Heat Transfer Plate Gasket Interlock for Fast, Secure Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing attachment methods for gaskets in plate heat exchangers are either time-consuming and costly due to adhesive use or provide unreliable fastening, with mechanical solutions risking gasket displacement.

Innovation Solution

An attachment means featuring a bridge, first and second connection members, and a finger that interlock with a heat transfer plate, providing a self-locking mechanism to securely fasten the gasket, preventing displacement and ensuring reliable attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If adhesive means (glue or tape) are used to fix the gaskets to the plates, then the gaskets are securely attached, but the attachment process becomes time-consuming and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegasket attachment reliabilityVSAvoidattachment time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces adhesive bonding with a mechanical interlocking system. The attachment means comprises a bridge with connection members that engage with corresponding features on the heat transfer plate, creating a mechanical fastening system that eliminates the need for time-consuming adhesive application while maintaining secure gasket attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment means is divided into separate functional components: a bridge element, connection members with retaining means, and engagement features. This segmentation allows for rapid assembly and disassembly compared to adhesive bonding, reducing attachment time while maintaining reliability through the interlocking mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If adhesive is used to attach the gaskets, then the gaskets are securely fastened, but the adhesive may negatively affect the gaskets and their sealing capacity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegasket attachment reliabilityVSAvoidadhesive impact on gasket sealing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates adhesive materials entirely by implementing a mechanical interlocking system. The connection members engage with the heat transfer plate through geometric interlocking features, avoiding any chemical substances that could contaminate or degrade the gasket material and compromise sealing performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If mechanical gasket fixing solutions with projections are used, then the attachment process is faster, but the engagement between projections and heat transfer plates is weak with risk of sliding off

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment speedVSAvoidgasket fastening reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connection members feature asymmetric geometric profiles with retaining means that create a one-way locking mechanism. The engagement geometry is designed so that the connection members can be inserted easily but prevent removal or sliding off through complementary shaped features on the heat transfer plate, providing strong mechanical retention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment means is pre-configured with connection members that have retaining means designed to engage with specific features on the heat transfer plate. This preliminary configuration ensures proper alignment and engagement during assembly, preventing misalignment or sliding off that could compromise fastening reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Device complexity

If a simple mechanical attachment means is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the attachment reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment means complexityVSAvoidgasket fastening reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment means is segmented into distinct functional elements (bridge, connection members, retaining features) that work together as an integrated mechanical system. This segmentation maintains relative simplicity while achieving reliable attachment through the coordinated action of multiple geometric features that interlock with the heat transfer plate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4095471B1Attachment means and heat transfer plate

Publication Date: 2024.07.24 ALFA LAVAL CORP AB

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AI summary

An attachment means (58) for fastening a gasket (48) to a heat transfer plate (4), and a heat transfer plate (4), are provided. The attachment means (58) comprises a bridge (60), a first connection member (62), a second connection member (64) and a finger (66). The first and second connection members (62, 64) engages with the bridge (60) and are arranged to engage with the gasket (48). The finger (66) engages with the bridge (60) and extends between the first and second connection members (62, 64). The first connection member (62) comprises a first and a second portion (78, 80), the second portion (80) being arranged between the bridge (60) and the first portion (78). The attachment means is characterized in that the second portion (80) of the first connection member (62) comprises a second body (80a), and the first portion (78) of the first connection member (62) comprises a first body (78a) and a first retaining means (78b) projecting from a longitudinal outer side (82) of the first body (78a) in a direction away from the finger (66) so as to give the first portion (78) of the first connection member (62) a first width (wg11) which is larger than a second width (wg12) of the second portion (80) of the first connection member (62).