Attachment means and heat transfer plate

Abstract

To provide attachment means for fastening a gasket to a heat transfer plate, and a heat transfer plate arranged to engage with the attachment means, thereby providing more reliable gasket fastening than the prior art.SOLUTION: First and second connection members (62, 64) of attachment means (58) engage a bridge (60) and are arranged to engage a gasket (48). A finger (66) engages the bridge (60) and extends between the first and second connection members (62, 64). The first connection member (62) comprises first and second portions, the second portion being arranged between the bridge (60) and the first portion. In the attachment means, the second portion of the first connection member (62) comprises a second body (80a), and the first portion of the first connection member (62) comprises a first body (78a) and first retaining means (78b) projecting from a longitudinal outer side of the first body (78a) in a direction away from the finger (66).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to mounting means for clamping a gasket to a heat conduction plate, and a heat conduction plate configured to cooperate with such mounting means.

Background Art

[0002] Plate heat exchangers, PHEs, typically comprise two end plates, between which a number of heat conduction plates are arranged in an aligned manner, i.e., in a stack or pack. In one well-known type of PHE, a so-called gasketed PHE, the gaskets are arranged between the heat conduction plates in gasket grooves with the gaskets being pressed into the heat conduction plates. Typically, the gasket grooves extend partially along and adjacent to the edges of the heat conduction plates. The end plates, and thus the heat conduction plates, are pushed towards each other by some kind of clamping means, whereby the gaskets seal between the heat conduction plates. Parallel flow channels defined by the gaskets are formed between the heat conduction plates, with one channel being between each pair of adjacent heat conduction plates. Two fluids, initially at different temperatures, supplied to / from the PHE through the inlet / outlet may flow alternately through every other channel for conducting heat from one fluid to the other, and the fluids enter / exit the channels through inlet / outlet port holes in the heat conduction plates communicating with the inlet / outlet of the PHE. It is necessarily fundamental that the gaskets are properly positioned between the plates so that the channels do not leak.

[0003] When the plate heat exchanger is closed, the gasket is squeezed between the plates, thereby being firmly held in place. However, when the gasket is not squeezed between the plates, such as when the plate heat exchanger is assembled or opened for maintenance, some means for accurately fixing the gasket to the plate are desirable. It is known to use some kind of adhesive means, such as glue or tape, to fix the gasket to the plate. However, attaching the gasket with an adhesive and replacing the gasket tightened by the adhesive can be relatively time-consuming and thus expensive. Furthermore, the adhesive may have an adverse effect on the gasket and its sealing capacity. Also, for example, a mechanical gasket fixing solution according to the applicant's own U.S. Patent No. 4,635,715 has been previously known. This document discloses different embodiments of gaskets with protrusions for fixing the gasket to the heat conduction plate. The gasket described therein can result in a relatively unreliable tightening to the heat conduction plate in that the engagement between the protrusion and the heat conduction plate is relatively weak in terms of the risk of the protrusion "coming off" from the heat conduction plate.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide mounting means for tightening a gasket to a heat conduction plate and a heat conduction plate configured to engage with such mounting means, and to perform a more reliable gasket tightening compared to the prior art. The basic concept of the present invention is to construct the mounting means and the heat conduction plate so as to "interlock" when appropriately engaged with each other.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The attachment means and the heat conduction plate are defined in the appended claims and are discussed below.

[0007] The attachment means according to the present invention is configured to engage with an edge portion of the heat conduction plate in order to clamp a gasket to a first side of the heat conduction plate. The attachment means includes a bridge, a first connection member, a second connection member, and fingers. A first connection portion of the first connection member is configured to engage with the gasket, and a second connection portion of the first connection member engages with the bridge. A first connection portion of the second connection member is configured to engage with the gasket, and a second connection portion of the second connection member engages with the bridge. A connection portion of the finger engages with the bridge. The fingers extend between the first and second connection members and are arranged to extend from the bridge towards the gasket. The first connection member includes first and second portions. The second portion is disposed between the bridge and the first portion. The attachment means is characterized in that the second portion of the first connection member comprises a second body, the first portion of the first connection member comprises a first body, and the attachment means further comprises first holding means that protrude from a longitudinal outer portion of the first body in a direction away from the fingers and the second connection member. Thereby, the first portion of the first connection member is given a first width that is greater than a second width of the second portion of the first connection member.

[0008] The longitudinal outer portion of the first body faces away from the fingers, and the opposing longitudinal inner portion of the first body is disposed between the longitudinal outer portion of the first body and the fingers and faces the fingers.

[0009] The widths of the first and second connection members and the fingers and their portions may be measured parallel to the length or longitudinal extension of the bridge.

[0010] The first and second widths of the first and second portions of the first connection member referred to above may vary or may be constant.

