Heat Exchanger Plate Ribs With Protrusions for Heat and Flow Balance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for manufacturing laminated heat exchanger parts, such as chemical etching, are limited in creating geometric features like pins that effectively enhance heat exchange and structural support while maintaining fluid flow efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method involving machining a metal sheet to form protrusions and apertures, creating ribs with protrusions on each, which are then arranged between stacked heat exchanger plates to optimize heat transfer and fluid flow, using techniques like machining, laser cutting, or chemical etching to define the ribs and maintain structural integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If chemical etching is used to form geometric features, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision and geometric feature quality deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing process simplicityVSAvoidgeometric feature precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical etching with mechanical machining processes (milling, turning, drilling) to form geometric features on heat exchanger plates. This substitution allows for precise control of geometric dimensions and shapes while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized machining operations, thereby resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and geometric precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Area of moving object

If material is removed to form geometric features, then heat exchange surface area is increased, but structural strength deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer surface areaVSAvoidplate structural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by strategically positioning geometric features (pins, ribs, apertures) in specific locations on the heat exchanger plates where they maximize heat transfer surface area while minimizing impact on structural strength. The machining process allows precise placement of these features to optimize the balance between heat exchange area and structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If protrusions are added to ribs, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat exchange efficiencyVSAvoidcomponent geometric complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the formation of ribs and protrusions into a single integrated machining process. The protrusions are machined as extensions of the ribs rather than separate components, combining multiple geometric features into one unified structure. This approach improves heat exchange efficiency while avoiding the complexity of assembling separate parts, as both ribs and protrusions are created in one machining operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10974353B2Method of forming a component for a heat exchanger

Publication Date: 2021.04.13 HS MARSTON AEROSPACE

AI summary

A method of forming a component for a heat exchanger is disclosed. The method comprises machining a portion of a metal sheet to form a plurality of protrusions, and forming apertures in the portion of the metal sheet so as to form a plurality of ribs defined by adjacent ones of the apertures, wherein at least one protrusion is located on each of said ribs.