Wire spacer for a plate type heat exchanger, plate type heat exchanger provided with such a wire spacer, and method of upgrading a heat exchanger

Abstract

A wire spacer ( 20 ) for spacing two adjacent heat transfer plates ( 2, 4 ) of a plate type heat exchanger ( 1 ). The wire spacer ( 20 ) is formed by a bent wire ( 22 ) that is alternatingly abutting the two adjacent heat transfer plates ( 2, 4 ), while extending along the fluid channel ( 6, 8 ) of the heat exchanger ( 1 ). The wire spacer ( 20 ) has first and second support segments ( 24, 26 ) providing a plate supporting function, and spacing segments ( 28 ) for maintaining a minimal vertical spacing (Δy) between the heat transfer plates ( 2, 4 ) during heat exchanger operation. The first lower support segments ( 24 ) are formed by wire paths ( 32 ) that span a plane (S 1 ) coinciding with a top surface of the lower heat transfer plate ( 2 ), and allow the wire spacer ( 20 ) to keep its orientation fixed with respect to the heat transfer plates.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A wire spacer for spacing a first heat transfer plate and a second heat transfer plate in a plate type heat exchanger, wherein the wire spacer comprises a bent wire comprising:
 first support segments for abutting the first heat transfer plate along a first support line;   second support segments for abutting the second heat transfer plate along a second support line;   spacing segments interconnecting the first support segments and the second support segments in an alternating manner, and spacing the second support segments at a spacing distance from the first support line;   
       wherein the first support segments are bent into wire paths that jointly define a support plane comprising the first support line. 
     
     
         15 . The wire spacer according to claim  1 , wherein the wire paths jointly extend bi-directionally from the first support line and along a transversal direction perpendicular to the first support line and within in the support plane. 
     
     
         16 . The wire spacer according to claim  2 , wherein each wire path extends in positive and negative transversal directions from the first support line. 
     
     
         17 . The wire spacer according to claim  3 , wherein each wire path spans a total base width that equals the spacing distance. 
     
     
         18 . The wire spacer according to claim  1 , wherein the wire paths are identically shaped, and wherein the wire spacer is formed as a structure of consecutive identical units that has periodicity along a first direction parallel with the first support line. 
     
     
         19 . The wire spacer according to claim  5 , wherein each unit comprises a sequence of interconnected segments formed by a first support segment, a spacing segment, a second support segment, and a further spacing segment. 
     
     
         20 . The wire spacer according to claim  1 , wherein the wire path comprises connected linear path segments along the transversal direction, and preferably forms one of a contracted U-shape, a contracted S-shape, or a contracted W-shape. 
     
     
         21 . The wire spacer according to claim  1 , wherein the wire path is smoothly curved in the support plane, and preferably forms one of a U-shape, an S-shape, or a curved W-shape. 
     
     
         22 . The wire spacer according to claim  1 , wherein the second support segments are formed by linear support segments with support lengths along the second support line, preferably wherein the support lengths are equal support lengths in the range of 100 millimeters to 200 millimeters. 
     
     
         23 . The wire spacer according to claim  1 , wherein the spacing segments are formed by perpendicular linear segments with spacing heights equal to the spacing distance. 
     
     
         24 . The wire spacer according to claim  1 , wherein the wire path extend bi-directionally from the second support line and along a transversal direction perpendicular to the second support line. 
     
     
         25 . The wire spacer according to claim  1 , wherein a cross-section of the bent wire is circular, and in particular wherein a wire diameter of the bent wire is in a diameter range of 2 millimeters to 4 millimeters. 
     
     
         26 . The wire spacer according to claim  1 , wherein the bent wire has a first end and a second end, wherein each end is provided with attachment members for connecting the wire spacer to the first heat transfer plate and/or the second heat transfer plate. 
     
     
         27 . A plate type heat exchanger for exchanging thermal energy between two fluids, and comprising two adjacent heat transfer plates forming a fluid channel along a first direction, and spaced apart at a spacing height in a second direction, wherein the plate type heat exchanger comprises at least one wire spacer according to claim  1  arranged between the two adjacent heat transfer plates. 
     
     
         28 . The plate type heat exchanger according to  claim 14 , wherein the at least one wire spacer is releasably positioned between the adjacent heat transfer plates, and wherein the first end and second end of the wire spacer are fixed to respective outer edges of the heat transfer plates. 
     
     
         29 . A method for upgrading an existing plate type heat exchanger for exchanging thermal energy between two fluids, and comprising two adjacent heat transfer plates forming a fluid channel along a first direction, and spaced apart at a spacing height in a second direction, the method comprising:
 inserting at least one wire spacer according to claim  1  between the two adjacent heat transfer plates;   positioning the wire paths of the first support segments in a manner abutting the first heat transfer plate along a first support line in the first direction, and   positioning the second support segments in a manner abutting the second heat transfer plate along a second support line at a spacing distance from the first support line, thereby spacing the adjacent heat transfer plates.