Heat Exchanger Plate Perpendicular Guiding Sections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat exchanger plates, especially smaller ones, face challenges in precise alignment due to limited space, leading to potential leakage and damage from misalignment during assembly and operation.
Innovation Solution
The heat exchanger plate features a unique guiding mechanism with perpendicular guiding surfaces at the corners, including recessed corner surfaces and support knobs, allowing for accurate alignment without extending the plate's dimensions, which minimizes the risk of leakage and damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If rounded guiding surfaces with the same centre as port openings are used, then alignment is achieved for larger plates, but there is insufficient space and alignment precision for smaller plates
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding surface is segmented into multiple flat surfaces (first guiding surface, second guiding surface, third guiding surface, fourth guiding surface) arranged at different orientations around the corner. Each surface provides guidance in a specific direction, collectively achieving precise alignment without requiring a large rounded surface area.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional rounded guiding surface to a three-dimensional multi-faceted corner structure with guiding surfaces extending in multiple directions and orientations, enabling precise alignment in both horizontal and vertical directions simultaneously.
2Area of stationary object
If guiding surfaces are made small to fit smaller plates, then space constraints are satisfied, but alignment precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the corner region are assigned different functions: some surfaces (first and second guiding surfaces) provide alignment guidance, while other surfaces (third and fourth guiding surfaces) provide stabilization. This local differentiation maximizes the utility of limited corner space.
Solution Approach 2:
The corner structure with multiple guiding surfaces is pre-formed on the plate during manufacturing, establishing the alignment geometry in advance before assembly, ensuring consistent alignment precision regardless of plate size.
3Measurement precision
If multiple alignment means are used to achieve sufficient precision, then alignment accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The corner structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides guiding surfaces for alignment, stabilization surfaces for mechanical support, and integrates with the gasket groove system. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate alignment components.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding surfaces are merged with the corner region structure itself rather than being separate components. The corner region is designed to inherently provide both structural support and alignment guidance, combining multiple functions into a single integrated feature.
Data Source
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AI summary
A heat exchanger plate, where the plate is provided with a heat transfer surface having a corrugated pattern with a plurality of ridges and valleys, and where the heat exchanger plate is provided with a plurality of guiding sections, and where each guiding section comprises a first guiding surface and a second guiding surface, where the first and second guiding surfaces are perpendicular to each other. A heat exchanger comprising a plurality of heat exchanger plates is also disclosed. The advantage of this heat exchanger plate is that it allows for an improved alignment of the heat exchanger plates.