Abstract: A housing for a rotary adsorption machine includes a peripheral section configured to circumferentially surround a rotor and define a plurality of zones through which the rotor can rotate, including an adsorption zone, a desorption zone, and a regeneration zone. The housing may include two or more sector plate assemblies that define the plurality of zones. The housing may include a plurality of ducts that define passageways into and out of the plurality of zones, and the peripheral section may connects each duct inlets with its duct outlet. The housing also includes structural reinforcements and thermal expansion elements. The structural reinforcements that support the rotor, balance internal pressures in the housing, and/or dampen or eliminate tilting or deflections in the housing. The thermal expansion elements that allow the two or more sector plate assemblies to create seals between the plurality of zones.

Abstract: A method for producing a sector plate for a rotary heat exchanger is disclosed. The method includes defining overall dimensions of a sector plate. A number of a plurality of tapered ribs to be included on the top surface is determined based on a surface area of the sector plate and/or a sealing to be provided by the sector plate. Additionally, a root height of the plurality of tapered ribs is determined based on at least a plate thickness of the sector plate and the number of the plurality of tapered ribs. With the root height, the plurality of tapered ribs cause the sector plate to deform parabolically in response to an actuation. The plurality of tapered ribs also return the sector plate to a rest position and the sector plate supports its weight in a cantilevered fashion when in the actuated position and the rest position.