Compact Plate-Stacking Heat Exchanger With Partitioned Inlet Ports

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional plate stacking type heat exchangers have a large longitudinal dimension due to the spacing of low temperature fluid inlet and outlet ports, which increases the overall size of the device.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a partition part within the low temperature fluid compartments to position the inlet and outlet ports closer together in the longitudinal direction, forming an inverse U-shaped flow path that enhances heat transfer while maintaining the U-turn regions for high temperature fluid, thereby reducing the longitudinal dimension and increasing the heat transfer area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the inlet port for low temperature fluid and outlet port for low temperature fluid are provided on both ends in the longitudinal direction of the plate, then the low temperature fluid can flow through the plate, but the longitudinal dimension of the plate increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid flow capabilityVSAvoidlongitudinal dimension of plate
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a partition part that extends in the width direction of the plate to create separate flow paths. This allows the low temperature fluid inlet and outlet ports to be positioned on the same end side in the longitudinal direction, utilizing the width dimension to accommodate both ports without increasing the longitudinal dimension.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the inlet port for low temperature fluid is provided outside the area where the U-turn region is formed, then the low temperature fluid flow path is defined, but the longitudinal dimension of the plate increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelow temperature fluid flow pathVSAvoidlongitudinal dimension of plate
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the low temperature fluid compartment into distinct areas using a partition part. The partition part divides the compartment into a first area containing the U-turn region and a second area containing the inlet and outlet ports. This segmentation allows the ports to be positioned within the same longitudinal end area while maintaining proper flow path separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the outlet port for low temperature fluid is provided outside the area where the inlet port for high temperature fluid and outlet port for high temperature fluid are provided, then the flow paths are separated, but the longitudinal dimension of the plate increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow path separationVSAvoidlongitudinal dimension of plate
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The partition part extends in the width direction to create lateral separation between flow paths. This allows the low temperature fluid outlet port to be positioned on the same longitudinal end as the high temperature fluid ports, using the width dimension for separation rather than increasing longitudinal dimension.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 reduces the longitudinal dimension of the heat exchanger while maintaining effective heat transfer, allowing for a more compact design without compromising performance.

Implementation Method 1

a partition part (10a, 10b) which partitions along the longitudinal direction of the corresponding plates an interior of the low temperature fluid compartment (60) into an area including the inlet port (59a) for low temperature fluid and an area including the outlet port (59b) for low temperature fluid so as to form an inverse U-shaped flow path

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

Protrusions (53a, 54a) are formed on one side of each of the plates, the protrusions extending from the inlet port (58a) for high temperature fluid toward the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the plate, forming U-turn regions on the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Convection

Implementation Method 3

peripheral flanges of each of the pairs of core plates are bonded to each other in a brazing process, whereby high temperature fluid compartments through which the high temperature fluid flows and low temperature fluid compartments through which the low temperature fluid flows are defined

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBrazing: Brazing

Data Source

PatentEP2207000B1Plate-stacking type heat exchanger
Publication Date: 2016.09.14 TOKYO ROKI CO LTD
  • EP2207000B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2207000B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2207000B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An object of the present invention is to provide a plate stacking type heat exchanger including plates having a small longitudinal dimension. In a plate stacking type heat exchanger 100 according to the present invention, an inlet port for low temperature fluid 59a and an outlet port for low temperature fluid 59b are provided on one end side in the longitudinal direction of a plate (left side in Figure 1). A partition part formed of partition members 10a and 10b is formed in each low temperature fluid compartment 60. The low temperature fluid flows each of the low temperature fluid compartments 60 along a U-turn path that is not short in length.