CN114391084B

CN114391084B - Holding device and gasket arrangement for heat exchanger plates, heat exchanger plates and plate heat exchanger

Info

Publication number: CN114391084B
Application number: CN202080064034.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: F·布洛姆格伦
Original assignee: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
Current assignee: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
Priority date: 2019-09-13
Filing date: 2020-09-04
Publication date: 2023-10-03
Anticipated expiration: 2040-09-04
Also published as: WO2021048004A1; ES2907938T3; EP3792577A1; EP3792577B1; CN114391084A; KR20220056871A; DK3792577T3; KR102654111B1

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a holding device (60) for a heat exchanger plate (200), a gasket arrangement (250) comprising a holding device (60) and a gasket (220), a heat exchanger plate (250) comprising a holding device and a plate heat exchanger (100) comprising a heat exchanger plate. The holding means comprises a first clamping portion (61) and a second clamping portion (62) arranged in parallel and at a lateral distance from each other, each of the first and second clamping portions comprising a longitudinally extending finger member (65, 66) configured to engage with a surface of the heat exchanger plate edge (200), the finger member being attached at one end to the respective first (63) and second (64) lateral portion, wherein the lateral distance (d 3) between the first and second lateral portion (d 2) is shorter than the lateral distance between the longitudinally extending finger members, thereby forming an open compartment (70). The compartment is limited by the extension of two parallel longitudinal finger members (65, 66) and a first transverse portion (63) and a second transverse portion (64), the formed compartment (70) being configured to hold an object within the compartment.

Description

Holding device and gasket arrangement for heat exchanger plates, heat exchanger plates and plate heat exchanger

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a holding device for heat exchanger plates, a gasket arrangement for heat exchanger plates, a heat exchanger plate with an edge portion and a plate heat exchanger.

Background

Plate heat exchangers (or PHEs) typically consist of two end pieces or plates between which a number of heat transfer plates are arranged in an aligned manner in the assembly. In one well known PHE, the so-called Gasketed Plate Heat Exchanger (GPHE), gaskets are arranged between the heat transfer plates. The end plates (also called pressure plates) and the heat transfer plates are pressed towards each other, whereby the gasket acts as a seal between the heat transfer plates. The gasket defines flow channels between the heat transfer plates through which fluids of differing initial temperatures can flow to transfer heat from one fluid to another.

When assembling the plate heat exchanger, the carrier bars for supporting the pressure plates and the heat transfer plates are arranged to extend from the upper or lower part of the frame plate through the recesses of the heat exchange plates. The heat transfer plate may stand or hang on the carrier bar and thus be supported by the carrier bar. The carrier bars are arranged to extend in a direction perpendicular to the plane of longitudinal and transverse extension of the heat transfer plates.

On plates using round carrier bars and/or guide bars, the plates are typically designed with recesses or openings having a snap-in function to hold the carrier bars within recesses provided on the edge of each heat transfer plate in the assembly. In this way, protection measures are provided against the risk that the plate will fall and/or slip during assembly. This solution works by arranging openings or recesses to the edge of each heat exchanger plate. The opening is narrower than the diameter of the stem at the outer edge of the plate and wider towards the centre of the plate so that the stem can be accommodated in the recess. However, in order to provide the recess with an outer edge having a narrower diameter, the extension of the recess is typically arranged longer than required for accommodation of the carrier bar, and is typically arranged by extending the plate beyond the longitudinal centre axis of the bar and by reducing the extension of the opening in the plate so that it is narrower than the diameter of the bar. However, this typically requires that the heat exchanger plates need to be longer than is required for the heat exchange process. However, as environmental demands continue to increase, it is desirable to reduce the use of non-renewable raw materials in heat exchangers. It is therefore desirable to reduce the number of raw materials used in the heat exchanger plates and to reduce the cost of the plates.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to alleviate, mitigate or eliminate one or more of the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a solution for heat exchanger plates whereby the use of non-renewable raw materials may be reduced. It is also an objective to reduce the cost of the board.

In addition, it is desirable to increase the area for the heat exchange process of the plates. It is therefore a further object of the invention to enable increased utilization of the plate area for heat exchange.

The above mentioned object is achieved by the invention defined in the appended claims.

According to a first aspect, a holding device for a heat exchanger plate is provided, the holding device having a longitudinal extension and a transverse extension perpendicular to the longitudinal extension, the holding device comprising a first clamping portion and a second clamping portion, the first and second clamping portions being arranged in parallel at a transverse distance from each other. Each of the first and second clamping portions includes a respective longitudinally extending finger member configured to engage a surface of the heat exchanger plate. Each finger member is attached at one end to a respective first or second lateral portion. According to the invention, the lateral distance between the first and second lateral portions is shorter than the lateral distance between the longitudinally extending finger members, thereby forming an open compartment. The compartment is bounded in a transverse direction by two longitudinally extending finger members and is bounded at least in part in the longitudinal direction by first and second transverse portions, the compartment being formed so as to retain an object comprising a transverse extension within the compartment, the object having a transverse extension greater than the transverse distance between the first and second transverse portions.

By means of the present holding means, a simple and strong holding means can be provided for objects within the compartment having a lateral extension larger than the lateral distance between the first and second lateral portions. By means of the present holding device, it is possible to replace the holding device obtained from the shape of the plate with cheaper materials and thus reduce the use of metal raw materials for the heat exchanger plate. Due to the large amount of material used in the heat exchanger plates, the small size of the design changes results in a large material saving, which is a great advantage both from an environmental and from an economical point of view. At the same time, sufficient support can be provided for the carrier bars used in the assembly of the heat exchanger by the holding means as claimed in the appended claims.

Each of the first and second clamping portions may comprise at least two longitudinally extending finger members, which may be used to engage edges of the heat exchanger plates. Thus, a stronger engagement of the holding means with the plate and a more stable holding means can be obtained. The finger members may be configured to be positioned at opposite sides of the plate. In this way, the snap-in function is maintained even if the plate moves back-and-forth, i.e. in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the longitudinal axis of the plate. The lateral portion may be configured to rest against the edge of the plate, whereby movement of the lateral portion in the longitudinal direction may be limited.

The finger members in the respective first and second gripping portions may have different lengths. Thus, material can be saved in the holding device.

The finger members of the respective first and second gripping portions may be attached to the respective first and second transverse portions at an angle of 10-70 ° with respect to the direction of longitudinal extension of the holding means. In this way, the supporting force of the lateral portion can be further improved.

The holding means may comprise a connecting section adapted to connect the first and second clamping portions to each other. Thus, an integrated design for the holding device is obtained. The connection section may be attached to the first and second lateral portions, or the connection section may be attached to the finger member at an end opposite to an end attached to the respective first and second lateral portions.

The invention also relates to a gasket arrangement for a heat exchanger plate, comprising a gasket comprising a fluid tight loop and a holding means as defined above. In a manner similar to that defined above, the holding means has a longitudinal extension and a transverse extension perpendicular to the longitudinal extension. The holding device comprises a first clamping portion and a second clamping portion arranged in parallel at a lateral distance from each other. Each of the first and second clamping portions includes a respective longitudinally extending finger member configured to engage a surface of the heat exchanger plate. Each finger member is attached at one end to a respective first or second lateral portion. According to the invention, the lateral distance between the first and second lateral portions is shorter than the lateral distance between the longitudinally extending finger members, thereby forming an open compartment. The compartment is bounded in a transverse direction by two longitudinally extending finger members and is bounded at least in part in the longitudinal direction by first and second transverse portions, the compartment being formed so as to retain an object comprising a transverse extension within the compartment, the transverse extension being greater than the transverse distance between the first and second transverse portions.

By having a gasket arrangement comprising both the fluid loop and the holding means, a simple and robust arrangement is provided, while raw material savings of plate material can be achieved.

Each of the first and second clamping portions may comprise at least two longitudinally extending finger members for engaging an edge of the heat exchanger plate edge, the finger members being attached at one end to the respective first and second transverse portions.

The finger members may have different lengths in the longitudinal direction of the holding means. Thus, installation of the gasket arrangement may be facilitated and material savings achieved.

According to a variant, the longer finger members may be connected or integrated to the washer. Thereby, a one-piece integrated gasket arrangement may be obtained. In this way, installation of the gasket arrangement may be facilitated. However, the gasket and the retaining means may be connected or integrated with each other to form a unitary construction. When the washer and the holding means are connected to each other, they may be provided as separate parts, but connected together before or during installation. Thus, when the parts are provided as separate parts connected to each other, in case one part is damaged, only the part needs to be replaced by a new part.

The section of the gasket may be configured to serve as a connecting portion of the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion. In this way, a simple integrated construction can be achieved.

The holding means and the gasket may comprise or consist of the same or different materials. For example, if the gasket material has an integrated construction, it may be advantageous from a manufacturing point of view to use the same material for both the holding means and the gasket. On the other hand, it may be advantageous to use different materials, as in this way the material properties may be adapted to the sealing function or the holding function in the respective part. The material used in the holding means and/or the gasket may be an elastic material, whereby the mounting of the holding means and the gasket on the heat exchanger plate is facilitated.

The invention also relates to a heat exchanger plate having two opposite side surfaces, an extension in the longitudinal, transverse and thickness directions of the plate, and comprising an edge portion comprising a recess configured to cooperate with a carrier bar. The heat exchanger plate comprises a holding means as described above or a gasket arrangement comprising a holding means as described above. The holding means are arranged such that the first and second clamping portions are arranged at respective lateral sides of the recess, and such that at least one of the lateral portions has a lateral extension adapted to extend across an edge of the recess.

By means of the holding means, the use of plate material can be reduced and it is possible to utilize a larger area of the plates for heat exchange, since no excessive plate material is needed for providing the carrier bar with a snap-in function during installation of the heat exchanger.

The heat exchanger plate may have a substantially rectangular shape and the plate comprises an upper edge, a lower edge, two side edges and a groove for a gasket on at least one side surface thereof, and wherein the recess is arranged at the upper edge or the lower edge of the plate. Thus, during installation of the heat exchanger, the carrier bar may be fitted to the recess to support the plate.

The holding means may comprise at least two finger members arranged to engage the edges of the heat exchanger plates such that at least one of the finger members is positioned on each of two opposite side surfaces of the plates, and wherein a lateral portion of the holding means is adapted to extend adjacent or along an edge of the plate. In this way, the snap-in function is maintained even if the plate moves back-and-forth, i.e. in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the longitudinal axis of the plate. The two finger members on opposite sides of the plate may additionally act as gripping members of the holding means by engaging the edges of the plate. The lateral portion may be configured to rest against the edge of the plate, whereby movement of the lateral portion in the longitudinal direction may be limited.

The heat exchanger plate may comprise a corrugated edge portion comprising a series of peaks and valleys in the area extending outwardly from the recess along the edge of the plate. The finger members may be adapted to be positioned in the valleys. Thus, the finger members can be fitted to grip the plate edges so that the thickness of the plate does not increase significantly. In addition, gu Gachi to the finger members and prevent lateral movement of the finger members.

The finger members may have two different lengths, with a shorter finger member adapted to be positioned on one side of the plate and a longer finger member adapted to be positioned on an opposite side of the plate including the gasket. Thus, a saving of material can be achieved, while installation of the holding device can be facilitated.

The recess may have a semicircular shape to accommodate the shape of the carrier bar. However, any cross-sectional shape is contemplated that may correspond to the shape of the carrier bar.

The holding means may comprise a connecting section having a shape adapted to surround the periphery of the recess. In this way, an increased fastening surface may be provided. In addition, increased support for the clamping portion may be provided, for example, because the connection section is located near the carrier bar fitted in the recess.

The invention also relates to a plate heat exchanger comprising a frame and a number of stacked heat exchanger plates as defined above, wherein the plates are supported by at least one carrier rod adapted to fit in a recess of each heat exchanger plate. The carrier bars may be adapted to fit in recesses at the upper edge of each heat exchanger plate.

The present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. The detailed description and specific examples, while disclosing the invention, are given by way of illustration only. Those skilled in the art will recognize from a reading of the detailed description that changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Drawings

The above objects, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 schematically shows a plate heat exchanger comprising a stack of heat exchanger plates;

FIG. 2 shows a prior art heat exchanger plate;

fig. 3 shows a part of a prior art heat exchanger plate with an edge portion in which a carrier bar is fitted.

Fig. 4 shows an example of a heat exchanger plate with an edge portion in which a carrier bar is fitted and held by means of a holding device according to the present disclosure;

fig. 5 shows another example of a heat exchanger plate with an edge portion in which a carrier bar is fitted and held by means of a holding device according to the present disclosure;

fig. 6 shows the back side of the heat exchanger plate with edge portions illustrated in fig. 5;

fig. 7 shows another example of a holding device according to the present disclosure from the backside engaging with a heat exchanger plate;

fig. 8 shows another example of a holding device according to the present disclosure from the front side engaging with a heat exchanger plate;

fig. 9 shows the back side of the heat exchanger plate with edge portions illustrated in fig. 8;

fig. 10 schematically illustrates an example heat exchanger plate including a gasket arrangement according to this disclosure.

Detailed Description

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which examples of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in other forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The disclosed embodiments are provided to fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

Fig. 1 shows an example of a plate heat exchanger 100 according to the present disclosure, which plate heat exchanger 100 comprises a plurality of stacked gasketed heat exchanger plates 200. The plate heat exchanger 100 may be intended for treating a fluid medium. Treatments may be, for example, heating, cooling, heat recovery, evaporation and condensation. The fluid may be a liquid such as water (e.g., seawater) or air. According to a variant, a plate heat exchanger is used for treating sea water to desalinate the sea water, but is not limited thereto.

The plate heat exchanger 100 comprises a plurality of gasketed heat exchanger plates 200, which may for example be compression molded. The heat exchanger plates 200 are stacked parallel to each other and are arranged consecutively in such a way that they form a plate package 2. The plate package 2 is arranged between a frame plate 3 and a pressure plate 4. First plate interspaces 5 and second plate interspaces 6 are formed between the heat exchanger plates 200. The first plate interspaces 5 and the second plate interspaces 6 are arranged in an alternating order in the plate package 2, such that substantially each first plate interspaces 5 is surrounded by two second plate interspaces 6 and substantially each second plate interspaces 6 is surrounded by two first plate interspaces 5. The different sections in the plate package 2 are delimited from each other by means of a gasket 220 in each plate interspaces 5,6, which will be explained in more detail below.

An example of a prior art gasketed heat exchanger plate 200 'including a gasket 220' of a known type is illustrated in fig. 2. As illustrated in the figures, the heat exchanger plate 200' has an extension in a longitudinal direction i and a transverse direction t. The plate 200' has two opposite, substantially parallel side edges 7, 8, an upper edge 9 and a lower edge 10. The centre axis C extends substantially centrally and substantially longitudinally between the two side edges 7 and 8. The central axis C extends vertically when the plate package 2 is in the normal use position. The plate package 2, i.e. the heat exchanger plates 200 'and the gaskets 220' arranged between them, are held together in a manner known per se by means of schematically indicated pinch bolts 11. The gasket 220' defines flow channels 21, 22, 23, 24 between the heat transfer plates through which, for example, fluids having different initial temperatures may flow and transfer heat from one fluid to another. Fig. 2 discloses a side of the heat exchanger plate 1 facing one of the first plate interspaces 5, which first plate interspaces 5 are substantially arranged to form a passage for a medium to be treated, such as sea water to be desalinated. The opposite side of the plate 1 faces one of the second plate interspaces 6. In each of the first plate interspaces 5 and the second plate interspaces 6, in the vicinity of the plate edges 7, 8, 9 and 10, there is a main gasket 220' extending around the liquid medium channels 21, 22, 23 and 24. The upper edge 9 and the lower edge 10 of the heat exchanger plate 200 'comprise recesses 50' with a snap-in function to fit and hold the carrier bars. The purpose of the carrier bars is to support the plates during assembly or installation of the heat exchanger.

A recess 50' of a similar type to that in fig. 2 is shown schematically and enlarged in fig. 3. Thus, fig. 3 schematically illustrates a portion of the upper edge 10 of a prior art heat exchanger plate 200 'comprising a recess 50' with a snap-in function for a carrier rod. The recess 50' includes a semicircular main portion 51' and an elongated upper portion 52'. The recess 50' is configured to mate with the carrier bar 30. The illustrated carrier bar 30 has a circular cross-section, but generally any other cross-sectional shape may be used for the carrier bars discussed in this disclosure. The transverse distance d2 between the opposite elongated upper portions 52' is smaller than the widest cross-sectional extension of the carrier bar 30, which extension is in this case the diameter d1. Due to the elongated upper portion 52', the carrier bar is held in the recess and significant movement of the carrier bar in the longitudinal direction is prevented. However, as mentioned above, designs of the illustrated type require longer plates than necessary.

Examples of holding devices according to the present disclosure will now be explained in more detail with reference to fig. 4 to 8.

Each of fig. 4 to 9 schematically illustrates an example of a holding device according to the present disclosure. By holding means is meant a component or device comprising one or several parts and having a design configured to hold an object substantially in a certain position.

The common features of each example shown are first described with equal reference to each of fig. 4 to 9. In general, the holding means has a longitudinal extension in a longitudinal direction i and a transverse extension in a transverse direction t perpendicular to the longitudinal extension. The illustrated holding means 60 are provided for holding the carrier bars 30 (not shown in fig. 8 and 9) in the recesses 50 at the upper edge 9 of the heat exchanger plates 200.

The holding means 60 comprises two opposite clamping portions, namely a first clamping portion 61 and a second clamping portion 62, which are arranged at a lateral distance d2 from each other. The distance may be predefined and adapted to the shape and size of the recess and the carrier bar 30 to be held within the recess 50. Each of the first and second clamping portions 61 and 62 includes a respective laterally extending portion 63 and 64 and longitudinally extending finger members 65 and 66 attached to the respective lateral portion 63 and 64. The finger members 65 and 66 are configured to engage the first surface 91 of the heat exchanger plate 200. The first surface 91 may be the surface of the plate on which the gasket 220 is mounted and thus corresponds to the front surface of the plate.

According to the invention, the lateral distance d2 between the first and second lateral portions 63 and 64 is shorter than the lateral distance d3 between the longitudinally extending finger members 65 and 66, thereby forming the open compartment 70. By open compartment is meant a section that is not completely surrounded by an outer boundary but is instead partially bounded by an outer boundary. The compartment 70 is bounded in the transverse direction t by two longitudinally extending finger members 65 and 66 and in the longitudinal direction at least partially by the first and second transverse portions 63 and 64. The formed compartment 70 is thus configured to hold an object within the compartment 70 that includes a lateral extension, such as an extension d1 of the carrier bar 30, the extension d1 being greater than the lateral distance d2 between the first and second lateral portions 63, 64. Thus, by preventing movement of the object in at least one longitudinal direction, which is shown as being vertically upwards in the figure, the object is held in the compartment.

In the example shown in fig. 4, the holding means comprises only two longitudinal finger members 65 and 66, which may be attached to the plate surface 91, for example by means of gluing, hot melting of the holding means material or by welding.

The fixing device has simple and firm structure. By means of the present holding means it is possible to replace the elongated upper portion 52' used in the known heat exchanger plates. The holding device of the present invention may be manufactured from a cheaper material than a sheet material. Thus, a more economical holding device can be obtained, while the use of precious metal raw materials can be reduced.

Another example of a holding device 60 according to the present disclosure is shown in fig. 5. In the example shown, each of the first and second clamping portions 61, 62 includes two longitudinally extending finger members 65, 67 and 66, 68, respectively, on the front surface 91 of the plate 200.

In fig. 6, which shows the holding means 60 from the back side 92 of the plate 200, each of the first and second clamping portions 61 and 62 is illustrated to comprise a further finger member 691 and 692 on the second (i.e. back side) surface 92 of the plate 200.

The finger members 65-68 and 691, 692 illustrated in fig. 5 and 6 may be used to engage the edge 9 of the heat exchanger plate 200 by clamping the edge 9 by the finger members on both sides of the plate 200. The transverse portions 63, 64 may be configured to rest against the plate edge 9, whereby movement of the transverse portions in the longitudinal direction may be limited. The finger members 65, 67, 66, 68 and 691, 692 in the respective first and second clamp portions 61, 62 may have different lengths. Suitably, the finger members on the respective sides 91 and 92 are of different lengths, e.g. such that the finger members 691 and 692 on the back side 92 are shorter than the finger members 65, 67, 66, 68 engaging the front surface 91 of the plate. Thus, material can be saved in the holding device.

By using at least two finger members in each gripping portion, a stronger engagement of the holding means with the plate can be achieved. The number of finger members may vary, and may be, for example, from 1 to 10, but is not limited thereto. When the finger members are positioned at opposite sides of the plate, the holding means is held tightly in its position even if the plate is moved back-and-forth, i.e. in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the longitudinal axis of the plate.

In fig. 7, it is illustrated that the holding device 60 may comprise a connecting section 80 adapted to connect the first clamping portion 61 and the second clamping portion 62 to each other. Thus, an integrated design for the holding device is obtained. The connection section 80 may be attached to the first and second lateral portions 63, 64 on the back side 92 of the plate 200, as illustrated in fig. 7.

