CN116368342A - Heat exchanger plate and sealing gasket lockable to a heat exchanger plate - Google Patents

Abstract

A heat exchanger plate and seal gasket and a combination of heat exchanger plate and seal gasket, the heat exchanger plate having a plurality of integrally formed locking clip housings for receiving and interlocking engagement with a plurality of locking clips at discrete locations, the plurality of locking clips being integrally formed with a specially formed seal gasket. Each locking clip housing has one or more windows defined by a locking rim, each window being in a defined spatial orientation relative to the plane of the heat exchanger plate for mechanically receiving one or more portions of one or more locking clips passing through the window in mechanical engagement with the locking rim to prevent inadvertent disengagement of the locking clip from the housing.

Description

Heat exchanger plate and sealing gasket lockable to a heat exchanger plate

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to heat exchanger plates for use in a heat exchanger group and sealing gaskets for heat exchanger plates.

Background

The gaskets in the gasketed plate heat exchanger are positioned in elongated grooves on the plates, the depth of the grooves being the plate stretching depth and the two sides of the grooves being two shoulders of the same height as the "plate peak" plane. The positioned gasket is easily removed from its position. When this occurs, not only does the gasket not seal properly, but the gasket is outside the sealing groove resulting in proper closure of the plates and severe leakage between the plates.

In the past, the gasket would be glued into the groove to ensure that the gasket remains in place. This solution is expensive, time-consuming and difficult to maintain continuously the heat exchanger, since the glue must also be removed each time the gaskets in the plates are replaced due to wear. To overcome the drawbacks of gluing, a method of holding the gasket in place using a mechanical clip was invented.

Known in the art are rubber clamping clips, which are part of the gasket in the form of finger tabs that tightly clamp the edges of the metal plate in specially designed spaces, thereby holding the gasket in place with the hardness (low hardness) of the rubber. However, rubber is resilient in nature and when a non-directional, moderate, random force is applied to the rubber gripping clip, the gripper is released and the rubber gasket moves away from that location.

Exemplary solutions can be found in the following disclosure: U.S. Pat. No.6186224 entitled "Heat exchanger plates and sealing gaskets therefor (Heat exchanger plates and sealing gaskets for Heat exchanger plates)", U.S. Pat. No.10,663,235 entitled "Gasket retention system (gasket retaining System)", U.S. Pat. No.10,544,998 entitled "Attachment means, gasket arrangement and Assembly)", U.S. Pat. No.10,451,361 entitled "Attachment means, gasket arrangement, heat exchanger plates and Assembly)", U.S. Pat. No.7,490,660 entitled "Coupling structure of heat transfer plate and gasket of plate type heat exchanger (coupling structure of Heat transfer plates and gaskets of plate heat exchanger)", and U.S. Pat. No.6,935,415 entitled "Heat exchanger plate and such a plate with a gasket (Heat exchanger plates and such plates with gaskets)".

Definition of the definition

Unless otherwise indicated, the following terms are used throughout this disclosure:

"locking clip housing" or "clip housing" is used to refer to an integrally formed portion of a heat exchanger plate. The housing has an upper "strike" portion and a lower "back plate" portion and is configured to receive the bolts and associated wedges of the washer lock clip in interlocking engagement.

"gasket locking clip" or "locking clip" is used to refer to an integrally formed portion of the sealing gasket and extends laterally from the sealing gasket for insertion into the locking clip housing in interlocking engagement with the locking clip housing to secure the sealing gasket to the heat exchanger plate.

"window" or "locking window" is used to refer to an opening between the strike portion and the back plate portion of the housing, and "locking edge" is used to refer to each of the planar surfaces of the plate portions defining windows, each window being formed between a plurality of edges.

"locking edge" refers to the following edge: after insertion of the locking clip into the clip housing and subsequent extension of the wedge through the window, the corresponding flat surface of the wedge of the locking clip abuts the rim, resulting in interlocking engagement of the clip housing with the locking clip.

The "limit edge" is the above-mentioned flat surface of the wedge.

Disclosure of Invention

Accordingly, the present invention discloses a plate and gasket for a Gasketed Plate Heat Exchanger (GPHE). The plate is characterized by a length X (hereinafter "main longitudinal axis", pointing north), a width Y (transverse axis) and a height Z; an upward facing surface (up) and an opposite surface (down). The plate is corrugated with an array of protruding peaks and recessed valleys. The upper plate peaks and valleys are hereinafter denoted P ', V', and the lower plate peaks and valleys are hereinafter denoted "and V". P' lies substantially on a single plane denoted as the (upper) peak plane. V "lies substantially on a single plane, denoted as the (lower) valley plane, from which the height is measured. The distances between P ' and V ' and between P "and V" are denoted as the stretch depths b ' and b ", respectively. The thickness of the metal sheet between P 'and P' or between V 'and V' is denoted t. Plate thickness is equal to t+b' =b=t+b "(fig. 4).

When stacked, the peak P 'of the plate (n-1) abuts (supports) the valley v″ of the plate (n), and the peak P' of the plate (n) abuts the valley v″ of the plate (n+1). Also, when stacked and positioned between two adjacent plates, a gap (channel) for fluid flow is provided. The channel is sealed by a gasket. Each channel comprises at least one inlet port and at least one outlet port provided by holes in the corners of the plate. The other two holes in the other two corners of the plate are used to convey the flow of other fluids to the upper and lower channels. Further, when stacked, fluid 1 and fluid 2 flow above and below plate n, respectively. Fluid 2 flows over plate (n-1) and fluid 1 flows under plate (n+1) and plate (n-1); the heat transfer area or zone includes all plate areas for indirect contact of fluid 1 with fluid 2.

Two pairs of ports are provided in each plate along the major longitudinal axis along the long sides of the plate, each pair of ports having inlet and outlet openings for fluid 1 and for fluid 2, respectively.

The heat exchanger plates are produced by cold drawing, which typically uses special dies for special purposes: the lower die is made of shaped protrusions having a height equal to the plate stretching depth (b ") and recesses formed between the protrusions, and the depth of the lower die is also (b") as is the plate stretching depth. The upper mold is also made of shaped protrusions and depressions of the same height (b'). The shaped projections in the lower mold enter the spaces between the projections of the upper mold such that a gap of about 1.2t wide to about 2t wide remains between the upper and lower projections. Similarly, when the draw radius (r) is between about t.gtoreq.r.gtoreq.3 t, the protrusions in the upper and lower dies of the die are rounded at their portions near the sheet metal over the entire length of the geometry. During the stretching process of the plate, a sheet metal of thickness (t) is placed between the upper and lower parts of the mould, and the upper part of the mould is lowered onto the sheet metal and is lowered towards the lower part of the mould under a hydraulic force of thousands of tons. The space and radius of the mold allow the metal sheet to flow, stretch and receive the form of the protrusions above and below without damage or tearing.

A continuous gasket groove is stretched along the UP side of the plate. The groove has a narrow planar base in the valley V 'plane, with two inclined open shoulders extending upwardly from both sides thereof to the peak plane P' (fig. 6). As shown in fig. 7, the groove surrounds four openings of the periphery and connects each of the four openings to and surrounds the primary heat transfer area in the plate.

The gasket groove has three main portions. The first portion, hereinafter referred to as the "main gasket portion", continuously surrounds the inlet opening of the fluid 1 on its plate edge side, the heat exchange area and the outlet opening of the fluid 1 on its plate edge side. The second portion is a rounded washer portion surrounding the inlet port of the fluid 2. The third portion is a rounded washer portion surrounding the outlet port of the fluid 2. The outside of the gasket groove extends towards the plate edge, a region called the outer gasket region. This area is shown in fig. 7. As shown in fig. 7, the area between the opening edge and the circular gasket groove around the opening edge is referred to as the outer opening area. The outer gasket region and the outer opening region may also be referred to herein as plate edge portions or simply "edge portions". The upper P' plate surface and the lower V "plate surface of the outer gasket region are exposed to atmospheric pressure. The perforation or shearing of the board in this area is allowed, as this does not affect the performance and safety of the board. The same applies to four outer opening areas, in which the outer opening areas are exposed to one fluid from only two sides of the plate. The holes in the plates in these four areas (plate edge portions) will not negatively affect the operation of the heat exchanger. This understanding is critical for a single sided shear window, which is a metal housing for the locking clip, as discussed herein.

In this application is disclosed a construction of a lockable mechanical clip, called locking clip, which is easy to put in place in a locked position, but difficult to remove from this position, so that a tool, such as a screwdriver, is required to release the lock. Alternatively, a lever may be built into the clip to release the lock and thereby release the washer.

General description

The locking clip 30 (e.g., fig. 6, 9, 13A-14C, 16A-17C) described in this application is used with one or more specially shaped specialized housings 60 (e.g., fig. 4, 6, 8, 11B, 12B, 13A-17C) in a metal plate 10 (e.g., fig. 7), each housing being referred to as a metal locking clip housing, or simply "housing". Each metal clip housing 60 has one or more windows 1, said windows 1 being referred to as vertical windows, said windows 1 being substantially perpendicular to the plate plane (XY plane) as seen in fig. 7. Each window is defined by one or more contours and one or more locking edges described in detail below in conjunction with fig. 4, 19A and 20A, which together with the window form a three-dimensional surface (XYZ) that is created during sheet stretching or in other processes described below in conjunction with fig. 11A-12B; this includes: a stretching surface, called a protection plate or a support plate portion, located at the bottom of the housing and at the centre of the housing, more or less Gu Pingmian V', wherein at least one stretching surface is connected to a bolt groove or directly to a washer groove or to another protection plate; and at least one continuous surface connecting the clip housing portion at the V 'plane to its portion on the P' plane called the peak side (fig. 8).

The present invention also includes one or more shaped specialized gasket locking clips 30 (fig. 6, 9, 14A-14C, 16A-17C) that are produced with the gasket ridge by hot rubber molding or by any other production means. Each of the washer clips 30 comprises two main parts, namely a bolt 106 and one or more insertion and restraining units, each of which is referred to as a wedge, which is denoted 108.

As can be seen, for example, in fig. 6, 9, 13A and 13B, the bolt 106 is an arm or bridge extending generally in the XY plane, the bolt 106 exits the gasket ridge 22 at a right angle or other transverse angle in the direction of the outer panel edge 14' or outer opening 14 "(fig. 7), is a straight line, a curved line or any other shape, and is located in a dedicated groove 67 at the valley plane height, called a bolt groove, the dedicated groove 67 continuously connecting to the gasket groove 16 of the panel. Depending on the position of the vertical window 1, the profile of the vertical housing and the locking rim where each wedge engages, and depending on the intended engagement, and as predetermined by an engineer or the like, the insertion and restraining units or wedges 108 are positioned along the bolt 106 at its ends or sides in a three-dimensional spatial distribution. All described washer components, i.e. washers, one or more washer bolts and one or more wedges are manufactured together in a single mould in a precise form intended to be suitable for their function.

Referring generally to fig. 6, 9, 10, 13A and 13B, each wedge 108 is generally shaped as a right triangle. The hypotenuse 109 of the triangle (see fig. 10), which is referred to as an angled edge or latch, and the right angle side of the triangle, which is referred to as a restraining edge 115, are readily identified in the figure. The angled edge and the restraining edge are connected by a joint apex located at the widest point of the angled edge. The other vertex of the right angle vertex of the restricting edge forming the triangle is connected to the second vertex located at the narrowest point of the angled edge by a line forming the second right angle side of the triangle from the right angle vertex to the narrowest point of the angled edge, the line showing the direction of the wedge's arrow.

One or more limit edges: is one or more locking edges of wedge 108 that face the vertical metal window so as to abut against the locking region where the locking edge is restrained. Examples of the limiting edges are shown and described in detail below in connection with fig. 19B and 20B.

AngledEdge 109Is an edge that slides and retracts against the contour of the metal vertical window as the wedge is pushed through the window and automatically extends as it passes the contour, returning to its wide natural state. Thus, the one or more wedge-limiting edges face the window locking edge, thereby creating a locked state.

The gasket wedge 108, by virtue of its restraining edges, when engaged with the locking edges of the panel window, forms a stable and strong gasket/panel locking clip that cannot be easily opened when operated in an unskilled manner by personnel not adequately trained in equipment maintenance. This increases the reliability of the heat exchanger and enables untrained personnel to operate and repair the heat exchanger, including replacing gaskets, or opening and closing gaskets for testing without fear of failure as is common in the prior art.

Referring now to fig. 10, the wedge 108 is formed such that the polar direction of the wedge 108, indicated in the drawings by arrow 116, will be aligned with the direction in which the gasket clip is pushed into a vertical window or into any combination of such windows as described later, in order to mate the metal clip housing and gasket clip together, thereby locking the metal clip housing and gasket clip together.

Referring now to fig. 8, the metal clip housing 60 described includes a single vertical window 1 having one upper edge (P') at the peak plane and a lower second edge (V ") at the valley plane on the UP side of the plate. A vertical window extends between these two edges P' and V ". As illustrated, the designation PV designates a vertical window extending between an upper edge on the left and a lower edge on the right.

VP additionally or alternatively designates a vertical window extending between its lower edge on the left side and its upper edge on the right side, enabling a very strong planar or surface locking clip to be formed. For example, PV-VP describes a clip case having a lower protective plate V-V at its center and two vertical windows extending to upper horizontal edges P and P on both sides thereof. Between these two edges P and P a new horizontal window extends, allowing the insertion of a washer clamp with two wedges through the horizontal window.

Similarly, PV-VP-PV-VP describes a central peak P-P with surrounding rounded valleys and outer peaks, between which there are four vertical windows: two vertical windows are located between the central peak and the surrounding valleys, and two vertical windows are located between the valleys and the outer peaks.

The depicted metal vertical window includes at least one element parallel to the Z-axis (fig. 7). The bottom of the window in the panel having width (b) starts from a minimum height V 'but can also start from a height above V' if the bottom edge of the window is curved upwards, allowing any desired starting height. If the upper edge of the window is bent down to the desired height, the maximum peak of the window in the panel of width (b) reaches a height "or lower. As seen in fig. 4, the maximum window height in the plate with width (b) is (P "-V'), which is equal to h (window) max = b-2t.

For simplicity, described herein is a single metal vertical window that acts as a partially perforated window that is not stretched and bent, and according to fig. 8, is at a maximum height extending between upper Gu Pingmian (V') and bottom peak plane (P "). However, the present description applies in a similar manner also to partially perforated, stretched or curved windows, respectively. Only the upper and lower surfaces of the window are depicted, but the description and claims also include surfaces having an orientation transverse to the sides of the window. The continuous and vertical upper and lower edge surfaces shown in fig. 4, as well as the parallel surfaces above and below the vertical surfaces indicated in fig. 4, are locking edges provided by the partially perforated, stretched window structure as support and locking surfaces for the gasket wedge restraining edges, providing locking in accordance with the present invention. To achieve optimal limiting and clip locking, some or all of the surfaces may be used depending on the intended circumstances.

Referring now to fig. 11A-12B, in the present invention, in a particular portion 14 (fig. 7) of the plate 10, the space between the upper and lower projections of the upper and lower dies is reduced to a very tight space (tolerance) of only a few millimeters (δ), as predetermined, and the described fillet radius (r) is eliminated or maintained or altered while adding a partially perforated one-sided shear shoulder. The gap between the protrusions is reduced in predetermined locations and in a predetermined form, as shown in fig. 11A and 11B, for example, by causing the metal plate to be partially perforated (single-sided cut) in these areas while receiving a shaped curved or straight or any other continuous or discontinuous shaped cut line in a planar or any curved form, depending on the form of projection of the cut line onto the XY plane, and together with the stretching process (lowering the upper part of the mold onto the lower part of the mold), the partial perforation (single-sided cut) formed in the metal is converted into a shaped window, a portion of the predetermined portion of the shaped window being stretched or bent from below upwards or from above downwards, or simply cutting the window between below and above.

As illustrated in fig. 11A to 12B, when the central upper die protrusion is pushed down between its two shoulders on the right and left sides, two symmetrical windows 1 can be produced in a single operation, as described, all shoulders having sharp edges and tight spaces (δ). As a result, a pair of single-sided cutouts parallel to each other or at an arbitrary angle are formed. The central mould protuberance is further lowered, the central metal plate facing the central mould protuberance is stretched down to the valley plane, leaving the plate above the two shoulders at the peak plane in place, sheared from the central plate (called the upper horizontal rim), forming two vertical windows 1 and between the bottom portions V '-V' of these two vertical windows 1a protective plate 8 extends, the protective plate 8 being continuously connected to the rest of the main plate by at least one connection through a bolt groove or directly to a gasket groove 16. This also forms a newly induced horizontal opening extending between the upper horizontal edges P '-P', called horizontal window, with at least two upper horizontal edges parallel or angled to each other. Examples of horizontal openings are seen in fig. 49A and 49B. The protective plate or back plate portion 8 is parallel to and below the horizontal window and has a substantially similar size. The gasket locking clip may be pushed through the horizontal window, retracted as it passes through the horizontal window rim, and then extended back to its natural shape after being pushed through. The protective plate 8 prevents the application of an opposing force that would force the washer lock clip 30 out of the housing 60. The vertical and horizontal windows, window edges and contours, one or more peak sides, and one or more protective plates and their connections all form a metal clip housing. This structure can be described as PV-VP.

As seen in fig. 13A, in the case of a single vertical window joined horizontally by a single-sided shear, the function of the protective plate or support plate is provided by adding a tensile valley 8 'in the outer gasket region 4' or outer opening region 1", which tensile valley 8 'protects the locking clip from accidental removal, which tensile valley 8' is referred to as a protection valley. Similarly, a plurality of vertical windows may be created in any spatial arrangement, such as PV-VP-PV-PV-PV.

Fig. 14A-14C show a rectangular locking clip 30 at about 45 degrees to the washer groove (angle alpha and angle beta) 16, the rectangular locking clip 30 comprising a clip housing 60 having four vertical windows and one bolt groove 37, the clip housing 60 connecting the central protective plate to the washer ridge groove 16. The mating washer clamp (fig. 14B) has a center bolt 82, the center bolt 82 having four wedges 108 in the downward direction of the arrow. Section A-A seen in fig. 14C shows a portion of a locking clip comprising vertical and horizontal windows and a wedge in place, wherein the restraining edge of the wedge abuts the locking edge of the clip housing. FIG. 14C shows a reference character "P _{Feeding in} Arrow ofThe head depicts the direction of the force required to push the washer clip into the metal clip housing. Labeled "P _{Out of} The "counteracting arrow" depicts the opposite force direction of the force being completely resisted by the presence of the protective plate at the bottom of the metal clip housing. The complete locking between the locking clip and the housing is seen in fig. 14C.

The resulting vertical window, which has a height h (window), has a shaped edge (profile) in flat or any curved form, and as shown in fig. 15A-15L, may be square, rectangular, diamond-shaped, triangular, circular or semi-circular with an upper or lower base, or any other predetermined shape. The upper horizontal edge may, but need not be, parallel to the plane of the plate, and similarly the remaining edges of the vertical window may, but need not be, parallel to the plane of the plate, as shown in fig. 16, the window shape may be closed, as intended, or may have an open cross-section in one of its cross-sections in any direction.

Each vertical window or horizontal window edge ends with three surfaces: a continuous surface aligned with the window surface, or a continuous surface perpendicular to the window surface, all of which may serve as locking edges. For example, in a triangular window, there are nine potential locking edges, and in a rectangular window, there are 12 potential locking edges.

The maximum height of the window, obtained by partial perforation alone without stretching and bending the metal up or down, is the thickness of the sheet (b) minus twice the thickness of the metal sheet (t)

As shown in fig. 4, the window height is maximum= (b-2 t) = (d-t).

As shown and described below in connection with fig. 13A, the height of the vertical metal window can be increased beyond (b-2 t) by locally increasing the width of the plate beyond width (b), for example by adding a local protrusion that exceeds the height of the peak plane of the plate, increasing the height of the window, depending on the careful design of the plate so that the function of the plate is not disturbed. Similarly, by adding depressions below the valley V "at appropriate locations, the bottom edge of the window can be lowered to a height below V", depending on the careful design of the panel. The maximum height H (window) of the raised window is higher than the maximum height H (window) of the standard window, such that H (window) max > =h (window) max=b-2 t.

Increasing the window height allows for the use of higher or taller washer bolts. This is important because the width of the plate can be very small, sometimes as small as 1.5mm. Increasing the width of the washer clamp and the width of the washer clamp bolts and wedges along the washer clamp may increase the strength and function of the locking clamp and improve its performance.

The height of the window may also be reduced as described above in fig. 12.

The vertical metal locking windows can be engaged in two ways: vertical engagement and horizontal engagement. Each type of engagement requires a different type of dedicated gasket clip.

In horizontal engagement, the wedge is located at the end of the bolt and the arrow direction of the wedge as the pushing direction is more or less parallel to the XY-plane, into a single metal vertical window perpendicular to the wedge. The wedge is pushed horizontally to engage a locking edge formed by a plurality of consecutive edges of the window (see fig. 13) at both sides of the window (side edges) or at horizontal consecutive edges below and above the window (requiring bending down to create a suitable upper consecutive edge).

In vertical engagement, the wedge is located at the end of the bolt, more or less facing downwards in the Z-direction. As illustrated in fig. 6, by vertical pushing, the wedge will engage a locking edge formed by the upper horizontal vertical edge of the vertical window to create a stable and secure vertical locking engagement as described below, wherein the locking edge is a higher horizontal plane perpendicular to the window (P ").

The shearing process for manufacturing the window, the profile and its surrounding surfaces can be performed accurately with spatial tolerances that do not leave burrs around. However, when produced in a controlled manner, the burrs may be useful, thus improving the clamping and locking forces by seizing in the gasket clip and thus strengthening the locking engagement between the burrs and the gasket clip. It is within the scope of the invention to use burrs present in the formation of the windows in order to increase the grip between the shells.

Referring now to fig. 17A-17D, a locking clip housing and washer locking clip according to another embodiment of the present invention can be seen, only the differences of this embodiment from other embodiments of the present invention being described herein.

As seen in fig. 17B and as shown and described in detail below in connection with fig. 50, in this embodiment, as a modification of the shaped wedge described above, a clamp pin 300 is provided. In this embodiment, one or more pins extend at the end of the bolt, each of the one or more pins: slightly larger at its base than one or more windows located in at least two of the opposing planes; and is beveled at its tip 302 to form the pin insertion portion. The size of the beveled tip 302 is slightly narrower than the size of the window 1 or windows in the metal clip housing 30 (fig. 17A), and the beveled tip 302 guides the pin 300 into the window 1. The shape of the pin is similar to the shape of the one or more windows, the pin is oriented more or less perpendicular to the windows, and can be inserted into the windows by being forced against the sharp edges of the windows, such that when inserted, the surface of the pin contracts and deforms, exerting opposing forces on both the sharp edges and burrs that may be located along the contours of the windows. Thus, according to this embodiment, the burrs and sharp wavy edges of the window protrude into the surface of the pin, thereby resisting any forces attempting to pull the pin 300 out of the window 1, thereby forming a firm clamping mechanical grip or grip.

The linear clamp pin 300 and associated housing described above are shown in an enlarged view in fig. 50. The locking window 1 has a roughened, sharpened or burred right locking edge and a left locking edge 215. As seen in the drawings, although the width Wt of the chamfer of end 302 is less than the width Wo of the window opening, the width Wp of pin 300 is greater than Wo. Thus, once easily inserted into window 1 initially via its beveled tip, a force is required to complete the insertion. As described above, once the pin has been fully inserted through the locking edges 215 such that the pin is compressed between the locking edges 215, a much greater force than the insertion force will be required to withdraw the pin from the window, such that the pin will be highly unlikely, if not impossible, to withdraw unintentionally.

