Mounting means and heat conduction plate

Abstract

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

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

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

[0003] When a plate heat exchanger is closed, the gasket is compressed between the plates, thereby holding it firmly in place. However, when the gasket is not compressed between the plates, such as when the plate heat exchanger is assembled or opened for maintenance, some means of precisely securing the gasket to the plates is desirable. It is known that some adhesive means, such as glue or tape, can be used to secure the gasket to the plates. However, attaching a gasket with adhesive and replacing a gasket that has been tightened with adhesive can be relatively time-consuming and therefore expensive. Furthermore, adhesives can adversely affect the gasket and its sealing capacity. Also known previously is a mechanical gasket fixing solution, for example, in the applicant's own U.S. Patent No. 4,635,715. This document discloses different embodiments of a gasket with projections for securing the gasket to a heat conduction plate. The gasket described therein may result in a relatively unreliable fastening to the heat conduction plate, in that the engagement between the projection and the heat conduction plate is relatively weak with a risk of the projection "detaching" from the heat conduction plate. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 4,635,715 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide mounting means for fastening a gasket to a heat conduction plate, and a heat conduction plate configured to engage with such mounting means, thereby providing more reliable gasket fastening compared to the prior art. The basic concept of the present invention is to construct the mounting means and the heat conduction plate so that they "lock together" when properly engaged with each other. [Means for solving the problem]

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

[0007] The mounting means according to the present invention is configured to engage with the edge portion of a heat conduction plate in order to fasten a gasket to a first side of the heat conduction plate. The mounting means comprises a bridge, a first connecting member, a second connecting member, and a finger. A first connecting portion of the first connecting member is configured to engage with the gasket, and a second connecting portion of the first connecting member engages with the bridge. A first connecting portion of the second connecting member is configured to engage with the gasket, and a 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 comprises 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 comprises a second body, and the first portion of the first connecting member comprises the first body, as well as a first retaining means projecting from the longitudinal outer portion of the first body toward away from the finger and the second connecting member. As a result, the first portion of the first connecting member is given a first width that is greater than the second width of the second portion of the first connecting member.

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

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

[0010] The first and second widths of the first and second parts of the first connecting member referred to above may vary or remain constant.

[0011] The longitudinal outer portion 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 formed integrally. Similarly, the first and second bodies may be formed integrally.

[0013] The fingers may have a longitudinal axis of symmetry that is essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the bridge and may extend through the center of the bridge.

[0014] The first and second connecting members do not necessarily need to have a longitudinal axis of symmetry.

[0015] Accordingly, the mounting means according to the present invention has a first connecting member having a width that varies along at least a portion of the length of the first connecting member, so as to achieve a first connecting member that is designed to mechanically "self-lock" in at least one direction within a heat conduction plate having an appropriate design. This "self-locking" securely fastens the mounting means to the heat conduction plate and may prevent displacement of the mounting means relative to the heat conduction plate, in particular in directions perpendicular to the width extension line of the first connecting member and parallel to the extension plane of the heat conduction plate. Thus, the mounting means of the present invention provides a reliable mounting to a heat conduction plate. Furthermore, the mounting means of the present invention may be relatively easy to mount on a heat conduction plate.

[0016] The mounting means may be designed such that a first portion of the first connecting member has a first connecting portion of the first connecting member. The first portion of the first connecting member is then positioned to contact the gasket. Furthermore, a second portion of the first connecting member may have a second connecting portion of the first connecting member. The second portion of the first connecting member is then positioned to contact 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 retaining means has a basic triangular shape when viewed from above the mounting means, and the first retaining means is connected to the first body along one side of the triangle. Such a configuration can enable clearly defined and reliable fastening of the mounting means to a heat conduction plate having an appropriate design.

[0019] The mounting means may be designed such that the second body has a minimum width smaller than the maximum width of the first body. The widths of the first and / or second bodies may vary or be constant, and therefore equal to the maximum and minimum widths, respectively. Such a design may allow for a mounting means with a first connecting member that is designed to mechanically "self-lock" in at least two opposing directions within a heat conduction plate having a suitable design, and for a more secure fastening of the mounting means to the heat conduction plate. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the second body of the first connecting member is tapered in a direction toward the bridge along at least a portion of its length. Such a design may allow for a smooth transition between the first and second bodies of the first connecting member, and therefore for a mounting means that is easy to process and durable.

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

[0021] The attachment means may be configured such that the fingers have a first portion with a first width and a second portion with 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 and properly engage with the heat conduction plate. The fingers may further provide a relatively large plate contact surface, and thereafter, may enable optimized plate engagement. Further, such a design may make the fingers more flexible and may also enable optimized plate engagement. Further, such a design may lead to the shape of the fingers conforming to the shape of the first connecting member, and thereafter, may enable a smaller attachment means.

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

[0023] The attachment means may be designed such that the second portion of the fingers includes a connection portion of the fingers. Thereafter, the second portion of the fingers contacts 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, an easily machined and durable attachment means.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0031] The upper portion of the second apex may have a longitudinal axis of symmetry that may extend perpendicularly to the edge of the heat conduction plate.

[0032] Accordingly, the heat conduction plate according to the present invention has a gasket tightening region including a lower press depth portion, i.e., a first top portion with a recess. The recess is configured to house a first retaining means of a mounting means having a suitable design to mechanically "lock" the mounting means to the heat conduction plate in at least one direction. This "locking" securely fastens the mounting means to the heat conduction plate and can prevent displacement of the mounting means relative to the heat conduction plate, in particular, in directions perpendicular to the edge of the heat conduction plate and parallel to the extension plane of the heat conduction plate.

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

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

[0035] A second portion of the first valley, positioned between the first portion of the first valley and the edge of the heat conduction plate, may have a minimum width smaller than the maximum width of the first portion of the first valley. The widths of the first and / or second portions may vary or be constant, and therefore equal to the maximum and minimum widths, respectively. 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 toward the edge of the heat conduction plate.

[0036] The longitudinal outer portion of the first valley may be essentially straight within the second portion of the first valley and extend essentially perpendicular to the edge of the heat conduction plate. The longitudinal outer portion of the first valley faces the first apex, while the opposing longitudinal inner portion of the first valley faces away from the first apex.

[0037] The second apex may comprise a first portion having a first width and a second portion having a second width, the second portion being positioned between the first portion and the edge of the heat conduction plate. Furthermore, the first width may be smaller than the second width. The first and second widths of the first and second portions of the second apex may vary or remain constant.

[0038] The second apex may be tapered along at least a portion of its length, away from the edge of the heat conduction 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, communicate 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 covering heat conduction plate and the gasket. The first and second apex may be closed toward or separated from the gasket groove. This means that the first and second apex, or more specifically the space defined by the first and second apex, do not communicate with the gasket groove, or more specifically the space defined by the gasket groove. Such a design may allow for complete gasket support at the first and second apex.

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

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

[0042] The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the attached schematic diagrams. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0043] [Figure 1] This is a plan view of an assembly equipped with a heat conduction plate and gasket device. [Figure 2] This is a partial enlarged view of the assembly in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is another partial enlarged view of the assembly in Figure 1. [Figure 4] This is a schematic cross-sectional view along line AA in Figure 3. [Figure 5] This is a simplified cross-sectional view along line BB in Figure 3. [Figure 6] This figure corresponds to Figure 3, but shows only the heat conductive plate. [Figure 7] Figure 1 is a plan view of the mounting mechanism for the gasket device. [Figure 8] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the mounting mechanism. [Figure 9] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the reliable engagement between the gasket device and the heat conduction plate. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0044] Referring to Figures 1 to 5, the assembly 2, which includes the heat conduction plate 4 and the gasket device 6, is shown. Figure 2 shows a magnified view of the top of assembly 2, and Figure 3 shows a magnified view of the area enclosed by the dashed rectangle C in Figure 1.

[0045] The heat conduction plate 4, whose first side 8 is shown in Figures 1 to 3 and 6, and whose opposing second side 10 is shown in Figures 4 and 5, is a basically rectangular sheet of stainless steel pressed in a specific pattern within different regions of the heat conduction plate, and has several port holes 12, 14, 16 and 18. Gasket grooves 20 are also pressed into the first side 8 of the heat conduction plate 4, extending along the outer plate edge 22 to surround the port holes 12, 14, 16 and 18, and entirely along the two inner plate edges 24 and 26 that define two of the port holes 14 and 18, respectively, to surround them separately. Furthermore, the gasket grooves 20 extend twice as far "diagonally" across the heat conduction plate to further surround the port holes 14 and 18. The outer edge portion 28 of the heat conduction plate 4, extending between the outer plate edge 22 and the gasket groove 20, and the inner edge portions 30 and 32 of the heat conduction plate 4, extending 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 have alternating peaks 34 and valleys 36 (see Figure 2, and Figures 3 and 6 for the outer edge portion 28). The peaks and valleys as seen from one side of the heat conduction plate 4 are the valleys and peaks as seen from the other side of the heat conduction plate 4. Also, obviously, the port holes 12 and 16 are each surrounded by similar corrugated inner edge portions.

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

[0047] One of the gasket clamping regions 44 designed according to the present invention is illustrated in detail in Figure 6. It comprises first and second valleys 36a, 36b of the valley 36 and first, second, and third apex portions 34a, 34b, 34c of the apex portion 34. The first and second apex portions 34a, 34b are located on opposite sides of the first valley 36a, the first and second valleys 36a, 36b are located on opposite sides of the second apex portion 34b, and the second and third apex portions 34b, 34c are located on opposite sides of the second valley 36b.

[0048] Referring to Figures 4 through 6, most of the apex 34 within the outer edge portion 28 of the heat conduction plate 4 is designed to have essentially constant width along its longitudinal extension and in the virtual upper plane TP, as shown in the rightmost apex 34 of Figure 6. Similarly, most of the valleys 36 within the outer edge portion 28 of the heat conduction plate 4 is designed to have essentially constant width along its longitudinal extension and in the virtual bottom plane BP located at a distance x from the upper plane TP, as shown in the rightmost valley 36 of Figure 6. However, the first, second, and third apex 34a, 34b, and 34c are configured differently, just as the first and second valleys 36a and 36b of the gasket clamping area 44 are configured differently.

[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 that is partially disposed 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 of 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 and 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 viewed 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 apex 34b has an axis of symmetry extending perpendicularly to the outer edge 22 of the heat conduction plate 4 and the upper portion 38b extending into the upper plane TP. The second apex 34b comprises a first portion r21 having a first width wp21 and a second portion r22 having a second width wp22. The second portion r22 is positioned between the first portion r21 and the edge 22 of the heat conduction plate 4, and the boundary between the first and second portions r21 and r22 is shown by a dashed line. Furthermore, the first width wp21 of the first portion r21 is constant along the essentially full length of the first portion r21. Conversely, the second portion r22 is tapered away from the edge 22 of the heat conduction 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 clear from Figure 6, the third vertex 34c is designed in a manner corresponding to the first vertex 34a.

[0053] The first valley 36a has a bottom portion 40a that extends into 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 conduction plate 4 along the basically full length of the first valley 36a, and in particular along the length of the second portion v12 of the first valley 36a. Thus, as described above, the second portion r22 of the second apex 38b is tapered away from the edge 22 of the heat conduction plate 4, so the second portion v12 of the first valley 36a is tapered toward the edge 22 of the heat conduction plate 4.

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

[0055] Referring here to Figures 4 and 5, the bottom 46 of the gasket groove 20 extends into a virtual bottom plane BP along the main portion of the gasket groove 20. However, in other embodiments of the present invention, the gasket groove bottom 46 instead extends into a virtual intermediate plane that extends along the main portion of the gasket groove 20 between the top and bottom planes TP, BP, possibly between half of them. As is evident from Figures 4 to 6, the top portion 34 is closed toward the gasket groove 20 and configured to provide gasket support, while the valley portion 36 is open toward the gasket groove 20.

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

[0057] One of the mounting means 58 designed according to the present invention is illustrated in detail in Figures 7 and 8. It comprises an elongated bridge 60, a first connecting member 62, a second connecting member 64, and a finger 66. The boundaries of the bridge 60 toward the first and second connecting members 62, 64, and the finger 66 are illustrated by dashed lines in Figure 7. The bridge 60 extends longitudinally, essentially parallel to the gasket 48 at a distance from there. The first connecting member 62 extends longitudinally from its end portion, essentially perpendicular to the bridge 60, in order to connect the bridge 60 to the gasket 48. More specifically, a first connecting portion 68 in the form of the end of the first connecting member 62 connects to the gasket 48, and a second connecting portion 70 in the form of another end of the first connecting member 62 connects to the bridge 60. Similarly, the second connecting member 64 extends longitudinally from its other opposing end portion, essentially perpendicular to the bridge 60, in order to connect the bridge 60 to the gasket 48. More specifically, the first connector 72, in the form of an end of the second connector member 64, is connected to the gasket 48, and the second connector 74, in the form of another end of the second connector member 64, is connected to the bridge 60. The finger 60 extends longitudinally from its center outward, i.e., between the first and second connector members 62, 64, toward the gasket 48, essentially perpendicular to the bridge 60. More specifically, the connector 76, in the form of an end of the finger 66, is connected to the bridge 60, while the other end of the finger 66 is free and positioned at a certain 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 is in contact with the bridge 60 of the mounting means 58, and the first portion 78 is in contact with the gasket 48. In Figure 7, the boundary between the first and second portions 78 and 80 is shown by a dashed line. Subsequently, 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 the longitudinal outer portion 82 of the first body 78a in a direction away from the finger 66 and the second connecting member 64. The inner cross-section of the first retaining means 78b, as seen from the bridge 60, is tapered in the direction toward the gasket 48, so as to give the first retaining means 78b a basic triangular shape when viewed from above the mounting means 58, with one side of the triangle in contact with the first body 78a of the first 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 gives the first portion 78 of the first connecting member 62 a variable first width wg11 which 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 has a recess 84 in its longitudinally inward portion 86 near the bridge 60, and the longitudinally outward portion 88 of the second body 80a is straight and extends perpendicular to the bridge 60.

[0060] As is clear from Figures 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, which has an axis of symmetry extending perpendicularly to the bridge 60 through its center, comprises a first portion 90 and a second portion 92. The second portion 92 is in contact with the bridge 60 of the mounting means 58, and the first portion 90 is positioned between the second portion 92 and the gasket 48. In Figure 7, the boundary between the first and second portions 90, 92 is illustrated by a dashed line. The first and second portions 90, 92 have widths wf1 and wf2, respectively, with the first width wf1 being smaller than the second width wf2. The first width wf1 is basically constant along the full length of the first portion 90. The second portion 92 is tapered in the direction away from the bridge 60, and its second width wf2 is varied.

[0062] The gasket groove 20 of the heat conduction plate 4 is configured to house the gasket 48, as shown in Figure 1. Furthermore, the gasket tightening area of ​​the heat conduction plate 4 is configured to cooperate with the mounting means of the gasket device 6 to tighten the gasket 48 to the heat conduction plate 4. The cooperation between one of the gasket tightening areas 44 and one of the mounting means 58 according to the present invention is illustrated in particular in Figures 3 to 5. It should be noted that the heat conduction plate 4 is shown partially transparent in some of the figures, particularly in Figure 3, and for illustrative purposes.

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

[0064] Furthermore, the bridge 60 of the mounting means 58 extends outward from the heat conduction plate 4 parallel to its outer edge 22. The configurations of the first and second connecting members 62, 64 of the mounting means 58, and the first, second, and third apex portions 34a, 34b, 34c and the first and second valley portions 36a, 36b of the gasket tightening area 44 are complementary. Thus, the first connecting member 62 fits snugly into the entire first valley portion 36a and the first portion r11 of the first apex portion 34a, essentially sealing it. Accordingly, the second connecting member 64 fits snugly into the entire second valley portion 36b and the first portion or recess of the third apex portion 34c, essentially sealing it. This prevents the mounting means 58 from sliding in a direction parallel to the extension plane of the heat conduction plate 4, and particularly perpendicular to the outer edge 22 of the heat conduction plate 4.

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

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

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

[0068] As another example, only one of the connecting members may be equipped with a retaining means, while the other connecting members lack one.

[0069] Components of the gasket clamping area and components of the mounting means having various widths do not need to be tapered to achieve the various widths. For example, the width change may be more abrupt and immediate, and may occur in stages rather than gradually.

[0070] The fingers may be tapered along their entire longitudinal extension, rather than only along that portion. Furthermore, the fingers do not need to be tapered away from the bridge, but instead may be tapered toward the bridge along their entire longitudinal extension, or only along a portion of it. The heat conduction plate may have a gasket clamping area designed to cooperate with a mounting means having such fingers.

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

[0072] The heat conduction plate described above has a gasket clamping area of ​​the present invention, positioned along the outer plate edge and along two opposing long sides of the heat conduction plate. Thus, the gasket device described above has mounting means of the present invention, positioned along two opposing long sides of the gasket region, projecting from its outer portion. Necessarily, the gasket clamping area of ​​the present invention can also / alternatively be positioned along two opposing short sides of the heat conduction plate and / or along the inner plate edge, i.e., around the port holes of the heat conduction plate. Thus, the mounting means of the present invention can also / alternatively be positioned along two opposing short sides of the gasket region, and / or along the gasket ring portion, projecting from its inner portion.

[0073] The mounting 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 mounting means toward the gasket. The heat conduction plate may have a gasket tightening area designed to cooperate with such mounting means.

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

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

[0076] The gasket and mounting means do not need to be integrally formed; they can be two separate but connectable parts. Furthermore, the gasket and mounting means do not need to be made of rubber; they can be made of any suitable material. Moreover, the gasket and mounting means do not need to be made of the same material.

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

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

[0079] It should be emphasized that plate pressing typically results in plate corrugations with some curvature radius rather than sharp edges. Therefore, heat conduction plates typically have corrugations of a basic shape rather than precise shapes of different geometric figures, such as triangles. A corresponding explanation is useful for forming gasket equipment.

[0080] It should be emphasized here that determiners such as 1st, 2nd, 3rd are used simply to distinguish between species of the same kind, and not to indicate the relative order of all kinds of species.

