Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02556144 2006-08-14
WO 2005/083344 PCT/US2005/000865
VARIABLE AREA OR MASS OR AREA AND MASS SPECIES
TRANSFER DEVICE AND METHOD
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of an earlier filing date from U.S.
Provisional Application Serial No. 60/546,583 filed February 19, 2004, the
entire contents of
which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Species transfer devices (e.g, regenerators, recuperators, etc.) are
known to
exist for many applications where recovery or transfer of species such as
thermal energy is
desirable. This includes applications employing turbines, fuel cells, other
high-temperature
machines and refrigeration type/low temperature machines as well.
Traditionally, such
species transfer devices have been custom designed for specific applications
in order to
operate at an optimum design point. Alternatively, a species transfer device
designed for
another application might be employed in a maclvne for which it was not
designed to avoid
cost (i.e. the custom-worl~ cost) and where off design-point operation is
acceptable. This of
course is at the expense of efficiency. Variable operation of machines also
results in
inefficiency With respect to the species transfer device. The foregoing has
long been a
problem because all of the prior-art devices employ a fixed area or mass or
area and mass
ratio between elements being heated and those being cooled (or other transfer
regime). The
only capability for variability with respect to transfer in these fixed-ratio
designs is by
changing the rate of element exchange. There is no capability within the prior
art to change
the area or mass or area and mass ratio of the species transfer device.
SUMMARY
[0003] Disclosed herein is a variable area or mass or area and mass ratio
species
transfer device. The species transfer device includes: a plurality of species
transfer masses.
Each of the masses axe actuatable independently or actuatable as a subset of
the plurality of
masses to reside in at least one of a first fluid stream or a second fluid
stream.
CA 02556144 2006-08-14
WO 2005/083344 PCT/US2005/000865
2
[0004] At least one actuator is disposed in operable communication with the
species
transfer masses, capable of selectively moving one or more of the masses
independently of
other one or more of the masses into at least contact with the first fluid
stream and into
contact with the second fluid stream (or other transfer regime).
[0005] Further disclosed herein is a real-time variable area or mass or area
and mass
ratio species transfer device. The species transfer device includes a transfer
mass, an inlet
having a variable-dimension fluid-contact area with the transfer mass; and an
outlet having a
variable-dimension fluid-contact area with said transfer mass.
[0006] Yet further disclosed herein is a method for controlling transfer in a
species
transfer device. The method includes: selecting an appropriate area or mass or
area and mass
ratio between a portion of a variable area or mass or area and mass ratio
species transfer
device exposed to a first fluid and a portion of the species transfer device
exposed to a second
fluid; exposing one selected portion of the species transfer device to the
first fluid; and
exposing another selected portion of the species transfer device to the second
fluid.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Referring now to the drawings wherein like elements axe numbered alike
in
the several Figures:
[0008] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment species
transfer
device according to the teaching herein;
[0009] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a species transfer module
applicable to the species transfer device of Figure 1;
[OOIOJ Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the module of Figure 2 talcen
along
section line 3-3;
[0011] Figure 4 is a schematic perspective exploded view of a species transfer
module
like that of Figure 2 illustrating further detail;
[0012] Figure S is a process diagram illustrating movement of individual
species
transfer masses for an area or mass or area and mass ratio of 3:1;
[0013] Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of a second-embodiment species
transfer device according to the teaching herein;
CA 02556144 2006-08-14
WO 2005/083344 PCT/US2005/000865
3
[0014] Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of a species transfer module
applicable to the species transfer device of Figure 6;
[OOIS] Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view of a third-embodiment species
transfer device according to the teaching herein;
[0016] Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view of a species transfer module
applicable to the species transfer device of Figure 8;
[0017] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 9 taken along section
line 10-10;
[OOIB] Figure 11 is a schematic perspective exploded view of the species
transfer
module of Figure 9;
[0019] Figure 12 is a process diagram illustrating movement of individual
masses for
an area ratio of 2:3;
[0020] Figure 13 is a process diagram illustrating movement of individual
masses for
an area ratio of 3:4;
[0021] Figure 14 is a schematic perspective view of a fourth-embodiment
species
transfer device according to the teaching herein;
[0022] Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 14 taken along section
line 15-
15;
[0023] Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 14
taken
perpendicular to the axis of the drive;
[0024] Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a species transfer
mass out of
alignment with a flow stream;
[0025] Figure 18 is a perspective view of a lifting seal assembly;
[0026] Figure 19 is a perspective view of a scraping seal assembly;
[0027] Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of Figure 18;
[0028] Figure 21 is an exploded perspective view of the assembly of Figure 18;
and
[0029] Figure 22 is a schematic perspective view of an adjustable duct.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] The phrase 'species transfer device' as used herein is defined as a
device that
transfers heat energy (latent, sensible or both), humidity, and/or chemical
species/ionic
CA 02556144 2006-08-14
WO 2005/083344 PCT/US2005/000865
4
species by storing heat and/or chemical species/ionic species in or on a
material (species
transfer mass) received from one environment and releasing the species to
another different
environment. Further the terms are intended to encompass pressure or
temperature swing
adsorption for wanted or unwanted species including heat energy and chemical
species acting
as a molecular sieve. The material can be solid, porous, fibrous or cellular,
and may be of
any material such as polymeric material, metal or ceramic.
