Heat exchanger with sealed gasket carrier plate

Abstract

A heat exchanger has a heat exchanging element with a first terminal plate closing the heat exchanging element on one of its sides and with at least one opening provided with a socket for fluids for the heat exchanger element. At least a first gasket carrier plate has a first lateral face arranged adjacent to the first terminal plate and an opposite second lateral face. The first gasket carrier plate has at least one passage opening leading from the first to the second lateral face for taking up at least one socket of the first terminal plate. A first sealing element is provided between the first terminal plate and the first gasket carrier plate. A second sealing element is provided adjacent to the second lateral face. The at least one socket of the first terminal plate is bulged outwardly to adjoin to the second sealing element at least in sections.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger, comprising: a stack of heat exchanger plates defining alternating flow paths for a first fluid and a second fluid, the plate stack having first and second ends, with one of said heat exchanger plates being a first terminal plate located at the first end of the plate stack, and another of said heat exchanger plates being a second terminal plate located at the second end of the plate stack, wherein the first terminal plate includes at least one opening for inlet or release of at least one of said first and second fluids into or from the plate stack, wherein each said opening in the first terminal plate is surrounded by a tubular socket, each said socket projecting from the first terminal plate in a direction away from the plate stack, a first gasket carrier plate having a first lateral face in direct facing contact with the first terminal plate, an opposed second lateral face, and at least one fluid passage opening leading from the first to the second lateral face, wherein each of the at least one fluid passage openings is positioned in the first gasket carrier plate to align with one of the openings and tubular sockets of the first terminal plate, such that the at least one socket of the first terminal plate is received in the at least one opening of the first gasket carrier plate, at least one first elastomeric sealing element arranged on the first lateral face of the first gasket carrier plate between the first terminal plate and the first gasket carrier plate, each said first elastomeric sealing element completely encircling one of said fluid passage openings and sealing the fluid passage opening between the first terminal plate and the first gasket carrier plate, at least one second elastomeric sealing element arranged on the second lateral face of the first gasket carrier plate, each said second elastomeric sealing element completely encircling one of said fluid passage openings, wherein each said tubular socket has a proximal end at which it is joined to the first terminal plate and an opposed free end which bulges radially outwardly against a wall of one of said fluid passage openings to lock the plate stack into sealed engagement with the first gasket carrier plate, and wherein the sealing of the at least one fluid passage opening between the first terminal plate and the first gasket carrier plate is provided by compression of the at least one elastomeric sealing element directly against the first terminal plate.

2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the second terminal plate includes at least one opening for inlet or release of at least one of said first and second fluids into or from the plate stack, wherein each said opening in the second terminal plate is surrounded by a tubular socket, each said socket projecting away from the second terminal plate in a direction away from the plate stack, wherein the heat exchanger further comprises: a second gasket carrier plate having a third lateral face in direct facing contact with the second terminal plate, an opposed fourth lateral face, and at least one fluid passage opening leading from the third to the fourth lateral face, wherein each of the at least one fluid passage openings is positioned in the second gasket carrier plate to align with one of the openings and tubular sockets of the second terminal plate, such that the at least one socket of the second terminal plate is received in the at least one opening of the second gasket carrier plate, at least one third elastomeric sealing element arranged on the third lateral face of the second gasket carrier plate between the second terminal plate and the second gasket carrier plate, each said third elastomeric sealing element completely encircling one of the fluid passage openings of the second gasket carrier layer and sealing the fluid passage opening between the second terminal plate and the second gasket carrier plate, at least one fourth elastomeric sealing element arranged on the fourth lateral face of the second gasket carrier plate, each said fourth elastomeric sealing element completely encircling one of the fluid passage openings of the second gasket carrier layer on the fourth lateral face.

3. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein each of the at least one first and second elastomeric sealing elements is moulded from a polymer material onto one of the first and second lateral faces of the first gasket carrier plate.

4. The heat exchanger according to claim 3, wherein each of the at least one first and second elastomeric sealing elements is at least partially located in a groove in the first or second lateral face.

5. The heat exchanger according to claim 4, wherein the first gasket carrier plate consists of or comprises a polymer material.

6. The heat exchanger according to claim 5, wherein the first gasket carrier plate further comprises a plurality of fastening openings, and wherein a metallic sleeve is inserted into at least one of the at least one fluid passage openings and at least one of the fastening openings of the first gasket carrier plate.

7. The heat exchanger according to claim 6, wherein each said metallic sleeve protrudes beyond a circumferential edge of said fluid passage opening on the first lateral face of the first gasket carrier plate, in a direction orthogonal to a plane of the first gasket carrier plate.

8. The heat exchanger according to claim 7, wherein the first gasket carrier plate is moulded from a polymer material and at least one metal sheet insert is integrated in the polymer material.

9. The heat exchanger according to claim 8, wherein each of the at least one metal sheet insert comprises one of the fluid passage openings and carries the first and second elastomeric sealing elements on its opposed facial surfaces with each of the first and second elastomeric sealing elements completely encircling the fluid passage opening.

10. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the first gasket carrier plate is provided with at least one lattice bars and ribs for structural reinforcement of the first gasket carrier plate, the lattice bars or ribs being located in recesses between the first and second lateral faces.

11. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the first gasket carrier plate comprises at least one fastening opening for fastening the heat exchanger to another part.

12. The heat exchanger according to claim 11, wherein an area of the first gasket carrier extends outwardly beyond the edges of the first terminal plate, in the plane of the first gasket carrier plate, with at least one of the fastening openings being arranged in the outwardly extending area.

13. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the free end of at least one of the tubular sockets protrudes beyond the second lateral face of the first gasket carrier plate.

14. The heat exchanger according to claim 13, wherein the free end of at least one of the tubular sockets of the first terminal plate is folded over outwardly by an angle of 30 to 120 with respect to the remainder of the tubular socket.

15. The heat exchanger according to claim 14, wherein said at least one of the tubular sockets of the first terminal plate at least partially covers the second elastomeric sealing element.

16. The heat exchanger according to claim 15, wherein the folded over free end of said at least one of the tubular sockets includes slits or a saw-tooth edge, which is folded over partially.

17. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the first terminal plate is provided with a plurality of tabs which protrude from the plane of the first terminal plate in the direction of the first gasket carrier plate, and the first gasket carrier plate is provided with a plurality of slits extending through the first gasket carrier plate from the first lateral face to the second lateral face, wherein the tabs are received in the slits in the first gasket carrier plate, with the tabs having ends which are folded over to provide a locking mechanical attachment orthogonal to the plane of the first gasket carrier plate, between the first gasket carrier plate and the heat exchanger.

18. The heat exchanger according to claim 17, wherein said locking mechanical attachment between the first gasket carrier plate and said heat exchanger results in a pressure on the first elastomeric sealing element in an axial direction along said at least one fluid passage opening and said at least one socket, which pressure is orthogonal to a contact face between said first gasket carrier plate and said first terminal plate.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In FIGS. 1 to 14, exemplary embodiments of heat exchangers according to the invention are shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(2) FIG. 1 shows a heat exchanger or heat transfer device 1 of the stacked plates type. It comprises a plurality of stacked plates 10a, 10b, 10c, as well as further stacked plates which are stacked one on the other and brazed to each other along their outer edge. During brazing, the interior surface of one plate is connected to the facing surface of the adjacent plate via interspersed turbulizers, fins or other augmentation devices. The stacked plates in the area limited by the outer edge are thus structured in such a way that they define flowing paths for two fluids between alternating plate pairs, namely the fluid to be heated and the fluid to be cooled.

(3) The stack comprising stacked plates 10a, 10b, 10c, etc. on one of its edges is limited by a lower terminal plate 2 and on the opposite edge is limited by an upper terminal plate 4.

(4) The lower terminal plate 2 comprises a facial base plate 20, including a total of four passage openings, each of which is provided with a downwardly protruding socket 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d and which openings are each surrounded by one of the latter ones. Two of these passage openings allow for the supply of the fluid to be heated and the fluid to be cooled while the other two passage openings provide for the outlet of the two fluids. The arrangement of the individual passage openings and the sockets 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d results from the design of the stacked plates 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d in their inside region.

(5) The facial base plate 20 consists of a metallic material, e.g. a metal sheet, with the sockets being integrally formed from this metal sheet, for instance by deep-drawing. In a comparable way, tabs 22a to 22d, 22b, 22b, 22b, 22d, 22d are formed from the material of the facial base plate 20. These tabs provide for an additional connection of a gasket carrier plate 3 onto the terminal plate 2.

