US2582871A - Heat exchanger - Google Patents

Description

E. K. KINTNER HEAT EXCHANGER Jan. 15, 1952 4 sheetsheet 2 Filed Aug. 5l, 1948 Jan.A 15, 1952 E, K, K|NTNER 2,582,871

HEAT EXCHANGER Filed Aug. 5l, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVEN a v Kv w76 133 134 140 E. K. KINTNER HEAT EXCHANGER Jan. 15, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 5l, 1948 .INVENTOK M6/L 77 Tini...

Patented Jan. 15, 1952 UNITED sTATEs PATENT oFElcE 2,582,871 HEAT EXCHANGER Edwin K. Kintner, Winnetka, Ill., assignor, by mesne assignments, to The Pfaudler Co., Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application July 31, 1948, Serial No. 41,781

6 Claims. 1

This invention relates to heat exchangers. More particularly, it relates to improvements in heat exchangers of the plate and gasket type.

It is an object of this invention to provide a one-piece gasket for plate and gasket type heat exchangers in which gasket full protection is provided against leakage between channels or passageways sealed thereby.

A further object is to provide a heat exchanger adapted to handle food products and comprising a one-piece gasket construction sealing a plurality of channels or passageways and including means in the gasket for preventing leakage between such channels or passageways.

Still another object is to provide a one-piece gasket for heat exchangers of the plate and gasket type which gasket seals a plurality of channels or passageways and is provided with means for directing to the exterior of the heat exchanger any material which may leak from such channels or passageways.

Still another object is to provide a one-piece gasket for heat exchangers of the plate and gasket type which gasket is adapted to seal a plurality of channels or passageways and comprises means for directing leakage from such channels or passageways to the atmosphere and means for supporting adjacent plates in the vicinity of openings formed through such plates.

Still another object is to provide heat exchangers comprising gaskets of the type described in the preceding objects.

Still another object is to provide heat exchanger construction of the plate and gasket type including readily demountable means for hanging plates therein.

Still another object is to provide a cold plate for a heat exchanger of the plate and gasket type comprising an expansion chamber for. refrigerant gas.

Still another object is to provide a novel gasket construction adapted to be used with such cold plate.

A still further object is to provide a heat exchanger comprising such a cold plate.

A still further object is to provide a heat ex. changer comprising such a cold plate and a novel gasket construction adapted to be used with such cold plate.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

It has now been found that the foregoing objects may be accomplished by the structures illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification and which are included in order that the invention may be better understood and in which Fig. 1 is a view in perl, to the View shown in Fig. 1 but illustrating the device in open position to facilitate cleaning.

Fig. 5 is a vertical cross sectional view on the line 5-5 in Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is an exploded view in perspective, illus- A trating the gasket and typical plate constructions.

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary vertical cross sectional view on the line 'I--l of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the ilow of uids through the device shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is an exploded View in perspective, illustrating the plate and gasket members employed in another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary vertical cross sectional view through a heat exchanger embodying elements shown in Fig. 9 and taken on the line IU--IU of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10, illustrating still another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 9 illustrating still another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 13 is a view in perspective showing the parts illustrated in Fig. 12 in assembled relation; and

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary vertical cross sectional view on the line I4--I4 in Fig. 13.

Heat exchangers embodying the features of the present invention may be supported on any desired type of frame structure. The structure illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 has been found to possess certain advantages in use, but the invention is not intended to be limited thereto. This preferred structure includes vertically extending stationary head Il), rigidly connected by a series of spacer bars l2, I4, I'l and I8 to a front piece 20. The head Ill and the front piece 20 are preferably formed of relatively heavy rigid plate material, such as metal plate for example steel, the stationary head I0 preferably being from one and one-half to two or more inches thick. As will appear hereinafter, the front piece 20 may be of lighter construction, being formed for example from three-fourths inch steel plate, although the invention is not intended to be limited to a front piece of this thickness.

The spacer bars I2 and I4, in addition to co-I operating with the stationary head I and front piece 20 to provide a rigid frame, serve as supports for the plate and gasket construction to be described. It is desirable in some cases to suspend plates or gaskets or both from the top spacer bar I2 and at the same time to be able to remove the suspended members from the structure for cleaning. To this end the spacer bar I2 is formed as illustrated in Fig. 3. As may be seen in this gure, the spacer bar I2 comprises a rod 22 extending between the head Il and the front piece 20 and terminating at its opposite ends in the plane of the inner ver-.- tical face of the stationary head I0 and the front piece 26, respectively. The rod 272 is preferably encased by a sleeve 24 which takes up some of the wear and which may for example be formed of stainless steel for sanitary purposes. The rod 22 is secured to the head I0 and front piece 29v respectively by suitable bolts, such for example as hex-head bolts 26 and 28 respectively which are threaded into the opposite ends of the rod 22 as at 38 and 32. The bolts 26 and 28 as may be seen extend through openings 34 and 36 formed respectively in the stationary head I0 and the front piece 26.. Each of these openings 3.4 and 3 6 is preferably made large enough so that the rod 22 with the sleeve 24 thereon may slide through the openings 34 and 36 readily. Within the openings 34 and 35 collars 38 and 48 respectively having outside diameters approximating those of the openings 34 and 36 and inside diameters just large enough to receive the bolts 26 and 28 serve to center the bolts 25 and 28 within the large openings 34 and 36. It will be seen that the collars 38 and 40 are of the same length respectively as the members I0 and 20 through which they extend. Finally, the construction includes washers 42 and 44 of larger diameter than the openings 34 and 38 so that when the bolts 26 and 28 are threaded into the rod 22l to tightly clamp the collars 38 and 46 respectively against the opposite ends of the rod 22 the washers 42 and 44 engaging the outer` faces respectively of the head Ii) and the front piece 2U position the inner faces` of the head I6 and front piece 20 in substantially the same plane with the ends of the rod 22, thereby providing the, desired rigid construction and spacing of the head Il! and front piece 20.. At the same time this construction permits of ready removal of the rod 2,2 With its sleeve 24 simply by removing one of the bolts 26 or 28 whereupon the rod 22 and its sleeve 24 may be Withdrawn through the opposite opening 34 or 315 as the case may be, permitting any hanging plates or gaskets suspended on the bar I2 to be taken out of the machine.

The spacer bar I4 is in some respects similar in construction to the bar I2 in that it includes a central rod-like portion 48 carrying a sleeve 4i. Since there is ordinarily no occasion for removing the bar I4, however, it may be secured to the stationary head I and the front piece 2G. in any desired manner, as for example by turning down the ends of the rodlike portion 43 and extending them through openings in the head Iii] and the front piece 28 where they can be secured and threading nutssuch as nut 48 onto the projecting ends of the bar I4. These nuts will clamp the head. I0 or front piece 28 against the shoulders on the rod 46 formed by turning down the ends as described.

The bars I6 and I8 may be constructed as desired. InY the embodiment illustrated they consist of rods the ends of which are turned down and threaded as described with respect to the rod 46. Nuts 48 secured on the threaded portions clamp the head l0 or front piece 20 as the case may be against the shoulder formed by turning the ends of the rods I6 or I8 down. It is preferred that the heat exchanger which is designated generally 5t be provided with suitable feet, such as feet 52, to facilitate movement. As may bevseen, the front piece 2e and head I0 are each providedwith two feet 52.

Supported on the spacer bars I2 and I4 between the stationary head I8 and the front piece 20 is a follow head 54 which cooperates with the stationary head EG in clamping together the plates and gaskets as will be described. The follow head 54, like the stationary head l, is preferably formed or" a rigid material, for example steel plate and preferably has a thickness of the same general order as the stationary head I as set forth above. As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the sta tionary head Iii and the front piece 26 are both longer than the foilou7 head 54 in order to support the plate and gasket assembly 56 in an elevated position where it is. conveniently accessible. It Will be understood, however, that the invention is not to be limited to this particular type, of arrangement. As is apparent from the drawings, the assembly of plates and gaskets previously referred to is supported on the spacer barsV I2 and i4 between the stationary head IE) and the followhead 54'. in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. l through 8, the plate and gasket assembly consists of a series of gaskets 58 shaped and constructed as indicated in Fig. 6 and arranged with a series of plates, including plates of two types represented by the platey 69 and the plate 82, illustrated in Fig. 6. As best seen in Figs. 4 and '7, between each adjacent pair of gaskets 58 there is either a plate Gil or a plate 62 so that the arrangement consists of plate, gasket, plate, gasket, plate, gasket, etc. To prevent the gaskets. 5e and the plates 68 and 62 from falling oli` the spacer' bars I2' and I4 as soon as 'E the clamping pressure is released, the gasket 58 is provided with slots G4 centrally on each end of suitable size to receive the spacer bars I2 and I4 in the manner shown in Figs. 4 and 5'. Similarly, the plates 8 8 and E2 are formed with slots @e on their opposite ends in which the spacer bars I2 and i4 are received. This method of supporting the gaskets and the plates 88 and 62 on the spacer bars i2 and i4 permits the gaskets and plates to be readily removed in the manner indicated in Fig. 4, that is, by tiiting the plate or gasket as the case may be until it can be lifted out.

In order that the gaskets 58A may provide an effective seal between adjacent plates 68 and 62, it is necessary that the assembly of plates and gaskets be tightly clamped together. To this end means is provided for clamping the follow head and the stationary head together with the assembly of plates and gaskets 58 therebetween as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Any desired clamping means may be employed, but in accordance with the preferred' construction illustrated in the drawings, the clamp-ing means comprises a series of rods E513v having heads i) on one end thereof. It has been found that very satisfactory clamping can be obtained by employing six of the rods 68 positioned as indicated in Fig. 1 and extending through aligned openings in the stationary head I8 and the follow head 54. Although the rods 68 could be inserted first through either the folfound preferable to insert these rods first through the follow head 54 so that the heads 1.0 on the rods 68 engage against the outer surfaceof the follow head 54. This arrangement has been found to give less trouble with the stripping of the threads on the rods 68 or the cooperating nuts 12 which are preferably permanently secured to the outer face of the stationary head l0. An ample thread portion is provided on the rod 68 so that these rods 68 may be easily engaged in the nuts 12 and then drawn up until the desired clamping pressure is applied.

The construction of the gaskets 58 forms an important part of this invention. In a plate vand gasket heat exchanger of the type shown, the fluids between which heat is to be exchanged are arranged to flow on the opposite sides of each of the plates 60, and 62 so that the heat exchange occurs in each instance through a plate 60 or a plate 62. The gaskets 58 in addition to sealing between the plates 60 and 62 to prevent the fluids between which heat is being exchanged from escaping from the machine, also direct the flow of uid over the plane surfaces of the plates 60er 62, as the case may be. Fluids between which heat is to be exchanged are admitted through a head such as the head I or the head 54 and must be conducted past certain gaskets and plates in order to reach plates and gaskets spaced from lthe head where the particular iiuid is admitted. Thus, fluids are directed past the gasket 58 through the openings 14 and 16 provided in one end thereof. A similar purpose of directing fluids past plates 60 and 62 is served by openings 18 and 80 in plate 88 and 82 and 84 in plate 62. In this connection it may be pointed out that plates 60 and 52 are identical in form, except for the location of the openings 18,A 80, 82 and 84 therein. Furthermore, these plates 60 and 62 are merely typical of the type of plates which may be used in an assembly of plates and gaskets such as the assembly 56. Although the openings 18, 80, 32 and 84 in the plates 60 and 62 are so lo,- cated as to align properly with the gasket 58, it is within the scope of the invention to ernploy plates having openings in any one, two, three or all of the four corners of the plate, depending upon the manner in which it is desired to direct iiuids between which heat is to be exchanged through the heat exchanger designated generally 50. U

Except for the number and location of the openings, such as 18, 80 etc., all of the plates 68 and 62 are preferably identical in construction and are formed of a thin rigid material, preferably thin sheet metal and where food products are 'to be `handled they are preferably stainless steel. The opposite broad faces of these plates are plain and substantially parallel and are preferably polished smooth. The thickness of the plates can be varied as desired and preferab-ly is varied somewhat, depending upon the pressure to be employed. For pressures under about 50 pounds per square inch, 18-gauge stainless steel has been found to be entirely satisfactory. The size of the plates can likewise vary as desired, so long as the gaskets are pro- .6" the structure, it is pointed out that this gasket preferably consists of a rigid template such as the sheet steel 86 each element of which is encased in a suitable covering of resilient material 88. It has been found preferable to form the resilient covering of neoprene synthetic rubber composition, and this is particularly true when food is being handled. The configuration of the template 86 is identical with that of the gasket 58. f

Although it is an important characteristic of the gasket 58 that it is in one piece, it in reality comprises two parts, one of which designated as 90 directs the flow of iiuid overthe surface of a plate 60 or` 62 and the other of which designated as 92 provides sealed ports through which fluid is directed past the gasket 58. Heretofore these two parts 90 and 92 have been formed as separate gaskets, because it is essential, particularly for food handling, that leakage between ports such as 14 and 16 and the channels in the portion 90 be absolutely prevented by providing means for directing leakage from the ports or channels to the atmosphere. This is done by means of what is called a leak detector slot which is interposed between ports 14 and 16 and the channels in the portion 90.

In gasket constructions heretofore known the inclusion of the leak detector groove has necessitated forming the gasket in two separate parts. The present invention provides means whereby a leak detector groove designated as 94 may be provided without necessitating the formation of gasket 58 in two separate portions. This means takes the form of ear portions 96 formed on the opposite sides ofthe gasket 58 thereby permitting the leak detector slot 94 to extend out beyond the edges of the plates 60 or 62 and communicate with the atmosphere, or, to put it another way, the ear portions 96 formed on the template 86 provide a connection between the portion 90 and the portion 92 of the gasket. The leak detector slot 94 extends across the gasket 58 as shown and also extends entirelyv through its thickness so that leakage on either face of the gasket 58 from the port 14 or the port 16 or the portion 90 of the gasket must necessarily enter the leak detector slot 94 andv pass to the atmosphere at one end of the slot 94 and cannot reach either port from the portion 90 or reach the' portion 90 from either port.

Although it has vbeen found convenient to prof 'f vide the ears 96 on both sides of the gasket 58,

62 and any ports directing fluid past the gasket 58, the configuration of the gasket may take any of a wide variety of forms within the scope of the present invention. The configuration of the gasket 58 illustrated is a preferred structure and permits the use of the same gasket for directing the ow of both the fluids between which heat is to be exchanged.

The portion 90 or the gasket 58 necessarily is provided with a continuous peripheral portionA comprising side members 98 and |00 and end members |02 and |04. In addition to this continuous peripheral portion, the gasket is provided with three ribs or vanes |06, |08 and ||0 by means of which a fluid entering either at the poi-nt 1I |21 throug-h an oprzni-ngr` such as ltleppen.-- ing180 f'inf the nplatel 60 or; thei point .2| I 4 -througli ai corresponding` opening;v (not. shown) is caused'Jtorl ow acrossithe: surface of: two'- plates 60h' or 62 .i between whichy the particular.-` gasket. 58: is clamped `in the pathv lyingibetween'the peripheral` portionltan'dthe rib 1| IIIiIofIthe gasket;` From` this ..channel .the :fluid is1 directed aroundlthe end' of if the;y rib I I0. and lupllbetween .the-ribs I I0 and" |08 aroundtheendlof 'therib .I 08,'.do'wnfbetw'een the ribs |06 and` I 08;..aroundzfthe1send fluff-the: rib; |06. and .up;.between `the^rih I 06f-andthe :aperiphf eral.:v portion" 08 4to thegpoint f I |2'-from1: which? it passesvthroughanopening in one of theiplatesf: between" whichit .isolarnped and. isxconductedi to 'another .gasket or; out fof "the "heat exchanger; Itzwill bezunderstood that'gthe channelajust described; extending,fromr-thefpoint 1| I 4-fto the .point II2v` is provided by:` openings which extend' through .the full :thickness 'of the .-gasket.: Thus A fluid :entering p the point` I I 4 g andl iowings@ down between the peripheral portion |D-and the vane- |I0 isrin contact with both of the metal plates between which the gasket 58-is clamped.

Onegasket ft-is. positioned Iwith-:the Vportsv'Id and 'I6-1owe1most, and the znext'gasket isposi` tioned with these ports uppermost,etc. Inv this wayl one `oifthe Atwo uids between which `heatis toube. exchanged isconducted through theheat` exchanger .lfrom one plate overwhich it flows tothe next plate overfwhichit flows through! a headerorheadersformed by. aligned openings in plates.. and gaskets along.. thev bottomr of theY exchanger 50, and theother fluidis conducted througha similar header or headers in thetop of the exchangerv 50."l 4

In order to support plates such vas 60' and BZ adjacent openings such as 18, ete,y on .the sidem which is .in communication with afpoint ||2'or`||4of`a gasket58-for instance, fingers IIB and'II8 are .provided (th'ef opposite Iside of the plate 60 or 62 being inengagernentwith` an end 92 of the'gask'et 58). These .fingers extend from the peripheral portion |02`of the gasket 58 longitudinallyofand centrallyvof the channels extending 'respectively?betweenV peripheral portion-|00 rand vaner I I0 andperipheral portion |08` andvane |06.- As'may-'be seenrinfig; '7;' the" ngers l| I5 and lI I 0 are' long enoughso that their ends are'located inwardly ofith'e peripheral por-'- tion` |04) of'adjacent gaskets58 wherebythese"r fingers together with `otherfpartsof theY same gasket-lying oppositefto the said adjacent periph-f eral portions |El-- insures 'good-1 sealingv Contact between'the opposite'facesof the'peripheral portion |001` andthe plates Vbetween-whioh'it is clamped'. Referring to Fig. '7 itwillbe'seen` that 'l at a point-suchas thepoint I205`a' platewould-f' befdprovided with relatively poor f supportl onifits left-hand `sidewere it -notforl the' 'hger I I8."` Fingers 'I I6 land I I8 vthusroooperate with the leakdetector' slot `91| in preventingV leakageff'between al port I4 or IE and' the' portion.v S0? off? the' gasket' 58;

Gasket 58 may befformed of anyldesired thick# ness within the scopeof theinvention; VIt is lpref erable, however, that itbe'relati'vely-thin since-lit is'by this means that most effective heat exchange-2 is obtained. Plate and gasket heat exchangers-of the typeshown depend largely for their effectiveness upon `the'fact that the/heatexch'angeftakesa place between relatively yshallwwing 'streams of the' uids between which heat'fis Atoibe'ex changed. A preferred over-'al1 thickness..for1gasket A58 is about one-eighth'ioffan inch;A Preferred? widthforf the: channelslsuchl asf` the channeli75 lwhere-.it canv pass-through1the-openng 84-irr lOl of m'ensions. are ymerely'A illustrative and that theyfomedubetweengmef. peripheral portlont |00." and 2.

tlrefluid how-ingr'overfthesurface of alplate i60 or.rv

thckflandfiabout twoinchesiiwider 'Ihesei stream: dimensions; however;` `are.' givenV .only asillustra'y tions and i' asi: a.: preferred lembodiment and are Y not torbeifregardedl asilimitationssince it is lwlth in'fthe scope-of theiinvention to use otherfstreamlA dirnensions-ifdeslred.; Byfwayfofxfurther illus-V gasket an over-all .thickness of about`to about f. thousandths of an.inch',lthat is, approximately.

oneeeighthfiofan' inch. Still'v further illustratplate. on either l side iasseen for. example in Fig;

5 .and that ends of 'fthe slot 94project out beyond:

theisteel plate-.about.three-eighths of an-inch. Itisi againv pointedfout.' however, .that these,l di-v mayrbe varied .as desired so longas-they slot 94 projects far. enoughvto .communicate with the atmospherefon at leastzone side'ofvthezmachine.

