Seals Patents (Class 165/9)
  • Patent number: 7416016
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved sealing element for a regenerative heat exchanging apparatus, such as a Ljungstrom™-type or a Rothemuhle™-type Preheater. The sealing element is mounted to a radial wall to provide a secure seal between the radial wall and an outer housing of the heat exchanging apparatus and prevent leakage between the hot gas conduit and cool air conduit. In one embodiment, the sealing element includes a reinforced mounting strip that is used to mount the sealing element to the radial wall. The sealing element also includes a sealing strip that maintains a sealing contact between the radial wall and outer housing and a support member that inhibits over-flexing of the sealing element. A set of bellows is positioned on the sealing element to provide the sealing element with flexibility and resiliency so that the sealing element maintains contact with the sealing surface even when the heat exchanging apparatus experiences warping and/or distortion from thermal stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Paragon Airheater Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Jackie L. Kaser
  • Patent number: 7325562
    Abstract: Valve with heated sealing gas suitable for use in a regenerative thermal oxidizer, and oxidizer including the switching valve. The valve of the present invention exhibits excellent sealing characteristics and minimizes wear. In a preferred embodiment, the valve utilizes hot gas from the regenerative process to heat gas for sealing the valve, and sealing air flows through a heat exchanger that is positioned to be in contact with hot exhaust gas from the regenerative process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Meggec Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: James T. Cash
  • Patent number: 7278378
    Abstract: A regenerative air preheater leakage recovery system comprising a coal-fired steam generator in fluid communication with a regenerative air preheater. The regenerative air preheater adapted to provide a heat exchange between a flow of cool air and of hot flue gas to convert the cool air into the heated combustion air exiting to the steam generator. A combination of seals for effecting at least one plenum that is in fluid communication with the heated combustion air flow and the flow of hot flue gas relative to the regenerative air preheater. A captured flow of leakage, diverted from the flow of heated combustion air and directed by means of a fan to re-enter the regenerative air preheater at a location substantially separate from where the flow of cool air is received in the regenerative air preheater to be further heated therein and exit as the flow of heated combustion air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Inventor: Wayne S. Counterman
  • Patent number: 7231958
    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. 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. 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 may resiliently deform as a result of the tabs making contact with the sealing surface of the heat exchanger. The air preheater further comprises a reinforcing section that stabilizes the tabs when the tabs resiliently deform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Paragon Airheater Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jack Kaser, Deborah Kaser
  • Patent number: 7104082
    Abstract: A space has air humidity and temperature to be regulated. An air handler has a temperature regulation element, a fan and a housing. An inflow manifold has an intake end and an outflow end and a plurality of stubs and a plurality of dampers. An outflow manifold has an intake end and an outflow end and a plurality of stubs and a plurality of dampers. A desiccant unit has a plurality of chambers and a desiccant wheel and a plurality of blowers and a heat source and a mixing chamber and a combustible gas supply with a gas burner and an adjustable gas valve to regulate the flow of combustible gas. A plurality of ducts couple the air handler and the manifolds and the desiccant unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Inventor: Jose Moratalla
  • Patent number: 7082987
    Abstract: A rotary regenerative heat exchanger includes a rotor having primary vanes 14 extending between the hub and the periphery of the rotor, and additional secondary vanes 15 between said primary vanes and extending over an outer annulus of the rotor. Such an arrangement facilitates having several of the primary and secondary vanes sealed with respect to a sector plate over the outer annulus as compared with the number of primary vanes sealing with the same sector plate over the inner annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Howden Power Limited
    Inventor: John A. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 7059386
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved sealing element for a regenerative heat exchanging apparatus, such as a Ljungstrom™-type or a Rothemuhle™-type Preheater. The sealing element is mounted to a radial wall to provide a secure seal between the radial wall and an outer housing of the heat exchanging apparatus and prevent leakage between the hot gas conduit and cool air conduit. In one embodiment, the sealing element includes a reinforced mounting strip that is used to mount the sealing element to the radial wall. The sealing element also includes a sealing strip that maintains a sealing contact between the radial wall and outer housing and a support member that inhibits over-flexing of the sealing element. A set of bellows is positioned on the sealing element to provide the sealing element with flexibility and resiliency so that the sealing element maintains contact with the sealing surface even when the heat exchanging apparatus experiences warping and/or distortion from thermal stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Paragon Preheater Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Jackie L. Kaser
  • Patent number: 6892795
