Patent ID: 12209820

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should be understood, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description.

FIG.1illustrates one embodiment heat exchanger (1) where a stack of patterned heat transfer plates (5) is positioned between the first end plate (10) and second end plate (15). Not illustrated gaskets or sealings in general are positioned at the edge portions between any two of the connected heat transfer plates (5), such that sealed fluid paths are formed. Since they are not fixed, they are held together by the external forces of squeezing the end plates (10,15) slightly towards each other. To this end recesses (150) are formed in edge regions adapted to accommodate bolts (25) reaching from a first (10) to a second (15) of the two end plates. At one end the bolt is engage with a polygonal end section (20) which may be an integrally formed part of the bolt (25), such as a bolt head, or may be a nut (20) winded onto a winded end section of the bolt (25).

At the second end of the bolt (25) it is adapted to receive tightening means (21), which too could be a nut (21) screwed to windings at the end of the bolt (25). As illustrated inFIG.1the bolt extend from the first end plate (10) to the second end plate (15), and the polygonal end section (20) and tightening means (21) is positioned at the outer end plate (10,15) surfaces relative to the plate stack (5), such that through the tightening means (21) the two end plates (10,15) are being squeezed closer together to keep the individual heat transfer plates close together. As indicated, this could be by screwing a nut (21) tighter onto the bolt (25).

An embodiment recess (150) formed in the edge portion of the end plates (10,15) is illustrated inFIG.2. The recess (150) is seen to be open (160) at the edge enabling an easy introduction of the bolt (25) from the sides. This however have the disadvantage that the bolts during handling or operation of the heat exchanger (1) simply may drop out of the recess (150). To solve this problem the end plates (10,15) are formed with locking features (170). In the illustrated embodiment the locking features (170) is two sub-recesses formed in the side of the recess (150) in parallel to the edge of the end plate (10,15). Alternatively, they e.g. could be openings formed in the vicinity of the recess (150).

The locking features (170) are adapted to operate with locking sections (110) of locking devices (100) to be used in connection with the bolts (25). An embodiment first kind locking device (100A) is illustrated inFIGS.3A-Cand a second kind locking device (100B) is illustrated inFIGS.4A-C.

Illustrated in both the first kind locking device (100A) and second kind locking device (100B) is a locking section (110), which in the illustrated embodiment is a bend down section relative to the main section (120). This is adapted to engage with the locking features (170) of the end plates (10,15), such as formed as recesses or openings/holes. If the locking features (170) are formed as a plural of individual openings, then the locking section (110) preferably would be formed of a similar number of individual parts each adapted to engage with such an opening.

Further seen in both kinds (100,100A,100B) is the main section (120) comprising an opening (125) for a bolt (25).

The locking device (100,100A,100B) operates together with the recess (150), locking features (170) and bolt (25) in a manner where a bolt (25) reaching from the recess (150) of the first end plate (10) to the recess (170) of the second end plate (15) is mounted with respectively the first and second ends reaching through the two openings (125) of the respective locking features (100,100A,100B), which is positioned with the locking feature (170) engaging with the locking features (170) preventing any dislocation of the bolt (25), and locking features locking features (100,100A,100B), but rather keeps the features in position.

In an embodiment the locking feature (170) is positioned such, that the inserted bolt (25) will be hold firmly in the recess (150).

The parts (25,100,100A,100B) further is being fixed such as with a tightening means (20), like a nut being winded onto winded section at the one ends of the bolt (25) till the end plates (10,15) are slightly squeezed towards each other. This ensures a firm and stable connection and fixation of the heat exchanger (1). At the second end a polygonal end section (20), which in one embodiment too is a nut winded on the second outer end section of the bolt (25), or in an alternative embodiment a head forming part of the bolt (25)

A remaining problem is preventing the bolt (25) from rotation, both during installation, but also during operation.

The second kind locking feature (100B) as illustrated inFIGS.4A-Cshowing engaging sections (130), in the illustrated embodiment formed as wall parts (130) connected to the main section (120) bend in the direction opposite to the locking section (110). The engaging sections (130) are adapted to engage with sides of the polygonal shaped end section (20) when positioned on the main section (120) preventing it from rotation.

In this manner, e.g. tightening means (21) in the form of a nut, can be winded towards the main section (120) of the associated locking device (100A) without having to use an additional tool acting on the polygonal end section (20).

The polygonal end section (20) could have any shape, such as squared, hexagonal or octagonal.

The assembly is done, possible attach the locking devices (100,100A,100B), tightening means (21) and optionally polygonal end section (20) loosely to the bolt (25). Introducing the whole assembly by the open edges (160) of the recesses (150) and position the locking devices (100,100A,100B) on the surfaces of the first (10) and second (15) end plates with their locking sections (110) positioned in the locking features (170). Fixing the parts by the tightening means (21).

In one embodiment a first kind (100A) locking device is positioned at a first end of the bolt (25), and a second kind (100B) locking device at the second end. The second kind (100B) locking device then is positioned at the end of the polygonal end section (20). The assembly then further introduces the step of positioning the polygonal end section (20) in contact with the engaging sections (130), preventing it from rotation.

FIG.5is a top view illustration of a polygonal end section (20) positioned in a second kind (100B) locking device with walls in contact with the engaging sections (130) preventing rotation.

FIG.6is a side view of the heat exchanger (1) with the bolts (25) installed according to the embodiment where the polygonal end section (20) is positioned in the second kind (100B) locking device positioned at the upper first end plate (10), and the tightening means (21) positioned at a first kind (100A) locking device positioned at the second end plate (15) at the bottom. The first kind (100A) locking device being formed without any protruding walls like the engaging sections (130) to enable a tool operating on the tightening means (21) when tightening it. The locking features (110) are illustrated positioned into the locking features (170) in the end plates (10,15).

FIG.7is an alternative embodiment of the recess (150) formed in the edge portion of the end plates (10,15). In one embodiment of the illustration, the recess comprises a first asymmetry formed as a second side section (200B) curving more than the first side section (200A), such that the width A of an upper section of the recess (150) is wider than the width B just above the positioning of the locking features (170). The term ‘upper’ is seen in relation to the edge of the end plate (10,15) comprising the recess (150), just as ‘lower’ refers to the section close the edge of the respective end plate (10,15). This asymmetric form assists the bolt from dropping out when the locking device (100,100A,100B) is not in positioned and engaged in the locking features (170).

In a further embodiment, the recess (150) comprises a second asymmetry, where the second side (210B) of the lower section of the recess (150) has a larger width C than the width B and is positioned asymmetric thereto.

In a further asymmetric embodiment, the recess (150) as illustrated includes both the first and second asymmetries.

In a further embodiment is illustrated that could be implemented in any previously disclosed embodiments, the locking features (170) is formed with rounded endings, rather than squared ones, which improves strength.

While the present disclosure has been illustrated and described with respect to a particular embodiment thereof, it should be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications to this disclosure may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.