Heat Exchanger Stacking Block Homogeneity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stacked heat exchangers have complex internal structures due to varied through hole shapes and arrangements, leading to increased production costs.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design featuring a stacking block with flow paths formed by alternatingly connected through holes of a constant shape on both sides, simplifying the internal structure and production process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If through holes of different shapes are formed in respective plates to create flow paths, then heat exchange functionality is achieved, but internal structure becomes complicated and production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies homogeneity by making all through holes in both the first and second flow path plates have the same shape and arrangement pattern. This eliminates the need for different shaped through holes, simplifying the internal structure and reducing production costs while maintaining effective heat exchange functionality between the first and second fluids.
2Ease of manufacture
If through holes are arranged in different patterns in stacked plates, then flow paths are formed, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using the same through hole shape and arrangement pattern for both the first and second flow path plates. This universal design allows both plates to be manufactured using the same process and specifications, simplifying the manufacturing process while still enabling distinct flow paths for the first and second fluids through the stacking configuration.
3Ease of manufacture
If constant shape through holes are used in both flow path plates, then production cost is reduced, but flow path formation capability must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning from varying through hole shapes within a single plane to using constant shaped through holes arranged in a three-dimensional stacked configuration. The flow paths are formed by the spatial arrangement and alternation of identical through holes across multiple plates, maintaining heat exchange efficiency while simplifying manufacturing.
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 reduces production costs and simplifies the internal structure of the heat exchanger while maintaining effective heat exchange between fluids.
Implementation Method 1
each of the first through holes has regions overlapping with the second through holes located on both sides of the first through hole in the first direction, and the first flow path is formed by the first through holes and the second through holes being alternately connected in the first direction in the regions where those through holes overlap
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger that allows at least a first fluid and a second fluid to exchange heat therebetween while allowing those fluids to circulate
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger including a stacking block, including: a first plate surface; a second plate surface opposite to the first plate surface; and first and second flow path plates including respective plural first and second through holes that have a standard shape. The first through holes are arranged to line up in a standard array pattern in a first direction in which a first flow path causes a first fluid to flow. The second through holes are arranged in the first direction in the same standard array pattern as the first through holes. Each of the first through holes have an area with a same overlap with the second through holes positioned on both sides of the first through holes, in the first direction. The first flow path is formed by the first and second through holes being mutually joined in the first direction, in the areas of overlap.