Segmented Elastic Peripheral Seal for Heat Exchanger Rotor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing regenerative heat exchangers face challenges in achieving absolute sealing due to relative movement and thermal expansion, leading to inefficiencies and high maintenance costs with complex sealing systems and expensive, prone-to-failure solutions.
Innovation Solution
A segmentally elastic peripheral seal that rests on the rotor's circumferential jacket, adjustable via tangentially acting rods, allowing for better sealing and compensation of thermal expansion, eliminating the need for axial seals and automatic adjustment devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex sealing systems with automatic adjustment devices are used, then sealing efficiency is improved, but device complexity and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The peripheral seal is designed to automatically adjust and compensate for rotor radial imbalances through its own elastic properties and geometric configuration, eliminating the need for external automatic adjustment devices. The seal structure itself performs the sealing function without requiring complex control systems or sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The peripheral seal is divided into multiple circumferential segments that can independently deflect and adapt to rotor irregularities. This segmentation allows each segment to self-adjust to local conditions while maintaining overall sealing effectiveness, reducing the need for complex centralized control mechanisms.
2Ease of manufacture
If rigid peripheral seals are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but sealing effectiveness decreases due to inability to compensate for thermal expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The peripheral seal incorporates a flexible design where the sealing elements can deflect radially to follow rotor surface irregularities caused by thermal expansion. This flexibility is achieved through appropriate material selection and structural design that allows controlled deformation while maintaining sealing contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal structure is designed to change its physical parameters (deflection, contact pressure) in response to thermal expansion of the rotor. The seal can adapt its geometry and mechanical properties to compensate for temperature-induced rotor dimensional changes, maintaining effective sealing across operating conditions.
3Reliability
If axial seals are used on the rotor shell, then gas flow sealing is improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the axial seals from the rotor shell configuration, eliminating a source of complexity and maintenance requirements. The sealing function is achieved through the peripheral seal design alone, simplifying the overall system while maintaining gas flow sealing effectiveness.
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
Significantly improves sealing efficiency by minimizing gaps and reducing the need for sealing gas, resulting in lower maintenance costs and improved heat transfer performance.
Implementation Method 1
the peripheral seal is designed to be segmentally elastic. This means that the circumferential seal is essentially not stiff or rigid over its circumferential length, at least in a radial direction
Implementation Method 2
compensate for a radial imbalance of the rotor, for example as a result of changing thermal expansion, by following the imbalance movement
Implementation Method 3
The peripheral seals are arranged on the periphery of the rotor and are intended to prevent leakage volume flow into the housing or into the environment
Implementation Method 4
The radial seals are arranged on the end faces of the rotor and are intended to prevent a short-circuit volume flow between the gas volume flows
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The heat exchanger has a rotor (1), which is mounted around a central rotation axis in rotating manner. A peripheral seal (7) is fixed in area of front side of the rotor, where seal is sealed from the outside at peripheral jacket (2) of the rotor. The peripheral seal is adjusted over multiple tangential applied bars (9). The bars define a peripheral section of the peripheral seal.