Drawings

The present disclosure will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 (not provided)

FIG. 2 (not provided)

FIG. 3 (not provided)

FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of a locking clip housing having a pair of locking windows formed along peaks of a panel edge portion;

FIG. 5 (not provided)

FIG. 6 is an isometric schematic view of a window formed in a side wall of a gasket channel and a laterally oriented locking clip for vertical engagement with the window;

FIG. 7 is a general schematic of a heat exchanger plate;

FIG. 8 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the locking clip housing showing a single locking window and four locking edges;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged and rotated view of the locking clip seen in FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the force components acting on the wedge during insertion through the window;

FIGS. 11A and 11B are schematic cross-sectional views of a metal plate positioned between an exemplary pair of dies and a locking clip housing formed thereby prior to cold drawing a plate having the locking clip housing in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 12A and 12B are similar to FIGS. 11A and 11B, but illustrate the formation of a locking clip according to an alternative embodiment;

FIG. 13A shows a lateral locking clip for engagement with a vertical window protruding above the XY-plane of the plate;

FIG. 13B is similar to FIG. 13A, but the vertical window in FIG. 13B does not protrude above the XY-plane of the plate;

FIG. 14A is a detailed plan view of a plate edge portion of a 45 degree locking clip housing having four locking windows and one bolt recess;

FIG. 14B is a detailed plan view and partial cross-sectional view of a washer lock clip for locking engagement with the lock clip housing of FIG. 14A;

FIG. 14C is a detailed plan view and partial cross-sectional view of the washer lock clip of FIG. 14B fully assembled within the lock clip housing of FIG. 14A;

FIGS. 15A and 15B are front and side cross-sectional views of a locking window having an upper edge portion formed at a peak level of the panel;

FIGS. 15C and 15D are front and side cross-sectional views of a locking window having an upper rim portion formed above the peaks of the plate;

FIGS. 15E and 15F are front and side cross-sectional views of a locking window having an upper edge portion formed at an elevated peak level;

fig. 15G to 15L are front views of the locking window, which are respectively shown as triangle (fig. 15G and 15H), circle (fig. 15I), abnormal/non-geometric shape (fig. 15J), rectangle (fig. 15K), and semicircle (fig. 15L);

FIG. 16 shows a locking clip housing having a shaped window formed in the side of the peak portion of the panel edge, the locking clip housing adapted for inward lateral engagement of a ring mounted, inward facing locking clip;

FIG. 16B shows the locking clip locked within the locking clip housing;

FIG. 16C is a front elevational view of the locking clip housing of FIGS. 16A and 16B showing the locking clip as seen in FIG. 16B;

FIG. 17 is a detailed plan view of a plate edge portion having a plurality of differently formed single vertical windows for locking with various types of horizontally engaged gasket clips;

FIG. 17B is a detailed plan view of a washer lock clip illustrating various types of horizontally engaged washer clips for locking engagement with the locking clip housing of FIG. 17A;

FIG. 17C is a detailed plan view of the washer lock clip of FIG. 17B fully assembled within the lock clip housing of FIG. 39A;

FIG. 17D is a cross-sectional view of a portion of FIG. 17C showing a single vertical window having an upper horizontal locking edge and a lower horizontal locking edge, wherein engagement of the locking clip in the single vertical window requires a horizontal push-in direction;

fig. 18A to 18C illustrate basic height dimensions of the window;

fig. 18D to 18J illustrate windows having various different shapes;

FIGS. 19A and 19B are schematic cross-sectional views of a locking clip housing having a single locking window and a bolt and wedge, respectively, for a locking clip locked in the locking clip housing;

FIGS. 20 and 21 are schematic cross-sectional views of a locking clip housing having two locking windows and a bolt and wedge for a locking clip locked in the locking clip housing, respectively;

FIG. 21 shows a plurality of housings similar to that illustrated in FIG. 20A and a corresponding plurality of locking clips for locking in the plurality of housings, respectively, in a side cross-sectional profile;

FIG. 22 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a locking clip having two restraining edges;

FIG. 23 shows the housing of FIG. 8 with the gasket of FIG. 22 received therein;

FIG. 24 is a view similar to FIG. 22 but showing a gasket having four restraining edges;

FIG. 25A is a cross-sectional view of a plate edge portion and groove, including a gasket ridge, showing a locking window parallel to the groove;

FIGS. 25B-25E are cross-sectional views of the locking window of FIG. 25A taken along line A-A in FIG. 25A according to various modifications;

FIG. 26 illustrates insertion of a locking clip into a locking clip housing having two opposing locking windows and illustrates locking by six locking edges;

FIGS. 27A and 27B illustrate a gasket for insertion into a housing having a pair of diagonally formed windows;

fig. 28A is a schematic plan view (not to scale) of an edge portion of the plate including its gasket groove, showing laterally formed locking windows formed in peak portions of the plate edge (see fig. 28B and 28C);

FIGS. 28B and 28C show locking windows formed in the peak portion of the plate edge facing inwardly into the gasket groove, adjacent the valley and adjacent the peak, respectively;

Fig. 28D shows a stacked plate set including lateral windows as seen in fig. 28B and 28C;

FIG. 29A is a schematic plan view of a lateral locking window formed in a raised geometric support formed in a valley portion of a plate;

FIG. 29B is a schematic plan view of a washer having a ring supporting an inwardly facing locking clip having a release lever formed with the ring;

FIGS. 29C (i) - (iii) are side cross-sectional views showing (i) the locking clip housing along section B-B and (i) the washer and locking clip along section A-A; and a cross-sectional view of the fully assembled washer and locking clip housing;

FIGS. 30A and 30B are a schematic plan view of a washer with a locking clip and a schematic plan view of a plate edge portion with a locking clip housing having a pair of opposed windows configured to lockingly engage the locking clip, respectively;

FIG. 30C is a cross-sectional view of the housing of FIG. 30B taken along line C-C in FIG. 30B;

FIGS. 31A and 31B are cross-sectional views taken along line B-B in FIG. 30B before and after engagement of a locking clip in the form of a truncated arrow;

FIGS. 32A and 32B are cross-sectional views similar to FIGS. 31A and 31B, but wherein the locking windows converge toward each other in a downward direction, and wherein the locking clip has an additional limiting surface for engaging the lower locking edge of the windows;

FIG. 33A is a schematic plan view of an edge portion of a plate including a gasket groove and a valley portion thereof, with a boss or peak portion formed in the valley portion to form a double locking window, showing a laterally formed locking window formed in the peak portion of the plate edge;

FIG. 34B shows a gasket having a ring and double clip for locking with the locking window of FIG. 34A;

FIG. 35 is a detailed plan view of a panel edge portion of a locking clip housing having three locking windows;

FIG. 36 is a detailed plan view of a plate edge portion having a 45 degree locking clip housing with three locking windows and one bolt recess;

FIG. 37 is a detailed plan view of a panel edge portion of a locking clip housing having four locking windows;

FIG. 38A is a detailed plan view of a plate edge portion of an annular locking clip housing having two inwardly facing or inner locking windows;

FIG. 38B is a detailed plan view of a washer lock clip for locking engagement with the lock clip housing of FIG. 38B;

FIG. 38C is a detailed plan view and partial cross-sectional view A-A of the washer lock clip of FIG. 38B fully assembled within the lock clip housing of FIG. 38A;

FIG. 39A is a detailed plan view of a panel edge portion having an annular locking clip housing with two inwardly facing or inner locking windows and two outwardly facing or outer windows;

FIG. 39B is a detailed plan view of a washer lock clip for locking engagement with the lock clip housing of FIG. 39A;

FIG. 39C is a detailed plan view and partial cross-sectional view A-A of the washer lock clip of FIG. 39B fully assembled within the lock clip housing of FIG. 39A;

FIGS. 40A and 40B are a detailed plan view of a plate edge portion of a locking clip housing having two circular windows and one bolt recess and an enlarged view of the locking clip housing, respectively;

FIG. 41 is a detailed plan view of a plate edge portion having a locking clip housing with a single oblong window and a bolt recess;

fig. 42A to 42C are respectively an isometric view of a rounded window formed in a peak portion of a plate edge portion, a plan view of the rounded window, and an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along A-A in fig. 42B;

