Flexible recuperator mounting system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A recuperator support for supporting a recuperator, the support comprising:
- a first pivot mount defining a first pivot axis, the recuperator coupled to the first pivot mount and pivotal about the first pivot axis; and
a floating pivot mount defining a floating pivot axis that is movable with respect to the first pivot axis, the recuperator being coupled to the floating pivot mount and pivotal about the floating pivot axis.
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Abstract
A recuperator support includes a first pivot mount that defines a first pivot axis and a floating pivot mount that defines a floating pivot axis. The recuperator is coupled to the pivot mounts and pivotal about the pivot axes. The floating pivot mount accommodates thermal growth of the recuperator. The first pivot mount may be mounted to a frame such that the first pivot axis is fixed with respect to the frame.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. A recuperator support for supporting a recuperator, the support comprising:
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a first pivot mount defining a first pivot axis, the recuperator coupled to the first pivot mount and pivotal about the first pivot axis; and
a floating pivot mount defining a floating pivot axis that is movable with respect to the first pivot axis, the recuperator being coupled to the floating pivot mount and pivotal about the floating pivot axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A recuperator support assembly comprising:
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a first recuperator for the exchange of heat from a hot fluid flowing therethrough to a cool fluid flowing therethrough and expanding in response to heating by the hot fluid;
second recuperator for the exchange of heat from a hot fluid flowing therethrough to a cool fluid flowing therethrough and expanding in response to heating by the hot fluid; and
a frame supporting the first and second recuperators;
a first pivot mount defining a first pivot axis, the first recuperator being coupled to the first pivot mount such that the first recuperator is pivotal about the first pivot axis;
a second pivot mount defining a second pivot axis, the second recuperator being coupled to the second pivot mount such that the second recuperator is pivotal about the second pivot axis; and
a floating pivot mount defining a floating pivot axis that is movable with respect to the frame, the first and second recuperators both being coupled to the floating pivot mount such that the first and second recuperators are pivotal about the floating pivot axis. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A microturbine engine comprising:
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a recuperator having heat exchange cells, and exhaust gas flow regions between the heat exchange cells;
an air compressor in fluid communication with the heat exchange cells for the delivery of compressed air thereto;
a combustor in fluid communication with the heat exchange cells for the delivery of the compressed air from the cells to the combustor, the combustor burning fuel with the compressed air to create products of combustion;
a turbine in fluid communication with the combustor to receive the products of combustion therefrom, the turbine operating in response to the flow of products of combustion, the turbine including an exhaust gas outlet through which used products of combustion flow out of the turbine as exhaust gas, the recuperator receiving the flow of exhaust gas and passing it through the exhaust gas flow regions, the recuperator expanding in response to the flow of exhaust gas therethrough;
a fixed pivot mount defining a fixed pivot axis and supporting the recuperator for pivotal motion with respect to the fixed pivot axis; and
a floating pivot mount defining a floating pivot axis and supporting the recuperator for pivotal motion with respect to the floating pivot axis, wherein the floating pivot axis is movable with respect to the fixed pivot axis in response to expansion of the recuperator. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A heat exchanger support configuration comprising:
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a frame;
first and second pivot mounts interconnected with said frame such that said first and second pivot mounts are movable with respect to said frame, said first and second pivot mounts defining respective first and second floating pivot axes;
first and second recuperators pivotally interconnected with said first and second floating pivot mounts, respectively, for pivotal movement about said first and second, floating pivot axes; and
a fixed pivot mount affixed to said frame and defining a pivot axis that is fixed with respect to said frame, said fixed pivot mount interconnecting said first and second recuperators for pivotal movement with respect to each other;
wherein said floating pivot mounts are movable with respect to said frame in response to thermal expansion of said first and second recuperators. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method of supporting a recuperator subject to thermal expansion, the method comprising the steps of:
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pivotally supporting the recuperator about first and second pivot axes with respective first and second support mounts; and
accommodating thermal expansion of the recuperator by moving the second pivot axis with respect to the first pivot axis. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification