Rotary Heat Collector Patents (Class 165/8)
  • Patent number: 5090473
    Abstract: A ceramic rotary heat exchanger including a plurality of matrix segments, made of ceramics and having a honeycomb structure, being connected with each other by using an adhesion member in a disk shape, and a plurality of pins arranged at an outer peripheral portion. In addition, the invention is a method of manufacturing the heat exchanger mentioned above, wherein the matrix segments are not positioned at connecting portions between respective matrix segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikio Makino, Osamu Horikawa
  • Patent number: 5085268
    Abstract: The invention concerns a roll comprising two superposed webs of material one of which is formed with transverse ridges. At the ridge bases and tops are formed dents/protrusions. The other web is provided with ribs which are positioned in nesting relationship in the dents/protrusions, whereby the webs are secured to one another. The invention likewise concerns a method and a machine for manufacturing rolls of this kind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1992
    Inventor: Sven M. Nilsson
  • Patent number: 5069272
    Abstract: A heat recouperator having a single rotary heat and moisture wheel exchanger uses a random matrix media comprising a plurality of small diameter heat-retentive fibrous material, which provides high thermal efficiency in exchanging heat and moisture between inlet and exhaust air streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1991
    Assignee: Stirling Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce J. Chagnot
  • Patent number: 5062471
    Abstract: A heat transfer system comprising a pair of zones positioned at respective locations of differing temperatures between which heat is transferred; a first element, one surface of which conducts heat; a second element, one end of which communicates with one of the pair of zones and the other end of which communicates with the other of the pair of zones and one surface of which conducts heat and is slidably engaged with the heat-conducting surface of the first element and means for establishing oscillatory movement of the second element between the pair of zones such that the heat-conducting surface thereof slidably engages the heat-conducting surface of the first element and such that the ends thereof do not communicate with the other of the pair of zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Assignee: University of Florida
    Inventor: Marc J. Jaeger
  • Patent number: 5052473
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for a gas turbine employs a duct housing assembly including an air duct housing and a gas duct housing. The air and gas duct housings have semicircular platforms, respectively. They are assembled in a spaced relationship with their platforms coplanar with each other, so that a gas leakage between the platforms and the adjacent axial end face of a heat exchange core disc is effectively prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masafumi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 5038849
    Abstract: A sealing structure for an air preheater is provided for maintaining a constant clearance between the drum and deformable sector plates. Deflection governing struts or beams extend across the sector plates and bend in a manner which corresponds with the change in shape which the drum undergoes when its temperature changes. The outer ends of the struts are connected to an outer ring engaged with the drum via guides. As the drum deforms so that its ends assume approximately partial spherical curvatures in response to increased temperatures, the struts are likewise deformed. The deformation of the sector plates is controlled by the more rigid struts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Assignee: Damper Design, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald K. Hagar
  • Patent number: 5004041
    Abstract: A heat transfer system comprising a pair of zones positioned at respective locations of differing temperatures between which heat is transferred. Each zone has a solid surface which slidably engages the surface of a solid cylindrical element. The cylindrical element is rotated to transfer heat between the pair of zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Assignee: The University of Florida
    Inventor: Marc J. Jaeger
  • Patent number: 4997028
    Abstract: A segmented seal is disposed between a rotary heat-retaining body and its housing, the housing defining a hot flow path and a cool flow path through the housing and intersecting the heat retaining body, and the heat retaining body being movable to transfer heat from one flow path to the other. A plurality of serially-connected seal segments are attached to one of the body and the housing, the seal segments each extending along a seal line and overlapping one another along the seal line, the seal segments bearing against the other of the body and the housing to effect a seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Inventor: Garnold Townsend
  • Patent number: 4984621
