Patent ID: 6668446
Filing Date: 2003-12-30
Classification: B23P,F28D,Y10T

Abstract:
A recuperator assembly line for assembling a core, said core having a plurality of donor passages therein and a plurality of recipient passages therein; comprising:an inlet end having said core positioned thereat; an assemble station including an upper stacking portion defining a first side and a second side, said upper stacking portion being rotatable between a first position and a second position, and said core being positioned in said upper stacking portion; an assembly fixture being positioned at one of said first side and said second side, said assembly fixture including a plate having a bore therein; a plurality of locating members being positioned in one of said assembly fixture and said assembly station, said plurality of locating members defining a preestablished relationship between said assembly fixture and said assembly station; a locating mechanism being positioned in said bore, said locating mechanism having a first end having a positioning portion located near said first end; a one of a plurality of ducting structures being attached to said positioning portion of said locating mechanism, said one of said plurality of ducting structures being positioned in a preestablished position relative to one of said plurality of donor passages and said plurality of recipient passages; a welding station having a welding head and forming a weld; a control station having a plurality of sensors, a plurality of switches and a controller operatively receiving an input from said plurality of sensors and said plurality of switches, said controller defining a relative position of said one of said plurality of ducting structures and said core and said one of said plurality of ducting structures being attached to said core with said weld; and an out put end having said core and one of a plurality of ducting structures welded together being positioned thereat.