IP Library Granted Patent US 8,721,981
Granted Patent B2
US 8,721,981 · App. 12/627,059 · Granted May 13, 2014

Spiral recuperative heat exchanging system

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,721,981
App. No.
12/627,059
Granted
May 13, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A heat exchanging system is provided. The heat exchanging system includes multiple plates wound spirally around a reaction chamber. The multiple plates also form multiple channels that operate as a counter flow recuperator terminating within the reaction chamber.

Claims (21)

1. A heat exchanging system comprising;

a plurality of plates wound spirally around a reaction chamber, forming a plurality of channels that operate as a counter flow recuperator terminating within the reaction chamber, wherein the reaction chamber comprises at least one horizontal baffle oriented perpendicular to a terminating end of the plurality of channels and configured to partition at least one movable internal header thereby providing an inlet to the incoming gas flow and an outgoing vent to the outgoing gas flow within the reaction chamber.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of plates are parallel to each other.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of plates comprise one or more corrugations or undulations on a surface.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of plates comprise one or more protrusion on the surface.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the protrusions comprise studs, pins or fins.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the reaction chamber is centrally disposed relative to the plurality of plates.

7. The system of claim 1 , comprising a heating device to heat the reaction chamber to a desirable temperature.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the heating device further comprises a fuel injector or a heater.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one movable internal header is disposed within the reaction chamber to facilitate thermal expansion of the plurality of plates.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein an external header is configured to provide the inlet to the incoming gas flow and the outlet to an outgoing gas flow respectively.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the reaction chamber further comprises at least one vertical baffle oriented parallel to the terminating end of the plurality of channels and configured to guide the flow of the reacting gas inside the reaction chamber.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of plates originate from the at least one horizontal baffle and the at least one vertical baffle.

13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one horizontal baffle is centrally disposed at an alternating end of the plurality of channels.

14. The system of claim 1 , wherein ends of the channels are formed such that a plane cutting a cross sectional area of the ends of the channels are oriented at an angle less than about 90° relative to the direction of the flow to increase cross-sectional flow area into or out of the channels.

15. A reaction chamber for a heat exchanging system comprising:

at least one movable internal header configured to facilitate thermal expansion of a plurality of plates wound spirally around the reaction chamber; and

at least one horizontal baffle configured to partition the at least one movable internal header thereby providing an inlet to an incoming gas flow and an outgoing vent to an outgoing gas flow within the reaction chamber.

16. The reaction chamber of claim 15 , comprising at least one vertical baffle oriented along a direction of flow of the reacting gas flow, the vertical baffle configured to guide the flow of the reacting gas inside the reaction chamber.

17. The reaction chamber of claim 16 , wherein a plurality of plates originate from the at least one horizontal baffle and the at least one vertical baffle, the plurality of plates wound spirally around the reaction chamber, forming a plurality of channels terminating within the reaction chamber.

18. The reaction chamber of claim 17 , wherein the at least one horizontal baffle is centrally disposed at an alternating end of the plurality of channels.

Assignments (3)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE RECEIVING PARTY ENTITY PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 48489 FRAME: 001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Apr 11, 2019
From: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
To: AI ALPINE US BIDCO INC
Reel/Frame 049858/0407 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 3, 2019
From: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
To: AI ALPINE US BIDCO LLC
Reel/Frame 048489/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 30, 2009
From: FREUND, SEBASTIAN WALTER; KOPEINIG, GABRIEL ROJAS
To: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Reel/Frame 023577/0759 →