Rotary Heat Collector Patents (Class 165/8)
  • Patent number: 6405789
    Abstract: A combined door and platform assembly for an air preheater having a housing with an access opening. The assembly includes a door frame which is fixedly mounted to the outer surface of the housing around the access opening. The bottom portion of a base is permanently, pivotally mounted to the door frame. The base is moveable from a vertical position, where the base acts as a door closing the access opening, to a horizontal position, where the base acts as a platform to facilitate removal and replacement of basketed materials disposed within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Alstom Power N.V.
    Inventor: Michael Zakel
  • Publication number: 20020069836
    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: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Applicant: Alstom Power N.V.
    Inventors: James R. Larkin, Kevin J. O'Boyle, Michael Zakel
  • Patent number: 6397785
    Abstract: A method for adding additional axial seals and radial seals within existing air preheaters. The installed heat transfer baskets, radial seals, axial seals, gratings, and stay plates are all removed from the air preheater. An intermediate diaphragm plate is positioned in each original compartment, mounted to the rotor shell and a diaphragm inner support plate. Hot and cold end plates mounted to the post and an inboard portion of the diaphragm plates forming the original compartment provide additional support. New gratings and/or stay plates are installed. 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: ABB Alstom Power N.V.
    Inventor: Kurt M. Fierle
  • Publication number: 20020050145
    Abstract: Enthalpy wheels are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Inventor: Ryan Dunham
  • Patent number: 6328095
    Abstract: A ventilation system for ventilating fresh air to a conditioned space, the system capable of supplying substantially more air to the space than is removed by the system in order to prevent depressurization inside the space. Passing through the unit housing is an inflow chamber, an outflow chamber, and a make-up air duct. Two blowers, an intake blower and an exhaust blower, are placed within the inflow chamber and the outflow chamber in order to motivate inflow and outflow currents of air. A damper acts to open and close the make-up air duct. When the damper is in an open position and the intake blower operates at a higher speed than the exhaust blower the system increases the air pressure within the conditioned space. A heat transfer wheel is disposed within both the inflow chamber and the outflow chamber to exchange heat between the two currents of air. A pre-heater is placed in the make-up air duct to be used in cold weather conditions to heat the air which bypasses the heat recovery wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Felber, Timothy J. Kensok, Ron S. Ragland, Leisha J. Rotering, Timothy J. Smith, Russell A. Straate, Brad A. Terlson
  • Patent number: 6328094
    Abstract: There is provided a rotary type regenerative heat exchanger which can effectively prevent an air bypass leak or a gas bypass leak. A rotary type regenerative heat exchanger of the present invention has a rotor (4) rotating around a central shaft (2), a heat accumulator (8) which is constructed in a manner that an air (A) of being a heated fluid and a gas (G) of being a heating fluid filled in the rotor alternately pass therethrough by a rotation of the rotor to repeat heat accumulation and radiation, and a housing provided so as to house the rotor. Further, the rotary type regenerative heat exchanger comprises: a branch pipe (41, 47, 55) for taking out a part of the heating fluid; a seal gas fan (42, 48, 56) for pressurizing the taken-out heating fluid to a predetermined pressure; and a seal gas introducing duct (46, 52) which is provided in the housing so as to introduce the pressurized heating fluid into a predetermined space formed between the rotor and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Mori, Akira Hashimoto, Junichi Miyagawa
  • Publication number: 20010035280
    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: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventors: Hiroshi Okano, Yukito Kawakami
  • Patent number: 6289974
    Abstract: A heat recovery ventilator includes four rectangular regenerative heat exchangers, two blowers, a rotating air switch all disposed in a compact rectangular housing. The regenerative heat exchangers are made of a pleated HEPA filter material. The HEPA filter material captures at least 99.97% of particles having a diameter greater than 0.3 microns. Alternatively, the HEPA filter material is rated at least 85% Dust-Spot Efficiency percentage as measured by ASHRAE Standard 52.1-1992, Dust-Spot Procedure. The regenerative heat exchangers are stationary with stationary seals between the outside and inside climate. One of the blowers blows a stale airstream out through the heat exchangers; the other blower blows a fresh airstream in through the heat exchangers. The rotating air switch operates in conjunction with the two blowers producing the necessary flow reversal through each regenerative heat exchanger to allow heat and moisture exchange between the stale airstream and the fresh airstream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: ElasTek, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony J. DeGregoria, Thomas J. Kaminski
  • Publication number: 20010013404
    Abstract: The present invention relates to 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. 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: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Publication date: August 16, 2001
    Inventors: Frederic Lagace, Jean-Francois Grondin, Pierre Cusson, Michel Julien, Daniel Marcoux
  • Patent number: 6260607
    Abstract: Drive means are provided to move the sector plates of rotary regenerative air preheaters into sealing position with the radial seals on the rotor during rotor turndown. A pair of fluid drive cylinders are connected to a pair of drive chains which rotate a drive shaft. One of the pair of drive cylinders may operate in the extend mode while the other operates in the retract mode or both cylinders may operate in the same mode at the same time for increased force in one direction. Eccentric disk devices are attached to the drive shaft and to the sector plates for converting the rotary motion of the shaft to linear motion of the attachment to the sector plates. The eccentric disk devices may contain two eccentric disks so that the distance of travel can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: ABB Air Preheater, Inc.
    Inventor: Harlan E. Finnemore
  • Patent number: 6260606
    Abstract: The rotor of an existing rotary regenerative air preheater is retrofitted with deeper cold end baskets for general performance enhancement and/or for the tolerance of ammonium bisulfate deposits. the normal cold end support gratings are removed and the support of the cold end baskets of increased depth is at least partially from the existing rotor stay plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: ABB Air Preheater, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt M. Fierle, Mark A. Perry, Robin B. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 6257318
    Abstract: A heat transfer element basket assembly for a rotary regenerative heat exchanger having a basket framework including oppositely disposed first and second side shells, means for holding the side shells in a spaced relationship, and heat absorbent material is disposed within the framework. The inboard end portions of first and second substantially planar flange plates are mounted to the outboard end portions of the first and second side shells, respectively. The outboard end portions of the first and second flange plates are each mounted to an adjacent diaphragm plate to install the basket assembly in the heat exchanger rotor. The first and second side shells of the basket assemblies define an angle therebetween which is substantially equal to the angle of the diaphragm plates. The outboard end portions of the first and second flange plates may be mounted to a diaphragm plate by bolting, welding or a combination where one of the flange plates is bolted and the other flange plate is welded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: ABB Alstom Power N.V.
    Inventors: Kurt M. Fierle, Vong Boussa
  • Patent number: 6257317
    Abstract: A heat recovery ventilator comprising four rectangular regenerative heat exchangers, two blowers, a rotating air switch all disposed in a compact rectangular housing. The regenerative heat exchangers are stationary with stationary seals between the outside and inside climate. One of the blowers blows a stale airstream out through the heat exchangers; the other blower blows a fresh airstream in through the heat exchangers. The rotating air switch operates in conjunction with the two blowers producing the necessary flow reversal through each regenerative heat exchanger to allow heat and moisture exchange between the stale airstream and the fresh airstream. The rotating air switch is completely on the inside climate side of the regenerative heat exchangers preventing freeze up in cold weather. The rotating air switch uses clearance seals. A high efficiency particulate air filtration filter may be disposed within the housing in the path of the fresh airstream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: ElasTek
    Inventors: Anthony J. DeGregoria, Thomas J. Kaminski
  • Patent number: 6253833
    Abstract: A heating sheet bundle to be mounted tangentially or radially in trapezoidally segmented cells of heating surface carriers of regenerative heat exchangers with stationary or revolving storage masses is composed of a plurality of profiled sheets which are stacked on top of each other and are held together so as to form passage ducts therebetween. On at least two oppositely located sides of the bundle, at least the two outer profiled sheets are constructed as a pair of sheets connected in a dimensionally stable, sandwich-like manner. One of the profiled sheets of the pair of profiled sheets is undulated and the other of the profiled sheets of the pair of profiled sheets is corrugated, wherein the rolling depth of the undulated sheet is greater than the rolling depth of the corrugated sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Apparatebau Rothemühle Brandt & Kritzler GmbH
    Inventors: Gerd Köster, Winfried Moll, Siegfried Schlüter
  • Patent number: 6237674
    Abstract: A rotary regenerative air preheater has ring assemblies at the upper and lower ends which define the outer periphery and support the air preheater housing panels. The ring assemblies are spaced by spokes which are tied to the hub of the air preheater and vertically supported from the air preheater structural members. The rotor housing panels are attached around and between the spoked ring assemblies. The ring assemblies are formed form a series of uniform interchangeable segments and they support the peripheral bypass seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Alstom Power N.V.
    Inventors: James R. Larkin, Kevin J. O'Boyle, Michael Zakel
  • Patent number: 6209622
    Abstract: The present invention relates to 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. 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: October 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Venmar Ventilation Inc.
    Inventors: Frederic Lagace, Jean-Francois Grondin, Pierre Cusson, Michel Julien, Daniel Marcoux
  • Patent number: 6199392
    Abstract: An energy conserving air conditioning system having a superior dehumidification capacity has been developed, by raising the processing temperature of regeneration air for regenerating a desiccant material in a desiccant-assisted air conditioning system. The air conditioning system comprises: a process air passage (A) for flowing process air; a regeneration air passage (B) for flowing regeneration air; a desiccant device (103) which can be selectively communicated with either the process air passage or the regeneration air passage; and a heat pump device for supplying a heating heat for regenerating the desiccant device (103) to the regeneration air. The heat pump device has a compressor (260) and is workable on process air as a low temperature heat source and regeneration air as a high temperature heat source. Superheated vapor of a compressed refrigerant flowing out from the compressor (260) is used to heat a portion of regeneration air in the regeneration air passage upstream of the desiccant device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventor: Kensaku Maeda
  • Patent number: 6196469
    Abstract: An air handling system including at least one terminal unit for maintaining a serviced volume at a predetermined temperature with constant or variable volume control wherein a thermal energy wheel provides heat transfer between the outgoing and inflowing air streams provided by the air handling system via the terminal unit. The heat transfer between air streams is regulated as a function of air velocity and temperature differentials as measured at various points in system which are related specifically to the serviced volume. The regulation is exercised by controlling the angular velocity of the means for transferring thermal energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Frederick J Pearson
  • Patent number: 6175495
    Abstract: An apparatus to transfer heat from a heat source to a heat sink, the apparatus consisting of a solid thermal conveyer proximate to the heat source and the heat sink. Heat from the heat source is transferred to the thermal conveyer; this heat is conveyed by the thermal conveyer, and this heat is then transferred to the heat sink. An external means moves the solid thermal conveyer with respect to the heat source and the heat sink. Heat from the heat source can be transferred to the thermal conveyer by radiation, by conduction through mechanical contact, and by conduction or convection through an intermediate thermal transfer fluid. In one embodiment the area through which heat is transferred from the solid thermal conveyer to the heat sink is substantially greater than the area through which heat is transferred from the heat source to the solid thermal conveyer. In another embodiment the thermal conveyer transports heat a distance that is large compared to the dimensions of the heat source and of the heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventor: John Samuel Batchelder
  • Patent number: 6155209
    Abstract: A sector plate static sealing arrangement for a rotary regenerative air preheater employs a single rib attached to and extending along the center line of the sector plate toward the air preheater casing. The rib cooperates with a static seal attached to the casing to provide both the sealing and positioning functions. Braces for the rib provide support and form a sloped surface which reduces ash accumulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: ABB Air Preheater, Inc.
    Inventor: Harlan E. Finnemore
  • Patent number: 6155334
    Abstract: A rotary heat regenerator wheel having an improved construction, including (a) spokes provided with a I-beam cross-section so as to provide greater strength and resistance to bending moments due to differential air pressure across the face areas of the wheel and a T-bar cross section for facilitating the insertion and removal of segments, and (b) at least two types of segments so as to facilitate insertion and removal of segments for maintenance and easy replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: AirXchange, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald F. Steele
  • Patent number: 6145582
    Abstract: A heat accumulator block for regenerative heat exchangers has a heat exchanger of a plurality of heat exchanger plates arranged substantially parallel to one another for formation of flow channels. A dirt collector is arranged upstream of a side of the heat exchanger exposed to an inflowing cold medium. The dirt collector consists of a plurality of protective plates which are arranged substantially parallel to the heat exchanger plates and have a plurality of spacers. The spacers are arranged between neighboring plates and connect the neighboring plates to one another. The spacers are positioned at a spacing to those edges of the protective plates which are exposed to an inflowing cold medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignees: STEAG AG, 2H Kunststoff GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Bolle, Lothar Stufchen, Franz-Josef Hagemann, Bernd Hewing
  • Patent number: 6141979
    Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a cooling coil and two variable speed heat exchanger wheels (an enthalpy wheel and a sensible wheel) whose rotational speeds are adjusted to control the humidity and temperature of a comfort zone as well as limit the minimum temperature of the cooling coil itself. Each wheel has one half extending across a supply air passageway and another half extending across a return air passageway to transfer heat between the supply air and the return air at a rate that increases with the speed of the wheel. The enthalpy wheel is near the intake and exhaust of outdoor air. The sensible wheel is near a supply air duct and a return air duct associated with the comfort zone. And the cooling coil is disposed in the supply air passageway between the two wheels. In response to a cooling demand, enthalpy wheel speed is adjusted to maintain a minimum coil temperature to avoid coil freeze-up, while sensible wheel speed is adjusted to meet the cooling load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventor: Steven A. Dunlap
  • Patent number: 6119764
    Abstract: A regenerative, rotary heat exchanger includes a stationary housing; a rotatable rotor in the housing; radially extending partition walls in the rotor separating the rotor into sectors; and a regeneratable mass in the sectors. Axially adjustable sector plates are located in sealing relation with respect to respective axial end surfaces of the rotor into which and out from which two heat exchanging media are directed in counter-flow separated by the partition walls. A flange is fixedly attached to the rotor and extends circumferentially around at least one of the respective axial end surfaces of the rotor, and a sensing device senses a clearance between at least one of the sector plates and the flange. A controller adjusts the clearance to a predetermined size responsive to the sensing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: ABB Air Preheater, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Karlsson, Stig Lundin
  • Patent number: 6091061
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for reducing radial leaks in an air heater for thermal equipment, the heater being of the type including a rotor fitted with a plurality of heater elements supported by diaphragms, a stator constituted by a leakproof metal case, and radial sealing means including hinged sector plates positioned over the heater elements together with radial gaskets provided on the diaphragms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Alstom Energy Systems SA
    Inventors: Philippe Dreisler, Paul Francin, Jean-Claude Semedard
  • Patent number: 6085829
    Abstract: Heat is exchanged between high and low temperature gases in a regenerator type of heat exchanger, wherein the high temperature gas is conducted through a high temperature passage formed in a housing, and the low temperature gas is conducted through a low temperature passage formed in the housing. A porous heat transfer core is rotated such that portions of the core pass sequentially through the high and low temperature passages. The high temperature gas traveling in the high temperature passage is caused to flow through, and heat, a portion of the core disposed in the high temperature passage. The low temperature gas traveling in the low temperature passage is caused to flow through, and be heated by, a heated portion of the core disposed in the low temperature passage. A low pressure zone is established in a chamber situated at each location where the core travels from one of the passages to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Solo Enery Corporation
    Inventors: Peter D. Neuhaus, Rajiv K. Mongia, Robert W. Dibble, Steven G. Buckley
  • Patent number: 6068045
    Abstract: The support grating system for the heat exchange baskets of a rotary regenerative air preheater is arranged to be able to make full use of the rotor volume for the heat absorbent material. Support gratings can be located inside of the volume of the rotor enclosed by the pin rack assembly and baskets can still be loaded. This is accomplished by installing certain of the support gratings or portions thereof after the baskets have been loaded into position in the basket layer inside of the pin rack assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: ABB Air Preheater, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt M. Fierle, Kevin J. O'Boyle
  • Patent number: 6039109
    Abstract: A ventilator includes a ventilator housing defining an exhaust air flow section and a fresh air flow section, a rotary wheel, a heat and moisture exchange media supported by the rotary wheel and intersecting the exhaust air flow section and the fresh air flow section, a rotary wheel mounting assembly including a first set of guide rollers in contact with a first rim edge portion of the rotary wheel and a second set of guide rollers in contact with a second rim edge portion of the rotary wheel, and a drive roller in contact with one of the rim edge portions. A hub and bearing assembly is provided such that the rotary wheel may tilt with respect to the mounting assembly. A rotary wheel access plate defines an exhaust air outlet and a fresh air inlet and is equipped with an access plate opening assembly. A moisture transfer wick extends across a partition assembly between the exhaust air flow section and the fresh air flow section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Stirling Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Catherine J. Chagnot, Joseph Arden Crum
  • Patent number: 6035926
    Abstract: A rotary, regenerative heat exchanger includes an inner cylindrical hub (2) provided in a vertical position, a rotor (1) containing a heat exchange medium, first attachment members (30) for attaching the rotor to the hub, and a stationary casing (6) surrounding the rotor. A bearing (3) is provided to journal a lower end of the hub, and a slow moving hydraulic motor (4) is adapted to slowly turn the hub. The motor is provided with a housing enclosing a built-in radial bearing (26) and coaxially therewith a cylinder block and cam surface arrangement having a circular cylinder block (24) and a cam surface (21) surrounding the cylinder block and cooperating with a piston mechanism (22, 23) of the cylinder block such that reciprocation of the piston mechanism causes relative motion between the cylinder block and the cam surface. Second attachment members (5, 8, and 10) are provided to attach the motor to the stationary casing and to the hub, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: ABB Air Preheater Inc.
    Inventor: Dag Westerlund
  • Patent number: 6029467
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for conditioning air through the removal of moisture from air to be conditioned comprising a first path for a first flow of air to be dehumidified, the first path having an input end and an output end with a first blower between the input end and the output end to effect the movement of air from the input end to the output end; a second path for a second flow of air, the second path being independent of the first path and adapted to remove moisture from the second flow of air, the second path being in a closed loop configuration with a second blower for continuously moving the second flow of air around the second path and with a plurality of temperature changing devices sequentially positioned in the second path including an air precooling device, a cooling condenser device for condensing moisture from the second flow of air, a reheating device coupled to the precooling device, and a heating device; and a desiccant wheel with a motor to rotate the wheel in a continuous path of travel th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Inventor: Jose M. Moratalla
  • Patent number: 5996683
    Abstract: There is provided a rotary type regenerative heat exchanger which can effectively prevent an air bypass leak or a gas bypass leak. A rotary type regenerative heat exchanger of the present invention has a rotor (4) rotating around a central shaft (2), a heat accumulator (8) which is constructed in a manner that an air (A) of being a heated fluid and a gas (G) of being a heating fluid filled in the rotor alternately pass therethrough by a rotation of the rotor to repeat heat accumulation and radiation, and a housing provided so as to house the rotor. Further, the rotary type regenerative heat exchanger comprises: a branch pipe (41, 47, 55) for taking out a part of the heating fluid; a seal gas fan (42, 48, 56) for pressurizing the taken-out heating fluid to a predetermined pressure; and a seal gas introducing duct (46, 52) which is provided in the housing so as to introduce the pressurized heating fluid into a predetermined space formed between the rotor and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Mori, Akira Hashimoto, Junichi Miyagawa
  • Patent number: 5983985
    Abstract: Heat transfer elements for rotary regenerative heat exchangers are formed with spacing ridges or notches having flow-disrupting indentations in the peaks of the notches formed at selected intervals to project into the flow channels. These projections interrupt the boundary layer and cause turbulence and mixing to enhance the heat transfer. Various methods of forming the indentations are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: ABB Air Preheater, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne S. Counterman, Gary Foster Brown, Tadek Casimir Brzytwa, Michael Ming-Ming Chen, Scott Frederick Harting, James David Seebald
  • Patent number: 5979050
    Abstract: Heat transfer elements for rotary regenerative heat exchangers are formed with spacing ridges or notches having flow-disrupting indentations in the peaks of the notches formed at selected intervals to project into the flow channels. These projections interrupt the boundary layer and cause turbulence and mixing to enhance the heat transfer. Various methods of forming the indentations are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: ABB Air Preheater, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne S. Counterman, Gary Foster Brown, Tadek Casimir Brzytwa, Michael Mimg-Ming Chen, Scott Frederick Harting, James David Seebald
  • Patent number: 5965097
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cleaning device wherein polluted effluents are passed into a cage (2) where a partitioned ring (1) of vertical axis, containing a charge (M) of a solid material exhibiting a large heat exchange surface and, against the inner wall thereof, a catalyst bed (9), rotates. An autothermal working point is reached by including in the catalyst bed heating means (resistors for example) that are temporarily connected to the power supply system, after which the cleaning operations with rotation of the ring and effluent circulation are launched. Heat control is thereafter provided by controlled injection into the effluents of either a fuel or sprayed water for example by means of injectors (15, 16). The device can be applied in the field of incineration of VOC for example in industrial effluents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignees: Institut Francais Du Petrole, Jacques Bourcier
    Inventors: Jean Morlec, Jacques Bourcier
  • Patent number: 5937933
    Abstract: A rotary heat regenerator wheel in which one or more performance characteristics, such as heat exchange efficiency and air flow rate, can be adjusted during manufacturing, during or after installation and/or after use of the regenerator. The wheel comprises removable segments having differing performance characteristics. One embodiment of the regenerator wheel includes segments containing both latent and sensible heat exchange material. Latent heat transfer efficiencies between those provided by heat regenerators having segments made only of sensible heat exchange material, and by regenerators having segments made only of latent heat exchange material, are achieved by adjusting the ratio of segments with exposed surface area of latent heat exchange material relative to segments having exposed surface area of the sensible heat exchange material. In another embodiment the air flow, pressure drop or surface area density of the wheel can be adjusted by using segments having different surface area densities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: AirXchange, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald F. Steele, Lawrence C. Hoagland
  • Patent number: 5915339
    Abstract: A trisector air preheater includes sector plates between the primary air sector and the flue gas sector and between the secondary air sector and the flue gas sector which are of a large size so as to provide double radial seals. However, the sector plate between the primary and secondary air sectors is small and provides only a single radial seal. The one smaller sector plate reduces the pressure drop through the air preheater while sacrificing increased leakage only between air sectors. The axial seal between the primary and secondary air sectors may be maintained at a double seal size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: ABB Air Preheater Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Cox, Thomas Gary Mergler
  • Patent number: 5911271
    Abstract: The gas flow bypass around the heating elements in a regenerative air preheater is reduced by the use of floating bypass seals which are placed in the rotor compartments between stacked heating elements. The seals comprise a frame with an open center with the peripheral frame portion bridging the gaps between the heating elements and the sides of the compartments. The seals may be adjustable and may include a deformable edge seal to actually contact and seal against the sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: ABB Air Preheater, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt M. Fierle, Robin B. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 5911270
    Abstract: A regenerative heat exchanger having a first part which is essentially cylindrical and which contains a regenerator mass, and a second part which comprises axially directed inlet ducts and outlet ducts for heat emitting and heat absorbing media. The inlet and outlet ducts are separated from each other by sector shaped plates positioned for sealing purposes close to end surfaces of the first part, and the sector shaped plates are pivotally connected to axially fixed center plates positioned at ends of the first part and attached to the second part. At least one cylindrical stop bar is provided at a radial outer end of each of the sector shaped plates for setting a clearance between the radial outer ends of the sector shaped plates and respective edge flanges provided at each end of the first part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Svenska Rotor Maskiner AB
    Inventor: Dag Westerlund
  • Patent number: 5899261
    Abstract: A heat exchange element for an air preheater has first and second heat transfer elements arranged to form channels for the passage of a heat exchange media having a main flow direction. Each of the heat exchange plates has parallel straight ridges and flats between the ridges. The ridges alternate to extend transversely from opposite sides of each heat transfer plate. The ridges of the adjacent plates are oriented obliquely in opposite directions relative to the main flow direction and contact each other solely at points of intersection of the ridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: ABB Air Preheater, Inc.
    Inventors: Tadek Casimir Brzytwa, Wayne S. Counterman, James David Seebald
  • Patent number: 5893406
    Abstract: Modular heat exchange baskets for rotary regenerative air preheaters have radially extending tie bars which are positioned at each of the top and bottom side edges of the basket and which tie together the inboard and outboard end frames. These tie bars are located inside of the side edges of the heat exchange plates such that the plates extend out beyond the tie bars. This reduces the bypass gap between baskets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: ABB Air Preheater, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark E. Brophy
  • Patent number: 5881799
    Abstract: A seal for a regenerative air preheater. The seal is comprised of two members that each have a plurality of tabs and slots. The tabs and slots interlock so that the tabs on one member are positioned adjacent the slots on the other member. Further, the tabs have a narrow neck section and a wider sealing section. The wider sealing sections overlay and the narrow neck sections are positioned within a recessed region of the notch on the opposite member so as to interlock the two members. Preferably, the neck sections do not significantly overlap thereby providing greater flexibility for each of the tabs. The seal is mounted either to the rotor or to the inner wall of the housing so as to extend through the bypass gap between the rotor and the inner wall of the housing. As the tabs are flexible, the tabs can resiliently deform as a result of the tabs making contact with the sealing surface of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Inventors: Wayne R. Kozacka, Jackie L. Kaser
  • Patent number: 5848885
    Abstract: A regenerative heat exchange system performs heat exchange by alternately passing combustion exhaust gas as high-temperature fluid and combustion air as low-temperature fluid through a fixed regenerator. A regenerative burner carries out combustion using preheated air from the exchange system. The regenerative heat system comprises: a permeable regenerator partitioned into three or more chambers in the circumferential direction; a double-pipe outlet/inlet partitioned into a supply chamber and an exhaust chamber; and changeover member which isolates the regenerator from the outlet/inlet and by which the regenerator selectively communicates with the outlet/inlet by a supply communicating hole and an exhaust communicating hole which are provided with such a positional relation that the supply communicating hole and the exhaust communicating hole do not simultaneously lie in any of the partitioned chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Nippon Furnace Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryoichi Tanaka, Mamoru Matsuo, Tsutomu Yasuda
  • Patent number: 5845700
    Abstract: A regenerative heat exchanger includes first and second parts. The first part is essentially cylindrical, includes a regenerative mass, and is rotatable in relation to the second part around a common center axis. The second part includes axially directed inlets and outlets for heat emitting and heat absorbing media. The inlets and outlets of the second part are mutually separated by sector shaped plates for sealing purposes positioned near to end surfaces of the first part. The sector shaped plates are pivotally connected to axially fixed center plates attached to the second part at ends of the first part, and each of the sector shaped plates includes at a radially outer end thereof a device which has at least one support member including a circular cylindrical sliding shoe for setting a clearance between respective ends of the sector shaped plates and an edge flange provided at each end of the first part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Ljungstrom Technology AB
    Inventors: Kurt Karlsson, Dag Westerlund
  • Patent number: 5836378
    Abstract: The rotor for a rotary regenerative air preheater is fabricated from upper and lower rotor shell segments and hot-end and cold-end heat exchange baskets having closed outboard ends, the rotor shell segments and heat exchange baskets defining a first gap between the upper rotor shell segment and the hot-end heat exchange basket, a second gap between the hot-end and cold-end or intermediate heat exchange baskets, and a third gap between the cold-end heat exchange baskets and the lower rotor shell segment. A system for sealing the gaps includes first, second and third sealing members, each sealing member having first and second portions. The first sealing member is mounted to the upper rotor shell segment or the hot-end outboard heat exchange basket and engages the other of the upper rotor shell segment or the hot-end outboard heat exchange basket to seal the first gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: ABB Air Preheater, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Brophy, Harlan E Finnemore
  • Patent number: 5836379
    Abstract: A heat transfer element for a rotary regenerative preheater has first and second heat transfer plates. The first heat transfer plate defines a plurality of generally equidistantly laterally spaced apart parallel straight notches. Each notch has adjacent double ridges extending transversely from opposite sides of the first heat transfer plate. Undulations extend between the notches. The second heat transfer plate is adjacent the first heat transfer plate and defines a plurality of generally equidistantly laterally spaced apart parallel straight flat sections. Undulations extend between the flat sections and the flat sections are spaced apart a distance generally equal to the lateral spacing of the notches. The notches of the first heat transfer plate are in contact with the flat sections of the second heat transfer plate to define channels therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: ABB Air Preheater, Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne S. Counterman
  • Patent number: 5826641
    Abstract: A method and device for concurrently transferring sensible heat from the warmer of either an incoming outside airstream or an outgoing exhaust airstream to the other stream and transferring latent heat from the wetter of either the incoming outside airstream or the outgoing exhaust airstream to the other stream prior to the incoming airstream entering a standard heating and air conditioning unit. The method and apparatus both employ a rotating heat wheel impregnated with a dry desiccant such as silica gel in order to accomplish the simultaneous transfer of both sensible and latent heat between the two airstreams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Aaon, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry C. Bierwirth, Stephen J. Pargeter
  • Patent number: 5826642
    Abstract: The heat exchange baskets for a rotary regenerative air preheater are loaded radially into the rotor rather than axially from the duct end. The rotor is divided into sectors by diaphragms, and support gratings are provided in each rotor sector with the baskets being positioned and supported on the gratings. The baskets are removed from the rotor with a removal lug or tool which includes a lever portion and a hook portion with a beveled edge. The beveled edge and then the entire hook portion are inserted under the outer edge of a basket and then rotated with the lever portion whereby the hook portion engages the basket. The lug or tool is then pulled outwardly to remove the basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: ABB Air Preheater, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark E. Brophy
  • Patent number: 5820836
    Abstract: A process of cleaning a gas and a rotating catalytic gas cleaning device including a crown of vertical axis driven into rotation in a cage. The crown has an annular catalyst bed covering its inner wall and an annular thermal load, outside the catalytic bed, made of a material exhibiting a large heat exchange surface. A polluted gas is radially passed from a peripheral inlet to a central zone of the crown with crossing of an annular thermal load and a catalytic layer. The gas is radially passed gas from the central zone to a peripheral outlet, while again crossing the catalytic bed and thermal load with thermal exchange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignees: Institute Francais du Petrole, Jacques Bourcier
    Inventors: Jean Morlec, Jacques Bourcier
  • Patent number: 5803157
    Abstract: A rotary regenerative air preheater has pinrack seals including a U-seal located between the upper and lower pinrack rails and a trough-shaped filler-seal located between the upper and lower pinrack supports of adjacent pinrack assemblies. The inboard edges of the wing portions of the filler seal are welded to the rotor shell, the outboard edge of each leg portion of the U-seal engages a pin in one of the adjacent pinrack assemblies, and the upper and lower edges of the U-seal and the filler-seal engage the upper and lower pinrack rails and the upper and lower pinrack supports, respectively, to seal the pinrack assemblies to the rotor shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: ABB Air Preheater, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Brophy, Thomas G. Geyer, Rex R. Snider
  • Patent number: RE37134
    Abstract: Regenerative heat exchangers are described for transferring heat between hot and cold fluids. The heat exchangers have seal-leakage rates significantly less than those of conventional regenerative heat exchangers because the matrix is discontinuously moved and is releasably sealed while in a stationary position. Both rotary and modular heat exchangers are described. Also described are methods for transferring heat between a hot and cold fluid using the discontinuous movement of matrices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventor: David Gordon Wilson