Patent GB-886376-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to heat exchangers
IPC: F04D29/58
Filed: 1957-12-12
Abstract: 886,376. Transverse-flow fans; turbines. LAING, N., ECK, B., and LUDIN, L. Dec. 12, 1957, No. 38176/57. Classes 110 (1) and 110 (3). [Also in Group XIII] The rotary heat exchanger shown in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises transverse-flow fan blades extending between end members C, D and co-operating with stationary guide members 9a, 9b whereby a free cylindrical vortex is set up in the air flow through the blades 3 as described in Specification 876,611. The guide members 9a, 9b are carried by pivoted arms U so that they can be shifted to a position adjacent the outlet end 15 of a casing wall 8 whereby the flow is throttled almost to zero and confined to a small diffuser 19. Hot fluid to be cooled by the air enters the rotor end member C from an inlet duct M and is impelled centrifugally through radial ducts H into pipes P within alternate blades 3 and thence into end member D, returning by way of the pipes P within the remaining blades 3 to a stationary member J. The fluid passes radially inwards through spiral passages in the member J and thence through an outlet duct N. Circular fins E are provided to increase the heat transfer. Pipes P may be omitted, fluid flow then taking place over the whole cross-section of the blades 3. In a modification, control is effected by pivoting the casing wall 8 instead of the guide members 9a, 9b, and the diffuser 19 is replaced by a similar diffuser carried by the outer guide member. In a further modification. Fig. 19, the external guide members 9a, 9b are replaced by internal guide members 184, 185 carried by stationary shafts coaxial with the rotor, the air flow being controlled by a throttle valve 189. As before, the fluid to be cooled passes through hollow rotor blades 181 of a transverse-flow fan. As shown, some of the blades are replaced by bars 182. The internal guide members may be of helical form instead of extending parallel to the rotor axis. Fig. 21 shows a rotary steam condenser in which steam from an inlet pipe 214 passes by way of a hollow end member 213 of the rotor to the interior of transverse-flow fan blades 211, where it condenses, the resultant water being thrown centrifugally to the outer edges of the blades and collecting in an annular region 213d of the member 213 where it is removed by a stationary scoop 216 and discharged through a pipe 215. To improve the heat transfer, the surfaces of the blades 211 may be corrugated or ridged. Alternatively, a wire mesh may be secured to a plain surface. Figs. 25 and 26 show a rotary boiler 253 to which feed water is supplied by a gear pump 258. The water passes through a hollow shaft 257 and rotor end member 255 and thence through boiler tubes P within transverse-flow fan blades 3, where it is heated by combustion gases from burner nozzles 262. The resultant steam issues from nozzles 259 which are set at an angle to the axis of the rotor 253 so that the steam jets rotate it. The steam impinges upon and drives a turbine rotor 260. The flow of combustion gases through the fan blades 3 is controlled by a valve 9e which regulates the re-circulation of gases through the space between guide members 9a, 9b and hence alters the flow conditions within the rotor 253. Other means for controlling the air flow as described in Specifications 876,611 and 876,612 may be used in the above embodiments. Specifications 886,377 and 886,378 also are referred to.