GASKET ARRANGEMENT, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A GASKET ARRANGEMENT AND ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A gasket arrangement for a plate heat exchanger, a method of manufacturing such a gasket arrangement, and an assembly comprising such a gasket arrangement are provided. The gasket arrangement comprises a gasket positionable between first and second aligned heat transfer plates of the plate heat exchanger with a lower side of the gasket abutting the first heat transfer plate and an opposing upper side of the gasket abutting the second heat transfer plate. The gasket arrangement further comprises a projection projecting from an outside of the gasket. The projection comprises an outer part having a length extension and being arranged to extend outside the first and second heat transfer plates, and a first connection part, connecting the gasket and the outer part of the projection. The gasket arrangement further comprises an RFID tag which at least partly is embedded in at least the outer part of the projection.

Claims

1. A gasket arrangement for a plate heat exchanger comprising a gasket, which is arranged to be positioned between first and second aligned heat transfer plate of the plate heat exchanger with a lower side of the gasket abutting the first heat transfer plate and an opposing upper side of the gasket abutting the second heat transfer plate, and a projection projecting from an outside of the gasket, which projection comprises an outer part having a length extension and being arranged to extend outside the first and second heat transfer plates, and a first connection part, connecting the gasket and the outer part of the projection, and an RFID tag which at least partly is embedded in at least said outer part of the projection.

2. A gasket arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the length extension of the outer part of the projection is essentially parallel to a length extension of said RFID tag.

3. A gasket arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the length extension of the outer part of the projection is essentially parallel to a length extension of the gasket at the first connection part.

4. A gasket arrangement according to claim 1, wherein a length extension of the first connection part of the projection is essentially perpendicular to the length extension of the outer part of the projection.

5. A gasket arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first connection part extends between the gasket 6 and an intermediate portion of the outer part of the projection.

6. A gasket arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the projection further comprises a first finger extending from the outer part of the projection towards the gasket, wherein the first connection part and the first finger of the projection are arranged to engage with opposite sides of the first heat transfer plate to fasten the gasket to the first heat transfer plate.

7. A gasket arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the gasket comprises a first porthole gasket portion arranged to extend around a first porthole of the first heat transfer plate, a second porthole gasket portion arranged to extend around a second porthole of the first heat transfer plate, an annular gasket portion an inside of which is arranged to define a fluid flow channel between the first and second heat transfer plates at least one first link gasket portion connecting the first porthole gasket portion and the annular gasket portion, and at least one second link gasket portion connecting the second porthole gasket portion and the annular gasket portion, wherein the projection projects from an outer one of said at least one first link gasket portion.

8. A gasket arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the gasket comprises a first porthole gasket portion arranged to extend around a first porthole of the first heat transfer plate, wherein the projection projects from the outside of the first porthole gasket portion.

9. A gasket arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the gasket comprises an annular gasket portion an inside of which is arranged to define a fluid flow channel between the first and second heat transfer plates, wherein the projection projects from the outside of the annular gasket portion.

10. A method of manufacturing a gasket arrangement for a plate heat exchanger, which gasket arrangement includes a gasket and a projection projecting from an outside of the gasket, comprising providing the gasket of an elastomeric first material, providing the projection of a second material, permanently joining the gasket and the projection, providing an RFID tag at least partly molded into the projection.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the providing of the gasket comprises providing a mold comprising a gasket portion for molding the gasket of the gasket arrangement, arranging at least one blank of the elastomeric first material in the gasket portion of the mold, and applying heat to the mold to achieve the gasket and said joining of the gasket and the projection.

12. A method according to claim 10, wherein the providing of the gasket and the providing of the projection comprise providing a mold comprising a gasket portion for molding the gasket of the gasket arrangement, and a projection portion projecting from an outside of the gasket portion for molding the projection of the gasket arrangement, arranging the RFID tag in the projection part of the mold, arranging at least one blank of the elastomeric first material in the gasket portion of the mold, and at least one blank of the second material in the projection portion of the mold, and applying heat to the mold to achieve the gasket, the projection, the RFID tag at least partly molded into the projection, and said joining of the gasket and the projection.

