Patents by Inventor Ralf Blomgren

Ralf Blomgren has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240060732
    Abstract: A tube heat exchanger for exchanging heat from a first fluid to a second fluid, comprising a tubular shell; an inner wall extending around a center axis of said tubular shell and forming a central chamber internally of said inner wall, and an annular heat exchange space extending externally of said inner wall and enclosed by said tubular shell, wherein the heat exchange space comprises a plurality of axially extending heat exchange sectors separated by radially extending separating walls, and flow paths of the first fluid and the second fluid extend in the heat exchange space, wherein adjacent heat exchange sectors communicate; and a set of flow tubes extending axially in each of said heat exchange sectors in said heat exchange space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Applicant: Marinnovation HB
    Inventor: Ralf BLOMGREN
  • Publication number: 20210197098
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a plate heat exchanger for treatment of a feed. The plate heat exchanger includes a plate package comprising a plurality of heat exchanging plates and defining a heating volume, a cooling volume and a plurality of process volumes. Each of the process volumes includes an evaporation section for evaporation of a part of the feed, a separation section for separating a non-evaporated part from an evaporated part of the feed, and a condensation section being arranged to condense the evaporated part of the feed. Each heat exchanging plate defines a first thermal interface between the heating volume and the evaporation section of a first process volume, a second thermal interface between the cooling volume and the condensation section of a second process volume, and at least one further thermal interface between an evaporation section and a condensation section of two adjacent process volumes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Applicant: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Matz ANDERSSON, Hjalmar JOENSEN, Ralf BLOMGREN, Björn WILHELMSSON, Jonas SLOTH
  • Patent number: 10156405
    Abstract: A plate heat exchanger includes first and second frame plates, and a stack of heat transfer plates. Each heat transfer plate has a peripheral portion encircling a center portion. The heat transfer plates are arranged in pairs between the first and second frame plates, and formed between the pairs of heat transfer plates is a first flow path for a first fluid and a second flow path for a second fluid. One of the first and second flow paths is a free-flow path along which center portions of the heat transfer plates are completely separated from each other. A reinforcement plate is thicker than the heat transfer plates and has a center portion encircled by a peripheral portion. The reinforcement plate is arranged between the first frame plate and the stack of heat transfer plates. Permanent reinforcement joints each bond together the reinforcement plate and an outermost heat transfer plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Ralf Blomgren, Olivier Noël-Baron
  • Patent number: 10048021
    Abstract: A module of heat transfer plates which are welded to each other comprises a first outer heat transfer plate, at least a first and a second heat transfer plate, and a first reinforcement arrangement. Port holes form a first port channel in the module. The first reinforcement arrangement comprises a first abutment member and a first supporting member. The first abutment member is arranged on a side of the first outer heat transfer plate opposite to the first heat transfer plate. The first supporting member is arranged between the first abutment member and the first outer heat transfer plate. The first supporting member abuts against the first abutment member and the first outer heat transfer plate. Further a heat exchanger comprising such a module is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventor: Ralf Blomgren
  • Patent number: 9958221
    Abstract: A device for changing a flow direction through a heat exchanger, comprising a valve housing and a rotatable valve member arranged inside the valve housing. The valve housing comprises first and second ends and a center axis (B) extending between them. The device comprises a first port, a second port, a third port and a fourth port. The first end is provided with the first port, and the second end is provided with the third and fourth ports, wherein the valve member is rotatable between a first position and a second position and, in the first position, defines a conduit between the first port and the third port and, in the second position, defines a conduit between the first port and the fourth port. The valve member is rotatable around an axis of rotation offset from the center axis (B) and extending through the center of the first port, and the first port is angularly displaced 90° around the center axis (B) in relation to the third and fourth ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Marinnovation HB
    Inventor: Ralf Blomgren
  • Publication number: 20170254605
    Abstract: A device for changing a flow direction through a heat exchanger, comprising a valve housing and a rotatable valve member arranged inside the valve housing. The valve housing comprises first and second ends and a centre axis (B) extending between them. The device comprises a first port, a second port, a third port and a fourth port. The first end is provided with the first port and the second end is provided with the third and fourth ports, wherein the valve member is rotatable between a first position and a second position and, in the first position, defines a conduit between the first port and the third port and, in the second position, defines a conduit between the first port and the fourth port. The valve member is rotatable around an axis of rotation offset from the centre axis (B) and extending through the centre of the first, and the first port is angularly displaced 90° around the centre axis (B) in relation to the third and fourth ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventor: Ralf BLOMGREN
  • Patent number: 9746251
    Abstract: A plate heat exchanger plate ports and, between the ports, a heat transfer area partly divided by a barrier. The heat exchanger plate comprises a first port, a second port, a third port and a fourth port. Further, the heat exchanger plate is provided with a first transition area between the first and second ports and the heat transfer area, and a second transition area between the third and fourth ports and the heat transfer area, the first and second transition areas being provided with transition ports. The first transition area is open towards the heat transfer area, and the second transition area is separated from the heat transfer area by a sealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventor: Ralf Blomgren
  • Publication number: 20160187076
    Abstract: A heat transfer plate comprising a number of rows of alternating ridges and grooves, where a transition between each ridge and the adjacent groove in the same row is formed by a portion of the heat transfer plate that is inclined relative the central plane, and a central opening that is configured to receive a fluid separation device, such that a first part of the central opening may act as a fluid inlet and a second part of the central opening may act as a fluid outlet, wherein the plate comprises plate portions that extend between the rows of ridges and grooves such that the rows are separated from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Applicant: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventor: Ralf BLOMGREN
  • Publication number: 20150233650
    Abstract: A plate heat exchanger plate ports and, between the ports, a heat transfer area partly divided by a barrier. The heat exchanger plate comprises a first port, a second port, a third port and a fourth port. Further, the heat exchanger plate is provided with a first transition area between the first and second ports and the heat transfer area, and a second transition area between the third and fourth ports and the heat transfer area, the first and second transition areas being provided with transition ports. The first transition area is open towards the heat transfer area, and the second transition area is separated from the heat transfer area by a sealing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Applicant: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventor: Ralf Blomgren
  • Patent number: 9072985
    Abstract: A plate evaporator apparatus of the falling film type comprises a housing having an inlet for liquid to be evaporated and having mounted therein a package of heat transferring plates with plate interspaces, every second one of which forms an evaporation space for at least partial evaporation of liquid and the other plate interspaces forming condensation spaces for at least partial condensation of a heat emitting vapor. First seals delimit distribution chambers, each of which is in liquid flow communication with at least one evaporation space by flow ways spaced apart along the package width. The heat transferring plates have through openings aligned to form a passage extending through the plate package. A pipe is connected to the inlet and has apertures distributed along its length in flow communication with the distribution chambers, for supplying the liquid to be evaporated from the inlet to the distribution chambers through the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Bo Juul Andersen, Ralf Blomgren
  • Publication number: 20150075757
    Abstract: A plate heat exchanger includes first and second frame plates, and a stack of heat transfer plates. Each heat transfer plate has a peripheral portion encircling a center portion. The heat transfer plates are arranged in pairs between the first and second frame plates, and formed between the pairs of heat transfer plates is a first flow path for a first fluid and a second flow path for a second fluid. One of the first and second flow paths is a free-flow path along which center portions of the heat transfer plates are completely separated from each other. A reinforcement plate is thicker than the heat transfer plates and has a center portion encircled by a peripheral portion. The reinforcement plate is arranged between the first frame plate and the stack of heat transfer plates. Permanent reinforcement joints each bond together the reinforcement plate and an outermost heat transfer plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Ralf Blomgren, Olivier Noël-Baron
  • Publication number: 20140251550
    Abstract: A plate evaporator apparatus of the falling film type comprises a housing having an inlet for liquid to be evaporated and having mounted therein a package of heat transferring plates with plate interspaces, every second one of which forms an evaporation space for at least partial evaporation of liquid and the other plate interspaces forming condensation spaces for at least partial condensation of a heat emitting vapour. First seals delimit distribution chambers, each of which is in liquid flow communication with at least one evaporation space by flow ways spaced apart along the package width. The heat transferring plates have through openings aligned to form a passage extending through the plate package. A pipe is connected to the inlet and has apertures distributed along its length in flow communication with the distribution chambers, for supplying the liquid to be evaporated from the inlet to the distribution chambers through the apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATION AB
    Inventors: Bo Juul Andersen, Ralf Blomgren
  • Patent number: 8746329
    Abstract: The invention refers to a heat exchanger plate (11), a pair of heat exchanger plates, and a plate package for a plate heat exchanger. Each heat exchanger plate includes a heat transfer area (33) and a distribution area (34) which adjoins the heat transfer area along a borderline (35). The distribution area has projections and depressions abutting depressions and projections, respectively, on a distribution area of adjacent heat exchanger plates. The heat transfer area has projections (51) and depressions (52) abutting depressions and projections, respectively on a heat transfer area of adjacent heat exchanger plates for forming first contact surfaces positioned at a first distance from each other along a direction substantially parallel with the borderline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventors: Ralf Blomgren, Joakim Krantz
