Patent Application
20240011723
The invention relates to a gasket arrangement for sealing between two heat transfer plates of a plate heat exchanger, and a heat transfer plate arranged to cooperate with a gasket arrangement. The invention also relates to a kit comprising such a gasket arrangement and an assembly comprising such a gasket arrangement and such a heat transfer plate.
Plate heat exchangers, PHEs, typically consist of two end plates in between which a number of heat transfer plates are arranged in an aligned manner, i.e. in a stack. In one type of well-known PHEs, the so called gasketed PHEs, gaskets are arranged between the heat transfer plates, typically in gasket grooves which extend along edges of the heat transfer plates. The end plates, and therefore the heat transfer plates, are pressed towards each other whereby the gaskets seal between the heat transfer plates. The gaskets define parallel flow channels between the heat transfer plates through which channels two fluids of initially different temperatures alternately can flow for transferring heat from one fluid to the other. In order for the channels not to leak it is naturally essential that the gaskets are properly positioned between the plates.
When the plate heat exchanger is closed, the gaskets are squeezed between the plates and thereby securely held in place. However, when the gaskets are not squeezed between the plates, such as when the plate heat exchanger is assembled or open for maintenance, some kind of means for fixing the gaskets correctly to the plates is desirable. It is known to apply an adhesive in the gasket groove of a heat transfer plate to attach a gasket in the gasket groove. However, the adhesive may negatively effect the gasket and its sealing capability. The adhesive may also make it cumbersome to replace the gasket when required, since such replacement typically requires complete removal of old adhesive from the gasket groove to enable proper application of a new gasket in the gasket groove. It is also known to use strips of adhesive tape applied across the gasket and the gasket groove to secure the gasket to the heat transfer plate. However, the tape strips may negatively effect the sealing capability of the gasket and are unreliable since they may come loose and end up in a flow channel of the plate heat exchanger. Also mechanical gasket fixing solutions are previously known, for example through applicant's own U.S. Pat. No. 4,635,715. This document discloses a gasket provided with securing means projecting from an outside of the gasket, which securing means are arranged to be positioned around an outer edge of a heat transfer plate to secure the gasket to the heat transfer plate. The securing means are capable of effectively fixing, to the heat transfer plate, portions of the gasket arranged along, and close to, the outer edge of the heat transfer plate. However, for fixing, to the heat transfer plate, portions of the gasket not arranged to extend along and close to, the outer edge of the heat transfer plate, the securing means according to U.S. Pat. No. 4,635,715 are less useful.
An object of the present invention is to provide a gasket arrangement that offers a reliable fastening of the gasket arrangement to a heat transfer plate, along portions of the gasket arrangement not arranged to extend along and close to an outer edge of the heat transfer plate, which fastening does not negatively effect the gasket or its sealing capability or make gasket replacement difficult. The basic concept of the invention is to provide the gasket arrangement with a non-sealing attachment part at a portion of the gasket arrangement not arranged to extend along and close to an outer edge of the heat transfer plate, which attachment part is arranged to be fastened to the heat transfer plate by means of an adhesive means to secure the gasket arrangement to the heat transfer plate. Other objects of the present invention is to provide a heat transfer plate arranged to cooperate with a gasket arrangement, a kit comprising a gasket arrangement and an assembly comprising a gasket arrangement and a heat transfer plate.
The gasket arrangement, the heat transfer plate, the kit and the assembly for achieving the objects above are defined in the appended claims and discussed below.
A gasket arrangement according to the present invention comprises a sealing part for sealing between two heat transfer plates of a plate heat exchanger, which heat transfer plates each comprises a number >1 of port holes. The gasket arrangement further comprises an attachment part, which is arranged to attach the gasket arrangement to one of the heat transfer plates. Parallel lower and upper gasket planes define or limit an extension of the gasket arrangement in a thickness direction of the gasket arrangement, and lower and upper attachment planes, which are parallel to the lower and upper gasket planes, define or limit an extension of the attachment part of the gasket arrangement in the thickness direction of the gasket arrangement. The lower gasket plane and the lower attachment plane are arranged to face said one of the heat transfer plates, while the upper gasket plane and the upper attachment plane are arranged to face another one of the heat transfer plates. The sealing part comprises an annular outer sealing portion. The outer sealing portion is arranged to extend along at least a part of a respective outer edge of the heat transfer plates and enclose said portholes of the heat transfer plates. The sealing part further comprises an annular inner sealing portion. The inner sealing portion is enclosed by the outer sealing portion and arranged to enclose at least one of the port holes of each of the heat transfer plates. The gasket arrangement is characterized in that the attachment part is enclosed by the outer sealing portion and arranged on an outside of the inner sealing portion. Further, the attachment part comprises a fastening attachment portion arranged to be fastened to a first side of said one of the heat transfer plates by means of an adhesive means. Lower and upper fastening attachment planes, which are parallel to the lower and upper gasket planes, define or limit an extension of the fastening attachment portion of the attachment part in the thickness direction of the gasket arrangement. The lower fastening attachment plane is arranged to face said one of the heat transfer plates while the upper fastening attachment plane is arranged to face said another one of the heat transfer plates.
Hereinafter, when referring to just “heat transfer plate”, reference is made to said one of the heat transfer plates.
In that the adhesive means is applied onto the attachment part instead of onto the sealing part of the gasket arrangement, the sealing capacity of the gasket arrangement is not impaired. Further, the sealing part of the gasket arrangement is not effected by the adhesive and the gasket arrangement can be replaced, if required, without difficulty, since complete removal of the old adhesive is not that crucial.
In that the attachment part is arranged within the outer sealing portion and outside the inner sealing portion of the sealing part, it is not arranged to engage with an outer edge of the heat transfer plate. Instead, it can be arranged at a portion of the gasket arrangement not arranged to extend along and close to an outer edge of the heat transfer plate so as to provide for proper fastening of this portion to the heat transfer plate. The attachment part engages with only the first side, and not the second side, of the heat transfer plate.
The fastening attachment portion may have any suitable design. As an example, it may be elongate and have a longitudinal extension which is essentially parallel to a longitudinal extension of the sealing part of the gasket arrangement.
The adhesive means can be of any suitable type, for example a glue or an adhesive agent such as e.g. silicon, or a double-sided adhesive tape.
The gasket arrangement may be so designed that the outer sealing portion is separate from the inner sealing portion. Alternatively, the outer sealing portion and the inner sealing portion may be partly integrally formed or merged. These different options make the gasket arrangement useful in different types of plate heat exchangers.
The attachment part may be connected to, and possibly be formed integrally with, the outer sealing portion so as to project from an inside thereof. Alternatively/additionally, the attachment part may be connected to, and possibly be formed integrally with, the inner sealing portion so as to project from an outside thereof. Thereby, the attachment part may be arranged for proper fixing of the inner sealing portion to the heat transfer plate.
The gasket arrangement may be so designed that the sealing part further comprises a diagonal sealing portion extending from a first portion of the outer sealing portion to a second portion of the outer sealing portion on an inside of the inner sealing portion. Thereby, the inner sealing portion is enclosed by the diagonal sealing portion and a section of the outer sealing portion extending between the first and second portions thereof. The attachment part may, or may not, be connected to the diagonal sealing portion and arranged between the diagonal sealing portion and the inner sealing portion. This design may enable proper fixing of a diagonal sealing portion to the heat transfer plate.
The gasket arrangement may further comprise a bridge connecting the inner sealing portion and the diagonal sealing portion. Further, the fastening attachment portion of the attachment part and the bridge may, or may not, be connected. The gasket arrangement may also comprise at least two bridges which are separated and each connects the inner sealing portion and the diagonal sealing portion. Further, the fastening attachment portion may connect the at least two bridges. This design may enable proper fixing of the inner sealing portion as well as the diagonal sealing portion to the heat transfer plate.
The gasket arrangement may be arranged to define a flow path, between first and second port holes of the port holes of said one of the heat transfer plates, across the first side of said one of the heat transfer plates. Further, the attachment part of the gasket arrangement may be arranged in this flow path and thereby be exposed to a medium flowing between the two heat transfer plates.
The different possible positions of the attachment part make the gasket arrangement useful in different types of plate heat exchangers.
