Tubular Heat Exchanger Seal Structure for Controlled Compression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current seals in tubular heat exchangers used in food processing applications face challenges in maintaining long running times due to chemical and physical stress, potential release of harmful substances, and risk of being torn apart, which can lead to interruptions and contamination.

Innovation Solution

A seal design featuring a first portion with a first width and a second portion with a smaller width, including recesses and protrusions to reduce width expansion and ensure a tight fit, with a chamfered surface and flat sections for secure mounting, allowing controlled compression and minimizing the risk of being pushed into the product channel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the seal is made with uniform width to ensure structural simplicity, then the seal may be pushed into the product channel under compression, but if the seal has varying width with recesses, then the width expansion is controlled and the seal remains stable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal stabilityVSAvoidseal structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The seal is divided into multiple portions (first portion, second portion, third portion) with different widths, separated by recesses. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function: the wider first portion provides compression resistance, the narrower second portion fits into the mounting recess, and the third portion provides additional sealing surface area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the seal have different width characteristics tailored to their specific functional requirements. The first portion has a larger width to resist compression forces, while the second portion has a smaller width to fit into the mounting recess, and the third portion has intermediate width for sealing. This local differentiation optimizes performance while controlling overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the seal is compressed strongly to ensure tight sealing, then the sealing effect is improved, but the seal may be torn apart or pushed into the product channel, causing contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The seal design incorporates recesses that act as cushioning zones, absorbing and distributing compression forces before they can cause damage. The recesses allow the seal material to deform in a controlled manner, preventing sudden failure or pushing into the product channel while maintaining the sealing effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The seal transitions from a simple two-dimensional cross-section to a three-dimensional structure with varying width along its length. This dimensional change allows the seal to manage compression forces more effectively by distributing them across different sections, preventing both tearing and pushing into the product channel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Duration of action of stationary object

If the seal material is made resistant to chemical and physical stress, then the seal durability is improved, but the seal may become too rigid and fail to maintain tight fit under compression

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal durabilityVSAvoidcompressibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The seal design changes the geometric parameters (width, recess depth, portion distribution) to optimize the balance between durability and compressibility. The varying width profile allows the seal to maintain structural integrity from durable materials while still permitting controlled compression in specific zones to ensure tight sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 seal design enhances the operational reliability and hygiene of tubular heat exchangers by reducing the risk of seal failure and contamination, maintaining a tight fit under pressure and temperature variations, and preventing food residues from accumulating.

Implementation Method 1

a first recess that is located in the first portion to reduce a width expansion of the first portion when the seal is compressed in an axial direction of the seal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP3502521B1A seal and a tubular heat exchanger using such seal

Publication Date: 2023.05.10 TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE SA

Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b

AI summary

A seal (200) comprising a first portion (202) having a first width (E) that extends in a radial direction (DR) of the seal (200), a second portion (204) that is joined with the first portion (202) and having a second width (C) that is smaller than the first width (E), and a first recess (218) that is located in the first portion (202) to reduce a width expansion of the first portion (202) when the seal (200) is compressed in an axial direction (AR) of the seal (200).