[0011] The outer longitudinal portion of the first body may extend substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the bridge.

[0012] The first body and the first holding means may be integrally formed. Similarly, the first and second bodies may be integrally formed.

[0013] The finger may have a longitudinal axis of symmetry that extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the bridge and through the center of the bridge.

[0014] The first and second connecting members may not have a longitudinal axis of symmetry.

[0015] Thus, the mounting means according to the invention has a first connecting member with a width that varies along at least a part of the length of the first connecting member so as to achieve a first connecting member that mechanically "self-locks" in at least one direction within a heat conducting plate having an appropriate design. This "self-locking" securely fixes the mounting means to the heat conducting plate and may prevent displacement of the mounting means relative to the heat conducting plate, particularly in a direction perpendicular to the width extension of the first connecting member and parallel to the extension plane of the heat conducting plate. Thus, the mounting means of the invention provides a reliable attachment to the heat conducting plate. Further, the mounting means of the invention may be relatively easy to mount on the heat conducting plate.

[0016] The mounting means may be designed such that a first portion of the first connecting member comprises a first connection of the first connecting member. The first portion of the first connecting member is then arranged to contact the gasket. Further, a second portion of the first connecting member may comprise a second connection of the first connecting member. The second portion of the first connecting member then contacts the bridge.

[0017] The first retaining means of the first portion of the first connecting member may have many different shapes. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first retaining means of the first portion of the first connecting member is tapered in a direction away from the bridge along at least a part of its length. Such a design may allow for optimized gasket support.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first retaining means has a basic triangular shape when viewed from above the mounting means, and the first maintaining means is connected to the first body along one side of the triangle. Such a configuration may enable a clearly defined and reliable fixation of the mounting means to a heat conduction plate having an appropriate design.

[0019] The mounting means may be designed such that the second body has a minimum width that is smaller than the maximum width of the first body. The widths of the first and / or second bodies may each vary or be constant, and thus may be equal to the maximum and minimum widths. Such a design may enable mounting means with a first connecting member that mechanically "self-locks" in at least two opposing directions within a heat conduction plate having an appropriate design, and may allow for a more secure fixation of the mounting means to the heat conduction plate. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the second body of the first connecting member is tapered in a direction towards the bridge along at least a part of its length. Such a design may allow for a smooth transition between the first and second bodies of the first connecting member, and thus, an easily machined and durable mounting means.

[0020] The mounting means may be designed such that the outer longitudinal portion of the second body is basically straight and extends basically perpendicular to the extension of the length of the bridge. The outer longitudinal portion of the second body faces away from the finger, and the opposing inner longitudinal portion of the second body is disposed between the outer longitudinal portion of the second body and the finger and faces the finger. Such a design may allow for a mechanically straight construction of the mounting means.

[0021] The attachment means may be configured such that the finger has a first portion with a first width and a second portion with a second width. The second portion may be disposed closer to the bridge than the first portion, and the first width may be smaller than the second width. Such a design may allow the attachment means to more easily and properly engage with the heat conduction plate, and the finger may further provide a relatively large plate contact surface, and then may enable optimized plate engagement. Further, such a design may make the finger more flexible and may also enable optimized plate engagement. Further, such a design may lead to the shape of the finger conforming to the shape of the first connecting member, and then may enable a small attachment means.

[0022] The first and second widths of the first and second portions of the finger referred to above may vary or may be constant.

[0023] The attachment means may be designed such that the second portion of the finger includes a connection portion of the finger. Thereafter, the second portion of the finger is in contact with the bridge.

[0024] The finger may have many different shapes. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the finger is tapered away from the bridge along at least a part of its length. Such a design may allow for a smooth transition between the first and second portions of the finger and thus between easily machinable and durable attachment means.

[0025] The attachment means may be configured such that the maximum thickness of the first body is greater than the maximum thickness of the first holding means. The thickness of the first body and / or the thickness of the first holding means may be constant or may vary. Such a design may ensure that the first holding means does not adversely affect the contact between the attachment means and two heat conduction plates configured such that a gasket configured to engage with the attachment means is positioned therebetween.

[0026] Necessarily, the second connecting member of the mounting means may be designed like the first connecting member of the mounting means.

[0027] The heat conduction plate according to the invention has, on its first side, a gasket groove extending along the edge of the heat conduction plate. The edge portion of the heat conduction plate extends between the edge and the gasket groove. The edge portion is wavy such that, when viewed from the first side of the heat conduction plate, it comprises alternately arranged apex portions each having a respective upper part, and trough portions each having a respective bottom part. The edge portion comprises a gasket clamping region configured to engage with the mounting means as defined above for clamping a gasket within the gasket groove. The heat conduction plate is characterized in that the gasket clamping region comprises first and second trough portions, and first and second apex portions. The first and second apex portions are arranged on opposite sides of the first trough portion, and the first and second trough portions are arranged on opposite sides of the second apex portion. The bottom part of the first trough extends to a bottom plane. The upper part of the first apex portion extends in a first plane that is in contact with a first part of the first trough portion and that extends between a first part of the first apex portion and the edge of the heat conduction plate, and in an upper plane that is in contact with a second part of the first trough portion, and the upper and bottom planes are separated by a distance x. The first plane extends basically parallel to the upper and bottom planes, at a distance xt from the upper plane and a distance xb from the bottom plane, where xt ≦ x and 0 ≦ xb < x.

[0028] The widths of the first and second trough portions, and the first and second apex portions and their parts, may be measured parallel to the edge of the heat conduction plate.

[0029] The bottom part of the first trough portion may have a longitudinal symmetry axis that extends perpendicular to the edge of the heat conduction plate, just like the bottom part of the second trough portion.

[0030] The upper part of the first apex portion may not have a longitudinal symmetry axis.

[0031] The upper part of the second top may have a longitudinal axis of symmetry that extends perpendicular to the edge of the heat conducting plate.

[0032] Thus, the heat conducting plate according to the invention has a gasket tightening region with a lower press depth portion, i.e., a first top portion with a recess, and the recess is configured to accommodate a first holding means of the mounting means having a suitable design to mechanically "lock" the mounting means to the heat conducting plate in at least one direction. This "locking" can firmly fix the mounting means to the heat conducting plate and prevent displacement of the mounting means relative to the heat conducting plate, particularly in a direction perpendicular to the edge of the heat conducting plate and parallel to the extension plane of the heat conducting plate.

[0033] The heat conducting plate may be designed such that a first portion of the first top portion is tapered away from the edge of the heat conducting plate along at least a part of its length.

[0034] The first portion of the first top portion may have a basic triangular shape when viewed from above the heat conducting plate, and the first portion of the first top portion may be in contact with the first portion of the first valley along one side of the triangle.

[0035] A second portion of the first valley, disposed between the first portion of the first valley and the edge of the heat conducting plate, may have a minimum width smaller than the maximum width of the first portion of the first valley. The widths of the first and / or second portions may each vary or be constant and thus may be equal to the said maximum and minimum widths. According to one embodiment of the invention, the second portion of the first valley is tapered in a direction towards the edge of the heat conducting plate along at least a part of its length.

[0036] The longitudinal outer part of the first valley is basically straight within the second portion of the first valley and may extend basically perpendicular to the edge of the heat conducting plate. The longitudinal outer part of the first valley faces the first top portion, and the opposing longitudinal inner part of the first valley faces away from the first top portion.

[0037] The second top portion may comprise a first portion having a first width and a second portion having a second width, and the second portion is disposed between the first portion and the edge of the heat conducting plate. Further, the first width may be smaller than the second width. The first and second widths of the first and second portions of the second top portion may vary or may be constant.

[0038] The second top portion may be tapered in a direction away from the edge of the heat conducting plate along at least a part of its length.

[0039] The first and second trough portions may be at least partially open towards the gasket groove. This means that the first and second trough portions, or more specifically the space defined by the first and second trough portions, communicate with the gasket groove, or more specifically the space defined by the gasket groove. Such a design may enable the first and second connecting members of the mounting means to be connected to the gasket without affecting the seal between the heat conducting plate being covered and the gasket. The first and second top portions may be closed towards or separated from the gasket groove. This means that the first and second top portions, or more specifically the space defined by the first and second top portions, do not communicate with the gasket groove, or more specifically the space defined by the gasket groove. Such a design may enable complete gasket support at the first and second top portions.

[0040] The heat conducting plate and the mounting means according to the present invention are adapted to be used together, and the design of the heat conducting plate is adapted to the design of the mounting means and vice versa. Thus, the different embodiments of the heat conducting plate according to the present invention correspond to the different embodiments of the mounting means according to the present invention. Thus, the advantages of the different embodiments of the mounting means are transferable to the different embodiments of the heat conducting plate and vice versa. Inevitably, these advantages first appear when the heat conducting plate and the mounting means cooperate with each other.

[0041] Further other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and the drawings.

[0042] The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying schematic diagrams.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0043]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0044] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, an assembly 2 provided with a heat conduction plate 4 and a gasket device 6 is shown. FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the upper part of the assembly 2, and FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of the region surrounded by the broken-line rectangle C in FIG. 1.

[0045] As separately shown in FIG. 6, the heat conduction plate 4, whose first side 8 is seen in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 6, and whose opposite second side 10 is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, comprises a number of port holes 12, 14, 16 and 18 and is a substantially rectangular sheet of stainless steel pressed in a specific pattern within different regions of the heat conduction plate. A gasket groove 20 also extends completely along the outer plate edge 22 to surround the port holes 12, 14, 16 and 18 and completely along two inner plate edges 24 and 26 that define two of the port holes 14 and 18 respectively to separately surround each of them. Further, the gasket groove 20 extends "diagonally" twice across the heat conduction plate so as to further surround the port holes 14 and 18. The outer edge portion 28 of the heat conduction plate 4 extending between the outer plate edge 22 and the gasket groove 20, and the inner edge portions 30 and 32 of the heat conduction plate 4 extending respectively between the inner plate edge 24 and the gasket groove 20 and between the inner plate edge 26 and the gasket groove 20 are wavy so as to have alternately arranged peak portions 34 and valley portions 36 (see FIG. 2 and FIGS. 3 and 6 with respect to the outer edge portion 28). The peak portions and valley portions as seen from one side of the heat conduction plate 4 are valley portions and peak portions respectively as seen from the other side of the heat conduction plate 4. Also, clearly, the port holes 12 and 16 are each surrounded by similarly wavy inner edge portions.

[0046] Referring particularly to FIG. 2, the outer edge portion 28 of the heat conduction plate 4 comprises a plurality of outer gasket tightening regions 44 distributed along the outer plate edge 22. At least some of the gasket tightening regions 44 are designed according to the present invention. For the sake of completeness, it should be said that the inner edge portion of the heat conduction plate 4 also comprises a plurality of inner gasket tightening regions distributed around the port holes 12, 14, 16 and 18. However, these are conventionally designed and will not be further described herein.

[0047] One of the gasket tightening regions 44 designed according to the present invention is shown in more detail in FIG. 6. This includes the first and second valleys 36a, 36b of the valley portion 36 and the first, second and third top portions 34a, 34b, 34c of the top portion 34. The first and second top portions 34a, 34b are arranged on opposite sides of the first valley 36a, and the first and second valleys 36a, 36b are arranged on opposite sides of the second top portion 34b, and the second and third top portions 34b, 34c are arranged on opposite sides of the second valley 36b.

[0048] Referring to FIGS. 4 to 6, most of the top portions 34 within the outer edge portion 28 of the heat conduction plate 4 are designed like the rightmost top portion 34 in FIG. 6, having a basically constant width along their longitudinal extension lines and respective upper portions 38 extending within the virtual upper plane TP. Similarly, most of the valleys 36 within the outer edge portion 28 of the heat conduction plate 4 are designed like the rightmost valley 36 in FIG. 6, having a basically constant width along their longitudinal extension lines and respective bottom portions 40 extending within the virtual bottom plane BP disposed at a distance x from the upper plane TP. However, the first, second and third top portions 34a, 34b, 34c are configured differently, just like the first and second valleys 36a, 36b of the gasket tightening region 44.

[0049] The first top part 34a has an upper part 38a that extends within a virtual first plane P1 within a first part r11 of the first top part 34a (the boundary of which is partially shown by a dashed line) disposed immediately adjacent to a first part v11 of the first valley part 36a, and within an upper plane TP within a second part r12 of the first top part 34a that is partially disposed immediately adjacent to a second part v12 of the first valley part 36a. The boundary between the first and second parts v11, v12 of the first valley part 36a is shown by a dashed line. The second part v12 of the first valley part 36a is disposed between the first part v11 of the first valley part 36a and the edge 22 of the heat conduction plate 4. Further, the second part r12 of the first top part 34a extends outside the first part r11 between the first part r11 of the first top part 34a and the edge 22 of the heat conduction plate 4. The first plane P1 is parallel to the upper and bottom planes TP, BP, extends at a distance xt from the upper plane TP and a distance xb from the bottom plane BP, where xt ≦ x and 0 ≦ xb < x. Here, xb = 0 and xt = x means that the first plane P1 coincides with the bottom plane BP. However, in an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the first plane P1 can instead be disposed between the upper plane TP and the bottom plane BP.

[0050] The reduced height of the upper part 38a of the first top part 34a within its first part r11 leads to a recess in the first top part 34a. The inner cross-section of the first part r11 of the first top part 34a as seen from the edge 22 of the heat conduction plate 4 is tapered in the direction towards the gasket groove 20 so as to give this recess a triangular basic shape when viewed from above the heat conduction plate 4, with one side of the triangle in contact with the first part r11 of the first valley part 36a.

[0051] The second top portion 34b has a symmetry axis that extends perpendicular to an upper portion 38b that extends within the outer edge 22 and the upper plane TP of the heat conduction plate 4. The second top portion 34b includes a first portion r21 having a first width wp21 and a second portion r22 having a second width wp22. The second portion r22 is disposed between the first portion r21 and the edge 22 of the heat conduction plate 4, and the boundary between the first and second portions r21, r22 is illustrated by a dashed line. Further, the first width wp21 of the first portion r21 is constant along substantially the entire length of the first portion r21. In contrast, the second portion r22 is tapered in a direction away from the edge 22 of the heat conduction plate 4, leading to the varying second width wp22 of the second portion r22. The first width wp21 of the first portion r21 is smaller than the second width wp22 of the second portion r22.

