GB1007559A - Radial seal for rotary regenerative heat exchanger - Google Patents

Abstract

1,007,559. Thermal regenerators. SVENSKA ROTOR MASKINER A.B. April 6, 1962 [April 13, 1961], No. 13287/62. Heading F4K. In a rotary matrix type thermal regenerator, sealing means on the rotor partitions 14 comprises an elongate sealing leaf 44, pivoted at ends 52 and free to move at its opposite end in an axial direction against stationary end plate 36 of the regenerator housing 34; thermal actuating bar 54, having one end 56 secured to leaf 44 while its opposite end is free to expand and contract in response to variations in temperature; and linkage 58 for connecting the actuating bar 54 and the free end of said sealing leaf adapted to transform movement of said actuating bar into an axial movement of said sealing leaf. As shown, the thermal regenerator includes a cylindrical rotor shell 12 joined to a rotor post 16 by radial partitions 14 to form compartments that carry the heat transfer material. A housing 34 surrounding the rotor is provided at opposite ends with end plates 36 which have holes formed in them adjacent the input and output ducts of the heat exchange media. To provide a suitable actuating force to the sealing leaves, actuating bars 54 are made of material having a different coefficient of thermal expansion from that of the partitions 44. To ensure that seals 44 are effective when not fluid enters at duct 22 and the rotor tends to distort, the bars 54 must have a coefficient of thermal expansion greater than that of the radial partitions (with the linkages shown) in order that the seals will move upwards.