13. A method according to claim 10, wherein the elastomeric first material and the second material is the same material.

14. An assembly comprising a first heat transfer plate and a gasket arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first heat transfer plate comprises a groove accommodating the gasket and the outer part of the projection extends outside the first heat transfer plate.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which

[0034] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an assembly, i.e. a heat transfer plate and a gasket arrangement placed on top of the heat transfer plate,

[0035] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates abutting outer edges of adjacent heat transfer plates in a plate pack, as seen from the outside of a long side of the plate pack,

[0036] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a cross section of a sealing portion of the gasket in FIG. 1,

[0037] FIG. 4 contains an enlargement of a first part of the gasket arrangement in FIG. 1 and illustrates a first embodiment of the invention,

[0038] FIG. 5 contains an enlargement of a second part of the gasket arrangement in FIG. 1 and illustrates a second embodiment of the invention,

[0039] FIG. 6 schematically illustrates proper engagement between the heat transfer plate and the gasket arrangement in FIG. 1, and

[0040] FIG. 7 schematically illustrates an RFID tag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] In FIG. 1 a gasket arrangement 2 and a first heat transfer plate 4 for a plate heat exchanger (not illustrated) are shown. The gasket arrangement 2 and the first heat transfer plate 4 constitute an assembly 5. The gasket arrangement 2 comprises a rubber gasket 6. The first heat transfer plate is essentially rectangular and made of stainless steel. In the plate heat exchanger, the first heat transfer plate 4 is arranged between a second heat transfer plate 8 (illustrated in FIG. 2) and a third heat transfer plate 10 (illustrated in FIG. 2), and the gasket 6 seals between the first heat transfer plate 4 and the second heat transfer plate 8. In the plate heat exchanger, the first, second and third heat transfer plates form part of a plate pack. The plates in the plate pack are all of the same type, but in alternative embodiments they could be of different types. Further, with reference to the section of the text describing the background of the invention, the heat transfer plates in the plate pack are “rotated” in relation to each other, but in alternative embodiments they could instead be “flipped” in relation to each other.

[0042] The first heat transfer plate 4 comprises (FIGS. 1 and 2) a first side 12, an opposing second side 14 and first, second, third and fourth portholes 16a-d arranged in a respective corner of the first heat transfer plate 4. The first heat transfer plate 4 further comprises a groove 18 on the first side 12 for receiving the gasket 6. First and second porthole groove portions 18a and 18b, respectively, of the groove 18 extend completely around a respective one of the first and second portholes 16a and 16b. An annular groove portion 18e of the groove 18 extends along an outer edge 20 of the first heat transfer plate 4 and on the inside of the first and second porthole groove portions 18a and 18b, respectively, of the groove 18. A plurality of first link groove portions 18f, here 7, of the groove 18 extend between the first porthole groove portion 18a and the annular groove portion 18e, while a plurality of second link groove portions 18g, here 7, of the groove 18 extend between the second porthole groove portion 18b and the annular groove portion 18e.

[0043] Different areas of the first heat transfer plate 4 are provided with different corrugation patterns (not illustrated in FIG. 1), and the corrugation pattern within a specific plate area is adapted to the main function of this plate area. For example, with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, an outer edge portion 22 of the first heat transfer plate 4 is provided with a strengthening corrugation extending along most of the outer edge 20 of the first heat transfer plate 4 so as to give it a wave-shape. This corrugation, which comprises alternately arranged ridges 24 and valleys 26 as seen from the first side 12 of the heat transfer plate 4, and also corrugations within other areas of the heat transfer plate 4, extend between and in an imaginary first plane p1 and an imaginary second plane p2. A bottom of the gasket groove 18 extends in the first plane p1. An imaginary intermediate plane pi arranged halfway between, and parallel to, the imaginary first and second planes p1 and p2 defines the border between the ridges 24 and the valleys 26 within the outer edge portion 22 of the first heat transfer plate 4.

[0044] Since the first, second and third heat transfer plates are all of the same kind, the above description of the first heat transfer plate 4 is valid also for the second and third heat transfer plates 8 and 10.

[0045] In the plate heat exchanger, the first side 12 of the first heat transfer plate 4 faces the second heat transfer plate 8, while the second opposing side 14 of the first heat transfer plate 4 faces the third heat transfer plate 10. Arranged like that, corrugations of the first heat transfer plate 4 abut corrugations of the second and third heat transfer plates 8 and 10.

