Gasket device, heat transfer plate, kit, and assembly

Abstract

A gasket device (3, 97), a heat transfer plate (2, 96), a kit, and an assembly (1, 95) are provided. The gasket device (3, 97) includes a sealing portion (9, 115) for sealing between two heat transfer plates (2, 96) of a plate heat exchanger, and the heat transfer plates (2, 96) each include more than one port hole (5-8, 99-110). The gasket device further includes an attachment portion (22, 23, 50-52, 73-77, 122) arranged to attach the gasket device (3, 97) to one of the heat transfer plates (2, 96). The sealing portion (9, 115) includes an annular outer sealing portion (14, 119) extending along at least a portion of the outer edge (17, 121) of each of the heat transfer plates (2, 96) and arranged to surround the port holes (5-8, 99-110) of the heat transfer plate (2, 96), and an annular inner sealing portion (15, 120) surrounded by the outer sealing portion (14, 119) and arranged to surround at least one of the port holes (5-8, 99-110) of each of the heat transfer plates (2, 96). The gasket device (3, 97) is characterized in that the attachment portion (22, 23, 50-52, 73-77, 122) is surrounded by the outer sealing portion (14, 119) and is positioned outside the inner sealing portion (15, 120), and the attachment portion (22, 23, 50-52, 73-77, 122) has a fastening attachment portion (38, 39, 65-67, 89-93, 129) that is positioned to be fastened to a first side surface (4, 98) of one of the heat transfer plates (2, 96) using an adhesive means.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gasket device for sealing between two heat exchanger plates of a plate heat exchanger and to a heat exchanger plate arranged to cooperate with the gasket device. The present invention also relates to a kit comprising such a gasket device and to an assembly comprising such a gasket device and such a heat exchanger plate. [Background technology]

[0002] A plate heat exchanger, or PHE, typically consists of two end plates arranged in a side-by-side manner, i.e. stacked, between the plates. In one type of well-known PHE, the so-called gasketed PHE, a gasket is arranged between the plates, typically in a gasket groove extending along the outer edge of the plates. The end plates, and thus the plates, are pressed towards each other, whereby the gasket creates a seal between the plates. The gasket defines parallel flow passages between the plates, through which two fluids, initially at different temperatures, can alternately flow in order to transfer heat from one fluid to the other. It is essential that the gasket is properly positioned between the plates to prevent leakage from the passages.

[0003] When the plate heat exchanger is closed, the gasket is crushed between the plates and is thereby held firmly in place. However, when the gasket is not crushed between the plates, such as when the plate heat exchanger is assembled or opened for maintenance, some means for properly fixing the gasket to the plate is desired. It is known to apply adhesive to the gasket grooves of the heat exchanger plates in order to attach the gasket therein. However, the adhesive can adversely affect the gasket and its sealing ability. The adhesive can also make it cumbersome to replace the gasket when required, since such replacement typically requires complete removal of the old adhesive from the gasket groove to allow proper application of a new gasket therein. It is also known to use strips of adhesive tape applied across the gasket and gasket groove to fix the gasket to the heat exchanger plate. However, the tape strips are unreliable, as they can adversely affect the sealing ability of the gasket and can become loose and end up in the flow passages of the plate heat exchanger. Also mechanical gasket fixing solutions have been known for some time, for example through the applicant's own patent application DE 10 200 45 133. This document discloses a gasket which is provided with fixing means protruding from the outside of the gasket, which are arranged to be positioned around the outer edge of the heat exchanger plate in order to fix the gasket to the heat exchanger plate. The fixing means are able to effectively fix to the heat exchanger plate a part of the gasket which is arranged along and close to the outer edge of the heat exchanger plate. However, for fixing to the heat exchanger plate a part of the gasket which is not arranged to extend along and close to the outer edge of the heat exchanger plate, the fixing means according to DE 10 200 45 133 is not very useful. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 4,635,715 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a gasket arrangement that provides a reliable fastening of the gasket arrangement to a heat exchanger plate along a portion of the gasket arrangement that is not arranged to extend along or near the outer edge of the heat exchanger plate, which fastening does not adversely affect the gasket or its sealing ability or make gas exchange difficult. The basic idea of ​​the present invention is to provide a gasket arrangement with a non-sealing attachment in a portion of the gasket arrangement that is not arranged to extend along or near the outer edge of the heat exchanger plate, which attachment is arranged to be fastened to the heat exchanger plate by adhesive means in order to fix the gasket arrangement to the heat exchanger plate. Another object of the present invention is to provide a heat exchanger plate that is arranged to cooperate with the gasket arrangement, a kit comprising the gasket arrangement, and an assembly comprising the gasket arrangement and the heat exchanger plate. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] Gasket devices, heat transfer plates, kits and assemblies for achieving the above objectives are set forth in the appended claims and discussed below.

[0007] The gasket device according to the invention comprises a sealing part for sealing between two heat exchanger plates of a plate heat exchanger, the heat exchanger plates each having a number of port holes greater than one. The gasket device further comprises an attachment part arranged to attach the gasket device to one of the heat exchanger plates. Parallel lower and upper gasket planes define or limit the extension of the gasket device in the thickness direction of the gasket device, and lower and upper attachment planes, parallel to the lower and upper gasket planes, define or limit the extension of the attachment part of the gasket device in the thickness direction of the gasket device. The lower gasket plane and the lower attachment plane are arranged facing one of the heat exchanger plates, while the upper gasket plane and the upper attachment plane are arranged facing the other one of the heat exchanger plates. The sealing part comprises an annular outer sealing part. The outer sealing part extends along at least a part of the outer edge of each of the heat exchanger plates and is arranged to surround said port holes of the heat exchanger plates. The sealing part further comprises an annular inner sealing part. The inner sealing portion is surrounded by the outer sealing portion and is arranged to surround at least one of the port holes of each of the heat transfer plates. The gasket arrangement is characterized in that the attachment portion is surrounded by the outer sealing portion and arranged outside the inner sealing portion. Furthermore, the attachment portion comprises a fastening attachment portion arranged to be fastened to a first side of 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 the extension of the fastening attachment portion of the attachment portion in the thickness direction of the gasket arrangement. The lower fastening attachment plane is arranged to face one of the heat transfer plates, while the upper fastening attachment plane is arranged to face the other one of the heat transfer plates.

[0008] Hereinafter, when simply referring to a "heat transfer plate," reference is being made to one of the heat transfer plates.

[0009] In that the adhesive means is applied to the attachment part instead of the sealing part of the gasket device, the sealing ability of the gasket device is not impaired. Furthermore, the sealing part of the gasket device is not affected by the adhesive and the gasket device can be replaced without difficulty if necessary, since complete removal of the old adhesive is not critical.

[0010] At the point where the attachment is located in the outer sealing portion and outboard of the inner sealing portion of the seal, the attachment is not positioned to engage the outer edge of the heat transfer plate. Instead, the attachment can be positioned on a portion of the gasket device that is not positioned to extend along and near the outer edge of the heat transfer plate to provide proper fastening of that portion to the heat transfer plate. The attachment engages only a first side of the heat transfer plate and not a second side.

[0011] The fastening attachment may have any suitable design. By way of example, the fastening attachment may be elongated and have a longitudinal extension that is essentially parallel to the longitudinal extension of the sealing part of the gasket arrangement.

[0012] The adhesive means may be of any suitable type, for example a glue or adhesive such as silicone, or a double-sided adhesive tape.

[0013] The gasket arrangement may be designed such that the outer sealing portion is spaced apart from the inner sealing portion. Alternatively, the outer and inner sealing portions may be partially integrally formed or integrated. These different options make the gasket arrangement useful in different types of plate heat exchangers.

[0014] The attachment may be connected to, and possibly integrally formed with, the outer sealing portion so as to protrude from an inside of the outer sealing portion. Alternatively / additionally, the attachment may be connected to, and possibly integrally formed with, the inner sealing portion so as to protrude from an outside of the inner sealing portion, whereby the attachment may be positioned for proper fixation of the inner sealing portion to the heat transfer plate.

[0015] The gasket device may be designed such that the sealing portion further comprises an oblique sealing portion extending from a first portion of the outer sealing portion to a second portion of the outer sealing portion inside the inner sealing portion. The inner sealing portion is thereby surrounded by the oblique sealing portion and an area of ​​the outer sealing portion extending between the first and second portions of the outer sealing portion. The attachment may or may not be connected to the oblique sealing portion and may or may not be disposed between the oblique sealing portion and the inner sealing portion. This design may enable proper fixing of the oblique sealing portion to the heat transfer plate.

