Prometheus Technologies, LLC

Emerald Energy Nw, LLC

Tadeusz Szymanski

John A Barclay

Kathryn Midori Oseen-Senda

Hunter A Chumbley

Lenard J Stoltman

Corey C Archipley

Devices in which a toroidal mass rotates within a pressurized housing vessel, such as rotary wheel Active Magnetic Regenerative Refrigerators (AMRR) and Active Magnetic Regenerative Liquefiers (AMRL), are disclosed. Mechanical gap-type seal designs (e.g., labyrinth seal designs) for controlling (e.g., minimizing) and/or directing fluid flows in the space between a rotating torus and a stationary housing are disclosed. Additional features, such as the use of low friction surface coatings, the generation of low pressure gradients in high pressure heat transfer fluid transiting porous regenerative beds, and the use of pressure bladders to apply adjustable spring pressure to sealing surfaces are also disclosed and contribute to improved device efficiency and desired fluid flows.

Rotary seal facilitating fluid flows through a rotating toroidal mass within a pressurized housing vessel

Rotary fluid processing systems and associated methods are disclosed. A purification system in accordance with the particular embodiment includes a rotatable adsorbent-containing heat/mass transfer element that is generally symmetric about a rotation axis, and includes multiple radial flow paths oriented transverse to the rotation axis and multiple axial flow paths oriented transverse to the radial flow paths. The axial flow paths and radial flow paths are in thermal communication with each other, and are generally isolated from fluid communication with each other at the heat transfer element. Particular embodiments can further include a housing arrangement having multiple manifolds with individual manifolds having an entry port and an exit port, and with individual manifolds having different circumferential locations relative to the rotation axis. Still further embodiments can include a seal arrangement positioned between the heat transfer element and the housing arrangement to expose the radial flow paths, but not the axial flow paths, to the entry and exit ports of one of the manifolds, and expose the axial flow paths, but not the radial flow paths, to the entry and exit ports of another of the manifolds.

Rotary fluid processing systems and associated methods

Growing community of inventors

Lynnwood, WA, United States of America

Tadeusz Szymanski