US3872918A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Heat exchanger
Assignee: CHROMALLOY COMPRESSOR TECHNOLOGIES Corp C/O CHROMALLOY GAS TURBINE CORPORATION
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Filing: 1974-02-21
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Granted: 1975-03-25
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Expires: 1994-02-21
Abstract
Abstract Rotary heat exchangers are formed with a core through which extend a plurality of passageway-defining tubes. The tubes are set at an angle to the axis of rotation and are partially filled with heat conductive elements. As the core rotates, the opposite ends of each of the tubes become respectively elevated or lowered with respect to the other end, and the elements thus gravitationally shift their relative position within the tubes as the core rotates. The shifting of the elements within the tubes permits a self-cleaning action. The elements themselves have low strength at high temperature, but are not required to carry any of the structural load. The employment of heat conductive elements provides a substantial surface area and permits the use of poor heat conductive material, such as stainless steel, for the core tube construction. Thus the passageway-defining tubes may be larger in cross section since the contained elements provide a large heat transfer action. The invention is shown as being applied to an axial heat exchanger and to a drum type (radial) heat exchanger.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward A Stalker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 05:09
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28F; F28F19/00; F28D; F28D19/00; F28D19/04; F28D19/041; F28D19/042; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S165/00; Y10S165/009; Y10S165/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A self-cleaning rotary heat exchanger in which a heat exchange core rotates through hot gas and cold gas ducts, the improvement in core construction comprising a plurality of passageways extending from one side of said core to the other for the passage of gases therethrough, said passageways being defined by a plurality of individual tubes which are inclined to the axis of rotation so that the ends thereof alternate in relative elevation as the core is rotated about its axis of rotation, a plurality of heat conductive elements partially filling each of said tubes leaving a free space therein so that said elements may shift in relative position within said tubes with the rotation of said core, and means retaining the elements in said tubes while providing for the flow of gases therethrough.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
A self-cleaning rotary heat exchanger in which a heat exchange core rotates through hot gas and cold gas ducts, the improvement in core construction comprising a plurality of passageways extending from one side of said core to the other for the passage of gases therethrough, said passageways being defined by a plurality of individual tubes which are inclined to the axis of rotation so that the ends thereof alternate in relative elevation as the core is rotated about its axis of rotation, a plurality of heat conductive elements partially filling each of said tubes leaving a free space therein so that said elements may shift in relative position within said tubes with the rotation of said core, and means retaining the elements in said tubes while providing for the flow of gases therethrough.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The heat exchanger of claim 1 in which said elements are formed of high heat conductive material such as copper or aluminum and said tubes are formed of stainless steel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The heat exchanger of claim 1 in which said tubes extend in a generally axial direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The heat exchanger of claim 1 in which said tubes extend in a generally radial direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The heat exchanger of claim 1 in which said elements are pellets.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The heat exchanger of claim 1 in which said elements are interconnected chain links.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
143 words
A self-cleaning rotary heat exchanger in which a heat exchange core rotates through hot gas and cold gas ducts, the improvement in core construction comprising a plurality of generally axially extending passageways extending from one axial side of said core to the other axial side for the passage of gases therethrough, said passageways being defined by a plurality of individual tubes which are skewed to the axis of rotation so That the ends thereof alternate in relative elevation as the core is rotated about its axis of rotation, a plurality of individual heat conductive elements substantially but not completely filling said tubes leaving a free space therein so that said elements are free to shift in relative position within said tubes with the rotation of said core, and means retaining the elements in said tubes while providing for the flow of gases therethrough.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
143 words
A self-cleaning rotary heat exchanger in which a heat exchange core rotates through hot gas and cold gas ducts, the improvement in core construction comprising a plurality of generally axially extending passageways extending from one axial side of said core to the other axial side for the passage of gases therethrough, said passageways being defined by a plurality of individual tubes which are skewed to the axis of rotation so That the ends thereof alternate in relative elevation as the core is rotated about its axis of rotation, a plurality of individual heat conductive elements substantially but not completely filling said tubes leaving a free space therein so that said elements are free to shift in relative position within said tubes with the rotation of said core, and means retaining the elements in said tubes while providing for the flow of gases therethrough.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
144 words
A self-cleaning rotary heat exchanger in which a heat exchange core rotates through hot gas and cold gas ducts, the improvement in core construction comprising a plurality of generally axially extending passageways extending from one axial side of said core to the other axial side for the passage of gases therethrough, said passageways being defined by a plurality of individual tubes which are skewed to the axis of rotation so that the ends thereof alternate in relative elevation as the core is rotated about its axis of rotation, a plurality of heat conductive pellets substantially but not completely filling said tubes leaving a free space therein so that said pellets shift in relative position within said tubes with the rotation of said core, and means closing the ends of said tubes for retaining the pellets therein while providing for the flow of gases therethrough.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
144 words
A self-cleaning rotary heat exchanger in which a heat exchange core rotates through hot gas and cold gas ducts, the improvement in core construction comprising a plurality of generally axially extending passageways extending from one axial side of said core to the other axial side for the passage of gases therethrough, said passageways being defined by a plurality of individual tubes which are skewed to the axis of rotation so that the ends thereof alternate in relative elevation as the core is rotated about its axis of rotation, a plurality of heat conductive pellets substantially but not completely filling said tubes leaving a free space therein so that said pellets shift in relative position within said tubes with the rotation of said core, and means closing the ends of said tubes for retaining the pellets therein while providing for the flow of gases therethrough.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-24 | 1978-09-23 | 1979-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-24 | 1982-09-23 | 1983-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-24 | 1986-09-23 | 1987-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |