Abstract: A system transfers thermal energy between incoming supply air and outgoing exhaust air. The system comprises: at least four rotary heat exchange units positioned in an array so that incoming supply air and outgoing exhaust air passes through each of the wheels as counter flowing air streams; and partitions defining at least three pathways for directing the counter flowing air streams through the rotary heat exchange units. A method of transferring thermal energy between incoming supply air and outgoing exhaust air is also described. The method comprises: positioning at least four rotary heat exchange units in an array in an air transfer system so that incoming supply air and outgoing exhaust air passes through each of the wheels as counter flowing air streams; and defining at least three pathways for directing the counter flowing air streams through the rotary heat exchange units.

Abstract: The disclosed system provides heat and/or moisture transfer between two counter-flowing air streams. The system comprises: a frame; a transfer wheel having a periphery spaced from the frame so as to form a gap therebetween, and including a transfer matrix mounted and rotationally secured relative to the frame so that the wheel can simultaneously rotate through the two separate, counter-flowing air streams; a sealing arrangement configured so as to seal the transfer wheel to the frame so that as the wheel rotates through the two separate counter-flowing air streams, the two air streams flow through the transfer matrix while remaining sealed from one another; and an electromagnetic actuator including rotational components secured relative to the wheel configured to generate flux across the gap and stationary components secured relative to the frame configured to impart a tractive force to the rotational components in response to polyphase power supplied to the stationary components.

Abstract: A regenerator matrix for effecting the transfer of heat between two counter-flowing air streams separated in part by face seals. The matrix includes strips of material wound about an axis so as to provide a plurality of layers. The matrix also includes embossments located on at least some of the layers and providing interlayer spaces between at least some of the layers, such that the interlayer spaces extend through the matrix substantially parallel to the axis. The embossments have a uniform height and include primary and secondary embossments. The primary embossments extend substantially parallel to the axis to divide the interlayer spaces into gas passageways and substantially resist circumferential gas leakage between the gas passageways. The primary embossments are also for aligning with the face seals to prevent circumferential gas leakage between the two counter-flowing air streams, and are successively spaced so that at most two successive primary embossments will align with the face seals.

Abstract: A regenerator energy exchange device comprises an energy recovery wheel having interchangeable segments of a heat and moisture exchange matrix material. Each segment may include one or more desiccants having different moisture adsorption characteristics deposited thereon. Alternatively, the energy recovery wheel may contain a matrix which is uniformly coated with at least two different desiccants. In still another embodiment, the wheel may have zones of different desiccants or desiccant combinations which are arranged in series in the direction of air flow through the matrix to provide different moisture adsorption characteristics along the air flow path. The zone closest to a highly humid airstream may contain, for example, a type 5 desiccant, while the zone closest to a conditioned exhaust airstream may contain a type 3 desiccant. All configurations are designed to increase the effectiveness of the energy recovery device over the middle to high range of relative humidities.

Abstract: A rotary heat regenerator wheel having an improved construction, including (a) spokes provided with a I-beam cross-section so as to provide greater strength and resistance to bending moments due to differential air pressure across the face areas of the wheel and a T-bar cross section for facilitating the insertion and removal of segments, and (b) at least two types of segments so as to facilitate insertion and removal of segments for maintenance and easy replacement.

Abstract: A rotary heat regenerator wheel in which one or more performance characteristics, such as heat exchange efficiency and air flow rate, can be adjusted during manufacturing, during or after installation and/or after use of the regenerator. The wheel comprises removable segments having differing performance characteristics. One embodiment of the regenerator wheel includes segments containing both latent and sensible heat exchange material. Latent heat transfer efficiencies between those provided by heat regenerators having segments made only of sensible heat exchange material, and by regenerators having segments made only of latent heat exchange material, are achieved by adjusting the ratio of segments with exposed surface area of latent heat exchange material relative to segments having exposed surface area of the sensible heat exchange material. In another embodiment the air flow, pressure drop or surface area density of the wheel can be adjusted by using segments having different surface area densities.

