Plate Heat Exchanger With Segmented U-Shaped Flow Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plate heat exchangers with U-shaped inter-plate channels fail to meet high performance requirements in certain application scenarios due to limitations in flow path length and heat exchange efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design featuring a core body with stacked plate sheets that include isolation portions and blocking portions, creating U-shaped flow paths and multiple sub-channels to extend the flow path length and enhance heat exchange performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If U-shaped inter-plate channels are used in plate heat exchanger, then the inter-plate channel length is increased, but the heat exchange performance is still insufficient for high performance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The inter-plate channel is segmented into multiple sub-channels by isolation portions and blocking portions. The first inter-plate channel is divided into first and second sub-inter-plate channels, creating multiple flow paths that increase the effective heat exchange length without simply extending a single U-shaped channel. This segmentation allows the fluid to traverse through multiple isolated sections, thereby achieving longer heat exchange path length.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces blocking portions that extend in the thickness direction of the core body, creating a three-dimensional flow path structure. The first blocking portion divides the first pore passage into sub-pore passages, and the isolation portions create sub-channels in the inter-plate space. This multi-dimensional arrangement increases the flow path length by utilizing both the planar and thickness dimensions of the plate structure.
2Length of moving object
If multiple isolation portions and blocking portions are added to create sub-channels, then the flow path length is prolonged, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional elements are merged into integrated plate structures. The isolation portions and blocking portions are formed as integral parts of the plate sheets, combining channel division, flow direction control, and heat exchange surface creation into a single manufactured component. This merging reduces the number of separate parts needed while achieving the complex flow path configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The plate sheets serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide heat exchange surfaces, create fluid channels, divide flow paths through isolation portions, and direct flow through blocking portions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby managing device complexity while achieving prolonged flow path length.
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 increases the flow path length and improves heat exchange efficiency, making it suitable for a broader range of application scenarios with enhanced performance.
Implementation Method 1
two heat exchange media exchange heat through the heat exchange plates in the adjacent flow channels
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger comprises a core body. The core body comprises a first sheet and a second sheet that are arranged in a stacked manner. The core body is provided with a first fluid channel and a second fluid channel that are isolated from one another. The first fluid channel comprises a first pore channel and a second pore channel. The first pore channel and the second pore channel are located on the side of the core body in the width direction thereof. The core body further comprises a first blocking part. The first pore channel comprises a first sub-pore channel and a second sub-pore channel that are located on two sides of the first blocking part. The heat exchanger further comprises a first connection port and a second connection port that are located on the same side of the core body in the thickness direction thereof. One of the first sub-pore channel and the second sub-pore channel is in communication with the first connection port, and the other one of the first sub-pore channel and the second sub-pore channel is in communication with the second connection port. The heat exchange performance of the heat exchanger is thus improved, and the heat exchanger may be suitable for satisfying more application requirements.