    Abstract: An element basket assembly (30) for a rotary regenerative heat exchanger (2) is comprised of a plurality of heat transfer element plates (32) stacked in an array within a supporting basket frame formed of upper and lower plank-like shell members (34,44) each formed into a trough-like member having a base end (342,442) and a pair of spaced outwardly extending legs (344,444). The shell members (34,44) are interconnected at their base ends by corner angle bars (35) and at the outward ends of their legs by closure member (36) to form a four-sided frame housing. Retaining grates (42a,42b) are mounted within the trough-like shell members (34,44) so as to extend across the upper and lower end surfaces of the stacked element plates (32) for retaining the element plates within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1991
    Assignee: ABB Air Preheater, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman P. Miller, Leo W. Eaton
  • Patent number: 4960166
    Abstract: A rotary heat wheel structure for a rotary heat exchanger in which a rotating wheel is provided with heat exchange material and rotates within a wheel housing to continuously cross an inlet path of low pressure cooler gas and an outlet path of high pressure hotter gasses for pre-heating the gas in the inlet path for utilizing the heat in the burned gasses before discharge to atmosphere. The wheel housing encloses the periphery of the wheel and is also provided with housing pillars defining an inlet path opening and an outlet path opening through which the rotary wheel rotates. Interior surfaces of the housing pillars are provided with radially extending grooves which co-act with opposite side faces of the rotary wheel to provide turbulence between the wheel side faces and the pillar surfaces so that leakage of gasses from the outlet path to the inlet path in the wheel housing is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Assignee: Hirt Combustion Engineers
    Inventor: John H. Hirt
  • Patent number: 4953629
    Abstract: A pack of heat transfer plates (2,3) are intended for heat exchangers, preferably for rotary regenerative air preheaters. The plates have mutually parallel S-shaped double ridges (21,22;31,32) and the plates are arranged in the pack (1) so that the double ridges of one plate intersect the double ridges of an adjacent plate and extend symmetrically and obliquely in mutually opposite directions relative to the main flow directions (6) of the heat exchanging media. The throttling effect normally manifest at the double-ridge intersections (24) is avoided by orienting the plates (2,3) so that each pair of double ridges which converge onto an intersection (24) presents a part (21) of the double ridge of the one plate (2) which projects into an intermediate channel, and also a part (32) of the double ridge of the other plate (3) which projects from the intermediate channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignee: Svenska Rotor Maskiner AB
    Inventors: Kurt Karlsson, Birger Pettersson
  • Patent number: 4953627
    Abstract: A ceramic heat transmission type or regenerative heat exchanger, including a plurality of matrix segments bonded together with a bonding material. A difference in coefficient of thermal expansion between the matrix segments and the bonding material is not more than 0.02% at 800.degree. C., and a Young's modulus of the bonding material is not less than 0.4 times to not more than 1.8 times that of the matrix segment. A process for producing the ceramic heat exchangers includes the steps of extruding and firing honeycomb structural segments in which a crystalline phase is mainly composed of cordierite and a coefficient of thermal expansion in an extending direction of flow channels is not more than 0.06% at 800.degree. C., machining an outer periphery of each of the segments, coating a bonding material around the outer periphery of each of the segments, bonding the segments together, and drying and firing the bonded segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshikazu Ito, Takashi Harada, Toshiyuki Hamanaka
  • Patent number: 4930569
    Abstract: A heat transfer element assembly (30) is comprised of a plurality of first and second profiled heat transfer plates (32,34) which incorporate a series of first and second single-lobed outwardly protruding notches (40,50) which extend obliquely relative to the general direction of fluid flow through the assembled plates. The first and second profiled heat transfer plates (32,34) are assembled alternately in juxtaposed relationship in a stacked array with the obliquely extending spacing notches (40,50) of neighboring plates crossing each other. The first and second profiled head transfer plates are provided with a plurality of first single-lobed notches (40) protruding outwardly from one side of the plate and a plurality of second single-lobed notches (50) protruding outwardly from the other side of the plate. The first and second single-lobed notches are arranged in staggered relationship with one or more second single-lobed notches (50) disposed between each pair of first single-lobed notches (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: The Air Preheater Company, Inc.
