Plate Heat Exchanger Port Layout for Asymmetric Flow Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plate heat exchangers struggle to achieve a high degree of asymmetry in fluid flow channels using identical heat exchanger plates, as prior methods require multiple sealing rings that are difficult to handle and lead to thermal inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves arranging port openings on different levels on adjacent plates, with some plates having skirts that contact to form seals, and using sealing rings to control communication between port openings and interplate flow channels, allowing for selective communication and achieving asymmetry ratios by varying the number of flow channels each port opening connects to.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sealing rings are used to achieve high asymmetry in fluid flow channels, then the desired asymmetry ratio is achieved, but the thermal efficiency decreases and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the sealing rings from the heat exchanger structure. Instead of using sealing rings to control fluid flow and achieve asymmetry, the invention uses the natural geometry of the heat exchanger plates themselves - specifically, by designing plates with different numbers of port openings, the fluid flow channels naturally achieve the desired asymmetry ratio without any additional sealing components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sealing rings are used to achieve high asymmetry in fluid flow channels, then the desired asymmetry ratio is achieved, but the device complexity and handling difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes sealing rings from the system entirely. The asymmetry function is achieved through the inherent design of the heat exchanger plates - by having different numbers of port openings on different plates, the fluid flow distribution is controlled purely by the plate geometry, eliminating the need for separate sealing components and their associated manufacturing and assembly complexities.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger plates perform multiple functions: they provide the heat transfer surface area, define the fluid flow channels, and control the fluid distribution asymmetry - all through their geometric design. The plates with different port opening configurations naturally guide the fluid flow without requiring additional sealing rings or flow control mechanisms.
3Ease of manufacture
If identical heat exchanger plates are used in a stack, then manufacturing is simplified, but asymmetric heat exchange performance cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetry into the heat exchanger system by designing plates with different port opening configurations. While the basic plate structure and pressing pattern remain identical (maintaining manufacturing simplicity), the number of port openings varies between plates - some plates have two port openings while others have one, creating the desired asymmetric fluid flow distribution and heat exchange performance.
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 approach enables the manufacture of asymmetric heat exchangers with fewer sealing rings, improving thermal efficiency and manufacturing ease while achieving desired asymmetry ratios, such as 1:2 or 2:7, by controlling fluid flow effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a pressed pattern of ridges and grooves adapted to keep the plates in the stack at a distance from one another by providing contact points between ridges of one heat exchanger plate and grooves of a neighbouring plate
Implementation Method 2
exchanging heat between fluids
Implementation Method 3
the areas surrounding the port openings are provided on different levels, such that the areas of neighbouring plates either contact one another or do not contact one another
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b~1c
Figure 2a
AI summary
A plate heat exchanger (100; 200; 300; 400) comprises a stack of heat exchanger plates (102; 202a-202f; 302a-302i; 402a-402i) provided with a pressed pattern of ridges (R) and grooves (G) adapted to keep the plates (102; 202a-202f; 302a- 302i; 402a-402i) in the stack at a distance from one another by providing contact points between ridges (R) of one heat exchanger plate and grooves (G) of a neighbouring plate and vice versa. Interplate flow channels are formed between all neighbouring heat exchanger plates (102; 202a-202f; 302a-302i; 402a-402i) in the stack, wherein four port openings (P1-P4) are arranged to provide for selective communication to the interplate flow channels. A first pair of port openings (P1-P4) communicate with a first set of interplate flow channels and a second pair of port openings (P1-P4) communicate with a second set of interplate flow channels, wherein interplate flow channels with in at least one set of interplate flow channels neighbour one another.