Floating plate heat exchanger

Claim 2

A heat exchanger plate block providing alternating cross-flow channels for heat exchange between two fluid streams and comprising a stack of consecutive, spaced, parallel, generally rectangular plates mounted within an enclosing frame having generally rectangular end walls parallel to the plates and corner posts extending between and joining corners of the end walls, characterized by including resilient separators between said plates to render the stack of plates resiliently compressible as a unit in a direction normal to the planes of the plates, each separator having an elongated, generally flat, resilient spacer elastically compressible through its thickness and in operative contact with a plate, and a rigid spacer between and in operative contact with the resilient spacer and the next consecutive plate.

Claim 3

The plate block of claim 1 wherein the resilient separators space two opposed edges of each plate from adjacent edges of a consecutive plate, and wherein the resilient separators of consecutive plates lie at right angles to each other.

Claim 4

The plate block of claim 1 further characterized in that the end walls are pressed against the stack of plates with sufficient force to retain the plate stack in compression sufficient to restrain the plates from gross movement in their planes but enabling the stack to internally absorb growth due to thermal expansion in a direction normal to the planes of the plates.

Claim 5

The plate block of claim 1 further characterized by including supportive ribs extending across and between said plates with the ribs on opposite sides of each plate laying at right angles to each other and ribs on the same side of alternating plates being aligned and defining planes normal to the planes of the plates, the defined planes intersecting at right angles and the lines of intersection of the planes extending normal to the planes of the plates, the ribs co-acting with the plates upon severe compression to form structural, supportive columns normal to the planes of the plates and coincident with said lines of intersection to support the plates against warping.

Claim 6

The plate block of claim 1 further characterized in that the resilient spacer comprises a mesh of non-woven fibers.

Claim 7

The plate block of claim 1 further characterized by including resilient corner spacers spacing corners of the plates from adjacent corner posts to accommodate growth of the plates due to thermal expansion parallel to their planes.

Claim 8

The plate block of claim 6 further characterized in that the resilient corner spacers comprise at least one elongated scroll of resilient material extending the normal to the planes of the plates.

Claim 9

A heat exchanger plate block providing alternating cross-flow channels for heat exchange between two fluid streams and comprising a stack of consecutive, spaced, parallel, generally rectangular end walls parallel to the plates and corner posts extending between and joining the corners of the end walls, characterized by including: resilient separators between said plates to render the stack of plates resiliently compressible as a unit in a direction normal to the planes of the plates, each resilient separator comprising a rigid spacer, an elastic means attached thereto, and at least one supportive rib; and resilient corner spacers spacing corners of the plates from adjacent corner posts to accommodate growth of the plates due to thermal expansion parallel to their planes.

Claim 10

A heat exchanger plate block providing alternating cross-flow channels for heat exchange between two fluid streams and comprising a stack of consecutive, spaced, parallel, generally rectangular end walls parallel to the plates and corner posts extending between and joining the corners of the end walls, characterized by including: resilient separators between said plates to render the stack of plates resiliently compressible as a unit in a direction normal to the planes of the plates, each resilient separator comprising a rigid spacer, an elastic means attached thereto, and at least one supportive rib; and resilient corner spacers spacing corners of the plates from adjacent corner posts to accommodate growth of the plates due to thermal expansion parallel to their planes.

Claim 11

The plate block of claim 8 wherein the elastic means comprises a leaf spring.

Claim 12

The plate block of claim 8 wherein the elastic means comprises an elongated, generally flat, strip-like resilient spacer elastically compressible through its thickness.

Claim 13

The plate block of claim 10 wherein the strip-like resilient spacer comprises a mesh of non-woven fibers.

Claim 14

A heat exchanger plate block providing alternating cross-flow channels for heat exchange between two fluid streams and comprising a stack of consecutive, spaced, parallel rectangular plates mounted within an enclosing frame having generally rectangular end walls parallel to the plates and corner posts extending between and joining corners of the end walls, characterized by including heat exchanger plates having two opposed edges of which each has a portion extending in one direction normal to the plane of the plate and terminating in a flange extending outwardly parallel to the plane of the plate and the other two opposed edges of the plate each having portions extending in the opposite direction normal to the plane of the plate, each such plate being oriented 90° in its plane with respect to the next consecutive plate with outer edges of the flanges confronting the opposed edge portions extending in said opposite direction of the next consecutive plate, thereby permitting the plates to nest.

Claim 15

A heat exchanger plate block providing alternating cross-flow channels for heat exchange between two fluid streams and comprising a stack of consecutive, spaced, parallel rectangular plates mounted within an enclosing frame having generally rectangular end walls parallel to the plates and corner posts extending between and joining corners of the end walls, characterized by including heat exchanger plates having two opposed edges of which each has a portion extending in one direction normal to the plane of the plate and terminating in a flange extending outwardly parallel to the plane of the plate and the other two opposed edges of the plate each having portions extending in the opposite direction normal to the plane of the plate, each such plate being oriented 90° in its plane with respect to the next consecutive plate with outer edges of the flanges confronting the opposed edge portions extending in said opposite direction of the next consecutive plate, thereby permitting the plates to nest.