Fig'...8:shows a owdiagramfor one-.particular embodiment of this inventionof'which there are many; Forpurposesof-illustrating iow in this gure; .it has been'necessaryftoshowI the parts 2 exploded and toomit from the drawing the details 1 of-thestructure vof the gasket 58.` It is to be unzfluidy. Starting at the .left-hand side of Fig. 8

withthe stationaryV head. I0, it may be'seenr that the fluidforswhichthe path. ofAow-,is indicated byfth'eheavy; black1line:.|22 enters through a port |24 Iinf-the'stationary.head I0 and'ows upy wardly, theni down; then up'. again, thendown in the;:channels provided `by thergasket f58'a. be-

tween the stationary Ihead I 0f andathe plate G2-a untilY it comes to the point designated 1| 2I5A where it ableitozenter: the opening 82 ,in thel plate |2-;a.y Itpa'sses through lthissopening, through the alignedopening 14 inthe gasket 58-b, through the alignedopening :18 :in the-plate 60-a,v from which it enters channels providedzby: the gasket.

5Bc between the plates 60+a'5an'd. 62.-'binl which itflows untilqit comesuto'thepoint 4.|28 where it "'can'enter. theopening 825m. plate .B2-B fromA which-.it passes through theopening. 'I6 in the. gasket 58--d; through'lthe'openingJ'I-in the plate.

GII-'13, from which it'can enter the .channels provided by.theagasketie'between the vplate BU-b 60"and the follow headJlI: These Achannels guide it between'plate'b and follow head 54 until eventually it comes to".l the point` |30 where itcan alignedv opening '|6in Vvthev gasket 58-ie, through 1 the opening Bfin'the'plate 60417, from which it enters'thechannels provided by thev gasket 58:41` In thesevv channels it is guided between ythese-plates alongI the path' indicated vuntil it'fcomes to the point |36 plate 62-b through the opening 'M in gasket 58-c, through the opening 88 in plate Gil-a and into the channels provided by the gasket 58-b between plates 50-:1 and t'-a. At the end of these channels at point |38 the fluid passes into and through the opening 8f3 in plate 62-a, through the aligned opening l5 in gasket 53-0. and out of the machine through the opening |40 in the stationary head I0.

Referring back to Figs. l, 2 and fl it is pointed out that it is preferred to provide sanitary ports, such as |42 and |55, located respectively on the follow head 54 and the stationary head I0 to admitl food products to or discharge them from the exchanger. On the other hand, non-food products or cooling or heating media such as steam, brine, cold water, etc. may be admitted or discharged through any desired type of port, for example, ports provided by drilling and tapping the head I or the follow head 54 to receive ordinary water pipe, such as the pipe sections |46 and |48 shown in Figs. l and 2.

Fig. 9 illustrates a cold plate designated generally |50 which is adapted to be used in combination with a pair of gaskets 5B such as have been described above and with plates such as the plates 60 and 62 or other similar plates, of which there are a wide variety as described above, differing only in the number and location of the openings therethrough. As may be readily seen in Fig. 9

A the cold plate |50 has the same general configuration as the gaskets 58. It is, however, preferably formed of a rigid material and is preferably somewhat thicker than the gaskets 50. By way of illustration the plate |50 might be a casting and is preferably formed of metal such as aluminum', steel' or the like. Y

The plate |58 further differs from the gasket 58 in that it is provided with a continuous tube |52 which extends through the side walls ofthe plate as at |54 and |55 and extends from these points around through the channels in the plate |50 as indicatedin the drawings. The thickness of the plate V|50 will be determined by the diameter of the tube |52, that is, the plate |50 will always have a thickness greater than the dia'meter of the tube |52 so that the tube |52 may extend wholly'` within the space between the planes of the broad faces of the plate |50. The particular form ofthe tube |52 shown is, however, merely illustrative. Thus, for example, instead of running a single piece of tubing of uniform diameter through the full length of the channels, tubing headers can be extended laterally of the channels from the inlet and exit and lengths of tubing, if desired, of smaller diameter extended between the headers in the vvarious straight portions of the channels or any other desired arrangement may be used. Y

Freon gas or other refrigerant in compressed form will be supplied to the tube |52 and expanded therein as itpasses through the portion of the tube |52 extending Within the connes of the plate |50, exerting a refrigerating effect within the tube |52. As in the embodiment of the invention described above, the plate |50 with a gasket 58 on either face will be clainped between a pair of plates such as the plates 60 and 62 shown so that in the clamping arrangement relatively thick channels will be provided as indicated at |58 in Fig. 10 which shows the elements in assembled relation. Preferably the space in these relatively thick channels which is not occupied by the tube |52 will be filled with a medium having good heat transfer properties, for example, water, or

alternatively water may be supplied through the opening 'I8 in plate 60 to enter the thick channels designated |58 in which it will iiow up and down between the plates 60 and 62 until it reaches the opening 82 in the plate 62, from which it will pass out of the heat exchanger or be directed elsewhere in the heat exchanger.

