US3877519A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pressurized strongback regenerator
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1973-07-30
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Granted: 1975-04-15
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Expires: 1993-07-30
Abstract
Abstract A gas turbine regenerator including at least one regenerator section having a central air plenum with heat exchanger tube banks disposed on either side. Each tube bank includes pressurized air chambers at each end for preventing warping or bowing at each tube bank end thus obviating the use of relatively thick structural ribs at each end section. The pressurized air chambers are relatively thin thereby improving the thermal mass ratio between the end sections and the tube banks. Each air chamber is pressurized during regenerator operation by bleeding pressurized air from the central air plenum.
Inventors
- 👤 Salvatore S Tramuta
- 👤 James G Miller
- 👤 William M Knox
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 15:35
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02C; F02C7/00; F02C7/08; F02C7/10; F28; F28D; F28D9/00; F28F; F28F2265/00; F28F2265/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
In a heat exchanger of the type having a stack of heat exchanger plates arranged in close, spaced relationship so as to define alternating first and second fluid flow passages therebetween, and means for directing high pressure fluid into and from said first passages, the improvement comprising: means for holding the heat exchanger plates of each said stack together, said means comprising a pressure chamber at each end of said stack of plates, each said pressure chamber including a generally flat bottom plate and an arcuate outer wall, each said pressure chamber disposed with its flat bottom plate abutting and covering the first heat exchanger plate at its end of the stack, means connecting said pressure chambers to each other, and means for pressurizing said pressure chambers, whereby the pressure forces generated by said high pressure fluid in said first passages and which tend to urge the plates forming each first passage to separate are countered by the pressure forces in said pressure chamber which act against the flat bottom plate of said chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
174 words
In a heat exchanger of the type having a stack of heat exchanger plates arranged in close, spaced relationship so as to define alternating first and second fluid flow passages therebetween, and means for directing high pressure fluid into and from said first passages, the improvement comprising: means for holding the heat exchanger plates of each said stack together, said means comprising a pressure chamber at each end of said stack of plates, each said pressure chamber including a generally flat bottom plate and an arcuate outer wall, each said pressure chamber disposed with its flat bottom plate abutting and covering the first heat exchanger plate at its end of the stack, means connecting said pressure chambers to each other, and means for pressurizing said pressure chambers, whereby the pressure forces generated by said high pressure fluid in said first passages and which tend to urge the plates forming each first passage to separate are countered by the pressure forces in said pressure chamber which act against the flat bottom plate of said chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The heat exchanger of claim 1 further characterized in that said arcuate outer wall includes a semi-circular main body portion and partial spherical end portions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The heat exchanger of claim 1 further characterized in that the ends of said pRessure chambers extend beyond the width of said heat exchanger plates and have spaced, generally parallel, reinforcing ribs secured thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The heat exchanger of claim 1 further characterized in that said means for pressurizing said pressure chambers comprise means for communicating each of said pressure chambers with said high pressure fluid directing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
144 words
A heat exchanger comprising: at least one heat exchanger tube bank, each said tube bank comprising a plurality of closely spaced, generally parallel plates defining alternating first and second heat transfer flow passages therebetween; inlet plenum means for delivery of a flow of pressurized fluid to said first heat transfer flow passages; outlet plenum means for receiving pressurized fluid flow from said first heat transfer flow passages; means for holding said plates together against the force generated by said high pressure fluid, said holding means comprising a pressure vessel at each end of said tube bank means, each said vessel including an arcuate outer wall joined to a generally flat bottom plate, said bottom plate lying against and covering the first tube bank plate at its end of the tube bank; means connecting said pressure vessels together; and means for pressurizing said pressure vessel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
144 words
A heat exchanger comprising: at least one heat exchanger tube bank, each said tube bank comprising a plurality of closely spaced, generally parallel plates defining alternating first and second heat transfer flow passages therebetween; inlet plenum means for delivery of a flow of pressurized fluid to said first heat transfer flow passages; outlet plenum means for receiving pressurized fluid flow from said first heat transfer flow passages; means for holding said plates together against the force generated by said high pressure fluid, said holding means comprising a pressure vessel at each end of said tube bank means, each said vessel including an arcuate outer wall joined to a generally flat bottom plate, said bottom plate lying against and covering the first tube bank plate at its end of the tube bank; means connecting said pressure vessels together; and means for pressurizing said pressure vessel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The heat exchanger of claim 5 further characterized in that there are two tube banks and said inlet and outlet plenum means are disposed intermediate said tube bank means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The heat exchanger of claim 5 further characterized in that said means for pressurizing said pressure vessel comprise means for communicating each said pressure vessel with said inlet plenum means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
63 words
The heat exchanger of claim 5 further characterized in that the ends of each said pressure chamber extend beyond the ends of its adjacent tube bank plate, said arcuate outer wall including a semi-circular main body portion and partial spherical end portion, with the portions of said pressure vessel bottom plate which extend beyond the tube bank plate having reinforcing ribs secured thereto.
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) | 1978-04-14 | 1978-10-14 | 1979-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-14 | 1982-10-14 | 1983-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-14 | 1986-10-14 | 1987-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |