Plate Heat Exchanger Joint Geometry for Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plate heat exchangers face challenges in achieving strong and secure joints between heat transfer plates, with traditional joints being inefficient in distributing load and prone to localized stress concentrations.
Innovation Solution
The plate heat exchanger features elongated joints along ridge and groove lines with a quotient of circumference to area (O/A) ≥ 2.6 mm⁻¹, ensuring a strong bond by distributing load over a longer periphery, and utilizing methods like brazing with a brazing material or a melting depressant composition to permanently join the plates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional point joints are used between heat transfer plates, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the joint strength is insufficient and load distribution is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The joint structure is segmented into multiple discrete joints arranged along the ridge lines, where each joint is a separate bonding unit. This segmentation allows the total bonding area to be distributed across multiple locations, enhancing overall joint strength while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized repetitive units.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint configuration transitions from point-like contacts to elongated linear joints extending along the ridge lines. This dimensional change from 0D point joints to 1D line joints increases the circumference-to-area ratio, improving load distribution and joint strength without significantly complicating the manufacturing process.
2Reliability
If numerous individual contact points are created by crossing ridges and valleys, then the plates are permanently joined, but stress concentrations occur at intersection points
Solution Approach 1:
The joint design implements local quality by concentrating bonding along the ridge lines where stress distribution is optimized. The elongated joint geometry creates regions of different stress characteristics along the joint length, with the high O/A ratio areas providing superior stress distribution and reduced concentration effects compared to point contacts.
3Strength
If joints with high circumference-to-area ratio are used, then load is distributed over longer periphery, but the joint area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The joint geometry transitions from compact point contacts to elongated linear features along the ridge lines. This dimensional transformation increases the circumference-to-area ratio by extending the joint perimeter while maintaining a narrow width, thereby improving load distribution capability without requiring large total joint areas.
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 configuration results in a plate heat exchanger with enhanced strength and durability, maintaining efficient heat transfer performance while minimizing stress concentrations at joint peripheries.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing methods like brazing with a brazing material or a melting depressant composition to permanently join the plates
Implementation Method 2
utilizing methods like brazing with a brazing material or a melting depressant composition to permanently join the plates
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~4
AI summary
The disclosure concerns a plate heat exchanger (10) comprising permanently joined plates (1) including a first and a second heat transfer plate (1', 1''). A heat transfer pattern comprises ridges (36) and groove portions (38). The ridges (36) extend along ridge lines (46) and the groove portions (38) extend along groove lines (48). In a heat transfer area (34), the first heat transfer plate (1') is permanently joined to the second heat transfer plate (1'') in a number of joints (50) along the ridge lines (46) of the first heat transfer plate (1') and the groove lines (48) of the second heat transfer plate (1''). For each joint (50) of the number of joints (50) a quotient between a circumference, O, of the joint (50) and an area, A, of the joint (50) is O/A ≥ 2.6 mm-1.