Rectangular Gas Heat Exchanger Support Plate Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In heat exchangers with rectangular cross-sections, the support plates can undergo undesired displacements during assembly due to the lack of a mechanical union with the casing, making it difficult to maintain precise alignment and preventing mechanization, especially when protrusions are not accurately positioned near the periphery.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of protrusions on the support plates, arranged symmetrically and oriented towards the inside, which come into contact with the casing's peripheral surface, providing frictional immobilization to prevent unwanted movement during assembly and soldering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If support plates are assembled without mechanical union to the casing, then ease of assembly is improved, but support plate stability deteriorates due to undesired displacements during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
Protrusions are pre-formed on the support plates before assembly, creating predetermined friction contact points with the casing that stabilize the support plates during the assembly process and subsequent handling, while still allowing for easy assembly without complex mechanical unions
2Stability of the object's composition
If protrusions are made close to the periphery of support plates, then immobilization effect is improved through friction contact, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to difficulty in mechanizing circular sections
Solution Approach 1:
The support plates are given a circular outer shape with a rounded periphery, which naturally guides the formation of protrusions close to the edge. This curved geometry facilitates mechanized processing by providing a consistent reference surface, while the circular shape itself promotes stable friction contact with the casing during assembly
3Stability of the object's composition
If support plates are fixed with mechanical union before soldering, then support plate stability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional joining operations
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusions serve as temporary stabilization features that provide sufficient friction contact during assembly and positioning. They fulfill their immobilization function during the critical assembly phase, after which the support plates are permanently fixed through soldering of the tube bundle, making the protrusions' temporary role sufficient and eliminating the need for additional mechanical fasteners
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 solution effectively prevents support plate movement during assembly and soldering, ensuring accurate alignment and facilitating mechanization by utilizing frictional contact between the protrusions and the casing, thereby ensuring a stable assembly process.
Implementation Method 1
said protrusions comprising reliefs capable of coming into contact with a peripheral surface of the casing... it is possible to avoid any unwanted movement of the support plates during assembly and application of the oven solder of the heat exchanger thanks to the friction produced between the protrusions and the peripheral surface of the casing
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The exchanger has parallel pipes arranged inside a casing, through which gases flow to be cooled by thermal exchange with a refrigeration fluid. The pipes are connected between two support plates (7) anchored at both ends of the casing, where the casing and the support plates have a substantially rectangular cross-section. Each support plate includes protuberances arranged in proximity to a peripheral zone, where the protuberances (9) includes raised portions that come into contact with a peripheral surface area of the casing.