Heat exchanger seal apparatus

Abstract

A heat exchanger includes a heat exchanger shell having an inlet and outlet. A header plate including an inner member and an outer member defining a leak detection chamber therebetween is provided at each end of the heat exchanger shell. A plurality of heat exchanger tubes is positioned in the heat exchanger shell. Each tube extends through an aperture formed in an inner member and an aperture formed in an outer member of each of the header plates. A seal is provided in a channel in each aperture to sealingly engage a corresponding heat exchanger tube and a corresponding plate. A passage leads from the leak detection chamber to the exterior of the header plate.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A heat exchanger comprising, in combination: 
 a heat exchanger shell having an inlet and an outlet;    a pair of header plates, each header plate positioned at an end of the heat exchanger shell and including an outer member and an inner member spaced apart to define a leak detection chamber;    a plurality of apertures in each inner member and outer member, each aperture having a channel formed therein;    a plurality of heat exchanger tubes, each heat exchanger tube received by an aperture in the inner member and a corresponding aperture in the outer member of each header plate;    a plurality of seals, each seal received in a channel and sealingly engaging a corresponding heat exchanger tube; and    a passage in each header plate leading from the leak detection chamber to an exterior of the header plate.    
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the outer member comprises a plate.  
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the inner member comprises a plate.  
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the seals are O-rings.  
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the seals have a lobed cross-section.  
     
     
         6 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the seals have a rectangular cross-section.  
     
     
         7 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the seals are formed of an elastomeric material.  
     
     
         8 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , further comprising a leak detector and a conduit connecting the leak detector to the passage.  
     
     
         9 . The heat exchanger of  claim 8 , wherein the leak detector includes a visual signal indicator providing a signal indicating that a leak has been detected.  
     
     
         10 . The heat exchanger of  claim 8 , wherein the leak detector includes an audible signal indicator providing a signal indicating that a leak has been detected.  
     
     
         11 . The heat exchanger of  claim 8 , wherein the leak detector includes a valve configured to stop a flow of a heat exchange fluid upon detection of a leak.  
     
     
         12 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger tubes have a cylindrical profile.  
     
     
         13 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the channels are formed of a pair of side walls and a bottom.  
     
     
         14 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , further comprising a cover secured to each header plate and defining a distribution chamber therebetween, one cover having an inlet port and the other cover having an outlet port.  
     
     
         15 . A heat exchanger comprising, in combination: 
 a heat exchanger shell having an inlet and an outlet;    a pair of header plates, each header plate being positioned at an end of the heat exchanger shell and including an inner plate and an outer plate spaced apart to define a leak detection chamber, each of the inner plates and outer plates having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough, each aperture having a channel;    a passage in each header plate providing fluid communication between the leak detection chamber and an exterior of the heat exchanger;    a plurality of heat exchanger tubes, each heat exchanger tube being received by an aperture in the inner member and a corresponding aperture in the outer member of the header plates at each end of the heat exchanger shell;    a plurality of seals, each seal received by a channel and sealingly engaging the respective channel and a corresponding heat exchanger tube;    a cover secured to each header plate and defining a distribution chamber therebetween, each end of the heat exchanger tubes extending into one of the distribution chambers; and    a port in each cover to provide fluid communication from the distribution chamber to an exterior of the heat exchanger.    
     
     
         16 . The heat exchanger of  claim 15 , further comprising a leak detector connected to the passage by a conduit.  
     
     
         17 . The heat exchanger of  claim 15 , wherein the seals are O-rings.  
     
     
         18 . The heat exchanger of  claim 15 , wherein the seals have a lobed cross-section.  
     
     
         19 . The heat exchanger of  claim 15 , wherein the seals have a rectangular cross-section.  
     
     
         20 . The heat exchanger of  claim 15 , wherein the seals are formed of an elastomeric material.  
     
     
         21 . A heat exchanger comprising, in combination: 
 a pair of header plates;    a leak detection chamber formed in each header plate;    a plurality of pairs of apertures in each header plate, one aperture of each pair of apertures being positioned on one side of the leak detection chamber, the other aperture of each pair of apertures being positioned on an opposite side of the leak detection chamber, the apertures of each pair of aperture being substantially coaxial, with each aperture having a channel formed therein;    a plurality of heat exchanger tubes, each end of each heat exchanger tube received by a pair of apertures;    a plurality of seals, each seal received in a channel and sealingly engaging a corresponding heat exchanger tube; and    a passage in each header plate leading from the leak detection chamber to an exterior of the header plate.