In a complete heat exchanger the assembly, including the cold plate |50 and the two gaskets 58, would simply replace alternate gaskets 50 in the ilow diagram shown in Fig. 8, for example, leaving the remainder of the assembly as shown, or the assembly including the cold plate 50 and the pair of gaskets 58 could be substituted in any heat exchange structure of the type described herein for alternate gaskets 58. The heat exchange medium in the thick channels designated as |58 whether stationary or iiowing will be cooled by the expansion of the refrigerant within the tube |52 and will in turn cool the adjacent plates 60 and 62 thereby cooling the medium to be cooled which is flowing over the opposite faces of the plates and 62. The purpose in employing tube |52 for the refrigerant and surrounding it with the medium having good heat transfer properties is to minimize the possibility that the liquid medium being cooled will be cooled to such an extent that it will solidify within the heat ex-` changer.

Fig. 11 illustrates an alternative cold plate construction |60. This would take the place of the plate |50 and the two associated gaskets 58. rlhis plate |60 is constructed in the same way as the plate |59 with the single exception that it is provided with a coating |62 of neoprene or other resilient material in the same manner as the template for gaskets 58 is provided with a coating of neoprene or other resilient material. The thickness of the plate |50 which may be employed as a template for the plate |65 may be varied as desired to give any desired thickness to the channels |64 provided therein through which the tube |52 extends. The resilient coating |62 will permit the plate |60 to simply be substituted for a gasket 58 in an assembly such 4as illustrated in Fig. 8, that is, plates such as 60 and 82 will be clamped directly against the opposite faces of plate |60. Attention is particularly directed at this point to the fact that both the plate |50 and the plate |60 include a leak detector slot |66, as illustrated in Fig. 9, similar to the slot 94 provided in the gaskets 58, although this may be omitted from the plate |50 when it is used in combination with gaskets 58, since the slots 94 in these gaskets will be adequate to carry off to the atmosphere any leakage.

Figs. 12, 13 and 14 illustrate still another form of cold plate designated generally |68. In Fig. 12 the middle one of the three cold plates shown in the exploded view has portions broken away and the remainder of the interior construction indicated by dotted lines. As may be seen in this iigure the plate |68 is of sandwich type construction including a body portion |10 sandwiched between a pair of facing plates |12 and |'|l| which plates may be identical in construction with plates such as plates Sil and 52 previously described. The body |76 like the gasket 53 and the plate |50 previously described includes a flow directing portion |76 which may be constructed to direct flow along any desired path but preferably directs iiow in the path indicated in the same manner as the gasket 58 and the plate |59. The upper end of the body |68 is provided with ports |78 and |80 similar to the ports l5 and -I6 in the gasket 58. It does not, however, have the leak detector slot of gasket 58 since such slot is not required in the plate |66 for reasons which will become apparent. Extending through the edge wall of the body |68 into the opposite ends of the channel |82 along which body |68 directs flow are a pair'of tubes |84 and |86 through one of which a fluid medium can be directed into the channel |82 and after flowing ythe length of the channel may be directed out of the other.

It will b'e noted that the plate |68 differs from the constructions previously described in that it includes as integral parts thereof the heat exchange plates |12 and |14, corresponding to plates 60 and 62 and which in the other constructions are in each instance separate from votherwise cut to provide the ports |73 vand |80,

the space bar receiving slots ISBand |80 and the openings |92 and |94 for the tubes |84 and |86. The plates |12 and |14 Yare then suitably secured to the body |10. In accordance with the preferred construction the body will be of metal such as steel and the plates |12 and |121., particularly if the plate |68 is to be used to cool a food product, will beformed of stainless steel and polished on their outer faces. These plates |12 and |14 are then welded to Vthe body |88 around the entire periphery of the flow directing portion |16 and also about each of the ports |18 and v|80 to insure against any leakage from the ports |18 and |80 or from the channels v|82 between either the plate |12 or the plate |14 and the body |10. By this means the 'plate |68 becomes an integral structure containing within its interior channels |82 in which ow maybe directed across the surface of each of plates '|12 'and |14 and providing on its exterior heat exchanging surfaces over which a fluid medium may be directed to exchange heat with the `fluid medium flowing in the channels |82,

Plate |68 is designed to receive a refrigerant such as a compressed refrigerant gas through one of the tubes |84 and |86 which will -then expand in the channels |82 and eventually leave through the other tube, meanwhile exerting a refrigerant effect on the heat exchange plates |12 and |14, although the plate |68 could be used to handle media other than a refrigerant. It will be noted that this plate |68 diiers Vfrom plates |50 and |80 -i'n that the refrigerant is -in vdirect contact with the adjacent heat exchange plates-instead of being contained 'in 'tubes within the channels |82.

