Heat exchanger core construction and airflow control

Claim 1

Heat exchange apparatus comprising an enclosure, means for mounting the enclosure relative to an external wall of the building for communication with air outside and inside of the building, a heat exchange core mounted within the enclosure, means associated with the core dividing said enclosure into a first path for conveying outside air into the building and a second path or conveying inside air to the outside of the building, said first and second paths passing through said core in heat exchanging and air impervious relationship with one another, the core comprising a plurality of substantially rectangular cells defining the second path, each cell formed from sheet metal material and having two long sides and two short sides defining a slot shaped path therethrough and means for mounting the cells in parallel spaced relation such that the spaces therebetween define the first path substantially at right angles to the second path and such that one short side of each cell presents an end face against which the incoming outside air in the first path impinges, each cell being formed from a single sheet folded such that the seam completing the cell is arranged adjacent the other short side whereby said one short side and adjacent portions of the long sides are formed from unitary integral sheet metal free from seams, fan means mounted in said enclosure to move air in said paths and arranged so as to direct outside air to impinge on one face of said one short side and to direct inside air to impinge on the other face of said one short side said cell mounting means comprising a plurality of spacers arranged at the ends of the cells and set in position by a resilient settable material whereby the air in the first path contacts the outside walls of the cells and is divided from the air in the second path only by the thickness of the cell walls and casing means wrapped around the cells only at the ends thereof to bind the cells to form the core.