Mounting means and heat transfer plate

Abstract

An attachment means (58) for fastening the gasket (48) to the thermally conductive plate (4) is provided, as well as the thermally conductive plate (4). The attachment means (58) comprises a bridge (60), a first connecting member (62), a second connecting member (64) and a finger (66). The first and second connecting members (62, 64) are configured to engage the bridge (60) and engage the gasket (48). The finger (66) engages the bridge (60) and extends between the first and second connecting members (62, 64). The first connecting member (62) comprises first and second portions (78, 80), with the second portion (80) disposed between the bridge (60) and the first portion (78). The attachment means is characterized in that 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 retaining means (78b) protruding from a longitudinal outer portion (82) of the first body (78a) in a direction away from the fingers (66).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to attachment means for fastening a gasket to a thermally conductive plate, and to a thermally conductive plate configured to cooperate with such attachment means. [Background technology]

[0002] Plate heat exchangers (PHEs) typically include two end plates between which several heat-transfer plates are arranged in an aligned manner, i.e., stacked or packed. In one well-known type of PHE, the so-called gasketed PHE, a gasket is pressed into the heat-transfer plates and positioned between them in a gasket groove. Typically, the gasket groove extends partially along and adjacent to the edges of the heat-transfer plates. The end plates, and thus the heat-transfer plates, are pressed toward each other by some type of fastening means, thereby creating a seal between the heat-transfer plates. Parallel flow channels defined by the gasket are formed between the heat-transfer plates, one channel between each pair of adjacent heat-transfer plates. Two fluids, initially at different temperatures, supplied to and from the PHE through inlets / outlets may alternately flow through alternate channels to transfer heat from one fluid to the other. These fluids enter and exit the channels through inlet / outlet portholes in the heat-transfer plates that communicate with the PHE inlets / outlets. It is essential that the gasket is properly positioned between the plates in order to keep the channel leak-tight.

[0003] When the plate heat exchanger is closed, the gasket is squeezed between the plates, thereby holding it securely in place. However, if 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 fastening the gasket to the plate is desirable. It is known to use certain adhesive means, such as glue or tape, to secure the gasket to the plate. However, installing a gasket with adhesive and replacing a gasket fastened with adhesive can be relatively time-consuming and therefore expensive. Furthermore, the adhesive can adversely affect the gasket and its sealing capacity. Mechanical gasket fastening solutions have also been known, for example, in the applicant's own U.S. Pat. No. 4,635,715. This document discloses different embodiments of gaskets with protrusions for fastening the gasket to the heat transfer plate. The gaskets described therein can result in relatively unreliable fastening to the heat transfer plate in that the engagement between the protrusions and the heat transfer plate is relatively weak, with the risk of the protrusions "disengaging" from the heat transfer plate. [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] It is an object of the present invention to provide a mounting means for clamping a gasket to a thermally conductive plate, and a thermally conductive plate configured to engage such mounting means, to provide a more reliable gasket clamping compared to the prior art. The basic concept of the present invention is to construct the mounting means and the thermally conductive plate so that they "interlock" when properly engaged with each other. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The mounting means and the thermally conductive plate are defined in the appended claims and discussed below.

[0007] The mounting means according to the present invention is configured to engage an edge portion of a thermally conductive plate to fasten a gasket to a first side of the thermally conductive plate. The mounting means includes a bridge, a first connecting member, a second connecting member, and a finger. The first connecting portion of the first connecting member is configured to engage with the gasket, and the second connecting portion of the first connecting member engages with the bridge. The first connecting portion of the second connecting member is configured to engage with the gasket, and the second connecting portion of the second connecting member engages with the bridge. The connecting portion of the finger engages with the bridge. The finger extends between the first and second connecting members and is positioned to extend from the bridge toward the gasket. The first connecting member includes first and second portions. The second portion is positioned between the bridge and the first portion. The mounting means is characterized in that the second portion of the first connecting member includes a second body, and the first portion of the first connecting member includes a first retaining means protruding from a longitudinally outer portion of the first body away from the first body, the finger, and the second connecting member. Thereby, the first portion of the first connecting member is given a first width that is greater than a second width of the second portion of the first connecting member.

[0008] A longitudinally outer side of the first body faces away from the fingers, and an opposing longitudinally inner side of the first body is disposed between the longitudinally outer side of the first body and the fingers and faces the fingers.

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

[0010] The first and second widths of the above-referenced first and second portions of the first connecting member may vary or may be constant.

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

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

[0013] The fingers may have a longitudinal axis of symmetry that may extend essentially 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 of the present invention has a first connecting member with a width that varies along at least a portion of its length to achieve a first connecting member that is mechanically "self-locking" in at least one direction within a thermally conductive plate with appropriate design. This "self-locking" may securely fasten the mounting means to the thermally conductive plate and prevent displacement of the mounting means relative to the thermally conductive plate, particularly in directions perpendicular to the line of extension of the width of the first connecting member and parallel to the plane of extension of the thermally conductive plate. Thus, the mounting means of the present invention provides reliable attachment to the thermally conductive plate. Furthermore, the mounting means of the present invention may be relatively easy to install on a thermally conductive plate.

[0016] The attachment means may be designed such that the first portion of the first connecting member comprises a first connecting portion of the first connecting member, which is then positioned to abut against the gasket. Furthermore, the second portion of the first connecting member may comprise a second connecting portion of the first connecting member, which is then positioned to abut against 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 away from the bridge along at least a portion of its length. Such a design may allow for optimized gasket support.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first holding means has a basic shape of a triangle 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 allow a well-defined and reliable fixation of the mounting means to a heat transfer plate with a suitable design.

[0019] The attachment means may be designed so 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 vary or be constant, thus equal to the maximum and minimum widths. Such a design may allow the attachment means, including the first connecting member, to be mechanically "self-locking" in at least two opposing directions within a heat transfer plate with an appropriate design, and more securely fix the attachment means to the heat transfer plate. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the second body of the first connecting member is tapered along at least a portion of its length in a direction toward the bridge. Such a design may allow a smooth transition between the first and second bodies of the first connecting member, and thus the attachment means, to be easy to fabricate and durable.

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

[0021] The attachment means may be such that the fingers have a first portion having a first width and a second portion having a second width. The second portion may be positioned 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 properly engage with the thermally conductive plate, and the fingers may also provide a relatively large plate contact surface, which may then enable optimized plate engagement. Furthermore, such a design may allow the fingers to be more flexible, which may also enable optimized plate engagement. Furthermore, such a design may lead to adaptation of the shape of the fingers to the shape of the first connecting member, which may then enable a compact attachment means.

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

[0023] The attachment means may be designed so that the second part of the finger comprises a finger connection, after which the second part of the finger abuts against the bridge.

[0024] The fingers may have many different shapes. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the fingers are tapered away from the bridge along at least a portion of their length. Such a design may allow for a smooth transition between the first and second portions of the fingers, and thus the attachment means, which is easy to fabricate and durable.

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

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

[0027] A heat transfer plate according to the present invention includes a gasket groove on a first side thereof that extends along the edge of the heat transfer plate. The edge portion of the heat transfer plate extends between the edge and the gasket groove. When viewed from the first side of the heat transfer plate, the edge portion is corrugated to include alternating peaks with respective top portions and valleys with respective bottom portions. The edge portion includes a gasket clamping region configured to engage with the mounting means, as defined above, to clamp the gasket within the gasket groove. The heat transfer plate is characterized in that the gasket clamping region includes first and second valleys and first and second peaks. The first and second peaks are located on opposite sides of the first valley, and the first and second valleys are located on opposite sides of the second peak. The bottom portion of the first valley extends to the bottom plane. The top portion of the first ridge extends in a first plane within the first portion of the first ridge that is tangent to the first portion of the first valley and in a top plane within the second portion of the first ridge that is tangent to the second portion of the first valley, so as to extend between the first portion of the first ridge and the edge of the thermally conductive plate. The top and bottom planes are spaced a distance x apart. The first plane extends essentially parallel to the top and bottom planes, a distance xt from the top plane and a distance xb from the bottom plane, where xt≦x and 0≦xb. <xである。

[0028] The widths of the first and second valleys and the first and second peaks and portions thereof may be measured parallel to the edge of the thermally conductive plate.

[0029] The bottom portion of the first valley, just like the bottom portion of the second valley, may have a longitudinal axis of symmetry that may extend perpendicular to the edge of the heat transfer plate.

[0030] The upper portion of the first ridge may be free of a longitudinal axis of symmetry.

[0031] The upper portion of the second ridge may have a longitudinal axis of symmetry that may extend perpendicular to the edge of the thermally conductive plate.

[0032] The heat transfer plate according to the invention therefore has a gasket clamping area comprising a lower press depth portion, i.e. a first ridge portion, with a recess configured to receive a first retaining means of the attachment means, which has a suitable design to mechanically "lock" the attachment means to the heat transfer plate in at least one direction, said "locking" securing the attachment means to the heat transfer plate and preventing displacement of the attachment means relative to the heat transfer plate, in particular in directions perpendicular to the edge of the heat transfer plate and parallel to the extension plane of the heat transfer plate.

[0033] The thermally conductive plate may be designed such that a first portion of the first ridge tapers along at least a portion of its length in a direction away from the edge of the thermally conductive plate.

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

[0035] The second portion of the first valley, located between the first portion of the first valley and the edge of the thermal conduction plate, may have a minimum width that is smaller than the maximum width of the first portion of the first valley. The widths of the first and / or second portions may vary or be constant, and thus equal to the maximum and minimum widths. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the second portion of the first valley is tapered along at least a portion of its length in a direction toward the edge of the thermal conduction plate.

[0036] The outer longitudinal portion of the first valley may be substantially straight and extend substantially perpendicular to the edge of the thermally conductive plate within the second portion of the first valley, with the outer longitudinal portion of the first valley facing the first peak and the opposing inner longitudinal portion of the first valley facing away from the first peak.

[0037] The second ridge may include a first portion having a first width and a second portion having a second width, the second portion being disposed between the first portion and the edge of the thermally conductive 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 ridge may vary or may be constant.

[0038] The second ridge may be tapered along at least a portion of its length in a direction away from the edge of the thermally conductive plate.

[0039] The first and second valleys may be at least partially open toward the gasket groove. This means that the first and second valleys, or more specifically, the space defined by the first and second valleys, are in communication with the gasket groove, or more specifically, the space defined by the gasket groove. Such a design may allow the first and second connecting members of the mounting means to connect to the gasket without affecting the seal between the overlying thermally conductive plate and the gasket. The first and second peaks may be closed toward or separated from the gasket groove. This means that the first and second peaks, or more specifically, the space defined by the first and second peaks, are not in communication with the gasket groove, or more specifically, the space defined by the gasket groove. Such a design may allow full gasket support at the first and second peaks.

[0040] The heat transfer plate and the mounting means according to the invention are intended to be used together, with the design of the heat transfer plate adapted to the design of the mounting means and vice versa. Thus, the above-mentioned different embodiments of the heat transfer plate according to the invention correspond to the above-mentioned different embodiments of the mounting means according to the invention. Therefore, the advantages of the above-mentioned different embodiments of the mounting means are transferable to the above-mentioned different embodiments of the heat transfer plate and vice versa. Naturally, these advantages first appear when the heat transfer plate and the mounting means cooperate with each other.

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

[0042] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0043] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an assembly including a heat transfer plate and a gasket arrangement. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial view of the assembly of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is another enlarged partial view of the assembly of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 3. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 corresponds to FIG. 3, but shows only the heat-conducting plate. [Figure 7] 2 is a plan view of the mounting means of the gasket device of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the attachment means of FIG. 7. [Figure 9] 2 is a diagram illustrating a reliable engagement between the gasket device of FIG. 1 and a heat transfer plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0044] 1 to 5, there is shown an assembly 2 including a heat transfer plate 4 and a gasket arrangement 6. FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the top of the assembly 2, and FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of the area enclosed by the dashed rectangle C in FIG. 1.

[0045] The heat transfer plate 4, shown separately in Figure 6, with its first side 8 seen in Figures 1-3 and 6 and its opposing second side 10 shown in Figures 4 and 5, is an essentially rectangular sheet of stainless steel with several portholes 12, 14, 16, and 18 pressed in a specific pattern within different areas of the heat transfer plate. Also pressed into the first side 8 of the heat transfer plate 4 is a gasket groove 20 that extends along an outer plate edge 22 to surround the portholes 12, 14, 16, and 18, and completely along two inner plate edges 24 and 26 that define two of the portholes 14 and 18, to separately surround them, respectively. Furthermore, the gasket groove 20 extends "diagonally" twice across the heat transfer plate to further surround the portholes 14 and 18. The outer edge portion 28 of the heat transfer 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 transfer plate 4, extending between the inner plate edge 24 and the gasket groove 20 and between the inner plate edge 26 and the gasket groove 20, respectively, are corrugated to include alternating peaks 34 and valleys 36 (see FIG. 2, and FIGS. 3 and 6 for the outer edge portion 28). The peaks and valleys as viewed from one side of the heat transfer plate 4 are valleys and peaks, respectively, as viewed from the other side of the heat transfer plate 4. Also, notably, the portholes 12 and 16 are each surrounded by a similarly corrugated inner edge portion.

[0046] 2, the outer edge portion 28 of the heat transfer plate 4 includes a plurality of outer gasket clamping areas 44 distributed along the outer plate edge 22. At least some of the gasket clamping areas 44 are designed in accordance with the present invention. For completeness, it should also be said that the inner edge portion of the heat transfer plate 4 includes a plurality of inner gasket clamping areas distributed around the portholes 12, 14, 16, and 18. However, these are of conventional design and will not be described further herein.

[0047] One gasket clamping region 44 designed in accordance with the present invention is shown in more detail in Figure 6. It includes first and second valleys 36a, 36b of valley 36 and first, second, and third peaks 34a, 34b, 34c of peak 34. The first and second peaks 34a, 34b are located on opposite sides of first valley 36a, the first and second valleys 36a, 36b are located on opposite sides of second peak 34b, and the second and third peaks 34b, 34c are located on opposite sides of second valley 36b.

[0048] 4 to 6, most of the peaks 34 in the outer edge portion 28 of the heat transfer plate 4 are designed like the rightmost peak 34 in FIG. 6, having a substantially constant width along their longitudinal extensions and their respective top portions 38 extending in an imaginary top plane TP. Similarly, most of the valleys 36 in the outer edge portion 28 of the heat transfer plate 4 are designed like the rightmost valley 36 in FIG. 6, having a substantially constant width along their longitudinal extensions and their respective bottom portions 40 extending in an imaginary bottom plane BP disposed at a distance x from the top plane TP. However, the first, second, and third peaks 34a, 34b, 34c are configured differently, just like the first and second valleys 36a, 36b of the gasket clamping region 44.

[0049] The first top portion 34a has an upper portion 38a that extends within a virtual first plane P1 within a first portion r11 of the first top portion 34a (the boundary of which is partially shown by a dashed line) disposed immediately adjacent to a first portion v11 of the first valley portion 36a, and within an upper plane TP within a second portion r12 of the first top portion 34a disposed partially immediately adjacent to a second portion v12 of the first valley portion 36a. The boundary between the first and second portions v11, v12 of the first valley portion 36a is shown by a dashed line. The second portion v12 of the first valley portion 36a is disposed between the first portion v11 of the first valley portion 36a and the edge 22 of the heat conduction plate 4. Further, the second portion r12 of the first top portion 34a extends outside the first portion r11 between the first portion r11 of the first top portion 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 portion 38a of the first top portion 34a within its first portion r11 leads to a recess in the first top portion 34a. The inner cross-section of the first portion r11 of the first top portion 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 being in contact with the first portion r11 of the first valley portion 36a.

[0051] The second ridge 34b has an axis of symmetry extending perpendicular to the outer edge 22 of the heat transfer plate 4 and the upper portion 38b extending in the upper plane TP. The second ridge 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 transfer plate 4, with the boundary between the first and second portions r21, r22 indicated by a dashed line. Furthermore, the first width wp21 of the first portion r21 is constant along essentially the entire length of the first portion r21. Conversely, the second portion r22 tapers away from the edge 22 of the heat transfer plate 4, leading to a 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 ridge 34c is designed in a manner corresponding to the first ridge 34a.