    Abstract: A regenerator matrix for effecting the transfer of heat between two counter-flowing air streams separated in part by face seals. The matrix includes strips of material wound about an axis so as to provide a plurality of layers. The matrix also includes embossments located on at least some of the layers and providing interlayer spaces between at least some of the layers, such that the interlayer spaces extend through the matrix substantially parallel to the axis. The embossments have a uniform height and include primary and secondary embossments. The primary embossments extend substantially parallel to the axis to divide the interlayer spaces into gas passageways and substantially resist circumferential gas leakage between the gas passageways. The primary embossments are also for aligning with the face seals to prevent circumferential gas leakage between the two counter-flowing air streams, and are successively spaced so that at most two successive primary embossments will align with the face seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: AirXchange, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald F. Steele
  • Patent number: 6838063
    Abstract: In the hydrogen supply device for producing and supplying hydrogen to a fuel cell, a reforming section has a rotary thermal storage through which low and high temperature passages pass. Reforming material is supplied to the low temperature fluid passage on an upstream side of the first rotary thermal storage. A combustion gas supply section for generating and supplying a combustion gas is located in the high temperature fluid passage on a downstream side of the first rotary thermal storage. With the hydrogen supply device mentioned above, the first rotary thermal storage rotates to move alternately between the low and high temperature fluid passages so that, in the reforming section, the reforming material flowing in the low temperature fluid passage is catalytically reformed to a reformed gas containing hydrogen upon receiving combustion heat of the combustion gas flowing in the high temperature fluid conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuo Kondo, Tadayoshi Terao, Kiyoshi Kawaguchi, Masanori Uehara
  • Patent number: 6789605
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved sealing element for a regenerative heat exchanging apparatus, such as a Ljungstrom™-type or a Rothemuhle™-type Preheater. The sealing element is mounted to a radial wall to provide a secure seal between the radial wall and an outer housing of the heat exchanging apparatus and prevent leakage between the hot gas conduit and cool air conduit. In one embodiment, the sealing element includes a reinforced mounting strip that is used to mount the sealing element to the radial wall. The sealing element also includes a sealing strip that maintains a sealing contact between the radial wall and outer housing and a support member that inhibits over-flexing of the sealing element. A set of bellows is positioned on the sealing element to provide the sealing element with flexibility and resiliency so that the sealing element maintains contact with the sealing surface even when the heat exchanging apparatus experiences warping and/or distortion from thermal stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Inventor: Jackie L. Kaser
  • Patent number: 6681557
    Abstract: An automotive turbine regenerator system employs sectored matrix elements which are extruded and then assembled into the larger rotary regenerator. Discontinuous rotation is taught such that the seals are not rubbing seals but rather are clamping seals thus radically reducing the leakage and the wear on seal components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventor: David Gordon Wilson
  • Patent number: 6647929
    Abstract: A method for increasing the efficiency of a steam generator system including a boiler and a regenerative air preheater. The method including determining a reduced rate of acid accumulation in the preheater which may be achieved by injecting an SO3 neutralizing additive material into flue gas generated by the boiler. A new maximum allowable clean condition pressure drop is calculated based on the reduced rate of acid accumulation. Modified heat exchange element baskets are created having an increased heat transfer efficiency, compared to conventional heat exchange element basket assemblies, and a maximum allowable clean condition pressure drop substantially equal to the calculated new maximum allowable clean condition pressure drop. The conventional heat exchange element basket assemblies are replaced with modified heat exchange element basket assemblies. When the boiler is operating, the additive material is added to the flue gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: ALSTOM (Switzerland) Ltd
    Inventor: Wayne S. Counterman
  • Patent number: 6598664
    Abstract: A bypass seal for a rotary regenerative air preheater includes primary and secondary seal leaves that are joined at a single position longitudinally intermediate their first and second sends. The first end portion of the primary seal leaf extends longitudinally beyond the first end of the secondary seal leaf and the second end portion of the secondary seal leaf extends longitudinally beyond the second end of the primary seal leaf. When installed in the air preheater, the first end portion of the primary seal leaf of each bypass seal in one of the seal rings overlaps the second end portion of the secondary seal leaf of an adjacent bypass seal in the seal ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Alstom (Switzerland) Ltd
    Inventors: Kurt M. Fierle, Robin B. Rhodes, Charles R. White
  • Patent number: 6581676
    Abstract: A method for adding additional axial seals and radial seals within existing air preheaters. The installed heat transfer baskets, radial seals, axial seals, and gratings are all removed from the air preheater. The existing stay plates are modified, if they are to be reused, or replaced with new stay plates. An intermediate diaphragm plate is positioned in each original compartment and mounted to the stay plates. Additional hot and cold end axial seal support bars are mounted to the rotor shell and intermediate diaphragm plate. Axial seals are installed on the original and additional axial seal support bars and radial seals are installed on the axial edges of the original and intermediate diaphragm plates. Finally, new heat transfer baskets are inserted into each of the compartments formed by the original diaphragm plates, the intermediate diaphragm plates, and the rotor shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: ABB Alstom Power N.V.
    Inventors: Kurt M. Fierle, Lawrence J. Muscato
  • Patent number: 6543520
    Abstract: An axial seal plate for an air preheater having a single, unitary structure including a sealing portion disposed intermediate first and second end portions extending orthogonally from the sealing portion. The axial seal plate does not including any welds for joining the end portions to the sealing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Alstom Power N.V.
    Inventors: James R. Larkin, Kevin J. O'Boyle, Michael Zakel
  • Patent number: 6505679
    Abstract: A sector plate for an air preheater including a seal plate having a sealing surface and an oppositely disposed mounting surface. Multiple tabs mount a portion of a rigid support structure to the mounting surface of the seal plate. Multiple support members mount the support structure to the air preheater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Alstom Power N.V.
    Inventors: James R. Larkin, Kevin J. O'Boyle, Michael Zakel
  • Publication number: 20020112843
    Abstract: A sector plate for an air preheater including a seal plate having a sealing surface and an oppositely disposed mounting surface. Multiple tabs mount a portion of a rigid support structure to the mounting surface of the seal plate. Multiple support members mount the support structure to the air preheater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Applicant: Alstom Power N.V.
    Inventors: James R. Larkin, Kevin J. O'Boyle, Michael Zakel
  • Publication number: 20020112842
    Abstract: An axial seal plate for an air preheater having a single, unitary structure including a sealing portion disposed intermediate first and second end portions extending orthogonally from the sealing portion. The axial seal plate does not including any welds for joining the end portions to the sealing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Applicant: Alstom Power N.V.
    Inventors: James R. Larkin, Kevin J. O'Boyle, Michael Zakel
  • Publication number: 20020096310
    Abstract: A bypass seal for a rotary regenerative air preheater includes primary and secondary seal leaves that are joined at a single position longitudinally intermediate their first and second sends. The first end portion of the primary seal leaf extends longitudinally beyond the first end of the secondary seal leaf and the second end portion of the secondary seal leaf extends longitudinally beyond the second end of the primary seal leaf. When installed in the air preheater, the first end portion of the primary seal leaf of each bypass seal in one of the seal rings overlaps the second end portion of the secondary seal leaf of an adjacent bypass seal in the seal ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventors: Kurt M. Fierle, Robin B. Rhodes, Charles R. White
  • Publication number: 20020088603
    Abstract: A method for constructing a rotor of an air preheater having a plurality of diaphragm plates dividing the rotor into a number of wedge-shaped compartments. Each compartment includes compartment components such as a rotor shell plate, a hot end rotor angle, a cold end rotor angle, and one or more stay plates and means for locating at least a portion of each of the components within the compartment. The diaphragm plates are manufactured by marking at least one index location associated with each compartment component on each diaphragm plate blank utilizing a template identifying the index locations and forming an opening at each index location. Each compartment is assembled by positioning a first diaphragm plate adjacent to a second diaphragm plate and locating each compartment component between the adjacent diaphragm plates by engaging the locating means of the component in an associated opening in one of the diaphragm plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventors: Robin B. Rhodes, Jon R. Cowburn, Kurt M. Fierle
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20020070001
    Abstract: A method for adding additional axial seals and radial seals within existing air preheaters. The installed heat transfer baskets, radial seals, axial seals, and gratings are all removed from the air preheater. The existing stay plates are modified, if they are to be reused, or replaced with new stay plates. An intermediate diaphragm plate is positioned in each original compartment and mounted to the stay plates. Additional hot and cold end axial seal support bars are mounted to the rotor shell and intermediate diaphragm plate. Axial seals are installed on the original and additional axial seal support bars and radial seals are installed on the axial edges of the original and intermediate diaphragm plates. Finally, new heat transfer baskets are inserted into each of the compartments formed by the original diaphragm plates, the intermediate diaphragm plates, and the rotor shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: Kurt M. Fierle, Lawrence J. Muscato
  • 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
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6298877
    Abstract: A distributing valve device for a heat accumulation type combustion system comprising a stationary valve mounted on an underside of a housing having six or more passages defined by partition walls provided therein at predetermined intervals, and having heat accumulators arranged in the passages, the stationary valve having six or more openings formed therein at an equal interval in circumferential direction of the stationary valve which communicate with the respective passages, and a rotary valve disposed in opposed relation on the stationary valve and having an exhaust gas supply opening, a treated gas discharge opening, and a purge gas supply opening formed therein sequentially in this order and at predetermined intervals in a direction of rotation of the rotary valve, wherein a seal member is arranged on a surface of the stationary valve in opposed relation to the rotary valve such that the seal member surrounds the each opening of the stationary valve, and a closed portion defined between the adjacent ope
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Chugai Ro Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Inuki, Hideo Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 6279647
