GB946396A - Rotary regenerative heat exchangers - Google Patents

Abstract

946,396. Thermal regenerators. GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION. Nov. 22, 1962 [Dec. 4, 1961], No. 44216/62. Heading F4K. A rotary thermal regenerator comprises a disc or drum-type matrix containing packs of heat transfer plates some of which have their opposite edges extended beyond the remaining plates and so act as labyrinth seals in conjunction with sealing members (not shown) close the gas entry and exit faces of the matrix, one at least of the extended edges of each seal plate having fixed thereto a metal strip capable of resisting thermal distortion of the seal plate, as shown, the plate packs are located between bars 38 of the rotor structure. The sealing plates 50 each comprise two individual plates 54, 56 unconnected, except at one edge where they are joined to each other, and to a relatively thick bar 60 by spot-welding. The bar strengthens the plate against the tendency to distort under thermal stress. Slots 64, 66, staggered as shown, also serve to minimize distortion of the plate. In an alternative construction (Fig. 6, not shown), the sealing plates each comprise a corrugated plate spotwelded at one edge to a bar similar to the bar 60. Fig. 2 shows how the sealing plates project beyond the remaining plate elements which, as shown in Fig. 5, may each be formed of a corrugated plate 68 spot-welded to a slotted flat plate 70, a number of these elements being stacked between each pair of sealing plates 50. The plates 50 may be so disposed in the assembly that the bars 60 are at the same corresponding extended edge only in alternate plates.