Titanium Heat Exchanger Plate Forming by Welded Pressurization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat exchangers used in fuel cells are relatively heavy due to their material composition, which poses challenges in terms of weight and efficiency, particularly when used with dihydrogen and dioxygen.
Innovation Solution
A manufacturing method for a heat exchanger using titanium strips, where two strips are superposed, welded, and shaped through a process involving pressurization to create channels for fluid flow, allowing for a lightweight yet efficient heat exchanger with equivalent performance to traditional models.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional materials (stainless steel or graphite) are used for heat exchanger plates, then manufacturing ease and efficiency are improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter from conventional stainless steel or graphite to titanium, achieving a weight reduction of approximately 40% while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through adapted welding and forming processes
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses titanium, a composite material with superior strength-to-weight ratio compared to conventional materials, to manufacture heat exchanger plates that are both lightweight and manufacturable
2Weight of moving object
If titanium strips are used to manufacture heat exchanger plates, then weight is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary forming actions to the titanium strips before final assembly, pre-shaping the material to reduce complexity during subsequent welding and assembly operations
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex mechanical forming operations with welding-based assembly methods, simplifying the overall manufacturing process by substituting difficult mechanical shaping with more manageable joining operations
3Productivity
If titanium strips are welded and shaped through pressurization, then manufacturing simplicity and speed are improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses pressurized fluid (pneumatic or hydraulic) to shape the titanium strips into channel forms, achieving precise geometric control through pressure-driven deformation while maintaining rapid manufacturing cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and mechanical properties of titanium strips through controlled pressurization, transforming the material into desired channel shapes with high precision while maintaining fast processing speeds
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 method results in a more lightweight heat exchanger that maintains performance levels while being simpler and quicker to manufacture, suitable for applications in fuel cell cooling systems.
Implementation Method 1
a pressurization step during which a compressed fluid is injected via another edge of the first strip and of the second strip, where the zones between the weld seams open out between the first strip and the second strip, to expand the strips
Implementation Method 2
a welding step during which the two strips are welded together along weld seams
Data Source
AI summary
A manufacturing method for a plate comprising channels in which the method includes a step of superposing the two strips, a step of welding the two strips along the weld seams, a step of blocking the zones between the weld seams on one side of the strips, a pressurization step with a compressed fluid, where the zones between the weld seams open out along another side, to expand the strips, and a step of opening the zones blocked during the blocking step. This manufacturing method enables the titanium strips to be welded together and shaped by pressurization.