Port connection for a heat exchanger

Abstract

Port connection (30) for a plate heat exchanger (10), the port connection (30) comprising: a first element (32) with a first bushing (36) and a first flange (38), the first bushing (36) being configured to slide into a port (26) arranged through a pressure plate (14) of the plate heat exchanger (10), the first flange (38) having a first bearing surface to receive a first surface of the pressure plate (14); a second element (34) with a second bushing (42) and a second flange (44), the second bushing (42) being configured to slide into the port (26), the second flange (44) having a second bearing surface to receive a second surface of the pressure plate (14); a seal (40) being formed in response to the first bushing (36) telescopically retracting into the second bushing (42);characterized by a first sealing surface arranged annularly around the first flange (38) and designed to form a seal with a first heat exchanger plate in a plate pack (18) of the plate heat exchanger (10); a first flat gasket (62) arranged between the first sealing surface and the first heat exchanger plate, the first flat gasket (62) having a first section arranged around the circumference of the first heat exchanger plate and a second section selectively sealing the port (26) in the first heat exchanger plate; a pair of annular grooves (70) arranged around the first bushing (36) to provide a pair of receptacles (70) for a pair of O-rings, the O-rings being designed to form the seal (40) between the pair of receptacles (70) and an inner surface of the second bushing (42);a second sealing surface arranged in an annular shape around the second flange (44) and designed to form a seal with an inlet / outlet pipe (22); and a second flat gasket (60) arranged between the second sealing surface and the inlet / outlet pipe (22).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to a plate heat exchanger. More particularly, the present invention relates to a port connection for use on a plate heat exchanger.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONPlate heat exchangers provide efficient heat transfer from one fluid to another in a relatively small volume. Heat exchangers are typically assembled from a plurality of individual or welded plate pairs referred to as plate packs which are sealed around an outer edge with a sealing material. The plate pack is compressed in a frame of the heat exchanger to form the seal between the plates or plate pairs. The plate pack comprises inlets and outlets for the two fluids.Compression is evenly applied across the surface of the plate pack to prevent leakage from the seal and reduce damage to the plates. Because of the size of the plate pack and the amount of applied pressure, the plate pack is sandwiched between two platens, referred to as deck plates and channel plates, which are used to evenly distribute the load. In order to apply the pressure uniformly, the pressure plates are typically formed of thick metal plates.To access the feeds and runs of the disk pack, the printing plates include ports that align with the feeds and runs. For some applications, the ports may be without liner and one or both fluids may be directly in contact with the metal of the platens. In other cases, the ports may be lined with port ports. The port connections can be, for example, elastomer or made of corrosion-resistant metal. Unfortunately, these conventional port connectors have a number of disadvantages. Elastomeric port connections are, for example, less heat resistant and degrade more rapidly than the life of the plate heat exchanger. Metal port connectors are more durable than elastomeric port connectors, but are more difficult to install. A conventional installation method for metal ports includes hydroforming or welding. These methods are labor intensive, time consuming, and / or require special tools for each port size.Further prior art is known from the documents DE 602 06 035 T2, CN 1 12 710 171 A and US 2004 / 0 080 159 A1.Document DE 602 06 035 T2 discloses a lining device for a plate heat exchanger, a plate heat exchanger and a method for producing a plate heat exchanger having a packet of heat transfer plates and an end plate which has at least one opening. The liner apparatus includes a first part and a second part. Each of these parts is made of a sheet metal and has a substantially cylindrical tube portion and a stopper portion. The pipe section of the first part is insertable into the opening and the pipe section of the second part is insertable into the opening into the pipe section of the first part, such that a region is formed in which the pipe sections overlap each other. The parts are connected to one another by means of a welded connection. At least in the overlap region, the material thickness of the first part is greater than the material thickness of the second part.From document CN 1 12 710 171 A a lining for positioning in a frame plate of a heat exchanger with a stack of heat transfer plates is known, which lining comprises a tubular part with a first end formed with a first flange and a second flange positioned at a distance from the second end, which second flange is adapted to form a platform for receiving a sealing element positioned on the platform of the second flange and enclosing it between the edge of the recess, the second flange and the outer portion and the adjacent heat transfer plate in the stack of heat transfer plates.Document US 2004 / 0 080 159 A1 discloses a block connector for connecting pipe segments to a pair of seals, one of the seals being a radial seal and the other an axial seal, the connector preventing leaks during the operation of an air conditioner if one of the seals of the pair of seals fails.Therefore, there is a need to reduce cost and time for installing port terminals to solve the above-described problems and / or problems of other conventional approaches.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONEmbodiments of the present disclosure may at least partially reduce cost and time for installing port connectors in a heat exchanger.An embodiment of the invention relates to a port connection for a plate heat exchanger according to claim 1.A further embodiment of the invention relates to a pressure plate for a plate heat exchanger according to claim 2.A further embodiment of the invention relates to a plate heat exchanger according to claim 3.The more important features of the invention have thus been broadly stated in order that the following detailed description may be better understood and that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, still other functions of the invention which will be described below.In this connection, before describing at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to its application to the details of construction and arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention may be embodied in other forms and may be practiced and carried out in various ways. It is also to be understood that phrases and terminology used herein, as well as the summary, are for the purpose of description only and are not intended to be limiting.As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the concept upon which the disclosure is based is readily usable as a basis for the design of other structures, methods, and systems to carry out several objects of the present invention. It is therefore important that the claims be interpreted as including such equivalent constructions unless they depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSFigure 1 is a perspective view of a heat exchanger suitable for use with embodiments of the invention. FIG. 2 is a partial exploded view of the heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 is a front view of a part of the heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view 4- 4 of a port connection installed in a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the port terminal according to an embodiment of the invention.The drawings illustrated herein are for the purpose of illustration only and thus are not intended or intended to limit the subject disclosure to any or all of the details of construction shown, unless these are to be considered as essential to the claims.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTIONGenerally, embodiments of the invention relate to port connections for a heat exchanger that is easier to install and / or maintain than with conventional port connections and / or that provide cost savings over conventional port connections, and a method of assembling the improved port connection into a port of a pressure plate of the heat exchanger. In addition to simple installation, improved maintenance, and reduced cost of the improved port connection as described herein, tooling and machine costs are reduced by eliminating welding and / or hydroforming associated with conventional port connection installation.Referring to the figures, wherein like reference numerals indicate similar elements, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a heat exchanger 10 suitable for use with an embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the heat exchanger 10 includes a frame 12 having a pair of platens 14 and 16, a platen pack 18, a plurality of tie rod assemblies 20, and a plurality of inlet / outlet tubes 22.The pair of pressure plates 14 and 16 are specifically referred to as a top plate (pressure plate 14) and a channel plate (pressure plate 16). For circulating fluids through the plate pack 18, the inlet / outlet tubes 22 are secured in fluid communication with a plurality of ports 26 (shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 ). Although the supply / drain tubes 22 are shown secured to the pressure plate 14, in other examples, some or all of the supply / drain tubes 22 may be disposed along with the corresponding ports 26 on the pressure plate 16.FIG. 2 is a partial exploded view of the heat exchanger 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the heat exchanger 10 includes a plurality of port ports 30 arranged in the plurality of ports 26. As described herein, each port port 30 includes a first member 32 and a second member 34. the first member 32 includes a first bushing 36, a first flange 38, and a seal 40. In other examples, the seal may comprise any suitable number or type of sealing elements. The second member 34 includes a second bushing 42 and a second flange 44.As described herein, the port port port 30 is installed in port 26 by sliding or telescoping the first member 32 into the second member 34, and the seal 40 forms a seal between the first bushing 36 and the second bushing 42 such that a liner is formed in the port 26. The assembled port port port 30 is shown in Figure 4.The inlet / outlet tube 22 is assembled to the heat exchanger 10 by securing the inlet / outlet tube 22 in cooperative alignment with the port connector 30. In a particular example, the supply / discharge tube 22 includes a flange 50 having a row of bolt holes 52. these bolt holes 52 are aligned with a corresponding row of threaded bolts 54 protruding from the pressure plate 14, and a plurality of nuts 56 are threaded onto the bolts 54 to secure the supply / discharge tube 22. Optionally, a flat gasket 60 may be disposed between the flange 50 and the second flange 44.As also shown in FIG. 2, the plate pack 18 includes a gaskets 62, and the gaskets 62 includes a portion disposed about the perimeter of the plate pack 18 and portions that selectively seal a plurality of inlets / outlets 64 in the plate pack 18. As will be appreciated, this selective sealing of the plurality of feeds / discharges 64 is used to control the flow of the two different fluids in the plate pack to transfer heat from one fluid to the other.An advantage of the port port 30 is that the port port 30 is to be maintained without removing the supply / discharge pipe 22. The disk pack 18 is routinely maintained as a general maintenance procedure, and in this procedure and / or at some other time, the disk pack 18 may be decompressed and removed from the printing plate 14 so that the first element may be inspected. The examination can take place on site and / or comprise removal. For example, the first member 32 may be slid out of the port 26 and the first bushing 36, the first flange 38 and / or the seal 40 may be inspected. The seal 40 may be replaced upon wear or other damage and the first member 32 may be slid back into the port 26 to telescope into the second bushing 42 and form a seal therewith.FIG. 3 is a front view of a portion of the heat exchanger 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the supply / discharge tube 22 is disposed in cooperative alignment with the port 26 when assembled.FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view 4- 4 of the port port 30 installed in the heat exchanger 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the first member 32 is telescopingly retracted into the second member 34, and the seal 40 forms a seal between the first bushing 36 and the second bushing 42 such that a liner is formed in the port 26. In this manner, fluid flowing through port 26 does not come into contact with port 26, but rather port port 30 provides a liner that acts as a barrier between port 26 and the fluid. In this context, the port terminal 30 may comprise a relatively inert material or layer. For example, the first member 32 and / or the second member 34 may comprise a stainless steel such as American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) 316L, titanium, or the like.The first bushing 36 is configured to slide or telescope into the second bushing 42. Further, the first bushing 36 and the second bushing 42 are sized to compress the seal 40 therebetween to form a seal. In this manner, the seal formed by the compression of the O-ring between the first bushing 36 and the second bushing 42 is configured to reduce or prevent leakage of the fluid in the port 26 from contacting the surface of the port 26. In this regard, the material forming or coating the seal 40 may comprise any suitable material. Generally, the material for the seal 40 is selected to resist the thermal and / or chemical nature of the environment in the port port 30. Particular examples of suitable materials for forming or coating the gasket 40 include nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), ethylene propylene diene monomer (M-class) rubber (EPDM), fluoroelastomer rubber with vinylidene fluoride as a monomer (FKM), and the like.As also shown in FIG. 4, the first bushing 36 includes one or more receptacles 70 to retain the seal 40 in position. The receptacles may include, for example, annular grooves disposed about the first bushing 36. Although two receptacles 70 are shown, the number of receptacles and corresponding seal 40 may vary, including any suitable number. For example, the first bushing may include one, two, three, four, or more receptacles 70 and the corresponding seal 40.As shown in FIG. 4, the plate pack includes a plurality of pairs or individual plates 80, and the gaskets 62 are disposed between alternating plates 80 to generate the stream of alternating fluids to transfer heat from one fluid to the other.FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the port terminal 30 according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the port port 30 includes the first member 32 and the second member 34. the first member 32 includes the first bushing 36, the first flange 38, and the seal 40. the first bushing 36 includes the receptacles 70 to retain the seal 40. The second member 34 includes the second bushing 42 and a second flange 44.The many features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed specification, and it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention that fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the precise construction and operation illustrated and described, and thus all suitable modifications and equivalents are intended to fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

A port connection (30) for a plate heat exchanger (10), the port connection (30) comprising: a first member (32) having a first bushing (36) and a first flange (38), the first bushing (36) being configured to slide into a port (26) disposed through a pressure plate (14) of the plate heat exchanger (10), the first flange (38) having a first bearing surface to receive a first surface of the pressure plate (14); a second member (34) having a second bushing (42) and a second flange (44), the second bushing (42) being configured to slide into the port (26), the second flange (44) having a second bearing surface to receive a second surface of the pressure plate (14); a seal (40) formed in response to the first sleeve (36) telescopingly retracting into the second sleeve (42); characterized a first sealing surface annularly disposed about the first flange (38) and configured to form a seal with a first heat exchanger plate in a plate pack (18) of the plate heat exchanger (10); a first flat seal (62) disposed between the first sealing surface and the first heat exchanger plate, the first flat seal (62) having a first portion disposed about the perimeter of the first heat exchanger plate and a second portion selectively sealing the port (26) in the first heat exchanger plate; a pair of annular grooves (70) disposed about the first bushing (36) to provide a pair of receptacles (70) for a pair of O-rings, the O-rings configured to form the seal (40) between the pair of receptacles (70) and an inner surface of the second bushing (42); a second sealing surface disposed annularly about the second flange (44) and configured to form a seal with a supply / discharge tube (22); and a second flat seal (60) disposed between the second sealing surface and the supply / discharge tube (22).A pressure plate (14) for a plate heat exchanger (10), the pressure plate (14) comprising: a first surface configured to receive a plate pack (18); a second surface; and a plurality of port ports (30) disposed in a corresponding plurality of ports (26) through the pressure plate (14) for fluid communication of the plate pack (18), each port port (30) comprising: a first member (32) having a first bushing (36) and a first flange (38), the first bushing (36) configured to slide into the corresponding port (26), the first flange (38) having a first bearing surface to receive; a second member (34) having a second bushing (42) and a second flange (44), the second bushing (42) configured to slide into the corresponding port (26), the second flange (44) having a second bearing surface to receive the second surface; and a seal formed in response to the first bushing (36) telescopingly retracting into the second bushing (42); characterized a first sealing surface annularly disposed about the first flange (38) and configured to form a seal with a first heat exchanger plate in a plate pack (18) of the plate heat exchanger (10); a first flat seal disposed between the first sealing surface and the first heat exchanger plate, the first flat seal having a first portion disposed about the perimeter of the first heat exchanger plate and a second portion selectively sealing the port (26) in the first heat exchanger plate; a pair of annular grooves (70) disposed about the first bushing (36) to provide a pair of receptacles (70) for a pair of O-rings, the O-rings configured to form the seal between the pair of receptacles (70) and an inner surface of the second bushing (42); a second sealing surface annularly disposed about the second flange (44) and configured to form a seal with a supply / discharge tube (22); and a second flat seal (60) disposed between the second sealing surface and the supply / discharge tube (22).A plate heat exchanger (10) comprising: a plate pack (18) having a first inlet for a first fluid, a first outlet for the first fluid, a second inlet for a second fluid, and a second outlet for the second fluid, the plate pack (18) configured to direct a stream of the first fluid in thermal contact with a stream of the second fluid; a pair of pressure plates (14), one or both of the pair of pressure plates (14) comprising: a first surface configured to receive the plate pack (18); a second surface; a plurality of ports (26), each port (26) disposed in cooperative alignment with corresponding ones of the first inlet, the first outlet, the second inlet, and the second outlet; a plurality of port ports (30), each port port (30) being disposed in a respective port (26) of the plurality of ports (26), each port port (30) comprising: a first member (32) having a first bushing (36) and a first flange (38), the first bushing (36) being configured to slide into the respective port (26), the first flange (38) having a first bearing surface to receive the first surface; a second member (34) having a second bushing (42) and a second flange (44), the second bushing (42) being configured to slide into the respective port (26), the second flange (44) having a second bearing surface to receive the second surface; a seal formed in response to the first bushing (36) telescopingly retracting into the second bushing (42); a frame for compressing the plate pack (18) between the platens (14); characterized a first sealing surface annularly disposed about the first flange (38) and configured to form a seal with a first heat exchanger plate in a plate pack (18) of the plate heat exchanger (10); a first flat seal disposed between the first sealing surface and the first heat exchanger plate, the first flat seal having a first portion disposed about the perimeter of the first heat exchanger plate and a second portion selectively sealing the port (26) in the first heat exchanger plate; a pair of annular grooves (70) disposed about a first bushing (36) to provide a pair of receptacles (70) for a pair of O-rings, the O-rings configured to form the seal between the pair of receptacles (70) and an inner surface of the second bushing (42); a second sealing surface annularly disposed about the second flange (44) and configured to form a seal with a supply / discharge tube (22); and a second flat seal (60) disposed between the second sealing surface and the supply / discharge tube (22).

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