    Inventor: William F. Harder
  • Patent number: 4924934
    Abstract: A rotary regenerative heat exchange assembly comprises (1) heat exchange wheel means including a heat exchange wheel having a rotation axis and rotably mounted for rotation about said axis and means for rotating said wheel about said axis; and (2) cabinet means comprising openings for securing said assembly to a source of relatively cool air and to a source of relatively warm air so that when said assembly is properly located in an operative position in said cabinet means a portion of said wheel intercepts the flow of said relatively cool air and another portion of said wheel intercepts the flow of said relatively warm air, said cabinet means including means for slidably supporting said heat exchange wheel means and an opening so that said heat exchange wheel means can be slid into said cabinet means to said operative position, and at least partially moved out of said cabinet means so that said wheel can be maintained and/or replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: Airxchange, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald F. Steele
  • Patent number: 4922997
    Abstract: A rotatable regenerator of toroidal configuration is frictionally driven by a single roller disposed internally of the toroid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Assignee: Williams International Corporation
    Inventors: Robert H. Meyer, Ronald C. Pampreen, Kenneth W. Sawyer
  • Patent number: 4913222
    Abstract: A heat recovery unit for use to preheat fresh air with hot air produced in an industrial process, such as the hot air exhaust from a dryer of a pulp and paper mill. The recovery unit makes use of water circulating from one air/water heat exchanger tank to another air/water heat exchanger tank as heat transfer medium. Hot air whose heat is to be recovered at least in part, flows past a set of revolving discs of metal partially immersed in the water flowing in one of the heat exchanger tanks. The portions of the discs which are exposed to the hot air above the water level transfer the heat they recover to the flowing water. The water which is so heated passes into the other heat exchanger tank where it raises the temperature of an identical set of revolving discs which in turn heats a fresh air intake to provide warm air. The main advantage of this recovery unit is that the heat recovery conditions can be easily adjusted to fit any seasonal fresh air change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Inventor: Ben Cowan
  • Patent number: 4903756
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the efficiency of the thermal section of a large scale power plant heat generator in which combustible fuels such as fossil fuels, refuse or other materials are burned are described. Flue gas generated in the heat generator and combustion air are passed in heat exchange relationship at diametrally opposite sides of a rotary type air preheater. The heat exchange relationship is selected so that it causes removal of a substantial amount of heat from the flue gas whose temperature is consequently lowered to a level where a corrosive pollutant such as SO.sub.3 in the form H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 condenses out. The heat exchange elements of the rotor are sized so that the cross-sectional area of the passages therebetween are small enough to prevent the formation of aerosols of sulfuric acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Inventor: Richard J. Monro
  • Patent number: 4903757
    Abstract: The invention provides a regenerative heat exchanger rotor with an outer casing which comprises a plurality of layers of a helically wound strip orientated so that its width direction is radial with respect to the rotor, a core on which the strip is wound and which is permeable for the medium with which the rotor is to be used, said strip having channels therein to allow the radial passage of the current of the medium. A further strip on the rotor is free of channels and is also wound on the permeable core helically so as to be associated with the channeled strip so that the layers or turns of the unchanneled strip (20) alternate with those of the channeled one with each layer or turn of the channeled strip being followed by one layer or turn of the unchanneled one. This arrangement makes possible an extraordinarily satisfactory efficiency as regards flow and heat transfer. This advantage is combined with the advantage of the possibility of very simple and cost-effective production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Assignee: Masco GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Berendt
  • Patent number: 4856577
    Abstract: A rotary regenerative heat exchanging ceramic body including a plurality of matrix segments. The matrix segments of ceramic honeycomb structures are joined by a bonding material into the rotary regenerative heat exchanging ceramic body in the form of a disk. Each the matrix segments includes cells whose shapes have anisotropy in Young's modulus in sectional planes perpendicular to through-apertures. The matrix segments are arranged so that directions in which the Young's moduli of the segments are smaller are substantially coincident with circumferential directions of the disk at least at four locations near an outer circumference of the disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanori Katsu, Mikio Makino
  • Patent number: 4838342
    Abstract: A peripheral element basket assembly (30) for installation in the radially outward portion of the rotor 12 of a rotary regenerative heat exchanger (2) comprised of a plurality of heat transfer element plates (32) stacked in an array between a first flanged flat end plate (34) and a second arcuate end plate (36) disposed at opposite ends of the stacked array of heat transfer element plates (32). Upper and lower side straps (40,42 and 50,52) run along opposite sides of the stacked array of heat transfer element plates, to interconnect the first and second end plates (34,36) to form the frame of the element basket housing the heat transfer element plates. Blanking plates (60,62) are welded to the upper and lower regions respectively of the arcuate end plate (36) to extend outwardly superadjacent and subadjacent the foreshortened heat transfer element sheets (32') disposed adjacent the arcuate end plate (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: The Air Preheater Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary C. Goetschius
  • Patent number: 4825936
    Abstract: A rotary heat regenerator assembly comprising an enclosure, a regenerator matrix disposed in the enclosure and releasably mounted on a matrix support secured to a rotatable shaft, a first air passage and associated blower for forcing air through a portion of the regenerator wheel, and a second air passage and associated blower for forcing air to flow through another portion of the regenerator wheel. The matrix and matrix support are designed so that rotational drive is transmitted from the rotatable shaft to the matrix via the matrix support and so that the matrix can be easily and quickly inserted on and removed from the matrix support. A blower driving motor and the blowers are mounted on a common shaft. Speed reducing driving means connects the common shaft to the rotatable shaft carrying the matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: Airxchange, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence C. Hoagland, Donald F. Steele
  • Patent number: 4813473
    Abstract: A compact and maintenance-free means and method of regenerating the sensible heat from flue gases of fossil fuel furnaces by heat exchange through two circular layers of rock beds rotating under two semi-circular mantles with the first mantle applying hot flue gases to the beds and the second withdrawing preheated ambient air needed for combustion by said furnaces. When used for power plant flue gas treatment, layers of acid-resistant pipes containing boiler feedwater are sandwiched between the two rock bed layers to usefully recover the heat units arising from moisture condensation. The enormous water of condensation collects flyash and sulphur dioxide thus removing these pollutants from the stack gases. The heavy rock beds rotate slowly beneath the fixed mantles in a circular, pan-shaped, steel vessel floating on and cooled by a circular pond of water. Friction of rotation is minimal and gas leakage principally prevented by liquid seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Inventor: Arthur F. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4809770
    Abstract: A rotatable toroidal regenerator has a pair of circumferentially spaced annular seals disposed thereabout that separate the hot and cold sections of the regenerator from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Assignee: Williams International Corporation
    Inventors: Robert H. Meyer, Ronald C. Pampreen
  • Patent number: 4789024
    Abstract: An element basket assembly (30) for a rotary regenerative heat exchanger (2) comprised of a plurality of heat transfer element plates (32) stacked in an array between first and second end plates (34,36) disposed at opposite ends of the stacked array of heat transfer element plates (32). Upper and lower side straps (40,42 and 50,52) run along opposite sides of the stacked array of heat transfer element plates, to interconnect the first and second end plates (34,36) to form the frame of the element basket housing the heat transfer element plates. A stiffening member (60) is disposed intermediate the spaced end plates (34,36) to extend transversely across the assembled element basket assembly in a plane through the centroid thereof to the interconnect the upper side straps (40,42) and to interconnect the lower side straps (50,52) thereby increasing the structural integrity of the basket assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1988
    Assignee: The Air Preheater Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence J. Muscato
  • Patent number: 4773145
    Abstract: A method of constructing a rotor assembly (12) for a rotary regenerative heat exchanger wherein the rotor compartment (14) is formed of a plurality of prefabricated, shop-assembled subcompartments (20) which are shipped disassembled from the central rotor post (16) for final erection in the field. The method of the present invention maximizes shop welding in the horizontal downhand position and minimizes welding in the vertical up position both in the shop and in the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Assignee: The Air Preheater Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Roderick J. Baker, James A. Groves, Peter Hallam, John E. Irving
  • Patent number: 4760210