In fig. 8 and 9, another example of a holding device 60 according to the present disclosure is illustrated. The finger members 65, 67, 691, 693 and 66, 68, 692, 694 of the respective first and second clamping portions 61, 62 may be attached to the respective first and second transverse portions 63, 64 at an angle of 10-70 ° relative to the longitudinal extension of the holding means. By providing the finger means at an angle, the supporting force of the lateral portion can be further increased. The finger members 691-694 on the back side 92 of the plate may be shorter than the finger members 65-69 on the front side 91 of the plate 200. Additionally, the connection section 80 may be attached to the finger members 65-68 at ends opposite ends attached to the respective first and second lateral portions 63, 64. As shown in the illustrated example, the connection section is also located on the front side 91 of the plate 200. The connection section 80 may be part of a gasket 220 of the plate 200. By providing finger members engaging both side surfaces 91 and 92 of the plate and by connecting the holding means with the washer, the holding means can be used as attachment means for the washer, which is a further advantage.

The invention also relates to a gasket arrangement 250 for a heat exchanger plate 200. An example of a gasket arrangement 250 is schematically illustrated in fig. 10. The gasket arrangement 250 comprises a gasket 220, the gasket 220 comprising a fluid tight loop and a holding means 60, as described in the example above. By fluid tight loop is meant that the gasket is formed to seal at least two separate fluid passages. The retaining device 60 is configured to retain the carrier bar 30 in the recess 50 of the plate 200. In the illustrated example, the holding means corresponds to the holding means described in connection with fig. 4, but may be of the type comprising at least two longitudinally extending finger members for engaging the edges of the heat exchanger plate edges and as described in connection with fig. 5-9.

In the illustrated example above, and in general, the longer finger members may be connected or integrated to the gasket to form a unitary construction. When the washer and the holding means are connected to each other, they may be provided as separate parts, but connected together before or during installation. Thus, when the parts are provided as separate parts connected to each other, it will be possible to replace only one part in case of breakage of the part in question.

The holding means and the gasket may comprise or consist of the same or different materials. For example, if the gasket material has an integrated construction, it may be advantageous from a manufacturing point of view to use the same material for both the holding means and the gasket. On the other hand, it may be advantageous to use different materials, as in this way the material properties may be adapted to the sealing function or the holding function in the respective part. The material used in the holding means and/or the gasket may be an elastic material, whereby the mounting of the holding means and the gasket on the heat exchanger plate is facilitated. In some cases, the material used for the retaining device may be selected to be harder than the material used for the gasket. Examples of suitable materials for the gasket and/or the retaining device include, but are not limited to, rubber, polymeric materials, and metals.

The invention also relates to a heat exchanger plate 200, which heat exchanger plate 200 has two opposite side surfaces 91 and 92, extends in the longitudinal, transverse and thickness directions of the plate, and comprises an edge portion 9, which edge portion 9 comprises a recess 50 configured to fit the carrier bar 30, and which is referred to in fig. 4-10. The heat exchanger plate 200 comprises a holding means 60 as described above or a gasket arrangement 250 comprising a holding means as described above. The holding means are arranged such that the first and second clamping portions are arranged at respective lateral sides of the recess 50, and such that at least one of the lateral portions 63, 64 has a lateral extension adapted to extend across an edge of the recess 50.

By means of the holding means, the use of plate material can be reduced and it is possible to utilize a larger area of the plates for heat exchange, since no excessive plate material is needed during installation of the heat exchanger to provide a snap-in function for the required carrier bars.

The heat exchanger plate 200 may have a substantially rectangular shape and the plate comprises an upper edge, a lower edge, two side edges and a groove for a gasket on at least one side surface thereof. The recess 50 is arranged at the upper or lower edge of the plate. Thus, during installation of the heat exchanger, the carrier bar may be fitted to the recess to support the plate.

The heat exchanger plate 200 may comprise a corrugated edge portion 9, which corrugated edge portion 9 comprises a series of peaks 94 and valleys 93 in the area extending outwardly from the recess 50 along the edge 9 of the plate 200, wherein the reference numerals are shown in fig. 4. The finger members 65-69 and 691-694 may be adapted to be positioned in the valley 93. Thus, the finger members can be fitted to grip the plate edges so that the thickness of the plate does not increase significantly. In addition, gu Gachi to the finger members and prevent lateral movement of the finger members.

