Abstract: An improved rotating pipe joint for use in the sootblower system of a rotary regenerative air heater employs a ball and socket type construction floating seal assembly. The ball and its associated seal rings rotates within the socket to allow a slide pipe of the sootblower system to deviate from the vertical position while maintaining sealing. The improved rotating pipe joint also accommodates rotary, axial and lateral motion between the moving and stationary parts of the air heater.

Abstract: A sealing arrangement for a regenerative air heater having a stator with a peripheral flange and hot and cold end hoods mounted for rotation over respective opposite surfaces of the stator, includes a seal frame which is connected to the cold end hood over an expansion joint assembly. A plurality of cast iron seal shoes are connected to the frame and positioned at selected gaps from the stator flange. A wheel rotatably mounted to the frame near each seal shoe rolls against the stator flange to maintain the selected gap while a counter weight on a lever acts to urge the seal shoes toward the flange. The arrangement is automatic in its maintenance of the selected gap.

Abstract: A sealing arrangement for a regenerative air heater having a stator with a peripheral flange and hot and cold end hoods mounted for rotation over respective opposite surfaces of the stator, includes a seal frame which is connected to the cold end hood over an expansion joint assembly. A plurality of cast iron seal shoes are connected to the frame and positioned at selected gaps from the stator flange. A wheel rotatably mounted to the frame near each seal shoe rolls against the stator flange to maintain the selected gap while a counter weight on a lever acts to urge the seal shoes toward the flange. The arrangement is automatic in its maintenance of the selected gap.