Plate Heat Exchanger Support Element for High Pressure Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Plate-type heat exchangers face deformation and gasket displacement under high pressures due to pressure differences, leading to potential leakage issues.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a support element in the sealed opening area of the heat exchanger plates to prevent deformation and maintain gasket position, with optional gasket arrangements and materials like plastic or porous designs to manage pressure forces effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If the heat exchanger is designed for high pressures, then the pressure handling capability is improved, but the risk of plate deformation and gasket displacement increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure handling capabilityVSAvoidrisk of leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A support element is introduced as an intermediary component between the sealed opening area and the gasket arrangement. This support element acts as a mediator that distributes and absorbs the pressure forces, preventing direct transmission of high pressure to the gasket and plate structure, thereby maintaining sealing reliability under high pressure conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stress or pressure

If the sealed opening area is exposed to pressure differential, then the heat exchanger can handle higher pressures, but plate deformation occurs enabling gasket displacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure differential handlingVSAvoidplate deformation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The support element is pre-installed in the sealed opening area to provide preliminary counter-action against pressure-induced deformation. By being positioned beforehand, the support element creates a mechanical barrier that opposes and neutralizes the deforming forces before they can cause plate deformation or gasket displacement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Stress or pressure

If the gasket arrangement is placed in the sealed opening area, then the heat exchanger can operate at high pressures, but the gasket may be pushed out of position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperating pressureVSAvoidgasket position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support element serves as a cushioning element installed beforehand in the sealed opening area. It absorbs and distributes the forces generated by pressure differential, providing protective cushioning to the gasket arrangement and preventing the gasket from being pushed out of position during high pressure operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS12123660B2Plate-type heat exchanger

Publication Date: 2024.10.22 DANFOSS AS

AI summary

A plate-type heat exchanger is described comprising a stack of heat exchanger plates (2b) forming a first flow path and a second flow path, wherein each heat exchanger plate (2b) comprises an opening (7b) in an opening area (8b), the opening area (8b) being connected to one of the two flow paths and sealed against the other of the two flow paths by means of a gasket arrangement (11b). Such a plate-type heat exchanger should be suitable for high pressures without increasing the risk of leakages. To this end a support element (15) is arranged in the sealed opening area (8b).