Rotary Heat Collector Patents (Class 165/8)
  • Patent number: 7753766
    Abstract: A data center comprising an air humidity- and temperature-conditioned space where heat producing ICT and/or telecom equipment is arranged, a heat wheel and means for supplying recirculation of air heated by the equipment as a first air stream to the heat wheel and the heat wheel being configured to cool the first air stream using a separate second air stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: KyotoCooling International B.V.
    Inventors: Pedro Master, Marcel van Dijk, Robbert Mees Lodder, Wolter Schaap
  • Publication number: 20100154455
    Abstract: Disclosed is a dehumidifying cooling device for district heating which comprises; a case having a first partition to divide the interior of the case into a wet channel and a dry channel and a second partition to divided the wet channel into a first wet channel and a second wet channel, a sensible heat exchanger to heat exchange the outside air in the first wet channel with the outside air in the second wet channel, a heating coil for raising the temperature of the outside air in the second wet channel, a rotatable de humidifying wheel for adsorbing and removing moisture contained in the circulated air within the dry channel, and a regenerative-evaporative cooler for cooling the circulated air in the dry channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Seok-Mann Yoon, Dae-Young Lee, Hoon Lee, Chang-Ku Kang, Sung-Ook Jeong
  • Patent number: 7600316
    Abstract: A heat exchanger (10) comprises a first sheet (12), a second sheet (14) and an additional sheet (30). The first and second sheets (12, 14) are wound around an axis (X), each sheet (12, 14) has hot and cold edges at the hot and cold ends (16, 18) respectively of the heat exchanger (10). The hot and cold edges of the first sheet (12) are joined to the hot and cold edges of the second sheet (14). The end (12A) of the first sheet (12) is joined to the second sheet (30) by an axially extending join (28) at a position spaced from the end (14A) of the second sheet (14). The end (30A) of the additional sheet (30) is joined to the end (14A) of the second sheet (14) by an axially extending join (28). The additional sheet (30) is thicker and wider than the first and second sheets (12, 14) such that at least one of the hot and cold edges (30C, 30D) of the additional sheet (30) extend beyond the hot and cold edges of the first and second sheets (12, 14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventor: James I Oswald
  • Patent number: 7572179
    Abstract: A ventilation system includes a ventilation module having a heat exchanger module, an IAQ module for improving quality of air passing through the ventilation module, and a case for guiding the air that consecutively passes through the ventilation module and the IAQ module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Dong Hwan Choi, Kyung Hwan Kim, Nam Sik Yim, Ho Seon Choi, Keun Hyoung Choi
  • Patent number: 7565923
    Abstract: A rotary total heat exchange apparatus includes at least an air-providing member, a first air passage and a second air passage, a sensible heat exchanger (21), and a total heat exchange wheel (1). The air-providing member provides a first airflow from outdoors and a second airflow from indoors into the rotary total heat exchange apparatus. The first and second air passages isolate from each other for guiding the first and second airflows respectively passing through. The sensible heat exchanger spans across the first and second air passages simultaneously for conducting a sensible heat exchange between the first and second airflows. The total heat exchange wheel is capable of rotating through the first and second air passages for conducting a total heat exchange between the first and second airflows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tay-Jian Liu, Shu-Cheng Yang, Chih-Peng Lee
  • Patent number: 7556085
    Abstract: A heat exchanger heat transfer element basket assembly (500) for receiving heat transfer element plates (850) therein. The heat exchanger heat transfer element basket assembly (500) includes first and second one-piece side straps (520a, 520b), a pair of inboard corner flanges (528a, 528b), an I-shaped splitter plate (530), a pair of outboard corner flanges (522a, 522b), first and second end straps (526a, 526b), and a cap. Each of the first and second one-piece side straps (520a, 520b) includes a center portion (625), a first extension (630), and a second extension (635). Each of the first and second extensions (630, 635) includes a flange portion that is folded over across the heat transfer element plates (850) so as to be operative to retain the heat transfer element plates (850) in the heat exchanger heat transfer element basket assembly (500).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Cary J. Childs, Lawrence G. Cowburn, Jeffrey W. Gaylor, Mark M. Gibble, Timothy R. Gustin, David A. Pye, Dean L. Rhodes
  • Publication number: 20090145574
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved sealing element for a regenerative heat exchanging apparatus, such as a Ljungstromā„¢-type or other suitable regenerative heat exchangers. The sealing element can be mounted to a wall of the rotor of the heat exchanger to provide a secure seal between the wall and a housing of the heat exchanger, thereby inhibiting the leakage of gas between the hot gas conduit and cool air conduit of the regenerative heat exchanger. In one embodiment, the sealing element includes a base plate that is used to mount the sealing element to the wall. The sealing element also includes a contact shoe that maintains a sealing contact between the wall and housing. A flexible portion is coupled between the base plate and contact shoe to provide the sealing element with flexibility and resiliency so that the sealing element maintains contact with the sealing surface even when the heat exchanging apparatus experiences warping and/or distortion from thermal stress.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventor: Frank Klisura
  • Patent number: 7530385
    Abstract: A rotary-type total heat exchanger (10) includes two blowers (21, 22), a rotary wheel (33), an air-guiding member (41) and an air-regulating member (42). The blowers are used to provide a first airflow and a second airflow into the total heat exchanger. The rotary wheel defines therein a plurality of air passageways (331). Upon rotation, the rotary wheel is capable of exchanging heat and moisture between the airflows when the airflows separately flow though the air passageways of the rotary wheel. The air-guiding member is in fluid communication with one of the blowers for guiding one of the airflows toward the rotary wheel. The air-regulating member is located between the rotary wheel and the air-guiding member for distributing the guided airflow over the air passageways of the rotary wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tay-Jian Liu, Shun-Yuan Jan, Shang-Chih Liang, Chih-Feng Fan
  • Publication number: 20090000761
    Abstract: A regenerative heat exchanger having an energy-storing drive system includes a high heat capacity matrix rotable about an axis and a drive system that is in operable communication with the high heat capacity matrix and is capable of rotating the high heat capacity matrix about the axis. An energy-storage mechanism is in operable communication with the drive system. The energy-storage mechanism is capable of controlling an acceleration and/or deceleration of rotation of the high heat capacity matrix thus reducing an amount of energy required to be input into the drive system to rotate the high heat capacity matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: WILSON TURBOPOWER, INC.
    Inventors: David Gordon Wilson, Jon M. Ballou
  • Patent number: 7445038
    Abstract: A rotary total heat exchange apparatus (30) includes at least an air-providing member (3301), a first air passage and a second air passage, and a total heat exchange wheel (3311). The air-providing member provides a first airflow from outdoors and a second airflow from indoors into the rotary total heat exchange apparatus. The first and second air passages isolate from each other for guiding the first and second airflows respectively passing through the heat exchange wheel. The total heat exchange wheel faces to the first and second airflows provided by the air-providing member, and is capable of rotating through the first and second air passages for conducting a total heat exchange between the first and second airflows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tay-Jian Liu, Ming-Chun Lee, Lien-Jin Chiang, Shu-Cheng Yang
  • Publication number: 20080251234
    Abstract: A regenerator wheel is disclosed. The regenerator wheel includes a framework, a plurality of ports disposed within the framework, with at least one port of the plurality of ports separated from another port by the framework. The regenerator wheel also includes a plurality of matrixes aligned individually with the plurality of ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: WILSON TURBOPOWER, INC.
    Inventors: David Gordon Wilson, Jon M. Ballou, Kelly Ward
  • Publication number: 20080245500
    Abstract: A heat exchanger heat transfer element basket assembly (500) for receiving heat transfer element plates (850) therein. The heat exchanger heat transfer element basket assembly (500) includes first and second one-piece side straps (520a, 520b), a pair of inboard corner flanges (528a, 528b), an I-shaped splitter plate (530), a pair of outboard corner flanges (522a, 522b), first and second end straps (526a, 526b), and a cap. Each of the first and second one-piece side straps (520a, 520b) includes a center portion (625), a first extension (630), and a second extension (635). Each of the first and second extensions (630, 635) includes a flange portion that is folded over across the heat transfer element plates (850) so as to be operative to retain the heat transfer element plates (850) in the heat exchanger heat transfer element basket assembly (500).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: Cary J. Childs, Lawrence G. Cowburn, Jeffrey W. Gaylor, Mark M. Gibble, Timothy R. Gustin, David A. Pye, Dean L. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 7389646
    Abstract: An HVAC system includes a desiccant wheel, wherein the wheel's speed varies with airflow, the wheel is energized for at least a set period at startup, and/or a heat recovery system (e.g., an air-to-air heat exchanger) upstream of the wheel enhances the system's ability to dehumidify air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventor: Ronnie R. Moffitt
  • Patent number: 7373786
    Abstract: A desiccant dehumification system uses an air heater incorporating air feedback from the exhaust and/or the return air fans. The air and gas are mixed in a single step, two step, or continuous modulation mixing valve. An outdoor cooking grill style burner allows a small unit to be made with tight air heating system. One system cools the return air making it cool and humid. A portion of this air is then dried by a desiccant dehumidification system which makes hot and dry output air. The remaining return air is then dried by desiccant dehumidification system output air to deliver processed air in a controlled comfort range. A second system mixes return air with fresh air making mixed return air which is dried in a desiccant dehumidification system and then cooled to a desired comfort range without condensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Inventor: Jose Moratalla
  • Patent number: 7316261
    Abstract: A heat exchanging system of a ventilating device includes: a heat exchanging housing communicating with an outdoor air passage and an indoor air passage; a rotational shaft rotatably supported at one side of the case of a ventilating device; and a heat exchanging elements mounted at an outer circumferential surface of the rotational shaft at regular intervals, and performing a heat-exchanging operation of outdoor air and indoor air while being rotated by a wind force of outdoor air passing the outdoor air passage and a blow force of indoor air passing the indoor air passage. Thus, any additional driving unit is not necessary to rotate the heat exchanging system, so that a fabrication cost can be reduced, the overall size of the ventilating device can be reduced, and a noise and vibration can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Min-Chul Cho, Soo-Yeon Shin, Seong-Hwan Lee
  • Patent number: 7150314
    Abstract: A heat recovery arrangement. The arrangement has a housing including a bathroom exhaust inlet, an exhaust outlet, a bathroom exhaust airflow path through the housing from the bathroom exhaust inlet to the exhaust outlet, a return air inlet, and a return air path through the housing from the return air inlet to the exhaust outlet. The housing also has an outside air inlet, a supply air outlet, an outside air path through the housing from the outside air inlet to the supply air outlet; and a heat recovery device extracting heat from the exhaust airflow path and the return airflow path and transferring heat to the outside airflow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: American Standard International Inc.
    Inventor: Ronnie R. Moffitt
  • Patent number: 7104082
    Abstract: A space has air humidity and temperature to be regulated. An air handler has a temperature regulation element, a fan and a housing. An inflow manifold has an intake end and an outflow end and a plurality of stubs and a plurality of dampers. An outflow manifold has an intake end and an outflow end and a plurality of stubs and a plurality of dampers. A desiccant unit has a plurality of chambers and a desiccant wheel and a plurality of blowers and a heat source and a mixing chamber and a combustible gas supply with a gas burner and an adjustable gas valve to regulate the flow of combustible gas. A plurality of ducts couple the air handler and the manifolds and the desiccant unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Inventor: Jose Moratalla
  • Patent number: 7082987
    Abstract: A rotary regenerative heat exchanger includes a rotor having primary vanes 14 extending between the hub and the periphery of the rotor, and additional secondary vanes 15 between said primary vanes and extending over an outer annulus of the rotor. Such an arrangement facilitates having several of the primary and secondary vanes sealed with respect to a sector plate over the outer annulus as compared with the number of primary vanes sealing with the same sector plate over the inner annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Howden Power Limited
    Inventor: John A. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 7080505
    Abstract: A vehicular atmosphere cleansing system utilizes a regenerative wheel having flow channels extending through the wheel coated with an adsorbant. An atmosphere stream passes through a first position dependent portion of the wheel where VOC's including HC's are adsorbed while a heated atmosphere stream passes through a second position dependent regenerative portion of the wheel whereat VOC's are desorbed. The adsorbant is activated carbon having particles of micropore size adhered to the substrate by a silicone binder producing high adsorption efficiencies while withstanding relatively high regenerative heat temperatures resulting from exhaust gas sensible heat. A hydrocarbon senses HC in the desorbed heated atmosphere stream to rotatively and sequentially index pie shaped, segmented portions of the wheel into the wheel's regenerative region while also functioning as the main component of an OBD device for the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Engelhard Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald S. Koermer, Jeffrey B. Hoke, Ronald M. Heck, Terence C. Poles, Edward T. Wolynic
  • Patent number: 7073566
    Abstract: An apparatus for ventilation systems includes an element for the transfer of heat from warm exhaust air (taken from inside a building) to cooler exterior fresh air which is drawn into the building. The present invention in particular provides an apparatus whereby, during a defrost cycle, interior air may circulate through both of the fresh air and exhaust air paths for delivery back into the building, i.e. the warm interior air, used as defrost air, may be able to circulate from the interior of the building into the ventilation apparatus and back to the interior of the building. The apparatus can thus use interior air as defrost air while diminishing or avoiding the creation of a negative air pressure in the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Venmar Ventilation Inc.
    Inventors: Frederic Lagace, Jean-Francois Grondin, Pierre Cusson, Michel Julien, Daniel Marcoux
  • Patent number: 7063128
    Abstract: A drum type heat exchanger for effectively ventilating and purifying room air of a factory, a building or a house and the like is described. The drum type heat exchanger has heat transfer means with a drum shape and thus an entire size is reduced as much as possible and become compact, such that a handling and an installation is easy, a thermal efficiency to an installation space of the heat transfer means is maximized, and overall maintenance and repair such as a check or exchange of the heat transfer means are easy. Additionally, the drum type heat exchanger uses a drum with a short radius of rotation so that an entire operation cycle time is shortened and a heat transfer area is sufficiently secured in order to keep the thermal efficiency high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Daeryun Ind Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Byung-sook You
  • Patent number: 7059386
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved sealing element for a regenerative heat exchanging apparatus, such as a Ljungstromā„¢-type or a Rothemuhleā„¢-type Preheater. The sealing element is mounted to a radial wall to provide a secure seal between the radial wall and an outer housing of the heat exchanging apparatus and prevent leakage between the hot gas conduit and cool air conduit. In one embodiment, the sealing element includes a reinforced mounting strip that is used to mount the sealing element to the radial wall. The sealing element also includes a sealing strip that maintains a sealing contact between the radial wall and outer housing and a support member that inhibits over-flexing of the sealing element. A set of bellows is positioned on the sealing element to provide the sealing element with flexibility and resiliency so that the sealing element maintains contact with the sealing surface even when the heat exchanging apparatus experiences warping and/or distortion from thermal stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Paragon Preheater Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Jackie L. Kaser
  • Patent number: 6919055
    Abstract: In the hydrogen supply device for producing and supplying hydrogen to a fuel cell, a heat exchange section has a rotary thermal storage through which low and high temperature passages pass. Reforming material is supplied to the low temperature fluid passage on an upstream side of the heat exchange section. A reforming section for producing reformed gas containing hydrogen is located at a downstream side of the low temperature fluid passage. A combustion gas supply section for generating and supplying a combustion gas is located in the high temperature fluid passage. The rotary thermal storage rotates to move alternately between the low and high temperature fluid passages so that heat of the combustion gas flowing in the high temperature fluid conduit is transferred to reforming material flowing in the low temperature fluid conduit. The low temperature fluid passage communicates with the high temperature fluid passage via the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuo Kondo, Tadayoshi Terao, Kiyoshi Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 6892795
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: AirXchange, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald F. Steele
  • Patent number: 6889750
    Abstract: An apparatus for ventilation systems which include an element for the transfer of heat from warm exhaust air (taken from inside a building) to cooler exterior fresh air which is drawn into the building. During a defrost cycle, interior air may circulate through both of the fresh air and exhaust air paths for delivery back into the building, i.e. the warm interior air, used as defrost air, may be able to circulate from the interior of the building into the ventilation apparatus and back to the interior of the building. The apparatus can thus use interior air as defrost air while diminishing or avoiding the creation of a negative air pressure in the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Venmar Ventilation Inc.