Claim 16

The plate block of claim 12 including resilient corner spacers spacing corners of the plates from adjacent corner posts to accommodate growth of the plates due to thermal expansion parallel to their planes.

Claim 17

The plate block of claim 13 further characterized in that said resilient corner spacers comprise at least one elongated scroll of resilient material, the scroll being positioned between the corner posts and the corners of the plates and extending longitudinally normal to the planes of the plates.

Claim 18

The plate block of claim 12 including resilient separators between said plates to render the stack of plates resiliently compressable as a unit in a direction normal to the planes of the plates.

Claim 19

The plate block of claim 15 further characterized in that the resilient separators are positioned between adjacent edges of the plates, the separators of consecutive plates lying at right angles to one another, each resilient separator comprising a generally flat, elongated, resilient strip and a rigid spacer oriented in series with respect to one another in a direction normal to the planes of the plates.

Claim 20

The plate block of claim 16 further characterized in that the resilient separators are carried in a channel defined by the outwardly extending flange, the portion normal to the plane of the plate, and the adjacent edge of a consecutive plate.

Claim 21

A heat exchanger plate block providing alternating cross-flow channels for heat exchange between two fluid streams and comprising a stack of consecutive, spaced, parallel, generally rectangular plates mounted within an enclosing frame having generally rectangular end walls parallel to the plates and corner posts extending between and joining corners of the end walls, characterized by including: resilient separators between said plates to render the stack of plates resiliently compressible as a unit in a direction normal to the planes of the plates; resilient corner spacers spacing corners of the plates from adjacent corner posts to accommodate growth of the plates due to thermal expansion parallel to their planes; and corner seals positioned against corners of the plates and urged resiliently by the resilient corner spacers into continuous sealing contact with the plate corners.

Claim 22

A heat exchanger plate block providing alternating cross-flow channels for heat exchange between two fluid streams and comprising a stack of consecutive, spaced, parallel, generally rectangular plates mounted within an enclosing frame having generally rectangular end walls parallel to the plates and corner posts extending between and joining corners of the end walls, characterized by including: resilient separators between said plates to render the stack of plates resiliently compressible as a unit in a direction normal to the planes of the plates; resilient corner spacers spacing corners of the plates from adjacent corner posts to accommodate growth of the plates due to thermal expansion parallel to their planes; and corner seals positioned against corners of the plates and urged resiliently by the resilient corner spacers into continuous sealing contact with the plate corners.

Claim 23

The plate block of claim 18 further characterized in that the end walls are pressed against the stack of plates with sufficient force to retain the plate stack in compression sufficient to restrain the plates from gross movement in their planes but enabling the stack to internally absorb growth due to thermal expansion in a direction normal to the planes of the plates.

Claim 24

The plate block of claim 18 further characterized by including supportive ribs extending across and between said plates with the ribs on opposite sides of each plate lying at right angles to each other and with ribs on the same side of alternating plates being aligned and defining planes normal to the planes of the plates, the defined planes intersecting at right angles and the lines of intersection of the planes extending normal to the planes of the plates, the ribs co-acting with the plates upon severe compression of the latter to form structural, supportive columns normal to the planes of the plates and coincident with said lines of intersection to support the plates against warping.

Claim 25

The plate block of claim 18 further characterized in that said resilient corner spacers comprise at least one elongated scroll of resilient material extending normal to the planes of the plates.

Claim 26

The plate block of claim 18 further characterized by including consecutive heat exchanger plates each having two opposed edges, each such edge having a portion extending in one direction normal to the plane of the plate and terminating in a flange extending outwardly parallel to the plane of the plate, and the other two opposed edges of the plate each having portions extending in the opposite direction normal to the plane of the plate, each such plate being oriented 90° in its plane with respect to the next consecutive plate with outer edges of the flanges confronting the opposed edge portions extending in said opposite direction of the next consecutive plate, thereby permitting the plates to nest.

Claim 27

The plate block of claim 18 further characterized in that the length of the edge portion extending in the opposite direction normal to the plane of the plate and measured parallel to the plane of the plate is substantially less than the overall length of the plate measured in the same direction.

Claim 28

The plate block of claim 18 further characterized in that the plates are provided with a plurality of elongated dimples, each dimple arising from the surface of a plate in the same direction relative to the plane of the plates, the dimples formed in consecutive plates being at right angles to each other and the dimples in alternating plates being identically positioned, the dimples in consecutive plates co-acting upon severe compression of the plate stack to form structural, supportive columns extending normal to the planes of the plates and supporting the plates against warping.

Claim 29

The plate block of claim 18 further characterized in that each resilient separator includes an elongated, generally flat, resilient spacer elastically compressible through its thickness and in operative contact with an edge portion of a plate, and a rigid spacer between and in operative contact with the resilient spacer and an edge portion of a consecutive plate.

Claim 30

The plate block of claim 25 further characterized in that the resilient separators are positioned between adjacent edges of consecutive plates with the resilient separators of consecutive plates lying at right angles to each other.

Claim 31

The plate block of claim 25 further characterized in that the elongated resilient spacer comprises a mesh of non-woven fibers.

Claim 32

A heat exchanger plate block providing alternating crossflow channels for heat exchange between two fluid streams and comprising a stack of consecutive, spaced, parallel, generally rectangular plates mounted within an enclosing frame having generally rectangular end walls parallel to the plates and corner posts extending between and joining corners of the end walls, characterized by including: resilient corner spacers spacing corners of the plates from adjacent corner posts to accommodate growth of the plates due to thermal expansion parallel to their planes, the corner spacers each comprising at least one elongated scroll of resilient material extending longitudinally in a direction normal to the planes of the plates; resilient separators between said plates to render the stack of plates resiliently compressible as a unit in a direction normal to the planes of the plates, each resilient separator comprising a generally flat resilient elongated strip in operative contact with one plate, and a rigid spacer in operative contact with said resilient strip and the opposing plate, the resilient separators of consecutive plates lying at right angles to each other; the heat exchanger plates each having two opposed edges of which each has a portion extending in one direction normal to the plane of the plate and terminating in a flange extending outwardly parallel to the plane of the plate, and the other two opposed edges of the plate each having edge portions extending in the opposite direction normal to the plane of the plate, each such plate being oriented 90° in its plane with respect to the next consecutive plate with outer edges of the flanges confronting the opposed edge portions extending in said opposite direction of the next consecutive plate, thereby permitting the plates to nest.

Claim 33

A heat exchanger plate block providing alternating crossflow channels for heat exchange between two fluid streams and comprising a stack of consecutive, spaced, parallel, generally rectangular plates mounted within an enclosing frame having generally rectangular end walls parallel to the plates and corner posts extending between and joining corners of the end walls, characterized by including: resilient corner spacers spacing corners of the plates from adjacent corner posts to accommodate growth of the plates due to thermal expansion parallel to their planes, the corner spacers each comprising at least one elongated scroll of resilient material extending longitudinally in a direction normal to the planes of the plates; resilient separators between said plates to render the stack of plates resiliently compressible as a unit in a direction normal to the planes of the plates, each resilient separator comprising a generally flat resilient elongated strip in operative contact with one plate, and a rigid spacer in operative contact with said resilient strip and the opposing plate, the resilient separators of consecutive plates lying at right angles to each other; the heat exchanger plates each having two opposed edges of which each has a portion extending in one direction normal to the plane of the plate and terminating in a flange extending outwardly parallel to the plane of the plate, and the other two opposed edges of the plate each having edge portions extending in the opposite direction normal to the plane of the plate, each such plate being oriented 90° in its plane with respect to the next consecutive plate with outer edges of the flanges confronting the opposed edge portions extending in said opposite direction of the next consecutive plate, thereby permitting the plates to nest.

Claim 34

A heat exchanger plate block providing alternating cross-flow channels for heat exchange between two fluid streams and comprising a stack of consecutive, spaced, generally rectangular parallel plates mounted within an enclosing frame having generally rectangular end walls parallel to the plates and corner posts extending between and joining corners of the end walls, characterized by including: resilient edge separators spacing two opposed edges of each plate from adjacent edges of a consecutive plate, the resilient edge separators of consecutive plates lying at right angles to each other and enabling the plate stack to be resiliently compressed in a direction normal to the planes of the plates; resilient corner spacers extending the length of the plate stack measured normal to the planes of the plates and resiliently spacing corners of the plates from adjacent corner posts to accommodate growth of the plates due to thermal expansion parallel to their planes; and corner seals positioned against corners of the plates and urged resiliently by the resilient spacers into continuous sealing contact with the plate corners; the end walls and corner posts co-acting to compress the plate stack sufficiently to frictionally restrain the plates from gross movement in their planes but allowing for sufficient further compression of the plate stack as a whole to enable the stack to internally absorb growth due to thermal expansion in a direction normal to the planes of the plate.

Claim 35

A heat exchanger plate block providing alternating cross-flow channels for heat exchange between two fluid streams and comprising a stack of consecutive, spaced, generally rectangular parallel plates mounted within an enclosing frame having generally rectangular end walls parallel to the plates and corner posts extending between and joining corners of the end walls, characterized by including: resilient edge separators spacing two opposed edges of each plate from adjacent edges of a consecutive plate, the resilient edge separators of consecutive plates lying at right angles to each other and enabling the plate stack to be resiliently compressed in a direction normal to the planes of the plates; resilient corner spacers extending the length of the plate stack measured normal to the planes of the plates and resiliently spacing corners of the plates from adjacent corner posts to accommodate growth of the plates due to thermal expansion parallel to their planes; and corner seals positioned against corners of the plates and urged resiliently by the resilient spacers into continuous sealing contact with the plate corners; the end walls and corner posts co-acting to compress the plate stack sufficiently to frictionally restrain the plates from gross movement in their planes but allowing for sufficient further compression of the plate stack as a whole to enable the stack to internally absorb growth due to thermal expansion in a direction normal to the planes of the plate.