(6) In a heat exchanger according to the present invention, the stack based on stacked plates typically shows a width of 50 to 150 mm, a length of 70 to 300 mm as well as a height of 20 to 150 mm and a gasket carrier plate with a width of 80 to 200 mm, a length of 100 to 300 mm and a height of 5 to 15 mm. Typical dimensions are 70 mm110 mm0 mm for the cooler stack and 110 mm150 mm7 mm for the gasket carrier plate, or 70 mm140 mm50 mm for the cooler stack and 100 mm160 mm7 mm for the gasket carrier plate orespecially when used in commercial vehicles, such as trucks110 mm200 mm105 mm for the cooler stack and 160 mm250 mm10 mm for the gasket carrier plate.

(7) In the exploded view of FIG. 1, which corresponds to the non-installed state of the heat exchanger, an additional gasket carrier plate 3 made from plastic is shown from its bottom side. This gasket carrier plate 3 comprises a facial base plate 30. This facial base plate 30 comprises a circumferential edge 31. The facial base plate comprises passage openings 32a to 32d, which are positioned corresponding to the passage openings and sockets 21a to 21d in the terminal plate 2. Each of the passage openings 32a to 32d is encircled by a circumferential elastomeric sealing element 35a to 35d, which is moulded in place. The terminal plate further shows slit-shaped openings 33a to 33d corresponding to the locations of the tabs 22a to 22d, 22b, 22b, 22b, 22d and 22d. The slot or slit opening 33a is suited for receiving the tab 22a, which after insertion through this slit 33a, can be folded-over. The slit 33b is similarly located and sized for receiving the tabs 22b, 22b, 22b and 22b. These tabs can be folded over, too, after having been inserted through the slit 33b. The slit 33c is suited for taking up the tab 22c, while the slit 33d is provided to receive the tabs 22d, 22d and 22d. These tabs are folded-over after assembly of the gasket carrier plate 3 to the terminal plate 2 and this way provide for a secure positive fit connection of the gasket carrier plate 3 on the terminal plate 2. Since the terminal plate 2 is brazed to the heat exchanger, in this way the entire heat exchanger stack is mechanically locked to the gasket carrier plate 3.

(8) The gasket carrier plate 3 has, in particular regions such dimensions that it protrudes beyond the outer edge of the terminal plate 2. In these regions, bores or passages 34 are arranged through which bolts can be inserted in order to fasten the gasket carrier plate 3 to another part. The heat exchanger 1 according to the invention in this way can be fastened to another part.

(9) FIG. 2 now shows the same heat exchanger 1 but from a different point of view. FIG. 2 allows viewing of the second terminal plate 4 of the heat exchanger, which here is formed as a cover plate 40 without openings.

(10) The top view of the surface of the gasket carrier plate 3 pointing towards the heat exchanger plate stack shows that this gasket carrier plate is formed with ribs in order to reduce its weight. It thus shows internal ribs or webs 37, with the interspaces of these ribs being free of material. Nevertheless, the gasket carrier plate 3 as shown in FIG. 1 has a closed surface, which is only perforated by the passage openings 32a to 32d, the slits 33a to 33d and the bolt holes 34.

(11) On the side of the gasket carrier plate 3 pointing towards the heat exchanger plate stack and the terminal plate 2 in FIG. 2, the passage openings 32a to 32d are encircled by annular sealing elements 36a to 36d, which are arranged in grooves formed in the gasket carrier plate 3.

(12) FIG. 3 shows a similar heat exchanger as FIGS. 1 and 2. In contrast to the example in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower terminal plate 2 and the gasket carrier plate 3 are provided with two passage openings, while the upper terminal plate 4 is designed in such a way that two sockets 61a, 61b protrude beyond its closed surface 40 and in this way provides for the inletand outlet flow of the heat exchanging fluids. Other necessary inand outlet communication of the heat exchanging fluids is enabled by passage openings 32a and 32c in the lower gasket carrier plate 3. Here, the gasket carrier plate is formed as a solid plate without webs. In one alternative embodiment, fastening of the gasket carrier plate is accomplished via bulging, swaging or expansion of the sockets, which allows for an attachment means without tabs 22 and slit openings 33. Besides, the design of the terminal plate 2 and of the gasket carrier plate 3 corresponds to the one shown in FIG. 1.

(13) FIG. 4 shows a magnified section of the gasket carrier plate shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, in particular a detail section around the passage opening 32c. The view shown here corresponds to an inverted view of the one in FIG. 1.

(14) In FIG. 4, one can observe that the upper edge of a passage opening 32 in the facial base plate 30, and in particular at its transition from the through-opening 32c to the surface of the plate 30 facing away from the plate stack, is bevelled. This chamfer enables, as will be described below, connecting of the socket 21c to the gasket carrier plate 3.

(15) FIG. 5 shows a section of the gasket carrier plate 3 according to an alternative embodiment, comparable to the area around the passage opening 32d shown in FIG. 1. Here, a metal sleeve 5 has been inserted into this passage opening. This sleeve 5 includes a wall 50, which lines the passage opening 32d. At its end corresponding to the surface of the facial base plate 30 that faces away from the plate stack, the sleeve 5 comprises a hem 52, which is seated on this facial base plate surface. An inclination 51 is arranged between the inner wall surface of the sleeve 5, and the hem 52. This inclination 51 corresponds in function to the chamfer or bevelled edge 38c at the passage opening 32c shown in FIG. 4. All in all, this causes that the sleeve 5 is firmly fastened in the passage opening 32c.

(16) FIG. 6a shows an alternative embodiment of the heat exchanger 1 of the invention. Here, the plate stack is arranged in a housing 41, which is only open on one side, the side facing towards the gasket carrier plate 3. The gasket carrier plate 3 essentially corresponds to the gasket carrier plate depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 so that most of the reference numbers are not repeated in FIG. 6. The gasket carrier plate 3 additionally comprises protrusions or tabs 39a to 39d which allow the gasket carrier plate to be mounted to the housing 41. The housing 41 at its open side comprises a circumferential collar 43 which can also be considered as a flange. In this collar, four recessesof which only the two recesses 42a and 42d are visible hereare provided which take up the protrusions 39a (in recess 42a), 39b, 39c and 39d (in recess 42d) of the gasket carrier plate 3. The protrusions 39a, 39b, 39c and/or 39d can be designed with slits 44 and barbed hooks 45 in order to allow for a loss-proof but reversible mouting of the gasket carrier plate 3 on the housing 41, as can be seen in FIG. 6-b. In addition, the gasket carrier plate 3 can be mounted to another part via the fastening holes 34 (only one fastening hole being provided with reference numeral in FIG. 6-a), which are situated in a region of the gasket carrier plate 3 protruding beyond the outer edge of the housing 41. The housing 41 can for instance be deep-drawn from a metal sheet.

(17) FIG. 7 shows a view of the bottom side of the heat exchanger 1 in the fully assembled state.

(18) The sockets 21a to 21d are inserted into the passage openings 32a to 32d. The socket ends that point away from the plate stack are then expanded radially outwards, or swaged against the wall of the openings, to lock the heat exchanger assembly 1, to the gasket carrier plate 3. The bulging or swaging action forces the socket material against the chamfered edges of the openings 21a to 21d, where said chamfered edges are identified as reference numbers 38a to 38d. This clamping of the gasket carrier plate 3 via the bulged sockets 21a to 21d to the terminal plate 2 causes an axial forcea force in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the opening through holes 21a to 21d or a force orthogonal to the contact plane between the terminal plate 2 and the gasket carrier plate 3on the gasket carrier plate 3, which causes the sealing of the mating plates 2 and 3 via compression of the sealing elements 36a to 36d.

(19) In addition, the slits 33a to 33d contain a lateral step in the side-walls of their through-openings. In the fastened gasket carrier plate 3 shown in FIG. 6, the tabs 22a to 22d, 22b, 22b, 22b, 22d and 22d have been inserted into the passage openings 33a to 33d and after that have been folded over at the respective lateral step mentioned. This causes a positive fit connection of the terminal plate 2 to the gasket carrier plate 3. In contrast to foregoing embodiments, here no tabs protrude from the surface of the gasket carrier plate 3.

(20) FIG. 8 shows the same heat exchanger as FIG. 7, but now with a view to the upper terminal plate 4. The gasket carrier plate now is shown from its ribbed side with ribs 37 visible in this view. The gasket carrier 3 protrudes laterally beyond the edges of the terminal plate 2, to accommodate fastener holes, 34. These fastening openings are used for fastening the gasket carrier plate 3 and therefore the heat exchanger 1 as a whole, to the engine or another part, for example by means of bolt fasteners.

(21) FIG. 9 shows another heat exchanger 1 according to the invention, which is basically designed in the same way as the heat exchangers depicted in FIGS. 1 to 8.

