Stacked Plate Heat Exchanger Flow Shaping for Phase-Change Media
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Solution Overview
Problem
Stacked plate heat exchangers in motor vehicles, such as oil coolers and condensers, face inefficiencies due to suboptimal utilization of volume flow and pressure ratios when a medium changes its aggregate state, leading to inadequate heat exchange.
Innovation Solution
The design adapts the flow cross-section in stacked plate heat exchangers by incorporating an elongate separation shaping that extends between flow openings, adjustable in angle and length, to match the medium's aggregate state, with optional flow guide structures to optimize flow and heat exchange, allowing for varying flow cross-sections and plate configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional plate design with fixed flow cross-section is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the volume flow utilization and pressure ratio are suboptimal when the medium changes aggregate state
Solution Approach 1:
The plate structure incorporates different flow cross-section regions (first flow cross-section and second flow cross-section) with different geometries to match different aggregate states of the medium. The flow channel cross-section varies along the flow direction, providing locally optimized flow characteristics for different phases (gaseous and liquid) of the medium, thereby improving heat exchange efficiency without requiring a complete redesign of the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow channel cross-section is designed to change dynamically along the flow direction, transitioning from a first cross-section suitable for gaseous medium to a second cross-section suitable for liquid medium. This dynamic adaptation of the flow geometry allows the system to maintain optimal flow characteristics and pressure ratios as the medium changes its aggregate state during the heat exchange process.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the flow cross-section is adapted to match the medium's aggregate state, then the volume utilization and pressure ratio are optimized, but the plate design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The flow channel cross-sectional parameters (such as width, height, and shape) are systematically varied along the flow direction to match the changing aggregate state of the medium. The first flow cross-section is designed with parameters optimized for gaseous medium flow, while the second flow cross-section has parameters optimized for liquid medium flow. This parameter adaptation enables the system to handle phase changes effectively while maintaining a relatively simple overall plate structure that can be manufactured using standard techniques.
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 adaptation optimizes the output and pressure ratio, ensuring maximum utilization of the available volume for heat exchange, potentially reducing the number of plates required and offering cost advantages while enhancing heat transfer efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchange can take place between the two media
Implementation Method 2
The flow can be u-shaped, for example, as is described in DE 10 2012 107 381 A1
Data Source
AI summary
A stacked plate heat exchanger for a motor vehicle may include a plurality of elongated plates stacked on one another between which a plurality of cavities are disposed alternately for two media. The plurality of cavities may be respectively delimited by a respective plate of the plurality of plates zonally by a plate surface and a surrounding wall. The respective plate may include two flow openings, two passage openings, and two domes respectively arranged around one of the two passage openings. At least of one of the plurality of plates may further include an elongated separation shaping arranged on the plate surface, projecting into the respective cavity, and extending from the first short side between the two flow openings in a direction of the second short side. The separation shaping may adjoin the first short side at an angle α of 45° to 90°.