Pre-deformed Separator Plate for Heat Exchanger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat exchangers experience performance degradation due to non-homogeneous deformations of the separator plate under fluid pressure, affecting heat exchange efficiency, especially in automotive air conditioning systems where engine shutdown leads to reduced cooling performance.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchange element with a pre-deformed separator plate at curved zones of undulations, calibrating performance by intentionally inducing deformations to match stress areas, thereby stabilizing performance and reducing variations with pressure conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separator plate is used to place circulation channels and reservoirs in communication, then the heat exchanger can exchange heat between the heat transfer fluid and thermal storage material, but the separator plate deforms under fluid pressure causing non-homogeneous deformations that affect performance
Solution Approach 1:
The separator plate is pre-deformed during manufacturing to anticipate and compensate for the deformations that will occur under operating pressure. By预先 applying deformations in the opposite direction of expected pressure-induced deformations, the plate maintains its functional geometry during actual operation, ensuring stable heat exchange performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-deformations are applied locally at specific curved zones of the separator plate where stress concentrations occur during operation. Rather than uniformly deforming the entire plate, the invention targets specific regions that experience the greatest stress, optimizing compensation where it is most needed while minimizing unnecessary modifications elsewhere.
2Productivity
If the separator plate is subjected to fluid pressure during operation, then heat exchange function is maintained, but deformations occur that vary with pressure level and duration, affecting exchanger performance
Solution Approach 1:
The separator plate is pre-deformed during manufacturing to anticipate and compensate for the deformations that will occur under operating pressure. By预先 applying deformations in the opposite direction of expected pressure-induced deformations, the plate maintains its functional geometry during actual operation, ensuring stable heat exchange performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the initial geometric parameters of the separator plate through pre-deformation, adjusting its shape to account for expected operational deformations. This parameter modification ensures that the plate maintains optimal functional geometry across a range of operating pressures and durations.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional separator plates are used without pre-deformations, then manufacturing is simpler, but performance varies with pressure conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The separator plate is pre-deformed during manufacturing to anticipate and compensate for the deformations that will occur under operating pressure. By预先 applying deformations in the opposite direction of expected pressure-induced deformations, the plate maintains its functional geometry during actual operation, ensuring stable heat exchange performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-deformations are applied locally at specific curved zones of the separator plate where stress concentrations occur during operation. Rather than uniformly deforming the entire plate, the invention targets specific regions that experience the greatest stress, optimizing compensation where it is most needed while minimizing unnecessary modifications elsewhere.
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 solution stabilizes heat exchanger performance by uniformly managing deformations, ensuring consistent cooling even when the engine is off, and reducing material thickness for a more compact, cost-effective design.
Implementation Method 1
the storage material and the heat transfer fluid exchange heat with each other
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger comprising a plurality of heat transfer fluid circulation channels
Implementation Method 3
the separation plate has: a predefined number of deformations respectively arranged at the level of the curved zones of an undulation of a first or a second circulation channel
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a heat exchange element comprising: at least a first plate and a second plate, the first plate including at least a first circulation channel for a first fluid that has a substantially undulating general shape, and the second plate including at least a second circulation channel for the first fluid that has a substantially undulating general shape; and a separator plate (33) disposed between the first and second plates. According to the invention, the separator plate (33) has a predefined number of deformations (57, 59, 61, 63) each arranged in line with an undulation in the first or second circulation channel. The invention also relates to a heat exchanger comprising a bundle provided with at least one such heat exchange element (3).