[0052] As is apparent from FIG. 6, the third top portion 34c is designed in a manner corresponding to the first top portion 34a.

[0053] The first valley portion 36a has a bottom portion 40a that extends within the bottom plane BP. The longitudinal outer sides 42 of the first valley portion 36a are straight and extend perpendicular to the edge 22 of the heat conduction plate 4 along substantially the entire length of the first valley portion 36a, particularly along the length of the second portion v12 of the first valley portion 36a. Thereby, as described above, since the second portion r22 of the second top portion 38b is tapered in a direction away from the edge 22 of the heat conduction plate 4, the second portion v12 of the first valley portion 36a is tapered in a direction toward the edge 22 of the heat conduction plate 4.

[0054] As is apparent from FIG. 6, the second valley portion 36b is designed in a manner corresponding to the first valley portion 36a.

[0055] Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the bottom 46 of the gasket groove 20 extends within a virtual bottom plane BP along the main portion of the gasket groove 20. However, in other embodiments of the present invention, the gasket groove bottom 46 extends instead within a virtual intermediate plane that extends between the upper and bottom planes TP, BP, perhaps halfway therebetween, along the main portion of the gasket groove 20. As is apparent from FIGS. 4 through 6, the top portion 34 is closed toward the gasket groove 20 and configured to provide gasket support, and the valley portion 36 is open toward the gasket groove 20.

[0056] Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, the gasket device 6 includes a rubber gasket 48, which in turn includes an annular region portion 50, two annular ring portions 52, 54, and a bridge 56 that connects the ring portions 52, 54 to the region portion 50. The gasket device 6 further includes a plurality of rubber attachment means 58 integrally formed with the gasket 48. The attachment means 58 are distributed along the outer portion of the region portion 50 of the gasket 48. At least some of the attachment means 58 are designed according to the present invention. For completeness, it should be said that the gasket device 6 also includes attachment means along the inner portions of the ring portions 52, 54 and the inner portion of the region portion 50. However, these are of conventional design and are not further described herein.

[0057] One of the mounting means 58 designed according to the present invention is illustrated in more detail in FIGS. 7 and 8. This includes an elongated bridge 60, a first connecting member 62, a second connecting member 64, and a finger 66. The boundaries of the bridge 60 towards the first and second connecting members 62, 64 and the finger 66 are illustrated by dashed lines in FIG. 7. The bridge 60 extends longitudinally substantially parallel to the gasket 48 at a distance therefrom. The first connecting member 62 extends longitudinally from its end portion substantially perpendicular to the bridge 60 to connect the bridge 60 to the gasket 48. More specifically, a first connecting portion 68 in the form of an end of the first connecting member 62 is connected to the gasket 48, and a second connecting portion 70 in the form of another end of the first connecting member 62 is connected to the bridge 60. Similarly, the second connecting member 64 extends longitudinally from its other opposite end portion substantially perpendicular to the bridge 60 to connect the bridge 60 to the gasket 48. More specifically, a first connecting portion 72 in the form of an end of the second connecting member 64 is connected to the gasket 48, and a second connecting portion 74 in the form of another end of the second connecting member 64 is connected to the bridge 60. The finger 60 extends longitudinally from its central portion, that is, between the first and second connecting members 62, 64, substantially perpendicular to the bridge 60 towards the gasket 48. More specifically, a connecting portion 76 in the form of an end of the finger 66 is connected to the bridge 60, and the other end of the finger 66 is free and is disposed at a distance from the gasket 48.

[0058] The first connecting member 62 comprises a first part 78 and a second part 80. The second part 80 is in contact with the bridge 60 of the mounting means 58, and the first part 78 is in contact with the gasket 48. In FIG. 7, the boundary between the first and second parts 78, 80 is shown by a dashed line. Thereafter, the first part 78 of the first connecting member 62 comprises a first body 78a and first retaining means 78b, and the second part 80 comprises a second body 80a. The first retaining means 78b projects from the longitudinal outer part 82 of the first body 78a in a direction away from the finger 66 and the second connecting member 64. The inner cross-section of the first retaining means 78b as seen from the bridge 60 is tapered in a direction towards the gasket 48 so as to give the first retaining means 78b a substantially triangular shape when viewed from above the mounting means 58, with one side of the triangle in contact with the first body 78a of the first part 78 of the first connecting member 62. The thickness of the first body 78a exceeds the thickness of the first retaining means 78b.

