Abstract: A rotary combustor is disclosed in which a plurality of tubes connect a first header to a second header, and in which the first and second headers have a plurality of baffles dividing them into a plurality of chambers. In accordance with the invention, a branch pipe is located at the extreme end of a first of the chambers for admitting fluid to the first chamber, such that the fluid flows through a first set of tubes to a second chamber and then through a second set of tubes and is returned to another chamber and exits through a second branch pipe disposed at an extreme end of the chamber. The structure made in accordance with the present invention exhibits a relative flow pattern between the chambers that is a counterflow, thereby improving the performance of the combustor. preferably, the tubes are grouped in plurality of pairs of tubes, and the chambers include relatively smaller chambers and relatively larger chambers.

Abstract: Rotary combustor and seal assembly therefor. A rotary combustor includes a shroud ring encircling an inlet opening of a rotatable kiln in which municipal waste is burned, the waste heat being used to generate electricity. The kiln includes a plurality of parallel heat transfer tubes arranged in spaced parallel circular array. The end portions of the tubes terminate in a ring header or plenum that surrounds the shroud ring, so as to define an annular gap between the ring header and shroud ring. A plurality of blocking members are connected to the kiln and interposed between the plenum and the shroud. The shroud and the blocking members cooperate to seal the gap. Moreover, a portion of each blocking member extends over a predetermined portion of a respective one of the tubes and over a predetermined portion of the plenum to protect the plenum and the pipes from impact damage by the municipal waste.

Abstract: Rotary combustor and spring assembly therefor. The combustor includes a tire surrounding a kiln and a spring assembly interposed between the tire and kiln for interconnecting the tire and kiln. The spring assembly includes a clevis member attached to the tire and a spring member having an end portion thereof pivotally connected to the clevis member and an intermediate portion thereof attached to the kiln. The other end portion of the spring member is pivotally connected to an adjacent clevis member. The spring member allows for relative motion of the tire and the kiln as the first and second end portions of the spring member pivot about their respective clevis members.

Abstract: A rotary connector for coupling at least one stationary pipe to a rotating pipe includes a casing which is connected to a stationary inlet pipe and a stationary outlet pipe and which houses a rotary stem. The rotary stem includes an inner stem disposed within an outer stem for providing a first and second fluid flow path through the rotary stem. A spool is positioned between the rotary stem and the rotating pipe, which leads to a rotating piece of equipment, such as a combustor. The spool has an inner sleeve disposed within an outer sleeve for providing first and second fluid flow paths through the spool. The rotary connector also includes a seal for sealing an inboard end of the casing and a blind flange for sealing an outboard end of the casing. The fluid flows from the inlet pipe, through apertures in the outer stem, through an annulus between the inner and outer stems, through an annulus between the inner and outer sleeves of the spool, and into the coaxial pipe.

Abstract: A finned tube rotary combustor for a municipal solid waste incinerator having a plurality of finned tubes disposed in a circular array so that the fins of adjacent tubes register, but are separate and form a gap for combustion air to pass from a divided windbox into the rotary combustor, the finned tubes being connected at each end to a ring header and at intermediate locations by channel shaped circumferential bands that have an outer peripheral surface that is utilized as the running surface for windbox radial seals and has legs with scalloped distal margins fitted and welded to the outer periphery of the finned tube array.

Abstract: This invention provides a heat exchanger, particularly useful for systems requiring cooling of hot particulate solids, such as the separated fines from the product gas of a carbonaceous material gasification system. The invention allows effective cooling of a hot particulate in a particle stream (made up of hot particulate and a gas), using gravity as the motive source of the hot particulate.In a preferred form, the invention substitutes a tube structure for the single wall tube of a heat exchanger. The tube structure comprises a tube with a core disposed within, forming a cavity between the tube and the core, and vanes in the cavity which form a flow path through which the hot particulate falls. The outside of the tube is in contact with the cooling fluid of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: An adjustable blade assembly for use in a rotary machine, such as a turbine or a compressor, wherein the airfoil is separable from the assembly at the blade platform. The airfoil is provided with a root which is seated within a complementary kerf formed within the platform. Each of the two sections is fabricated independently using standard machine tools, thereby eliminating the need of hand-forming, complex blade contours. In assembly, the airfoil is loosely supported within the platform whereby the stresses generated at resonant frequencies are highly damped.