Connector for a plate heat exchanger

Abstract

A plate heat exchanger including a stack of heat exchanger plates and at least one connection plate having at least one opening with a flange extending from the plate around the opening, and a connector connecting a heat exchange medium to the connection plate opening for supplying the medium to or discharging the medium from the heat exchanger, wherein the connector is an injection-molded plastic part and the flange has crenellate protrusions which are deformed to mechanically fasten the connector to the closure plate. A reduced wall thickness defines a seat in the connection plate around the flange, and a seal is between the flange and the connection edge. The connector may have a cross-section at its connection to a supply or discharge line which is wider than the cross-section at the connection edge, and a seal is between the connector and the line in the wider cross-section.

1 . A plate heat exchanger comprising: 
 a stack of heat exchanger plates and at least one connection plate having at least one opening with a flange extending from said plate around said opening;    a connector connecting a heat exchange medium to said connection plate opening for supplying said medium to or discharging said medium from said heat exchanger;    wherein said connector is an injection-molded part and said flange mechanically fastens the connector to the closure plate.    
   
   
       2 . The plate heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the flange is deformed around said opening and includes protrusions bent over a connecting edge of said connector for mechanical fastening thereto.  
   
   
       3 . The plate heat exchanger of  claim 2 , further comprising a seat in said connection plate around said flange.  
   
   
       4 . The plate heat exchanger of  claim 3 , wherein said seat comprises a reduced wall thickness in said connection plate.  
   
   
       5 . The plate heat exchanger of  claim 2 , further comprising a seal between said flange and said connection edge, wherein said bent protrusions secure said seal in a compressed condition.  
   
   
       6 . The plate heat exchanger of  claim 2 , wherein said protrusions are crenellate protrusions about said flange.  
   
   
       7 . The plate heat exchanger of  claim 2 , wherein said connector has a cross-section at its connection to a supply or discharge line which is wider than the cross-section at said connection edge, and further comprising a seal between said connector and said line in said wider cross-section.  
   
   
       8 . The plate heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein said plate heat exchanger is a housingless oil cooler.  
   
   
       9 . The plate heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein said connector is plastic.