[0016] The gasket device may further comprise a bridge portion connecting the inner sealing portion and the oblique sealing portion. Furthermore, the fastening attachment portion of the attachment portion and the bridge portion may be connected or not. The gasket device may comprise at least two bridge portions that are spaced apart and connect the inner sealing portion and the oblique sealing portion, respectively. Furthermore, the fastening attachment portion may connect the at least two bridge portions. This design may enable proper fixing of the inner sealing portion and the oblique sealing portion to the heat transfer plate.

[0017] The gasket device may be disposed across a first side of one of the heat transfer plates to define a flow path between first and second of said port holes in one of the heat transfer plates, and further, an attachment portion of the gasket device may be disposed in the flow path and thereby exposed to a medium flowing between the two heat transfer plates.

[0018] The different possible locations of attachment make the gasket arrangement useful in different types of plate heat exchangers.

[0019] The fastening attachment of the attachment can be directly connected to the seal, i.e. designed as a protrusion or lip from the seal. Such a design can allow an optimized fixing of the gasket device to the heat exchanger plate.

[0020] Alternatively, the fastening attachment portion of the attachment may be located at a distance greater than 0 from the seal, i.e., may be spaced apart from the seal. Such a design may allow for an optimized sealing ability of the seal.

[0021] The gasket arrangement may be designed such that the upper attachment plane is disposed between the upper gasket plane and the lower attachment plane, i.e., the attachment extends below the upper gasket plane, which may minimize contact between the attachment and the upper heat transfer plate, i.e., the other one of the heat transfer plates, which may affect the sealing ability of the gasket arrangement.

[0022] The attachment portion of the gasket arrangement may further comprise a first connecting attachment portion connecting the fastening attachment portion and the sealing portion of the attachment portion. Lower and upper connecting attachment planes parallel to the lower and upper gasket planes may define or limit the extension of the first connecting attachment portion of the attachment portion in the thickness direction of the gasket arrangement. The lower connecting attachment plane may be arranged to face one of the heat transfer plates, and the upper connecting attachment plane may be arranged to face the other one of the heat transfer plates. The first connecting attachment portion and the fastening attachment portion may partially surround a space arranged to receive a protrusion of the heat transfer plate to increase the engagement between the gasket arrangement and the heat transfer plate, for example forming a hook.

[0023] The attachment may further comprise a second connecting attachment part spaced apart from the first connecting attachment part and also connecting the fastening attachment part and the sealing part of the attachment to form a loop. The loop may be arranged to receive and surround one or more protrusions of the heat transfer plate. Thereby, the engagement between the gasket device and the heat transfer plate may be increased and the fixing of the gasket device to the heat transfer plate may be optimized. The lower and upper connecting attachment planes may or may not also define or limit the extension of the second connecting attachment part.

[0024] The gasket device may be designed such that the lower fastening attachment plane is disposed between the lower connecting attachment plane and the upper gasket plane, i.e., the first connecting attachment portion and possibly the second connecting attachment portion extend below the lower fastening attachment plane. Such a design may allow for increased engagement between the gasket device and the heat transfer plate.

[0025] 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 allow for optimized fixing of the gasket device to the heat transfer plate.

[0026] The upper interlocking attachment plane may coincide with the upper fastening attachment plane and / or the upper attachment plane. Such a design may allow for a relatively mechanically straightforward construction of the gasket device.

[0027] The fastening attachment portion may include a longitudinally extending groove, the bottom of which may extend at an intermediate fastening attachment plane extending between the lower and upper fastening attachment planes, the groove may allow for transport of fluid past the attachment, which may allow for detection of fluid leaks.

[0028] A heat exchanger plate according to the invention comprises more than one port hole and a gasket groove. The gasket groove is arranged to receive a sealing part of a gasket device, the sealing part being arranged to seal between the heat exchanger plate and another heat exchanger plate of a plate heat exchanger. The heat exchanger plate is corrugated to extend therebetween in parallel lower and upper plate extension planes. Furthermore, the heat exchanger plate comprises a structure arranged to cooperate with an attachment part of the gasket device. The attachment part is arranged to attach the gasket device to the heat exchanger plate. A structure extension plane, which is parallel to the lower and upper plate extension planes, defines a lowermost extension of said structure. The gasket groove comprises an annular outer groove portion extending along at least a part of the outer edge of the heat exchanger plate and surrounding the port holes of the heat exchanger plate. Furthermore, the gasket groove comprises an annular inner groove portion surrounded by the outer groove portion and surrounding at least one of the port holes of the heat exchanger plate. The heat transfer plate is characterized in that the structure is surrounded by an outer groove portion and arranged outside the inner groove portion. The structure further comprises a fastening structure portion arranged on the first side of the heat transfer plate such that the fastening attachment portion of the attachment portion is fastened by the adhesive means. A fastening structure plane parallel to the lower and upper plate extension planes defines the uppermost extension of the fastening structure portion.

[0029] The lower and upper plate extension planes may be, but are not required to be, the extreme end extension planes of the heat transfer plate, and thus the heat transfer plate may or may not extend beyond the lower and upper plate extension planes.

[0030] By "extension at the extreme end" is meant herein an extension that does not extend beyond something, or more specifically, an extension that does not extend beyond the center of something.

[0031] The outer groove portion may be separate from the inner groove portion. Alternatively, the outer groove portion and the inner groove portion may be partially integrally formed or unitary.

[0032] The structure may be disposed in connection with the outer channel portion. Alternatively / additionally, the structure may be disposed in connection with the inner channel portion.

[0033] The gasket groove may further include a diagonal groove portion extending from a first portion of the outer groove portion to a second portion of the outer groove portion inwardly of the inner groove portion, the structure may or may not be disposed in conjunction with the diagonal groove portion and may or may not be disposed between the diagonal groove portion and the inner groove portion.

[0034] The heat transfer plate may further comprise a flow passage across a first side of one of the heat transfer plates between the first and second of the portholes, and the structure may be disposed in the flow passage.

[0035] The heat transfer plate may be such that the fastening structure portion of the structure is located directly adjacent to the gasket groove. Alternatively, the fastening structure portion of the structure may be located at a distance greater than zero from the gasket groove.

[0036] The heat exchanger plate may be designed such that the fastening structure plane is disposed between the lower and upper plate extension planes, and the fastening structure plane extends below the upper plate extension plane. Such a design may prevent contact between the gasket device fastening attachment portion disposed on the fastening structure portion of the heat exchanger plate and the upper heat exchanger plate, which may affect the sealing ability of the gasket device.

[0037] The structure may further comprise a first connecting structure portion extending between the fastening structure portion and the gasket groove. A connecting structure plane parallel to the lower and upper plate extension planes may define a lowermost extension of the first connecting structure portion. The first connecting structure portion may be arranged to receive the first connecting attachment portion of the attachment.

[0038] The structure may further comprise a second interlocking structure portion spaced from the first interlocking structure portion and extending between the fastening structure portion and the gasket groove. The second interlocking structure portion may be arranged to receive the second interlocking attachment portion of the attachment. The interlocking structure plane may or may not define a lowermost extension of the second interlocking structure portion.

[0039] The first connecting structure part, the fastening structure part, and possibly the second connecting structure part may surround a protrusion of the heat transfer plate. The protrusion may have an upper part extending in an upper plane parallel to and extending above the fastening structure plane. The upper plane may or may not coincide with the upper plate extension plane.

[0040] The design of the heat exchanger plate may be such that the connecting structure plane coincides with at least one of the lower plate extension plane and the structure extension plane. The design of the heat exchanger plate may be such that the fastening structure plane is located between the connecting structure plane and the upper plate extension plane. Such a design may allow an optimized engagement between the heat exchanger plate and the gasket device.

[0041] A kit according to the invention comprises a gasket arrangement according to the above and adhesive means to be applied to the fastening attachment part of the gasket arrangement.

[0042] An assembly according to the invention comprises a gasket device according to the above, a heat exchanger plate according to the above, and adhesive means applied between a fastening attachment portion of the gasket device and a fastening structure portion of the heat exchanger plate.

[0043] It should be emphasized that the above discussed advantages of the different embodiments of the gasket device according to the invention are essentially transferable to the corresponding different embodiments of the heat exchanger plates, kits and assemblies according to the invention, whereby some, if not all, of these advantages become apparent when the gasket device, the heat exchanger plates, the kits and the assemblies form part of a plate heat exchanger.

[0044] Still other objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description as well as from the drawings.

[0045] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0046] [Figure 1a] FIG. 2 is a plan view of an assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention comprising a heat transfer plate, a gasket arrangement and an adhesive means. [Figure 1b] FIG. 1b is an enlarged view of a portion of the heat exchanger plate in FIG. [Figure 1c] FIG. 1b is an enlarged view of a portion of the plate in FIG. [Figure 1d] FIG. 1b is an enlarged view of another part of the plate in FIG. [Figure 1e] FIG. 1b is an enlarged view of a portion of the assembly in FIG. [Figure 1f] FIG. 1c is an enlarged view of a portion of the assembly of FIG. [Figure 1g] FIG. 1c is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the assembly in FIG. 1f along line g. [Figure 1h] FIG. 1c is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the assembly in FIG. 1f along line h. [Figure 1i] FIG. 1c is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the assembly in FIG. 1f along line i. [Figure 1j] FIG. 1c is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the assembly in FIG. 1f along line j. [Figure 1k] FIG. 1c is an enlarged view of another portion of the assembly of FIG. [Figure 1l] FIG. 1C is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the assembly in FIG. [Figure 1m] FIG. 1C is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the assembly in FIG. 1k along line m. [Figure 1n] FIG. 1C is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the assembly in FIG. 1k along line n. [Figure 1o] FIG. 1C is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the assembly in FIG. 1k along line o. [Figure 2a] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a portion of a heat transfer plate of an assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2b] 13 is a rear plan view of a portion of a gasket device of an assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 2c]FIG. 11 is a plan view of a portion of an assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2d] FIG. 2c is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the assembly in FIG. 2c along line d. [Figure 2e] FIG. 2c is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the assembly in FIG. 2c along line e. [Figure 2f] FIG. 2c is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the assembly in FIG. 2c taken along line f. [Figure 2g] FIG. 2c is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the assembly in FIG. 2c taken along line g. [Figure 3a] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a portion of a heat exchanger plate of an assembly according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3b] 13 is a rear plan view of a portion of a gasket device of an assembly according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 3c] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a portion of an assembly according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3d] FIG. 3c is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the assembly in FIG. 3c taken along line d. [Figure 3e] FIG. 3c is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the assembly in FIG. 3c taken along line e. [Figure 4a] FIG. 13 is a plan view of an assembly according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention comprising a heat exchanger plate, a gasket arrangement and an adhesive means. [Figure 4b] FIG. 4b is an enlarged view of a portion of the assembly in FIG. 4a. [Figure 4c] FIG. 4c is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the assembly in FIG. 4b along line c. [Figure 4d] FIG. 4c is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the assembly in FIG. 4b along line d. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0047] With reference to Fig. 1a and Fig. 1e-o, an assembly 1 is shown comprising a heat exchanger plate 2, a gasket device 3 and adhesive means in the form of a double-sided adhesive tape (not visible). The heat exchanger plate 2, of which a first side 4 is visible in the figures, is an essentially rectangular plate of stainless steel provided with several port holes 5, 6, 7 and 8. The heat exchanger plate 2 is pressed in a specific pattern in different areas of the heat exchanger plate 2 in a lower plate extension plane p1 and an upper plate extension plane p2 extending between them (Fig. 1g-j and Fig. 1l-o). The gasket device is made of rubber and has an extension in the thickness direction T defined by parallel lower and upper gasket planes G1, G2 (Fig. 1g-j and Fig. 1l-o). The assembly 1 is arranged to be included in a plate heat exchanger (not shown). In the plate heat exchanger, a gasket device 3 is arranged so that the sealing portion 9 of the gasket device 3 seals between the heat transfer plate 2 and another similar heat transfer plate 2 (not shown).

[0048] The heat transfer plate 2 comprises a gasket groove 10 which accommodates the sealing portion 9 of the gasket arrangement 3. More specifically, with reference to the top half of the assembly 1 (similar considerations are valid for the bottom half of the assembly 1), and in particular with reference to Figures 1a, 1b and 1e, the gasket groove 10 comprises an annular outer groove portion 11, an annular inner groove portion 12 and an oblique groove portion 13 which accommodate the annular outer sealing portion 14, an annular inner sealing portion 15 and an oblique sealing portion 16 of the sealing portion 9, respectively. The outer groove portion 11 extends around the port holes 5, 6, 7 and 8 of the heat transfer plate 2 along a portion of the outer edge 17, while the inner groove portion 12 is surrounded by the outer groove portion 11 and further surrounds the port hole 6. The oblique groove portion 13 extends from a first portion 18 to a second portion 19 of the outer groove portion 11, inside the inner groove portion 12. As a result, the outer sealing portion 14 extends around the port holes 5, 6, 7, and 8 of the heat transfer plate 2 along a portion of the outer edge 17, while the inner sealing portion 15 is surrounded by the outer sealing portion 14 and further surrounds the port hole 6. The diagonal sealing portion 16 extends from the first portion 20 to the second portion 21 of the outer sealing portion 14 inside the inner sealing portion 15. The outer groove portion 11 and the inner groove portion 12 are integrated or integrally formed outside the port hole 6. The boundary between the outer groove portion 11 and the inner groove portion 12 outside the port hole 6 is shown by the phantom line b in FIG. 1b. Similarly, the outer sealing portion 14 and the inner sealing portion 15 are integrated or integrally formed along a portion of the sealing portion 9 arranged to extend outside the port hole 6. The boundary between the outer sealing portion 14 and the inner sealing portion 15 outside the port hole 6 is shown by the phantom line B in FIG. 1e.

[0049] With particular reference to Figures 1b to 1d, 1e, 1f, and 1k, the gasket device 3 further comprises a first attachment portion 22 and a second attachment portion 23 that engage with a first structure 24 and a second structure 25 of the heat transfer plate 2, respectively, to fasten the gasket device 3 to the first side 4 of the heat transfer plate 2. The first structure 24 and the second structure 25 are disposed between the inner groove portion 12 and the oblique groove portion 13, and are disposed in connection with the oblique groove portion 13. Furthermore, the second structure 25 is also disposed in connection with the inner groove portion 12. As a result, the first attachment portion 22 and the second attachment portion 23 are disposed between the inner sealing portion 15 and the oblique sealing portion 16, and are formed integrally with the oblique sealing portion 16. Furthermore, the second attachment portion 23 is also formed integrally with the inner sealing portion 15.

[0050] With particular reference to Figures 1c-1d and 1f-1o, the first structure 24 and the second structure 25 extend in and above a structure extension plane s that coincides with the lower plate extension plane p1. More specifically, the first structure 24 and the second structure 25 each comprise a respective fastening structure portion 26 and 27 in the form of a planar surface extending in a fastening structure plane f that is parallel to the lower plate extension plane p1 and the upper plate extension plane p2 and is disposed between the lower plate extension plane p1 and the upper plate extension plane p2. The fastening structure portions 26 and 27 are elongated and extend essentially parallel to the diagonal groove portion 13 of the gasket groove 10 at a distance greater than 0 from the diagonal groove portion 13. Furthermore, the first structure 24 comprises a spaced first connecting structure portion 28, a second connecting structure portion 29, and a third connecting structure portion 30 extending between the diagonal groove portion 13 and the fastening structure portion 26. The second structure 25 comprises a first connecting structure part 31, a second connecting structure part 32 and a third connecting structure part 33 which are spaced apart and extend between the diagonal groove part 13 and the fastening structure part 27 and between the inner groove part 12 and the fastening structure part 27. The first connecting structure part 31, the second connecting structure part 32 and the third connecting structure part 33 thus comprise two parts each extending on either side of the fastening structure part 27. The first connecting structure part 28, the second connecting structure part 29 and the third connecting structure part 30 and the first connecting structure part 31, the second connecting structure part 32 and the third connecting structure part 33 extend in and above a connecting structure plane c which coincides with the structure extension plane s.

[0051] The first connecting structure part 28, the second connecting structure part 29, the third connecting structure part 30, and the fastening structure part 26 of the first structure 24, together with the oblique groove part 13, surround the heat transfer plate 2's protrusions 34, which number in total here being four. Each of the protrusions 34 has an upper part 35 extending in an upper plane t coinciding with the upper plate extension plane p2. Similarly, the first connecting structure part 31, the second connecting structure part 32, the third connecting structure part 33, and the fastening structure part 27 of the second structure 25, together with the oblique groove part 13 and the inner groove part 12, surround the heat transfer plate 2's protrusions 36, which number in total here being eight. Each of the protrusions 36 has an upper part 37 extending in an upper plane t coinciding with the upper plate extension plane p2.

[0052] The first attachment 22 and the second attachment 23 extend between parallel lower attachment plane A1 and upper attachment plane A2. The lower attachment plane A1 coincides with the lower gasket plane G1, and the upper attachment plane A2 is disposed below the upper gasket plane G2. More specifically, the first attachment 22 and the second attachment 23 comprise respective fastening attachment portions 38 and 39 extending between parallel lower fastening attachment plane F1 and upper fastening attachment plane F2, respectively. The upper fastening attachment plane F2 coincides with the upper attachment plane A2, while the lower fastening attachment plane F1 is disposed between the lower attachment plane A1 and the upper attachment plane A2. The fastening attachment portions 38 and 39 are elongated and extend essentially parallel to the oblique sealing portion 16 of the sealing portion 9 at a distance greater than 0 from the oblique sealing portion 16. Furthermore, the first attachment portion 22 comprises a spaced apart first connecting attachment portion 40, a second connecting attachment portion 41 and a third connecting attachment portion 42 connecting the oblique sealing portion 16 and the fastening attachment portion 38 of the sealing portion 9. The second attachment portion 23 comprises a spaced apart first connecting attachment portion 43, a second connecting attachment portion 44 and a third connecting attachment portion 45 connecting the oblique sealing portion 16 and the fastening attachment portion 39 of the sealing portion 9 and connecting the inner sealing portion 15 and the fastening attachment portion 39. Thus, the first connecting attachment portion 43, the second connecting attachment portion 44 and the third connecting attachment portion 45 comprise two portions each extending on either side of the fastening attachment portion 39. The first, second and third connection attachment portions 40, 41 and 42, and the first, second and third connection attachment portions 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, and the upper connection attachment plane C2 coincides with the upper attachment plane A2.

[0053] The first connecting attachment portion 40, the second connecting attachment portion 41, the third connecting attachment portion 42 and the fastening attachment portion 38 of the first attachment portion 22 form a total of two partially integrated loops 46 protruding from the diagonal sealing portion 16. Similarly, the first connecting attachment portion 43, the second connecting attachment portion 44, the third connecting attachment portion 45 and the fastening attachment portion 39 of the second attachment portion 23 form a total of four partially integrated loops 47 protruding from the diagonal sealing portion 16 and the inner sealing portion 15.

[0054] The first connecting structure part 28, the second connecting structure part 29, and the third connecting structure part 30 of the first structure 24 respectively receive the first connecting attachment part 40, the second connecting attachment part 41, and the third connecting attachment part 42 of the first attachment part 22. Furthermore, the fastening structure part 26 of the first structure 24 receives the fastening attachment part 38 of the first attachment part 22. Thereby, each of the loops 46 of the gasket device surrounds two of the projections 34 of the plate. A strip of double-sided tape is disposed between the fastening structure part 26 and the fastening attachment part 38. Similarly, the first connecting structure part 31, the second connecting structure part 32, and the third connecting structure part 33 of the second structure 25 respectively receive the first connecting attachment part 43, the second connecting attachment part 44, and the third connecting attachment part 45 of the second attachment part 23. Furthermore, the fastening structure portion 27 of the second structure 25 receives the fastening attachment portion 39 of the second attachment portion 23. Thereby, each of the loops 47 of the gasket device surrounds two of the projections 36 of the plate. A strip of double-sided tape is placed between the fastening structure portion 27 and the fastening attachment portion 39. Thereby, the gasket device 3 is fixed to the heat transfer plate 2.

[0055] The first attachment 22 and the second attachment 23 are located between the diagonal sealing part 16 and the inner sealing part 15, and therefore are not exposed to any of the fluids flowing through the plate heat exchanger during normal proper operation of the plate heat exchanger. However, if the seal 9 of the gasket device 3 does not function properly and fluid leaks between the diagonal sealing part 16 and the inner sealing part 15, the leaked fluid should not be trapped as this would prevent leakage detection. Depending on how much the gasket device 3 fills the gasket grooves 10 in this area and the fastening structures 26, 27, the leaked fluid can flow to the side of the inner sealing part 15, the diagonal sealing part 16, and the fastening attachments 38 and 39. Furthermore, the first attachment 22 is separated from the inner sealing part 15, allowing the leaked fluid to pass through the gap between the first attachment 22 and the inner sealing part 15. However, this is not the case for the second attachment 23. To this end, the fastening attachment portion 39 of the second attachment 23 is provided with a groove 48 extending along the central longitudinal axis of the fastening attachment portion 39. A bottom 49 of the groove 48 extends in an intermediate fastening attachment plane F3 extending between the lower fastening attachment plane F1 and the upper fastening attachment plane F2. Leaking fluid can pass through the second attachment 23 through the groove 48.

[0056] With reference to Figures 2a to 2f, another assembly 1 (only partly shown) according to the invention is shown. The assembly 1 comprises a heat exchanger plate 2 (with uncut port holes 5), partly shown in Figure 2a, a gasket assembly 3, partly shown in Figure 2b, and adhesive means in the form of a double-sided tape (not visible). The assembly 1 shown in Figures 2a to 2f has similarities with the assembly 1 shown in Figures 1a to 1k, and the previous description is also partly valid for the assembly 1 shown in Figures 2a to 2f. Therefore, in the following, in order to avoid excessive repetition, attention will be given to the differences between the two assemblies. Furthermore, corresponding details of the assemblies shown in Figures 1a to 1k and the assemblies shown in Figures 2a to 2f have been given the same reference numerals, where appropriate.

[0057] The outer groove portion 11 of the sealing portion 9 of the gasket assembly 3 extends around the port hole (only the port hole 5 is shown) of the heat exchanger plate 2 along a portion of the outer edge (not shown), while the inner groove portion 12 is surrounded by the outer groove portion 11 and further surrounds the port hole 5. The diagonal groove portion 13 extends from a first portion (not shown) to a second portion 19 of the outer groove portion 11 inside the inner groove portion 12. As a result, the outer sealing portion 14 extends around the port hole of the heat exchanger plate 2 along a portion of the outer edge, while the inner sealing portion 15 is surrounded by the outer sealing portion 14 and further surrounds the port hole 5. The diagonal sealing portion 16 extends from a first portion (not shown) to a second portion 21 of the outer sealing portion 14 inside the inner sealing portion 15. The outer groove portion 11 and the inner groove portion 12 are integrated or integrally formed outside the port hole 5. Similarly, the outer sealing portion 14 and the inner sealing portion 15 are integrated or formed integrally along a portion of the sealing portion 9 that is arranged to extend outside the porthole 5.

[0058] 2a-2c, the gasket device 3 includes a first attachment portion 50, a second attachment portion 51, and a third attachment portion 52 that engage with a first structure 53, a second structure 54, and a third structure 55 of the heat transfer plate 2 to fasten the gasket device 3 to the first side 4 of the heat transfer plate 2. The first structure 53, the second structure 54, and the third structure 55 are disposed between the inner groove portion 12 and the oblique groove portion 13, and are disposed in connection with the oblique groove portion 13. As a result, the first attachment portion 50, the second attachment portion 51, and the third attachment portion 52 are disposed between the inner sealing portion 15 and the oblique sealing portion 16, and are formed integrally with the oblique sealing portion 16.

[0059] With particular reference to Figures 2a and 2d-g, the first structure 53, the second structure 54, and the third structure 55 extend in and above a structure extension plane s that coincides with the lower plate extension plane p1. More specifically, the first structure 53, the second structure 54, and the third structure 55 comprise respective fastening structure parts 56, 57, and 58 in the form of corrugated surfaces extending therebetween in the lower plate extension plane p1 and a fastening structure plane f that is disposed between the lower plate extension plane p1 and the upper plate extension plane p2. Furthermore, the first structure 53, the second structure 54, and the third structure 55 comprise respective connecting structure parts 59, 60, and 61 that extend between the oblique groove portion 13 and the respective fastening structure parts 56, 57, and 58. The connecting structure parts 59, 60, and 61 extend in and above a connecting structure plane c that coincides with the structure extension plane s.

[0060] The heat transfer plate 2 further includes four spaced apart bridge receiving portions 62 each extending between the inner groove portion 12 and the diagonal groove portion 13, such that each of the first structure 53, the second structure 54, and the third structure 55 is disposed between two adjacent ones of the bridge receiving portions 62.

[0061] The connecting structural parts 59, 60, and 61 and the fastening structural parts 56, 57, and 58 of each of the first structure 53, the second structure 54, and the third structure 55, together with the bridge receiving part 62 and the diagonal groove part 13, surround a total number of four protrusions 63 of the heat transfer plate 2. Each of the protrusions 63 has an upper part 64 extending in an upper plane t coinciding with the upper plate extension plane p2.

[0062] The first attachment portion 50, the second attachment portion 51, and the third attachment portion 52 extend between parallel lower attachment plane A1 and upper attachment plane A2. The lower attachment plane A1 coincides with the lower gasket plane G1, and the upper attachment plane A2 is disposed below the upper gasket plane G2. More specifically, the first attachment portion 50, the second attachment portion 51, and the third attachment portion 52 comprise respective fastening attachment portions 65, 66, and 67 extending between parallel lower fastening attachment plane F1 and upper fastening attachment plane F2, respectively. The upper fastening attachment plane F2 coincides with the upper attachment plane A2, while the lower fastening attachment plane F1 is disposed between the lower attachment plane A1 and the upper attachment plane A2. Furthermore, the first attachment portion 50, the second attachment portion 51 and the third attachment portion 52 comprise respective connecting attachment portions 68, 69 and 70 connecting the oblique sealing portion 16 of the sealing portion 9 with the corresponding fastening attachment portions 65, 66 and 67. The connecting attachment portions 68, 69 and 70 extend between parallel lower connecting attachment planes C1 and upper connecting attachment planes C2. The lower connecting attachment plane C1 coincides with the lower attachment plane A1 and the upper connecting attachment plane C2 coincides with the upper attachment plane A2.

[0063] The gasket device 3 further comprises four spaced apart bridge portions 71 each extending between the inner sealing portion 15 and the diagonal sealing portion 16, such that the first attachment portion 50, the second attachment portion 51, and the third attachment portion 52 are each disposed between two adjacent ones of the bridge portions 71. More specifically, the fastening attachment portions 65, 66, and 67 each extend between and are integrally formed with two adjacent ones of the bridge portions 71.

[0064] The connecting attachment portions 68, 69, and 70 and fastening attachment portions 65, 66, and 67 of the first attachment portion 50, the second attachment portion 51, and the third attachment portion 52, respectively, together with the bridge portion 71 and the diagonal sealing portion 16 form a total of two partially integrated loops 72 protruding from the diagonal sealing portion 16.

[0065] The connecting structure parts 59, 60, and 61 of the first structure 53, the second structure 54, and the third structure 55 respectively receive the connecting attachment parts 68, 69, and 70 of the first attachment part 50, the second attachment part 51, and the third attachment part 52. Furthermore, the fastening structure parts 56, 57, and 58 of the first structure 53, the second structure 54, and the third structure 55 respectively receive the fastening attachment parts 65, 66, and 67 of the first attachment part 50, the second attachment part 51, and the third attachment part 52. Thereby, each of the loops 72 of the gasket device surrounds two of the projections 63 of the plate. Strips of double-sided tape are disposed between the fastening structure parts 56, 57, and 58 and the fastening attachment parts 65, 66, and 67. Thereby, the gasket device 3 is fixed to the heat transfer plate 2.

[0066] With reference to Figures 3a to 3e, still another assembly 1 (only a part of which is shown) according to the invention is shown. The assembly 1 comprises a heat exchanger plate 2 (with uncut port holes 6) partly shown in Figure 3a, a gasket assembly 3 partly shown in Figure 3b, and adhesive means in the form of a double-sided tape (not visible). The assembly 1 shown in Figures 3a to 3e has similarities with the assembly 1 shown in Figures 1a to 1k, and the description relating to Figures 1a to 1k is also partly valid for the assembly 1 shown in Figures 3a to 3e. Therefore, in the following, in order to avoid excessive repetition, attention will be given to the differences between the two assemblies. Furthermore, corresponding details of the assemblies shown in Figures 1a to 1k and the assemblies shown in Figures 3a to 3e have been given the same reference numerals, where appropriate.

[0067] 3a-3c in particular, the gasket device 3 includes first to fifth attachment portions 73-77 that engage with first to fifth structures 78-82 of the heat transfer plate 2 to fasten the gasket device 3 to the first side 4 of the heat transfer plate 2. The first to fifth structures 78-82 are disposed between the inner groove portion 12 and the oblique groove portion 13, and are disposed in connection with the oblique groove portion 13. As a result, the first to fifth attachment portions 73-77 are disposed between the inner sealing portion 15 and the oblique sealing portion 16, and are formed integrally with the oblique sealing portion 16.

[0068] 3a and 3d-e, the first to fifth structures 78-82 extend in and above a structure extension plane s coinciding with the upper plate extension plane p2. More specifically, the first to fifth structures 78-82 each comprise fastening structure portions 83-87 in the form of a corrugated surface extending between them in a lower plate extension plane p1 and a fastening structure plane f coinciding with the upper plate extension plane p2. The fastening structure portions 83-87 are elongated and extend essentially parallel to and immediately adjacent to the diagonal groove portion 13.

[0069] The heat transfer plate 2 further includes six spaced apart bridge receiving portions 88 (only four of which are shown) each extending between the inner groove portion 12 and the diagonal groove portion 13, such that each of the first through fifth structures 78-82 is disposed between two adjacent ones of the bridge receiving portions 88.

[0070] The first to fifth attachment parts 73-77 extend between parallel lower and upper attachment planes A1, A2 which extend between the lower and upper gasket planes G1, G2. More specifically, the first to fifth attachment parts 73-77 comprise respective fastening attachment parts 89-93 in the form of lips which extend between parallel lower fastening attachment planes F1, F2, respectively. The lower fastening attachment planes F1, F2 coincide with the lower attachment planes A1, A2, respectively. The fastening attachment parts 89-93 are elongated and extend essentially parallel to the oblique sealing part 16 of the sealing part 9 and are formed integrally therewith.

[0071] The gasket device 3 further comprises six spaced apart bridge portions 94 (only four of which are shown), each extending between the inner sealing portion 15 and the diagonal sealing portion 16, such that each of the first through fifth attachment portions 73-77 is disposed between two adjacent ones of the bridge portions 94. More specifically, each of the fastening attachment portions 89-93 extends between and is integrally formed with two adjacent ones of the bridge portions 94.

[0072] The fastening structure portions 83-87 of the first to fifth structures 78-82 receive the fastening attachment portions 89-93 of the first to fifth attachment portions 73-77. Strips of double-sided tape are disposed between the fastening structure portions 83-87 and the fastening attachment portions 89-93. The gasket device 3 is thereby fixed to the heat transfer plate 2.

[0073] With reference to Figures 4a-4d, still another assembly 95 according to the invention is shown. The assembly 95 comprises a heat transfer plate 96, a gasket device 97 and an adhesive means in the form of a double-sided adhesive tape (not visible). The heat transfer plate 96, of which a first side 98 is visible in the figure, is an essentially rectangular plate of stainless steel provided with several port holes 99-110. The heat transfer plate 96 is pressed in a specific pattern in different areas of the heat transfer plate 96 so as to extend between them in different planes. For example, in two end portions 111 and 112, defined by imaginary lines 113 and 114 respectively, the heat transfer plate 96 is pressed so as to extend between them in a lower plate extension plane p1 and an upper plate extension plane p2 (Figures 4c and 4d). The gasket device 97 is made of rubber and has an extension in a thickness direction T defined by parallel lower and upper gasket planes G1 and G2 (Figures 4c and 4d). Some parts of the gasket device 97 that are not relevant to the present invention are not shown in Figure 4a. The assembly 95 is arranged to be included in a plate heat exchanger (not shown), in which the gasket device 97 is arranged such that the sealing part 115 of the gasket device 97 seals between the heat transfer plate 96 and another similar heat transfer plate 96 (not shown).

[0074] The heat transfer plate 96 includes a gasket groove 116 that accommodates the sealing portion 115 of the gasket arrangement 97. More specifically, the gasket groove 116 includes an annular outer groove portion 117 and an annular inner groove portion 118 that accommodate an annular outer sealing portion 119 and an annular inner sealing portion 120 of the sealing portion 115, respectively. The outer groove portion 117 extends, among other things, around the port holes 99-110 of the heat transfer plate 96 along a portion of the outer edge 121, while the inner groove portion 118 is surrounded by the outer groove portion 117 and further surrounds the port holes 107 and 108. As a result, the outer sealing portion 119 extends, among other things, around the port holes 99-110 of the heat transfer plate 96 along a portion of the outer edge 121, while the inner sealing portion 120 is surrounded by the outer sealing portion 119 and further surrounds the port holes 107 and 108. Outer groove portion 117 and inner groove portion 118 are spaced apart from one another, as are outer seal portion 119 and inner seal portion 120 .

[0075] 4b, the gasket device 97 further comprises an attachment portion 122 that engages with a structure 123 of the heat transfer plate 96 to fasten the gasket device 97 to the first side 98 of the heat transfer plate 96. The structure 123 is disposed in communication with the inner groove portion 118, and the attachment portion 122 is integrally formed with the inner sealing portion 120.

[0076] With particular reference to Figures 4b-4d, the structure 123 extends in and above a structure extension plane s coinciding with the lower plate extension plane p1. More specifically, the structure 123 comprises a fastening structure portion 124 in the form of a planar surface extending in a fastening structure plane f parallel to the lower plate extension plane p1 and the upper plate extension plane p2 and disposed between the lower plate extension plane p1 and the upper plate extension plane p2. The fastening structure portion 124 is elongated and extends essentially parallel to the inner groove portion 118 of the gasket groove 116 at a distance greater than 0 from the inner groove portion 118. Furthermore, the structure 123 comprises a spaced apart first connecting structure portion 125 and a second connecting structure portion 126 extending between the inner groove portion 118 and the fastening structure portion 124. The first connecting structural part 125 and the second connecting structural part 126 extend in and above a connecting structural plane c which coincides with the structural extension plane s.

[0077] The first connecting structure portion 125, the second connecting structure portion 126 and the fastening structure portion 124 of the structure 123 together with the inner groove portion 118 surround a protrusion 127 of the heat transfer plate 96. The protrusion 127 has an upper portion 128 extending in an upper plane t coinciding with the upper plate extension plane p2.

[0078] The attachment 122 extends between parallel lower attachment plane A1 and upper attachment plane A2. The lower attachment plane A1 coincides with the lower gasket plane G1, and the upper attachment plane A2 is disposed below the upper gasket plane G2. More specifically, the attachment 122 comprises a fastening attachment portion 129 extending between parallel lower fastening attachment plane F1 and upper fastening attachment plane F2. The upper fastening attachment plane F2 coincides with the upper attachment plane A2, while the lower fastening attachment plane F1 is disposed between the lower attachment plane A1 and the upper attachment plane A2. The fastening attachment portion 129 is elongated and extends essentially parallel to the inner sealing portion 120 of the sealing portion 115 at a distance greater than 0 from the inner sealing portion 120. Additionally, the attachment portion 122 comprises spaced apart first and second connecting attachment portions 130 and 131 connecting the inner sealing portion 120 and the fastening attachment portion 129 of the sealing portion 115. The first and second connecting attachment portions 130 and 131 extend between parallel lower and upper connecting attachment planes C1 and C2. The lower connecting attachment plane C1 coincides with the lower attachment plane A1 and the upper connecting attachment plane C2 coincides with the upper attachment plane A2.

[0079] The first connecting attachment portion 130 , the second connecting attachment portion 131 and the fastening attachment portion 129 of the attachment 122 form a loop 132 that protrudes from the inner sealing portion 120 .

[0080] The first connecting structure portion 125 and the second connecting structure portion 126 of the structure 123 receive the first connecting attachment portion 130 and the second connecting attachment portion 131 of the attachment portion 122, respectively. Furthermore, the fastening structure portion 124 of the structure 123 receives the fastening attachment portion 129 of the attachment portion 122. Thereby, the loop 132 of the gasket device surrounds the protrusion 127 of the plate. A strip of double-sided tape is disposed between the fastening structure portion 124 and the fastening attachment portion 129. Thereby, the gasket device 97 is fixed to the heat transfer plate 96.

[0081] When the assembly 95 is placed in a plate heat exchanger in operation, fluid flows along a flow path across the first side 98 of the heat transfer plate 96 between the first porthole 103, the second porthole 105, the third porthole 106, and the portholes 99-110. The attachment 122 is located in this flow path and is therefore exposed to the fluid. The attachment 122 is designed and positioned to have as little effect on the fluid flow as possible.

[0082] Thus, the gasket device described above comprises an attachment portion arranged to be fastened to a first side of the heat transfer plate by means of an adhesive. The gasket device may further be provided with additional fastening means for fastening the gasket device to the heat transfer plate, such as mechanical fastening means arranged to engage with an outer edge of the heat transfer plate, as indicated in some of the figures. In this context, these mechanical fastening means are not considered as part of the gasket device, but as separate components still integrally formed with the gasket device.

[0083] The above-described embodiments of the present invention should be viewed as examples only, as those skilled in the art will appreciate that the discussed embodiments can be varied and combined in many ways without departing from the concept of the present invention.

[0084] As an example, the various planes used above and in the figures to describe the heat exchanger plate according to the invention and in particular its gasket fastening structure do not have to extend relative to each other as detailed and illustrated, but may have different extensions. Similarly, the various planes used above and in the figures to describe the gasket assembly according to the invention and in particular its plate attachment device do not have to extend relative to each other as detailed and illustrated, but may have different extensions. As an example with respect to Fig. 3d, for an oblique sealing part with different cross sections, the upper attachment plane A2 and the upper fastening attachment plane F2 can define an upper gasket plane G2.

[0085] Furthermore, grooves may be provided to allow the passage of fluids, and not just attachments such as those shown in Figures 1k-1o, and attachments such as those shown in Figures 2c-2f could also benefit from such grooves.

[0086] The attachments described above and shown in the figures are connected and integrally formed with the inner and / or oblique sealing parts of the sealing part of the gasket device. According to alternative embodiments of the invention, the attachments may alternatively / additionally be connected and possibly integrally formed with the outer sealing part so as to protrude from the inside of the outer sealing part. For example, referring to FIG. 1e, the attachments may protrude from the area of ​​the outer sealing part extending between the oblique sealing part and the inner sealing part. Clearly, the structure of the heat transfer plate cooperating with the attachments may be designed accordingly.

[0087] The number of attachments, structures, bridge sections, bridge receiving portions, etc. in the previously described embodiments are merely examples and may be varied.

[0088] The present invention may be used in conjunction with other types of heat exchanger plates than those previously described. Such other plate types may be made from materials other than stainless steel, may be provided with alternative designs of gasket grooves, or may be provided with other patterns or other porthole designs. Corresponding reasoning is valid for the gasket arrangement.

[0089] Finally, the invention may be used in connection with other types of plate heat exchangers than purely gasketed ones, such as plate heat exchangers comprising cassettes of permanently bonded heat exchanger plates.

[0090] It must be emphasized that the attributes first, second, third, etc. are used herein only to distinguish between species and not to express any kind of mutual ranking between species of the same kind.

