Data plate assembly for a heat exchanger

Abstract

A data plate assembly for installation with a plate heat exchanger. The data plate assembly includes a monitoring device assembled with a spacer plate. The spacer plate includes inlet and/or outlet holes, and a port that extends from an outer edge of the spacer plate to one of the inlet and/or outlet holes. The port retains the monitoring device therein such that the monitoring device extends into the inlet and/or outlet holes to monitor characteristics of the process and cooling fluids flowing through the holes and the plate heat exchanger. As the performance of the plate heat exchanger degrades, the characteristics accumulated over a period of time may provide an indication that the performance of the plate heat exchanger is degrading and/or the rate in which the performance of the plate heat exchanger degrades.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A spacer plate for assembly with a plate heat exchanger and a monitoring device, the spacer plate comprising:
 one or more inlet and/or outlet holes;   a port that extends from an outer edge of the spacer plate to one of the inlet and/or outlet holes, the port configured to receive the monitoring device therein;   a front outer surface opposite a rear outer surface, wherein one of the front and/or the rear outer surfaces includes a gasket track, wherein the gasket track includes a plurality of legs that intersect with a circular track positioned around the one or more inlet and/or outlet holes; and   one or more seals assembled with the gasket track and the circular track.   
     
     
         2 . The spacer plate of  claim 1 , wherein the one of the front and/or the rear outer surfaces that includes the gasket track also includes a second gasket track that connects two of the plurality of legs of the gasket track. 
     
     
         3 . The spacer plate of  claim 1 , wherein the port is positioned perpendicular to the outer edge. 
     
     
         4 . The spacer plate of  claim 1 , wherein the port forms a non-perpendicular angle to the outer edge. 
     
     
         5 . The spacer plate of  claim 1 , wherein the other of front and/or rear outer surfaces includes a gasket track that is similar the gasket track on the one of the front and/or rear outer surfaces. 
     
     
         6 . The spacer plate of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a seal positioned around the monitoring device to seal the port with the monitoring device therein.   
     
     
         7 . The spacer plate of  claim 1 , wherein the monitoring device is welded to the spacer plate. 
     
     
         8 . The spacer plate of  claim 1 , wherein the port includes a port for each of the one or more inlet and/or outlet holes. 
     
     
         9 . A spacer plate for assembly with a plate heat exchanger and a monitoring device, the spacer plate comprising:
 a front outer surface opposite a rear outer surface, the front and the rear outer surfaces spanning between an outer edge;   an inlet hole that spans through the front and the rear outer surfaces;   an outlet hole that spans through the front and the rear outer surfaces; and   a port that extends from the outer edge to one of the inlet and/or outlet holes, the port configured to receive the monitoring device therein.   
     
     
         10 . The spacer plate of  claim 9 , wherein one of the front and/or the rear outer surfaces includes a gasket track; and
 a seal assembled with the gasket track.   
     
     
         11 . The spacer plate of  claim 10 , wherein the gasket track includes a plurality of legs that intersect with a first circular track positioned around the inlet hole and a second circular track positioned around the outlet hole; and
 one or more circular seals assembled with the first and the second circular tracks.   
     
     
         12 . The spacer plate of  claim 11 , wherein the one of the front and/or the rear outer surfaces that includes the gasket track further includes a second gasket track that connects two of the plurality of legs of the gasket track. 
     
     
         13 . The spacer plate of  claim 9 , wherein the port includes a port for each of the inlet and the outlet holes. 
     
     
         14 . The spacer plate of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a seal positioned around the monitoring device to seal the port with the monitoring device therein.   
     
     
         15 . The spacer plate of  claim 9 , wherein the monitoring device is welded to the spacer plate. 
     
     
         16 . A data plate assembly for installation with a plate heat exchanger, the data plate assembly comprising:
 a monitoring device; and   a spacer plate, wherein the spacer plate defines one or more inlet and/or outlet holes, the spacer plate further includes a port that extends from an outer edge of the spacer plate to one of the inlet and/or outlet holes, the port configured to receive the monitoring device therein.   
     
     
         17 . The data plate assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the spacer plate includes a front outer surface opposite a rear outer surface, wherein one of the front and/or the rear outer surfaces includes a gasket track sized to receive a seal; and
 a seal assembled with the gasket track.   
     
     
         18 . The data plate assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the gasket track includes a plurality of legs connected to one another and arranged along the outer edge. 
     
     
         19 . The data plate assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the one of the front and/or the rear outer surfaces that includes the gasket track further includes a second gasket track that connects two of the plurality of legs of the gasket track. 
     
     
         20 . The data plate assembly of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 a circular track positioned around the one or more inlet and/or outlet holes, the circular track connected to one or more of the plurality of legs of the gasket track; and   one or more seals assembled with the gasket track and the circular track.