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement for sensing the clearance between an object and an object-adjacent surface, which is particularly for use in difficult ambient conditions, such as in dirty, corrosive environments and under varying temperature and pressure conditions, e.g. to measure and hold constant the clearance between the sector plates (3, 4) of a regenerative rotary air preheater and the end surfaces of the rotor (2, 8). The sensing device (7) includes a compressed-air operated pipe (9) which is mounted on the object (3, 4) and which includes a sound-emitting opening (14) located adjacent the surface (8), wherein changes in the distance (S) between the object (3, 4) and the surface (8) are represented by changes that occur in the resonant frequency of the pipe (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: ABB Air Preheater Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Karlsson, Stig Lundin
  • 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: 6227150
    Abstract: A rotary air preheater has a rotor, at least one seal disposed proximate to the rotor, a drive for reciprocally driving a portion of the seal between a first position adjacent the rotor and a second position spaced from the first position, and a control system for activating the drive. The control system includes a boiler load power sensor, means for storing a first stored boiler load having a value between the minimum boiler load and the maximum boiler load, and logic for comparing the sensed boiler load to the first stored boiler load. The logic provides a first activation signal to the drive when the sensed boiler load rises above the first stored boiler load and a second activation signal to the drive when the sensed boiler load falls below the first stored boiler load. The first activation signal activates the drive to drive the portion of the seal to the first position and the second activation signal activates the drive to drive the portion of the seal to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: ABB Air Preheater, Inc.
    Inventors: Harlan E. Finnemore, Danny K. Hall, Alan G. Marshall, Robert J. Rausa, Kent E. Ritter
  • 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: 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: 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: 5983986
    Abstract: The invention provides a forced air furnace integrated with a ventilator having a pair of regenerative bed heat exchangers. The heat exchangers alternate between heat recovery and heat release modes such that when one heat exchanger is in the heat release mode the other is in the heat recovery mode. A pair of valve members are fixed on a common shaft to control the alternate switching of recovery and release modes between the two heat exchange beds. The valve members are mounted adjacent to inlet and outlet partitions containing the inlet and outlet ports, respectively, in communication with the heat exchange compartments, and are provided with valve openings which, by rotating the shaft, are brought into alignment with the inlet and outlet ports to direct the fresh and stale air streams through the heat exchange beds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Inventors: Kenneth Reid Macintyre, Robert Gene Bamsey
  • 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: 5950707
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved sealing element for a regenerative heat exchanging apparatus, such as a Ljungstrom.TM.-type or a Rothemuhle.TM.-type Preheater. The sealing element is mounted to a radial wall to provide a secure seal between the radial wall and an outer housing of the heat exchanging apparatus and prevent leakage between the hot gas conduit and cool air conduit. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing element includes a reinforced mounting strip that is used to mount the sealing element to the radial wall. The sealing element also includes a sealing strip that maintains a sealing contact between the radial wall and outer housing. A set of bellows is positioned on the sealing element to provide the sealing element with flexibility and resiliency so that the sealing element maintains contact with the sealing surface even when the heat exchanging apparatus experiences warping from thermal distortion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Inventors: Wayne R. Kozacka, Jackie L. Kaser
  • Patent number: 5915340
    Abstract: A sealing arrangement for a quad sector rotary regenerative air preheater has a rotor rotatably mounted in a housing. The rotor has radially extending diaphragms forming compartments and radial seals extending along the edges of the diaphragms. Sector plates are positioned at the axial ends of the rotor to divide the preheater into a flue gas sector, a primary air sector and a first secondary air sector adjacent said flue gas sector and said primary air sector, and a second secondary air sector positioned adjacent said flue gas sector and said primary air sector. The sector plates between the flue gas sector and said secondary air sectors are in sealing engagement with two of the radial seals at all times and the sector plates between the primary air sector and the secondary air sectors are in sealing engagement with only one of the radial seals at any particular time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: ABB Air Preheater Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Cronin, Thomas Gary Mergler
  • 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: 5913359
    Abstract: A heating element basket assembly for a rotary regenerative air preheater has a picture-frame structure with the open areas on each side being covered by a flat plate attached to the inside of the frame. A sealing plate member is attached to the outside of each of the flat plates within framework. The sealing plate member has a portion bend and protruding outwardly from the periphery of the basket to form a flexible seal for engagement with the diaphragms and stay plates of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: ABB Air Preheater, Inc.
