Radial-Layer Heat Recovery Wheel for Compact Thermal Exchange

The wheel is divided into multiple radial layers, each containing passage structures. By segmenting the wheel into discrete layers with specific passage patterns, the design achieves enhanced heat transfer through increased surface area and optimized airflow paths without requiring complex integrated structures. Each layer can be independently designed and manufactured, reducing overall design complexity while maintaining heat transfer effectiveness.

The patent introduces a radial layering dimension to the traditional wheel structure. Instead of relying solely on axial or radial passages within a single plane, the design stacks multiple radial layers circumferentially around the wheel axis. This dimensional approach increases the effective heat transfer surface area and creates more efficient thermal exchange paths without significantly increasing the wheel's axial length or overall complexity.

By segmenting the wheel into multiple radial layers with passage structures, the design maximizes heat transfer surface area within the constraints of available materials. The segmented approach allows for efficient use of material by creating multiple heat exchange zones without requiring excessive material quantity, as each layer contributes to overall heat transfer performance.

The passage structures within each radial layer create a porous-like flow path network that enhances heat transfer efficiency. The arrangement of passages and the resulting airflow patterns through these layered structures improve thermal exchange effectiveness without requiring additional expensive materials, utilizing instead the geometric configuration of existing materials.