US3885942A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of making a reinforced heat exchanger matrix
Assignee: OI Glass Inc
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Filing: 1973-02-16
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Granted: 1975-05-27
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Expires: 1993-02-16
Abstract
Abstract This invention discloses structural reinforcements for glassceramic matrix products, such as in heat exchanger matrices of the regenerator and recuperator types. In such matrices, a structural improvement is provided as follows: (1) In a regenerator wheel having parallel, open air passages through it, certain passages in areas of the periphery or hub are filled with a finely divided material, such as a ceramic or frit of the composition of the matrix. The composite of the matrix and fill material therein is heat treated or cured to unite the matrix and the material. This filling or ''''stuffing'''' converts the honeycombed matrix region to a structurally reinforced portion of the device. (2) In a recuperator wherein passageways of the matrix are either parallel (counterflow) or angularly disposed (crossflow), certain areas of the matrix are filled with such finely divided material and heat treated or cured to form structurally reinforced regions and define or contain air flow or provide for headering and attachment of headering ducts. The heat treat conditions are variable depending upon the stuffing material and matrix fabrication.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary Lee Moore
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 23:37
CPC Classifications
C; C03; C03C; C03C10/00; C03B; C03B23/00; C03B23/20; C03B23/207; C03B32/00; C03B32/02; C03C10/0018; C03C10/0027; F; F28; F28D; F28D19/00; F28D19/04; F28D19/041; F28D19/042; F28F; F28F21/00; F28F21/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
THE METHOD OF MAKING A REINFORCED HEAT EXCHANGED MATRIX PRODUCT COMPRISING ARRANGING A PLURALITY OF TIGHTLY PACKED AXIALLY ELONGATED TUBES OF A THERMALLY CRYSTALLIZABLE GLASS IN A PERIPHERALLY RESTRAINING FIXTURE, EACH DEFINING A CENTRAL INTERNAL CHAMBER ENDS SEALED AND EACH DEFINING A CENTRAL INTERNAL CHAMBER CONTAINING A HEAT EXPANSIBLE FLUID, HEATING THE RESTRAINED TUBES TO A TEMPERATURE ABOVE THE SOFTENING POINT OF THE GLASS TUBED, THE INTERNAL PRESSURE GEMERATED IN SAID CHAMBERS THEREOF DURING SAID HEATING EXPANDING THE TUBES INTO A FUSED INTEGRAL MASS, OPENING THE OPPOSITE ENDS OF THE FUSED TUBES TO CONVERT THEIR SAID INTERNAL CHAMBERS INTO PLURAL CENTRAL, INTERNAL PASSAGES EXTENDING THROUGH THE FUSED MATRIX, AND PROVIDE OPPOSITE END FACES OF SAID MATRIX, FILLING PLURAL, ADJACENT, PRESELECTED ONES OF SAID CENTRAL TUBE PASSAFES DEFINING TWO OR MORE END FACE AREAS OF THE FUSED MATRIX, SAID CENTRAL, INTERNAL PASSAGES BEING COMPLETELY FILLED THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE AXIAL LENGTH THEREOF, WITH A FINELY DIVIDED FRIT OF THE SAME THERMALLY CRYSTALLIZABLE GLASS COMPOSITION AS SAID TUBES, AND
Claim 2
Independent Claim
166 words
THE METHOD OF MAKING A REINFORCED HEAT EXCHANGED MATRIX PRODUCT COMPRISING ARRANGING A PLURALITY OF TIGHTLY PACKED AXIALLY ELONGATED TUBES OF A THERMALLY CRYSTALLIZABLE GLASS IN A PERIPHERALLY RESTRAINING FIXTURE, EACH DEFINING A CENTRAL INTERNAL CHAMBER ENDS SEALED AND EACH DEFINING A CENTRAL INTERNAL CHAMBER CONTAINING A HEAT EXPANSIBLE FLUID, HEATING THE RESTRAINED TUBES TO A TEMPERATURE ABOVE THE SOFTENING POINT OF THE GLASS TUBED, THE INTERNAL PRESSURE GEMERATED IN SAID CHAMBERS THEREOF DURING SAID HEATING EXPANDING THE TUBES INTO A FUSED INTEGRAL MASS, OPENING THE OPPOSITE ENDS OF THE FUSED TUBES TO CONVERT THEIR SAID INTERNAL CHAMBERS INTO PLURAL CENTRAL, INTERNAL PASSAGES EXTENDING THROUGH THE FUSED MATRIX, AND PROVIDE OPPOSITE END FACES OF SAID MATRIX, FILLING PLURAL, ADJACENT, PRESELECTED ONES OF SAID CENTRAL TUBE PASSAFES DEFINING TWO OR MORE END FACE AREAS OF THE FUSED MATRIX, SAID CENTRAL, INTERNAL PASSAGES BEING COMPLETELY FILLED THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE AXIAL LENGTH THEREOF, WITH A FINELY DIVIDED FRIT OF THE SAME THERMALLY CRYSTALLIZABLE GLASS COMPOSITION AS SAID TUBES, AND
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method defined in claim 1, wherein the step of filling said preselected passages is carried out by injecting a slurry of the frit carried in a liquid vehicle, the frit being in the range of -200 to -350 mesh particle size.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method defined in claim 2, wherein the said frit, after the filling step, is dried in air at a temperature of about 160*F for a period from 4 to 8 hours.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
118 words
The method defined in claim 2, wherein the tubes are initially arranged with their axes all parallel to one another and peripherally restrained in a fixture defining a wHeel and central axial hub therefor, the wheel being adapted to be driven at the outer periphery thereof for rotation about an axis through said hub, the opened tubes at the rim region of said wheel are filled with said frit, the resultant low expansion glass-ceramic matrix wheel having an integral, monolithic rim structure and the opened tubes at the region adjacent the hub of said wheel are filled with said frit, the resultant low expansion glass-ceramic wheel matrix having an integral, monolithic, center hub for rotatably mounting said wheel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
83 words
The method defined in claim 1, wherein the tubes are initially arranged in superimposed tiers, expanded to an integral matrix and the opposite axial ends of the tubes opened to define a recuperator heat exchange structure, preselected elongate central internal passages of the tubes corresponding to surface areas at the opposite ends thereof being filled throughout their entire length with said frit therby defining regions thereof which upon thermal processing of said frit and matrix provide monolithic structural wall elements of the recuperator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
80 words
The method defined in claim 5, wherein the superimposed tiers of the tubes are disposed alternately at right angles to the tubes of an adjacent tier, the expanded tubes having their opposite ends opened to define a cross-flow recuperator matrix having plural open faces disposed at right angles to adjacent faces, the central internal passages of the opened tubes of the matrix in a region around the perimeter of each said face being filled throughout their length with said frit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method defined in claim 5, wherein selected central internal passages of the opened tubes in a region on opposite faces of the matrix and disposed in a plane through the recuperator are filled throughout their length with said frit, thereby forming an interior monolithic wall structure in said recuperator matrix product.
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) | 1978-05-26 | 1978-11-25 | 1979-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-26 | 1982-11-25 | 1983-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-26 | 1986-11-25 | 1987-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |