Heat transfer plates, gasket devices, cassettes, and heat exchangers
Patent Information
- Application Number
- KR1020267023318
- Authority / Receiving Office
- KR · KR
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-12-22
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-14
Smart Images
Figure PCT00010_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technology Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a heat transfer plate, a gasket device, a cassette comprising two such heat transfer plates, and a heat exchanger comprising a plurality of such heat transfer plates and a plurality of such gasket devices. Background Technology
[0002] Plate heat exchangers (PHEs) typically comprise two end plates, and between these end plates, a large number of heat transfer plates are arranged in an aligned manner, that is, as a stack or pack. The heat transfer plates of a PHE can be stacked in different ways. In some PHEs, the heat transfer plates are stacked such that the first and second sides of one heat transfer plate face the second and first sides of another heat transfer plate, respectively, and every other heat transfer plate is turned upside down relative to the rest of the heat transfer plates. That is, every second heat transfer plate is rotated 180 degrees around its normal relative to the rest of the plates. Typically, this is referred to as "rotated" heat transfer plates relative to each other. In another PHE, the heat transfer plates are stacked such that the first and second sides of one heat transfer plate face the first and second sides of another heat transfer plate, respectively, and every other heat transfer plate is turned upside down relative to the remainder of the heat transfer plates. That is, every second heat transfer plate is rotated 180 degrees around its transverse central axis relative to the remainder of the plates. Typically, this is referred to as the heat transfer plates being "flipped" relative to each other. In another PHE, the heat transfer plates are stacked such that the first and second sides of one heat transfer plate face the first and second sides of another heat transfer plate, respectively. That is, every second heat transfer plate is rotated 180 degrees around its longitudinal central axis relative to the remainder of the plates. Typically, this may be referred to as the heat transfer plates being "turned" relative to each other.
[0003] Parallel flow channels are formed between heat transfer plates, and one channel is formed between each pair of heat transfer plates. Two fluids of different initial temperatures can flow through every second channel to transfer heat from one fluid to another, and these fluids enter and exit the channel through the inlet and outlet port holes of the heat transfer plates.
[0004] Gaskets, welds, or a combination thereof may be used to seal and form channels between heat transfer plates. Gaskets have a limited lifespan due to degradation caused by internal factors such as fluid and temperature. However, external factors, such as exposure to oxidizing air, can also affect gasket lifespan. It is known that to increase the lifespan of gaskets within plate heat exchangers, each gasket is provided with an outer lip to protect it from exposure to the external environment. However, these lips require additional gasket material that does not contribute to the sealing function of the gasket. Furthermore, these lips may not be compatible with all types of gaskets. The problem to be solved
[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a heat transfer plate configured to protect gaskets arranged in the gasket grooves of the heat transfer plate from the external environment, thereby delaying the deterioration of the gaskets and thus extending the life of the gaskets. The basic concept of the present invention is to provide a heat transfer plate having a flat portion on the outer edge of the heat transfer plate, and the flat portion extends over the bottom of the gasket groove of the heat transfer plate to enable shielding of the gaskets arranged within the gasket grooves. Another object of the present invention is to provide a gasket device designed for gasket shielding. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a cassette comprising two heat transfer plates according to the present invention, and a heat exchanger comprising a plurality of gasket devices and a plurality of heat transfer plates according to the present invention. Heat transfer plates, gasket devices, cassettes, and heat exchangers referred to herein merely as "plates" are defined in the appended claims and are described below. means of solving the problem
[0006] A heat transfer plate according to the present invention comprises an upper end, a central portion, and a lower end that are continuously arranged along the longitudinal central axis of the heat transfer plate. Imaginary first and second boundary lines form a longitudinal extension of the central portion, that is, an extension of the central portion along the longitudinal central axis of the heat transfer plate. The first and second boundary lines cross the longitudinal central axis. The upper end comprises an upper distribution area provided with a first port hole, a second port hole, and an upper distribution corrugation pattern. The lower end comprises a lower distribution area provided with a third port hole, a fourth port hole, and a lower distribution corrugation pattern. The central portion comprises a heat transfer area provided with a heat transfer corrugation pattern different from the upper and lower distribution corrugation patterns. The heat transfer corrugation pattern comprises alternating HT ridges and HT troughs when viewed from a first side of the heat transfer plate. The HT ridges and HT troughs extend in imaginary parallel first and second planes arranged at a distance (D) from each other and between them. The first side of the heat transfer plate faces the first plane. The opposing second side of the heat transfer plate faces the second plane. The heat transfer plate further includes a gasket groove when viewed from the first side. The gasket groove includes a field gasket groove portion surrounding the heat transfer area and the first and third holes, a second ring gasket groove portion surrounding the second port hole, and a fourth ring gasket groove portion surrounding the fourth port hole. The field gasket groove portion includes an upper diagonal section extending between the upper distribution area and the second port hole, and a lower diagonal section extending between the lower distribution area and the fourth port hole. The bottom of the field gasket groove portion extends between the first and second planes along the upper and lower diagonal sections. The second ring gasket groove portion includes an inner section extending between the second port hole and the upper diagonal section. The bottom of the second ring gasket groove portion extends between the first and second planes along the inner section.The fourth ring gasket groove includes an inner section extending between the fourth port hole and the lower diagonal section. The bottom of the fourth ring gasket groove extends between the first and second planes along the inner section. The bottom of the field gasket groove is at a distance (d) (0 ≤ d) from the second plane along at least 50% of the length or longitudinal extension of the field gasket groove. <D))에 배열된 가스켓 홈 평면에서 연장된다. 열전달 플레이트는 제1 내부 에지부 및 제1 외부 에지부를 더 포함한다. 제1 내부 에지부 및 제1 외부 에지부는 제1 경계선으로부터 제2 경계선으로 그리고 필드 가스켓 홈부의 외측 상에서 서로를 따라, 즉 나란히 연장된다. 제1 내부 에지부는 필드 가스켓 홈부와 제1 외부 에지부 사이에서 연장된다. 열전달 플레이트는 제1 외부 에지부의 50% 초과가 제1 평면에서 연장하는 것을 특징으로 한다.
[0007] In that the bottom of the field gasket groove along the upper and lower diagonal sections, and the bottom of the second and fourth ring gasket grooves along the inner section extend between the first and second planes rather than the second plane, fluid flow may be possible between the upper and lower distribution areas on the second side of the heat transfer plate and the second and fourth port holes, respectively, when the second side of the heat transfer plate abuts against the second side of another "inverted" or "turned" heat transfer plate according to the present invention. This may enable the use of the heat transfer plate within a semi-welded heat exchanger.
[0008] Typically, the circular second and fourth port holes are dedicated to one and the same fluid, while the non-circular first and third port holes are dedicated to one and the same other fluid. The first and third port holes may be arranged on one same side of the longitudinal central axis of the plate, while the second and fourth port holes may be arranged on different same sides of the longitudinal central axis of the plate. This arrangement of port holes may enable a heat exchanger comprising a so-called parallel flow type heat transfer plate and a heat transfer plate according to the present invention that is "inverted" or "turned" relative to each other.
[0009] Accordingly, more than 50%, more preferably more than 70%, of the first outer edge extends from the first plane. Even 100% of the first outer edge may extend from the first plane, but in order to enable the first outer edge to cooperate smoothly with the gasket device, it may be appropriate to have a specific proportion of the first outer edge extend outward from the first plane.
[0010] In that the first outer edge portion extends mainly from a first plane arranged on the gasket groove plane when viewed from the first side of the heat transfer plate, a continuous wall will be formed along at least half of the first inner and outer edge portions, and the continuous wall will be able to shield and protect the field gasket portion of the gasket engaged with the plate from the outside.
[0011] The first outer edge may extend a certain distance from the outer edge of the heat transfer plate, and the outer edge forms the outer periphery of the heat transfer plate. Alternatively, the first outer edge may include a portion of the outer edge of the heat transfer plate, that is, it may extend continuously to the outer edge of the heat transfer plate. This may enable a mechanically simple design of the heat transfer plate.
[0012] As described above, the first outer edge of the heat transfer plate extends mainly in the first plane. The plate may be configured such that the first inner edge is corrugated, that is, it may include edge ridges and edge troughs arranged alternately when viewed from the first side of the heat transfer plate. The edge ridges and edge troughs may extend in the first and second planes and between them. Such corrugations can improve the strength of the plate. When the plate is arranged in a plate pack having other plates each having similar corrugations, the corrugations may be arranged to be in contact with each other, which can enable a rigid and stiff plate pack.
[0013] The plate can be designed so that the pitch between the edge ridges and possibly also the pitch between the edge valleys is essentially constant between the first and second boundary lines. Such a design can enable the plate to have relatively uniform strength along the first inner and outer edges.
[0014] The plate may further include a fixed groove extending from the field gasket groove through the first inner edge and the first outer edge when viewed from the first side. The fixed groove may be arranged to engage with an attachment means of a gasket device that also includes a gasket. Thus, the provision of the fixed groove may enable the fastening of the gasket to the plate. Since the fixed groove extends through the first inner and outer edges, non-interference engagement between the outer edge of the plate and the attachment means may be possible. In a plate in which the first inner edge is corrugated, one of the edge grooves may coincide with the fixed groove.
[0015] The fixed groove may include an inner portion and an outer portion, and the inner portion is arranged between the outer portion and the field gasket groove. The bottom portion of the fixed groove may extend within the inner and outer portions of the fixed groove, in the same plane as the gasket groove plane, or in different planes. As an example of the latter option, the bottom portion of the fixed groove may extend from the gasket groove plane within the outer portion and between the first plane and the gasket groove plane within the inner portion. Such a configuration may provide increased gasket support and enable a more robust engagement between the plate and the attachment means for fastening the gasket onto the plate.
[0016] The heat transfer plate may further include a sealing groove when viewed from the first side. The sealing groove may include a field sealing groove portion surrounding the heat transfer area and the second and fourth port holes, a first ring sealing groove portion surrounding the first port hole, and a third ring sealing groove portion surrounding the third port hole. Such a configuration may form a cassette by permanently joining the heat transfer plate to another heat transfer plate along the sealing groove, for example, by welding extending from the sealing groove.
[0017] The bottom of the sealing groove may extend in the second plane along more than 50% of the length of the sealing groove.
[0018] The plate can be designed so that d=0, which means that the gasket groove plane coincides with the second plane. This design can enable partial alignment of the gasket groove and the sealing groove.
[0019] A gasket device according to the present invention comprises a gasket and an attachment means for fastening the gasket to a heat transfer plate. The attachment means protrudes in a protruding direction from the outer side of the gasket. The attachment means comprises a connecting member, a first finger portion, and a cross-linking portion. The first connecting portion of the connecting member engages with the gasket. The second connecting portion of the connecting member engages with the cross-linking portion. The connecting portion of the first finger portion engages with the cross-linking portion. The first finger portion extends from the cross-linking portion toward the gasket. The gasket device is characterized in that the maximum thickness of the connecting member exceeds the maximum thickness of the cross-linking portion. The thickness direction extends perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the cross-linking portion and perpendicular to the protruding direction. Additionally, the attachment means further comprises an upper recess on the upper side of the connecting member and a lower recess on the opposite lower side of the connecting member.
[0020] In that the connecting member has a maximum thickness greater than the maximum thickness of the cross-linking section, this can shield a relatively large portion of the outer side of the gasket from exposure to the external environment, which in turn can extend the lifespan of the gasket device.
[0021] The upper and lower recesses provide locally reduced thickness to the connecting member at the recesses. The first and second recesses can be arranged to engage with the protrusions of the respective heat transfer plates. This can enable a tighter engagement between the gasket device and the heat transfer plate.
[0022] The upper and lower recesses can be aligned with each other along the thickness direction. This design may be suitable when the gasket device is configured to be positioned between two similar heat transfer plates.
[0023] The cassette according to the present invention comprises two heat transfer plates as described above. A second side of one of the two heat transfer plates faces a second side of the other of the two heat transfer plates. The two heat transfer plates are welded together, possibly along a sealing groove.
[0024] Of the two heat transfer plates, the other heat transfer plate can be rotated 180 degrees around the normal of the other heat transfer plate with respect to the one heat transfer plate among the two heat transfer plates. That is, one of the heat transfer plates can be rotated 180 degrees around its transverse central axis with respect to the other of the heat transfer plates or "flipped."
[0025] The heat exchanger according to the present invention includes a plurality of heat transfer plates according to the above. The heat exchanger further includes a plurality of gasket devices according to the above. Each gasket of the gasket device is arranged within a gasket groove of two adjacent plates among the heat transfer plates.
[0026] The heat transfer plates can be welded into the cassette in pairs, possibly along the sealing grooves, with respect to the second side. Additionally, each gasket of the gasket device can be arranged within the gasket grooves of two adjacent cassettes.
[0027] The advantages described above, together with various embodiments of the heat transfer plate and, where applicable, the gasket device, can be naturally transferred to the heat exchanger and cassette according to the present invention.
[0028] Generally, in this invention, when it is said that a part, component, section, etc. of a heat transfer plate extends in a specific plane, this refers to the main extension of the mentioned part, component, section, etc. Naturally, the part, component, section, etc. may locally have an extension that deviates from the main extension, for example, at a transition point to another adjacent part, component, section, etc.
[0029] It should be emphasized that the above-described advantages of the various embodiments of the gasket device and cassette and the heat transfer plate according to the present invention appear first when the heat transfer plate, the gasket device and the cassette are arranged within the PHE together with other heat transfer plates, gasket devices and cassettes (possibly also designed according to the present invention), and other components required in a properly functioning PHE.
[0030] From the following detailed description and drawings, other objects, features, embodiments, and advantages of the present invention will begin to appear. Brief explanation of the drawing
[0031] The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the attached schematic drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a heat exchanger according to the present invention. Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the heat exchanger of Figure 1. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a heat transfer plate according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a plan view of a cassette and gasket device according to the present invention. Figure 5 is an enlarged view of a part of the gasket device and cassette of Figure 4. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of Figure 5. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the BB line of Figure 5. Figure 8 is an enlarged view of a part of the cassette in Figure 4. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the attachment means of the gasket device of FIG. 4. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a part of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a part of a cassette and gasket device according to an alternative embodiment. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the DD line of FIG. 11. FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a heat transfer plate and gasket device according to the present invention. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the EE line of FIG. 13. Specific details for implementing the invention
[0032] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a semi-welded plate heat exchanger (2). It includes a frame plate (4), a pressure plate (6), a pack of heat transfer plates (8), a fluid inlet and outlet (10), a clamping means (12), an upper bar (14), and a lower bar (16).
[0033] At least most of the heat transfer plates (8) (hereinafter also referred to simply as "plates") are similar. As further described below, the plates (8) are welded in pairs on the second side with gaskets arranged between the cassettes to form a hermetic cassette. The frames and pressure plates (4, 6) and the cassettes accordingly are pressed toward each other by a tightening means (12), thereby sealing the gaskets between the cassettes. Parallel flow channels are formed between the heat transfer plates (8), and one channel is formed between each pair of adjacent heat transfer plates (8). Two fluids of different initial temperatures supplied to / from the plate heat exchanger (2) through the fluid inlet and outlet (10) can alternately flow through every second channel to transfer heat from one fluid to another, and such fluids enter / exit the channel through the inlet / outlet port holes in the heat transfer plate (8), and the inlet / outlet port holes form an inlet / outlet port that communicates with the fluid inlet and outlet (10) of the plate heat exchanger (2).
[0034] One of the plates (8) of the plate heat exchanger (2), plate (8a), is illustrated in more detail in FIG. 3. Plate (8a) is essentially a rectangular sheet of stainless steel. It comprises opposing first and second long sides (18, 20) and opposing first and second short sides (22, 24). Additionally, plate (8a) has a longitudinal central axis (L) extending parallel to the long sides (18, 20) and in the middle between them to divide plate (8a) into a first half (19) and a second half (21). Plate (8a) additionally has a transverse central axis (T) extending parallel to the short sides (22, 24) and in the middle between them and is accordingly perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis (L).
[0035] The plate (8a) has a first side (30) (illustrated in FIG. 3 and 6) and an opposing second side (32) (illustrated in FIG. 6). Additionally, the plate (8a) includes an upper end (34), a central portion (36), and a lower end (38) arranged continuously along the longitudinal central axis (L) of the heat transfer plate (8a). Imaginary first and second boundary lines (47, 55) crossing the longitudinal central axis (L) form an extension of the central portion (36) along the longitudinal central axis (L). Here, the first and second boundary lines (47, 55) are similar and include both straight and curved portions. The upper end (34) includes a first port hole (40), a second port hole (42), a first insulation area (39), a second insulation area (41), and an upper distribution area (44). The central portion (36) includes an upper transition area (45), a heat transfer area (46), and a lower transition area (53). The lower end (38) includes a third port hole (48), a fourth port hole (50), a third insulation area (49), a fourth insulation area (51), and a lower distribution area (52). The first and third port holes (40, 48) are arranged on one side of the longitudinal central axis (L), and the second and fourth port holes (42, 50) are arranged on the other side of the longitudinal central axis (L).
[0036] The heat transfer plate (8a) is pressed in a conventional manner in a pressing tool to provide a predetermined structure, such as different corrugation patterns within different parts of the heat transfer plate. The corrugation pattern is optimized for a specific function of each part of the plate. Thus, the upper and lower distribution regions (44, 52) include upper and lower distribution corrugation patterns configured for optimized fluid distribution across the heat transfer plate (8a). Additionally, the heat transfer region (46) includes a heat transfer corrugation pattern configured for optimized heat transfer between two fluids flowing on opposite sides of the heat transfer plate (8a). The heat transfer corrugation pattern is a so-called herringbone type. When viewed from the first side (30) of the plate (8a), the heat transfer corrugation pattern includes alternately arranged elongated HT ridges (60) and HT troughs (62) extending from a virtual first plane (P1) (Fig. 6) facing the first side (30) of the plate (8a) and a virtual second plane (P2) (Fig. 6) facing the second side (32) of the plate (8a), and between them. The first and second planes (P1, P2) are arranged at a distance (D) from each other (Fig. 6). The upper and lower transition regions (45, 53) include a transition corrugation pattern configured for an optimized combination of strength and fluid distribution. Additionally, the first, second, third, and fourth insulation regions (39, 41, 49, 51) each include a corrugation pattern configured to transport fluid with the lowest possible pressure drop between the port hole and the distribution region.
[0037] Additionally, the plate (8a) includes an edge portion (54) extending along the outer edge (56) of the plate (8a), and the outer edge (56) forms the outer periphery of the plate (8a). Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, the edge portion (54) includes a first inner edge portion (61) and a first outer edge portion (63) extending along each other from the first boundary line (47) to the second boundary line (55) and along the first long side (18) of the plate (8a). The first outer edge portion (63) includes a portion of the outer edge (56) and thus extends on the outer side of the first inner edge portion (61). In FIG. 5, the boundary between the first inner and outer edge portions (61, 63) is shown as a dotted line.
[0038] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, as viewed from the first side (30) of the plate (8a), the first inner edge portion (61) is corrugated and includes alternately arranged edge ridges (58a) and edge valleys (58b) extending in and between the first plane (P1) and the second plane (P2). The pitch between the edge ridges (58a) is essentially constant along the first inner edge portion (61). Similarly, the pitch between the edge valleys (58b) is essentially constant along the first inner edge portion (61) and is essentially the same as the pitch between the edge ridges (58a).
[0039] Additionally, referring also to FIG. 8, the plate (8a) further comprises a plurality of separate fixed grooves (65) that extend essentially perpendicularly to the outer edge (56) of the plate (8a) through a complete first inner edge portion (61) and a complete first outer edge portion (63) when viewed from the first side (30) of the plate (8a). As is evident from FIG. 5 and FIG. 8, each edge groove (58b) corresponds to each fixed groove (65), and the pitch between the fixed grooves (65) is essentially constant along the first inner and outer edges (61, 63). Referring mainly to FIG. 7 and also to FIG. 8, each fixed groove (65) comprises an inner portion (67) and an outer portion (69), and the rightmost vertical dotted line illustrates the boundary between the inner and outer portions (67, 69). The outer portion (69) includes a portion of the outer edge (56) and thus extends from the outside of the inner portion (67). Each bottom portion (71) of each fixed bone portion (65) extends from the second plane (P2) within the outer portion (69) and between the first and second planes (P1, P2) within the inner portion (67). More specifically, within the inner portion (67), the bottom portion (71) extends between the second plane (P2) and a virtual third plane (P3), and the third plane (P3) extends between the first and second planes (P1, P2). By this, the protrusion (73) of the plate (8a) is formed.
[0040] Referring again to FIGS. 5 and FIGS. 6, the first outer edge portion (63) is flat and extends from the first plane (P1) between the fixed bone portions (65).
[0041] Accordingly, the edge portion (54) includes a second inner edge portion and a second outer edge portion extending along each other from the first boundary line (47) to the second boundary line (55) and along the second long side (20) of the plate (8a). The second outer edge portion includes a portion of the outer edge (56) and thus extends from the outside of the second inner edge portion. The fixed groove portion extends vertically from the outer edge (56) and through the second inner and outer edge portions. Additionally, the second inner edge portion is corrugated, whereas the second outer edge portion is flat and extends from the first plane (P1) between the fixed groove portions.
[0042] As is evident from FIG. 3, other parts of the edge portion (54) are also corrugated and include alternately arranged edge ridges and edge valleys extending in the first and second planes (P1, P2) and between them. The edge ridges and valleys within the edge portion (54) are arranged to abut the edge ridges and valleys of adjacent plates within the plate pack of the plate heat exchanger (2). Similarly, the HT ridges and valleys (60, 62) are arranged to abut the HT ridges and valleys of adjacent plates within the plate pack of the plate heat exchanger (2). Additionally, the distribution and heat transfer corrugation pattern includes corrugations arranged to abut the corrugations of adjacent plates in the plate pack of the plate heat exchanger (2).
[0043] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 6, when viewed from the first side (30) of the plate, a sealing groove (64) comprising a field sealing groove (64a), a first ring sealing groove (64b), and a third ring sealing groove (64c) is pressed into the plate (8a). The sealing groove (64) is shown in FIG. 3 as a line extending from the bottom (66) of the sealing groove (64). The field sealing groove (64a) surrounds the heat transfer area (46), upper and lower transition areas (45, 53), upper and lower distribution areas (44, 52), second and fourth insulation areas (41, 51), and second and fourth port holes (42, 50).
[0044] The bottom portion (66a) of the field sealing groove (64a) extends in the second plane (P2) (Fig. 6) along the entire length of the field sealing groove (64a). The first ring sealing groove (64b) surrounds the first port hole (40). The bottom portion (66b) of the first ring sealing groove (64b) extends in the second plane (P2) along the entire length of the first ring sealing groove (64b). The third ring sealing groove (64c) surrounds the third port hole (48). The bottom portion (66c) of the third ring sealing groove (64c) extends in the second plane (P2) along the entire length of the third ring sealing groove (64c).
[0045] Additionally, referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, when viewed from the first side (30) of the plate, a gasket groove (68) for receiving a gasket (59) is also pressed into the plate (8a). The gasket groove (68) includes a field gasket groove portion (68a), a second ring gasket groove portion (68b), and a fourth ring gasket groove portion (68c). The field gasket groove portion (68a) surrounds the heat transfer area (46), upper and lower transition areas (45, 53), upper and lower distribution areas (44, 52), first and third insulation areas (39, 49), and first and third port holes (40, 48). The field gasket groove portion (68a) is arranged on the inner side of the first inner edge portion (61) and the second inner edge portion of the edge portion (54) and partially coincides with the field sealing groove portion (64a). Accordingly, the bottom portion (70a) of the field gasket groove (68a) extends from the gasket plane (GP) that coincides with the second plane (P2) (Fig. 6), where the field gasket groove (68a) coincides with the field sealing groove (64a). In fact, the bottom portion (70a) of the field gasket groove (68a) extends from the second plane (P2) everywhere except for the upper and lower diagonal sections (68a', 68a") of the field gasket groove (68a), and along this, the bottom portion (70a) extends between the first plane (P1) and the second plane (P2), in this case, in the middle between them. As shown in Fig. 3, the upper diagonal section (68a') extends between the upper distribution area (44) and the second port hole (42), whereas the lower diagonal section (68a") extends between the lower distribution area (52) and the fourth port hole (50). The second ring gasket groove (68b) surrounds the second port hole (42).The lower portion (70b) of the second ring gasket groove (68b) includes an inner section (68b') of the second ring gasket groove (68b) that extends between the upper diagonal section (68a') of the field gasket groove (68a) and the second port hole (42), extending along the entire length of the second ring gasket groove (68b) between the first plane (P1) and the second plane (P2), here in the middle between them. The fourth ring gasket groove (68c) surrounds the fourth port hole (50). The lower portion (70c) of the fourth ring gasket groove (68c) includes an inner section (68c') of the fourth ring gasket groove (68c) that extends between the lower diagonal section (68a) of the field gasket groove (68a) and the fourth port hole (50), and extends along the entire length of the fourth ring gasket groove (68c) between the first plane (P1) and the second plane (P2), here in the middle between them.
[0046] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, the gasket (59) is included in a gasket device (72) further comprising a plurality of attachment means (74) for fastening the gasket (59) to the plate (8a). The gasket (59) includes a field gasket portion (59a) arranged to be received in a field gasket groove portion (68a) of the plate (8a), a second ring gasket portion (59b) arranged to be received in a second ring gasket groove portion (68b) of the plate (8a), and a fourth ring gasket portion (59c) arranged to be received in a fourth ring gasket groove portion (68c) of the plate (8a). The attachment means (74) includes two different types of attachment means; an attachment means (74a) and an attachment means (74b). The attachment means (74a) and the attachment means (74b) have essentially the same configuration. However, the attachment means (74a) is provided on the outside of the field gasket portion (59a) and arranged to engage with the outer edge (56) of the plate (8a), whereas the attachment means (74b) is provided on the inside of the field gasket portion (59a) and arranged to engage with the inner edge of the plate (8a), the inner edge forming the first and third port holes (40, 48) of the plate (8a). In the following description regarding the attachment means (74), the focus will be on the attachment means (74a).
[0047] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 7, each attachment means (74a) protrudes in a protruding direction (PD) from the outer side (76) of the gasket (59) or, more specifically, from the field gasket portion (59a) of the gasket, and is arranged essentially equidistant along the outer side or the field gasket portion. One of the attachment means (74a) is illustrated in more detail in FIG. 9. It includes a bridge portion (78), a connecting member (80), a first finger portion (82), and a second finger portion (84). The first connecting portion (80a) of the connecting member (80) engages with the field gasket portion (59a) of the gasket (59), while the second connecting portion (80b) of the connecting member (80) engages with the bridge portion (78). By this, the connecting member (80) connects the bridge portion (78) and the gasket (59). Furthermore, the connecting portion (82a) of the first finger portion (82) engages with the bridge portion (78), while the connecting portion (84a) of the second finger portion (84) engages with the bridge portion (78). The first and second finger portions (82, 84) are arranged on opposite sides of the connecting member (80) and extend from the bridge portion (78) toward the field gasket portion (59a). The vertical dotted line in FIG. 7 illustrates the boundary between the connecting member (80) and the bridge portion (78). As is evident from FIG. 7, the maximum thickness of the connecting member (80) exceeds the maximum thickness of the bridge portion (78), and the thickness is measured in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal extension portion (BL) of the bridge portion (78) as well as in the protruding direction (PD). This means that the connecting member (80) shields the outer side (76) of the gasket (59) to a greater extent than the bridge portion (78). Additionally, an upper recess (86') is provided on the upper side (US) of the connecting member (80), while a lower recess (86") is provided on the lower side (LS) of the connecting member (80). The upper and lower sides (US, LS) are opposite surfaces of the connecting member (80) and have an extension along the longitudinal extension (BL) and the protruding direction (PD). Additionally, the upper and lower recesses (86', 86") are aligned with each other along the thickness direction (TD).
[0048] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, and also referring to FIG. 9, the connecting member (80) of each attachment means (74a) is arranged to be received in each of the fixed grooves (65). As is evident from FIG. 8, the fixed groove (65) extends from the field gasket groove (68a), and each inner part (67) of the fixed groove (65) is arranged between the field gasket groove (68a) and each outer part (69) of the fixed groove (65). Thus, also referring to FIG. 7, when the gasket device (72) is properly engaged with the plate (8a), the inner part of the connecting member (80) engages with the inner part (67) of the fixed groove (65), while the outer part of the connecting member (80) engages with the outer part (69) of the fixed groove (65). The protrusion (73) of the plate (8a) will protrude into the lower recess (86) on the lower side (LS) of the attachment means (74a). Thus, the connecting member (80) of the attachment means (74a) will engage with the first side of the plate (8a). As is evident from FIG. 5, the first and second finger portions (82, 84) of the attachment means (74a) will engage with the second side (32) of the plate (8a). Thus, the attachment means (74a) will "pinch" the edge portion (54) of the plate (8a) to fasten the gasket (59) to the plate (8a).
[0049] In the plate pack of the plate heat exchanger (2), the plates (8) are arranged such that the first side (30) and the second side (32) of one plate (8) face the first side and the second side of the adjacent heat transfer plate, respectively. Additionally, every second plate (8) is turned upside down or rotated 180 degrees with respect to the reference orientation around the normal direction (N) perpendicular to the drawing plane of FIG. 3. In other words, every second plate (8) is "flipped," that is, rotated 180 degrees around its transverse central axis (T) relative to the rest of the plate.
[0050] As described above, the plates (8) of the plate pack are welded together in pairs along their respective sealing grooves (64) to form a cassette (57). FIGS. 4 and 7 illustrate one of the cassettes (57') including the plate (8a) shown in FIG. 3 and the plate (8b) visible in FIGS. 5 through 8. The plate (8b) is "inverted" relative to the plate (8a). Referring to FIG. 10, in the plate pack of the plate heat exchanger (2), the welded cassette (57) is separated by a gasket (59) of a gasket device (72). Thus, the heat exchanger (2) comprises two different types of channels: a welded channel inside the cassette (57) and a gasketed channel between the cassette (57). As is evident from FIG. 10, in the plate pack, the plate (8a) of the cassette (57') and the plate (8c) of the cassette (57) (also configured as described above) are separated by a gasket, and the gasket device (72') "pinches" the plate (8a) in the manner described above, and the lower and upper recesses of the gasket device (72') respectively receive the protrusion (73) of the plate (8a) and the corresponding protrusion of the plate (8c). When arranged in this way, the first outer edge portion (63) of the plate (8a) will come into contact with the first outer edge portion of the plate (8c) between the fixed groove portions (65). By this, the outer edges of the plates (8a, 8c) will surround the gasket of the gasket device (72') between the fixed groove portions and protect the gasket from external exposure. Also, the fixed groove portion (65) of the plate (8a) and the fixed groove portion of the plate (8c) The space formed between them will be filled by the connecting member of the gasket device (72') so that the gasket of the gasket device (72') is shielded from external exposure at the fixed groove. Accordingly, the design of the heat transfer plate of the present invention and the design of the gasket device of the present invention together protect the gasket from the external environment, which extends the lifespan of the gasket.
[0051] FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate an alternative embodiment of a plate according to the present invention (the gasket is similar to that described above). In this plate, the first inner edge portion is flat and extends in a first plane between the fixed valleys. Additionally, the first outer edge portion includes a pair of edge ridges for each of the fixed valleys, and the edge ridges are arranged on the opposite sides of each fixed valley. Between the edge ridges, the first outer edge portion is flat and extends in a second plane. Thus, here, the pitch between the edge ridges is not constant along the first outer edge portion. In a heat exchanger comprising this type of plate, this will be the inner edge portion of an adjacent plate that surrounds the gasket between the pair of edge ridges and protects the gasket from external exposure.
[0052] FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate other alternative embodiments of a plate and gasket device according to the present invention. While the aforementioned plate and gasket device is suitable for a semi-welded heat exchanger in which plates are welded in pairs to form a cassette and gaskets of the gasket device are arranged between the cassettes, the plate and gasket device illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14 is suitable for a so-called gasketed heat exchanger. In a gasketed heat exchanger, gaskets are arranged between each of two adjacent plates such that all channels within the heat exchanger become gasketed channels. The main difference between the plates of FIGS. 13 and 14 and the plates illustrated in FIGS. 3 through 10 is with respect to the field gasket groove. In the plates illustrated in FIGS. 3 through 10, the bottom of the field gasket groove extends from the gasket groove plane everywhere except for the diagonal section. The gasket groove plane is arranged at a distance d=0 from the second plane, that is, the gasket groove plane coincides with the second plane. In the diagonal section, the bottom of the field gasket groove instead extends midway between the first and second planes. In the plate shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the bottom of the field gasket groove extends from the gasket groove plane everywhere. The gasket groove plane is arranged at a distance d=D / 2 from the second plane, that is, the gasket groove plane extends midway between the first and second planes. In a heat exchanger comprising this type of plate, the outer edge of an adjacent plate will surround every second gasket between the fixed grooves to protect them from external exposure. The remainder of the gasket will not be shielded by the edge of the plate in the manner of the present invention. The gasket device shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 is essentially designed similarly to the gasket device shown in FIGS. 4 through 7. The gasket device of FIGS. 13 and 14 differs from the gasket device of FIGS. 4 through 7 mainly in that the connecting member has the same thickness as the bridge section.Naturally, a gasket device for a gasket-type heat exchanger can also be designed according to the present invention, and thus includes an attachment means having a connecting member having a maximum thickness greater than the thickness of the cross-linking part, as in the gasket device of FIGS. 4 to 7.