FIGS. 43A-43B are a plan view of a plate edge portion having a series of adjacent pairs of locking windows, and a plan view and a side view, respectively, of a series of similar locking clips configured for engagement with the series of adjacent pairs of locking windows of FIG. 43A;

FIG. 44 is an enlarged view of the single locking clip seen in FIG. 43B with a built-in squeezable upper portion for ease of insertion into the locking clip housing;

FIGS. 45A and 45B are detailed top isometric views of edge portions of a heat exchanger plate having a locking clip housing formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 46A and 46B are views similar to fig. 45A and 45B as seen from below;

FIGS. 47A-47D are detailed views of a portion of a sealing gasket with a locking clip formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 48A is a detailed view of the locking clip housing and locking clip of fig. 45A-47D as seen from above, immediately prior to insertion of the locking clip into the locking clip housing;

fig. 48B is a detailed view of the locking clip housing and locking clip of fig. 45A-47D in locking engagement with each other, but as seen from below, corresponding to fig. 48A;

FIGS. 48C and 44D are partial cross-sectional views of the locking clip housing and locking clip as illustrated in FIGS. 8A-8B as seen from a different angle;

FIG. 48E is a schematic diagram showing the locking clip prior to locking engagement with the washer locking clip housing, as seen in cross section at A-A in FIG. 41A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 48F is a further illustration of the locking clip and locking clip housing of FIG. 48E in locking engagement with one another;

49A-49C are detailed plan views of a panel edge portion having a single window in the vertical direction, a clip housing opening directly into a gasket groove, a horizontal locking clip having a wedge for use therewith, respectively; and a plan view of the locking clip fully assembled with the housing; and

Fig. 50 is an isometric view of a linear locking pin and associated locking clip housing according to yet another embodiment of the present invention and as seen in fig. 17B.

Detailed Description

Supplementary description

As illustrated in some of the figures not described in the general description above, the present description relates to additional aspects of the invention.

Referring now to fig. 6, 13A and 13B, two different types of engagement of the locking clip 30 with the inwardly facing vertical window 1 formed in the outer washer or plate edge portion 14' can be seen, with the bolt recess 67 of the locking clip 30 being continuous and coplanar with the washer recess 16. It will be noted that in one embodiment, the upper vertical locking edge 6 defining the top of the window may be formed at the height of the peak plane P ', as seen in fig. 6 and 13B, while in fig. 13A protrusion 62 extending above the peak plane P' is provided, advantageously increasing the height of the window, in order to enable the use of locking clip bolts 106 and wedges 108 of correspondingly greater height or thickness.

The main difference between the two illustrated configurations is that although the locking clip extends laterally from the washer ridge 22, in fig. 6 the engagement direction is vertical, whereas in fig. 13A and 13B the engagement direction is horizontal.

In the embodiment of fig. 6, the exemplary truncated arrow form provided by the wedges, also seen in fig. 9, is aligned to face in a downward vertical direction at a substantially right angle, wherein the upwardly facing limiting edge 103 of each wedge 108 in the XY plane is at a right angle to the direction of entry into the window 1, as indicated by arrow 9. The forced entry of the locking clip in the indicated Z-direction or vertical direction causes the angled edge 109 of each wedge 108 to engage the indicated vertical locking edge 4 for retraction. After leaving the locking rim 4, the wedge expands to its original shape such that the upwardly facing horizontal wedge restraining rim 103 engages the continuous locking rim 6, thereby becoming interlocked with the locking clip housing.

However, with regard to fig. 13A and 13B, since the washer bolt 106 is formed such that the truncated arrow faces in the horizontal direction and is formed for engagement with the housing 60 in the XY plane as seen by the horizontal arrow 99.

In the embodiment of fig. 13A, the vertical window 1 is provided with a pair of right and left side vertical locking edge portions 150 in the form of right triangles, the vertical locking edge portions 150 defining a front locking edge 214 and a rear locking edge, a right locking edge, a left locking edge 215. The wedges 6 coplanar with the bolts 106 each extend horizontally from the spine 22, the wedges 6 having vertical left and right limiting rims 115.

The forced entry of the locking clip in the indicated Y-direction or horizontal direction causes the angled edge 109 of each wedge 108 to engage the indicated front locking edge 214 for retraction. After exiting the rear locking rim 215, the wedge expands to its original shape such that the vertical wedge restraining rim 115 engages the rear continuous locking rim 215, thereby becoming interlocked with the locking clip housing.

Referring briefly to fig. 9, it can be seen that the locking clip is formed to have a truncated arrow profile facing downward. However, unlike the locking clip of fig. 6, the locking clip of fig. 9 has a rearwardly facing vertical restraining edge 117.

Referring now additionally to fig. 18A-18I, windows formed in accordance with the present invention have shaped wavy edges in flat or any curved form, and as shown, may be square, oval, diamond, triangular or any other shape. The upper line UL of the window (e.g., indicated in fig. 18D and 18 EI) may, but need not, be parallel to the X-Y plane of the plate, as may the other contours of the window. Furthermore, as predetermined, and as seen in fig. 18D to 18I, the shape of the window may be closed, or may have an opening section in any direction in one of its sections.

Referring now to fig. 19A, fig. 19A is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a locking clip housing 60 having a single window 1. All sides of the window 1 are bounded by window edge surfaces having an upper edge 2 and a lower edge 3, and side edges (not shown), all of which are more or less parallel to the plane of the window 1. The rim is essentially an outward continuation of the window and may be referred to as a "continuous flat rim surface" of the window. In the present figure the edges comprise an upper continuous locking edge 4 and a lower continuous locking edge 5. Perpendicular to the planar edge surfaces are edge surfaces perpendicular thereto, including an upper vertical side surface or edge 6, and a lower vertical side surface or edge 7. It will be appreciated that the wave-like windows described are located along the connecting lines between the continuous edge surfaces 4 and 5 and the vertical edge surfaces 6 and 7.

For simplicity, the window illustrated in fig. 19A is shown as unstretched or curved and is shown as having a maximum height. However, the above description and features also apply to partially perforated, stretched or curved windows, and parts and components shown and described hereinafter that are similar to those shown and described above are denoted by similar reference numerals. It will also be appreciated that while only the upper and lower edges of a single window 1 of a single locking clip housing 60 are depicted, lateral edges and other features not shown in fig. 19A are shown and described in connection with additional embodiments of the present invention.

The continuous and vertical upper and lower edge surfaces, and parallel upper and lower pairs of left and right pairs of vertical locking edges, shown and described in connection with the single window example of fig. 19A are available locking edges of a partially perforated (and stretched) window structure (or window) that provide for corresponding wedge-limiting edges as support and locking edges, as shown in fig. 19B as one exemplary embodiment.

Referring briefly now to fig. 19B, the washer lock clip 30 includes a bolt 106, in this example, the bolt 106 having two restraining wedges 108 each formed with a pair of restraining edges that when forced into abutting engagement with corresponding locking edges serve to restrain the bolt 106 within the housing 60 so as to lock it in the housing 60. Specifically, the illustrated wedge 108 has the following limiting edges:

a. an upper continuous limiting edge 102 for abutting the upper continuous locking edge 4;

b. an upper vertical limit edge 103 for abutting the upper vertical lock edge 6;

c. a lower continuous limiting edge 104 for abutting the lower continuous locking edge 5; and

d. for abutting the lower vertical limiting edge 105 of the lower vertical locking edge 7.

To achieve optimal restraining and clip locking, some or all of the restraining edges may be used.

As shown in the various examples below, the washer bolt 106 and its wedge 108 may extend and connect to one window 1 or more windows in the plate. The window may be perpendicular to the X-Y plane of the plate or may be presented at an angle relative to the X-Y plane and the X and Y axes.

The gasket wedge, by virtue of its restraining edges, forms a stable and secure gasket-to-plate connection when engaged with the locking surface of the plate window, which connection is not easily opened when operated in an unskilled manner by a person who is not adequately trained in servicing the heat exchanger employing the plates and gaskets described herein. This increases the reliability of such heat exchangers and enables untrained personnel to operate and repair the heat exchanger, including changing gaskets, or opening and closing the heat exchanger for testing without causing possible failure as in the prior art.

For brevity and ease of reference, the following reference numerals apply throughout the description when referring to a locking window, an edge of the locking window, a locking clip limiting surface for limiting against the edge, unless explicitly stated otherwise:

1-Window

2-upper edge (Overall)

3-lower edge (Overall)

4-upper continuous (locking) edge

5-lower continuous (locking) edge

6-upper vertical (locking) edge

7-lower vertical (locking) edge

102-upper continuous limit edge

103-upper vertical confinement edge

104-lower continuous limiting edge

105-a lower vertical confinement edge,

wherein the left and right side surfaces corresponding to each other are denoted by the same reference numerals, but with the addition of a prime ('). For example, the lower left continuous (locking) edge of the window is marked 5 and the corresponding edge on the right is marked 5'.

Referring now to fig. 20, a locking clip housing 60 having two locking windows 1 and 1' can be seen. These windows are similar to those shown and described above in connection with fig. 19A and will not be described in detail herein. The bolt 106 configured for being forced into the housing 60 (fig. 20) is seen in fig. 21 as shown and described in fig. 3B, except that a complete profile is shown herein, wherein the left bolt and its wedge 108 are formed for entering into the left window 1 and locking abutment with its various locking edges, and the right bolt and its wedge 108 'are formed for entering into the left window 1' and locking abutment with its various locking edges.

Referring now again to fig. 8, as depicted in fig. 3A, a schematic side cross-sectional view of the locking clip housing 60 can be seen showing a single locking window 1 and four locking edges 4, 5, 6 and 7. As illustrated in fig. 19A, 22 and 23, the housing 60 is capable of locking the locking clamp bolt 106, and the locking clamp bolt 106 may be variously configured to have an upper continuous restraining rim 102, an upper vertical restraining rim 103 and a lower continuous restraining rim. However, and as shown and described in connection with fig. 19B, the bolt 106 may be modified to have an additional lower wedge 108".

Referring now to fig. 25A, there is shown a plate edge portion having a locking clip housing 60, the locking clip housing 60 comprising a single window 1, as seen in the illustrated plan view, the single window 1 having a profile extending along the groove 16. This is more clearly seen in fig. 25B, which fig. 25B clearly illustrates the X-Y plane offset between the upper and lower consecutive locking edges 4, 5, respectively. In fig. 10C this offset is significantly reduced, in fig. 25E the profile is as seen in fig. 3A, and in fig. 25D there is a overhang with the upper window edge overhanging the lower edge.

Referring now to fig. 26, there is shown a locking clip housing 60 having two windows 1 and 1' as shown and described above in connection with fig. 20, and a locking clip 30, the bolt 106 of the locking clip 30 having a cross-sectional profile of a truncated arrow as seen. This combination is shown and described in detail below in connection with fig. 45A-48F, and thus is not described again herein.

As discussed herein, the locking clip 30 and locking clip housing 60 may be provided in any number and in many different orientations relative to the X-Y-Z axis system described above in connection with fig. 7, so long as the requisite number of locking and restraining edges distributed along the Z axis are provided, i.e., so long as the window opening has a separate component perpendicular to the X-Y plane of the plate. This is for example, referring now to fig. 27A and 27B, a washer having a diagonal wedge for insertion into a double locking clip having a pair of correspondingly formed diagonally oriented windows can be seen.

Fig. 28A to 28C show a window 1 formed in an edge portion 14 'of a plate including a gasket groove thereof, wherein the window is formed in a peak portion labeled "peak" of the plate edge 14' along an edge of the gasket groove 16. Fig. 28D illustrates a plurality of stacked plates, each having a housing as seen in fig. 28B and 28C with a gasket locked therein.

Referring now to fig. 29A and 29C (i), it can be seen that the plate edge has an outwardly facing locking window 1 formed in a raised geometric support 203 formed in the valley portion 202 of the plate. In fig. 29B, it is seen that a suitably formed locking clip is positioned away from the ridge 22 of the washer 20 by a ring 206 having a locking clip 30 formed thereon. The wedge portion 8 of the locking clip is seen to face inwardly, away from the ridge, for locking insertion into the outwardly facing window 1. The wedge portion has suitable upwardly and downwardly facing restraining edges for abutting restraining the corresponding locking edges. A graspable handle or lever 208 may also be provided which may be used to insert the wedge portion 8 into the window 1 to lockingly engage the locking clip with the housing 60, as seen in fig. 29C (ii) and 29C (iii). A similar solution can also be seen in fig. 33A and 33B, with a pair of opposed windows 1, 1' formed between the two raised surfaces 203 parallel to the gasket grooves, and wherein, as described herein, the locking clip (fig. 33B) has a pair of wedge portions 8, 8' for insertion through the windows 1, 1 '.

As seen in fig. 30B, the window 1 may be formed to extend in a direction perpendicular to the gasket groove 16. In this example, a pair of inwardly facing windows 1', 1 "are formed in the recessed portion 202 of the plate edge portion 14'. When viewed in cross-section, the window may be formed such that the upper and lower continuous locking edges 4, 5 of the window are fully aligned along a line parallel to the Z-axis (fig. 1), as seen in fig. 317A, or formed to extend along a slightly oblique line relative thereto, as seen in fig. 32A, also seen in detail in fig. 4. The bolt and wedge portions of the locking clip illustrated in fig. 317A and 31B are shaped as shown and described above in connection with fig. 26; whereas the bolt and wedge portions of the locking clip illustrated in fig. 32A and 32B are shaped as shown and described in connection with fig. 21.

However, regardless of configuration, and referring briefly again to fig. 31A-31B, the distance between the upper and lower vertical restraining edges of the locking clip is equal to the distance between the upper and lower vertical locking edges of the locking clip, indicated by the letter "a" in the drawings.

Referring briefly now to fig. 15A-15L, examples are provided that illustrate the various shapes that the window of the gasket lock clip housing of the present invention may achieve. These examples also clearly illustrate the various heights that the window may be formed with respect to the X-Y plane of the plate (fig. 1), which may be coplanar, convex, and irregular with respect to the X-Y plane of the plate, such as the singular shaped window illustrated.

As will be appreciated from the foregoing description, the clip housing 60 of the present invention may be formed with a plurality of locking windows in a plurality of orientations, with the washer locking clip being formed to interlock with the clip housing 60, wherein the single or multiple bolts are also formed in corresponding different orientations, all embodying the basic structure and modes of operation of the present invention as shown and described hereinabove.

Accordingly, by way of example only and with reference to fig. 35-41 and 49-51, there may be provided:

A locking clip housing having three locking windows (fig. 35);

a 45 degree locking clip housing with three locking windows and one bolt recess (fig. 36);

a locking clip housing having four locking windows (fig. 37);

an annular locking clip housing (fig. 38A) having two inwardly facing locking windows or internal locking windows, wherein a locking clip (fig. 348) is configured for locking engagement with the annular locking clip housing, which is illustrated in complete assembly in fig. 38C;

two annular locking clip housings having two inwardly facing locking windows or inner locking windows and two outwardly facing windows or outer windows (fig. 39A), wherein the locking clip is configured for locking engagement with the two annular locking clip housings, which is illustrated in full assembly in fig. 39C;

a locking clip housing having two rounded windows and a bolt recess (fig. 40A and 40B);

a plate edge portion having a locking clip housing with a single oblong window and a bolt recess (fig. 41);

a vertical single window with different types of horizontal engagement clips (fig. 49);

clip housing leading directly to the gasket groove (fig. 50).

Yet another example of an embodiment of the invention is seen in fig. 42A to 42C, in which a rounded window 1 is illustrated. In this embodiment, it can be clearly seen that the windows formed as partial perforations in the raised or peak portions 203 of the plate edge portions 14' are open in three directions. The upper or strike portion of the housing 60 is the peripheral portion of the plate edge defining the upper continuous locking edge 4 and the upper vertical locking edge 6; while the lower or supporting portion of the housing forms the bottom of the window, which defines a lower continuous locking rim 5 and a lower vertical locking rim 7.

