The Air Preheater Company, Inc.

Combustion Engineering, Inc.

Richard F Stockman

Roderick J Baker

Paul L Macler

A method of casting a hollow bodied plate type recuperative heat exchange envelope. The heat exchange envelope comprises first and second envelope halves cast independently, then bonded together by fusion of molten metal of the second envelope half with solidified metal of the first envelope half. The first envelope half includes a lateral flange on opposite sides thereof that is confronted by the molten metal of the second envelope half to form a flange that connects envelope halves providing an increased area of contact therebetween. The flange of the second envelope half includes multiple surface areas that become fused to opposite sides of the first envelope half to form a strong connection impervious to fluid leakage.

Cast iron recuperator

The method of casting a plate type recuperative heat exchange envelope that encloses a hollow space therein in a single casting operation. A sand core with a heat sensitive binder therein defines the hollow space within the envelope. The sand core is supported by end extensions and lateral protuberances which rest on the sides of a sand mold to provide a space therebetween that is subsequently filled with molten metal to comprise an envelope casting. Lateral openings through the envelope casting produced by the lateral protuberances and end openings produced by the end extensions provide passageways for venting gases produced within the sand core during the casting operation, and after completion of the casting operation the same openings in the envelope assist in the removal of the sand core therefrom. The lateral openings are subsequently plugged while the end openings are maintained open to direct the flow of fluid therethrough.

Cast recuperator tube

An open ended basket 20 that contains a mass of heat absorbent material for a rotor of a rotary regenerative heat exchange apparatus. The basket has a uniquely curved support bar 26 at opposite ends thereof adapted to extend obliquely across the mass of heat absorbent material. The support bar is of greater length than the distance between parallel walls of the basket whereby varying the angle at which the support bars extend obliquely away from the contacting walls, each support bar may be made to fit exactly between parallel walls.

Element basket

Rotary regenerative heat exchange apparatus having a rotor carrying a mass of heat absorbent element that is alternately exposed to hot and cold fluids. Heat from the hot fluid is first transferred to the cool element, and upon rotation of the rotor is then transferred to the cool fluid flowing therethrough. The rotor and rotor housing that encloses the rotor are supported separately upon independent columns whereby there can be no transmission of force therebetween to induce sympathetic distortion of either the rotor or the rotor housing.

Rotor support

Method and apparatus for enhancing the heat transfer efficiency and lowering the temperature of tube walls used in a tubular gas to gas heat exchanger. The heat exchanger utilizes essentially flat sided tubes for the transfer of heat from hot gas flowing over the tubes to a cooler gas flowing therethrough. The apparatus of the invention includes a metallic heat shield inserted into the tubes between sides thereof to intercept radiation from the outer walls of said tubes and transfer it to the cooler gas flowing therethrough.

Heat exchange tube with heat absorptive shield

The method of effecting an evacuated space above a quantity of vaporizable fluid contained in a conventional heat pipe. A quantity of vaporizable fluid 10 is admitted into the heat pipe 12 through an inlet assembly to displace residual air in the heat pipe for exhaust through vent 24. When the heat pipe is full of fluid, the inlet assembly including valve 16 and fitting 24 is removed and coupling 26 plugged. Pump 26 having a suction connection to the heat pipe is actuated, and fluid is withdrawn from the heat pipe through check valve 18 leaving an evacuated space to form above a predetermined quantity of vaporizable fluid. A cylindrical standpipe 38 above check valve 18 precludes the evacuation of vaporizable fluid from said heat pipe lower than the upper rim of said standpipe.

Method of charging heat pipe

A rotary regenerative heat exchange apparatus having a rotor 10 carrying a mass of heat absorbent material that is ultimately exposed to a hot and a cold fluid in order that heat absorbed from the hot fluid may in turn be transferred to the cold fluid. The rotor 10 is surrounded by a housing 18 including a sector plate 30 at the hot end of the rotor that separates the fluids. A turndown indicator 40 operatively associated with the hot end sector plate 30 is provided so that the operator may at any time determine the amount of turndown of the rotor thereby permitting adjustment of the sector plate or other sealing means to reduce to a minimum any fluid leakage between the hot and cold fluids throughout a wide range of temperature variation and thermal expansion.

Turndown indicator for rotary regenerative heat exchanger

Rotary regenerative heat exchange apparatus having a rotor of heat absorbent material that is alternately exposed to hot and cold fluids in order that heat absorbed from the hot fluid may be transferred to the cold fluid. The rotor is surrounded by a housing including sector plates at opposite ends of the rotor that are arranged to separate the hot from the cold fluids. Fail safe apparatus is provided to quickly release a sector plate from a position where it is held in close proximity to the rotor whereby a sudden variation of conditions will not permit mutual interference between relatively rotating parts.

Fail safe arrangement

A heat pipe heat exchanger in which heat is transferred from hot fluid in duct 12 to cold fluid in duct 14 by a continuous cycle of evaporation and condensation of a liquid contained in heat pipe 26. Should the heat pipe not function properly, the transfer of heat to that portion of the heat pipe lying in the duct for cold fluid will be reduced partially or completely. This reduction in temperature at the end of the heat pipe lying in the duct for the cold fluid is immediately sensed by a thermocouple 54 and indicated upon a gauge 56 which is adapted to identify a particular heat pipe. Repair or replacement of a faulty heat pipe will return each heat pipe to its maximum effectiveness.

Heat tube

Rotary regenerative heat exchange apparatus including a housing that surrounds a rotor of heat absorbent material. A pair of oppositely spaced sector plates intermediate the ends of the rotor and the rotor housing are subjected to a force biasing them to conform to thermal deformation of the rotor to preclude leakage of fluid therebetween. A mechanism is provided whereby the sector plates are quickly released from the biasing force to preclude interference between the rotor and the sector plates.

Quick release for sector plate

A rotor for a gas-liquid heat exchange device that comprises a plurality of spaced heat absorbent elements mounted on a rotary shaft. The shaft is adapted to be rotated continuously between a hot liquid and a cool gas in order that heat contained in the hot liquid is first absorbed by the elements and then, as the elements rotate, the heat of the elements is transferred to the cooler gas for dissipation into the surrounding air.

Cooling tower

A sealing arrangement positioned between a sector plate and an adjacent connecting plate at the end of a rotary regenerative heat exchanger adapted to utilize normal pressure differential of a fluid being contained to create a force that acts upon the sealing arrangement to effect an improved sealing relationship.

Static seal

A cylindrical trunnion having a cooperating bearing that supports the rotor of a vertically disposed rotary regenerative air preheater. The trunnion has a high section modulus that is adapted to resist bending, while the support bearing therefor is adapted to be carried on independent support structure that resists axial and lateral movement. The bearing may be adjusted axially with respect to the support structure to raise the rotor from its support bearing, while a unique correlation of jacking means and independent shims permits removal of the bearing for replacement or repair.

Rotor post

A rotary regenerative air preheater including a housing surrounding a rotor of heat absorbent material that is adapted to rotate between a duct for heating fluid and a spaced duct that carries a fluid to be heated. Sealing means intermediate the rotor and the rotor housing include a torsion spring activated by the moving rotor that is adapted to bias the sealing means axially to provide a barrier that precludes fluid flow between the rotor and the rotor housing.

Torsion bar seal activating means

Rotary regenerative heat exchange apparatus having a rotor of heat absorbent element that is alternately exposed to a hot and a cold fluid in order that heat absorbed from the hot fluid may be transferred to the cold fluid. The rotor is surrounded by a housing including a sector plate at opposite ends of the rotor that separates the hot and cold fluids. The sector plate is forcefully deflected to conform to normal 'turndown' experienced by the rotor in order that there will be minimum leakage of fluid through the space therebetween.

Growing community of inventors

Friendship, NY, United States of America

Richard F Stockman