Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02761575 2011-11-09
WO 2010/132302 PCT/US2010/034066
HEAT EXCHANGER WITH ACCESSIBLE CORE
Reference to Related Applications
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application
Serial No. 61/176,893 filed on May 9, 2009.
Technical Field
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to heat exchangers.
Background
[0003] Conventional heat exchangers are configured to transfer heat from a
treatment
fluid flowing on one side of a barrier to a working fluid flowing on another
side of the
barrier. For example, stacked plate heat exchangers include a shell for
housing a plurality of
corrugated heat transfer plates. The plates are arranged face-to-face in a
stack along a
longitudinal direction. Collectively, the adjacent plates in the stack define
transversely
extending passages for the treatment fluid that are interdigitated with
transversely extending
passages for the working fluid.
Summary
[0004] A heat exchanger may include a core control assembly movable between
compressed and uncompressed positions, and a core. The core may have a
plurality of layers
with a plurality of passages interleaved therebetween, a portion of the
passages extending and
open to the periphery of the layers. The core control assembly may be operably
coupled to
the core to compress the core when the core control assembly is in its
compressed position
and to permit the core to expand from its compressed state when the core
control assembly is
1
CA 02761575 2011-11-09
WO 2010/132302 PCT/US2010/034066
moved away from its compressed position. The expansion of the core increases a
cross-
sectional area of the passages at the periphery of the core.
[0005] In another form, a heat exchanger may include a core, a core control
assembly and
a housing. The core may have a longitudinal axis and an periphery disposed
about the
longitudinal axis, and a plurality of resilient corrugated layers stacked
along the longitudinal
axis with a plurality of passages interleaved therebetween, with a portion of
the passages
extending and open to the periphery. The core control assembly may have a pair
of end
plates disposed on opposed ends of the core and at least one intermediate
member
interconnecting the end plates to control movement of the core control
assembly between a
compressed position where the end plates are spaced apart by a first distance
and an
uncompressed position where the end plates are spaced apart by a second
distance greater
than the first distance. The core expands to increase a cross-sectional area
of the passages at
the periphery when the core control assembly is moved to the uncompressed
position. The
housing may have a shell and at least one cover mounted to the shell to
surround the core and
the core control assembly.
[0006] An exemplary method of accessing a heat exchanger core may include
moving an
intermediate member in a first direction, and moving a core control assembly
that is
associated with the intermediate member toward an uncompressed position with
respect to a
base. The method may further provide for expanding the core along a
longitudinal axis
between the ram and the base, with the core having an periphery and a
plurality of resilient
corrugated layers stacked along the longitudinal axis with a plurality of
passages interleaved
therebetween, a portion of the passages extending and open to the periphery
and having a
cross-sectional area at the periphery, and increasing the cross-sectional area
of the passages at
the periphery.
2
CA 02761575 2011-11-09
WO 2010/132302 PCT/US2010/034066
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0007] The following detailed description of preferred embodiments and best
mode
will be set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary stacked plate heat
exchanger
having one embodiment of a housing;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional axial view of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a partially exploded view of a portion the core of FIG. 2,
showing an
exemplary spacer arrangement;
[0011] FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of the core as
taken
along line 4-4 of FIG. 3, showing two exemplary cassettes forming a portion of
the core;
[0012] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the core in
a
compressed state;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the core control assembly and core of
FIG. 2;
[0014] FIG. 7 is an enlarged and partially sectioned side view of a portion of
the core
control assembly of FIG. 6;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the core control assembly of FIG. 6,
showing
an exemplary drive mechanism moving the core control assembly from an
uncompressed
position to a compressed position to compress the core;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the core control assembly of FIG. 8,
showing
the drive mechanism moving the core control assembly from the compressed
position to the
uncompressed position to expand the core;
[0017] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the core control assembly of FIG. 6,
showing
the core control assembly in its uncompressed position with an exemplary
spacer removed
from a portion of the core to facilitate access to that portion;
3
CA 02761575 2011-11-09
WO 2010/132302 PCT/US2010/034066
[0018] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of another exemplary core
control
assembly, showing the core control assembly dismantled and the core removed;
[0019] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another exemplary core control
assembly with
a drive system in another form;
[0020] FIG. 13 is an enlarged and partially sectioned side view of a portion
the core
control assembly as taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 12;
[0021] FIG. 14 is an enlarged end view of a portion of the core control
assembly as
taken along line 14-14 of FIG. 12;
[0022] FIG. 15 is an enlarged and partially sectioned side view of a portion
of still
another exemplary core control assembly;
[0023] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of another exemplary core control
assembly;
[0024] FIG. 17 is an enlarged and partially sectioned side view of a portion
of the
core control assembly of FIG. 16;
[0025] FIG. 18 is an enlarged and partially sectioned side view of a portion
of a
another exemplary core control assembly having a biasing member in one form;
[0026] FIG. 19 is an enlarged and partially sectioned side view of a portion
of another
exemplary core control assembly having a biasing member in another form;
[0027] FIG. 20 is a perspective and sectioned view of another exemplary core
control
assembly;
[0028] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of another exemplary core control
assembly;
[0029] FIG. 22 is an enlarged side view of a portion of the core control
assembly of
FIG. 21;
[0030] FIG. 23 is a fragmentary side view of another core control assembly
that
facilitates expansion of the core; and
4
CA 02761575 2011-11-09
WO 2010/132302 PCT/US2010/034066
[0031] FIG. 24 is a fragmentary view of a spreader that may be used to further
separate,
or hold separated, adjacent cassettes.
Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments
[0032] Referring in more detail to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an
exemplary heat
exchanger 10 for transferring heat between different fluids. The heat
exchanger 10 may be
substantially similar in general operation and construction to that disclosed
in U.S. Patent
7,004,237, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
Although the heat exchanger 10 is illustrated as being generally cylindrical,
it can be of any
suitable shape and size.
[0033] In general, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, the heat exchanger 10 may include a
housing 11 defining an interior volume 12, and a core 13 disposed within the
interior volume
12. The housing 11 may have a shell 20 and one or more covers or other mating
parts to
define the interior volume 12. The housing 11 in this implementation may have
a first cover
21, a second cover 22 and the shell 20 with opposed ends carrying the first
and second covers
21, 22 to define the interior volume 12 therebetween. The covers 21, 22 may be
plate-like
components, and the shell 20 may be an open-ended hollow component preferably
of
cylindrical shape as shown. The core 13 may have a longitudinal axis 14, a
periphery 15 and
a plurality of fluid paths or passages 16, 17 (FIG. 4). At least a portion of
the passages 17
may extend and be open to the periphery 15.
[0034] As best shown in FIG. 1, the housing 11 may carry or be communicated
with
fittings that may be adapted to convey treatment and working fluids into and
out of the heat
exchanger 10, and any suitable quantity and arrangement of fittings may be
used. For
example, the first cover 21 in one form may carry a first inlet fitting 24
extending
therethrough. The first inlet fitting 24 may be communicated with the core and
may be
CA 02761575 2011-11-09
WO 2010/132302 PCT/US2010/034066
adapted to be coupled to, for example, a supply conduit from a treatment fluid
source (not
shown) having a fluid that requires heating or cooling treatment. In addition,
the first cover
21 may carry or be communicated with a first outlet fitting 28 that may be
communicated
with the core 13 and may be adapted to be coupled to a return conduit leading
to the
treatment fluid source. Further, the shell 20 may carry or be communicated
with a second
inlet or fitting 32 that may be adapted to communicate, for example, a working
portion of a
heat exchanging system such as a cooler or a heater (not shown), with the
interior volume 12
of the housing 11. Also, the shell 20 may carry or be communicated with a
second outlet
fitting 36 that communicate the interior volume 12 of the housing 11 with the
working
portion of the heat exchanging system. Of course, the fittings may be carried
by any portion
of the housing 11 in any suitable manner, including welding, press-fit,
threading, or the like.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that the fittings and fluids could be
reversed such that
the second inlet and second outlet permit flow of the treatment fluid, and the
first inlet and
first outlet permit flow of the working fluid, and more fittings, inlets
and/or outlets may be
provided.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 2, the heat exchanger may have a pair of seals 39, 40
that
may be disposed between the housing 11 and the core 13 and may extend axially
along the
periphery of the core 13, such that the seals 39, 40 may direct the working
fluid from the
second inlet fitting 32 through the core 13 and out the second outlet fitting
36. These seals
may be substantially similar to those disclosed in U.S. Patent 7,004,237. Of
course, the heat
exchanger 10 may have any suitable seal or obstruction or omit the same
according to design
requirements.
[0036] The core 13 can be any suitable heat exchanger core but, as shown, is
preferably a stacked plate type of heat exchanger. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7,
the heat
exchanger 10 may further include a core control assembly 18 which may have at
least one
6
CA 02761575 2011-11-09
WO 2010/132302 PCT/US2010/034066
movable plate or ram 19 that may be movable along the longitudinal axis 14 of
the core 13 to
clamp and/or compress the core. Accordingly, when the force exerted on the
core by the ram
19 is reduced or removed, the core 13 may expand or be expanded to increase a
cross-
sectional area of the passages 17 at the periphery 15 of the core 13. This may
facilitate
access to the passages 17 at the periphery 15 adjacent to the housing 11 to,
for example,
remove foulants on or between surfaces of the core within the passages.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 3-5, the core 13 may have a plurality of corrugated
layers 41
stacked along the longitudinal axis 14 with the fluid passages 16, 17
interleaved
therebetween. In particular, the layers 41 in one implementation may generally
include a
stack of cassettes 42. As best shown in FIG. 4, each cassette 42 may have an
upper plate 44
and a lower plate 45 welded to the upper plate 44 along the periphery 15.
Further, each upper
and lower plate 45 may be corrugated, somewhat flexible and resilient, and may
be disposed
on opposite sides of, or may instead extend across or away from a plane 43
that may be
transverse to the longitudinal axis 14. The plates 44, 45 may include two or
more
protuberances 46 that may be disposed about a pair of ports 47. The
protuberances 46 on
each cassette 42 and the portions between adjacent protuberances may be welded
to
corresponding portions on an adjacent cassette. The cassettes 42 may be
communicated with
each other through the ports 47 to define an inlet passage 48 (FIGS. 4-6) that
may extend
longitudinally from the first inlet fitting 24 through each of the cassettes
42. The cassettes 42
may also define the treatment fluid passages 16 that may each extend
transversely from the
inlet core passage 48, and an outlet passage 49 (FIG. 6) that may extend from
each of the
passages 16 to the first outlet fitting 28. Accordingly, the core 13 may
convey treatment fluid
from the first inlet fitting 24, through the inlet passage 48, the treatment
fluid passages 16 and
the outlet passage 49 and out through the first outlet fitting 28.
7
CA 02761575 2011-11-09
WO 2010/132302 PCT/US2010/034066
[0038] As also shown FIGS. 4 and 5, the stack of cassettes 42 may define the
working
fluid passages 17 interleaved therebetween, which are not communicated with
the treatment
fluid passages 16. The working fluid passages 17 may extend and may be open to
the
periphery 15 of the core 13 adjacent to the shell 20. Accordingly, the heat
exchanger 10 may
convey working fluid from the second inlet fitting 32 through the working
fluid passages 17
and out the second outlet fitting 36. Of course, the working and treatment
fluid passages may
instead be configured to carry the other of the two fluids.
[0039] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, the core 13 may also have one or more
spacers 50
that may be disposed within the working fluid passages 17 to provide a path
for heat transfer
by conduction between adjacent cassettes and increase heat transfer between
the fluids
conveyed through the stack. The spacers 50 in one form may be a plurality of
metal mesh
plates 51, each overlying a portion of the surface area of a cassette with at
least two of the
plates 51 having cutouts 52 or otherwise being shaped to fit around the ports
47 to facilitate
removal from and insertion of the mesh plates between cassettes 42 and into
the core 13.
This may increase the working distance between cassettes when the spacers 50
are removed
to, for example, facilitate cleaning and/or servicing the core 13. Each plate
51 may have a
plurality of holes, baffles or other guide members to disturb the flow of the
working fluid that
may be conveyed through the passage 17. Of course, the spacers 50 may be
planar,
corrugated and/or aspirated or have various other suitable shapes.
[0040] Referring now to FIG. 6, the ram 19, in one form may be an end plate
carried
by one end of the core 13 in any suitable manner including welding, bonding,
adhesion,
mechanical fasteners or the like. The ram 19 may be of any suitable shape and
may have an
inlet hole 53 that may define part of the inlet passage 48 and may carry or
may be
communicated with the first inlet fitting 24 and an outlet hole 54 that may
define part of the
outlet passage 49 and may carry or may be communicated with the first outlet
fitting 28. In
8
CA 02761575 2011-11-09
WO 2010/132302 PCT/US2010/034066
addition, the ram 19 may have a first surface 55 with one or more seats or
pockets 56 which
may each include an anti-rotation feature, such as a hexagonal or other
noncircular shape. Of
course, the ram may have any number of pockets with or without anti-rotation
features. As
best shown in FIG. 7, each pocket 56 may have one or more sidewalls 58, a
bottom surface
59 that may extend between the sidewalls 58, and a hole 61 that may extend
through a second
surface 60 of the ram and open to the pocket 56.
[0041] As also shown in FIG. 7, the core control assembly 18 may have a base
69 at
an end of the core 13 opposite the ram 19. The base in one implementation may
be an end
plate which may be carried by the core 13 in any suitable manner including
welding,
bonding, adhesion, fasteners or the like, or it may be separate from the core.
Also, the base
69 may have a first surface 70 with one or more seats or pockets 71 which may
each include
an anti-rotation feature (not shown), such as a hexagonal or other noncircular
shape. Of
course, the base may have any number of pockets with or without anti-rotation
features.
Each pocket 71 may have one or more sidewalls 73 and an end surface 74 that
may extend
between the sidewalls 73. The base 69 may also have a second surface 75 with a
plurality of
holes 76 that each may extend and may be open to a respective pocket 71.
[0042] Referring still to FIG. 7, the core control assembly 18 may also have
one or
more intermediate members that control, assist or limit relative movement
between the ram
19 and base 69. The intermediate members may include or be formed of multiple
components. In one implementation, the intermediate members include first
connectors 62
that may be carried by or adjacent to the ram 19 or other suitable portion of
the exchanger.
The first connector 62 in this form may be a bolt that may have a hexagonal,
circular or
noncircular head 64 (FIG. 6) that may be received within the pocket 56, a
shank which may
be inserted through the hole 61 and may have non-threaded portion 65, a
threaded portion 67,
and a shoulder 66 or other stop surface between them. The threaded shank
portion 67 may
9
CA 02761575 2011-11-09
WO 2010/132302 PCT/US2010/034066
have right hand threads thereon. Of course, the first connector 62 may instead
be an integral
portion of a unitary or single-piece ram, may instead have any number of
connectors that may
have left hand threads with or without a shoulder or head, may be rotatably
carried by the ram
and/or have various other suitable fastening features.
[0043] The intermediate members may also include one or more second connectors
77 that may be carried by the base 69 or other suitable portion of the
exchanger. The second
connector 77 may have a head 79 that may be received within the pocket 71 and
may engage
the anti-rotation feature or other portion of the base 69 to limit or prevent
rotation of the
connector 77. The connector 77 may also have a shank received through the hole
76, and the
shank may have a non-threaded portion 80, a threaded portion 82, and a
shoulder 81 or other
stop surface. The threaded portion 82 may have left hand threads thereon. Of
course, the
second connector 77 may instead be an integral portion of a unitary or single-
piece base,
and/or have any number of pockets and connectors, may have right hand threads
with or
without a shoulder or head, may be rotatably carried by the base and/or may
have various
other suitable fastening features.
[0044] The core control assembly intermediate members may also include a
series of
third connectors 84 that may each interconnect one pair of the first and
second connectors 62,
77. As best shown in FIG. 8, in one implementation, each third connector 84
may be a tube
or sleeve 85 having opposed blind bores 87, 89. The bore 87 may include
threads adapted to
mate with the threaded shank portion 67 of the first connector. The bore 89
may include
threads adapted to mate with the threaded shank portion 82 of the second
connector 77.
Further, each third connector 84 may have an attachment feature 91, which in
this
implementation is a notch or hole 91 formed in the sleeve 85.
[0045] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the core control assembly 18 may also have
a
drive system 93 that may be carried by a respective one of the attachment
features 91 of the
CA 02761575 2011-11-09
WO 2010/132302 PCT/US2010/034066
third connectors 84. For example, the drive system 93 in one form may simply
be one or
more tools 94 having an end received within the holes 91 or carried by other
attachment
features, to manually rotate or otherwise move each third connector 84 in a
desired direction
to move the ram 19 between its uncompressed position (FIG. 8) and its
compressed position
(FIG. 9). Of course, the drive system may instead have any number of tools
carried by other
portions of the assembly or be replaced with any suitable drive mechanism.
Further, the base
may move relative to the ram, and both the base and ram may be moved relative
to each other
between compressed and uncompressed (or less compressed) positions.
[0046] To install the core 13 and core control assembly 18 within the housing
11, a
technician may use the tool 94 to rotate the third connector 84 in a first
direction and move
the ram 19 from its uncompressed position toward its compressed position. For
example, as
shown in FIG. 8, the technician may use the tool 94 to incrementally rotate
each individual
third connector 84 in the first direction to draw the ram 19 closer to the
base 69 and compress
the core 13 therebetween. This may be done until the third connector 84 abuts
one or both of
the shoulders 66, 81 to ensure desired compression, but prevent over
compression or damage
to the core. The core 13 in its compressed state sandwiches the spacers 50
between adjacent
cassettes 42 and may provide a path of heat transfer by conduction to increase
heat transfer
through the stack (FIG. 5) and between the fluids conveyed therein. The core
13 and core
control assembly 18 may then be placed within the shell 20 and the covers 21,
22 may be
attached to the shell 20.
[0047] To access the core 13 to, for example, service the core 13, the
technician may
remove the first cover 21 and/or shell 20 from the housing 11 to expose the
core 13 and core
control assembly 18. The technician may then use the tool 94 to move the ram
19 from its
compressed position (FIG. 9) toward its uncompressed position (FIG. 8). For
example, as
shown in FIG. 9, the technician may use the tool 94 to rotate each third
connector 84 in the
11
CA 02761575 2011-11-09
WO 2010/132302 PCT/US2010/034066
second direction to displace the ram 19 away from the base 69 and expand the
core 13
connected therebetween. The protuberances 46 may be resilient and may
facilitate in
expanding the core 13 along its longitudinal axis 14 toward its uncompressed
(or less
compressed) state. As shown in FIG. 10, expansion of the core 13 may increase
the cross-
sectional area of the working fluid passages 17 at the periphery 15 of the
core 13, to facilitate
removal of the spacers 50 from the core 13 and allow a technician to insert a
tool, such as a
flat metal bar 95, at the periphery 15 of the core 13 into the portions that
had previously
carried the spacers 50. Accordingly, the technician may then use the bar 95 to
remove any
debris or foulants on or at surfaces of those portions. Also, the housing 11
may be
reassembled with the core 13 in its expanded state, so that a cleaning solvent
may be
conveyed through the passages 16, 17 at a high pressure or pressurized fluid
may be applied
to the core when the core is outside of the housing. Once servicing has been
completed, the
spacers 50 may be reinserted within the core 13, and the technician may rotate
the third
connectors 84 in the first direction to return the ram 19 to its the
compressed position.
[0048] FIG. 11 illustrates another embodiment of an exemplary heat exchanger
110
that may transfer heat between different fluids. This embodiment is similar in
many respects
to the embodiment of FIG. 6, and corresponding elements in FIG. 11 are
designated by the
numerals of FIG. 6 with the addition of the prefix "1" for each numeral.
Further, the
descriptions of the embodiments are incorporated by reference into one another
and the
common subject matter may generally not be repeated here. As compared to the
embodiments of FIG. 6, the ram 119 and the base 169 may be not be welded or
otherwise
attached to the core 113 such that the ram 119 and the base 169 may be
completely detached
from each other to facilitate removal of the core 113 from the core control
assembly 118 to,
for example, permit servicing or replacing the core 113.
12
CA 02761575 2011-11-09
WO 2010/132302 PCT/US2010/034066
[0049] Referring to FIGS. 12-14, another exemplary heat exchanger 210 is
illustrated
without its housing. The heat exchanger 210 may have a core control assembly
218 and may
be similar to the heat exchanger 10 of FIGS. 6-8 having the core control
assembly 18.
Corresponding elements in FIGS. 12-14 are designated by the numerals of FIGS.
6-8 with the
addition of the prefix "2" for each numeral. This core control assembly 218,
however, has a
series of first connectors 262 each rotatably carried by one of the ram 219
and the base 269
and having a threaded end portion 267. Further, the other of the ram 219 and
the base 269
may have a plurality of second connectors 277 having threaded portions 282
that may each
engage the threaded end portion 267 of a respective one of the first
connectors 262. This core
control assembly 218 may also have another exemplary drive system 293 that may
operably
interconnect the first connectors 262 to simultaneously drive the first
connectors 262, as
compared to the tool(s) 94 of FIG. 8 that are individually and incrementally
operated to
individually rotate the third connectors 84 and operate the core control
assembly 18.
[0050] The ram 219 in this form may have a first surface 255 with a series of
spaced
apart pockets 256. As best shown in FIG. 13, each pocket 256 may have one or
more
sidewalls 258 and a bottom surface 259 extending between the sidewalls 258
with an
attachment feature, such as a circular seat 256a, therein. The ram 219 may
also have a
second surface 275 with a plurality of holes 276 that may each extend and may
be open to a
respective one of the pockets 256 during assembly. Referring back to FIG. 12,
the ram 219
may also have a series of channels 295 extending between and interconnecting
adjacent
pockets 256.
[0051] As also shown in FIG. 13, each first connector 262 may be rotatably
carried by
the ram 219 with a head 264 received in one of the pockets 256. At least one
of the first
connectors 262 may include a head 264 with an end 264a having a drive feature
such as a
hexagonal or non-circular shape, connector or other feature that may be
configured to be
13
CA 02761575 2011-11-09
WO 2010/132302 PCT/US2010/034066
driven by a tool, such as a torque wrench or other suitable tool to facilitate
rotating the
connector 262. In addition, the first connectors 262 may each have a shank 265
extending
from the head 264 and through the hole 276 in the ram 219. The shank 265 may
include the
threaded end portion 267 which may be defined by a blind bore 265a tapped with
right hand
threads 268. Of course, the assembly 218 may have any number of first
connectors 262
which may be rotatably carried by the ram 219 or may instead be externally
threaded bolts or
other suitable third connectors.
[0052] The second connectors 277 in this form may be bolts or threaded rods
carried
by the base 269 in any suitable manner, including welding, adhesion,
fasteners, or the like.
The second connector 277 may have right hand threads 282 that may engage the
threads 268
of the end portion 267. It is contemplated that the second connectors 277 may
instead be
sockets or other suitable connectors carried by the base and configured to
engage the first
connectors 262.
[0053] The drive system 293 in this implementation may be a belt or chain
driven
system with one third connector being a driving member and the remaining third
connectors
being driven members. In particular, the chain drive system 293 may include a
series of
sprockets 298 that may each be carried by a respective one of the heads 264 of
the first
connectors 262, for co-rotation with the associated first connector 262. The
system 293 may
also have a chain 299 operatively associated with the sprockets 298 and routed
within the
channels 295. All sprockets may be identical for uniform rotation.
Accordingly, a technician
may use a torque wrench or other tool engaged with the head end 264a to
operate the drive
mechanism to simultaneously rotate all first connectors 262 at the same rate
to uniformly and
evenly move the entire core control assembly 218 between the compressed and
uncompressed
positions, without separately and incrementally adjusting individual
connectors 262.
14
CA 02761575 2011-11-09
WO 2010/132302 PCT/US2010/034066
Compression of the core 213 may be limited by engagement of the stop surfaces
266, 281 of
the connectors 262, 277.
[0054] Referring to FIG. 15, another exemplary core control assembly 318 may
have
a third connector 384 and first and second connectors 362, 377 and may be
similar to the core
control assembly 18 of FIG. 8 having the third connector 84 and first and
second connectors
62, 77. Corresponding elements in FIG. 16 are designated by the numerals of
FIG. 7 with the
addition of the prefix "3" for each numeral. The first connector 362 in this
implementation
may be a hole 301 formed in the ram 319 with the hole 301 having right hand
threads 368.
Similarly, the second connector 377 in this implementation may be a hole 302
formed in the
base 369, with the hole 302 having left hand threads 383. Finally, the third
connector 384 in
this form may be a rod 385 that may have one end 387 with right hand threads
388 to engage
the right hand threads 368 of the hole 301, and another end 389 with left hand
threads 390 to
engage the left hand threads 383 of the hole 302. Each third connector 384 may
also have an
attachment feature, which in this form may be a hole 391 that may receive a
tool 394 or other
drive mechanism. Accordingly, a technician may use the tool 394 to
incrementally rotate
each third connector 384 in one direction to move the ram 319 and/or base 369
toward the
uncompressed position and in another direction to move the ram 319 toward its
compressed
position.
[0055] FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate yet another embodiment of an exemplary heat
exchanger 410 without its housing to show a core control assembly 418 in
another form that
may be movable between compressed and uncompressed positions. This embodiment
is
similar in many respects to the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, and corresponding
elements in
FIG. 16 and 17 are designated by the numerals of FIGS. 6 and 7 with the
addition of the
prefix "4" for each numeral. The descriptions of the embodiments are
incorporated by
CA 02761575 2011-11-09
WO 2010/132302 PCT/US2010/034066
reference into one another and the common subject matter may generally not be
repeated
here.
[0056] As compared to the embodiments of FIGS. 6 and 7, each third connector
484
in this form may have a plurality of leg portions or segments in serial
connection between the
first and second connectors 462, 477 respectively carried by the ram 419 and
base 469. One
or more of the segments may be moved to increase or decrease the overall
length of the entire
third connector. As best shown in FIG. 17, each third connector 484 may
include a first
segment, such as a tube 485a, that may have one end 487a that may be threaded
in a first
direction to engage the threaded end portion 468 of the first connector 462
and another end
489a that may be threaded in a second direction opposite the first direction.
Also, each third
connector 484 may include a second segment, such as a rod 403, which may have
one end
404 that may be threaded in the second direction to engage and be received
within the end
489 of the first tube 485a opposite the first connector 462. The rod 403 may
have another
end 405 that may be threaded in the first direction. Further, each third
connector 484 may
include a third segment, such as another tube 485b, that may have one end 487b
that may be
threaded in the first direction to engage and receive the end 405 of the rod
403 opposite the
other tube 485a. The tube 485b may have another end 489b that may be threaded
in the
second direction to engage and receive the threaded end portion 483 of the
second connector
477. Of course, each segment may have shoulders, abutments or other features
to limit the
extent by which one segment can be inserted into another segment and define
the distance
along which the core control assembly may move between the compressed and
uncompressed
positions. It is contemplated that each leg may have various other suitable
segments as
required by design.
[0057] Referring to FIG. 18, a core control assembly 518 in another
implementation
may be similar to the core control assembly 18 of FIG. 7 and corresponding
elements in FIG.
16
CA 02761575 2011-11-09
WO 2010/132302 PCT/US2010/034066
18 are designated by the numerals of FIG. 7 with the addition of the prefix
"5" for each
numeral. However, the core control assembly 518 may include intermediate
members that
facilitate expanding the core by increasing the distance between the ram 519
and base 569.
Compression of the core may be achieved by another device. For example,
installation of a
cover onto the housing of the heat exchanger may compress the core within the
housing.
Then, removal of the core from the housing may permit the core to expand or be
expanded.
As shown in FIG. 18, the intermediate members may include a first connector
562 carried by
the ram 519, a second connector 577 carried by the base 569, one or more than
one biasing
member 506 acting on one or both of the rods 562, 577 tending to separate
them, and a third
connector 584 disposed around the ends of the rods 562, 577 and the biasing
member 506.
Of course, the biasing member 506 may instead be configured to move the ram
519 toward
the compressed position. At least some of the first and second connectors 562,
577 in this
form may not have threads, but rather may be slidably carried within opposed
ends of the
third connector 584. The biasing member 506 may be a spring, or the biasing
member 506
may instead be a hydraulic-actuated cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder (FIG. 19)
or any suitable
resilient member.
[0058] Referring to FIG. 20, another exemplary core control assembly 618 may
have
a ram 619, a first cover 621 and a pair of second connectors 677a, 677b and
may be similar to
the core control assembly 18 of FIG. 7 having the ram 19, the first cover 21
and the third
connector 84. Corresponding elements in FIG. 20 are designated by the numerals
of FIG. 7
with the addition of the prefix "6" for each numeral. The core control
assembly 618 in this
form, however, may have second connectors 677a, 677b that may extend through
the first
inlet and first outlet passages 648, 649 of the core 613, as compared to the
connectors 62, 77
of FIG. 7 which extend longitudinally along the periphery 15 of the core 13.
17
CA 02761575 2011-11-09
WO 2010/132302 PCT/US2010/034066
[00591 The ram 619 or base 669 in this form may include a first connector 662
which
may be in the form of a collar, annular flange or other support with a
threaded portion 667
that may be mounted to a respective one of the first inlet and first outlet
fittings 624, 628. Of
course, the support 662 may instead be carried by the first cover 621 or other
portion of the
exchanger 610 as desired. Further, each second connector 677a, 677b may
include a threaded
rod 608 that may be threadably carried by a respective one of the support
structures 662 and
extend through one of the first inlet and first outlet passages 648, 649
toward the base 669.
Each second connector 677a, 677b may carry a knob, handle 694 or other drive
mechanism
or system. The second connectors 677a, 677b may be incrementally inserted into
the core
613 by, for example, using the handles 694 to rotate a respective one of the
rods 608 to force
the bottom of each rod 608 against the base 669 and raise the ram 619 to
spread or expand the
core 613 carried thereon to its uncompressed position. The core 613 may be
compressed by
rotating the second connectors 677a, 677b in the opposite direction, or by use
of a different
mechanism. The first connectors 662 and the second connectors 677a, 677b can
be removed
from the core assembly to permit use of the core assembly.
[00601 Referring to FIGS. 21 and 22, another exemplary heat exchanger 710 may
have a core 713 may be suspended vertically from its top and a core control
assembly 718 in
another form that may limit the expansion of the core 713 to, for example,
prevent damage to
the core that may be caused by its overexpansion. The core control assembly
718 may
include a ram 719 and a third connector 784 that may hold the ram 719 in a
fixed position
between compressed and uncompressed positions. The heat exchanger 710 may be
similar to
the heat exchanger 10 of FIGS. 1 and 6 having the core 13 and the core control
assembly 18.
Corresponding elements in FIGS. 21 and 22 are designated by the numerals of
FIGS. 1 and 6
with the addition of the prefix "7" for each numeral. The first and second
connectors 762,
18
CA 02761575 2011-11-09
WO 2010/132302 PCT/US2010/034066
777 in this form may be first and second straps that may extend from a
respective one of the
ram 719 and the base 769.