    Inventors: Frederic Lagace, Jean-Francois Grondin, Pierre Cusson, Michel Julien, Daniel Marcoux
  • Patent number: 6820681
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a heating regeneration type organic rotor member which comprises a honeycomb structural body capable of being continuously regenerated by heating upon rotational driving and remarkably improved in mechanical strength by using a fiber substrate essentially composed of organic fibers and which can efficiently adsorb and remove moisture and odor components in the air by the action of moisture adsorbent and active carbon carried on the fiber substrate, and to provide a method for producing the same. According to the present invention, there is provided a heating regeneration type organic rotor member which is produced by forming a functional substrate into a honeycomb structural body, the functional substrate comprising a fiber substrate containing organic fibers as an essential component and carrying thereon a moisture adsorbent and an active carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Paper Mills Limited
    Inventors: Katsushi Ohgami, Takehiko Ajima
  • Patent number: 6789605
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved sealing element for a regenerative heat exchanging apparatus, such as a Ljungstrom™-type or a Rothemuhle™-type Preheater. The sealing element is mounted to a radial wall to provide a secure seal between the radial wall and an outer housing of the heat exchanging apparatus and prevent leakage between the hot gas conduit and cool air conduit. In one embodiment, the sealing element includes a reinforced mounting strip that is used to mount the sealing element to the radial wall. The sealing element also includes a sealing strip that maintains a sealing contact between the radial wall and outer housing and a support member that inhibits over-flexing of the sealing element. A set of bellows is positioned on the sealing element to provide the sealing element with flexibility and resiliency so that the sealing element maintains contact with the sealing surface even when the heat exchanging apparatus experiences warping and/or distortion from thermal stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Inventor: Jackie L. Kaser
  • Patent number: 6675871
    Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a honeycomb rotor, a drive unit and a gas movement device. The honeycomb rotor has at least two heat exchange passages and at least two purge zones provided respectively between the at least two heat exchange passages. The drive unit rotates the honeycomb rotor. The gas movement device circulates a gas through the at least two purge zones. The gas movement device may include a blower, and the drive unit may include a motor. In this case rotation of the blower can be synchronized with rotation of the motor. A vehicle drive device includes a power source that emits exhaust gas. The power source has a fuel battery having an air intake. Heat may be exchanged between the exhaust gas and air supplied to the air intake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Seibu Giken Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Okano, Yukito Kawakami
  • Patent number: 6672369
    Abstract: A semi-modular rotor module for an air preheater having a circular rotor includes a lug assembly having a lug front, a lug back spaced radially outward from the lug front, and cold end and hot end lug members. The lug front and lug back each extend longitudinally from a first end to a second end, with the cold end lug member being mounted to the first ends of the lug front and the lug back and the hot end lug member being mounted to the second ends of the lug front and the lug back. A single main diaphragm extends radially from an inner end portion to an outer end portion, with the inner end portion being mounted to the lug front on a first side of the lug assembly. The outer end portion is mounted to a rotor shell which is spaced radially outward from the lug back. At least one intermediate diaphragm extends radially from an inner end portion, mounted to the lug back at a position intermediate the first and second sides of the lug assembly, to an outer end portion mounted to the rotor shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Alstom (Switzerland) Ltd
    Inventors: Mark E. Brophy, Robin B. Rhodes, Michael Zakel, Jon R. Cowburn
  • Patent number: 6647929
    Abstract: A method for increasing the efficiency of a steam generator system including a boiler and a regenerative air preheater. The method including determining a reduced rate of acid accumulation in the preheater which may be achieved by injecting an SO3 neutralizing additive material into flue gas generated by the boiler. A new maximum allowable clean condition pressure drop is calculated based on the reduced rate of acid accumulation. Modified heat exchange element baskets are created having an increased heat transfer efficiency, compared to conventional heat exchange element basket assemblies, and a maximum allowable clean condition pressure drop substantially equal to the calculated new maximum allowable clean condition pressure drop. The conventional heat exchange element basket assemblies are replaced with modified heat exchange element basket assemblies. When the boiler is operating, the additive material is added to the flue gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: ALSTOM (Switzerland) Ltd
    Inventor: Wayne S. Counterman
  • Patent number: 6640752
    Abstract: An air preheater for use with a boiler which discharges a flow of flue gas containing SO3 comprises a housing having oppositely disposed hot and cold ends. The hot end includes an air outlet duct, having a combustion air duct and an excess air duct, and a flue gas inlet duct, the combustion air duct and flue gas inlet duct are in fluid communication with the boiler. The cold end includes an air inlet duct and a flue gas outlet duct in fluid communication with the atmosphere. A rotor rotatably mounted in the housing includes an air sector in fluid communication with the air inlet and outlet ducts and a flue gas sector in fluid communication with the flue gas inlet and outlet ducts. A plurality of heat exchange element basket assemblies rotate through the air and flue gas sectors, with the heat exchange element basket assemblies absorbing heat from the flow of flue gas in the flue gas sector and discharging heat to the flow of air in the air sector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Alstom (Switzerland) Ltd
    Inventor: Wayne S. Counterman
  • Patent number: 6640880
    Abstract: A cover for a heat exchange element basket assembly includes a metal sheet and at least one lifting lug. A vertical groove extends inward from the outer surface of the metal sheet. Each lifting lug is a horizontal plate having an opening extending vertically there through, an outer edge, and a shape which is substantially complementary to the cross-sectional profile of the groove. The lifting lug is mounted within the groove, such that the outer edge of the lifting lug does not extend beyond the outer surface of the metal sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Alstom (Switzerland) Ltd
    Inventors: William D. Slocum, Clair F. Updyke
  • Publication number: 20030178173
    Abstract: A heat transfer element includes a plurality of adjacent heat transfer plates. Each of the heat transfer plates has oppositely disposed first and second heat transfer surfaces and a plurality of laterally spaced notches. A first heat transfer plate of each pair of adjacent heat transfer plates has at least one tall notch and the second heat transfer plate of each pair of plates has at least one short notch, where the notch height of the tall notch is greater than the notch height of the short notch. Each of the tall notches of a heat transfer plate are received in a short notch of an adjacent heat transfer plate to thereby define flow channels therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Applicant: ALSTOM (Switzerland) Ltd.
    Inventors: Scott F. Harting, James P. Walsh
  • Patent number: 6622780
    Abstract: In order to regenerate the heat exchanger material located in the various segments of a housing section (2) of a regenerative post-combustion device (1), air is heated in the combustion chamber (8) of this post-combustion device (1) by a burner (9), is directly removed from the combustion chamber (8), is adjusted to the desired regeneration air temperature using fresh air, and is returned to the inlet (4) of the thermal post-combustion device (1). The outlet (10) of the thermal post-combustion device (1) remains closed during this operation. The rotary distributor (5) of the thermal post-combustion device (1) rotates during this process which is continued until all segments of the heat exchanger material are heated to a temperature at which the contaminants absorbed by the heat exchanger materials are released and combusted in the combustion chamber (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Eisenmann Maschinenbau KG
    Inventor: Walter Pƶtzl
  • Patent number: 6615905
    Abstract: A method for constructing a rotor of an air preheater having a plurality of diaphragm plates dividing the rotor into a number of wedge-shaped compartments. Each compartment includes compartment components such as a rotor shell plate, a hot end rotor angle, a cold end rotor angle, and one or more stay plates and means for locating at least a portion of each of the components within the compartment. The diaphragm plates are manufactured by marking at least one index location associated with each compartment component on each diaphragm plate blank utilizing a template identifying the index locations and forming an opening at each index location. Each compartment is assembled by positioning a first diaphragm plate adjacent to a second diaphragm plate and locating each compartment component between the adjacent diaphragm plates by engaging the locating means of the component in an associated opening in one of the diaphragm plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Alstom (Switzerland) Ltd
    Inventors: Robin B. Rhodes, Jon R. Cowburn, Kurt M. Fierle
  • Patent number: 6598664
    Abstract: A bypass seal for a rotary regenerative air preheater includes primary and secondary seal leaves that are joined at a single position longitudinally intermediate their first and second sends. The first end portion of the primary seal leaf extends longitudinally beyond the first end of the secondary seal leaf and the second end portion of the secondary seal leaf extends longitudinally beyond the second end of the primary seal leaf. When installed in the air preheater, the first end portion of the primary seal leaf of each bypass seal in one of the seal rings overlaps the second end portion of the secondary seal leaf of an adjacent bypass seal in the seal ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Alstom (Switzerland) Ltd
    Inventors: Kurt M. Fierle, Robin B. Rhodes, Charles R. White
  • Patent number: 6581676
    Abstract: A method for adding additional axial seals and radial seals within existing air preheaters. The installed heat transfer baskets, radial seals, axial seals, and gratings are all removed from the air preheater. The existing stay plates are modified, if they are to be reused, or replaced with new stay plates. An intermediate diaphragm plate is positioned in each original compartment and mounted to the stay plates. Additional hot and cold end axial seal support bars are mounted to the rotor shell and intermediate diaphragm plate. Axial seals are installed on the original and additional axial seal support bars and radial seals are installed on the axial edges of the original and intermediate diaphragm plates. Finally, new heat transfer baskets are inserted into each of the compartments formed by the original diaphragm plates, the intermediate diaphragm plates, and the rotor shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: ABB Alstom Power N.V.
    Inventors: Kurt M. Fierle, Lawrence J. Muscato
  • Patent number: 6575228
    Abstract: A ventilation and dehumidification system for ventilating fresh air to a conditioned space. The system is comprised of a desiccant wheel for dehumidifying incoming air by exchanging moisture from an inflow current of air with an outflow current of air. The desiccant wheel is both regenerated and defrosted by a regenerative heater which is placed to heat the outflow current of air before the outflow current passes through the desiccant wheel. The system includes blowers in order to motivate the inflow and outflow currents of air. The system may also include heat recovery means such as a heat transfer wheel or a motionless heat transfer core. The blowers can be arranged so as to create an air pressure differential between the inflow chamber and the outflow chamber so that any leakage of air between the two chambers will occur from the inflow chamber to the outflow chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Mississippi State Research and Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Ron S. Ragland, Leisha J. Rotering, Russell A. Straate, Brad A. Terlson
  • Patent number: 6565999
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system for conditioning a gaseous supply stream. The system includes a desiccant-free heat and moisture exchange wheel that efficiently transfers both heat and moisture between a warmer, substantially saturated gaseous exhaust stream and a gaseous supply stream such that the supply stream becomes heated and substantially saturated. The presently disclosed conditioning system, therefore, beneficially allows the use of a desiccant-free heat and moisture exchange wheel in applications requiring the transfer of both heat and relatively large amounts of moisture between counter-flowing air streams. The desiccant-free heat and moisture exchange wheel is designed in accordance with the present disclosure to transfer moisture through a process of condensation and re-evaporation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Airxchange, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence C. Haogland
  • Patent number: 6543520
    Abstract: An axial seal plate for an air preheater having a single, unitary structure including a sealing portion disposed intermediate first and second end portions extending orthogonally from the sealing portion. The axial seal plate does not including any welds for joining the end portions to the sealing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Alstom Power N.V.
    Inventors: James R. Larkin, Kevin J. O'Boyle, Michael Zakel
  • Patent number: 6516871
    Abstract: The thermal performance of the heat transfer element assemblies for rotary regenerative air preheaters is enhanced to provide a desired level of heat transfer and pressure drop with a reduced weight. The heat transfer plates in the assemblies have spaced apart dimples for maintaining plate spacing and oblique undulations with the undulations on adjacent plates preferably extending at opposite oblique angles. The dimples may be on every other plate and alternate between the two sides of the plates or they may be on every plate and all extend to the same side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Alstom (Switzerland) Ltd.
    Inventors: Gary Foster Brown, Michael Ming-Ming Chen, Wayne S. Counterman, Donald J. Dugan, Scott Frederick Harting
  • Patent number: 6505679
    Abstract: A sector plate for an air preheater including a seal plate having a sealing surface and an oppositely disposed mounting surface. Multiple tabs mount a portion of a rigid support structure to the mounting surface of the seal plate. Multiple support members mount the support structure to the air preheater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Alstom Power N.V.
    Inventors: James R. Larkin, Kevin J. O'Boyle, Michael Zakel
  • Patent number: 6450245
    Abstract: A heat transfer element assembly for a rotary regenerative air preheater for spacing the heat transfer plates to optimize performance and reduce costs. Rectangular or trapezoidal spacer tabs are punched and bend outwardly from the plates and arranged in parallel rows. The tabs have specific height and length ranges and ratios and the area of the tabs to the area of the remaining portion of the plate has a specific ratio range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: ALSTOM (Switzerland) Ltd.
    Inventor: Jianrong Chen
  • Publication number: 20020124991
    Abstract: An automotive turbine regenerator system employs sectored matrix elements which are extruded and then assembled into the larger rotary regenerator. Discontinuous rotation is taught such that the seals are not rubbing seals but rather are clamping seals thus radically reducing the leakage and the wear on seal components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventor: David Gordon Wilson
  • Patent number: 6439170
    Abstract: A transition element for providing an interface between a duct having a substantially rectangular cross section and an air preheater having a substantially circular cross section. The transition element includes an inner sidewall, an outer sidewall, and first and second end walls, where the outer sidewall and the first and second end walls form first and second transition corners. Each of the transition corners comprises first and second flow deflectors, each having an outer terminal edge and first and second side edges extending laterally from the terminal edge to an inner point. The first side edge of the first flow deflector is mounted to the second side edge of the second flow deflector and the outer terminal edges of the first and second flow deflectors are mounted to the duct to connect the air preheater to the duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Alstom Power N.V.
    Inventors: James R. Larkin, Kevin J. O'Boyle, Michael Zakel
  • Publication number: 20020112843
    Abstract: A sector plate for an air preheater including a seal plate having a sealing surface and an oppositely disposed mounting surface. Multiple tabs mount a portion of a rigid support structure to the mounting surface of the seal plate. Multiple support members mount the support structure to the air preheater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Applicant: Alstom Power N.V.
    Inventors: James R. Larkin, Kevin J. O'Boyle, Michael Zakel
  • Publication number: 20020112842
    Abstract: An axial seal plate for an air preheater having a single, unitary structure including a sealing portion disposed intermediate first and second end portions extending orthogonally from the sealing portion. The axial seal plate does not including any welds for joining the end portions to the sealing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Applicant: Alstom Power N.V.
    Inventors: James R. Larkin, Kevin J. O'Boyle, Michael Zakel
  • Patent number: 6422299
    Abstract: A rotary wheel system, including a rotatable frame with a plurality of removable, interchangeable media segments, has a hub assembly, a plurality of spokes radially extending from the hub assembly, in between which each media segment is located. Each I-beam shaped spoke is formed of a primary spoke and a secondary spoke, separated along the center section. The hub assembly includes specially designed brackets for detachably connecting the spokes to the hub assembly. A rim assembly includes a plurality of rim segments and special brackets for fastening each end of each rim segment to the spokes. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and will not be used to interpret or limit the scope of meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Thermotech Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Krister Eriksson
  • Patent number: 6422298
    Abstract: A method for constructing a rotor of an air preheater having a plurality of diaphragm plates dividing the rotor into a number of wedge-shaped compartments. Each compartment includes compartment components such as a rotor shell plate, a hot end rotor angle, a cold end rotor angle, and one or more stay plates and means for locating at least a portion of each of the components within the compartment. The diaphragm plates are manufactured by marking at least one index location associated with each compartment component on each diaphragm plate blank utilizing a template identifying the index locations and forming an opening at each index location. Each compartment is assembled by positioning a first diaphragm plate adjacent to a second diaphragm plate and locating each compartment component between the adjacent diaphragm plates by engaging the locating means of the component in an associated opening in one of the diaphragm plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Alstom Power N.V.
    Inventors: Robin B. Rhodes, Jon R. Cowburn, Kurt M. Fierle
  • Patent number: 6408932
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Airxchange, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald F. Steele, Lawrence C. Hoagland