    Inventors: Brenda L. Milligan, Clair F. Updyke
  • 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: 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: 5871349
    Abstract: A rotary valve thermal oxidizer including an interfacial seal disposed between rotating and fixed valve portions to prevent the mixing of treated and untreated gas streams. In a preferred embodiment, the valve sealing device includes a flowable sealing material contained within a receptacle, and contacted by a partition nested within the receptacle. Other sealing devices, as well as purge and/or sealing gases, may be employed to prevent leakage, while avoiding the use of machined parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Smith Engineering Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Johnson, Thomas J. Truppi, Erwin Hendricks, Theodore R. Wheeler
  • 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: 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: 5727617
    Abstract: An arrangement is provided in an air preheater for mounting and adjusting the sector plates and the axial seal plates in relation to the rotor using one adjustable mounting means and a stabilizer assembly. The stabilizer assembly includes a stabilizer beam which is fixedly mounted to the external preheater structure, a pair of stabilizer lugs having one end fixedly mounted to the stabilizer beam, a pair of stabilizer arms each having a first end rotatably mounted to the other end of the stabilizer lugs by a torsion bar which extends between the stabilizer lugs, and a pinned linkage mechanism which rotatably mounts the second end of each stabilizer arm to the sector plate or axial plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: ABB Air Preheater, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin J. O'Boyle
  • Patent number: 5697619
    Abstract: A rotary regenerative air preheater having a rotor mounted to a central rotor post for rotation within a surrounding housing whereby heat absorbent material carried in the rotor is alternately exposed to a flow of heating gas and a gas to be heated. A radial seal assembly including a flexible sealing strip is mounted to the hot end edge of each radially extending partition of the rotor to establish a seal between the partitions and the confronting face of the sector plate of the housing as the rotor is rotated. The flexible sealing strip has a tapered configuration such that the distal edge of the sealing strip and the confronting face of the sector plate define a controlled radially extending gap when the air preheater is in a hot-operating condition. A protective tip is mounted on the distal edge of the flexible sealing strip to prevent premature failure due to edge fracturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: ABB Air Preheater, Inc.
    Inventor: Kurt M. Fierle
  • Patent number: 5660226
    Abstract: A rotary regenerative air preheater having a rotor mounted to a central rotor post for rotation within a surrounding housing whereby heat absorbent material carried in the rotor is alternately exposed to a flow of heating gas and a gas to be heated. Upper and lower rotor post headers provide means for mounting diaphragms, which divide the rotor into compartments, to the rotor post. The upper rotor post header includes an interior opening for receiving the rotor and an outer peripheral portion having a plurality of circumferentially spaced T-shaped slots. The upper portion of the inboard end of each diaphragm defines a box-shaped lug which is received in one of the slots. Shoulders defined by the lug engage shoulders defined by the slots to prevent radial movement of the diaphragm. The lower rotor post header is mounted to the rotor and includes a radially extending lower portion that defines a shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: ABB Air Preheater, Inc.
    Inventor: Harlan E. Finnemore
  • Patent number: 5655594
    Abstract: The connecting plate duct assemblies which form the inlet and outlet ducts for a rotary regenerative air preheater have a horizontal flange plate around the periphery. The vertical panels which house the rotor sit on the lower horizontal flange plate and are attached to lower vertical attachment bars extending up from the lower horizontal flange plate. The upper ends of the vertical housing panels are spaced below the upper horizontal flange plate and abut upper vertical attachment bars extending down from the upper horizontal flange plate. The upper ends of the vertical housing panels are welded to these upper vertical attachment bars to hold them in position and to seal the space. Sealing means are provided between the vertical housing panels and the rotor at both the upper and lower ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: ABB Air Preheater, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael W. Wonderling
  • 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