US3875994A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Regenerator for gas turbine engine
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-12-26
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Granted: 1975-04-08
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Expires: 1993-12-26
Abstract
Abstract A rotatable drum type regenerator for an automobile gas turbine engine comprises a steel matrix of thin stock having a peripheral portion connected in radially sliding and sealing relationship to the adjacent radially inner portion at the hot axial end region of the matrix to accommodate thermal cycling and to prevent rupture between the peripheral and adjacent inner portions, the peripheral portion being positively connected to the adjacent radially inner portion by brazing at the cooler axial end region to withstand the various forces between the latter portions.
Inventors
- 👤 John Janusz Lewakowski
- 👤 Theodore Melchoir Ciagala
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 18:02
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28D; F28D19/00; F28D19/04; F28D19/041; F28D19/042; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S165/00; Y10S165/009; Y10S165/042; Y10S165/043; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/4935; Y10T29/49357
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
291 words
In a rotatable regenerator for a gas turbine engine, a matrix adapted for flow therethrough of comparatively cool high pressure inlet air and comparatively hot low pressure exhaust gas alternately in opposite axial directions to effect an axial temperature gradient in said matrix between axially opposed hot and cold faces thereof, said matrix comprising a plurality of convoluted matrix segments extending in side-by-side relationship spirally outward about the axis of the regenerator from a central region of the matrix to its periphery, each matrix segment and the next adjacent matrix segment comprising a pair of juxtaposed matrix segments, and sealing means securing a peripheral portion of said matrix to the adjacent inner portion of said matrix at a fluid seal for preventing gas flow circumferentially between said portions and for accommodating cyclic forces tending to rupture said seal comprising an insert between the matrix segments of each pair at the boundary region between said inner and peripheral portions, each insert having convolutions interfitting in sliding fluid sealing relationship with the convolutions of one of the matrix segments of said pair at opposite sides of said boundary throughout the major axial extent of said matrix from said hot face, said sealing means also comprising means for positively securing said juxtaposed marix segments together at the remaining axial extent thereof at said boundary region and means for positively securing each insert to the other matrix segment of said pair, the interfitting convolutions of each insert and matrix segment having radial components for permitting a radial component of movement between said juxtaposed matrix segments throughout said major axial extent at said boundary region, and means for positively securing said juxtaposed matrix segments together throughout their axial extent at locations spirally inward of said inserts.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
291 words
In a rotatable regenerator for a gas turbine engine, a matrix adapted for flow therethrough of comparatively cool high pressure inlet air and comparatively hot low pressure exhaust gas alternately in opposite axial directions to effect an axial temperature gradient in said matrix between axially opposed hot and cold faces thereof, said matrix comprising a plurality of convoluted matrix segments extending in side-by-side relationship spirally outward about the axis of the regenerator from a central region of the matrix to its periphery, each matrix segment and the next adjacent matrix segment comprising a pair of juxtaposed matrix segments, and sealing means securing a peripheral portion of said matrix to the adjacent inner portion of said matrix at a fluid seal for preventing gas flow circumferentially between said portions and for accommodating cyclic forces tending to rupture said seal comprising an insert between the matrix segments of each pair at the boundary region between said inner and peripheral portions, each insert having convolutions interfitting in sliding fluid sealing relationship with the convolutions of one of the matrix segments of said pair at opposite sides of said boundary throughout the major axial extent of said matrix from said hot face, said sealing means also comprising means for positively securing said juxtaposed marix segments together at the remaining axial extent thereof at said boundary region and means for positively securing each insert to the other matrix segment of said pair, the interfitting convolutions of each insert and matrix segment having radial components for permitting a radial component of movement between said juxtaposed matrix segments throughout said major axial extent at said boundary region, and means for positively securing said juxtaposed matrix segments together throughout their axial extent at locations spirally inward of said inserts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
83 words
In the combination according to claim 1, said peripheral portion being adapted to ride in sliding sealing engagement with a circumferentially extending rubbing seal to prevent axial gas flow through said peripheral portion, thereby to effect a sharp radial temperature gradient between said peripheral portion and the adjacent inner portion of said matrix adapted for axial gas flow therethrough, the convolutions of each insert interfitting with the convolutions of the associated one matrix segment both within said peripheral portion and adjacent inner portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
In the combination according to claim 1, each matrix segment and insert being corrugated to provide axially extending gas flow channels.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
In the combination according to claim 1, each insert and said interfitting convolutions extending axially for the axial extent of said matrix, and said means for securing said juxtaposed matrix segments together at said remaining axial extent thereof including a brazed connection between said interfitting convolutions at said remaining axial extent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
84 words
In the combination according to claim 1, said means for securing said juxtaposed matrix segments together at locations spirally inward of said inserts comprising a strip of non-convoluted sheet material extending spirally betwen each juxtaposed pair of matrix segments and tangentially to the convolutions thereof at a plurality of axial lines of tangency spaced along the spiral of said strip, and a plurality of brazed connections between each strip and the convolutions of said juxtaposed pair of matrix segments adjacent said lines of tangency.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
105 words
In the combination according to claim 5, each strip extending spirally between one of said inserts and said other of said pair of matrix segments spaced by said one insert and also extending tangentially to the convolutions of said one insert and other matrix segment at a plurality of axial lines of tangency spaced along the spiral of said strip, and said means for securing each insert to the associated other of said pair of matrix segments comprising a plurality of brazed connections between each strip and the convolutions of the associated one insert and other matrix segment adjacent the last named lines of tangency.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
In the combination according to claim 6, each insert and said interfitting convolutions extending axially for the axial extend of said matrix, and said means for securing said juxtaposed matrix segments together at said remaining axial extent thereof including a brazed connection between said interfitting convolutions at said remaining axial extent.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
In the combination according to claim 7, said convolutions comprising corrugations to provide axially extending gas flow channels brazed to the proximate strip adjacent said lines of tangency to comprise said brazed connections.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
70 words
In the combination according to claim 1, each pair of matrix segments and insert therebetween being corrugated to provide axially extending side-by-side channels, the interfitting convolutions of said insert and one matrix segment of said pair comprising mating closely interfitting channels, the interfitting channels having channel bases in juxtaposition prior to operation of said regenerator in said engine and being separable during engine operation by reason of said sliding relationship.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
In the combination according to claim 9, each insert and said interfitting convolutions extending axially for the axial extent of said matrix, and said means for securing said juxtaposed matrix segments together at said remaining axial extent thereof including a brazed connection between said interfitting convolutions at said remaining axial extent.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
103 words
In the combination according to claim 9, said means for securing said juxtaposed matrix segments together at locations spirally inward of said inserts comprising a strip of non-convoluted sheet material extending between each juxtaposed pair of matrix segments and being brazed to said channel bases thereof, each strip also extending between one of said inserts and said other of said pair of matrix segments spaced by said one insert, said means for securing each insert to the associated other of said pair of matrix segments comprising a brazed connection between each strip and the channel bases of the latter insert and matrix segment.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
51 words
In the combination according to claim 11, each insert and said interfitting convolutions extending axially for the axial extent of said matrix, and said means for securing said juxtaposed matrix segments together at said remaining axial extent thereof including a brazed connection between said interfitting convolutions at said remaining axial extent.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
66 words
In the combination according to claim 12, a peripheral seal in sliding sealing engagement with said peripheral portion of one of the faces of said matrix to prevent axial flow of gases through said peripheral portion at the region of said peripheral seal, the radially inner edge of said peripheral seal being at said boundary region between said peripheral and adjacent inner portions of said matrix.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
105 words
In the method of operating a gas turbine engine, the steps of fabricating a regenerator having the structure of claim 9 and of operating said engine to effect a differential thermal expansion between said peripheral and inner portions of said matrix to expand said inner portion radially outward against said peripheral portion, thereby to compact the bases of said interfitting channels tightly together, and thereafter to effect a differential thermal contraction between said peripheral and inner portions to contract said inner portions radially inward from said peripheral portion to enable separation of the bases of said interfitting channels by reason of said sliding sealing relationship.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
225 words
In the method of fabricating a matrix for a rotatable regenerator for a gas turbine engine, the steps of providing a plurality of corrugated matrix segments adapted to extend radially with respect to the axis of said regenerator and to be flexed in side-by-side relationship spirally about said axis, providing a plurality of corrugated inserts, each adapted to extend spirally within a peripheral portion of said matrix between one of each juxtaposed pair of segments with the corrugations of each insert interfitting in radially sliding and fluid sealing relationship with the corrugations of one matrix segment of the associated juxtaposed pair, assembling said matrix segments and inserts together with said segments extending spirally about said axis from radially inner ends thereof adjacent said axis to radially outer ends thereof adjacent the periphery of said matrix and with one of said inserts extending spirally between one of each juxtaposed pair of said segments at said peripheral portion in said radially sliding and fluid sealing relationship throughout a major axial extent of said matrix from one axial end thereof, said assembling comprising the securing of each insert rigidly to said one matrix segment throughout the remaining minor axial extent of said matrix to prevent said sliding relationship throughout said minor extent, and also comprising the securing of said juxtaposed matrix segments rigidly together inwardly of said inserts.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
225 words
In the method of fabricating a matrix for a rotatable regenerator for a gas turbine engine, the steps of providing a plurality of corrugated matrix segments adapted to extend radially with respect to the axis of said regenerator and to be flexed in side-by-side relationship spirally about said axis, providing a plurality of corrugated inserts, each adapted to extend spirally within a peripheral portion of said matrix between one of each juxtaposed pair of segments with the corrugations of each insert interfitting in radially sliding and fluid sealing relationship with the corrugations of one matrix segment of the associated juxtaposed pair, assembling said matrix segments and inserts together with said segments extending spirally about said axis from radially inner ends thereof adjacent said axis to radially outer ends thereof adjacent the periphery of said matrix and with one of said inserts extending spirally between one of each juxtaposed pair of said segments at said peripheral portion in said radially sliding and fluid sealing relationship throughout a major axial extent of said matrix from one axial end thereof, said assembling comprising the securing of each insert rigidly to said one matrix segment throughout the remaining minor axial extent of said matrix to prevent said sliding relationship throughout said minor extent, and also comprising the securing of said juxtaposed matrix segments rigidly together inwardly of said inserts.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
69 words
In the method according to claim 15, said assembling including the step of applying a brazing preventative between each insert and said one matrix segment throughout said major axial extent to prevent brazing between each insert and said one segment throughout said major axial extent, and thereafter by an operation including brazing securing each insert to its associated pair of segments except at the location of said brazing preventative.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
81 words
In the method according to claim 15, said assembling including the steps of applying a brazing preventative to the surface of each insert throughout said major axial extent intended for said sliding engagement and of applying a brazing preparation to the remaining surface of each insert, thereafter inserting said inserts between said juxtaposed matrix segments, and thereafter by an operation including brazing securing each insert to its associated pair of segments except to said one segment throughout said major axial extent.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
109 words
In the method according to claim 17, said assembling including subsequent to the applying of said brazing preventative and brazing preparation and prior to said brazing, the step of confining the radially inner ends of said segments in circumferentially spaced relationship along an inner circular arc concentric with said axis, thereafter flexing said segments into side-by-side relationship spirally outwardly about said axis with each insert extending between its associated pair of segments and spirally across an outer circular arc concentric with said axis at the mid-region of said peripheral portion of said regenerator, and confining the radially outer ends of said segments along the outer periphery of said matrix.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
In the method according to claim 18, the confining of said radially outer ends of said segments comprising the confining of said radially outer ends in circumferentially spaced relationship.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
77 words
In the method according to claim 15, said step of assembling including the spacing of each juxtaposed pair of segments by a strip of flat stock extending from the radially inner to the radially outer ends of said segments tangentially to the corrugations of the insert between said pair of segments and also to the corrugations of said pair of segments except for the corrugations of said one segment that interfit with the corrugations of said insert.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
69 words
In the method according to claim 20, said assembling including the step of applying a brazing peventative between each insert and said one matrix segment throughout said major axial extent to prevent brazing between each insert and said one segment throughout said major axial extent, and thereafter by an operation including brazing securing each insert to its associated pair of segments except at the location of said brazing preventative.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
81 words
In the method according to claim 20, said assembling including the steps of applying a brazing preventative to the surface of each insert throughout said major axial extent intended for said sliding engagement and of applying a brazing preparation to the remaining surface of each insert, thereafter inserting said inserts between said juxtaposed matrix segments, and thereafter by an operation including brazing securing each insert to its associated pair of segments except to said one segment throughout said major axial extent.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
109 words
In the method according to claim 22, said assembling including subsequent to the applying of said brazing preventative and brazing preparation and prior to said brazing, the step of confining the radially inner ends of said segments in circumferentially spaced relationship along an inner circular arc concentric with said axis, thereafter flexing said segments into side-by-side relationship spirally outwardly about said axis with each insert extending between its associated pair of segments and spirally across an outer circular arc concentric with said axis at the mid-region of said peripheral portion of said regenerator, and confining the radially outer ends of said segments along the outer periphery of said matrix.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3534807A
Cited
US3559264A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-07 | 1978-10-07 | 1979-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-07 | 1982-10-07 | 1983-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-07 | 1986-10-07 | 1987-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |