Heat exchange plate for plate-type heat exchanger and plate-type heat exchanger provided with said heat exchange plate

Abstract

A heat exchange plate for a plate-type heat exchanger and a plate-type heat exchanger provided with said heat exchange plate. The heat exchange plate includes an opening used to form an end opening, a plurality of protrusions arranged around at least a portion of the opening along a circular line along the opening, the plurality of protrusions protruding towards one side of a plate plane; transition portions arranged between at least two neighbouring protrusions, the transition portions being located on one side of the plate plane, and being a preset distance from the plate plane. The distance from the tops of the protrusions to the plate plane is greater than the distance from the lowest points of the transition portions to the plate plane.

Claims

1. A heat exchange plate for a plate-type heat exchanger, the heat exchange plate comprising: an opening for forming a port; multiple protrusions arranged around the opening along an annular line surrounding the opening, the multiple protrusions projecting to one side of a plate plane; transitional parts disposed between at least two adjacent protrusions along the annular line, wherein the protrusions are connected via corresponding transitional parts, and together with the transitional parts form an entire annular ridge, the transitional parts being located on said side of the plate plane at a predetermined distance from the plate plane, the distance from the top of the protrusion to the plate plane being greater than the distance from the lowest point of the transitional part to the plate plane, and wherein the distance from the lowest point of the transitional part to the plate plane is greater than zero; wherein the transitional part includes a first surface facing away from the plate plane and a second surface facing the plate plane.

2. The heat exchange plate for a plate heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top of the protrusion is substantially flat.

3. The heat exchange plate for a plate heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distance from the top of the protrusion to the lowest point of the transitional part is less than or equal to the distance from the lowest point of the transitional part to the plate plane.

4. The heat exchange plate for a plate heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dimension of the top of the protrusion in the circumferential direction of the annular line is greater than a radial dimension.

5. The heat exchange plate for a plate heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top of the protrusion is an elongated part extending in the circumferential direction of the annular line.

6. The heat exchange plate for a plate heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transitional parts have the shape of a curved surface.

7. The heat exchange plate for a plate heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transitional parts project to another side, opposite said side, of the plate plane, relative to the tops of adjacent protrusions.

8. The heat exchange plate for a plate heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protrusions are connected via corresponding transitional parts, and together with the transitional parts form an entire annular ridge.

9. The heat exchange plate for a plate heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein a protrusion or protrusions in at least a first region differ(s) in size, shape and/or spacing from a protrusion or protrusions in a second region.

10. The heat exchange plate for a plate heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, also comprising: a channel ridge which extends from at least one protrusion in a direction away from the opening and is used for forming a fluid channel.

11. The heat exchange plate for a plate heat exchanger as claimed in claim 10, wherein the top of the at least one protrusion and the top of the channel ridge are substantially in the same plane.

12. A plate heat exchanger, comprising: the heat exchange plate for a plate heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1.

13. The heat exchange plate for a plate heat exchanger as claimed in claim 2, wherein the dimension of the top of the protrusion in the circumferential direction of the annular line is greater than a radial dimension.

14. The heat exchange plate for a plate heat exchanger as claimed in claim 2, wherein the top of the protrusion is an elongated part extending in the circumferential direction of the annular line.

15. The heat exchange plate for a plate heat exchanger as claimed in claim 6, wherein the transitional parts project to another side, opposite said side, of the plate plane, relative to the tops of adjacent protrusions.

16. A heat exchange plate for a plate heat exchanger, the heat exchange plate comprising: a plate part including an opening for forming a port, the plate part defining a plate plane; and a protrusion part connected to the plate part; wherein the plate part and the protrusion part together delimit a hollow space; wherein the protrusion part includes protrusions arranged annularly around the opening, the protrusions extending away from the plate plane; wherein the protrusion part includes a transitional part disposed annularly between two adjacent protrusions, wherein the protrusions are connected via corresponding transitional parts, and together with the transitional parts form an entire annular ridge, the transitional part extending toward the plate plane and being disposed at a predetermined distance from the plate plane, and wherein the distance from the lowest point of the transitional part to the plate plane is greater than zero; wherein the transitional part includes a first surface facing away from the plate plane and a second surface facing the plate plane.