[0046] Simultaneously, the gasket 6 is accommodated in the gasket grooves of, and compressed between, the first and second heat transfer plates 4 and 8, with a lower side 28 of the gasket 6 (FIG. 3) facing the first heat transfer plate 4 and an upper side 30 (FIG. 3) of the gasket 6 facing the second heat transfer plate 8. A similar gasket is correspondingly arranged, and compressed between, the first and third heat transfer plates. 4 and 10

[0047] To fit in the groove 18, the gasket 6 comprises, with reference to FIG. 1, first and second porthole gasket portions 6a and 6b, respectively, arranged to be received in the first and second porthole groove portions 18a and 18b, respectively, an annular gasket portion 6e arranged to be received in the annular groove portion 18e, a plurality of first link gasket portions 6f, here 7, arranged to be received in a respective one of the first link groove portions 18f, and a plurality of second link gasket portions 6g, here 7, arranged to be received in a respective one of the second link groove portions 18g. Thus, in the plate heat exchanger, the first and second porthole gasket portions 6a and 6b of the gasket 6 are arranged to surround a respective one of the first and second portholes 16a and 16b of the first heat transfer plate 4 and a respective one of the portholes of the second heat transfer plate 8, while an inside 32 of the annular gasket portion 6e of the gasket 6 is arranged to define a fluid flow channel between the first and second heat transfer plates 4 and 8. The first and second link gasket portions 6f and 6g are non-sealing portions of a reduced height connecting the first and second porthole gasket portions 6a and 6b and the annular gasket portion 6e. It alternative embodiments these non-sealing gasket portions may be of the same height as the rest of the gasket.

[0048] Besides the rubber gasket 6 the gasket arrangement 2 comprises rubber projections in the form of a marking tab 34, outer gasket attachment means 36 and inner gasket attachment means 38. The marking tab 34 and the outer gasket attachment means 36 project from an outside 40 of the gasket 6, while the inner gasket attachment means 38 project from an inside 42 of the first and second porthole gasket portions 6a and 6b, and the inside 32 of the annular gasket portion 6e, of the gasket 6. The marking tab 34 and a first one 36a of the outer gasket attachment means 36 project from an outer one 6f′ of the first link gasket portions 6f and are illustrated in more detail in FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively. Each of the marking tab 34 and the first outer gasket attachment means 36a comprises an outer part or bridge 44 and 46, respectively, and a first connection part 48 and 50, respectively. The first connection parts 48 and 50 are arranged to connect the outer parts 44 and 46 to the gasket 6. The first connection parts 48 and 50 extend from the gasket 6 essentially perpendicular to a length extension of the gasket 6 where the first connection parts 48 and 50 join the gasket 6. Further, a respective length extension of the outer parts 44 and 46 is essentially parallel to the length extension of the gasket 6 where the first connection parts 48 and 50 join the gasket 6. As is clear from FIGS. 1 and 4-6, the first connection parts 48 and 50 have such a length that the outer parts 44 and 46 are arranged to extend just outside the first heat transfer plate 4 and, thus, the plate pack of the plate heat exchanger.

[0049] The first connection part 48 of the marking tab 34 connects to an intermediate or center portion C of the outer part 44 of the marking tab 34, while the first connection part 50 of the outer gasket attachment means 36a connects to a first end portion El of the outer part 46 of the outer gasket attachment means 36a. The outer gasket attachment means 36a further comprises a second connection part 52 arranged to connect the outer part 46 to the gasket 6. The second connection part 52 extend essentially parallel to, and have a similar length as, the first connection part 50. The second connection part 52 of the outer gasket attachment means 36a connects to a second end portion E2 of the outer part 46 of the outer gasket attachment means 36a. Finally, the outer gasket attachment means 36a comprises first, second and third fingers 54, 56 and 58, respectively, extending, essentially parallel to the first and second connection parts 50 and 52, from the outer part 46 of the outer gasket attachment means 36a towards the gasket 6.

[0050] All the outer gasket attachment means 36 are configured according to the above description of the outer gasket attachment means 36a. They are arranged to engage with the first heat transfer plate 4 to attach the gasket 6 thereto. In FIG. 6 the engagement between the first heat transfer plate 4 and one of the outer gasket attachment means 36 is illustrated, but all of the outer gasket attachment means 36 engage in a similar way with the first heat transfer plate 4. When the outer gasket attachment means 36 properly engage with the first heat transfer plate 4, the first and second connection parts 50 and 52 and the second finger 56 are arranged in a respective one of the valleys 26 of the outer edge portion 22, the first and third fingers 54 and 58 are arranged under a respective one of the ridges 24 of the outer edge portion 22, and the outer part 46 extends outside the first heat transfer plate 4, essentially parallel to the outer edge 20 thereof. Accordingly, the first and second connection parts 50 and 52 and the second finger 56 of the outer gasket attachment means 36 will engage with the first side 12 of the first heat transfer plate 4, while the first and third fingers 54 and 58 of the outer gasket attachment means 36 will engage with the opposing second side 14 (FIG. 2) of the first heat transfer plate 4, to fasten the gasket 6 to the first heat transfer plate 4.