Asv suggested above, plate |68 requires no leak detectorslot because the Weldedconstruction precludes leakage. Similarly because only the medium which is to exchange heat with that circulating in channels |82 is directed through 'the heat exchanger past the various plates and gaskets, the ygaskets |96 designed for use with the plate |98 likewise do not require leak detector slots. These gaskets |96 to be used with the plate |68 preferably have the configuration indicated in Fig. 12. In general they are preferably of the same construction as the gasket 58 in- "12 cluding a template the elements of which are encased in a material such as neoprene. As in the gasket 58 the flow directing portions of the gasket |96 may take any desired form, although preferably they will have the form indicated in the drawings. It will be apparent that when the parts of an assembly, as indicated in Figs. 12 and 13, consisting in order of plate |68, a gasket |96, a plate |68 and so on, are clamped together as indicated in Fig. 13 and as described in connection with previous constructions including other plates and gaskets, a fluid medium introduced into ports |18 or |80 will enter the channels |98 provided in the gasket |96 and in these channels will be caused to Vilow yover the surface of the adjacent cold plates |68 eventually coming to the other of the ports |18 or |80 from which it can be directed out of the heat exchanger. As will be apparent an assembly of plates |68 and gaskets |96 shown in Fig. 13 and designated generally 200 may be supported on a frame structure such as is shown in Figs. l and 2 or, alternatively, may be supported in any desired manner. Similarly it may be `clamped together in any desired way. While plates |50, |60 land |68 are described above as cold plates designed to receive a refrigerant, it will be apparent that any of these or similar plates, particularly plate |68, are not limited in use to cooling since any other desired duid medium, such as steam, for example, may be directed through these plates in place of the refrigerant, and heat exchange medium surrounding the tubes in plate and |60 will serve to l decrease the intensity of the heat exchange effect.

For the 'purpose of introducing refrigerant or other medium into the plates |68 and removing it through tubes |84 and |86 it is preferable to provide headers 202 and 204 which extend alongside of the assembly 200 as indicated in Fig. 13. Relatively long flexible connections 206 and 208 extend from the headers 202 and 204, respectively, up to the tubes |86 and |88, respectively. The relatively long Aflexible connections are provided to permit the plates |68 and gaskets |96 to be separated for .purposes of cleaning.

In lthe above description all of the plates and gaskets to be supported on a frame such as that shown in Figs. 1 and 2, are indicated as being provided with slots on their opposite ends in which the spacer bars |2 and I4 'are received. If desired, these slots 4particularly on the upper end may be replaced with holes extending through the plate or gasket as the case may be and entirely enclosed by the material of the plate or gasket thus permitting the plate or gasket to be suspended particularly from the upperfspacer bar |2 and to be removable only by removing the spacer bar I2 which can, however, be readily accomplished particularly when the spacer bar I2 is constructed as above described.

It iis :an important advantag'eof this invention that it :provides for the first time/a lone-piece gasket adapted to be used in combination with plane surfaced heat exchange plates .in a lm type Aheat :exchanger and which includes vmeans in the form of a leak detector 'slot for preventing any leakage of one of two fluid media between which heat is being exchanged into the channels or headers through which the other fluid media is being directed. The leak detector slot extending yentirely through the thickness of the gasket and communicating with the exterior of the heat exchanger provides an area within the coniinesfof the gasket which is at atmospheric .pressure and toward which any leakage of either uid medium Still another important advantage of the gasket 58 resides in the ability of this gasket to serve as the sole spacing means between the heat exchange plates clamped against its opposite faces. This advantage is realized when the resilient casing for gasket 58 is a resilientneoprene com-l position or other similar resilientcom position that does not flow appreciably under the heat and/or pressures encountered in the heat exchangers in which gasket 58 is used. Another feature of Vgasket 58 as well as other similar heat exchanger' members disclosed herein Awhich contributes to the capacity of gasket 58 and of the other similar members such as cold plate Ill to serve as the sole spacing means between adjacent heat exchange plates is the relatively broad area of contact of the gasket or othergpart with the heat exchange plates which is provided by giving the gasket or other part the configuration shown therein or some similar configuration. Further,

Vby providing the plate supporting lingers on thel opposite ends of the channels through which the media are directed over the surface of the heat exchange plates the heat exchange plates are rmly supported adjacent openings therethrough and opposite the leak detector slot on the adiacent gaskets to further prevent leakage.

The novel coldplate construction also provides a desirable modification of heat exchanger construction and has the advantage of being readily substituted in existing heat exchangers for portions thereof. Other advantages of the invention will be apparent from the foregoing description.

It is apparent that many widely different embodinients of this invention maybe made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof and therefore it is not intended to be limited except as indicated in the appended claims.

I claim:

I. A heat exchanger for exchanging heat between iluid media comprising a series of thin heat exchange plates, one-piece gaskets readily separable from said plates and each interposed between an adjacent pair of said plates and means for releasably clamping together said series of plates with said gaskets therebetween, each of said plates being formed with ports for said fluid media, said gaskets each having an opening therethrough forming a channel communicating with said ports for directing the flow of one of said media over the surfaces of the pair of plates between which said gasket is interposed and having another opening therethrough for directing the flow of another of said media past said gasket and each of said `gaskets having a slot extending through said gasket from one face to the other thereof 4between said gasket openings and extending across the width of said gasket channel out toward at least one edge of said gasket beyond the edges of said plates to receive leakage from either of said gasket openings before it reaches the other gasket opening and conduct said leakage to the exterior of said exchanger.

2. A heat exchanger for exchanging heat between fiuid media comprising a series of thin heat exchange plates, one-piece gaskets readily separable from said plates and each interposed between an adjacent pair of said plates and means for releasably clamping together said series of plates with said gaskets therebetween, each of said plates being formed with ports for said fluid media, said gaskets each having an opening therethrough forming a channel communicating with said ports for directing the flow of one of said media over the surfaces of the pair of plates between which said gasket is interposed and having another opening therethrough for directing Y the ow of another of said media past said gasket,

each of said gaskets having an ear extending beyond the edges of said heat exchange plates and a slot extending through said gasket from one face to the other thereof between said gasket openings and extending across the width of said gasket channel out toward at least one edge of said gasket and into said ear beyond the edges of said plat-es to receive leakage from either of said gasket openings before it reaches the other gasket opening and conduct said leakage to the exterior of said exchanger.

3. A heat exchanger for exchangingv heat between fluid media comprising a series of thin heat exchange plates, one-piece gaskets each separable from and interposed between an adjacent pair of said plates, each of said gaskets comprising a template and a body of resilient material encasing `each element of said template and means for releasably clamping together said series of plates with said kgaskets therebetween, each of said plates being formed with ports for said iiuid media, said gaskets each having an opening therethrough forming an elongated channel communicating with said ports for directing the flow of one of said media over the surfaces of the pair of plates between which said gasket is interposed and having another opening therethrough for directing the flow of another of said'media past said-gasket and each of said gaskets having a slot extending therethrough from one face to the other thereof between said` gasket openings and extending across the width' of said gasket channel out toward at least one edge of said gasket beyond the edges of said plates to receive leakage from either of said gasket openings before it reaches the other gasket opening and conduct said leakage to the exterior of said exchanger.

4. A heat exchanger for exchanging heat between uid media comprising a series of thin heat exchange plates, one-piece gaskets each separable from and interposed between an adjacent pair of said plates, each of said gaskets comprising a template and a body of resilient material encasing each element of said template and means for releasably clamping together said series of plates with said gaskets therebetween, each of said plates being formed with ports for said fluid media, said gaskets each having an opening 'therethrough forming an elongated channel communicating with said ports for directing the flow of one of said media over the surfaces of the pair of plates between which said gasket is interposed and having another opening therethrough for directing the flow of another of said media past said gasket, an ear on each gasket extending beyond the edges of said plates and each of said gaskets having a slot extending through said gasket from one face to the other thereof between said gasket openings and extending across the width of said gasket channel out toward. at least one edge of said gasket and into said ear beyond the edges of said plates to receive leakage from either of said gasket openings before it reaches the other gasket opening and conduct said leakage to the exterior of said exchanger.

5. A heat exchanger for exchanging heat between fluid media comprising a series of thin heat exchange plates., .one-piece gaskets each vseparable from Aand interposed .between an adjacent pair of .said plates and comprising a template and a body 4of resilient neoprene composition encasing each element of said template, and means .for releasably clamping together said series of plates with said gaskets therebetween, each of said plates being formed with ports for said fluid media, said gaskets each `having van opening therethrough forming a thin, elongated channel communicating with said ports for directing'the flow of one of said media over the surfaces of the pair of plates between which said gasket is interposed and having another opening therethrough -for directing the how of another of said media `past saidfgasket, an ear on eachofrsa-id encased templates extending beyond the edges of said plates and a slot extending through each gasket from one face to the other thereof between said gasket openings and extending across the Width of said gasket channel out toward at least one edge of said gasket and into said ear beyond the edges'of said plates to receive leakage from Aeither of said gasket openings before it reaches the other gasket opening and conduct said leakage to the exterior of said exchanger.

6. A heat exchanger for exchanging heat between .uid media comprising a series of 'thin heat exchange-plates each formed with ports for said uid media, one-piece gaskets each separable from and `interposed 'between an adjacent pair of said plates and'meansfor releasably clamping ytogether said series of plates with said gaskets therebetween, said Agaskets each having an'opening therethrough forming fa channel overlying andcommunicating with Asaidports for directing the 110W of one of said `media over the surfaces of the Vpair of plates between VWhich vsaid gasket is interposed and ,having another opening therethrough r,for directing the owvof another of ysaid media past said gasket and each of said gaskets having a slot' extending through said gasket from one face to the other thereof between said gasket openings and extending across the width of said gasket channel out toward at least one edge of said gasket beyond the edges of said plates to receive leakage from either of said openings before it reaches the other gasket opening and conductsaid leakage to the exterior of said exchanger, and finger-shaped portions having a thickness equal to the full thickness of said gasket and extending therefrom longitudinally of said channel over and beyond an adjacent port of an adjacent plate for supporting said plate in the vicinity of said port.

EDWIN K. KINTNER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,015,819 Seligman et al Oct. 1, 1935 2,039,216 Feldmeier Apr. 28, 1936 2,229,306 Prestage Jan. 21, 1941 2,252,916 Crosby Aug. 19, 1941 2,256,904 Kintner Sept. 23, 1941 2,379,671 Wetherby-Williams July 3, 1945 2,428,880 Kintner Oct. 14, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date ,800,478 vFrance May 4, 1936 413,811 Great Britain. July 26, 1934 l496,830 Great Britain Dec. 7, 1938 528,223 Great Britain Oct. 24, 1940 529,340 Great Britain Nov. 19, 1940 279,977 Italy Nov. 27, 1930

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