Abstract: A heat exchanger having two parallel manifold ducts that communicate with one another through a matrix of several rows of heat exchange tubes, in which a number of sheet metal tray members placed on top of one another form the rows of tubes. Two complementary sheet metal tray members are joined to one another each having a number of parallel longitudinal slots that are interrupted by webs. The heat exchange tubes are formed by opposed trough-shaped portions formed between the slots of the joined complementary tray members.

Abstract: A tube matrix for a heat exchanger is connected between two spaced ducts for conveying a fluid from one duct to the other. The tube matrix has a plurality of spaced heat exchange tubes whose ends are secured to the ducts and which have a generally S-shape between the ducts. At the points of lateral offset and at the intermediate point therebetween, spaces are provided for keeping adjacent tubes in spaced relation from one another. Each loop of the S-shape tube is formed with two successive sections each of which includes two segments of opposite curvature such that in all there are eight segments which make up the tube. Preferably, the tube is a one piece member and the shape is formed by bending the tube. At each of the points where the tubes are secured and are connected by the spacers, tangents to the tubes extend parallel to one another.

Abstract: A heat exchanger having an inlet duct for admission of a first fluid to be heated, an outlet duct for discharge of the first fluid after heating thereof, the ducts being arranged in substantially parallel relation, and an assembly of a plurality of heat exchanger tubes connected to the inlet and outlet ducts for receiving the first fluid from the inlet duct to convey the first fluid through the tubes for discharge into the outlet duct. The heat exchanger tubes are of U-shape each including a curved bend region in which reversal of direction of flow of the first fluid is effected. The assembly of heat exchanger tubes extends laterally of the ducts into the path of travel of a second fluid which flows around the tubes in a passage area to effect heat exchange with the first fluid in the tubes.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a tubular distributor of a heat exchanger in which the distributor is formed by layers of material between which the ends of heat exchange tubes of a matrix are secured in fluid-tight manner. The layers are made of fibers which are juxtaposed between the tube ends of adjacent rows and the layers are deformed by compression so that they each engage around one-half of the associated row of tubes to form an initially porous structure into which a metallic material is injected to integrate the fibers of the layers with one another and with the ends of the tubes in sealed relation.

Abstract: A heat exchanger having a matrix of tubes around which hot gases flow, the matrix comprising spaced internested oval profiled tubes connected to a manifold for supply of compressed air to the tubes. The manifold is composed of a plurality of superimposed elements assembled on another in fluid-tight fashion. The profiled tubes have rectangular or square base ends which are fitted into corresponding openings in the superimposed elements.

Abstract: A heat exchanger having first and second ducts respectively for the supply of compressed air to be heated and for the discharge of heated compressed air. A tube matrix includes first and second branches respectively connected to the first and second ducts for conveying compressed air from the first duct to the second duct. The tube matrix is exposed to the flow of hot gases therearound to heat the compressed air conveyed in the tube matrix. A plate heat exchanger connects the first and second branches of the tube matrix to convey the compressed air from the first branch to the second. The plate heat exchanger is formed by spaced plates between which the hot gases flow, each plate being connected to rows of tubes of the matrix in the first and second branches and forming a flow chamber in which the compressed air can be conveyed.

Abstract: A heat exchanger having an inlet duct for admission of a first fluid to be heated, an outlet duct for discharge of the first fluid after heating thereof, the ducts being arranged in substantially parallel relation, and an assembly of a plurality of heat exchanger tubes connected to the inlet and outlet ducts for receiving the first fluid from the inlet duct to convey the first fluid through the tubes for discharge into the outlet duct. The heat exchanger tubes are of U-shape, each including first and second straight leg portions respectively connected to the inlet and outlet ducts and a curved bend region connecting the straight leg portions for reversing the direction of flow of the first fluid from the first leg portion to the second leg portion. The assembly of heat exchanger tubes projects laterally of the ducts into the path of travel of a second fluid which flows around the tubes in a passage area.

Abstract: A brush seal for first and second spaced, adjoining members which are capable of undergoing universal relative displacement, the seal comprising a plurality of flexible bristles having opposite ends, one of which is secured in a clamp causing the bristles to fan outwardly towards the other end. The second member supports a joint defining a space with a throat into which the fan of bristles enter and are resiliently squeezed at the throat. The free ends of the bristles are spaced for free movement in the joint lengthwise of the bristles to accommodate relative movement of the members towards and away from one another. Relative movement of the members longitudinally in their respective planes in taken up by sliding of the bristles within the joint while relative movement of the members transversely in their respective planes is taken up by bending of the bristles at the throat. In the case of all relative movement of the members, the bristles maintain sealing contact with the joint at the throat.

Abstract: Apparatus for effecting heat exchange between first and second fluids in a heat exchanger in which a first fluid is conveyed through a plurality of spaced U-shaped tubes assembled in a matrix of the heat exchanger, and a second fluid is conveyed around the tubes of the matrix in a direction perpendicular to the matrix so that heat exchange takes place between the first and second fluids. The U-shaped tubes have bends facing a guide wall of the heat exchanger and form a gap therebetween to permit relative movement of the tubes and the guide wall, for example, due to differential thermal expansion and vibration. Flow of the second fluid through the gap is blocked by a resilient sealing element which resiliently accommodates the relative movement of the tubes with respect to the guide wall and damps vibration. The sealing element can be a flexible mat of elastic metal felt.

Abstract: An aerodynamic radial bearing has two foil sections located in a gap between an outer bearing shell (1) and the bearing shaft. The foil sections encircle or loop around the bearing shaft in several layers and include an inner foil section and an outer foil section. Each section may have one or several foil or band portions. The inner foil section closer to the shaft forms the bearing running surface and the outer foil section closer to the shell wall forms a support of predetermined elasticity or desired stiffness. The outer end of the outer foil section is secured to the bearing shell. At least one foil or band portion of the inner foil section is wrapped in opposition to the direction (D) of rotation of the shaft (2) and is connected (at 5, 10 11) to at least one further foil or band portion of the outer foil section which is wrapped in the direction (D) of rotation of the shaft (2).