Abstract: A rotary heat regenerator comprises a regenerator matrix mounted for rotation in a central aperture of a housing wall, and an improved seal disposed in the annular gap between the matrix and the housing wall. The seal includes (a) a first portion of pile-like material which is secured to the peripheral surface of the matrix, and (b) a second portion of pile-like material which is secured to the housing wall such that the two interact to provide a seal while allowing the matrix to rotate in the aperture.

Abstract: A rotary regenerative heat exchange assembly comprises (1) heat exchange wheel means including a heat exchange wheel having a rotation axis and rotably mounted for rotation about said axis and means for rotating said wheel about said axis; and (2) cabinet means comprising openings for securing said assembly to a source of relatively cool air and to a source of relatively warm air so that when said assembly is properly located in an operative position in said cabinet means a portion of said wheel intercepts the flow of said relatively cool air and another portion of said wheel intercepts the flow of said relatively warm air, said cabinet means including means for slidably supporting said heat exchange wheel means and an opening so that said heat exchange wheel means can be slid into said cabinet means to said operative position, and at least partially moved out of said cabinet means so that said wheel can be maintained and/or replaced.

Abstract: A rotary regenerative heat wheel having a heat exchange matrix comprised of a spirally wound strip of plastic having a coating of dry desiccant affixed thereto. The quantity of desiccant affixed to the strip is selected so that the sensible and latent heat transfer efficiencies of the wheel are relatively high and approximately equal. An apparatus and method are disclosed for applying a desiccant coating to a sheet of plastic.

Abstract: A rotary heat regenerator assembly comprising an enclosure, a regenerator matrix disposed in the enclosure and releasably mounted on a matrix support secured to a rotatable shaft, a first air passage and associated blower for forcing air through a portion of the regenerator wheel, and a second air passage and associated blower for forcing air to flow through another portion of the regenerator wheel. The matrix and matrix support are designed so that rotational drive is transmitted from the rotatable shaft to the matrix via the matrix support and so that the matrix can be easily and quickly inserted on and removed from the matrix support. A blower driving motor and the blowers are mounted on a common shaft. Speed reducing driving means connects the common shaft to the rotatable shaft carrying the matrix.

Abstract: This invention provides a rotary heat regenerator which includes a regenerator wheel in which the regenerator matrix is formed of at least one strip of synthetic organic plastic wound onto a central hub, with suitable spacing means being formed in the strip to form gas passages. Inexpensive means is provided to stiffen the wheel to impart lateral strength and rotational stability. In one embodiment of the invention, radial portions of the face of the matrix are fastened together by fusing, by an adhesive, or both. In another embodiment of the invention, radial apertures are formed in the wheel by forcing a heated tool, radially into the wheel periphery so that the surfaces of the strip layers of the matrix are fused together, forming a hollow cylinder bounded by a continuous layer of plastic. To impart further rigidity to the wheel, the hollow cylinder may be filled with a reinforcing rod of plastic or metal.

Abstract: One type of smoke detector has a housing forming a dark chamber into which light is directed on a path viewed by a smoke sensing photocell. Smoke in the viewed light path scatters light to the cell exciting the cell to alarm state if the smoke is of density predetermined to be dangerous. The detector is tested for its ability to respond to the predetermined smoke density by means of an external owner-operated button. Depressing the button turns a lever or bell crank which intercepts the light path in the chamber and scatters light to one or more large areas within the dark chamber. These secondary areas in turn rescatter the scattered light to the photocell simulating smoke and exciting the cell to alarm state.The primary light scattering surface of the bell crank and the areas of secondary light scatter are large enough that the light ultimately scattered to the photocell is equivalent to that scattered by smoke of the predetermined density.

Abstract: An optical smoke detector has a housing which forms a dark chamber into which light is directed on a path viewed by a photocell. Light scattered from the path by smoke causes the cell to trigger an alarm. The housing includes an interior wall around the dark chamber and an exterior wall exposed to ambient light. A wire mesh extending between offset ports in the exterior and interior walls screens insects from the chamber and obstructs light from passing directly to the interior part.