[0031] This disclosure relates to "active" species transfer devices, as that
term is
understood in the vernacular of the subject art. Active devices do not include
valve driven
species transfer devices, which would be considered "passive" species transfer
devices.
Another distinguishing characteristic of the species transfer device
embodiments disclosed
herein is that the average flow direction in each plenum is substantially
unidirectional. Such
characteristic enhances the speed at which incoming fluid contacts the species
transfer mass.
Active species transfer devices, due to the custom-design nature thereof,
necessarily carry
high price tags. Therefore, even if a particular consumer is amenable to
tolerating an off
design-point operation in his particular application, the fact that the
particular regenerator is
not subject to bulk manufacturing, ensures the cost thereof will remain high,
though lower
than a mlit specifically designed for the application. All machine arts that
utilize species
transfer devices would benefit from the species transfer device embodiments
disclosed
herein, which have the ability to vary the area or mass or area and mass ratio
between fluid
streams and the total area or mass or area and mass exposed to any fluid. Such
species
transfer devices are tailorable to specific applications and are mass
producible, which
suppresses product costs. Even greater benefits are realized, however, if the
area or mass or
area and mass ratio variability remains variable such that it may be varied
even during
operation of the dependent machine. With such capability, the regenerator is
not only
configurable to operate at optimum for the machine's steady-state design point
but can be
reconfigured continuously to optimize performance for whatever state at which
the dependent
machine is operating. Although most machines that utilize species transfer
devices have a
designed-in optimum operating state, often such machines are forced to operate
in off design-
point conditions. Prior-art species transfer devices add to inefficiency of
the machine already
running inefficiently. The species transfer device embodiments disclosed
herein eliminate
the drawbacks inherent in the prior art. Yet another feature of the species
transfer device
CA 02556144 2006-08-14
WO 2005/083344 PCT/US2005/000865
disclosed herein is that because the area or the mass or both can be varied at
will, the pressure
drop across the device is also controllable. This means that the pressure drop
can be lowered
or raised at will and that the pxessure drop can be maintained at a desired
value while the
mass fluid flow in the system is varied. It should also be noted that area and
mass can be
changed independently because differing materials can be used for different
masses
(discussed hereunder). For example, one mass could be formed from a foam
ceramic with a
very high surface area per cubic meter of material and another mass could be
formed from a
honeycomb structured material having a lower surface area per cubic meter of
material. The
same volumetric dimensions of these materials will have different masses.
[0032] Referring to Figure l, a schematic perspective view of a first
regenerator
embodiment 10 is illustrated. The species transfex device 10 comprises a
plurality of species
transfer modules 12 (see Figure 2 and Figure 3). Modules 12 are actuatable by
one or more
actuators 13 (shoran on each module 12 in this illustration but could be
configured as one
actuator to more of the modules at the expense of some variability or could be
configured as
more than one actuator for any module if desired) and controlled by a sequence-
and-dwell
controller 15 that determines the desired position of a particular module 12
and the period of
time each particular mass should stay in a given fluid stream.
[0033] In fluid communication with the species transfer modules 12 are
manifolds 14,
16, and 18 and 20. Manifolds 14 and 18 and manifolds 16 and 20 are in
cormnunication with
each other through the intermediary of the species transfer modules 12. Each
manifold pair is
capable of conducting a fluid stream, and in one embodiment, each will conduct
a fluid
stream in opposing directions; it is noted that each can conduct in either
direction, including
in the same direction, and the direction could be reversed in either or both
flows if desixed. It
is possible for such reversal to take place even during operation of the
species transfer
device/machine if the application called for such.
[0034] Interposed between the manifolds 14, 16, 18 and 20 and the modules I2
are
seal modules 22. Seal modules 22 comprise lifting seals utilizing the concept
and similar
mechanization as taught in U.S. Patent No. 5,259,444 to David Gordon Wilson,
which is
incorporated herein in its entirety. The seals ensure that a fluid stream
directed to a certain
portion of module 12, passes through that portion, enhancing efficiency of the
system as do
other seals but with lifting seals wear is minimized and longevity maximized.
It is also
CA 02556144 2006-08-14
WO 2005/083344 PCT/US2005/000865
6
anticipated that passive sliding or scraping seals could also be employed in
some
applications.