[0061] As best shown in FIG. 22, the third connector 784 may be an extension
that
may have one end slidably carried by the first strap 762 and another end
slidably carried by
the second strap 777, so that the third connector may limit movement of the
first and second
straps with respect to one another. For example, the third connector 784 may
define a slot or
groove 785 with opposed ends 787, 789, and the first and second straps 762,
777 may each
carry a projection 700 that may be slidably carried by the third connector 784
within the
groove 785 between its opposed ends 787, 789. One skilled in the art will
recognize that the
third connector may also include one or more catches to hold one or both
projections in a
fixed position within the groove to adjust the length of the core. Of course,
other third
connectors may be used to slidably connect the ram 719 to the base 769 and
limit movement
of one with respect to the other for controlling the expansion and/or
elongation of the core. In
implementations where the core is vertically suspended such that the weight of
the core pulls
the core downward thereby expanding the core, the assembly 718 may limit,
reduce or
prevent over-expansion of the core 713 and reduce or prevent damage thereto.
[0062] Another core control assembly 818, as shown in FIG. 23, may include a
first
connector 862, a second connector 877, and a spring 806 carried by one or both
of the first
and second connectors. The first connector 862 may be tubular, connected at
one end to the
ram 819, and have an open end facing the base 869. The second connector 877
may be a rod
or shank connected to the base 869 and extending into the open end of the
first connector.
The spring 806 may be a coil spring carried about the second connector and
received at least
partially within the first connector. The spring 806 may bear at one end on a
shoulder 881 of
the second connector 877, and, in assembly, may bear on the ram 819 or a
surface within the
first connector 862. The first connector 862 may include a slot 892, and an
end coil 894 of
19
CA 02761575 2011-11-09
WO 2010/132302 PCT/US2010/034066
the spring 806, or a pin or other feature the spring 806 engages, may extend
partially out of
the slot 892, or through aligned slots 892 if more than one slot 892 is
provided. When the
core is in its compressed state, the spring 806 is compressed and provides a
force tending to
separate the ram 819 and base 869. When the force compressing the core is
removed or less
than that of the spring 806, the spring 806 will tend to increase the distance
between the ram
819 and base 869, and or facilitate movement of the ram and/or base to
increase the distance
between them. A strap 890, tether or other device may limit expansion of the
core from its
compressed position.
[0063] FIG. 24 shows a tool, such as a spreader or wedge 900 that may be used
to
separate adjacent plates or cassettes of a heat exchanger, or to hold apart
adjacent plates or
cassettes. The wedge 900 may include a plurality of relatively thin
projections 902 that may
have inclined surfaces 904 providing an increased cross-sectional area of the
projections 902
away from the free end of the projections 902. That is, the projections 902
are smallest at
their free end, and get wider away from their free end. In use, the
projections 902 may be
aligned with gaps between adjacent plates or cassettes, and the wedge may be
advanced
relative to the core. As the wedge is advanced relative to the core, the
projections 902 are
inserted further between adjacent plates or cassettes so that increasingly
wider portions of the
projections 902 engage the plates or cassettes to separate the adjacent plates
or cassettes. In
this manner, movement of the wedge 900 may spread apart the adjacent plates or
cassettes to
increase or facilitate expansion of the core, and access to the spaces between
adjacent plates
or cassettes for cleaning, other maintenance or inspection. The wedge 900 may
also be useful
to hold apart adjacent plates or cassettes of an expanded core.
[0064] Accordingly, as set forth herein, the core control assemblies may
include a
drive member or other device that clamps and/or compresses the core. The core
control
assemblies may also or instead enable, facilitate and or limit expansion of
the core. In some
CA 02761575 2011-11-09
WO 2010/132302 PCT/US2010/034066
forms, the core may be compressed by a device other than the core control
assembly. For
example, in some forms, the core may be compressed by installation of the core
within the
heat exchanger housing 11, such as when a cover of the housing is installed to
enclose the
core within the housing.
[0065] While the forms of the invention herein disclosed constitute presently
preferred embodiments, many others are possible. It is not intended herein to
mention all the
possible equivalent forms or ramifications of the invention. For example,
while the term
"connectors" was used to describe various components of the intermediate
members that
facilitate compression and/or expansion of the core, the connectors may not
directly connect
the ram and base, and may not be connected together (e.g. a rod may be
slidably received
within a tube, but not directly connected to the tube, nonetheless, they may
be considered
connectors in the context of this disclosure). The term "connector" is
intended to have a
broad meaning relating to components that interconnect or are associated with
adjacent
structures or features. It is understood that the terms used herein are merely
descriptive,
rather than limiting, and that various changes may be made without departing
from the spirit
or scope of the invention.
21
