Patent ID: 8540013
Filing Date: 2013-09-24
Classification: A23L,F28D,F28F,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A heat exchanger comprising a heat exchanger frame; a movable plate; a plurality of heat transfer plates between the frame and the movable plate; a releasable clamping mechanism secured between the frame and the movable plate with an effective length therebetween with the movable plate in an operational position, the clamping mechanism being further adapted to selectively move the movable plate toward the frame to said operational position in which the heat transfer plates are releasably clamped together between the frame and the movable plate under clamping pressure of the movable plate by operation of the clamping mechanism and the clamping mechanism being further adapted to selectively move the movable plate away from the frame to a non-operational position wherein the heat transfer plates are not clamped together, wherein with the movable plate in its non-operational position the heat transfer plates are removable from between the frame and the movable plate without further reconfiguration or dismantling of the heat exchanger, wherein the clamping mechanism comprises a hydraulic ram with a hydraulic ram cylinder connected to the frame and with a hydraulic ram rod telescoping from the hydraulic ram cylinder under hydraulic pressure to connection to the moving plate, wherein a positive lock is affixed to the hydraulic ram cylinder in the coaxial direction, and rotatable about a hydraulic ram cylinder centerline and operates to maintain the movable plate in an operational position when hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic ram reduces therein releasing pressure of the hydraulic ram on the movable plate; wherein the positive lock further comprises: for each hydraulic ram, a housing secured to the hydraulic cylinder near its end and extending coaxially therefrom toward the movable plate and with the hydraulic ram rod extendable through an end hole in a housing end; an extension extending from the telescoping hydraulic ram rod to connection to the movable plate; a tubular slide element slidable on the extension, the slide element further comprising ears extending radially from a slide element end such that the slide element slides on the extension into abutment of said slide element end against said hydraulic ram rod wherein the housing end includes channels opening into the end hole such that the slide element partially passes through the end hole with the ears passing through the channels and into the housing when aligned therewith; wherein when the slide element is in abutment with the hydraulic ram rod, the ears are in an effective slot formed between the hydraulic ram rod and an inside of the housing end, the slot being of width substantially equal to a width of the ears such that with the ears in said slot, the slide element rotates on the extension such that the ears are out of alignment with the channels and the ears are thus prevented from exiting the channels therein preventing movement of the hydraulic ram rod until the ears are is again aligned with the channels.