Heat exchanger, method for forming thereof and use thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat exchangers face challenges in achieving efficient heat transfer while maintaining low pressure losses and simplicity of construction, especially in central heating and tap water systems, where media flow and contact requirements conflict with cost-effective production and maintenance considerations.
Innovation Solution
The heat exchanger design features a hollow central body with protruding parts connected to the housing, forming a meandering outer channel that allows for optimized heat transfer by influencing the flow behavior of both media, preventing uncooled parts and allowing for easy manufacturing and maintenance, using a minimal number of plates connected by welding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional heat exchangers use simple construction with fewer components, then manufacturing cost and ease of production improve, but heat transfer efficiency and flow control capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is segmented into a minimal number of functional plates (first plate, second plate, third plate) that are locally connected, creating distinct inner and outer channels. This segmentation allows optimized flow paths for both media while keeping the overall structure simple and manufacturable.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a meandering flow path in the outer channel that extends in the longitudinal dimension, allowing the second medium to traverse the heat exchanger in a serpentine pattern. This dimensional approach increases heat transfer surface area and efficiency without adding complex multi-directional components.
2Reliability
If heat exchangers are designed for intensive media contact to improve heat transfer, then heat exchange efficiency improves, but pressure losses increase and construction complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The meandering outer channel employs curved, serpentine paths instead of sharp angles or straight segments. This curvature allows the second medium to flow smoothly through the channel while maintaining continuous contact with the heat exchange surface, reducing turbulence-induced pressure losses while maximizing heat transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes the geometric parameters of the meandering channel, including the radius of curvature, channel width, and spacing between protruding parts, to balance heat transfer efficiency with acceptable pressure losses. These parameter adjustments enable intensive media contact without excessive flow resistance.
3Reliability
If heat exchangers use complex assembly of multiple plates to improve heat transfer, then heat exchange performance improves, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple functional elements into a minimal plate assembly. The first, second, and third plates collectively define both inner and outer channels, with local connections between protruding parts serving dual purposes as both structural joints and flow directors. This merging reduces the total number of components while maintaining effective heat transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
Each plate in the assembly serves multiple functions: the first plate defines the inner channel boundary and provides mounting surfaces; the second plate forms the outer channel walls; the third plate closes the system. The protruding parts with local connections simultaneously provide structural support, define flow paths, and enable disassembly for maintenance.
4Ease of repair
If heat exchangers are designed for easy disassembly to improve serviceability, then ease of maintenance improves, but structural integrity and heat transfer efficiency may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is segmented into discrete plates connected by removable fasteners rather than permanent welding throughout. This segmentation allows the unit to be disassembled into individual plates for cleaning and maintenance while maintaining strong, leak-proof connections during operation through the fastening system.
Solution Approach 2:
The plates are designed with pre-formed protruding parts and corresponding recesses that guide proper assembly and ensure correct positioning before fastening. This preliminary geometric configuration ensures that when the plates are reassembled after maintenance, the structural integrity and flow path alignment are restored to their original state.
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 achieves efficient heat transfer by allowing transverse flow between media, reducing pressure losses, and simplifying production and maintenance, while ensuring uniform heat distribution and preventing direct contact between flue gases and weld seams, resulting in a robust and cost-effective heat exchanger.
Implementation Method 1
Heat exchangers are applied in many fields in order to transfer heat from a medium with relatively high temperature to a medium with relatively low temperature
Implementation Method 2
a desired flow characteristic can hereby be realized for both the first medium and the second medium
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a heat exchanger, comprising a hollow central body which is received in a housing and defines an inner channel for a first medium, wherein a space surrounding the central body in the housing defines at least one outer channel for a second medium, wherein the central body has on either side parts which protrude from a main plane thereof and are connected to mutually opposite parts of the housing and which bound the outer channel such that the outer channel has a meandering form substantially parallel to the main plane of the central body.The invention further relates to a method for forming such a heat exchanger, and to a method for use thereof.