[0091] It must be emphasized that details not relevant to the invention have been omitted and that the figures are schematic and not drawn to scale. It must also be mentioned that some of the figures are more simplified than others. Some elements may therefore be shown in one figure but excluded in another. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 1 assembly 2 Heat transfer plate 3 Gasket device 4 First side of heat transfer plate 5 Port holes 6 Port Holes 7 Portholes 8 Port Holes 9. Sealing part of gasket device 10 Gasket groove 11 Outer groove part 12 Inner groove part 13 Diagonal groove part 14 Outer sealing part of the sealing part 15 Inner sealing part of the sealing part 16 Diagonal sealing part of sealing part 17 Outer edge of heat transfer plate 18 First portion of outer groove portion 19 Second part of outer groove 20 First part of outer sealing portion 21 Second part of the outer sealing part 22 First attachment portion of gasket device 23 Second attachment portion of gasket device 24 First structure of heat transfer plate 25 Second structure of heat transfer plate 26 Fastening structure part of first structure 27 Fastening structure part of second structure 28 First connecting structure part of first structure 29 Second connecting structure part of the first structure 30 Third connecting structure part of the first structure 31 First connecting structure part of second structure 32 Second connecting structure part of second structure 33 Third connecting structural part of second structure 34 Heat transfer plate protrusion 35 Top of protrusion 36 Heat transfer plate protrusion 37 Upper part of protrusion 38 Fastening attachment part of first attachment part 39 Fastening attachment part of second attachment part 40 First connecting attachment portion of the first attachment portion 41 second connecting attachment portion of the first attachment portion 42 third connecting attachment portion of the first attachment portion 43 first connecting attachment portion of second attachment portion 44 Second connecting attachment part of second attachment part 45 Third connecting attachment part of second attachment part 46 First attachment loop 47 Secondary attachment loop 48 Second attachment groove 49 Bottom of the Groove 50 First attachment portion of gasket device 51 Second attachment portion of gasket device 52 Third attachment portion of gasket device 53 First structure of heat transfer plate 54 Second structure of heat transfer plate 55 The third structure of the heat transfer plate 56 Fastening structure part of first structure 57 Fastening structure part of second structure 58 Fastening structure part of the third structure 59 Connecting structural part of the first structure 60 Connecting structural part of second structure 61 Connecting structural part of the third structure 62 Bridge receiving part of heat transfer plate 63 Heat transfer plate protrusion 64 Upper part of protrusion 65 Fastening attachment part of first attachment part 66 Fastening attachment part of second attachment part 67 Fastening attachment part of the third attachment part 68 Connecting attachment part of first attachment part 69 Connecting attachment part of second attachment part 70 Connecting attachment part of the third attachment part 71 Gasket device bridge section 72 First, second, or third attachment loop 73 First attachment portion of gasket device 74 Second attachment portion of gasket device 75 Third attachment portion of gasket device 76 Fourth attachment part of gasket device 77 Fifth attachment of gasket device 78 First structure of heat transfer plate 79 Second structure of heat transfer plate 80 Third structure of heat transfer plate 81 The fourth structure of the heat transfer plate 82 Fifth structure of heat transfer plate 83 Fastening structure part of first structure 84 Fastening structure part of second structure 85 Fastening structure part of the third structure 86 Fastening structure part of fourth structure 87 Fastening structure part of the fifth structure 88 Bridge receiving part of heat transfer plate 89 Fastening attachment part of the first attachment part 90 Fastening attachment part of second attachment part 91 Fastening attachment part of the third attachment part 92 Fastening attachment part of the fourth attachment part 93 Fastening attachment part of the fifth attachment part 94 Gasket device bridge section 95 Assembly 96 Heat Transfer Plate 97 Gasket device 98 First side of heat transfer plate 99 Porthole 100 Port Holes 101 Port hole 102 Port hole 103 Port hole 104 Port hole 105 Porthole 106 Port hole 107 Porthole 108 Porthole 109 Porthole 110 Port hole 111 Edge of heat transfer plate 112 Edge of heat transfer plate 113 Imaginary lines defining end portions 114 Imaginary lines defining end portions 115 Sealing part of gasket device 116 Gasket groove 117 Outer groove part 118 Inner groove part 119 Outer sealing part of the sealing part 120 Inner sealing part of the sealing part 121 Outer edge of heat transfer plate 122 Gasket device attachment part 123 Heat Transfer Plate Structure 124 Fastening structural parts of structure 125 First connecting structural part of the structure 126 Second connecting structural part of the structure 127 Heat transfer plate protrusion 128 Top of protrusion 129 Fastening of attachment parts 130 first connecting attachment part of the attachment part 131 Second connecting attachment part of attachment part 132 Attachment Loop p1 Lower plate extension plane p2 Upper plate extension plane b) Boundary between the outer and inner groove parts s Structure extension plane c Connected structure plane t upper plane f Fastening structure plane G1 Lower Gasket Flat Surface G2 Upper gasket plane B. The boundary between the outer and inner sealing parts A1 Lower attachment plane A2 Upper attachment plane F1 Lower fastening attachment plane F2 Upper fastening attachment plane C1 Lower connecting attachment plane C2 Upper connection attachment plane T Thickness direction of gasket device

Claims

1. A gasket device (3, 97), comprising a sealing portion (9, 115) for sealing between two heat transfer plates (2, 96) of a plate heat exchanger, the heat transfer plates (2, 96) each having a number of port holes (5-8, 99-110) greater than one; and an attachment portion (9, 115) arranged to attach the gasket device (3, 97) to one of the heat transfer plates (2, 96). 22, 23, 50-52, 73-77, 122), in which parallel lower and upper gasket planes (G1, G2) define the extension of the gasket device (3) in the thickness direction (T) of the gasket device (3, 97), and lower and upper attachment planes (A1, A2), which are parallel to the lower and upper gasket planes (G1, G2), define the extension of the gasket device (3, the lower gasket plane (G1) and the lower attachment plane (A1) are arranged facing one of the heat transfer plates (2, 96), the upper gasket plane (G2) and the upper attachment plane (A2) are arranged facing the other one of the heat transfer plates (2, 96), and the sealing portion (9, 115) is disposed on each of the heat transfer plates (2, 96). an annular outer sealing portion (14, 119) extending along at least a portion of an outer edge (17, 121) and arranged to surround the port holes (5-8, 99-110) of the heat transfer plate (2, 96); and an annular inner sealing portion (15, 120) surrounded by the annular outer sealing portion (14, 119) and arranged to surround at least one of the port holes (5-8, 99-110) of each of the heat transfer plates (2, 96), The attachment portion (22, 23, 50-52, 73-77, 122) is surrounded by the annular outer sealing portion (14, 119) and is arranged outside the annular inner sealing portion (15, 120), and the attachment portion (22, 23, 50-52, 73-77, 122) comprises a fastening attachment portion (38, 39, 65-67, 89-93, 129) arranged to be fastened to a first side (4, 98) of one of the heat transfer plates (2, 96) by means of an adhesive means, and the lower and upper gasket planes (G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6, G7, G8, G9, G10, G11, G12, G13, G14, G15, G16, G17, G18, G19, G20, G21, G22, G23, G24, G25, G26, G27, G28, G29, G30, G31, G32, G33, G34, G35, G36, G37, G38, G39, G40, G41, G42, G43, G44, G45, G46, G47, G48, G50, G51, G52, G63, G64, G65, G67, G70, G71, G82, G93, G103, G114, G125, G135, G146, G151, G162, G173, G184, G195, G196, G215, G22, G23, G24, G35, G36, G37, G48, G51, G62, G73, G84, 2) define the extension of the fastening attachment portion (38, 39, 65-67, 89-93, 129) of the attachment portion (22, 23, 50-52, 73-77, 122) in the thickness direction (T) of the gasket arrangement (3, 97), the lower fastening attachment plane (F1) being arranged facing one of the heat transfer plates (2, 96) and the upper fastening attachment plane (F2) being arranged facing the other one of the heat transfer plates (2, 96); A gasket arrangement (3, 97), characterized in that the fastening attachment portion (38, 39, 65-67, 129) of the attachment portion (22, 23, 50-52, 122) is arranged at a distance greater than 0 from the sealing portion (9, 115).

2. The gasket arrangement (97) of claim 1, wherein the annular outer sealing portion (119) is spaced from the annular inner sealing portion (120).

3. 2. The gasket arrangement (3) according to claim 1, wherein said annular outer sealing portion (14) and said annular inner sealing portion (15) are partially integrally formed.

4. A gasket arrangement (3, 97) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the attachment portion (23, 122) is connected to the annular inner sealing portion (15, 120).

5. 5. The gasket device (3) according to claim 1, wherein the sealing portion (9) further comprises an oblique sealing portion (16) extending from a first portion (20) of the annular outer sealing portion (14) to a second portion (21) of the annular outer sealing portion (14) inside the annular inner sealing portion (15), and the attachment portions (22, 23, 50-52, 73-77) are connected to the oblique sealing portion (16) and are disposed between the oblique sealing portion (16) and the annular inner sealing portion (15).

6. The gasket device (3) according to claim 5, further comprising a bridge portion (71, 94) connecting the annular inner sealing portion (15) and the diagonal sealing portion (16), and the fastening attachment portions (65-67, 89-93) of the attachment portions (50-52, 73-77) are connected to the bridge portion (71, 94).

7. 6. The gasket arrangement (97) of claim 1, wherein the gasket arrangement (97) is disposed across the first side (98) of one of the heat transfer plates (96) to define a flow path between first and second port holes (103, 105) of the port holes (99-110) of one of the heat transfer plates (96), and the attachment portion (122) of the gasket arrangement (97) is disposed in the flow path.

8. 8. A gasket arrangement (3, 97) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the upper attachment plane (A2) is located between the upper gasket plane (G2) and the lower attachment plane (A1).

9. The attachment portion (22, 23, 50-52, 122) further comprises a first connecting attachment portion (40, 43, 68-70, 130) connecting the fastening attachment portion (38, 39, 65-67, 129) and the sealing portion (9, 115), and lower and upper connecting attachment planes (C1, C2) parallel to the lower and upper gasket planes (G1, G2) are in the thickness direction (T) of the gasket device (3, 97).

9. The gasket arrangement (3, 97) according to claim 1, wherein the gasket arrangement (3, 97) defines an extension of the first connecting attachment portion (40, 43, 68-70, 130) of the attachment portion (22, 23, 50-52, 122), the lower connecting attachment plane (C1) being arranged facing one of the heat transfer plates (2, 96) and the upper connecting attachment plane (C2) being arranged facing the other one of the heat transfer plates (2, 96).

10. 10. The gasket arrangement (3, 97) of claim 9, wherein the attachment portion (22, 23, 122) further comprises a second connecting attachment portion (41, 44, 131) spaced from the first connecting attachment portion (40, 43, 130), the second connecting attachment portion (41, 44, 131) connecting the fastening attachment portion (38, 39, 129) and the sealing portion (9, 115) to form a loop (46, 47, 132).

11. 11. A gasket arrangement (3, 97) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the lower fastening attachment plane (F1) is located between the lower connecting attachment plane (C1) and the upper gasket plane (G2).

12. 12. A gasket arrangement (3, 97) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the lower interlocking attachment plane (C1) coincides with at least one of the lower gasket plane (G1) and the lower attachment plane (A1).

13. 13. A gasket arrangement (3, 97) according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the upper connecting attachment plane (C2) coincides with at least one of the upper fastening attachment plane (F2) and the upper attachment plane (A2).

14. 14. The gasket arrangement (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the fastening attachment portion (38) comprises a longitudinally extending groove (48) whose bottom (49) extends in an intermediate fastening attachment plane (F3) extending between the lower and upper fastening attachment planes (F1, F2).

15. A heat transfer plate (2, 96) comprising a number of port holes (5-8, 99-110) greater than one and a gasket groove (10, 116) arranged to receive a sealing portion (9, 115) of a gasket arrangement (3, 97), said sealing portion (9, 115) arranged to seal between said heat transfer plate (2, 96) and another heat transfer plate (2, 96) of a plate heat exchanger, said heat transfer plate (2, 96) being arranged in parallel downward and upward directions. and the heat transfer plate (2, 96) is corrugated so as to extend between the parallel lower and upper plate extension planes (p1, p2) in the parallel lower and upper plate extension planes (p1, p2), and the heat transfer plate (2, 96) is a structure (24, 25, 53-55, 78-82, 123) arranged to cooperate with the attachment portion (22, 23, 50-52, 73-77, 122) of the gasket device (3, 97), and the attachment portion (22, 23, 50-52, 73-77, 122) of the gasket device (3, 97) is corrugated so as to extend between the parallel lower and upper plate extension planes (p1, p2), a structure (24, 25, 53-55, 78-82, 123) arranged to attach said gasket device (3, 97) to said heat transfer plate (2, 96), a structure extension plane (s) parallel to said lower and upper plate extension planes (p1, p2) defines a lowermost extension of said structure (24, 25, 53-55, 78-82, 123), and said gasket groove (10, 116) is an annular outer groove portion (11, 117) extending along at least a portion of an outer edge (17, 121) of a heat transfer plate (2, 96) and surrounding the port holes (5-8, 99-110) of the heat transfer plate (2, 96); and an annular inner groove portion (12, 118) surrounded by the annular outer groove portion (11) and surrounding at least one of the port holes (5-8, 99-110) of the heat transfer plate (2), The structure (24, 25, 53-55, 78-82, 123) is surrounded by the annular outer groove portion (11, 117) and disposed outside the annular inner groove portion (12, 118), and the structure (24, 25, 53-55, 78-82, 123) is fastened to the attachment portion (22, 23, 50-52, 73-77, 122) at the first side (4, 98) of the heat transfer plate (2, 96). - comprising fastening structure parts (26, 27, 56-58, 83-87, 124) arranged so that the parts (38, 39, 65-67, 89-93, 129) are fastened by adhesive means, and a fastening structure plane (f) parallel to the lower and upper plate extension planes (p1, p2) defines the uppermost extension of the fastening structure parts (26, 27, 56-58, 83-87, 124); The heat transfer plate (2, 96) is characterized in that the fastening structure portion (26, 27, 56-58, 124) of the structure (24, 25, 53-55, 123) is disposed at a distance greater than 0 from the gasket groove (10, 116).

16. The heat transfer plate (96) of claim 15, wherein the annular outer groove portion (117) is spaced from the annular inner groove portion (118).

17. The heat exchanger plate (2) according to claim 15, wherein the annular outer groove portion (11) and the annular inner groove portion (12) are formed partly integrally.

18. The heat exchanger plate (2, 96) according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the structure (25, 123) is arranged in connection with the annular inner groove portion (12, 118).

19. The heat transfer plate (2) according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the gasket groove (10) further comprises an oblique groove portion (13) extending from a first portion (18) of the annular outer groove portion (11) to a second portion (19) of the annular outer groove portion (11) inside the annular inner groove portion (12), and the structure (24, 25, 53-55, 78-82) is arranged in connection with the oblique groove portion (13) and is arranged between the oblique groove portion (13) and the annular inner groove portion (12).

20. 19. The heat transfer plate (96) of any one of claims 15 to 18, further comprising a flow passage between first and second of the portholes (103, 105) across the first side (98) of one of the heat transfer plates (96), and the structure (123) is disposed in the flow passage.

21. 21. The heat exchanger plate (2, 96) according to any one of claims 15 to 20, wherein the fastening structure plane (f) is arranged between the lower and upper plate extension planes (p1, p2).

22. 22. The heat transfer plate (2, 96) according to claim 15, wherein the structure (24, 25, 53-55, 123) further comprises a first connecting structure part (28, 31, 59-61, 125) extending between the fastening structure part (26, 27, 56-58, 124) and the gasket groove (10, 116), and a connecting structure plane (c) parallel to the lower and upper plate extension planes (p1, p2) defines a lowermost extension of the first connecting structure part (28, 31, 59-61, 125), and the first connecting structure part (28, 31, 59-61, 125) is arranged to receive a first connecting attachment part (40, 43, 68-70, 130) of the attachment part (22, 23, 50-52, 122).

23. 23. The heat transfer plate (2, 96) of claim 22, wherein the structure (24, 25, 123) further comprises a second connecting structure part (29, 32, 126) spaced from the first connecting structure part (28, 31, 125), the second connecting structure part (29, 32, 126) extending between the fastening structure part (26, 27, 124) and the gasket groove (10, 116) and arranged to receive a second connecting attachment part (41, 44, 131) of the attachment part (22, 23, 122).

24. 24. The heat transfer plate (2, 96) of claim 23, wherein the first and second connecting structural parts (28, 29, 31, 32, 125, 126) and the fastening structural parts (26, 27, 124) surround a protrusion (34, 36) of the heat transfer plate (2), the protrusion (34, 36, 127) having an upper part (35, 37, 128) extending in an upper plane (t) parallel to the fastening structural plane (f) and extending above the fastening structural plane (f).

25. 25. The heat exchanger plate (2, 96) according to any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein the connecting structural plane (c) coincides with at least one of the lower plate extension plane (p1) and the structural extension plane (s).

26. 26. The heat transfer plate (2, 96) according to any one of claims 22 to 25, wherein the fastening structure plane (f) is arranged between the connecting structure plane (c) and the upper plate extension plane (p2).

27. ​​A kit comprising a gasket device (3, 97) as described in any one of claims 1 to 14 and adhesive means applied to the fastening attachment portion (38, 39, 65-67, 89-93, 129) of the gasket device (3, 97).

28. An assembly (1, 95) comprising a gasket device (3, 97) as described in any one of claims 1 to 14, a heat transfer plate (2, 96) as described in any one of claims 15 to 26, and adhesive means applied between the fastening attachment portion (38, 39, 65-67, 89-93, 129) of the gasket device (3, 97) and the fastening structural portion (26, 27, 56-58, 83-87, 124) of the heat transfer plate (2, 96).

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