Recuperated turbine engine

Claim 1

In a recuperated turbine engine comprising an engine housing, means in said housing for compressing air for the support of combustion, a combustion chamber, means for introducing compressed air and fuel into said combustion chamber and, a turbine rotatable about a central axis for extracting energy from the gases produced in said combustion chamber, an improved recuperative heat exchanger comprising a plurality of heat exchanger modules of generally rectangular cross section having discrete counterflow passages therein, said modules being orientated in circumferentially spaced relation to one another with said discrete passages arranged for substantially radial counterflow of said compressor discharge air and exhaust gases relative to said central axis, and a continuous metal seal at each end of the exhaust passages in each of said heat exchangers, said seals directly supporting said heat exchangers against radially inward and outward movement relative said engine housing, said seals being of rectangular configuration complementary to said modules and of generally U-shaped cross section defined by relatively thin walls attached to one another on the exhaust gas side thereof and spaced from one another at the compressor discharge air side of said seal, said seals being expandable due to the bias of said high pressure compressor discharge air thereon into direct engagement with said heat exchange modules and said housing.