Integrated core/casing plate heat exchanger

Abstract

A plate heat exchanger includes a case assembly and a plurality of primary flow channel assemblies. The case assembly includes first and second side panels and first and second end plates mounted to the ends of the side plates. Each of the end plates has alternating slots, and ribs extending transversely between the laterally extending edges of the end plate, with the slots of the first end plate and corresponding slots of the second end plate defining multiple pairs of slots. Each primary flow channel assembly includes laterally spaced first and second heat exchange plates, with the inner surfaces of the heat exchange plates forming a longitudinally extending primary flow passage. One of the primary flow channel assemblies is associated with each pair of slots with a first end portion of the flow channel assembly mounted in the slot of the first end plate and the second end portion of the flow channel assembly mounted in the corresponding slot of the second end plate. Transversely extending secondary flow passages are formed between the outer surfaces of the heat exchange plates of adjacent primary flow channel assemblies.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An integrated core/casing plate heat exchanger comprises: 
 a case assembly including 
 oppositely disposed first and second side panels, each of the side panels having oppositely disposed longitudinally extending first and second edges and oppositely disposed first and second ends, and  
 first and second end plates, the first end plate being mounted to the first ends of the first and second side panels and the second end plate being mounted to the second ends of the first and second side panels, each of the end plates having an outer face, oppositely disposed, laterally extending first and second edges, and oppositely disposed first and second sides, the first and second end plates defining a plurality of slots, each of the slots being separated from an adjacent slot by a rib, the slots and the ribs of each plate extending transversely between the laterally extending edges of the end plate, the second end plate having a corresponding slot and rib for each slot and rib of the first end plate, the slots of the first end plate and the corresponding slots of the second end plate each defining a pair of slots; and  
   a plurality of primary flow channel assemblies, a one of the primary flow channel assemblies being associated with each pair of slots, each primary flow channel assembly including longitudinally separated first and second end portions and laterally spaced, first and second heat exchange plates, each of the heat exchange plates having inner and outer surfaces, the inner surfaces of the first and second heat exchange plates defining a longitudinally extending primary flow passage therebetween, the first end portion of the flow channel assembly being mounted in the slot of the first end plate and the second end portion of the flow channel assembly being mounted in the corresponding slot of the second end plate, the outer surface of the first heat exchange plate of the primary flow channel assembly defining a transversely extending, inner secondary flow passage with the outer surface of the second heat exchange plate of an adjacent primary flow channel assembly.    
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1  wherein each of the slots of each end plate has a width and height selected to facilitate insertion of a primary flow channel assembly therethrough.  
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1  wherein each side panel includes a sheet member and a plurality of stiffening members, the sheet member having oppositely disposed inner and outer surfaces, the stiffening members being mounted to the outer surface of the sheet member.  
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger of  claim 3  wherein the stiffening members include a plurality of transverse stiffening members and a plurality of longitudinal stiffening members.  
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger of  claim 3  wherein the inner surface of the sheet member of each side panel defines a transversely extending, outer secondary flow passage with the outer surface of a one of the heat exchange plates of an adjacent primary flow channel.  
     
     
         6 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1  further comprising first and second edge flange assemblies mounted to the first and second edges, respectively, of the side panels and the first and second edges, respectively, of the end plates.  
     
     
         7 . The heat exchanger of  claim 6  further comprising first and second end flange assemblies mounted to the first and second ends of the side panels  
     
     
         8 . The heat exchanger of  claim 6  further comprising first and second end flange assemblies mounted to the first and second ends of the side panels and the outer faces of the first and second end plates.  
     
     
         9 . The heat exchanger of  claim 6  further comprising first and second end flange assemblies mounted to the outer faces of the first and second end plates.  
     
     
         10 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1  wherein each primary flow channel assembly also includes transversely separated, longitudinally extending first and second edge bars mounted to the first and second heat exchange plates proximate to the first and second edges of the primary flow channel.  
     
     
         11 . An integrated core/casing plate heat exchanger comprises: 
 a case assembly including 
 oppositely disposed first and second side panels, each of the side panels having oppositely disposed longitudinally extending first and second edges, oppositely disposed first and second ends, a sheet member and a plurality of stiffening members, the sheet member having oppositely disposed inner and outer surfaces, the stiffening members being mounted to the outer surface of the sheet member, and  
 first and second end plates, the first end plate being mounted to the first ends of the first and second side panels and the second end plate being mounted to the second ends of the first and second side panels, each of the end plates having an outer face, oppositely disposed, laterally extending first and second edges, and oppositely disposed first and second sides, the first and second end plates defining a plurality of slots, each of the slots being separated from an adjacent slot by a rib, the slots and the ribs of each plate extending transversely between the laterally extending edges of the end plate, the second end plate having a corresponding slot and rib for each slot and rib of the first end plate, the slots of the first end plate and the corresponding slots of the second end plate each defining a pair of slots;  
   first and second edge flange assemblies mounted to the first and second edges of the side panels and the first and second edges of the end plates, respectively;    first and second end flange assemblies mounted to the first and second ends of the side panels or the outer faces of the first and second end plates; and    a plurality of primary flow channel assemblies, a one of the primary flow channel assemblies being associated with each pair of slots, each primary flow channel assembly including longitudinally separated first and second end portions and laterally spaced, first and second heat exchange plates, each of the heat exchange plates having inner and outer surfaces, the inner surfaces of the first and second heat exchange plates defining a longitudinally extending primary flow passage therebetween, the first end portion of the flow channel assembly being mounted in the slot of the first end plate and the second end portion of the flow channel assembly being mounted in the corresponding slot of the second end plate, the outer surface of the first heat exchange plate of the primary flow channel assembly defining a transversely extending, inner secondary flow passage with the outer surface of the second heat exchange plate of an adjacent primary flow channel assembly;    wherein the inner surface of the sheet member of each side panel defines a transversely extending, outer secondary flow passage with the outer surface of a one of the heat exchange plates of an adjacent primary flow channel.