Abstract: An agitator rotor includes a shaft, rails, and a rod. The shaft defines a longitudinal axis. The rails extend radially from and are coupled to the shaft. The rails are separated from each other along a length of the shaft. Each rail includes a surface defining a non-zero angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The rod includes a first end coupled to a first one of the rails. The rod includes a second end coupled to a second one of the rails. A projection of the first end and the second end of the rod in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft defines a minor arc about a portion of the shaft.

Abstract: An agitator rotor includes a shaft, rails, and a rod. The shaft defines a longitudinal axis. The rails extend radially from and are coupled to the shaft. The rails are separated from each other along a length of the shaft. Each rail includes a surface defining a non-zero angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The rod includes a first end coupled to a first one of the rails. The rod includes a second end coupled to a second one of the rails. A projection of the first end and the second end of the rod in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft defines a minor arc about a portion of the shaft.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a clamping apparatus that includes an upper jaw structure having a hinge end and a clamp end, a lower jaw structure having a hinge end and a clamp end, and a hinge located at the hinge ends of the upper and lower jaw structures, the hinge providing for rotation of upper jaw structure with respect to the lower jaw structure. The clamping apparatus includes an elongated element threadably attached to the first and second upper jaw structures between the hinge end and the clamp end of each of the first and second upper jaw structures, wherein rotation of the elongated element in a first direction causes the clamp end of the upper jaw structure to move closer to the clamp end of the lower jaw structure. The elongated element includes an end configured to receive a tool configured to facilitate the rotation of the elongated element.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a clamping apparatus that includes an upper jaw structure having a hinge end and a clamp end, a lower jaw structure having a hinge end and a clamp end, and a hinge located at the hinge ends of the upper and lower jaw structures, the hinge providing for rotation of upper jaw structure with respect to the lower jaw structure. The clamping apparatus includes an elongated element threadably attached to the first and second upper jaw structures between the hinge end and the clamp end of each of the first and second upper jaw structures, wherein rotation of the elongated element in a first direction causes the clamp end of the upper jaw structure to move closer to the clamp end of the lower jaw structure. The elongated element includes an end configured to receive a tool configured to facilitate the rotation of the elongated element.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a clamping apparatus that includes a first clamping rail and a second clamping rail. The second clamping rail is curved prior to clamping. The second clamping rail is straightened during clamping such that at least one of a substantially equal and an equal clamping pressure is exerted against at least one object to be clamped across a length of the first and second clamping rails. A method of clamping is further disclosed which includes straightening the second clamping rail and clamping the at least one object between the first clamping rail and the straightened second clamping rail. The method includes providing at least one of a substantially equal and equal pressure across a length of the at least one object with the straightened second clamping rail.

Abstract: A heat exchange cell for use in a recuperator includes top and bottom plates spaced apart to define therebetween an internal space. Within the internal space are inlet and outlet header tubes communicating with a plurality of internal matrix fins. The header tubes are rigidly affixed to at least one adjacent header tube and to the top and bottom plates. The header tubes may have a rectangular cross-section and may, for example, be metallurgically bonded to the top and bottom plates and to each other through brazing. Rigidly affixing the header tubes to each other reduces the stress on the fillets that bond the tubes to the top and bottom plates. This in turn permits less structural material to be used in the header portions of the cell and reduces pressure drop across the headers.