[0053] The embodiments described above of the present invention should be regarded as examples only. Those skilled in the art will understand that the described embodiments can be modified and combined in various ways without departing from the concept of the invention.
[0054] A plate heat exchanger comprises only a single plate type. Naturally, a plate heat exchanger may instead comprise two or more different types of alternately arranged heat transfer plates. Additionally, the heat transfer plates may be manufactured from materials other than stainless steel.
[0055] The bottom of the field gasket groove does not need to extend midway between the first plane and the second plane in the two diagonal sections of the field gasket groove, but instead may extend closer to one of the first and second planes. Similarly, the bottom of the second ring gasket groove does not need to extend along its entire length midway between the first and second planes, as the bottom of the fourth ring gasket groove does not need to extend, but instead may extend along its length or part of its entire length in another plane, for example, closer to the first plane than to the second plane. The bottom of the field gasket groove may extend between the first and second planes along the entire length of the field gasket.
[0056] The concept of the present invention is not limited to an application example along the central portion between the first and second boundary lines of the plate. Rather, it may also be applied within other parts of the edge portion of the plate, or even along the inner edge of the plate forming the port hole of the plate.
[0057] The bottom portion of the fixed groove of the plate does not need to extend in different planes within the inner and outer portions of the fixed groove, but may extend in a single identical plane, and this plane may or may not coincide with the gasket groove plane.
[0058] The plates illustrated in the drawing are arranged to be "flipped" relative to each other. However, the present invention is also applicable to plates arranged to be "rotated" or "turned" relative to each other.
[0059] The attachment means of the gasket device does not need to be designed as shown in the drawings and may have any suitable design. For example, the attachment means may include more than one connecting member and / or fewer than or more than two finger portions. The attachment means may even be without finger portions, and the connecting member(s) may be arranged to interlock with the fixed groove(s) of the plate. The connecting member(s) do not need to have a variable thickness, that is, there may be no upper and lower recesses.
[0060] Referring to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 10 and FIGS. 13 to 14, in which the first inner edge portion of the plate is corrugated, the gasket device may further include knobs protruding from the outer side of the gasket. These knobs may be arranged to fill the corrugations of the first inner edge portion of the plate to further shield the gasket from exposure to the external environment.
[0061] It should be emphasized that in this document, attributes such as anterior, posterior, upper, lower, first, second, third, etc., are used merely to distinguish details and are not used to express any kind of orientation or mutual order between details.
[0062] Furthermore, it should be emphasized that descriptions of details unrelated to the invention have been omitted, and that the drawings are merely schematic and not drawn to scale. Additionally, some drawings may be considered more simplified than others. Accordingly, some components may be depicted in one drawing but omitted in another.
Claims
Claim 1 A heat transfer plate (8, 8a) comprises an upper end (34), a central portion (36), and a lower end (38) that are continuously arranged along the longitudinal central axis (L) of the heat transfer plate (8, 8a), and imaginary first and second boundary lines (47, 55) form a longitudinal extension of the central portion (36), and the first and second boundary lines (47, 55) cross the longitudinal central axis (L), the upper end (34) comprises a first port hole (40), a second port hole (42), and an upper distribution area (44) provided with an upper distribution corrugation pattern, the lower end (38) comprises a third port hole (48), a fourth port hole (50), and a lower distribution area (52) provided with a lower distribution corrugation pattern, and the central portion (36) comprises a heat transfer area (46) provided with a heat transfer corrugation pattern different from the upper and lower distribution corrugation patterns, and the heat transfer corrugation pattern The heat transfer plate (8, 8a) includes alternately arranged HT ridges (60) and HT troughs (62) when viewed from the first side (30) of the heat transfer plate (8, 8a), wherein the HT ridges (60) and HT troughs (62) extend in and between imaginary parallel first and second planes (P1, P2) arranged at a distance (D) from each other, the first side (30) of the heat transfer plate (8, 8a) faces the first plane (P1), and the opposing second side (32) of the heat transfer plate (8, 8a) faces the second plane (P2), and the heat transfer plate (8, 8a), when viewed from the first side (30), includes a field gasket groove (68a) surrounding the heat transfer area (46) and the first and third port holes (40, 48), and a second ring surrounding the second port hole (42). It further includes a gasket groove (68) comprising a gasket groove portion (68b) and a fourth ring gasket groove portion (68c) surrounding a fourth port hole (50), andThe field gasket groove (68a) includes an upper diagonal section (68a') extending between the upper distribution area (44) and the second port hole (42) and a lower diagonal section (68a") extending between the lower distribution area (52) and the fourth port hole (50), the bottom portion (70a) of the field gasket groove (68a) extends between the first and second planes (P1, P2) along the upper and lower diagonal sections (68a', 68a"), the second ring gasket groove (68b) includes an inner section (68b') extending between the second port hole (42) and the upper diagonal section (68a'), the bottom portion (70b) of the second ring gasket groove (68b) extends between the first and second planes (P1, P2) along the inner section (68b'), and the fourth ring gasket groove (68c) is the fourth port It includes an inner section (68c') extending between the hole (50) and the lower diagonal section (68a), the bottom (70c) of the fourth ring gasket groove (68c) extends between the first and second planes (P1, P2) along the inner section (68c'), and the bottom (70a) of the field gasket groove (68a) is at a distance (d) (0≤d) from the second plane. <D)에 배열된 가스켓 홈 평면(GP)에서, 필드 가스켓 홈부(68a)의 길이의 적어도 50%를 따라서, 연장하고, 열전달 플레이트(8, 8a)는 제1 경계선(47)으로부터 제2 경계선(55)까지 그리고 필드 가스켓 홈부(68a)의 외측 상에서 서로를 따라 연장하는 제1 내부 에지부(61) 및 제1 외부 에지부(63)를 더 포함하고, 제1 내부 에지부(61)는 필드 가스켓 홈부(68a)와 제1 외부 에지부(63) 사이에서 연장하는, 열전달 플레이트(8, 8a)에 있어서, 제1 외부 에지부(63)의 50% 초과는 제1 평면에서 연장하는 것을 특징으로 하는, 열전달 플레이트(8, 8a)., Claim 2 In claim 1, the first outer edge portion (63) includes a part of the outer edge (56) of the heat transfer plate (8, 8a), and the outer edge forms the outer periphery of the heat transfer plate (8, 8a), heat transfer plate (8, 8a). Claim 3 In claim 1 or 2, the first inner edge portion (61) comprises edge ridges (58a) and edge grooves (58b) arranged alternately when viewed from the first side (30) of the heat transfer plate (8, 8a), and the edge ridges (58a) and edge grooves (58b) extend in the first and second planes (P1, P2) and between them, heat transfer plate (8, 8a). Claim 4 In paragraph 3, the pitch between the edge ridges (58a) is essentially constant between the first and second boundary lines (47, 55), heat transfer plate (8, 8a). Claim 5 A heat transfer plate (8, 8a) further comprising, in any one of claims 1 to 4, a fixed groove (65) extending from the field gasket groove (68a) through the first inner edge (61) and the first outer edge (63) when viewed from the first side (30). Claim 6 In paragraph 5, the fixed groove (65) comprises an inner portion (67) and an outer portion (69), the inner portion (67) is arranged between the outer portion (69) and the field gasket groove (68a), and the bottom portion (71) of the fixed groove (65) extends from the gasket groove plane (GP) within the outer portion (69) and between the first plane (P1) within the inner portion (67) and the gasket groove plane (GP), heat transfer plate (8, 8a). Claim 7 A heat transfer plate (8, 8a) further comprising, in any one of claims 1 to 6, a field sealing groove (64a) surrounding a heat transfer area (46) and second and fourth port holes (42, 50) when viewed from the first side (30), a first ring sealing groove (64b) surrounding a first port hole (40), and a third ring sealing groove (64c) surrounding a third port hole (48). Claim 8 A heat transfer plate (8, 8a) having d=0 in any one of claims 1 to 7. Claim 9 A gasket device (72) comprising a gasket (59) and an attachment means (74a) for attaching the gasket (59) to a heat transfer plate (8, 8a), wherein the attachment means (74a) protrudes in a protruding direction (PD) from the outer side (76) of the gasket (59) and comprises a connecting member (80), a first finger portion (82), and a bridge portion (78), wherein the first connecting portion (80a) of the connecting member (80) engages with the gasket (59), the second connecting portion (80b) of the connecting member (80) engages with the bridge portion (78), the connecting portion (82a) of the first finger portion (82) engages with the bridge portion (78), and the first finger portion (82) extends from the bridge portion (78) toward the gasket (59), wherein the maximum thickness of the connecting member (80) A gasket device (72) characterized by exceeding the maximum thickness of the cross-linking portion (78), with the thickness direction (TD) extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal extension portion (BL) of the cross-linking portion (78) and perpendicularly to the protrusion direction (PD), and the attachment means (74a) further including an upper recess (86') on the upper side (US) of the connecting member (80) and a lower recess (86") on the opposite lower side (LS) of the connecting member (80). Claim 10 In claim 9, the upper and lower recesses (86', 86") are aligned with each other along the thickness direction (TD), forming a gasket device (72). Claim 11 A cassette (57) comprising two heat transfer plates (8, 8a) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the second side (32) of one of the two heat transfer plates (8, 8a) faces the second side (32) of the other of the two heat transfer plates (8, 8a), and the two heat transfer plates (8, 8a) are welded to each other. Claim 12 In claim 11, the other heat transfer plate among the two heat transfer plates (8, 8a) is rotated 180 degrees around the normal (N) of the other heat transfer plate among the two heat transfer plates (8, 8a) with respect to the one heat transfer plate among the two heat transfer plates, cassette (57). Claim 13 A heat exchanger (2) comprising a plurality of heat transfer plates (8, 8a) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and a plurality of gasket devices (72) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein each gasket (59) of the gasket device (72) is arranged within a gasket groove (68) of two adjacent heat transfer plates among the heat transfer plates (8, 8a). Claim 14 In paragraph 13, the heat transfer plates (8, 8a) are welded in pairs into the cassette (57) with respect to the second side (32), and each gasket (59) of the gasket device (72) is arranged within the gasket groove (68) of two adjacent cassettes of the cassette (57), heat exchanger (2).