17. The heat exchange plate for a plate heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the multiple protrusions and the transitional parts form a raised pattern, and wherein the raised pattern comprises an edge continuously surrounding the opening at the plate plane.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIGS. 1 to 4 are schematic diagrams of a raised pattern around a port of an existing heat exchange plate.

(2) FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a raised pattern around a port of a heat exchange plate for a plate-type heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 6 is a schematic main view of a raised pattern around a port of a heat exchange plate for a plate-type heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(4) FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view along line AA in FIG. 6 of a raised pattern around a port of a heat exchange plate for a plate-type heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(5) FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view along line BB in FIG. 6 of a raised pattern around a port of a heat exchange plate for a plate-type heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(6) FIG. 9 is a partial enlarged schematic sectional view of a raised pattern around a port of a heat exchange plate for a plate-type heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(7) FIG. 10 is a schematic main view of a raised pattern around a port of a heat exchange plate for a plate-type heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention wherein the top of the protrusion is elongated;

(8) FIG. 11 is a schematic main view of a raised pattern around a port of a heat exchange plate for a plate-type heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention wherein the top of the protrusion is shown as a welding part;

(9) FIG. 12 is a schematic main view of a raised pattern around a port of a heat exchange plate for a plate-type heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(10) FIG. 13 is a schematic sectional view along line AA in FIG. 12 of a raised pattern around a port of a heat exchange plate for a plate-type heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(11) FIG. 14 is a schematic sectional view along line BB in FIG. 6 of a raised pattern around a port of a heat exchange plate for a plate-type heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(12) FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view of a raised pattern around a port of a heat exchange plate for a plate-type heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein one side of the heat exchange plate is shown; and

(13) FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view of a raised pattern around a port of a heat exchange plate for a plate-type heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein another side of the heat exchange plate is shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(14) The present invention is explained further below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and particular embodiments.

(15) A plate-type heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: end plates and heat exchange plates which at least form a first heat exchange fluid channel and a second heat exchange fluid channel. The end plates are disposed on outer sides of the heat exchange plates. The plate-type heat exchanger also comprises: a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet as ports. The heat exchange plates are stacked together, thereby forming a first heat exchange fluid channel and a second heat exchange fluid channel alternately in a stacking direction. The plate-type heat exchanger may be any known plate-type heat exchanger. Heat exchange plates according to embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below.

(16) Embodiment 1

(17) FIGS. 5 to 8 show a raised pattern around a port of a heat exchange plate for a plate-type heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention. The raised pattern is connected between the port 11 and a heat exchange fluid channel, and fluid enters the heat exchange fluid channel through the raised pattern. As FIGS. 5 to 8 show, the heat exchange plate for a plate-type heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises an opening 11 for forming the port and multiple protrusions 12 arranged around at least a part (all or part) of the opening 11 along an annular line (e.g. a circle) surrounding the opening 11; the multiple protrusions 12 project to one side of a plate plane 15. In an annular region which surrounds the opening 11 on that side of the annular line which is close to the opening 11 and in an annular region which surrounds the annular line or protrusions on that side remote from the opening 11, a plate part of the heat exchange plate may lie in the plate plane 15, or may partially lie in the plate plane 15. Since the protrusions 12 are formed by stamping a thin plate, the protrusions 12 have a hollow structure. The multiple protrusions 12 serve as welding parts or connecting parts of the heat exchange plate. The heat exchange plate also comprises transitional parts 16 between adjacent protrusions 12; the transitional parts 16 are located on said side of the plate plane 15, at a predetermined distance (greater than zero) from the plate plane. The plate plane 15 is the plane in which the heat exchange plate lies before being stamped. Due to the presence of transitional parts 16 between the protrusions 12, the protrusions 12 can be arranged densely, so the strength of the plate-type heat exchanger can be increased. In the figure, all adjacent protrusions 12 have transitional parts 16 therebetween; optionally, a transitional part 16 may be provided between at least two adjacent protrusions 12; the transitional part 16 may be a curved surface or a smooth curved surface. The protrusions 12 are connected via corresponding transitional parts 16, and together with the transitional parts 16 form an entire ridge, e.g. an annular ridge. The transitional parts 16 may have the shape of a curved surface. The transitional parts 16 project to another side (opposite said side) of the plate plane 15. That is, the transitional parts 16 project to another side (opposite said side) of the plate plane 15, relative to the tops of adjacent protrusions 12. Protrusions 12 in at least a first region or at least one protrusion 12 differ(s) in size, shape and/or spacing from protrusions 12 in a second region or at least another protrusion 12, e.g. protrusions 12 may be arranged at equal or non-equal intervals around the ports 11.