[0059] The first retaining means 78b gives the first part 78 of the first connecting member 62 a varying first width wg11 that is greater than the second width wg12 of the second part 80 of the first connecting member 62. Also, the second width wg12 of the second part 80, and thus the width of the second body 80a, varies. The second body 80a has a recess 84 in the longitudinal inner part 86 near the bridge 60, and the longitudinal outer part 88 of the second body 80a is straight and extends perpendicular to the bridge 60.

[0060] As is apparent from FIGS. 7 and 8, the second connecting member 64 is designed in a manner corresponding to the first connecting member 62.

[0061] Furthermore, a finger 66 having a symmetry axis extending vertically to the bridge 60 and passing through its center includes a first portion 90 and a second portion 92. The second portion 92 is in contact with the bridge 60 of the mounting means 58, and the first portion 90 is disposed between the second portion 92 and the gasket 48. In FIG. 7, the boundary between the first and second portions 90, 92 is illustrated by a dashed line. The first and second portions 90, 92 have widths wf1, wf2, respectively, and the first width wf1 is smaller than the second width wf2. The first width wf1 is substantially constant along the entire length of the first portion 90. The second portion 92 is tapered in a direction away from the bridge 60 and varies the second width wf2.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 1, the gasket groove 20 of the heat conduction plate 4 is configured to accommodate the gasket 48. Further, the gasket tightening region of the heat conduction plate 4 is configured to cooperate with the mounting means of the gasket device 6 to tighten the gasket 48 to the heat conduction plate 4. The cooperation between one of the gasket tightening regions 44 according to the present invention and one of the mounting means 58 according to the present invention is particularly illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5. The heat conduction plate 4 should be said to be shown partially transparent in some of the figures, particularly in FIG. 3, and for illustrative purposes.

[0063] Referring particularly to FIG. 3, when the mounting means 58 properly engages the gasket tightening region 44, the first and second connecting members 62, 64 engage the first side 8 of the heat conduction plate 4, and the finger 66 engages the second side 10 of the heat conduction plate 4 (FIGS. 4 and 5). More specifically, the finger 66 is received in a valley defined by the second top portion 34b. Further, the first and second main bodies 78a, 80a of the first connecting member 62 are received in the first valley 36a, and the first holding means 78b of the first connecting member 62 is received in the first portion r11 of the first top portion 34a. The second connecting member 64 is received in a corresponding manner in the second valley 36b and the third top portion 34c.

[0064] Furthermore, the bridge 60 of the mounting means 58 extends outside the heat conduction plate 4 parallel to its outer edge 22. The configurations of the first and second connecting members 62, 64 of the mounting means 58, and the first, second, and third top portions 34a, 34b, 34c and the first and second valley portions 36a, 36b of the gasket tightening region 44 are complementary. Thus, the first connecting member 62 fits snugly into the entire first valley portion 36a and the first portion r11 of the first top portion 34a, and basically closes it. Correspondingly, the second connecting member 64 fits snugly into the entire second valley portion 36b and the first portion or recess of the third top portion 34c, and basically closes it. Thereby, the mounting means 58 is prevented from sliding in a direction parallel to the extended plane of the heat conduction plate 4, particularly perpendicular to the outer edge 22 of the heat conduction plate 4.

[0065] Accordingly, reliable tightening of the gasket 48 to the heat conduction plate 4 is achieved. Even if the gasket 48 loses contact with the gasket groove 20, the gasket device 6 can be prevented from sliding off the heat conduction plate 4. This is illustrated in FIG. 9 showing how the engagement between the first and second connecting members 62, 64 and the first and third top portions 34a, 34c is maintained even when the gasket device 6 is inclined with respect to the heat conduction plate 4.

[0066] The above-described embodiments of the present invention should be regarded as examples only. Those skilled in the art will understand that the described embodiments can be modified in several ways without departing from the concept of the invention.

[0067] As an example, the first holding means of the first connecting member does not necessarily have a basic triangular shape, but can have any suitable shape.

[0068] As another example, only one of the connecting members may be provided with holding means, and the other connecting members lack holding means.

[0069] The components of the gasket tightening region and the components of the mounting means having various widths need not be tapered so as to achieve various widths. For example, the width change may be more abrupt and immediate, and may occur suddenly rather than gradually.

[0070] The fingers may be tapered along their complete longitudinal extensions instead of only along that part. Further, the fingers need not be tapered in a direction away from the bridge, but instead may be tapered in a direction towards the bridge along the entire longitudinal extension or only a part thereof. The heat conducting plate can have a gasket tightening region designed to cooperate with such mounting means provided with fingers.

[0071] As another example, the fingers and / or the first and second connecting members need not extend parallel to each other and / or perpendicular to the bridge. Thus, the first and second valleys and the first, second and third peaks need not extend longitudinally parallel to each other and perpendicular to the outer plate edge.