Referring now to fig. 43A and 43B, a plurality of windows, such as a series of pairs of inwardly facing windows 1, 1' seen in fig. 43A, may be formed in the panel edge. In this example, a series of 6 pairs is shown. Also seen is a gasket 20 (fig. 43B) adapted for interlocking engagement with a series of paired windows. As shown by way of example, the exemplary series of 4 locking clips 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d may have any suitable configuration embodying the present invention. It will also be seen that the locking clip 30a, which is a modification of the locking clip shown and described above in connection with fig. 20B, is formed with a groove 310 in its upper portion, as seen in the enlarged view of fig. 44. This provides additional flexibility to the locking clip, which may facilitate insertion of the locking clip into the housing.

Referring now to fig. 45A-48D, another embodiment of the present invention is shown and described herein. As seen in fig. 45A-46B, it is seen that the rim portion 14 is formed from a series of alternating hills 112 and valleys 114, as is generally known in the art. Such a pattern is stamped into the metal sheet along with other functional features of the sheet.

During the stamping process, a locking clip housing 60 is formed at each of the locations 14 (fig. 7) within the edge portion 14 of the plate 10. As described in detail below, the locking clip housing 60 is essentially a partial perforation of the rim portion 14, which results in the creation of locking clip housing portions of different heights to form the opening 62 (fig. 48E and 48F). Generally, as described above, the locking clip housing 60 is formed by modifying a die used in the stamping process, particularly with respect to die tolerances, to cause selective shearing of the metal sheet, which is otherwise stretched, to obtain a continuously undulating pattern of hills and valleys within which the locking clip housing 60 is formed as described.

As seen, the locking clip housing 60 is integrally formed with the plate edge portion 14 for interlocking engagement with the gasket locking clip 30. The locking clip housing 60 has a locking opening 62 (fig. 148E) for receiving a sealing washer bolt 106 (shown and described below) in locking engagement with each other. As also seen in fig. 48C, the opening 62 has an aperture 64, the width Wo of the aperture 64 is sized to accommodate the width Wb of the bolt, and the depth Do is sized to accommodate the height Hb of the bolt.

The locking clip housing 60 is formed from a flat strike portion 66, the strike portion 66 being part of the edge portion 14 of the plate 10 and thus coplanar with the edge portion 14, the strike portion 66 being configured to form the aperture 64. As seen, the aperture 64 is generally bounded by three sides and generally opens into the recess 16 on a fourth side as indicated by reference numeral 65.

A protective backing plate portion 68 spaced apart from the strike portion 66 by a depth Do is connected between the plate edge portion 14 and the recess 16 and defines a lateral window 1 for receiving a bolt wedge 108, as shown and described below in connection with fig. 47A-48D.

As can be seen, the flat carbon strike portion 66 has: a pair of upper continuous locking rims 4, 4', the pair of upper continuous locking rims 4, 4' together defining a width Wo of the aperture 64; and upper vertical locking edges 6, 6' (fig. 46A to 46B).

The support plate portion 68 has a pair of lower continuous locking edges 5, 5' and a lower vertical locking edge 7 parallel to the upper vertical locking edge 6 of the flat strike portion.

Furthermore, as also seen in fig. 45A to 46B, the protective support plate portion 68 has a respective first end 82 and second end 84, wherein the first end 82 is connected to the plate in the region of the groove 16 and the second end 84 is connected in contact to the plate edge portion 14 by means of a transition support portion 69 having a predetermined slope.

Referring now to fig. 47A-48D, the locking clip 30 of the present invention has a bolt 106, the bolt 106 being formed with and extending laterally from the washer ridge. The width Wb of the bolt 106 as taken in a direction parallel to the ridge 22 and the height Fb of the bolt 106 are predetermined for insertion into the opening 62 of the locking clip housing, wherein Wb is equal to or just greater than the width Wo of the aperture 64 and the height Fb is equal to the depth Do of the opening 62 such that the lower limiting rim 105 engages the protective support plate portion 68 when the bolt 106 is fully inserted into the opening 62 as seen in fig. 44D. The presence of the bearing plate portion 68 not only helps to lock the bolt 106 and thus the locking clip 30, but also prevents inadvertent release of the locking clip 30 by preventing forces that might otherwise force the bolt 106 up through the locking clip housing 60 from being applied directly to the lower limiting rim 105.

As can be seen, the bolt 106 generally has a pair of laterally disposed, elastically deformable wedges 108. In this example, each wedge 108 has an upper vertical restraining edge 103, and the width Wf of the wedge 108, as measured from the tip 35 of one wedge 108 to the tip 35 of the other wedge 108, is greater than the width Wb of the bolt 106 and greater than the width Wo of the aperture 64. As schematically illustrated in fig. 5A and 5B, after the bolt 106 and the elastically deformable wedge 108 are forcibly inserted through the aperture 64 into the opening 62 until the generally planar lower limiting rim 105 bears directly onto the lower vertical locking rim 7 of the support plate portion 68, the wedge 108 elastically deforms to pass through the aperture 64 into the opening 62.

Once the wedges 108 have moved away from the continuous locking rim 4 on the shaped edge of the strike 66, the wedges 108 resiliently recover to extend laterally through the window 1 (fig. 5A and 5B), after which the upper vertical restraining rim 103 of each wedge 108 engages the upper vertical locking rim 6 of the strike 66 to prevent the bolt 106 from exiting the opening 62 through the aperture 64.

Further, it will be appreciated that the engagement of the lower limiting rim 105 with the lower vertical locking rim 7 of the protective support plate portion 68 combines with the engagement of the upper vertical limiting rim 103 of the wedge 108 with the upper vertical locking rim 6 of the downwardly facing surface of the strike portion 66 to resist, in combination, the rotational unlocking force applied to the locking clip 30.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove by way of example only. Rather, the invention is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims (19)

1. A heat exchanger plate having a length extending along an X-axis and a width extending along a Y-axis perpendicular to the X-axis such that the plate lies in an X-Y plane and the heat exchanger plate includes topographical features having at least a Z-component parallel to the Z-axis perpendicular to the X-Y plane, the heat exchanger plate comprising:

a. upper and lower side portions and at least one edge portion;

b. a groove formed in the upper side parallel to the edge portion for receiving a ridge of a sealing gasket having at least one locking clip comprising a bolt and at least one bolt wedge projecting laterally from the bolt and having at least one angled restraining edge; and

c. at least one locking clip housing integrally formed with the edge portion for locking engagement with the at least one washer locking clip,

Each of the at least one locking clip housing includes:

a strike portion adjacent the predetermined edge portion terminating in at least one upper locking edge portion;

a support plate portion connected to the edge portion and terminating in at least one lower locking edge portion; and

at least one side edge portion disposed between the upper and lower locking edges and defining, with the upper and lower locking edges, a window in a plane, a directional component of the plane including at least one Z component parallel to the Z axis, the window configured to receive the at least one bolt wedge therethrough for locking constraint against and with the upper and lower locking edge portions.

2. The heat exchanger plate of claim 1, wherein each of the upper locking edge portions comprises an upper continuous locking edge and an upper vertical locking edge, and each of the lower locking edge portions comprises a continuous locking edge and an upper vertical locking edge, wherein each of the upper continuous locking edge and the lower continuous locking edge lie in a plane whose directional component comprises at least one Z component parallel to the Z axis.

3. The heat exchanger plate of claim 2, wherein the upper and lower continuous locking edges are coplanar with each other and the upper and lower vertical locking edges are parallel with each other.

4. The heat exchanger plate according to claim 1, wherein each of said strike portions terminates in at least two upper locking edge portions, said support plate portions terminate in at least two lower edge portions, and said at least one side edge comprises a pair of said side edges,

and wherein the pair of upper locking edge portions, the pair of lower edge portions and the pair of side edge portions define a pair of the windows therebetween.

5. The heat exchanger plate of claim 1, wherein each of the strike portions terminates in a predetermined number of upper locking edge portions, the support plate portions terminating in a predetermined number of lower locking edge portions equal to the predetermined number of upper locking edge portions, wherein each pair of locking edge portions including a single one of the upper locking edge portions aligned with a single one of the lower locking edge portions defines a window such that a total number of windows is equal to the predetermined number.