(22) In contrast to these heat exchangers, here the sockets 21a to 21d are slit; that is, the outward ends of these sockets have slit sidewalls, which are provided to aid in socket swaging to the gasket carrier plate. These slits, some of which are referenced to with reference number 24, extend a predetermined length from the free end of the socket in the direction towards the facial base plate 20 of the terminal plate 2. The slits may extend in length as far as the surface of facial base plate 20. However it is also possible that shorter length slits 24, corresponding to only the end region of the sockets 21a to 21d, are provided. Between the slits 24, individual elements protruding from the facial base plate 20 result. For each of the sockets 21a to 21d, one of these individual elements remaining between the slits is referenced to with reference numbers 23a, 23b, 23c and 23d, respectively. Sealing of the fluids through the gasket carrier plate is done with the sealing elements 35. This allows to optimizing the sockets and their slits only for fastening purposes and without the need for considering sealing aspects.

(23) The sockets 21a to 21d after insertion into the passage openings 32a to 32d can be bulged in a particularly simple manner at their respective free end and this way be clamped to the gasket carrier plate 3.

(24) FIG. 10 shows a plan view of a passage opening, which represents passage openings 32a to 32d and is referenced to here as passage opening 32. Similarly, the sealing element encircling this passage opening is referenced to as sealing element 35. This sealing element represents the sealing elements 35a to 35d, as they are shown in FIG. 9. Corresponding reference numbers are used in the following descriptions for all elements.

(25) FIG. 10 shows a top view to a passage opening 32 after socket expansion, at the surface of the gasket carrier 3 that is facing away from the terminal plate 2. In this view, the folded-over tabs of a slit side-wall socket 21 can be seen. These individual tabs are referenced to with reference number 23, 23 and 23. The socket 21 is comparable to the slit sockets 21a to 21d depicted in FIG. 9.

(26) FIG. 11 shows a sectional view through the gasket carrier plate 3, after assembly and folding over of tabs 22, through slit openings 33. Here, a slit-shaped opening 33, representative for slit-shaped openings 33a to 33d of all preceding figures is shown. This slit opening 33 includes a recessed stepped structure, such that its outwardly facing opening width 53 corresponds approximately to the length of the folded over portion of the tab 22; and where the tab itself is a tabular extension of the terminal plate 2 as described previously. The stepped structure includes a cambered or convex shaped feature 54 as shown in this Figure, so that together the recessed opening 53 and cambered feature 54 serve as a ledge or receptacle to receive the folded over end of lug 22, during assembly of the terminal plate 2, to the gasket carrier plate 3. That is, during assembly of the gasket carrier plate 3 onto the terminal plate 2, the tabs 22 are first guided through the slit opening 33 and then bent onto and against the cambered surface 54. This results in a clamped connection between the lugs 22 and base plate 30, in which the achieved joint is counter sunk below surface of gasket carrier plate 3.

(27) FIG. 12 shows an example of the design of the passage opening 32 representative for all passage openings shown in the foregoing figures. In the opening of the facial base plate 30 of the gasket carrier plate 3 a sleeve 5 is provided, which extends along the axial length of this opening starting from its end pointing towards the terminal plate 2, and ending at a predetermined distance slightly below the surface of the facial base plate 30 that is facing away from the terminal plate 2. A socket 21 has been inserted into this sleeve so that the facial base plate 30 rests against the terminal plate 2. The socket 21 has then been bulged and folded over above the upper end (as shown here) of sleeve 5, so that the socket adjoins to the sleeve 5 in a form- and force-locking manner. The relative heights of the sleeve 5 and the socket 21 are such that the surface of the facial base plate 30 pointing away from the terminal plate 2 is situated above the surface of the socket 21, when the socket end is fully expanded. In the interspace between the facial base plate surface and that of the expanded socket end just described, an annular gasket 55 is inserted, which seals between the facial base plate 30 and the socket 21. Adequate selection of the height of the annular seal 55 also enables a fluid-tight seal against the part to which the gasket carrier plate 3 is fastened to, i.e. when the carrier plate is bolted to the mating part to which it is mounted.

(28) FIG. 12 demonstrates that the annular gasket 55 does not necessarily have to be arranged on the surface of the facial base plate 30. It is also possible to arrange the annular gasket 55 only adjacent to this surface, as is shown here. The annular gasket 55 completely encircles the circumferential edge of the opening 32 in the facial base plate 30. While in FIGS. 1 to 11, the circumferential edge of the opening 32 is encircled by a sealing element outside this circumferential edge, in FIG. 12, the gasket is inside this circumferential edge. Nevertheless, the sealing function along the circumferential edge of the facial base plate 30 is achieved in either case.

