Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
197 words
A plate heat exchanger comprising a plurality of generally rectangular plates stacked together to define between them passages for two heat exchanging fluids, the plates having openings at the corner regions thereof for conveying said fluids to and from respective passages, each plate having inlet and outlet openings for one fluid located adjacent one side edge of the plate and having inlet and outlet openings for the other fluid located adjacent the opposite side edge of the plate, the plates having corrugations defining alternate ridges and grooves which extend across the plates to increase turbulence of the heat exchanging fluids in the passages, the cross-section of each corrugation groove increasing along the length of the groove in such a direction that the volume per unit width of each passage changes across the width of the two plates defining said passage, said volume per unit width of each passage being relatively small adjacent those side edges of said two plates which are nearer said inlet and outlet openings through which fluid is conducted to and from said passage, said volume per unit width of each passage being relatively larger adjacent the opposite side edges of said two plates.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
197 words
A plate heat exchanger comprising a plurality of generally rectangular plates stacked together to define between them passages for two heat exchanging fluids, the plates having openings at the corner regions thereof for conveying said fluids to and from respective passages, each plate having inlet and outlet openings for one fluid located adjacent one side edge of the plate and having inlet and outlet openings for the other fluid located adjacent the opposite side edge of the plate, the plates having corrugations defining alternate ridges and grooves which extend across the plates to increase turbulence of the heat exchanging fluids in the passages, the cross-section of each corrugation groove increasing along the length of the groove in such a direction that the volume per unit width of each passage changes across the width of the two plates defining said passage, said volume per unit width of each passage being relatively small adjacent those side edges of said two plates which are nearer said inlet and outlet openings through which fluid is conducted to and from said passage, said volume per unit width of each passage being relatively larger adjacent the opposite side edges of said two plates.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The heat exchanger of claim 1, in which the width of each corrugation groove increases along the length of the groove.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The heat exchanger of claim 1, in which the depth of at least some of said grooves changes along the length of the grooves.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The heat exchanger of claim 1, in which each corrugation ridge decreases in cross-section along the length of the ridge in the same direction in which an adjacent groove increases in cross-section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The heat exchanger of claim 1, in which the ridges of adjacent plates cross and abut each other in said passages.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The heat exchanger of claim 1, in which at least some adjacent plates are identical, one of the identical plates being turned 180° in its own plane relative to each adjacent identical plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The heat exchanger of claim 6, in which the ridges of adjacent plates cross and abut each other in said passages.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
197 words
A plate heat exchanger comprising a plurality of generally rectangular plates stacked together to define between them passages for two heat exchanging fluids, the plates having openings at the corner regions thereof for conveying said fluids to and from respective passages, each plate having inlet and outlet openings for one fluid located adjacent one side edge of the plate and having inlet and outlet openings for the other fluid located adjacent the opposite side edge of the plate, the plates having corrugations defining alternate ridges and grooves which extend across the plates to increase turbulence of the heat exchanging fluids in the passages, the cross-section of each corrugation ridge increasing along the length of the ridge in such a direction that the volume per unit width of each passage changes across the width of the two plates defining said passage, said volume per unit width of each passage being relatively small adjacent those side edges of said two plates which are nearer said inlet and outlet openings through which fluid is conducted to and from said passage, said volume per unit width of each passage being relatively large adjacent the opposite side edges of said two plates.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
197 words
A plate heat exchanger comprising a plurality of generally rectangular plates stacked together to define between them passages for two heat exchanging fluids, the plates having openings at the corner regions thereof for conveying said fluids to and from respective passages, each plate having inlet and outlet openings for one fluid located adjacent one side edge of the plate and having inlet and outlet openings for the other fluid located adjacent the opposite side edge of the plate, the plates having corrugations defining alternate ridges and grooves which extend across the plates to increase turbulence of the heat exchanging fluids in the passages, the cross-section of each corrugation ridge increasing along the length of the ridge in such a direction that the volume per unit width of each passage changes across the width of the two plates defining said passage, said volume per unit width of each passage being relatively small adjacent those side edges of said two plates which are nearer said inlet and outlet openings through which fluid is conducted to and from said passage, said volume per unit width of each passage being relatively large adjacent the opposite side edges of said two plates.