6. The heat exchanger plate of claim 1, wherein the topography comprises peaks and valleys, and the overall height of the plate is a maximum distance between a top of a highest peak and a bottom of a lowest valley when measured parallel to the Z-axis, and wherein the window has a height measured between the upper and lower vertical locking edges that is greater than the overall height of the plate.

7. The heat exchanger plate of claim 1, wherein the upper and lower locking edge portions are configured to define a window, the window having a shape selected from the group consisting of:

square shape, circular shape, rectangular shape, triangular shape, diamond shape, shaped shape, non-geometric shape.

8. The heat exchanger plate of claim 2, wherein the depth of the locking clip housing is equal to the distance between the upper and lower vertical locking edges, the depth being equal to the depth required to accommodate the bolts of the locking clip in a predetermined direction.

9. A sealing gasket for use with a heat exchanger plate lying in an X-Y plane and having upper and lower side portions, at least one edge portion, a gasket groove, and a locking clip housing integral with the edge portion, the locking clip housing having an impact portion and a support plate portion, the impact portion and the support plate portion being spaced apart in a direction transverse to the X-Y plane so as to form an opening, the opening having an insertion axis and a width measured transverse to the insertion axis, the impact portion and the support plate portion further having locking edges defining locking windows therebetween transverse to the support plate portion,

The sealing gasket includes:

a. a ridge for seating within the groove; and

b. at least one integrally formed locking clip, the at least one integrally formed locking clip comprising:

a bolt extending laterally from the ridge, the bolt sized for seating within the opening so as to abut one of the locking edges of the support plate portion when fully inserted; and

at least one compressible wedge extending laterally from the bolt such that a combined width of the bolt and the at least one wedge is greater than a width of the opening, the wedge having at least one restraining edge,

wherein upon full insertion of the bolt and the at least one wedge into the opening, the bolt abuts one of the locking edges of the support plate to be protected from direct unlocking forces, and the at least one wedge extends laterally from the bolt through the locking window such that the at least one restraining edge engages with at least one of the strike portion and the locking edge of the support plate portion to block withdrawal of the locking clip from the housing.

10. The gasket of claim 9 wherein the strike portion has an upper continuous locking edge and an upper vertical locking edge and the back plate portion has a lower continuous locking edge and a lower vertical locking edge opposite the upper vertical locking edge,

and wherein the at least one wedge comprises at least two wedges, each wedge having at least one restraining rim configured for abutting engagement with and being restrained by a predetermined one of the locking rims of the strike portion and the support plate portion.

11. The sealing gasket of claim 10, wherein the at least two wedges comprise an upper wedge formed on the sealing gasket:

an upwardly facing upper continuous restraining edge configured to abut the upper continuous locking edge;

an upper vertical restraining edge configured to abut the upper vertical locking edge;

a downwardly facing lower continuous restraining edge configured to abut the lower continuous locking edge; and

A lower vertical restraining edge configured to abut the lower vertical locking edge.

12. The sealing gasket of claim 11, wherein the locking window lies in a plane transverse to the X-Y plane, and the upwardly facing upper continuous limiting rim and the downwardly facing lower continuous limiting rim are coplanar with the plane of the locking window.

13. The sealing gasket of claim 11, wherein the locking window lies in a plane transverse to the X-Y plane, and the upwardly facing upper vertical restraining edge and the downwardly facing lower vertical restraining edge are perpendicular to the plane of the locking window.

14. The gasket of claim 10 wherein said locking pin housing includes a pair of strike portions, an upper vertical locking edge of said pair of strike portions engaging said lower vertical locking edge to define a pair of opposed locking windows,

and wherein the locking clip has a cross-sectional profile having a truncated arrow with an axis of symmetry along which the bolt is positioned and the at least one wedge comprises a pair of wedges symmetrically formed about the bolt, each wedge for extending through one of the pair of opposed locking windows and each wedge having an upwardly facing upper vertical restraining edge for abutting a corresponding upper vertical locking edge of the pair of impact portions.

15. The sealing gasket of claim 10, wherein the locking clip housing includes a predetermined number of a plurality of locking windows, each locking window having a predetermined configuration, the locking windows being arranged in a predetermined spatial arrangement and orientation relative to an X-Y-Z axis, and wherein the at least one wedge includes a plurality of the wedges extending from the bolt, the number, spatial arrangement and orientation of the at least one wedge corresponding to the number, spatial arrangement and orientation of the locking windows.

16. A combination of heat exchanger plates and sealing gaskets locked to the heat exchanger plates, the combination comprising:

a. a heat exchanger plate having a length extending along an X-axis and a width extending along a Y-axis perpendicular to the X-axis such that the plate lies in an X-Y plane and the heat exchanger plate includes a topographical feature having at least a Z-component parallel to a Z-axis perpendicular to the X-Y plane, the heat exchanger plate having upper and lower sides, a groove for receiving a sealing gasket ridge, at least one edge portion, and a plurality of locking clip housings formed at predetermined discrete locations along the at least one edge portion, each locking clip housing having an opening with a locking clip insertion axis; and

b. A sealing gasket having a ridge for seating in the groove, and a plurality of integrally formed locking clips located at discrete locations along the ridge for locking engagement with the plurality of locking clip housings, each locking clip having a bolt extending transversely from the ridge, the bolts being sized for seating within the opening so as to abut one of the locking edges of the support plate portion upon full insertion,

wherein each of the locking pin housings is integrally formed with the edge portion for interlocking engagement with a single one of the locking clips, and each of the locking pin housings has an opening for receiving the bolt,

wherein the opening has a width sized to accommodate a width of the bolt and a depth sized to accommodate a height of the bolt,

wherein each of the locking clip housings comprises:

(i) A strike portion adjacent the predetermined edge portion terminating in at least one upper locking edge portion;

(ii) A support plate portion connected to the edge portion and terminating in at least one lower locking edge portion; and

(iii) At least one side edge portion disposed between the upper and the at least one lower locking edge portions and defining, with the upper and the at least one lower locking edge portions, a window lying in a plane, the directional component of the plane comprising at least one Z component parallel to the Z axis,

and wherein the first and second heat sinks are disposed,

each of the locking clips includes:

(iv) A bolt extending laterally from the ridge, the bolt sized for seating within the opening so as to abut one of the locking edges of the support plate portion when fully inserted; and

(v) At least one compressible wedge extending laterally from the bolt such that a combined width of the bolt and the at least one wedge is greater than a width of the opening, the wedge having at least one restraining edge,

wherein upon full insertion of the bolt and the at least one wedge into the opening, the bolt abuts one of the locking edges of the bearing plate portion, thereby being protected from direct unlocking forces,

And the at least one wedge extends transversely from the bolt through the locking window such that the at least one restraining edge engages at least one of the strike portion and the locking edge of the bearing plate portion, thereby blocking withdrawal of the locking clip from the locking pin housing.

17. The composition of claim 16, each of the locking clip housings being a locking clip housing according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and a locking clip housing according to any one of claims 9 to 15.

18. A preassembled heat exchanger plate including a sealing gasket, the preassembled heat exchanger plate comprising:

a heat exchanger plate located in an X-Y plane and comprising a topographical feature having a component parallel to a Z-axis perpendicular to the X-Y plane;

an edge portion;

a groove;

a plurality of preformed locking clip shells formed at predetermined locations along the edge portion, each shell comprising an opening formed through the plate, and a plurality of locking elements arranged along a Z-axis perpendicular to the X-Y plane, at least one of the elements being spaced apart from the X-Y plane; and

A sealing gasket seated in the groove, the sealing gasket having a ridge and a plurality of integral locking clips formed at locations corresponding to the predetermined locations of the preformed locking clip housing, each locking clip protruding into an interior of one of the openings through the plate formation and including at least one integrally formed wedge configured for engagement with and being restrained by at least one of the locking elements.

19. The preassembled heat exchanger plate of claim 18, each of the locking clip housings being a locking clip housing according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and a locking clip housing according to any one of claims 9 to 15.

Images