PLATE AND FRAME HEAT EXCHANGER
A plate and frame heat exchanger includes a plate package having individually removable plates positioned between opposed end frame portions synchronously movable toward each other for forming a compressed plate package by a drive linkage of the plate and frame heat exchanger in response to the drive linkage being drivingly actuated in one direction by a drive unit selectively connected to the drive linkage. The end frame portions are synchronously movable away from each other for forming an uncompressed plate package such that individual plates from the plate package are removable from the plate and frame heat exchanger in response to the drive linkage of the plate and frame heat exchanger being drivingly actuated in a direction opposite the one direction by the drive unit. The drive unit is selectively separable from the plate and frame heat exchanger without disassembly of the drive linkage.
The present invention is directed to heat exchangers and more particularly to plate and frame heat exchangers.
Plate and frame heat exchangers are widely used in a number of industries that require the heat transfer plates to be regularly separated and/or removed for inspection and cleaning. In many installations, a plurality of plate and frame heat exchangers may be situated in close proximity to each other. Opening and closure systems for plate and frame heat exchangers are well known. As shown in
However, even in the industries that require the heat transfer plates to the regularly separated and/or removed, there is a great deal of downtime between such activities. Other industries require less frequent separation/removal of the heat transfer plates. As a result, expensive components, such as the integral motorized drive units, typically sit idle. Moreover, since an integral motorized drive units is required for each plate and frame heat exchanger, the expense associated with the inefficient utilization of the integral motorized drive units is likewise multiplied.
It would be desirable in the art for plate and frame heat exchangers without the above-mentioned drawbacks.
SUMMARYOne embodiment of the invention is directed to a plate and frame heat exchanger including a plate package having individually removable plates positioned between opposed end frame portions synchronously movable toward each other for forming a compressed plate package by a drive linkage of the plate and frame heat exchanger in response to the drive linkage being drivingly actuated in one direction by a drive unit selectively connected to the drive linkage. The end frame portions are synchronously movable away from each other for forming an uncompressed plate package such that individual plates from the plate package are removable from the plate and frame heat exchanger in response to the drive linkage of the plate and frame heat exchanger being drivingly actuated in a direction opposite the one direction by the drive unit. The drive unit is selectively separable from the plate and frame heat exchanger without disassembly of the drive linkage.
Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method for operating a plate and frame heat exchanger including providing a plate package having individually removable plates positioned between opposed end frame portions. The method further includes selectively connecting a drive unit to a drive linkage of the plate and frame heat exchanger for synchronously moving the end plate portions toward and away from each other by the drive unit for respectively forming a compressed plate package and an uncompressed plate package. The method further includes selectively disconnecting the drive unit from the plate and frame heat exchanger without disassembly of the drive linkage.
Yet another embodiment of the invention is directed to a drive unit for use with a plate and frame heat exchanger having individually removable plates positioned between opposed end frame portions. The drive unit includes a drive source having a drive member for drivingly engaging a drive linkage of the plate and frame heat exchanger. Actuation of the drive source in one direction results in the drive linkage selectively moving the end plate portions toward each other for forming a compressed plate package. Actuation of the drive source in another direction results in the drive linkage selectively moving the end plate portions away from each other for forming an uncompressed plate package. The drive unit is selectively connectable with the plate and frame heat exchanger, the drive unit being selectively separable from the plate and frame heat exchanger without disassembly of the drive linkage.
Exemplary embodiments are directed to a plate and frame heat exchanger and drive unit, the drive unit for use with a plate and frame heat exchanger, and method of operating a plate and frame heat exchanger that overcome drawbacks associated with such conventional plate and frame heat exchangers. While discussed in the context of a particular plate and frame heat exchanger, it will be appreciated that all of the aspects of that plate and frame heat exchanger are not required to be used in combination. Rather any one of the components or subassemblies can be separately employed in conjunction with otherwise conventional plate and frame heat exchangers or otherwise combined in any manner desired.
Sensory indicia is defined as an indicator or stimulus associated with an occurrence or establishment of an event in a manner that is perceived by one or more of the faculties (e.g., visual, auditory, tactile, and olfactory) such as the occurrence or establishment of a selective connection between a drive unit 54 and a plate and frame heat exchanger 50 of the present application (
Manually, as in “manually selectively connected,” “manually selectively connectable” or the like is defined as being capable of assembly and disassembly without tools, such as only requiring the use of an operator's fingers.
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While the foregoing specification illustrates and describes exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A plate and frame heat exchanger comprising:
- a plate package having individually removable plates positioned between opposed end frame portions synchronously movable toward each other for forming a compressed plate package by a drive linkage of the plate and frame heat exchanger in response to the drive linkage being drivingly actuated in one direction by a drive unit selectively connected to the drive linkage;
- the end frame portions synchronously movable away from each other for forming an uncompressed plate package such that individual plates from the plate package are removable from the plate and frame heat exchanger in response to the drive linkage of the plate and frame heat exchanger being drivingly actuated in a direction opposite the one direction by the drive unit;
- wherein the drive unit being selectively separable from the plate and frame heat exchanger without disassembly of the drive linkage.
2. The plate and frame heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein sensory indicia is generated upon achieving the selective connection between the drive unit and the plate and frame heat exchanger.
3. The plate and frame heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein sensory indicia is selected from the group consisting of at least one of visual, auditory, tactile and olfactory indicia.
4. The plate and frame heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein while the drive unit is selectively connected to the plate and frame heat exchanger, forces generated by the drive unit during operation of the drive unit are reacted by the plate and frame heat exchanger.
5. The plate and frame heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the drive unit is manually selectively connectable to the plate and frame heat exchanger.
6. The plate and frame heat exchanger of claim 5, wherein sensory indicia is selected from the group consisting of at least one of visual, auditory, tactile and olfactory indicia.
7. The plate and frame heat exchanger of claim 5, wherein while the drive unit is selectively connected to the plate and frame heat exchanger, forces generated during operation of the drive unit are reacted by the plate and frame heat exchanger.
8. The plate and frame heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein a drive member of the drive unit rotates about a first axis in a first direction for synchronously rotatably driving threaded rods of a threaded rod assembly via the drive linkage relative to the end frame portions for forming the compressed plate package,
- the drive member of the drive unit rotates about the first axis in a second direction opposite the first direction for synchronously rotatably driving threaded rods of the threaded rod assembly via the drive linkage relative to the end frame portions for forming the uncompressed plate package.
9. The plate and frame heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein at least one of the drive unit and a corresponding portion of the plate and frame heat exchanger includes a guide feature for guiding a drive member of the drive unit into a selective connection with the plate and frame heat exchanger.
10. A method for operating a plate and frame heat exchanger comprising:
- providing a plate package having individually removable plates positioned between opposed end frame portions;
- selectively connecting a drive unit to a drive linkage of the plate and frame heat exchanger for synchronously moving the end plate portions toward and away from each other by the drive unit for respectively forming a compressed plate package and an uncompressed plate package, and
- selectively disconnecting the drive unit from the plate and frame heat exchanger without disassembly of the drive linkage.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein selectively connecting the drive unit includes at least one of the drive unit and a corresponding portion of the plate and frame heat exchanger having a guide feature for guiding the drive member into the selective connection with the plate and frame heat exchanger.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein selectively connecting the drive unit includes generating sensory indicia upon achieving the selective connection between the drive unit and the plate and frame heat exchanger.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein sensory indicia is selected from the group consisting of at least one of visual, auditory, tactile and olfactory indicia.
14. The method of claim 10, wherein upon selectively connecting the drive unit to the plate and frame heat exchanger, forces generated by the drive unit during operation of the drive unit are reacted by the plate and frame heat exchanger.
15. A drive unit for use with a plate and frame heat exchanger having individually removable plates positioned between opposed end frame portions, the drive unit comprising:
- a drive source having a drive member for drivingly engaging a drive linkage of the plate and frame heat exchanger, wherein actuation of the drive source in one direction results in the drive linkage selectively moving the end plate portions toward each other for forming a compressed plate package, and wherein actuation of the drive source in another direction results in the drive linkage selectively moving the end plate portions away from each other for forming an uncompressed plate package, and
- wherein the drive unit is selectively connectable with the plate and frame heat exchanger, the drive unit being selectively separable from the plate and frame heat exchanger without disassembly of the drive linkage.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 28, 2014
Publication Date: Apr 28, 2016
Inventors: Bryson Lee SHEAFFER (Mechanicsburg, PA), Jeffrey Joseph RONALD (Dallastown, PA)
Application Number: 14/525,438