The fastening attachment portion of the attachment part may be directly connected to, i.e. designed as a projection or lip from, the sealing part. Such a design may enable optimized fixing of the gasket arrangement to the heat transfer plate.
Alternatively, the fastening attachment portion of the attachment part may be arranged on a distance>0, i.e. separated, from the sealing part. Such a design may enable optimized sealing capability of the sealing part.
The design of the gasket arrangement may be such that the upper attachment plane is arranged between the upper gasket plane and the lower attachment plane, i.e. such that the attachment part extends below the upper gasket plane. Such a design may minimize contact between the attachment part and an upper heat transfer plate, i.e. said another one of the heat transfer plates, which contact could effect the sealing capability of the gasket arrangement.
The attachment part of the gasket arrangement may further comprise a first connection attachment portion connecting the fastening attachment portion of the attachment part and the sealing part. Lower and upper connection attachment planes, which are parallel to the lower and upper gasket planes, may define or limit an extension of the first connection attachment portion of the attachment part in the thickness direction of the gasket arrangement. The lower connection attachment plane may be arranged to face said one of the heat transfer plates and the upper connection attachment plane may be arranged to face said another one of the heat transfer plates. The first connection attachment portion and the fastening attachment portion may partly enclose a space, e.g. form a hook, arranged to receive a projection of the heat transfer plate to increase the engagement between the gasket arrangement and the heat transfer plate.
The attachment part may further comprise a second connection attachment portion separated from the first connection attachment portion and also connecting the fastening attachment portion of the attachment part and the sealing part to form a loop. The loop could be arranged to receive and enclose one or more projections of the heat transfer plate. Thereby, the engagement between the gasket arrangement and the heat transfer plate could be increased and the fixing of the gasket arrangement to the heat transfer plate could be optimized. The lower and upper connection attachment planes may or may not define or limit an extension of also the second connection attachment portion.
The design of the gasket arrangement may be such that the lower fastening attachment plane is arranged between the lower connection attachment plane and the upper gasket plane, i.e. such that the first and possibly also the second connection attachment portion extends below the lower fastening attachment plane. Such a design may enable an increased engagement between the gasket arrangement and the heat transfer plate.
The lower connection attachment plane may coincide with at least one of the lower gasket plane and the lower attachment plane. Such a design may enable an optimized fastening of the gasket arrangement to the heat transfer plate.
The upper connection attachment plane may coincide with at least one of the upper fastening attachment plane and the upper attachment plane. Such a design may enable a relatively mechanically straightforward configuration of the gasket arrangement.
The fastening attachment portion may comprises a longitudinally extending groove. A bottom of the groove may extend in an intermediate fastening attachment plane extending between the lower and upper fastening attachment planes. The groove may allow transport of a fluid past the attachment part which may enable fluid leakage detection.
A heat transfer plate according to the invention comprises a number >1 of port holes and a gasket groove. The gasket groove is arranged to accommodate a sealing part of a gasket arrangement, which sealing part is arranged to seal between the heat transfer plate and another heat transfer plate of a plate heat exchanger. The heat transfer plate is corrugated so as to extend in, and between, parallel lower and upper plate extension planes. Further, the heat transfer plate comprises a structure arranged to cooperate with an attachment part of the gasket arrangement. The attachment part is arranged to attach the gasket arrangement to the heat transfer plate. A structure extension plane, which is parallel to the lower and upper plate extension planes, defines a lower extreme extension of said structure. The gasket groove comprises an annular outer groove portion, which extends along at least a part of an outer edge of the heat transfer plate and encloses the portholes of the heat transfer plate. Further, the gasket groove comprises an annular inner groove portion, which is enclosed by the outer groove portion and encloses at least one of the port holes of the heat transfer plate. The heat transfer plate is characterized in that said structure is enclosed by the outer groove portion and arranged on an outside of the inner groove portion. Further, said structure comprises, on a first side of the heat transfer plate, a fastening structure portion to which a fastening attachment portion of the attachment part is arranged to be fastened by means of an adhesive means. A fastening structure plane, which is parallel to the lower and upper plate extension planes, defines an upper extreme extension of said fastening structure portion.
The lower and upper plate extension planes may, but need not, be extreme extension planes of the heat transfer plate. Thus, the heat transfer plate may, or may not, extend beyond the lower and upper plate extension planes.
Herein, by “extreme extension” is meant an extension beyond which something, or more particularly a center of something, does not extend.
The outer groove portion may be separate from the inner groove portion. Alternatively, the outer groove portion and the inner groove portion may be partly integrally formed or merged.
The structure may be arranged in connection to the outer groove portion. Alternatively/additionally, the structure may be arranged in connection to the inner groove portion.
The gasket groove may further comprise a diagonal groove portion extending from a first portion of the outer groove portion to a second portion of the outer groove portion on an inside of the inner groove portion. The structure may, or may not, be arranged in connection to the diagonal groove portion and arranged between the diagonal groove portion and the inner groove portion.
The heat transfer plate may further comprise a flow path, between first and second port holes of the port holes, across the first side of said one of the heat transfer plates, and said structure may be arranged in the flow path.
The heat transfer plate may be such that the fastening structure portion of said structure is arranged directly adjacent to the gasket groove. Alternatively, the fastening structure portion of said structure may be arranged on a distance>0 from the gasket groove.
The design of the heat transfer plate may be such that the fastening structure plane is arranged between the lower and upper plate extension planes, such that the fastening structure plane extends below the upper plate extension plane. Such a design may prevent contact between a gasket arrangement fastening attachment portion arranged on the fastening structure portion of the heat transfer plate and an upper heat transfer plate, which contact could effect the sealing capability of the gasket arrangement.
The structure may further comprise a first connection structure portion extending between the fastening structure portion and the gasket groove. A connection structure plane, which is parallel to the lower and upper plate extension planes, may define a lower extreme extension of the first connection structure portion. The first connection structure portion may be arranged to accommodate a first connection attachment portion of the attachment part.
The structure may further comprise a second connection structure portion separated from the first connection structure portion and extending between the fastening structure portion and the gasket groove. The second connection structure portion may be arranged to accommodate a second connection attachment portion of the attachment part. The connection structure plane may or may not define a lower extreme extension of also the second connection structure portion.
The first connection structure portion, the fastening structure portion and possibly the second connection structure portion may enclose a projection of the heat transfer plate. The projection may comprise a top extending in a top plane being parallel to, and extending above, the fastening structure plane. The top plane may or may not coincide with the upper plate extension plane.
The design of the heat transfer plate may be such that the connection structure plane coincides with at least one of the lower plate extension plane and the structure extension plane. The design of the heat transfer plate may be such that the fastening structure plane is arranged between the connection structure plane and the upper plate extension plane. Such designs may enable an optimized engagement between heat transfer palet and the gasket arrangement.
A kit according to the invention comprises a gasket arrangement according to the above and an adhesive means applied on the fastening attachment portion of the gasket arrangement.
An assembly according to the invention comprises a gasket arrangement according to the above, a heat transfer plate according to the above and an adhesive means applied between the fastening attachment portion of the gasket arrangement and the fastening structure portion of the heat transfer plate.
The above discussed advantages of the different embodiments of the gasket arrangement according to the invention are naturally transferable to corresponding different embodiments of the heat transfer plate, the kit and the assembly according to the invention. With that said it should be stressed that some, if not all, of these advantages become apparent when the gasket arrangement, the heat transfer plate, the kit and the assembly form part of a plate heat exchanger.
Still other objectives, features, aspects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following detailed description as well as from the drawings.
The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which
With reference to
The heat transfer plate 2 comprises a gasket groove 10 accommodating the sealing part 9 of the gasket arrangement 3. More particularly, with reference now to an upper half of the assembly 1 (a similar discussion being valid for the lower half of the assembly 1), and especially
With special reference to
With particular reference to
The first, second and third connection structure portions 28, 29 and 30 and the fastening structure portion 26 of the first structure 24 enclose, together with the diagonal groove portion 13, a number of, here a total of four, projections 34 of the heat transfer plate 2. Each of the projections 34 comprises a top 35 extending in a top plane t coinciding with the upper plate extension plane p2. Similarly, the first, second and third connection structure portions 31, 32 and 33 and the fastening structure portion 27 of the second structure 25 enclose, together with the diagonal groove portion 13 and the inner groove portion 12, a number of, here a total of eight, projections 36 of the heat transfer plate 2. Each of the projections 36 comprises a top 37 extending in a top plane t coinciding with the upper plate extension plane p2.
