Laminated Heat Exchanger Plate Alignment for Lower Pressure Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchangers face challenges in accurately stacking plates due to in-plane deviations, leading to difficulty in assembly and increased pressure loss.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design with alternating fluid flow paths formed by stacking first and second plates, featuring outer circumferential flanges for precise alignment and taper-joined connections, along with inlet and outlet configurations that allow fluids to flow intersecting the stacking direction, reducing pressure loss and improving workability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If plates are stacked without outer circumferential flanges, then assembly is simpler, but in-plane deviation occurs making accurate stacking difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Outer circumferential flanges are introduced as intermediary elements between plates to facilitate accurate alignment and positioning during stacking. The flanges provide dedicated positioning surfaces that enable precise in-plane alignment without complicating the overall assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer circumferential flanges are pre-formed on each plate before stacking, establishing predetermined positioning surfaces in advance. This preliminary preparation of alignment features enables accurate stacking to be achieved easily during assembly.
2Loss of energy
If fluid flows parallel to stacking direction, then pressure loss increases, but inlet/outlet configuration becomes simpler
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet and outlet are repositioned from the stacking direction to the in-plane direction of the plates. This dimensional change in flow path configuration allows fluid to enter and exit through the plate plane rather than along the stacking axis, reducing pressure loss while maintaining manageable complexity.
3Ease of operation
If tubes are stacked to form core, then assembly workability improves, but in-plane deviation between plates increases
Solution Approach 1:
Outer circumferential flanges serve as intermediary positioning elements that mediate between the tube stacking approach and plate alignment requirements. These flanges provide dedicated contact surfaces that maintain precise in-plane relationships even when tubes are stacked to form the core structure.
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
The design enhances assembly efficiency by precise plate positioning and reduces pressure loss while maintaining fluid flow efficiency, allowing for a compact and efficient heat exchanger structure.
Implementation Method 1
the outer circumferential flange portion being taper-joined to the outer circumferential flange portion of another plate adjacent to the protruding side
Implementation Method 2
the first fluid can flow in a direction that intersects the layering direction when flowing into the case and passing between the plates, reducing pressure loss
Implementation Method 3
a heat exchanger comprises a laminated body in which a flow path for a first fluid and a flow path for a second fluid are alternately formed in a stacking direction
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger includes a laminated structure of alternately stacked first and second plates forming separate flow paths for two fluids. The stack is enclosed in a bottomed tubular case with an open end sealed by a base plate. The case features sidewall-mounted inlet and outlet ports for a first fluid. Each plate has a protruding outer flange taper-fitted to adjacent plates.