(29) FIG. 13 shows a further embodiment of a passage opening 32, after socket assembly and expansion. A sleeve has again been inserted into this passage opening 32 in FIG. 13, which at its upper end has a chamfer 38. Here again, the socket 21 at its upper end pointing away from the terminal plate 2 has been bent and folded over. In doing so, the socket material is swaged against and follows the surface contour of the sleeve 5, especially of the chamfer 38. In this case, the upper edge of the socket in FIG. 13 is flush with the surface of the facial base plate 30 that is facing away from the terminal plate. As there is no space available for arranging a gasket 55 above the socket 21 in this embodiment, the bendable length of the socket 21 is controlled in such a way that a free space is maintained between the outer end of the socket 21 and the passage opening 32 in the facial base plate 30, into which an annular gasket 55 has been pre-placed. In this way, the sealing element is also locked in place, and again, its thickness can be predetermined to provide a reliable seal between the carrier plate 30, and the part to which the carrier plate is fastened.

(30) FIG. 14 shows in three partial figuresa plan view in FIG. 14-a and sectional views in FIGS. 14-b and 14-ca further embodiment of the gasket carrier plate 3. Here, it comprises metallic inserts 70a, 70b, 70b and 70c defining the passage openings 32a, 32b, 32b and 32c for the sockets and act as a carrier for the actual sealing elements 35a, 35b, 35b and 35c which are moulded onto the metallic inserts 70a to 70c. Each sealing element 35a to 35c encircles one of the passage openings 32a to 32c. While insert 70a has a circular shape and therefore the highest flexibility in installation, inserts 70b and 70b have mirror symmetry. In contrast, insert 70c has a waisted shape without any symmetry. Inserts 70b and 70b demonstrate that the embodiment of the invention using inserts allows for a modular design, as for both passage holes, 32b and 32b, identical inserts are used. This design also allows to use inserts of different thicknesses in one gasket carrier plate. Further, it is possible to use different materials for the sealing elements of the different inserts, e.g. sealing elements being better suited for oil or for water-glycol mixtures and the like.

(31) In addition to the slits 33 already know from the previous embodiments, the gasket carrier plate 3 here also shows dome-shaped protrusions 33* which can take-up mounting elements formed in the terminal plate of the heat exchanger plate stack, e.g. embossments. The interaction may be comparable to a snap fastener.

(32) As can be seen in FIG. 14-b, which corresponds to section A-A in FIG. 14-a, a sealing element 36 is situated at the opposite surface of the gasket carrier plate 3, immediately opposite to the sealing element 35. These two sealing elements provide for the complete sealing of the respective passage of a socket so that the socket itself does not need to be designed with respect to sealing purposes. FIG. 14-b further shows that the insert 70 has been cut from a plane metal sheet. In its region encircling the passage opening 32c, sealing elements 35 and 36 have been moulded to the facial surfaces of the insert 70. These sealing elements 35 and 36 are located close to the passage opening 32c but distanced to the latter. At their outer edge, the inserts 70 are integrated into the polymer material 71 of the gasket carrier plate 3. This is done by moulding the polymer material onto the insert and results in the transition area 72 where the polymer material 71 covers the insert 70 on both surfaces. FIG. 14-b also demonstrates that the insert 70 in its region with the sealing elements 35, 36 shows the largest height, H3, the polymer material an intermediate height, H2 and the metal sheet of the insert 70 the smallest height, H1. As the height H2 of the polymer material 71 and therefore of the largest part of the gasket carrier plate 3 is smaller than the height H3 of the insert with the sealing elements 35, 36, the latter cannot be fully compressed. This provides for a long-term stability of the sealing elements 35 and 36.

(33) FIG. 14-c shows an alternative embodiment in a comparable sectional view as in FIG. 14-b where the sealing elements 35 and 36 are however applied at the edge of the insert 70 by edge moulding and therefore also cover the edge of the insert 70. They are nevertheless considered as first and second sealing element.

(34) While both FIGS. 14-b and 14-c show embodiments where sealing elements 35 and 36 show the same thickness, it is also possible to design them with different heights or to crank the insert in order to adapt the sealing height to the particular needs of a particular type of heat exchanger.