  • Publication number: 20140131020
    Abstract: A module of heat transfer plates which are welded to each other comprises a first outer heat transfer plate, at least a first and a second heat transfer plate, and a first reinforcement arrangement. Port holes form a first port channel in the module. The first reinforcement arrangement comprises a first abutment member and a first supporting member. The first abutment member is arranged on a side of the first outer heat transfer plate opposite to the first heat transfer plate. The first supporting member is arranged between the first abutment member and the first outer heat transfer plate. The first supporting member abuts against the first abutment member and the first outer heat transfer plate. Further a heat exchanger comprising such a module is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventor: Ralf Blomgren
  • Publication number: 20140131025
    Abstract: A heat transfer plate configured to be arranged in a plate-and-shell type plate heat exchanger. The heat transfer plate comprises an inlet port and an outlet port. The inlet port has a first inlet section that faces the outlet port and comprises a first fluid blocker, for distribution of at least a part of a flow of fluid over a second inlet section of the inlet port. The outlet port has a first outlet section that faces the inlet port and comprises a second fluid blocker, for distribution of at least a part of the flow of fluid over a second outlet section of the outlet port. Corrugations are arranged intermediate the inlet port and the outlet port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventor: Ralf Blomgren
  • Patent number: 8646517
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heat exchanger plate for a plate heat exchanger, which plate has a number of ports, a distribution region, a heat transfer region, a first adiabatic region, a second adiabatic region and an edge area that extends outside the ports and the regions, which plate has a first gasket groove extending in the edge area outside the regions and around the ports, and a second gasket groove extending between the adiabatic region and the adjacent distribution region, whereby the gasket grooves are connected together to accommodate a gasket for sealing abutment against an adjacent heat exchanger plate in the plate heat exchanger. The invention further relates to a gasket for a heat exchanger plate and a plate heat exchanger having a package of heat exchanger plates and gaskets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventor: Ralf Blomgren
  • Publication number: 20130299146
    Abstract: A stack of heat transfer plates configured to be arranged within a block-type heat exchanger. The stack of heat transfer plates comprises pairs of heat transfer plates that are stacked such that a flow path for a first fluid is formed between the stacked pairs of heat transfer plates, wherein a pair of the stacked pairs of heat transfer plates comprises a first heat transfer plate and a second heat transfer plate that are joined such that a flow path for a second fluid is formed between the first and second heat transfer plates. The pair of heat transfer plates comprises corrugations that are arranged on a respective side of an elongated joint that joins the first and second heat transfer plates. A related plate heat exchanger is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventor: Ralf Blomgren
  • Patent number: 8573290
    Abstract: A spiral heat exchanger includes a spiral body formed by at least one spiral sheet wound to form the spiral body forming at least a first spiral-shaped flow channel for a first medium and a second spiral-shaped flow channel for a second medium, wherein the spiral body is enclosed by a substantially cylindrical shell being provided with connecting elements communicating with the first flow channel and the second flow channel, where the at least one spiral sheet comprises a corrugated heat transfer surface with corrugations for increasing the heat transfer and supports for spacing the wounds of the at least one spiral sheet in the spiral body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventor: Ralf Blomgren
  • Patent number: 8573287
    Abstract: The invention relates to a plate heat exchanger with a plate packet including a plurality of heat exchanger plates, which are stacked onto each other. The heat exchanger plates form first plate interspaces for a first medium and second plate interspaces for a second medium. The plate package has a space which is disposed inside a first inlet and a first outlet. Structure is arranged for creating, for each of the first plate interspaces, an inlet opening for the first medium from the space into the first plate interspaces and an outlet opening for the first medium from the first plate interspaces to the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventor: Ralf Blomgren
  • Publication number: 20130020062
    Abstract: A plate heat exchanger comprises a stack of heat transfer plates each extending in a general plane and provided with a main heat transfer portion with a corrugation pattern. Each heat transfer plate comprises an outer peripheral portion extending outside the main heat transfer portion and along a periphery. The outer peripheral portion comprises outer and inner edge portions. In the stack the heat transfer plates in their outer peripheral portions abut against each other alternately along the outer and inner edge portions, and are welded together alternately along the outer and inner edge portions. The heat transfer plates in the stack are welded together by melting material of the heat transfer plates closest to abutting faces of the edge portions by supplying welding energy in a direction substantially parallel to the general plane to produce weld joints between the heat transfer plates in the outer and inner edge portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventor: Ralf Blomgren