[0053] The first valley 36a has a bottom portion 40a extending in the bottom plane BP. The longitudinal outer portion 42 of the first valley 36a is straight and extends perpendicular to the edge 22 of the heat transfer plate 4 along essentially the entire length of the first valley 36a, particularly along the length of the second portion v12 of the first valley 36a. As a result, the second portion v12 of the first valley 36a tapers toward the edge 22 of the heat transfer plate 4, as described above, since the second portion r22 of the second peak 38b tapers away from the edge 22 of the heat transfer plate 4.

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

[0055] 4 and 5, the bottom 46 of the gasket groove 20 extends in an imaginary bottom plane BP along a major portion of the gasket groove 20. However, in other embodiments of the present invention, the gasket groove bottom 46 instead extends in an imaginary mid-plane that extends between, or perhaps halfway between, the top and bottom planes TP, BP along a major portion of the gasket groove 20. As is apparent from FIGS. 4-6, the peaks 34 are closed toward the gasket groove 20 and are configured to provide gasket support, while the valleys 36 are open toward the gasket groove 20.

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

[0057] One attachment means 58 designed according to the present invention is shown in more detail in FIGS. 7 and 8. It comprises an elongated bridge 60, a first connecting member 62, a second connecting member 64, and fingers 66. The boundaries of the bridge 60 toward the first and second connecting members 62, 64, and the fingers 66 are shown in dashed lines in FIG. 7. The bridge 60 extends longitudinally, essentially parallel to the gasket 48, at a distance therefrom. The first connecting member 62 extends longitudinally from an end portion thereof, essentially 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 another opposite end portion thereof, essentially perpendicular to the bridge 60, to connect the bridge 60 to the gasket 48. More specifically, a first connection 72 in the form of an end of the second connecting member 64 is connected to the gasket 48, and a second connection 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 center, essentially perpendicular to the bridge 60, i.e. between the first and second connecting members 62, 64 towards the gasket 48. More specifically, a connection 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 located at a distance from the gasket 48.

[0058] The first connecting member 62 comprises a first portion 78 and a second portion 80. The second portion 80 abuts against the bridge 60 of the attachment means 58, and the first portion 78 abuts against the gasket 48. In Figure 7, the boundary between the first and second portions 78, 80 is illustrated by a dashed line. Thereafter, the first portion 78 of the first connecting member 62 comprises a first body 78a and a first retaining means 78b, and the second portion 80 comprises a second body 80a. The first retaining means 78b protrudes from a longitudinally outer side 82 of the first body 78a in a direction away from the fingers 66 and the second connecting member 64. The inner cross section of the first retaining means 78b as seen from the bridge 60 tapers in a direction toward the gasket 48 so as to give the first retaining means 78b the basic shape of a triangle when viewed from above the attachment means 58, with one side of the triangle abutting against the first body 78a of the first portion 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 provides the first portion 78 of the first connecting member 62 with a varying first width wg11 that is greater than the second width wg12 of the second portion 80 of the first connecting member 62. The second width wg12 of the second portion 80, and therefore the width of the second body 80a, also varies. The second body 80a includes a recess 84 in a longitudinally inner side 86 near the bridge 60, and a longitudinally outer side 88 of the second body 80a is straight and extends perpendicular to the bridge 60.

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

[0061] Furthermore, the finger 66, having an axis of symmetry extending perpendicular to and through the center of the bridge 60, includes a first portion 90 and a second portion 92. The second portion 92 abuts the bridge 60 of the attachment 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 indicated by a dashed line. The first and second portions 90, 92 have widths wf1 and wf2, respectively, with the first width wf1 being smaller than the second width wf2. The first width wf1 is essentially constant along the entire length of the first portion 90. The second portion 92 tapers away from the bridge 60, varying the second width wf2.

[0062] The gasket grooves 20 of the heat transfer plate 4 are configured to receive gaskets 48, as shown in Figure 1. Furthermore, the gasket clamping areas of the heat transfer plate 4 are configured to cooperate with the attachment means of the gasket device 6 in order to clamp the gasket 48 to the heat transfer plate 4. The cooperation between one of the gasket clamping areas 44 according to the invention and one of the attachment means 58 according to the invention is particularly illustrated in Figures 3 to 5. It should be said that the heat transfer plate 4 is shown partially transparent in some of the figures, particularly in Figure 3, and for illustrative purposes.

[0063] Referring specifically to FIG. 3, when the attachment means 58 properly engages with the gasket clamping region 44, the first and second connecting members 62, 64 engage the first side 8 of the thermally conductive plate 4, and the fingers 66 engage the second side 10 of the thermally conductive plate 4 (FIGS. 4 and 5). More specifically, the fingers 66 are received within the valleys defined by the second ridges 34b. Furthermore, the first and second bodies 78a, 80a of the first connecting member 62 are received within the first valleys 36a, and the first retaining means 78b of the first connecting member 62 is received within the first portion r11 of the first ridges 34a. The second connecting member 64 is received in a corresponding manner within the second valleys 36b and the third ridges 34c.

[0064] Furthermore, the bridge 60 of the mounting means 58 extends outward from the heat transfer plate 4 parallel to the outer edge 22 thereof. The first and second connecting members 62, 64 of the mounting means 58, as well as the first, second, and third peaks 34a, 34b, and 34c and the first and second valleys 36a, 36b of the gasket clamping region 44, are complementary in configuration. Thus, the first connecting member 62 fits tightly and essentially occupies the entire first valley 36a and the first portion r11 of the first peak 34a. Correspondingly, the second connecting member 64 fits tightly and essentially occupies the entire second valley 36b and the first portion or recess of the third peak 34c. This prevents the mounting means 58 from sliding parallel to the extension plane of the heat transfer plate 4, particularly in a direction perpendicular to the outer edge 22 of the heat transfer plate 4.

[0065] Thus, reliable fastening of the gasket 48 to the heat transfer 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 transfer plate 4. This is illustrated in FIG. 9, which shows how the engagement between the first and second connecting members 62, 64 and the first and third ridges 34a, 34c is maintained even when the gasket device 6 is tilted relative to the heat transfer plate 4.

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

[0067] By way of example, the first retaining means of the first connecting member need not have the basic shape of a triangle, but may have any suitable shape.

[0068] As another example, only one of the connecting members may include a retaining means, with the other connecting member lacking a retaining means.

[0069] Components of the gasket clamping region and components of the attachment means having varying widths need not be tapered to achieve the varying widths, for example, the width change may be more abrupt and immediate, occurring in steps rather than gradually.

[0070] The fingers may be tapered along their entire longitudinal extension instead of only along a portion thereof. Furthermore, the fingers need not be tapered away from the bridge, but may instead be tapered towards the bridge along their entire longitudinal extension or only a portion thereof. The thermally conductive plate may have a gasket clamping area designed to cooperate with mounting means provided with such fingers.

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

[0072] The heat transfer plate described above has the gasket clamping regions of the present invention disposed along the outer plate edge and along the two opposing long sides of the heat transfer plate. Accordingly, the gasket device described above has the attachment means of the present invention disposed along the two opposing long sides of the gasket area portion protruding from its outer side. Consequently, the gasket clamping regions of the present invention can also / alternatively be disposed along the two opposing short sides of the heat transfer plate and / or along the inner plate edge, i.e., around the portholes of the heat transfer plate. Accordingly, the attachment means of the present invention can also / alternatively be disposed along the two opposing short sides of the gasket area portion protruding from its inner side and / or along the ring portion of the gasket.

[0073] The attachment means of the present invention may comprise two or more fingers extending between the first and second connecting members and arranged to extend from the bridge of the attachment means towards the gasket. The thermally conductive plate may have a gasket clamping area designed to cooperate with such attachment means.

[0074] The mounting means need not be designed such that its bridge is configured to be positioned outside the thermally conductive plate when the mounting means properly engages the thermally conductive plate. Instead, the bridge can be designed to be at least partially positioned within the thermally conductive plate, possibly engaging the first and / or second sides of the thermally conductive plate, when the mounting means properly engages the thermally conductive plate. The thermally conductive plate can have a gasket fastening region designed to cooperate with such mounting means.

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

[0076] The gasket and the attachment means do not have to be integrally formed but could be two separate but connectable parts. Furthermore, the gasket and the attachment means do not have to be made of rubber but could be made of any suitable material. Furthermore, the gasket and the attachment means do not have to be the same material.

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

[0078] Finally, the present invention may 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 plate pressing typically leads to plate corrugations with several radii of curvature instead of sharp edges. Heat transfer plates are therefore typically provided with corrugations of basic shapes instead of precise shapes of different geometric figures, such as triangles. A corresponding explanation is valid for forming gasket devices.

[0080] It should be emphasized that the qualifiers first, second, third, etc. are used herein merely to distinguish species of the same kind, and are not used to indicate any order of species relative to one another.

[0081] It should be emphasized that details not relevant to the present invention have been omitted and that the figures are merely schematic and not drawn to scale. It should also be noted that some of the figures are more simplified than others. Thus, some components may be shown in one figure but omitted in another. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 2. Assembly 4 Heat conduction plates 6 Gasket device 8 First Side 10 Second Side 12 port holes 14 port holes 16 port holes 18 port holes 20 Gasket groove 22 outer plate edge 24 Inner plate edge 26 Inner plate edge 28 Outer edge part 30 Inner edge part 32 Inner edge part 34 Top 36 Valley 38 Upper part 40 Bottom part 42 longitudinal outer part 44 Outer gasket clamping area 46 Bottom 48 Rubber Gasket 50 Annular area part 52 Annular ring part 54 Annular ring part 56 Bridge 58 Rubber mounting means 60 Bridge 62 first connecting member 64 second connecting member 66 Finger 68 First Connection 70 Second connection 72 First connection 74 Second Connection 76 Connection 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. An attachment means (58) for fastening a gasket (48) to a heat transfer plate (4) includes 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), and a finger (66) a second connecting portion (74) of said finger (66) engages with said bridge (60), said connecting portion (76) of said finger (66) engages with said bridge (60), said finger (66) extends between said first connecting member (62) and said second connecting member (64) and is arranged to extend from said bridge (60) toward said gasket (48), said first connecting member (62) having a first portion (78) and a second portion (80), said second portion (80) being arranged between said bridge (60) and said first portion (78); 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 first retaining means (78b) protruding from a longitudinal outer side (82) of the first body (78a) in a direction away from the fingers (66) so as to give the first portion (78) of the first connecting member (62) a first width (wg11) that is greater than a second width (wg12) of the second portion (80) of the first connecting member (62); Attachment means (58), characterized in that the first retaining 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 portion of its length.

2. 2. The mounting means (58) of claim 1, wherein the first retaining means (78b) has a basic triangular shape when viewed from above the mounting means, and the first retaining means (78b) is connected to the first body (78a) along one side of the triangle.

3. 3. The attachment means (58) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the second body (80a) has a minimum width that is less than the maximum width of the first body (78a).

4. 3. The attachment means (58) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the longitudinal outer side (88) of the second body is essentially straight and extends essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the bridge (60).

5. A mounting means (58) for fastening a gasket (48) to a heat transfer 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), and a finger (66) a second connecting portion (74) of said finger (66) engages with said bridge (60), said connecting portion (76) of said finger (66) engages with said bridge (60), said finger (66) extends between said first connecting member (62) and said second connecting member (64) and is arranged to extend from said bridge (60) toward said gasket (48), said first connecting member (62) having a first portion (78) and a second portion (80), said second portion (80) being arranged between said bridge (60) and said first portion (78); 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 first retaining means (78b) protruding from a longitudinal outer side (82) of the first body (78a) in a direction away from the fingers (66) so as to give the first portion (78) of the first connecting member (62) a first width (wg11) that is greater than a second width (wg12) of the second portion (80) of the first connecting member (62); Attachment means (58), wherein the finger (66) comprises a first portion (90) having a first width (wf1) and a second portion (92) having a second width (wf2), the second portion (92) being positioned closer to the bridge (60) than the first portion (90), and the first width (wf1) being smaller than the second width (wf2).

6. 6. The attachment means (58) of claim 5, wherein said fingers (66) are tapered away from said bridge (60) along at least a portion of their length.

7. 3. The attachment means (58) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the maximum thickness of the first body (78a) is greater than the maximum thickness of the first retaining means (78b).

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