[0051] When the gasket arrangement 2 is properly fastened to the first heat transfer plate 4, the gasket 6 is arranged in the groove 18, the outer gasket attachment means 36 all engage with the first heat transfer plate 4 as described above, the inner gasket attachment means 38 all engage with porthole edges of the first heat transfer plate 4 in not further described way, the first connection part 48 of the marking tab 34 is arranged in one of the valleys 26 of the outer edge portion 22 of the first heat transfer plate 4, and the outer part 44 of the marking tab 34 extends outside the first heat transfer plate 4, essentially parallel to the outer edge 20 thereof.

[0052] The gasket arrangement 2 further comprises an RFID tag 60 of UHF-standard which is illustrated in FIG. 7. FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate two possible positions for the RFID tag 60, and, thus, two different embodiments of the gasket arrangement 2 according to the invention. In FIG. 4 the RFID tag 60 is arranged in the outer part 44 of the marking tab 34, and in FIG. 5 the RFID tag 60 is arranged in the outer part 46 of the first outer gasket attachment means 36a. In both embodiments, the RFID tag 60 is embedded in the rubber and not visible from the outside, and, therefore, illustrated with ghost lines in FIGS. 4 and 5. Further, in both embodiments, a length extension of the RFID tag 60, and especially a longitudinal center axis of two antennas 62 extending from a chip 61 thereof (FIG. 7), is essentially parallel to the length extension of the outer part 44 and 46, respectively. The antennas 62 have been illustrated with solid lines in the figures even if they in reality are formed as spirals extending around the longitudinal center axis of the antennas.

[0053] A mold (not illustrated), which comprises a gasket portion for molding the gasket 6 and projection portions for molding the marking tab 34, the outer gasket attachment means 36 and the inner gasket attachment means 38, is used to manufacture the gasket arrangement 2. The mold is a conventional mold comprising two opposite parts pressed against each other to define the mold cavity, and it is not described in further detail herein. The projection portions for molding the marking tab 34 and the outer gasket attachment means 36 project from an outside of the gasket portion, while the projection portions for molding the inner gasket attachment means 38 project from an inside of the gasket portion. In a first step, the RFID tag 60 is arranged in an outer portion of the projection portion for molding the marking tab 34, or in an outer portion of the projection portion for molding the first outer gasket attachment means 36a, depending on whether a gasket arrangement according to FIG. 4 or FIG. 5 is to be manufactured. In a second step, the gasket and projection portions of the mold are filled with blanks of rubber. In a third step, the mold is heated to plasticize or vulcanize the blanks of rubber and achieve the gasket arrangement. In connection therewith, plasticized or vulcanized rubber encapsulates the RFID tag 60 which thereby becomes embedded in the marking tab 34 or the first outer gasket arrangement 36a. After forming, the gasket arrangement is removed from the mold in one piece.

[0054] Either the RFID tag is pre-programmed with a random number when received by the gasket manufacturer, or the gasket manufacturer programs the RFID tag with a random number. The random number should have a minimal chance of repetition or interference with other systems. For example, the random number could be generated by means of the UUID4 technology. The random number is paired with the corresponding manufacturing batch number in a data base, which batch number, in turn, provides information on article number, material quality, manufacturing date, manufacturing parameters, etc. At a later stage, the RFID tag 60 of the gasket arrangement 2 can be read by means of a suitable reader to access all this information for full traceability of the gasket arrangement throughout its product life cycle. For example, this could facilitate claims handling. The random number may also be paired with additional information, like information on the customer who has bought the gasket arrangement, identity of the plate heat exchanger containing the gasket arrangement, installation date, plate heat exchanger operation parameters, etc., which information may be updated if required. Such additional information could be used to make digital twins of plate heat exchangers and facilitate and predict service and maintenance of them.

[0055] The above described embodiments of the present invention should only be seen as examples. A person skilled in the art realizes that the embodiments discussed can be varied in a number of ways without deviating from the inventive conception.