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for partial oxidation of hydrocarbonaceous gases, wherein a hydrocarbonaceous gas is preheated, reacted with oxygen, and quenched by means of a rotating matrix comprising glassy ceramic fibers. Such a rotating matrix may be constructed and compartmented by a method and apparatus which utilizes the inherent tensile strength properties of the fibers to provide strength to the compartment walls. Such partial oxidation method and apparatus is especially useful in a direct, integrated process for the production of tert-butyl ethers, wherein the product of partially oxidizing methane and isobutane are caused to be methanol and isobutylene, which intermediates are directly recovered and combined to form methyl tert-butyl ether by method and apparatus of the invention. Furthermore, by-products of such partial oxidation may also be converted to useful tert-butyl ethers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1988
    Inventor: Maxwell P. Sweeney
  • Patent number: 4744410
    Abstract: A rotary regenerative heat exchanger (2) for transferring heat from a hot fluid to a cold fluid by means of an assembly (30) of heat transfer element which is alternately contacted with the hot and cold fluid. The heat transfer element assembly (30) is comprised of a plurality heat transfer plates (32) stacked alternately in spaced relationship. The spacing between adjacent plates (32) is maintained by spacers which comprise notches in the form of bilobed folds crimped in the plates (32) at spaced intervals to prevent nesting between adjacent plates, the pitch of the sloping web portions (60) of not more than half of the bilobed folds (38B) in each plate (30) will be opposite in inclination to the pitch of the sloping web portions (60) of at least half of the bilobed folds (38A) in the plates (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1988
    Assignee: The Air Preheater Company, Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Groves
  • Patent number: 4739822
    Abstract: An element basket assembly (30) for a rotary regenerative heat exchanger (2) comprised of a plurality of heat transfer element plates (32) stacked in an array between first and second end plates (34,36) disposed at opposite ends of the stacked array of heat transfer element plates (32). Upper and lower side straps (40,42 and 50,52) run along opposite sides of the stacked array of heat transfer element plates, to interconnect the first and second plates (34,36) to form the frame of the element basket housing the heat transfer element plates. A stiffening member (60) is disposed intermediate the spaced end plates (34,36) to extend transversely across the element basket assembly at or near the mid-span thereof the interconnect the upper side straps (40,42) and to interconnect the lower side straps (50,52) thereby increasing the structural integrity of the basket assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1988
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas G. Mergler
  • Patent number: 4727931
    Abstract: Apparatus for exchanging contaminated room air with fresh outdoor air and a method for operating same is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing having a pair of substantially parallel air passageways sealed from one another and providing fluid communication between the room and the outdoors. A heat recovery rotor is disposed in the air passageways in an inclined orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1988
    Inventor: Erling Berner
  • Patent number: 4711293
    Abstract: A ventilator of the heat exchange type includes an air passageway communicating between an interior of a room to be ventilated and the outdoors, a first centrifugal fan for introducing outdoor air to the interior of the room, a second centrifugal fan for discharging indoor air outdoors, both centrifugal fans being disposed within the air passageway so that outlet areas communicates to each other, and two electric motors for alternately driving the centrifugal fans respectively. At least any one of the centrifugal fans is formed of a heat-accumulative material so that heat contained in the indoor air is accumulated in the centrifugal fan formed of the heat-accumulative material and that the heat accumulated in the centrifugal fan is dissipated to the suction air. Heat exchange is thus performed by accumulating the heat in one of the centrifugal fans during indoor air discharge operation and by dissipating the heat to the outdoor air during outdoor air suction operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1987
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kiyomi Niwa, Yutaka Kozawa
  • Patent number: 4703794
    Abstract: A compact and maintenance-free means and method of regenerating the sensible heat from flue gases of fossil fuel furnaces by heat exchange through two circular layers of rock beds rotating under two semi-circular mantles with the first mantle applying hot flue gases to the beds and the second withdrawing preheated ambient air needed for combustion by said furnaces. When used for power plant flue gas treatment, layers of acid-resistant pipes containing boiler feedwater are sandwiched between the two rock bed layers to usefully recover the heat units arising from moisture condensation. The enormous water of condensation collects flyash and sulphur dioxide thus removing these pollutants from the stack gases. The heavy rock beds rotate slowly beneath the fixed mantles in a circular, pan-shaped, steel vessel floating on and cooled by a circular pond of water. Friction of rotation is minimal and gas leakage principally prevented by liquid seals. When flue gas temperature rises, as above 600 degrees F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1987
    Assignee: Energy Conservation Partnership, Ltd.
    Inventor: Arthur F. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4699206
    Abstract: A rotary heat exchanger for heat exchange between at least two gaseous media comprises an annular heat transfer member rotating in a housing. A stationary partitioning wall is provided within the heat transfer member, thereby defining therein first and second semicircular chambers communicating with inlet openings in the housing. Outlet diffuser chambers are provided outside the heat transfer member and increase in width towards their outlet ends for the discharge from the apparatus. The partitioning wall is provided with a screening wall portion at at least one edge adjoining the inside surface of heat transfer member. The partitioning wall may be of a heat-insulating construction, while the heat exchanger may be combined with a fan assembly disposed in parallel relationship with the heat exchanger so the arrangement can be operated in a heat exchange mode or a pure fan blowing mode, being controllable by flow control flaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1987
    Inventor: Hans Kirchmeier
  • Patent number: 4678643
    Abstract: Apparatus for catalytic cleaning of the exhaust gases of furnace systems. For selectively eliminating nitrogen oxides in the exhaust gases of furnace systems, chemical compounds, such as ammonia in vapor form, are introduced into the exhaust gases emerging from the furnace systems. The exhaust gases are then passed through a catalytic converter, which initiates and/or accelerates the reaction of the oxides of nitrogen with the admixed chemical compounds. In different zones in the catalytic converter, the exhaust gases that are to be treated catalytically and of at least one current of cleaning gas are passed in a countercurrent. The location of the catalyst zones through which the exhaust gases and the cleaning gas, respectively, flow is varied continuously or intermittently. The catalytic converter has catalyst elements disposed in a carrier, and the carrier and the gas connections relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Assignee: Svenska Rotor Maskiner Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Wolfgang Fetzer
  • Patent number: 4658887
    Abstract: The disclosed ceramic heat exchanger has a stress relief layer disposed in the proximity of joint between a hollow hub and a honeycomb structural body integrally joined to the outer circumference of the hub, the stress relief layer having the difference in thermal expansion of not greater than 0.1% at 800.degree. C. relative to the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1987
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadaaki Matsuhisa, Kiminari Kato
  • Patent number: 4633936
    Abstract: A rotary regenerator consisting of two sheets or webs which are wound to form the rotor of the regenerator. One of the webs is corrugated in crosswise web direction, and the other is corrugated in the lengthwise web direction. The other sheet is under high tension, which results in the two sheets being pressed together with such a force that they are presented from sliding apart when the regenerator is working.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1987
    Inventor: Sven M. Nilsson
  • Patent number: 4627485
    Abstract: A rotary regenerative heat exchanger is particularly adapted for use in exchanging heat from a hot gas entering the heat exchanger at a temperature in the range of 2000.degree.-3000.degree. F. to low temperature air to be heated. An upper rotor and a lower rotor are supported concentrically about a rotor post mounted for rotation successively through the hot gas and air flows at a vertical axis. The hot gas enters and the heated air exits through the top of the heat exchanger, while the cooled gas exits and the cold air to be heated enters through the bottom of the heat exchanger. The upper rotor houses ceramic heat absorbent blocks adapted to withstand the high temperatures existing in the upper portion of the heat exchanger, while the low rotor houses typical metallic element suitable for use at more moderate temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1986
    Assignee: The Air Preheater Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Henry H. Osborn
  • Patent number: 4612024
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for reheating of cleaned gases subsequent to wet cleaning of raw gases.Cooled cleaned gases of high humidity which have been subjected to a wet cleaning process are reheated by means of regenerative heat exchange with as yet uncleaned, hotter raw gases, a previously already heated partial flow of cleaned gas being added to the cleaned gas flow prior to the performance of the regenerative heat exchanger. The partial flow of cleaned gas is diverted from the previously wet-cleaned total flow of cleaned gas, prior to the regenerative reheating of the cleaned gases by means of heat energy withdrawn from the raw gases, is increased in pressure, and is heated, separately from the main flow of the cleaned gases, in a regenerative heat exchange with the raw gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1986
    Assignee: SRM Svenska Rotor Maskiner Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Hermann E. Muller-Odenwald
  • Patent number: 4602924
    Abstract: A separator for collecting solid particles from a gas stream by centrifugal force comprises a vertical cylindrical housing having a coaxial top gas discharge pipe, a lower gas supply line extending coaxially into the housing, and a solids outlet which is laterally disposed in the lower portion of the housing. That separator has its gas supply line closed at its upper end and merging into at least one duct by which a vertically rising gas stream is deflected into a substantially horizontal direction that is tangential to the gas supply line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1986
    Assignee: Metallgesellschaft Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Jochim Eschenburg
  • Patent number: 4596284
    Abstract: The regenerative heat recapturing device for the vertical insertion into a roof of a building or the like serving for the ventilation of space and recapturing of heat. It has a rotatingly drivable storage mass which is located partly in an intake air channel and partly in an exhaust air channel. Fan wheels are disposed in these channels. The storage mass is disposed in a storage mass ring through the inside space of which an exhaust air channel section and an intake air channel section lead axially which are always connected by way of a 180.degree. intermediate channel section with the channel sections of the exhaust air channel or the intake air channel containing the storage mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1986
    Inventor: Winfried Honmann
  • Patent number: 4594860
    Abstract: An open-cycle air-conditioning apparatus including a rotatable heat exchanger wheel, a rotatable moisture transfer wheel, evaporative elements, and heating means disposed between the heat exchanger wheel and the transfer wheel wherein both wheels are constructed of spaced alternate layers of material mounted on a hub with means for forming a plurality of axial passages in the area between the layers. The moisture transfer wheel has an absorbent material alternating with a rigid polymeric material and the heat exchanger has rigid material of a low thermal conductivity, such as a rigid polymer forming both layers. In each instance, axial passages exist between the layers. Both wheels have outer semi-rigid rims and a plurality of rigid spokes secured to and extending radially from the hub, through the material and the rim for structurally strengthening the wheels and terminating in a threaded end with a cooperating nut for truing the wheel through adjustment of the nuts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1986
    Assignee: American Solar King Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Coellner, David S. MacIntosh, Mark C. Blanpied
  • Patent number: 4574872
    Abstract: A heat exchanger apparatus includes a cylindrical-shaped heat exchanger formed by alternately laminating first and second elements in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical-shaped heat exchanger. The cylindrical-shaped heat exchanger is rotated to carry out the function of the conventional regenerative rotary type total heat exchanger. In addition, the first and second elements are also allowed to effect a heat exchange or total heat exchange operation. The cylindrical-shaped heat exchanger is either hollow or solid, which provides many variations in arrangement of air ducts for primary and secondary air flows. Further, a partition interposed between the first and second elements has variation in property: permeable to water vapor; non-permeable to water vapor as well as non-hygroscopic; and so forth. The first and second elements exchange heat with each other in a total heat exchange operation mode and a sensible heat exchange operation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1986
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Yano, Takuro Kotera, Toshio Utagawa, Akira Aoki, Kazufumi Watanabe, Masao Wakai
  • Patent number: 4561492
    Abstract: An element basket assembly (30) for a rotary regenerative heat exchanger (2) comprised of a plurality of heat transfer element plates (32) stacked in an array between first and second end plates (34,36) disposed at opposite ends of the stacked array of heat transfer element plates (32). First and second side straps (40,50) run along opposite sides of the stacked array of heat transfer element plates, to interconnect the first and second end plates (34,36) to form the element basket housing the heat transfer element plates. The first side strap (40) is disposed to extend diagonally from a higher location on the first end plate (34) to a location on the second end plate (36), while the second side strap (50) is disposed on the opposite side of the stacked array to extend diagonally from a lower location on the first end plate (34) to a higher location on the second end plate (36), that is diagonally opposite to the first side strap (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1985
    Assignee: The Air Preheater Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth O. Bellows
  • Patent number: 4558732
    Abstract: An arrangement for compressing together a bundle of laterally abutting heat absorbent element sheets (14) in an element basket (32) for a rotary regenerative heat exchanger. Spring action loading plates (28) formed with arcuate ridges (30) are compressed against the end sheet of the element bundle. The arcuate ridges (30) of each loading plate (28) are arranged transverse to the flow of fluid through the basket of element (14) sheets in order that pressure may be applied evenly to all sections of the element sheets holding them in a uniformly tight relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1985