The first and second attachment parts 22 and 23 extend between parallel lower and upper attachment planes A1 and A2. The lower attachment plane A1 coincides with the lower gasket plane G1 and the upper attachment plane A2 is arranged below the upper gasket plane G2. More particularly, the first and second attachment parts 22 and 23 comprise a respective fastening attachment portion 38 and 39, respectively, extending between parallel lower and upper fastening attachment planes F1 and F2. The upper fastening attachment plane F2 coincides with the upper attachment plane A2 while the lower attachment plane F1 is arranged between the lower and upper attachment planes A1 and A2. The fastening attachment portions 38 and 39 are elongate and extend essentially parallel to the diagonal sealing portion 16 of the sealing part 9 at a distance >0 therefrom. Further, the first attachment part 22 comprises separated first, second and third connection attachment portions 40, 41 and 42 connecting the diagonal sealing portion 16 of the sealing part 9 and the fastening attachment portion 38. The second attachment part 23 comprises separated first, second and third connection attachment portions 43, 44 and 45 connecting the diagonal sealing portion 16 of the sealing part 9 and the fastening attachment portion 39, and the inner sealing portion 15 and the fastening attachment portion 39. Thus, the first, second and third connection attachment portions 43, 44 and 45 comprise two subportions each, extending on opposite sides of the fastening attachment portion 39. The first, second and third connection attachment portions 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 and 45 extend between parallel lower and upper connection attachment planes C1 and C2. The lower connection attachment plane C1 coincides with the lower attachment plane A1 while the upper connection attachment plane C2 coincides with the upper attachment plane A2.
The first, second and third connection attachment portions 40, 41 and 42 and the fastening attachment portion 38 of the first attachment part 22 form a number of, here a total of two, partly integrated loops 46 projecting from the diagonal sealing portion 16. Similarly, the first, second and third attachment structure portions 43, 44 and 45 and the fastening attachment portion 39 of the second attachment part 23 form a number of, here a total of four, partly integrated loops 47 projecting from the diagonal sealing portion 16 and the inner sealing portion 15.
The first, second and third connection structure portions 28, 29 and 30 of the first structure 24 accommodate the first, second and third connection attachment portions 40, 41 and 42, respectively, of the first attachment part 22. Further, the fastening structure portion 26 of the first structure 24 accommodate the fastening attachment portion 38 of the first attachment part 22. Thereby, each of the gasket arrangement loops 46 encloses two of the plate projections 34. A strip of double-sided adhesive tape is arranged between the fastening structure portion 26 and the fastening attachment portion 38. Similarly, the first, second and third connection structure portions 31, 32 and 33 of the first structure 25 accommodate the first, second and third connection attachment portions 43, 44 and 45, respectively, of the second attachment part 23. Further, the fastening structure portion 27 of the second structure 25 accommodate the fastening attachment portion 39 of the second attachment part 23. Thereby, each of the gasket arrangement loops 47 encloses two of the plate projections 36. A strip of double-sided adhesive tape is arranged between the fastening structure portion 27 and the fastening attachment portion 39. Thereby, the gasket arrangement 3 is secured to the heat transfer plate 2.
Since the first and second attachment parts 22 and 23 are arranged between the diagonal sealing portion 16 and the inner sealing portion 15 they are not exposed to any of the fluids flowing through the plate heat exchanger during normal and proper operation of the plate heat exchanger. However, should the sealing part 9 of the gasket arrangement 3 not work properly and fluid leak in between the diagonal sealing portion 16 and the inner sealing portion 15, the leaked fluid should not be trapped since this could prevent leakage detection. Depending on to which extent the gasket arrangement 3 fills up the gasket groove 10 within this area and the fastening structure portions 26, 27, any leaked fluid may flow on the sides of the inner sealing portion 15, the diagonal sealing portion 16 and the fastening attachment portions 38 and 39. Further, the first attachment part 22 is separated from the inner sealing portion 15 and any leaked fluid can pass in the gap between the first attachment part 22 and the inner sealing portion 15. However, this is not the case for the second attachment part 23. Therefore, the fastening attachment portion 39 of the second attachment part 23 is provided with a groove 48 which extends along a longitudinal center axis of the fastening attachment portion 39. A bottom 49 of the groove 48 extends in an intermediate fastening attachment plane F3 which extends between the lower and upper fastening attachment planes F1 and F2. Any leaked fluid can pass the second attachment part 23 through the groove 48.
With reference to
The outer groove portion 11 of the sealing part 9 of the gasket assembly 3 extends along part of an outer edge (not illustrated) and around the port holes (only port hole 5 illustrated) of the heat transfer plate 2, while the inner groove portion 12 is encircled by the outer groove portion 11 and in turn encircles the port hole 5. The diagonal groove portion 13 extends, on an inside of the inner groove portion 12, from a first portion (not illustrated) to a second portion 19 of the outer groove portion 11. Consequently, the outer sealing portion 14 extends along part of the outer edge and around the port holes of the heat transfer plate 2, while the inner sealing portion 15 is encircled by the outer sealing portion 14 and in turn encircles the port hole 5. The diagonal sealing portion 16 extends, on an inside of the inner sealing portion 15, from a first portion (not illustrated) to a second portion 21 of the outer sealing portion 14. The outer groove portion 11 and the inner groove portion 12 are merged or integrally formed on an outside of the porthole 5. Similarly, the outer sealing portion 14 and the inner sealing portion 15 are merged or integrally formed along the portion of the sealing part 9 arranged to extend on the outside of the porthole 5.
With special reference to
With particular reference to
The heat transfer plate 2 further comprises four separated bridge receiving portions 62 which each extends between the inner groove portion 12 and the diagonal groove portion 13 such that each of the first, second and third structures 53, 54 and 55 is arranged between two adjacent ones of the bridge receiving portions 62.
The connection structure portion 59, 60 and 61 and the fastening structure portion 56, 57 and 58 of each of the first, second and third structures 53, 54 and 55 enclose, together with the bridge receiving portions 62 and the diagonal groove portion 13, a number of, here a total of four, projections 63 of the heat transfer plate 2. Each of the projections 63 comprises a top 64 extending in a top plane t coinciding with the upper plate extension plane p2.
The first, second and third attachment parts 50, 51 and 52 extend between parallel lower and upper attachment planes A1 and A2. The lower attachment plane A1 coincides with the lower gasket plane G1 and the upper attachment plane A2 is arranged below the upper gasket plane G2. More particularly, the first, second and third attachment parts 50, 51 and 52 comprise a respective fastening attachment portion 65, 66 and 67, respectively, extending between parallel lower and upper fastening attachment planes F1 and F2. The upper fastening attachment plane F2 coincides with the upper attachment plane A2 while the lower attachment plane F1 is arranged between the lower and upper attachment planes A1 and A2. Further, the first, second and third attachment parts 50, 51 and 52 comprise a respective connection attachment portion 68, 69 and 70 connecting the diagonal sealing portion 16 of the sealing part 9 and the corresponding fastening attachment portion 65, 66 and 67. The connection attachment portions 68, 69 and 70 extend between parallel lower and upper connection attachment planes C1 and C2. The lower connection attachment plane C1 coincides with the lower attachment plane A1 while the upper connection attachment plane C2 coincides with the upper attachment plane A2.
The gasket arrangement 3 further comprises four separated bridges 71 which each extends between the inner sealing portion 15 and the diagonal sealing portion 16 such that each of the first, second and third attachment parts 50, 51 and 52 is arranged between two adjacent ones of the bridges 71. More particularly, each of the fastening attachment portions 65, 66 and 67 extends between, and is integrally formed with, two adjacent ones of the bridges 71.
The connection attachment portion 68, 69 and 70 and the fastening attachment portions 65, 66 and 67 of each of the first, second and third attachment parts 50, 51 and 52 form, together with the bridges 71 and the diagonal sealing portion 16, a number of, here a total of two, partly integrated loops 72 projecting from the diagonal sealing portion 16.
The connection structure portions 59, 60 and 61 of the first, second and third structures 53, 54 and 55 accommodate connection attachment portions 68, 69 and 70, respectively, of the first, second and third attachment parts 50, 51 and 52. Further, the fastening structure portions 56, 57 and 58 of the first, second and third structures 53, 54 and 55 accommodate the fastening attachment portions 65, 66 and 67 of the first, second and third attachment parts 50, 51 and 52. Thereby, each of the gasket arrangement loops 72 encloses two of the plate projections 63. Strips of double-sided adhesive tape are arranged between the fastening structure portion 56, 57 and 58 and the fastening attachment portions 65, 66 and 67. Thereby, the gasket arrangement 3 is secured to the heat transfer plate 2.
With reference to
With special reference to
With particular reference to
The heat transfer plate 2 further comprises six separated bridge receiving portions 88 (of which only four are illustrated) which each extends between the inner groove portion 12 and the diagonal groove portion 13 such that each of the first-fifth structures 78-82 is arranged between two adjacent ones of the bridge receiving portions 88.
The first-fifth attachment parts 73-77 extend between parallel lower and upper attachment planes A1 and A2 extending between the lower and upper gasket planes G1 and G2. More particularly, the first-fifth attachment parts 73-77 comprise a respective fastening attachment portion 89-93, respectively, in the form of a lip, extending between parallel lower and upper fastening attachment planes F1 and F2. The lower and upper fastening attachment planes F1 and F2 coincide with the lower and upper attachment planes A1 and A2, respectively. The fastening attachment portions 89-93 are elongate and extend essentially parallel to, and are integrally formed with, the diagonal sealing portion 16 of the sealing part 9.
The gasket arrangement 3 further comprises six separated bridges 94 (of which only four are illustrated) which each extends between the inner sealing portion 15 and the diagonal sealing portion 16 such that each of the first-fifth attachment parts 73-77 is arranged between two adjacent ones of the bridges 94. More particularly, each of the fastening attachment portions 89-93 extends between, and is integrally formed with, two adjacent ones of the bridges 94.
The fastening structure portions 83-87 of the first-fifth structures 78-82 accommodate the fastening attachment portions 89-93 of the first-fifth attachment parts 73-77. Strips of double-sided adhesive tape are arranged between the fastening structure portions 83-87 and the fastening attachment portions 89-93. Thereby, the gasket arrangement 3 is secured to the heat transfer plate 2.
With reference to
The heat transfer plate 96 comprises a gasket groove 116 accommodating the sealing part 115 of the gasket arrangement 97. More particularly, the gasket groove 116 comprises an annular outer groove portion 117 and an annular inner groove portion 118 accommodating an annular outer sealing portion 119 and an annular inner sealing portion 120, respectively, of the sealing part 115. The outer groove portion 117 extends, inter alia, along part of an outer edge 121 and around the port holes 99-110 of the heat transfer plate 96, while the inner groove portion 118 is encircled by the outer groove portion 117 and in turn encircles the port holes 107 and 108. Consequently, the outer sealing portion 119 extends, inter alia, along part of the outer edge 121 and around the port holes 99-110 of the heat transfer plate 96, while the inner sealing portion 120 is encircled by the outer sealing portion 119 and in turn encircles the port holes 107 and 108. The outer groove portion 117 and the inner groove portion 118 are separate from each other just like the outer sealing portion 119 and the inner sealing portion 120.
With special reference to
With particular reference to
The first and second connection structure portions 125 and 126 and the fastening structure portion 124 of the structure 123 enclose, together with the inner groove portion 118, a projection 127 of the heat transfer plate 96. The projection 127 comprises a top 128 extending in a top plane t coinciding with the upper plate extension plane p2.