[0056] As an example, the first outer gasket attachment means 36a and the marking tab 34 need not be positioned as illustrated in FIG. 1 but can have other positions. For example, the first outer gasket attachment means 36a and the marking tab 34 could instead project from the other outer one of the first link gasket portions 6f, or from a bridge portion of the gasket 6 adapted to be positioned below a center recess of the first heat transfer plate 4, which bridge portion is illustrated in FIG. 1. As another example, the first outer gasket attachment means 36a and the marking tab 34 could instead project from a sealing portion of the gasket, such as from the first porthole gasket portion 6a, for example at ‘A’ in FIG. 1, or from the annular gasket portion 6e, for example at ‘B’ in FIG. 1. Naturally, the gasket arrangement could also comprise two marking tabs housing a respective RFID tag; for example one marking tab projecting from the first porthole gasket portion 6a and one marking tab projecting from the annular gasket portion 6e. Such an embodiment could allow separate traceability of the first porthole gasket portion and the annular gasket portion. Instead of being embedded solely in the outer portion of a projection as described above, the RFID tag could be embedded also in the first connection part of the projection, with the length extension of the RFID tag being essentially parallel to the length extension of the first connection part or not.

[0057] The RFID tag need not be designed as described above and illustrated in the drawings but could have any suitable design. As an example, the antennas need not be formed as three dimensional spirals but could extend, in any suitable way, in a plane. As an example, the antennas could extend from opposite sides of the chip with a wave-shape. As another example, the antennas could extend one or more turns around the chip, and the turns could have any shape, such as a round or a polygonal shape. Further, the RFID tag could comprise more or less than two antennas, and the chip may have any suitable design. Finally, the RFID tag may be comprised in a label and thus provided on a support which may be embedded in the projection.

[0058] The length extension of the outer part of the projection need not extend essentially perpendicular to the length extension of the first connection part of the projection, but could instead extend essentially parallel thereto to form a “prolongation” of the first connection part.

[0059] The first outer gasket attachment means 36a need not be designed as illustrated in the figures but could have other designs. For example, the first outer gasket attachment means could be designed according to U.S. Pat. No. 4,635,715 or U.S. Pat. No. 10,451,361.

[0060] All the outer gasket attachment means may, or may not, have a similar design.

[0061] The gasket assembly illustrated in FIG. 1 is adapted for use in a plate heat exchanger of parallel flow type which means that the first and second porthole gasket portions 6a and 6b are arranged on the same side of a longitudinal center axis of the gasket arrangement. Naturally, the present invention is equally applicable in connection with a plate heat exchanger of diagonal flow type and the first and second porthole gasket portions 6a and 6b arranged on opposite sides of a longitudinal center axis of the gasket arrangement. Further, the present invention is also applicable in connection with other types of plate heat exchangers, such as fresh water generators having portholes arranged along a longitudinal center axis of the plate heat exchanger.

[0062] The complete gasket arrangement need not be molded in one single step. For example, the marking tab including the RFID tag could be molded in a first step, and the rest of the gasket arrangement could be molded in a second step. Then, the pre-molded marking tab, including the RFID tag, could be arranged in the mold for making the gasket arrangement and be “automatically” bonded to the gasket in connection with molding of the rest of the gasket arrangement. Alternatively, the marking tab, including the RFID tag could be molded in a separate mold, and the rest of the gasket could be molded in a separate mold, and then the marking tab and the rest of the gasket arrangement could be connected in a separate step. Naturally, corresponding alternative manufacturing methods are possible with the RFID tag instead arranged embedded in the first outer gasket attachment means.

[0063] The RFID tag need not be molded into the marking tab or the first outer gasket attachment means by letting plasticized or vulcanized rubber or other material encapsulate the RFID tag. According to an alternative manufacturing method, an incision is made in the marking tab or the first outer gasket attachment means after molding, and the RFID tag is inserted through this incision.

[0064] The complete or a part of the gasket arrangement could be made of another material than rubber. Similarly, the heat transfer plates could be made of another material than stainless steel, such as titanium or aluminum.

[0065] The above described heat transfer plates are so designed that the gasket groove and the valleys within the outer edge portion are in the same plane. Naturally, the present invention is equally applicable in connection with heat transfer plates of other designs, for example heat transfer plates comprising gasket grooves arranged in half-plane.

[0066] Finally, the present invention could be used in connection with other types of plate heat exchangers than purely gasketed ones, e.g. plate heat exchangers comprising partly/only permanently joined heat transfer plates, such as welded and semi-welded heat exchangers.

[0067] It should be stressed that a description of details not relevant to the present invention has been omitted and that the figures are just schematic and not drawn according to scale. It should also be said that some of the figures have been more simplified than others. Therefore, some components may be illustrated in one figure but left out in another figure. Finally, as used herein, the prefixes “first”, “second”, “top”, “bottom”, “upper”, “lower”, “horizontal”, “vertical” etc. are used only to distinguish between different components and pose no requirements as regards relative positioning or orientation.