[0072] The heat conducting plate described above has the gasket tightening region of the present invention arranged along the outer plate edge and along two opposite long sides of the heat conducting plate. Thus, the gasket device described above has the mounting means of the present invention arranged along two opposite long sides of the region portion of the gasket protruding from its outer part. Inevitably, the gasket tightening region of the present invention can also / instead be arranged along two opposite short sides of the heat conducting plate and / or along the inner plate edge, i.e., around the port holes of the heat conducting plate. Thus, the mounting means of the present invention can also / instead be arranged along two opposite short sides of the region portion of the gasket protruding from its inner part and / or along the ring portion of the gasket.

[0073] The mounting means of the present invention can extend between the first and second connecting members and can comprise two or more fingers arranged to extend from the bridge of the mounting means towards the gasket. The heat conducting plate can have a gasket tightening area designed to cooperate with such mounting means.

[0074] When the mounting means engages properly with the heat conducting plate, the mounting means need not be designed such that its bridge is positioned outside the heat conducting plate. Instead, the bridge can be designed to be at least partially positioned within the heat conducting plate and possibly engage with the first and / or second side of the heat conducting plate when the mounting means engages properly with the heat conducting plate. The heat conducting plate can have a gasket tightening area designed to cooperate with such mounting means.

[0075] The connecting members of the mounting means extend from the bridge to the gasket, but instead can extend beyond the bridge and / or the gasket. Similarly, the fingers can extend beyond the bridge and / or the gasket. The heat conducting plate can have a gasket tightening area designed to cooperate with such mounting means.

[0076] The gasket and the mounting means need not be integrally formed and can possibly be two separate but connectable parts. Further, the gasket and the mounting means need not be made of rubber but can be made of any suitable material. Further, the gasket and the mounting means need not be of the same material.

[0077] The heat conducting plate need not be made of stainless steel but can be made of any suitable material such as titanium or aluminum.

[0078] Finally, the present invention can be used in connection with types of plate heat exchangers other than those simply with gaskets, for example, plate heat exchangers with permanently bonded heat conducting plates.

[0079] It should be emphasized that the plate press typically leads to a plate waveform with some radii of curvature instead of sharp edges. Therefore, the heat conduction plate typically has a waveform of a basic shape instead of an exact shape of different geometric figures such as a triangle. The corresponding explanation is effective for the forming of the gasket device.

[0080] It should be emphasized that the qualifiers such as first, second, third, etc. are used in this specification only to distinguish species of the same kind and are not used to indicate the mutual order of any kind of species.

[0081] It should be emphasized that the detailed description not related to the present invention is omitted, and the figures are merely schematic and not drawn to scale. Also, some of the figures should be said to be more simplified than others. Therefore, some components are illustrated in one figure but may be omitted in another figure.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0082] 2 Assembly 4 Heat conduction plate 6 Gasket device 8 First side 10 Second side 12 Port hole 14 Port hole 16 Port hole 18 Port hole 20 Gasket groove 22 Outer plate edge 24 Inner plate edge 26 Inner plate edge 28 Outer edge portion 30 Inner edge portion 32 Inner edge portion 34 Top portion 36 Valley portion 38 Upper portion 40 Bottom portion 42 Longitudinal outer portion 44 Outer gasket tightening area 46 Bottom 48 Rubber gasket 50 Annular region portion 52 Annular ring portion 54 Annular ring portion 56 Bridge 58 Rubber mounting means 60 Bridge 62 First connecting member 64 Second connecting member 66 Finger 68 First connection part 70 Second connection part 72 First connection part 74 Second connection part 76 Connection part 78 First part 80 Second part 82 Longitudinal outer part 84 Recess 86 Longitudinal inner part 88 Longitudinal outer part 90 First part 92 Second part

Claims

1. Mounting means (58) for clamping a gasket (48) to a heat conducting plate (4), comprising a bridge (60), a first connecting member (62), a second connecting member (64) and a finger (66), wherein a first connecting portion (68) of the first connecting member (62) is configured to engage with the gasket (48), a second connecting portion (70) of the first connecting member (62) engages with the bridge (60), a first connecting portion (72) of the second connecting member (64) is configured to engage with the gasket (48), a second connecting portion (74) of the second connecting member (64) engages with the bridge (60), a connecting portion (76) of the finger (66) engages with the bridge (60), the finger (66) extends between the first connecting member (62) and the second connecting member (64) and is arranged to extend from the bridge (60) towards the gasket (48), the first connecting member (62) comprises a first portion (78) and a second portion (80), and the second portion (80) is arranged between the bridge (60) and the first portion (78). In the mounting means, the second portion (80) of the first connecting member (62) comprises a second body (80a), and the first portion (78) of the first connecting member (62) comprises a first body (78a) and a first holding means (78b) protruding from a longitudinal outer side portion (82) of the first body (78a) in a direction away from the finger (66) so as to give a first width (wg11) greater than a second width (wg12) of the second portion (80) of the first connecting member (62) to the first portion (78) of the first connecting member (62). The mounting means (58) is characterized in that

2. The mounting means (58) according to claim 1, wherein the first holding means (78b) of the first portion (78) of the first connecting member (62) is tapered in a direction away from the bridge (60) along at least a part of its length.

