Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
In a fume incinerator including a rotary heat exchanger for recuperating heat from hot gases wherein a ceramic heat exchanger wheel having a plurality of passages extending axially therethrough is mounted for rotation about a central axis and a seal member surrounds said heat exchanger wheel in sealed relationship thereto, the improvement which comprises: said heat exchanger wheel having an axially tapered circumferential surface which has said central axis of said heat exchange wheel as its center of rotation, and said seal member including a tapered surface of a size and shape complementary to said tapered circumferential surface of said heat exchanger wheel, whereby a gap seal is formed between said complementary surfaces on said heat exchange wheel and said seal member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
In a fume incinerator including a rotary heat exchanger for recuperating heat from hot gases wherein a ceramic heat exchanger wheel having a plurality of passages extending axially therethrough is mounted for rotation about a central axis and a seal member surrounds said heat exchanger wheel in sealed relationship thereto, the improvement which comprises: said heat exchanger wheel having an axially tapered circumferential surface which has said central axis of said heat exchange wheel as its center of rotation, and said seal member including a tapered surface of a size and shape complementary to said tapered circumferential surface of said heat exchanger wheel, whereby a gap seal is formed between said complementary surfaces on said heat exchange wheel and said seal member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A fume incincerator according to claim 1 wherein said seal member is made of a refractory material having a temperature expansion characteristic similar to that of said heat exchanger wheel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A fume incinerator according to claim 2 wherein said refractory material is bubble alumina.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
A fume incinerator according to claim 2 wherein said complementary surfaces include at least one annular groove extending at least partially around said surface of said seal member to provide a pocket of reduced pressure for inhibiting the flow of gases axially along said gap seal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A fume incinerator according to claim 4 and further comprising means for axially adjusting the position of said heat exchanger wheel to adjust the gap of said seal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A fume incinerator according to claim 2 and further comprising means for axially adjusting the position of said heat exchanger wheel to adjust the gap of said seal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
182 words
A fume incinerator according to claim 1 wherein said incinerator comprises a tubular conduit closed at one end and open at the opposite end thereof, said ceramic heat exchanger wheel being positioned in the open end of said tubular conduit and substantially completely filling said opening; a baffle extending axially in the tubular conduit from the rotary heat exchanger to a point spaced from the closed end of said tubular conduit and positioned diametrically therein, said baffle dividing said tubular conduit into a combustion chamber and a residence chamber with a passageway therebetween at the closed end of the conduit; burner means in said combustion chamber for raising the temperature of the gas to an oxidation temperature of fumes therein; whereby a fume and air mixture can be directed through one side of the rotary heat exchanger and into the combustion chamber wherein the temperature thereof is raised to an oxidation temperature of the fumes, the combustion products can pass around the end of the baffle into the residence chamber and through another side of the heat exchanger to supply heat thereto.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
An incinerator according to claim 7 wherein said annular seal member is made from a refractory material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
An incinerator according to claim 7 and further comprising means mounting said rotary heat exchanger for axial movement to adjust the gap seal between said rotary heat exchanger and said seal member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A fume incinerator according to claim 1 wherein said heat exchanger wheel is mounted on a shaft which extends through the central axis of said wheel.