Heat exchanger

Abstract

A heat exchanger according to some embodiments includes heat exchanger plates stacked one inside the other and each having a trough-shaped edge, flow ducts located between the heat exchanger plates for heat-exchanging media, feed ducts and discharge ducts, and an attachment plate having openings for feeding and discharging the media through the attachment plate. In some embodiments, a multipart attachment plate is provided, wherein a bottom heat exchanger plate lies on an attachment plate, and another overlying attachment plate has a cutout having an edge shaped to lie against the trough-shaped edge of the bottom heat exchanger plate.

1 . A heat exchanger, comprising: 
 a plurality of stacked heat exchanger plates, each having a trough-shaped edge;    a plurality of flow ducts defined between the plurality of stacked heat exchanger plates and through which heat-exchanging media can flow;    at least one feed duct;    at least one discharge duct;    an attachment plate defining a plurality of openings for feeding and discharging heat exchange media, the attachment plate having first and second portions, wherein a bottom-most heat exchanger plate of the plurality of heat exchanger plates lies on the first portion of the attachment plate, and wherein a second portion of the attachment plate defines an aperture having an edge shaped to lie against the trough-shaped edge of the bottom-most heat exchanger plate.    
   
   
       2 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the edge of the aperture is oriented at an angle corresponding to an angle of the trough-shaped edge.  
   
   
       3 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the attachment plate comprises two abutting parts.  
   
   
       4 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 2 , wherein the attachment plate comprises two abutting parts.  
   
   
       5 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the attachment plate comprises a stack of three parts.  
   
   
       6 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 2 , wherein the attachment plate comprises a stack of three parts.  
   
   
       7 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the edge of the aperture in the attachment plate comprises cutouts at the corners.  
   
   
       8 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 2 , wherein the edge of the aperture in the attachment plate comprises cutouts at the corners.  
   
   
       9 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 5 , wherein: 
 the second portion of the attachment plate is defined by a top part of the stack of three parts, and at least partially defines the aperture;    the first portion of the attachment plate is defined by middle and lower parts of the stack of three parts; and    the first portion comprises additional apertures about which are received respective seals.    
   
   
       10 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 6 , wherein: 
 the second portion of the attachment plate is defined by a top part of the stack of three parts, and at least partially defines the aperture;    the first portion of the attachment plate is defined by middle and lower parts of the stack of three parts; and    the first portion comprises additional apertures about which are received respective seals.    
   
   
       11 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 5 , further comprising a seal clamped between a bent-over edge of an additional aperture in a first part of the attachment plate and another edge of a second part of the attachment plate.  
   
   
       12 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 6 , further comprising a seal clamped between a bent-over edge of an additional aperture in a first part of the attachment plate and another edge of a second part of the attachment plate.  
   
   
       13 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 9 , further comprising a seal clamped between a bent-over edge of an additional aperture in the middle part of the attachment plate and another edge of the lower part of the attachment plate.  
   
   
       14 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 10 , further comprising a seal clamped between a bent-over edge of an additional aperture in the middle part of the attachment plate and another edge of the lower part of the attachment plate.  
   
   
       15 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the aperture in the attachment plate is smaller than a base surface of the bottom-most heat exchanger plate before formation of the edge.  
   
   
       16 . A heat exchanger, comprising: 
 a plurality of stacked plates each having a body and a peripheral edge oriented at an angle with respect to the body, the plurality of stacked plates each including a bottom-most stacked plate;    a plurality of fluid flow channels defined between the plurality of stacked plates;    an attachment plate having a body and an aperture defined therein, wherein edges of the aperture are oriented at an angle with respect to the body of attachment plate;    wherein the bottom-most stacked plate is within the edges of the aperture in the body; and    wherein the edges of the aperture in the body abut the peripheral edge of the bottom-most stacked plate.    
   
   
       17 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 16 , wherein the edges of the aperture exert a force against the peripheral edge of the bottom-most stacked plate.  
   
   
       18 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 16 , wherein the attachment plate comprises first and second stacked plates.  
   
   
       19 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 18 , wherein the bottom-most stacked plate rests upon the first stacked plate of the attachment plate; and the aperture is defined in the second stacked plate of the attachment plate.  
   
   
       20 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 16 , further comprising at least one seal received within a portion of the attachment plate.