Rotary Heat Exchanger Sealing Gap Control for Adjustable Leak Rate
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems, such as rotary heat exchangers and building envelopes, face challenges in controlling air exchange rates due to unregulated leaks, which lead to unwanted air exchange and leakage losses, affecting thermal insulation, ventilation, and fire protection.
Innovation Solution
A device with a sealing body made from flexible material, connected to a fluid supply system, allows for controlled expansion to adjust the leakage rate at gap-like openings, enabling precise setting of the leak rate to match specific requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If leaks are introduced in the room envelope to enable air exchange, then air exchange rate is improved, but airtightness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is designed to be movable between a retracted position (allowing air exchange) and an extended position (providing airtight sealing). This dynamic adjustment allows the system to switch between air exchange mode and sealing mode based on operational requirements, resolving the contradiction between needing air exchange and maintaining airtightness.
2Reliability
If the sealing element is extended to seal the leak, then airtightness is improved, but air exchange rate deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element's position is dynamically controlled via actuation mechanism. When extended, it provides airtight sealing by contacting the rotor surface; when retracted, it allows air exchange. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between achieving airtightness and maintaining air exchange capability.
3Manufacturing precision
If a fixed sealing structure is used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is designed with movable degrees of freedom, allowing it to adapt its position and contact pressure dynamically. This enables the system to adjust the leak rate from fully sealed to fully open positions, providing adaptability while maintaining manufacturing precision through controlled actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the positional parameter of the sealing element to control the gap between the sealing surface and rotor. By varying this parameter, the system can adjust the effective leak rate, achieving adaptability while maintaining precise control over the sealing characteristics.
4Productivity
If the sealing element is retracted to allow air exchange, then air exchange rate is improved, but airtightness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element's retracted position intentionally creates a gap for air exchange, while the actuation mechanism allows dynamic transition to a sealed position when needed. This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction by enabling the system to operate in air exchange mode when productivity is prioritized and switch to sealed mode when airtightness is required.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution effectively adjusts the air exchange rate in buildings and rotary heat exchangers, reducing leakage losses and maintaining desired inerting levels, thereby improving thermal efficiency and fire protection without the need for continuous inert gas supplementation.
Implementation Method 1
The sealing body (2) is formed at least partially from a flexible material... a controlled supply of fluid to the at least one chamber (3) causes a defined cross-sectional expansion of the sealing body (2)
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
The rotary heat exchanger system has a sector for conducting a hot fluid. Another sector is provided for conducting a cold fluid. A device (1) is provided for adjusting a leak rate of leakage at a gap-shaped opening (S) between a rotor and a partition. The device has a sealing body (2) with a chamber (3a,3b) and a line system (9) which is connected with the chamber. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) a method for operating a system for reducing the risk of fire and preventing it in a closed area; and (2) a system for reducing the risk of fire and preventing it in a closed area.