Heat-Exchanging Plate Inlet Geometry for 3D Turbulent Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dimple heat exchangers have limited turbulence intensity due to 2-dimensional fluid flow, making it difficult to regulate pressure drop, heat exchanging performance, and volume effectively.

Innovation Solution

The heat exchanging plate features adjustable inlets and outlets with varying cross-sections and transitional curved surfaces, allowing for 3-dimensional fluid flow and adjustable parameters like Ha and Hb to enhance turbulence and fluid distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional dimple heat exchanging plate is used with 2-dimensional fluid flow, then the structure is simple, but the turbulence intensity is limited and heat exchanging performance is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat exchanging performanceVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a third dimension to the fluid flow by creating asymmetric inlet/outlet cross-sections and varying depths of depressions and protrusions. This transforms the conventional 2-dimensional flow into a 3-dimensional flow pattern, significantly increasing turbulence intensity and heat exchanging performance while maintaining the basic plate structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by making different regions of the heat exchanging plate have different characteristics - specifically, different inlet/outlet cross-sections and varying depths of depressions and protrusions in different areas. This allows optimization of fluid distribution and turbulence generation in specific regions without changing the overall plate structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If the inlet and outlet cross-sections are made adjustable with varying depths, then the heat exchanging performance and pressure drop can be regulated, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregulability of heat exchanging performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs parameter changes by varying the depths of depressions and protrusions (Ha and Hb parameters) and the cross-sectional dimensions of inlets and outlets. These parameter variations allow regulation of heat exchanging performance and pressure drop while still using standard plate manufacturing processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds depth variation as a new dimension to the conventional plate design. By creating depressions and protrusions with different depths (Ha and Hb) and asymmetric cross-sections, the design achieves adjustability in heat exchanging performance without requiring complex assembly or multiple components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If the transitional curved surface between adjacent depressions and protrusions is restricted, then the fluid distribution is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid distributionVSAvoidcurved surface precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses curved transitional surfaces between depressions and protrusions to improve fluid distribution. The curved geometry naturally guides fluid flow and enhances mixing, while the specific curvature parameters are optimized to balance performance improvement with manufacturing feasibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 improves heat exchanging efficiency by promoting fluid turbulence, optimizing pressure drop, and volume while maintaining the layout and welding spot profile unchanged, thus enhancing overall performance.

Implementation Method 1

increasing the turbulence intensity to enhance heat exchanging

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Implementation Method 2

heat exchanging plate comprises depressions and/or protrusions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP3413003B1Heat-exchanging plate, and plate heat exchanger using same
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 DANFOSS MICRO CHANNEL HEAT EXCHANGER JIAXING
  • EP3413003B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3413003B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~4
  • EP3413003B1 patent drawingFigure 5a~6

AI summary

A heat-exchanging plate (20), and a plate heat exchanger (100) using same. The heat-exchanging plate (20) comprises concave locations (22) and/or convex locations (23), and is provided with multiple heat-exchanging units thereon. At least one inlet and/or at least one outlet of at least one of the heat-exchanging units is controllable.