[0081] Details not related to the present invention are omitted, and it should be emphasized that the figures are merely schematic and not drawn to isometric scale. It should also be noted that some figures are simplified compared to others. Therefore, some components may be shown in one figure but omitted in another. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0082] 2 Assembly 4 Heat Conduction Plate 6. Gasket device 8. First side 10. Second side 12 port holes 14 port holes 16 port holes 18 port holes 20 gasket grooves 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 Tanibe 38 Upper part 40 Bottom part 42 Longitudinal outer portion 44 Outer gasket tightening area 46 Bottom 48 Rubber gasket 50 Annular area part 52 Annular ring portion 54 Annular ring portion 56 Bridge 58 Rubber mounting means 60 Bridge 62 First connecting member 64 Second connecting member 66 Fingers 68 First connection section 70 Second connection section 72 First connection part 74 Second connection section 76 Connection part 78 Part 1 80 Part 2 82 Longitudinal outer portion 84 recesses 86 Longitudinal inner part 88 Longitudinal outer portion 90 Part 1 92 Part 2

Claims

1. A heat conduction plate (4) having a gasket groove (20) on its first side (8) extending along the edge (22) of the heat conduction plate (4), the edge portion (28) of the heat conduction plate (4) extending between the edge portion (22) and the gasket groove (20) and having a corrugated shape when viewed from the first side (8) of the heat conduction plate (4) having alternatingly arranged peaks (34) and valleys (36), the peaks (34) having their respective upper portions (38), the valleys (36) having their respective bottom portions (40), and the edge portion (28) having a gasket tightening area (44) configured to engage with mounting means (58) for tightening a gasket (48) into the gasket groove (20), in the heat conduction plate (4), The gasket tightening region (44) includes the first trough portion (36) and the second trough portion (36b) of the trough portion (36), and the first top portion (34a) and the second top portion (34b) of the top portion (34). The first top portion (34a) and the second top portion (34b) are arranged on the opposite side of the first trough portion (36a). The first trough portion (36a) and the second trough portion (36b) are arranged on the opposite side of the second top portion (34b). The bottom portion (40a) of the first trough portion (36a) extends to the bottom plane (BP). The upper portion (38a) of the first top portion (34a) extends in a first plane (P1) within the first portion (r11) of the first top portion (34a) that contacts the first portion (v11) of the first trough portion (36a), and extends in an upper plane (TP) within the second portion (r12) of the first top portion (34a) that contacts the second portion (v12) of the first trough portion (36a) so as to extend between the first portion (r11) of the first top portion (34a) and the edge portion (22) of the heat conduction plate (4) when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the edge portion (22). The first portion (r11) of the first top portion (34a) contacts the first portion (v11) of the first trough portion (36a) along a virtual line perpendicular to the edge portion (22). The upper plane (TP) and the bottom plane (BP) are separated by a distance x. The first plane (P1) extends at a distance xt from the upper plane (TP) and a distance xb from the bottom plane (BP) substantially parallel to the upper plane (TP) and the bottom plane (BP), where xt ≤ x and 0 ≤ xb < x. The heat conduction plate (4) is characterized by this.

2. The heat conduction plate (4) according to claim 1, wherein the first portion (r11) of the first top portion (34a) is tapered in a direction away from the edge portion (22) of the heat conduction plate (4) along at least a part of its length.

3. The heat conduction plate (4) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first portion (r11) of the first top portion (34a) has a basic triangular shape when viewed from above the heat conduction plate (4), and the first portion (r11) of the first top portion (34a) contacts the first portion (v11) of the first trough portion (36a) along one side of the triangle.

4. The heat conduction plate (4) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second portion (v12) of the first valley (36a), positioned between the first portion (v11) of the first valley (36a) and the edge (22) of the heat conduction plate (4), has a minimum width smaller than the maximum width of the first portion of the first valley.

5. The heat conduction plate (4) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the longitudinally outer portion (42) of the first valley (36a) is basically straight within the second portion (v12) of the first valley (36a) and extends basically perpendicular to the edge portion (22) of the heat conduction plate (4).

6. The heat conduction plate (4) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second top portion (34b) comprises a first portion (r21) having a first width (wp21) and a second portion (r22) having a second width (wp22), the second portion (r22) being positioned between the first portion (r21) and the edge portion (22) of the heat conduction plate (4), and the first width (wp21) is smaller than the second width (wp22).

7. The heat conduction plate (4) according to claim 6, wherein the second apex (34b) is tapered in a direction away from the edge (22) of the heat conduction plate (4) along at least a portion of its length.

Images