(18) Said side of a first heat exchange plate and said side of a second heat exchange plate are stacked together facing each other, with a first fluid channel being formed between the two heat exchange plates; another side (opposite said side) of the second heat exchange plate and another side (opposite said side) of a third heat exchange plate are stacked together facing each other, to form a second fluid channel. Heat exchange plates are stacked in sequence in this way to form the plate-type heat exchanger. The tops of the protrusions 12 of the two heat exchange plates forming the first fluid channel are welded or connected together; after flowing into the port, a first fluid enters the first fluid channel between the two heat exchange plates through gaps between the protrusions 12. The plate plane 15 on another side (opposite said side) of one heat exchange plate and the plate plane 15 on another side (opposite said side) of another plate are welded together, to form a sealed surface, so that the first fluid can only enter the first fluid channel, not the second fluid channel. A similar design is applied to the heat exchange plate in the vicinity of a second fluid inlet port, so as to ensure that a second fluid only enters the second fluid channel and cannot enter the first fluid channel. As FIGS. 5 to 8 show, the tops of the protrusions 12 may be substantially flat, e.g. may lie in a single plane.

(19) FIG. 9 is a partial enlarged schematic sectional drawing of a raised pattern around a port of a heat exchange plate for a plate-type heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention. As FIG. 9 shows, the distance B from the top of the protrusion 12 to the plate plane 15 is greater than the distance A from the lowest point of the transitional part 16 to the plate plane 15. The distance A may be greater than or equal to zero. The distance from the top of the protrusion 12 to the lowest point of the transitional part 16 may be less than or equal to the distance from the lowest point of the transitional part 16 to the plate plane 15.

(20) FIG. 10 shows an example of a raised pattern around a port of a heat exchange plate for a plate-type heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention. As FIG. 10 shows, the dimension of the top of the protrusion 12 in the circumferential direction of the annular line may be greater than a radial dimension. For example, the top of the protrusion 12 is an elongated part extending in the circumferential direction of the annular line. For this reason the number of protrusions 12 is smaller, but the strength of the plate-type heat exchanger is higher.

(21) FIG. 11 shows a raised pattern around a port 11 of a heat exchange plate for a plate-type heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the shaded lines indicate the tops of the protrusions 12, i.e. welding parts or connecting parts. The larger the welding parts or connecting parts, the higher the strength of that part of the heat exchange plate of the plate-type heat exchanger which surrounds the end, and the larger the cross section of the raised pattern or pressure drop of fluid passing through the raised pattern.

(22) According to an embodiment of the present invention, the number and form of the protrusions 12 may be adjusted as required, to achieve suitable strength and pressure drop, and the protrusions 12 may be disposed very densely, in order to achieve higher strength.

(23) Optionally, a coupling part located in the plate plane may be disposed between at least two adjacent protrusions 12.

(24) Embodiment 2

(25) FIGS. 12 to 16 show a raised pattern around a port of a heat exchange plate for a plate-type heat exchanger according to another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment differs from the embodiment described above in that channel ridges 17 have been added. That is, the heat exchange plate also comprises a channel ridge 17 which extends from at least one protrusion 12 in a direction away from the opening 11 and is used for forming a fluid channel. The fluid channel formed may serve as part of a heat exchange channel or be connected to a heat exchange channel of a heat exchange region. In the figures, all the protrusions 12 are provided with a channel ridge 17, but optionally, just one or more protrusions 12 may be provided with a channel ridge 17; the width of the protrusion 12 is larger than the width of the ridge 17, but optionally, the width of the protrusion 12 may be equal to or smaller than the width of the ridge 17. The top of at least one protrusion 12 may be in substantially the same plane as the top of the channel ridge 17. Optionally, the top of at least one protrusion 12 may not be in the same plane as the top of the channel ridge 17.

(26) It must be explained that one or more features in the embodiments above may be combined to form new embodiments.

(27) While the present disclosure has been illustrated and described with respect to a particular embodiment thereof, it should be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications to this disclosure may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.