The recess 50 may have a semicircular shape to fit the shape of the carrier bar. However, any cross-sectional shape is contemplated that may correspond to the shape of the carrier bar.

The invention also relates to a plate heat exchanger comprising a frame and a plurality of stacked heat exchanger plates, as defined above and as generally shown in fig. 1. The plates are supported by at least one carrier bar adapted to fit in a recess of each heat exchanger plate. The carrier bars may be adapted to fit in recesses at the upper edge of each heat exchanger plate.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention is not limited to the examples described above. Those skilled in the art will further recognize that modifications, combinations, and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. Further, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims.

Claims

1. A holding device for a heat exchanger plate, the holding device having a longitudinal extension and a transverse extension perpendicular to the longitudinal extension, the holding device comprising a first clamping portion and a second clamping portion arranged in parallel at a transverse distance from each other, each of the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion comprising a respective longitudinally extending finger member configured to engage a surface of the heat exchanger plate, each finger member being attached at one end to a respective first transverse portion or second transverse portion, wherein the transverse distance between the first transverse portion and the second transverse portion is shorter than the transverse distance between the longitudinally extending finger members, thereby forming an open compartment, the compartment being bounded in the transverse direction by the two longitudinally extending finger members and at least partially bounded in the longitudinal direction by the first transverse portion and the second transverse portion, the compartment being formed being configured to hold an object within the compartment, the object having a larger transverse extension than the transverse distance between the first transverse portion and the second transverse portion.

2. The holding device of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second clamping portions comprises at least two longitudinally extending finger members for engaging edges of a heat exchanger plate.

3. The holding device of claim 2, wherein the finger members in the respective first and second gripping portions have different lengths.

4. A holding device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the finger members of the respective first and second gripping portions are attached to the respective first and second transverse portions at an angle of 10-70 ° with respect to the direction of longitudinal extension of the holding device.

5. A holding device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the holding device comprises a connection section adapted to connect the first and second clamping portions to each other.

6. Gasket arrangement for a heat exchanger plate, comprising a gasket comprising a fluid tight loop and a holding device according to any of claims 1 to 5.

7. A washer arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the finger members have different lengths in the longitudinal direction of the holding means and longer finger members are connected or integrated to the washer.

8. A washer arrangement according to any one of claims 6 to 7, wherein the washer and the retaining means are connected or integrated with each other to form a unitary construction.

9. The gasket arrangement of any one of claims 6 to 7, wherein a section of the gasket is configured to serve as a connecting portion for the first and second clamping portions.

10. A gasket arrangement according to any one of claims 6 to 7, wherein the retaining means and the gasket comprise or consist of the same or different materials.

11. A heat exchanger plate having two opposite side surfaces, an extension in the longitudinal, transverse and thickness directions of the plate, and comprising edge portions comprising recesses configured to cooperate with a carrier bar, wherein the heat exchanger plate comprises a holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 or a gasket arrangement according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the holding device is arranged such that the first and second clamping portions are arranged at respective transverse sides of the recesses, and such that at least one of the transverse portions has a transverse extension adapted to extend across an edge of the recesses.

12. The heat exchanger plate according to claim 11, wherein the heat exchanger plate has a substantially rectangular shape and comprises an upper edge, a lower edge, two side edges and a groove for the gasket on at least one side surface of the heat exchanger plate, and wherein the recess is arranged at the upper edge or the lower edge of the plate.

13. A heat exchanger plate according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the holding means comprises at least two finger members arranged to engage the edge of the heat exchanger plate such that at least one of the finger members is positioned on each of the two opposite side surfaces of the plate, and wherein the lateral portion of the holding means is adapted to extend adjacent or along the edge of the plate.

14. A heat exchanger plate according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the heat exchanger plate comprises a corrugated edge portion comprising a series of peaks and valleys in a region extending outwardly from the recess along the edge of the plate, and wherein the finger members are adapted to be positioned in the valleys.

15. A heat exchanger plate according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the finger members have two different lengths, wherein the shorter finger members are adapted to be positioned on one side of the plate and the longer finger members are adapted to be positioned on the opposite side of the plate comprising the gasket.

16. A heat exchanger plate according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the holding means comprises a connection section having a shape adapted to surround the periphery of the recess.

17. A plate heat exchanger comprising a frame and a plurality of stacked heat exchanger plates according to any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein the plates are supported by at least one carrier rod adapted to fit in the recess of each heat exchanger plate.