Plate Heat Exchanger Wave Patterns for Turbulent Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional plate heat exchangers face challenges in achieving efficient heat exchange performance due to fluid stagnation and lack of turbulence, particularly in compact designs for automotive applications.
Innovation Solution
A plate heat exchanger design featuring stacked heat exchange elements with wave patterns on upper and lower plates, including ridges, valleys, and embossments, which promote fluid turbulence and flow, and a structured assembly to enhance fluidity and heat transfer efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a compact plate heat exchanger design is used to reduce size for automotive applications, then the heat exchanger can be installed in limited space, but fluid stagnation occurs and turbulence is reduced, deteriorating heat exchange performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curved wave patterns (ridges and valleys) on the plate surfaces instead of flat surfaces. The wave patterns create turbulent flow paths that prevent fluid stagnation while maintaining compact size. The curvature of the wave patterns promotes mixing and enhances heat transfer efficiency in the limited space of automotive applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces localized structural features (ridges, valleys, and flat parts) at specific locations on the plates. The wave patterns are concentrated in flow channels to promote turbulence, while flat parts are positioned around flanges to ensure proper sealing and assembly. This localized optimization allows the compact design to maintain high heat exchange performance.
2Productivity
If wave patterns with ridges and valleys are added to promote turbulence, then heat exchange performance improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plate structure is segmented into distinct functional zones: wave pattern regions with ridges and valleys for turbulence promotion, and flat parts for sealing and assembly. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall design manageable and manufacturable.
Solution Approach 2:
The wave patterns serve multiple functions simultaneously: they promote turbulence to enhance heat transfer, guide fluid flow through the channels, and prevent dead zones where fluid might stagnate. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If flat parts are formed around flanges to improve assembly, then manufacturing ease increases, but the wave pattern area is reduced, potentially affecting heat exchange
Solution Approach 1:
Flat parts are localized specifically around the flange areas where sealing and assembly are required, while the wave patterns are maintained in the flow channel regions where turbulence is needed. This spatial differentiation ensures that each feature performs its intended function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The plate surface is divided into functional segments: flat peripheral regions for assembly purposes and wave-patterned central regions for heat exchange. This segmentation allows the design to accommodate both manufacturing requirements and thermal performance requirements in a balanced manner.
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
The design improves heat exchange efficiency by ensuring smooth fluid flow and turbulence, reducing pressure drops, and reinforcing the assembly for increased structural strength and ease of stacking.
Implementation Method 1
promoting turbulence of the fluid
Implementation Method 2
heat exchange performance by increasing the fluidity of a fluid and by promoting turbulence of the fluid
Implementation Method 3
transferring heat from a higher temperature fluid to a lower temperature fluid through a heat transfer wall
Data Source
AI summary
A plate heat exchanger realizing improved heat exchange performance by increasing the fluidity of fluids and by promoting turbulence of the fluids, including: heat exchange elements stacked by being laid one on top of another and individually formed by assembling upper and lower plates, with an internal flow channel defined in each of the heat exchange elements and an external flow channel defined between the heat exchange elements, the internal and external flow channels allowing internal and external fluids to pass therethrough, respectively, wherein the upper and lower plates are provided with respective wave patterns having ridges and valleys, each of the heat exchange elements has an inlet port and an outlet port, the upper and lower plates respectively have an upper flange and a lower flange which are assembled with each other through fitting, and first and second flat parts are formed around the upper and lower flanges.