RECUPERATOR
A recuperator including a number of neighbouring hexagonal sheets which are connected to each other. Flow passages are formed between neighbouring sheets. Each of the sheets, at its periphery, is at least partially surrounded by and connected to an associated connecting body. Neighbouring connecting bodies are connected to each other at at least a part of the periphery of the associated sheets and together form the wall of a housing. Passage openings are provided in the wall which are connected to the flow passages for allowing air into the flow passages via the passage openings. Neighbouring connecting bodies are provided with protruding parts and with recesses respectively on sides facing each other, wherein the forms of the protruding parts and of the recesses adjoin each other in order to connect the connecting bodies to each other by a press fit. Methods for producing a connecting body and for producing a recuperator.
1 . A recuperator comprising a number of neighbouring hexagonal sheets which extend parallel to each other and which are connected to each other at at least a part of their periphery and wherein flow passages are formed between neighbouring sheets, wherein each of the sheets, at its periphery, is at least partially surrounded by and is connected to an associated connecting body and neighbouring connecting bodies are connected to each other at at least a part of the periphery of the associated sheets and together form the wall of a housing, wherein passage openings are provided in the wall which are connected to the flow passages for allowing air into the flow passages via the passage openings, wherein neighbouring connecting bodies are provided with protruding parts and with recesses respectively on sides facing each other, wherein the forms of the protruding parts and of the recesses adjoin each other in order to connect the connecting bodies to each other by a press fit.
2 . The recuperator according to claim 1 , wherein the sheets are made of plastic.
3 . The recuperator according to claim 1 , wherein the passage openings are formed between neighbouring connecting bodies.
4 . The recuperator according to claim 1 , wherein the passage openings are formed in connecting bodies.
5 . The recuperator according to claim 1 , wherein the passage openings are situated on opposite sides of the hexagonal form.
6 . The recuperator according to claim 1 , wherein the protruding parts and/or the recesses have a tapered form or at least partially a tapered form.
7 . The recuperator according to claim 1 , wherein the recuperator is provided with a sealing body between neighbouring connecting bodies at the location where they are connected to each other.
8 . The recuperator according to claim 7 , wherein the sealing body is connected to one of the two neighbouring connecting bodies.
9 . The recuperator according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the sheets is permeable to moisture.
10 . The recuperator according to claim 1 , wherein all of the sheets are provided with a profile.
11 . The recuperator according to claim 1 , wherein the neighbouring sheets are flat and are provided with a profile in an alternating fashion.
12 . The recuperator according to claim 1 , wherein the sheets are made of different materials in an alternating fashion.
13 . The recuperator according to claim 12 , wherein a portion of the number of sheets is made of a moisture-permeable material and the other portion of the number of sheets is made of a material which is not permeable to moisture.
14 . The recuperator according to claim 13 , wherein the connecting bodies are made of different materials in an alternating fashion.
15 . The recuperator according to claim 1 , wherein the periphery of the housing is bar-shaped.
16 . The recuperator according to claim 1 , wherein each of the sheets is at least substantially surrounded by an associated connecting body.
17 . The recuperator according to claim 16 , wherein each of the sheets is completely surrounded by an associated connecting body.
18 . The recuperator according to claim 1 , wherein the connecting bodies are injection-moulded.
19 . The recuperator according to claim 18 , wherein the sheets are over-moulded with the material of the connecting bodies along the first part of the periphery of the connecting bodies during the injection moulding of the connecting bodies at the periphery of the sheets.
20 . A method for producing a connecting body for use in a recuperator according to claim 1 , comprising the steps of:
closing a mould wherein a closed mould cavity is formed and a sheet is positioned in the mould cavity at at least a part of the periphery of the sheet, and
injection moulding the connecting body in the mould, wherein the sheet is over-moulded with the material of the connecting body in the mould cavity at the location of at least a part of the peripheral edge of the sheet.
21 . The method according to claim 20 , further comprising the steps of injection moulding a sealing body against the connecting body.
22 . The method for producing a recuperator according to claim 1 , comprising the steps of:
providing encircling connecting bodies, each having a sheet that is connected to the associated connecting body and extends on the inside of the encircling connecting body, and
connecting neighbouring connecting bodies to each other by a press fit in such a way that flow passages are formed between neighbouring sheets associated with neighbouring connecting bodies.