3. The mounting means (58) according to claim 2, wherein the first holding means (78b) has a basic triangular shape when viewed from above the mounting means, and the first holding means (78b) is connected to the first body (78a) along one side of the triangle.

4. The second body (80a) has a minimum width smaller than the maximum width of the first body (78a), and the mounting means (58) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The outer longitudinal portion (88) of the second body is basically straight and extends basically perpendicular to the extension of the length of the bridge (60), and the mounting means (58) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The finger (66) includes a first portion (90) having a first width (wf1) and a second portion (92) having a second width (wf2), the second portion (92) is arranged closer to the bridge (60) than the first portion (90), and the first width (wf1) is smaller than the second width (wf2), and the mounting means (58) according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The finger (66) is tapered in a direction away from the bridge (60) along at least a part of its length, and the mounting means (58) according to claim 6.

8. The maximum thickness of the first body (78a) is greater than the maximum thickness of the first holding means (78b), and the mounting means (58) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A heat conduction plate (4), having on its first side (8) a gasket groove (20) extending along the edge (22) of the heat conduction plate (4), the edge portion (28) of the heat conduction plate (4) extending between the edge (22) and the gasket groove (20), and being wavy so as to include alternately arranged top portions (34) each having a respective upper portion (38) and valley portions (36) each having a respective bottom portion (40) when viewed from the first side (8) of the heat conduction plate (4), the edge portion (28) having a gasket tightening region (44) configured to engage with the mounting means (58) for tightening a gasket (48) within the gasket groove (20), in a heat conduction plate (4). The gasket tightening region (44) includes the first trough portion (36) and the second trough portion (36b) of the trough portion (36), and the first top portion (34a) and the second top portion (34b) of the top portion (34). The first top portion (34a) and the second top portion (34b) are arranged on the opposite side of the first trough portion (36a). The first trough portion (36a) and the second trough portion (36b) are arranged on the opposite side of the second top portion (34b). The bottom portion (40a) of the first trough portion (36a) extends to the bottom plane (BP). The upper portion (38a) of the first top portion (34a) extends in a first plane (P1) within the first portion (r11) of the first top portion (34a) that is in contact with the first portion (v11) of the first trough portion (36a) so as to extend between the first portion (r11) of the first top portion (34a) and the edge portion (22) of the heat conduction plate (4), and extends in an upper plane (TP) within the second portion (r12) of the first top portion (34a) that is in contact with the second portion (v12) of the first trough portion (36a). The upper plane (TP) and the bottom plane (BP) are separated by a distance x. The first plane (P1) extends at a distance xt from the upper plane (TP) and a distance xb from the bottom plane (BP) basically parallel to the upper plane (TP) and the bottom plane (BP), where xt ≤ x and 0 ≤ xb < x. The heat conduction plate (4) is characterized by this.

10. The heat conduction plate (4) according to claim 9, wherein the first portion (r11) of the first top portion (34a) is tapered in a direction away from the edge portion (22) of the heat conduction plate (4) along at least a part of its length.

11. The heat conduction plate (4) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the first portion (r11) of the first top portion (34a) has a basic triangular shape when viewed from above the heat conduction plate (4), and the first portion (r11) of the first top portion (34a) is in contact with the first portion (v11) of the first trough portion (36a) along one side of the triangle.

12. The second portion (v12) of the first valley portion (36a), disposed between the first portion (v11) of the first valley portion (36a) and the edge portion (22) of the heat conduction plate (4), has a minimum width smaller than the maximum width of the first portion of the first valley portion. The heat conduction plate (4) according to any one of claims 9 to 11.

13. The longitudinal outer side portion (42) of the first valley portion (36a) is substantially straight within the second portion (v12) of the first valley portion (36a) and extends substantially perpendicular to the edge portion (22) of the heat conduction plate (4). The heat conduction plate (4) according to any one of claims 9 to 12.

14. The second top portion (34b) includes a first portion (r21) having a first width (wp21) and a second portion (r22) having a second width (wp22). The second portion (r22) is disposed between the first portion (r21) and the edge portion (22) of the heat conduction plate (4), and the first width (wp21) is smaller than the second width (wp22). The heat conduction plate (4) according to any one of claims 9 to 13.

15. The second top portion (34b) is tapered in a direction away from the edge portion (22) of the heat conduction plate (4) along at least a part of its length. The heat conduction plate (4) according to claim 14.

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