Abstract: Disclosed is a regenerative heat exchanger including a brush-seal configuration to prevent mixing of fluid flows. The regenerative heat exchanger includes a regenerator, and at least two conduits, each conduit having a matrix end abutting a face of the regenerator matrix. The at least two conduits carrying at least two fluid flows, the fluid flows which pass through the regenerator matrix. The regenerative heat exchanger includes a plurality of brush-seals, each brush-seal located at a matrix end of each conduit without contacting the matrix, thereby sealing around a periphery of each conduit to prevent mixing of fluid flows. Also disclosed is a method for establishing a minimal gap between a regenerator matrix of a regenerative heat exchanger and a plurality of brush-seals.

Abstract: A regenerative heat exchanger having an energy-storing drive system includes a high heat capacity matrix rotable about an axis and a drive system that is in operable communication with the high heat capacity matrix and is capable of rotating the high heat capacity matrix about the axis. An energy-storage mechanism is in operable communication with the drive system. The energy-storage mechanism is capable of controlling an acceleration and/or deceleration of rotation of the high heat capacity matrix thus reducing an amount of energy required to be input into the drive system to rotate the high heat capacity matrix.

Abstract: A regenerator wheel is disclosed. The regenerator wheel includes a framework, a plurality of ports disposed within the framework, with at least one port of the plurality of ports separated from another port by the framework. The regenerator wheel also includes a plurality of matrixes aligned individually with the plurality of ports.