Abstract: A method for producing a collector vessel or manifold of a heat exchanger wherein the collector vessel is tubular and composed of a plurality of superimposed annular rings which are formed with recesses for receiving heat exchanger tubes of a matrix. The method comprises producing the annular rings from strips of predetermined profiled cross section by cutting the strips to predetermined length and rolling or coiling the strips and closing the rings by welding together their open ends. Thereafter a local displacement of material is achieved by rolling each of the closed rings and, in a subsequent rolling operation, in the plane of the ring, the material is deformed to produce recesses for the matrix tubes.

Abstract: A heat exchanger as well as a method of manufacturing the same, in which the heat exchanger bottom is constructed thermo-elastically flexible in a layered manner of construction taking into consideration the rigidity requirements thereof; each layer has two complementary sheet metal shells which are equipped with predeformations for the connections or enclosure of matrix profile ends as well as for the mutual joinability of the layers.

Abstract: A self-acting gap seal for a gap existing between individual modules of a composite, annular pressure vessel comprising a flat, thin-walled seal element on the inside of the pressure vessel to bridge the gap plus the circumferential region adjacent the gap. Internal pressure urges the seal element against the inner wall of the vessel to close and seal the gap to prevent exit of the pressure medium in the vessel.

Abstract: A heat exchanger collector comprising a plurality of connecting tubes, where sets of connecting tubes arranged side by side in a plane are superimposed in layers one on the other for an interlocked connection with mating profile elements inserted in the tube end area. In order to produce a closed wall of the collector, the connecting areas between the tube ends and the mated elements are joined together by, e.g., brazing to prevent the ingress of fluids. The sealed joint to exclude liquids can be achieved also successively in the layer-by-layer construction. The profile elements have recesses for the tubes and further blind recesses for flexibility and thermal effects.

Abstract: A heat exchanger comprising an assembly of spaced heat exchanger tubes of U-shape having inlet ends for receiving an operating fluid and outlet ends for discharge of the fluid, the fluid flowing through the tubes and undergoing flow reversal in the U-shaped portions. The tube assembly is mounted in a housing having an inlet for a second fluid for flow across the tube assembly to undergo heat exchange with the fluid flowing in the tubes and an outlet for discharge of the second fluid. The housing has an opening in which the U-shaped portions of the tubes extend for free displacement relative to the housing. A guide wall surrounds the tubes at the U-shaped portions and is connected to the housing to cover the opening therein. The guide wall is shaped to conform to the U-shaped portions of the assembly and rests on the outer tubes of the tube assembly in floating relation.

Abstract: A heat exchanger comprising a field of profiled tubes arranged in vertical columns and horizontal rows, each profiled tube being of oblong shape and, at least in part, surrounded by at least two supporting profile strips extending in the direction of fluid flow. The profiled strips of adjacent profiled tubes in a column are held at their ends in a well-defined position. Furthermore, the profile strips can rest directly or indirectly on other profile strips, adjacent thereto at the left or right, of adjacent profiled tubes. In this way, individual profiled tubes are longitudinally displaceable in an exact field arrangement and can compensate for changes in length.

Abstract: A connection of the tubular ends of conduits or flow profiles which are associated with a cross-countercurrent matrix of a heat exchanger, and which are internally streamed through by a relatively cool gas (compressed air), to a suitably preperforated heat exchanger bottom of one or more manifolds formed for, respectively, the infeed or discharge of compressed air into or from the applicable heat exchanger matrix. In particular, the invention pertains to a method for the manufacture of such a connection.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing hollow flow profiles having optimum aerodynamic configurations in conformance with a commensurate application, about the respective outer skin of which there flows a first work medium during operation, such as hot gas, whereas ducts which are arranged within the interior of the flow profiles are concurrently streamed through by a second work medium, such as compressed air. The method of the present invention employs suitable deformation techniques (drawing, circular swaging or rolling) at preselected locations to particularly produce web-like aggregations of material. When appropriate materials are used for this purpose, contoured profiles of that type can also be formed through extruding. The webs, depending upon the demands of preceding or successive process steps, can be formed externally, internally or on both sides of the conduit material.

Abstract: A gas turbine having a rotor including a ceramic turbine wheel and a rotor shaft formed in part of ceramic material, the wheel and ceramic shaft portion being formed as one piece. The ceramic shaft portion extends into a cooler zone of the engine where it is connected to a steel shaft portion. The ceramic shaft portion is supported by a radial bearing, preferably an air bearing. A ceramic disk projects radially from, and is formed as one piece with, the ceramic shaft portion, the disk cooperating with a thrust bearing, preferably an air bearing.

Abstract: Sheet metal rotor wheel for radial-flow fans, turbines, and the like, and method and fixture for manufacturing same by use of explosion welding of a rotor dish to angled legs of the individual rotor blades. The individual rotor blades are formed of a T-shaped cross-section by joining two L-shaped cross-sections together by spot welding, brazing, or the like. The blades are then positioned in a fixture in predetermined relative positions corresponding to their final positions on an assembled rotor wheel. The fixture includes a rigid outer ring having an inner radius corresponding to the outer radius of the rotor wheel. The fixture also includes spacer members having gaps therebetween for holding the blades in position within the ring. The spacer members have an outer configuration corresponding to the configuration of a rotor dish, which rotor dish is held at a spacing from the angled legs of the blades, the rotor dish being covered with a layer of explosive material.