The attachment part 122 extend between parallel lower and upper attachment planes A1 and A2. The lower attachment plane A1 coincides with the lower gasket plane G1 and the upper attachment plane A2 is arranged below the upper gasket plane G2. More particularly, the attachment part 122 comprise a fastening attachment portion 129 extending between parallel lower and upper fastening attachment planes F1 and F2. The upper fastening attachment plane F2 coincides with the upper attachment plane A2 while the lower attachment plane F1 is arranged between the lower and upper attachment planes A1 and A2. The fastening attachment portion 129 is elongate and extend essentially parallel to the inner sealing portion 120 of the sealing part 115 at a distance >0 therefrom. Further, the attachment part 122 comprises separated first and second connection attachment portions 130 and 131 connecting the inner sealing portion 120 of the sealing part 115 and the fastening attachment portion 129. The first and second connection attachment portions 130 and 131 extend between parallel lower and upper connection attachment planes C1 and C2. The lower connection attachment plane C1 coincides with the lower attachment plane A1 while the upper connection attachment plane C2 coincides with the upper attachment plane A2.
The first and second connection attachment portions 130 and 131 and the fastening attachment portion 129 of the attachment part 122 form a loop 132 projecting from the inner sealing portion 120.
The first and second connection structure portions 125 and 126 of the structure 123 accommodate the first and second connection attachment portions 130 and 131, respectively, of the attachment part 122. Further, the fastening structure portion 124 of the structure 123 accommodates the fastening attachment portion 129 of the attachment part 122. Thereby, the gasket arrangement loop 132 encloses the plate projection 127. A strip of double-sided adhesive tape is arranged between the fastening structure portion 124 and the fastening attachment portion 129. Thereby, the gasket arrangement 97 is secured to the heat transfer plate 96.
When the assembly 95 is arranged in a plate heat exchanger in operation, a fluid flows across the first side 98 of the heat transfer plate 96 along a flow path between a first port hole 103 and second and third port holes 105, 106 and second the port holes 99-110. Since the attachment parts 122 is arranged in this flow path it will be exposed to the fluid. The attachment part 122 is designed and positioned so as to affect the fluid flow as little as possible.
The gasket arrangements described above thus comprise attachment parts arranged to be fastened to the first side of heat transfer plates by means of an adhesive. The gasket arrangements can further be provided with additional fixing means for fastening the gasket arrangements to the heat transfer plates, such as mechanical fixing means arranged to engage with the outer edge of the heat transfer plates, as indicated in some of the figures. In this context, these mechanical fixing means are not considered as parts of the gasket arrangements, but rather as individual parts which are still integrally formed with the gasket arrangements.
The above described embodiments of the present invention should only be seen as examples. A person skilled in the art realizes that the embodiments discussed can be varied and combined in a number of ways without deviating from the inventive conception.
As an example, the different planes used above and in the figures to describe the heat transfer plate according to the invention and especially the gasket fastening structures thereof, need not extend in relation to each other as discussed and illustrated, but may have different extensions. Similarly, the different planes used above and in the figures to describe the gasket assembly according to the invention and especially the plate attachment parts thereof, need not extend in relation to each other as discussed and illustrated, but may have different extensions. As an example with reference to
Further, not only an attachment part as illustrated in
The attachment parts described above and illustrated in the figures are connected to, and formed integrally with, the inner sealing portion and/or the diagonal sealing portion of the sealing part of the gasket arrangements. According to alternative embodiments of the invention, the attachment part could instead/additionally be connected to, and possibly be formed integrally with, the outer sealing portion so as to project from an inside thereof. For example, with reference to
The number of attachment parts, structures, bridges, bridge receiving portions, etc., in the above described embodiments are just exemplary and can be varied.
The present invention could be used in connection with other types of heat transfer plates than the above described one. Such other plate types could be made of other materials than stainless steel, be provided with a gasket groove of an alternative design, be provided with another pattern or another port hole design. A corresponding reasoning is valid for the gasket arrangement.
Finally, the present invention could be used in connection with other types of plate heat exchangers than purely gasketed ones, e.g. plate heat exchangers comprising cassettes of permanently joined heat transfer plates.
It should be stressed that the attributes first, second, third, etc. is used herein just to distinguish between species of the same kind and not to express any kind of mutual order between the species.
It should be stressed that a description of details not relevant to the present invention has been omitted and that the figures are just schematic and not drawn according to scale. It should also be said that some of the figures have been more simplified than others. Therefore, some components may be illustrated in one figure but left out on another figure.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20209214.4 | Nov 2020 | EP | regional |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2021/079950 | 10/28/2021 | WO |
