heat exchanger designs, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but adaptability to different plate designs decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The lining assembly incorporates standardized sealing elements with universal interfaces that can adapt to different heat exchanger plate designs. The standardized design allows the same sealing elements to be used across various configurations while maintaining effective sealing, thereby reducing manufacturing costs without sacrificing adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The lining assembly design allows for parameter adjustments and variations while maintaining the core standardized structure. This enables the same basic design to be adapted to different plate thicknesses, opening sizes, and configurations through parameter modifications rather than requiring completely specialized components for each design.
3Reliability
If thick frame plates are made of fluid-resistant materials, then material resistance to media is improved, but material cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fluid resistance function from the frame plate structure itself and transfers it to a separate lining assembly that is inserted into the frame plate. This allows the frame plate to be made of cheaper structural material while the specialized fluid-resistant properties are provided by the removable lining, significantly reducing material costs while maintaining media resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution creates a composite structure where the frame plate (structural material) and lining assembly (fluid-resistant material) work together as a unified system. This composite approach allows each component to be optimized for its specific function - structural support and fluid resistance respectively - rather than requiring the entire frame plate to be made of expensive fluid-resistant materials.
Data Source
AI summary
Lining to be positioned in a frame plate of heat exchanger comprising a stack of heat transfer plates, where the lining comprises a tubular part with a first end formed with a first flange and second flange positioned at a distance to the second end, where the second flange is adapted to form a platform to accommodate a sealing element is positioned on the platform of the second flange and this confined between the edge of the recess, the second flange and the outer section and the neighbouring heat transfer plate in the stack of heat transfer plates.