    Assignee: The Air Preheater Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth O. Bellows
  • Patent number: 4557318
    Abstract: Element basket (55) includes lifting means (66, 74) integral with element holding bar (64) to facilitate removing element baskets from or placing element baskets into a rotary regenerative heat exchanger (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1985
    Assignee: The Air Preheater Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth O. Bellows
  • Patent number: 4552204
    Abstract: Element basket (55) includes lifting means (66, 74) integral with element holding bar (64) to facilitate removing element baskets from or placing element baskets into a rotary regenerative heat exchanger (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1985
    Assignee: The Air Preheater Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth O. Bellows
  • Patent number: 4546817
    Abstract: The invention in connection with regenerative heat exchangers and ways of manufacturing them. The outer wall of the tubular rotor of such a heat exchanger is made up of one or more layers of an embossed aluminum strip that are fixed on edge and running radially outwards and in the form of a structure whose generatrix is a radius moving along a helical path, the structure being supported on an inner core. The embossing process is responsible for producing folds or puckers in the strip at its radially inner edge; furthermore the strip may have a stepped and/or waved form. Because of the helical coiling of the strip on a core, a rotor is produced whose outer wall may be used for the radial motion therethrough of flows giving or taking up heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1985
    Assignee: Wilhelm Gebhardt GmbH
    Inventor: Heinz Wieland
  • Patent number: 4542782
    Abstract: A rotary-type heat exchanger comprises a rotor having gas passages in the direction of its shaft, a casing for said rotor, an entrance of said casing to guide the high temperature incoming gas to be used for the heat exchange exclusively toward said rotor except for the gas passages outer periphery thereof and the areas close to the shaft of said rotor, a heat insulation being treated on the inner wall of said entrance, a sealing member for high temperature being provided on the entrance toward said rotor to keep the gas leakage minimum, an exhaust gas outlet of said casing being provided on the side opposing to said entrance to guide all the exhaust gas passed through said rotor to outside, a sealing member being provided on the exhaust gas outlet toward said rotor of said exhaust gas outlet to keep the gas leakage minimum, an outer fresh gas inlet of said casing to guide outer fresh gas into said casing, for heat exchange and cooling an outlet port of said casing being provided on the side opposing to said
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1985
    Inventor: Erling Berner
  • Patent number: 4513807
    Abstract: Novel methods for the continuous manufacturing of radial flow ceramic matal rotor bodies for rotary type regenerator heat exchange apparatus, and novelly constructed rotor bodies made by and reflecting the characteristics of the novel methods.The novel methods basically comprise preferably the continuous assembling of predetermined numbers of axially arranged, sequential, radially grooved layers of unfired ceramic media, with sequentially touching layers coacting to collectively form outwardly flaring fluid gas passageways, disposed in a 360.degree. continuous radially oriented manner extending uniformly around the open center passageway through the rotor body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1985
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Douglas N. Rose, John E. Becker
  • Patent number: 4512389
    Abstract: A rotary regenerative heat exchanger (2) for transferring heat from a hot fluid to a cold fluid by means of an assembly (30) of heat transfer element which is alternately contacted with the hot and cold fluid. The heat transfer element assembly (30) is comprised of a plurality of first and second heat absorbent plates (32,34) stacked alternately in spaced relationship. The spacing between adjacent first and second plates (32,34) is maintained by spacers which comprise V-shaped folds (38A and 38B) crimped in the first plates (32) and second plates (34), respectively, at spaced intervals along the plates. The folds (38A) in the first plates (32) are spaced equally apart by a first interval, while the folds (38B) in the second plates (34) are also spaced equally apart but at a second interval which is not equal to the first interval. In this manner, the folds in adjacent plates will not line up and nesting of adjacent plates is precluded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1985
    Assignee: The Air Preheater Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary C. Goetschius
  • Patent number: 4509584
    Abstract: Heat-transferring elements for regenerative heat exchange in a gas-gas fluidized bed heat exchanger. The elements are in the form of separate, freely movable saddle-shaped bodies. The saddle-shaped elements may have one or more holes, and may also, or alternatively, have one or more hollow spaces or chambers which are filled entirely or partially with materials of high heat-retaining capacity, and/or with latent storage masses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1985
    Assignee: Apparatebau Rothemuhle Brandt & Kritzler GmbH
    Inventors: Stanislaw Michalak, Bernd Hermanns