Stacked-Plate Heat Exchanger With Flat-Pipe Flow Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing heat exchangers have a complex structure due to the assembly of a core body in a housing, which complicates the overall design and assembly process.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design featuring stacked plates with flat pipes and inter-plate passages, where the flat pipes have through-holes for one fluid path and inter-plate passages for another, allowing separate fluid paths without direct communication, simplifying the structure and enhancing structural strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a core body is assembled in a housing, then the heat exchanger can achieve thermal energy exchange between refrigerant and coolant, but the overall structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the core body and housing into a single integrated structure. The flat pipes are directly formed on the plates which form the housing, eliminating the need for separate assembly of core body components within the housing. This integration maintains the thermal energy exchange function while significantly simplifying the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The plates serve multiple functions simultaneously: they form the housing structure, provide mounting surfaces for flat pipes, create flow passages through inter-plate spaces, and enable heat exchange. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If multiple components are assembled together, then the heat exchanger can perform heat exchange function, but the assembly process becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The housing and core body components are merged into an integrated structure where flat pipes are directly formed on the plates. This eliminates multiple assembly steps involving separate gaskets, fasteners, and alignment procedures, while maintaining the heat exchange function through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The flat pipes are pre-formed directly on the plates during plate manufacturing, rather than being assembled separately. This preliminary integration of components reduces the complexity of the final assembly process while ensuring proper positioning and sealing for heat exchange functionality.
3Productivity
If separate fluid paths are provided, then heat exchange efficiency can be improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is segmented into multiple plates with alternating flow paths. First fluid flows through passages formed by alternating plates, while second fluid flows through inter-plate passages. This segmentation creates efficient heat exchange surfaces while maintaining a relatively simple plate-based structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the third dimension (stacking direction of plates) to create separate fluid paths. Instead of complex lateral routing, the first and second fluids flow in alternating layers through the stacked plates, achieving efficient heat exchange with minimal structural complexity.
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 design simplifies the assembly process, improves heat exchange efficiency, and enhances the structural strength of the heat exchanger, particularly under high pressure conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid in the first flow path is allowed to exchange heat with a fluid in the second flow path
Data Source
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AI summary
A heat exchanger provided in the embodiments of the present application comprises a flat pipe and a plurality of plate pieces, the plurality of plate pieces being stacked, and the flat pipe being arranged between at least one group of adjacent plate pieces; the flat pipe is provided with a plurality of through holes; a first inter-plate channel is provided between at least one other group of adjacent plate pieces; the heat exchanger comprises a first flow channel and a second flow channel, the first flow channel being not communicated with the second flow channel; a fluid in the first flow channel can exchange heat with a fluid in the second flow channel; combining the flat pipe with the plate pieces helps to simplify the structure of the heat exchanger.