Reinforced Header Plate for Heat Exchanger Joints
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Heat exchangers face mechanical fatigue and breakdown due to fluctuating coolant pressures, particularly at the joints between the header plate and coolant housing, as the coolant housing dimensions change, leading to stress and potential failure.
Innovation Solution
A reinforcing plate is integrated along the end portion of the header plate, encompassing the corner between the coolant housing's side and outer surface, made of the same material as the heat exchanger components, to enhance resistance to fatigue and limit displacement under pressure, with apertures accommodating tubes and allowing for easy assembly and brazing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If coolant pressure is increased to avoid vaporization and improve cooling efficiency, then cooling efficiency is improved, but mechanical fatigue and breakdown risk at joints increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adding a reinforcing plate specifically at the corner region of the header plate where it joins the coolant housing. This localized reinforcement strengthens the most vulnerable joint area without requiring to strengthen the entire header plate, thereby improving joint strength at the critical location while maintaining overall system design.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcing plate creates a composite structure by combining the header plate material with the reinforcing plate material at the joint region. This composite construction provides enhanced mechanical strength and fatigue resistance at the critical joint area, allowing the system to withstand higher coolant pressures without increasing vulnerability at the joints.
2Strength
If reinforcing clips are added to strengthen the header plate, then fatigue resistance is improved, but manufacturing complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reinforcing function with the existing header plate structure by integrating the reinforcing plate into the same brazing process used for assembling other heat exchanger components. This combination eliminates the need for separate assembly steps and reduces manufacturing complexity compared to using multiple discrete reinforcing clips that would require separate orientation and mounting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcing plate serves multiple functions: it strengthens the header plate corner, provides a brazing surface for tube attachment, and maintains structural integrity under pressure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components and simplifies the overall assembly process compared to using multiple specialized reinforcing clips.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a heat exchanger (1) comprising a coolant housing (10) and a header plate (20). The header plate (20) crimps around a border (11) of the coolant housing (10) by encompassing the border (11). The header plate (20) is provided with apertures (22), each aperture (22) receiving a tube (30) for guiding coolant from or to the closed cavity (50). The heat exchanger (1) further comprises a reinforcing plate (40) extending between two opposing crimped locations on the border (11) of the coolant housing (10), and extending on the outside of the header plate (20) in view of the closed cavity (50), wherein the reinforcing plate (40) is joined, at the opposing locations, to an outer surface portion of the header plate (20), and wherein the reinforcing plate (40) is provided with at least one aperture (42) embracing one or more of the tubes (30) received by the header plate (20).