[0035] Referring now to Figures 2, 3 and 4, a species transfer module 12 is
described
in detail. Figure 2 provides a schematic perspective view of a single module
12 in the same
orientation in which it is represented in Figure 1. Figure 2 serves to
illustrate the two
potential fluid passageways 30 and 32 that module 12 affords. It is to be
noted that in this
illustration, passageway 30 is illustrated as a species transfer mass 34 while
passageway 32 is
illustrated as blanlced off. Flow is possible in this figure through
passageway 30 and not
through passageway 32. Further, by mentally positioning the module 12 of
Figure 2 into
Figure 1 in the same orientation, it is apparent fluid communication is
enabled between
manifold 14 and manifold 18 while fluid communication is disenabled between
manifold 16
and manifold 20.
[0036] Referring now to Figure 3, a schematic cross-section view of Figure 2
is
shown. This figure illustrates the blanking areas 36 on either side of species
transfer mass 34,
which allow one species transfer mass 34 to be positioned in either passage 30
or 32 while
simultaneously positioning a blank 36 in the other passage 30 or 32.
[0037] Referring now to Figure 4, a schematic perspective exploded view of a
module
12 is illustrated. Module 12 comprises a housing 40 configured to receive a
slide box 42.
Slide box 42, in this embodiment comprises a species transfer mass 34 flanked
on each side
by blanks 44. Slide box 42 is slideable back and forth toward the left side of
the drawing and
toward the right side of the drawing to manipulate the position of the species
transfer mass 34
from one fluid stream in passage 30 to another fluid stream in passage 32 and
vice versa.
Sliding of the slide box 42 is achieved by operation of actuator 14. Actuator
14 comprises a
mechanical, electromechanical, electrical, magnetic, hydraulic, pneumatic,
etc. device
capable of adjusting the position of the slide box 42 to a desired position.
In one
embodiment, as shown, actuator 14 comprises a linear actuator 46 as a direct
movement
effector. The linear actuator 46 may be a solenoid or other suitable linear
device. Linear
actuator 46 is connected at its base 48 to housing 40 and is connected at a
piston 50 thereof to
a tab 52. Tab 52 is connected to a slide 54, which is mounted on bearing
shafts 56 through
linear bearings 58. The shafts 56 are stationary in this illustrated
embodiment and extend as
illustrated, substantially the length of housing 40 and out of one end
thereof. It will be noted
CA 02556144 2006-08-14
WO 2005/083344 PCT/US2005/000865
7
that the slide box 42 also rides on shafts 56 through linear bearings 58 to
facilitate smooth
cycling back and forth of the slide box 42 within housing 40. Upon actuation
of linear
actuator 46, piston 50 extends (thereby telescopically increasing the combined
length of
piston 50 and the housing of linear actuator 46). In so doing, tab 52 is urged
away from
housing 40, taking slide 54 therewith. When slide 54 moves, it moves a
connecting rod 60,
which is in operable communication therewith. The connecting rod 60 is also in
operable
communication with the slide box 42 and is the impetus for the sliding
movement of slide
box 42 to position species transfer mass 34 in one of passageway 30 or
passageway 32.
[0038] Slide 54 further, in this embodiment, includes a cam 62 to assist with
storage
of movement energy occasioned by actuation of linear actuator 46. Cam 62
interacts with a
cam follower 64, which is mounted to a lever 66. The lever 66 is pivotally
connected to a
support 68 mounted at the housing 40. At an opposite end of the lever 66, the
lever is
connected to an energy storage mechanism 70 which may comprise a spring and
interface for
the lever 66. Upon the movement of cam follower 64 onto a cam profile 62 (two
illustrated
in this figure), lever 66 transfers energy into the energy storage mechanism
70, in this
illustration, spring 72. Upon subsequent movement of the slide box 42, the
stored energy is
reintroduced to the system through cam follower 64. Energy is stored in the
spring during
deceleration of slide box 42 and reintroduced during acceleration of slide box
42. This
reduces power consumption of the actuator merely to that necessary to overcome
the friction
or hysteresis losses of the device. It is to be noted that the foregoing
explanation of the
actuator is but one embodiment thereof and that other mechanical, electro
mechanical,
electrical, magnetic, hydraulic, pneumatic, etc. means are substitutable
without departing
from the scope ofthis invention.
[0039] To minimize leakage of the fluid streams, a seal module 80 is disposed
at slide
box 42. Seal module 80 may be of a lifting-type seal arrangement, a scraping-
type seal
arrangement or a close-clearance type seal arrangement. Other seal
arrangements may also
be employed where applicable and sufficiently effective in reducing leaking of
stream. fluids
for the particular application. Covers 90 are located on each longitudinal end
of seal module
80 and mounted to housing 40 to complete the species transfer module 12.
CA 02556144 2006-08-14
WO 2005/083344 PCT/US2005/000865
8
[0040] Referring to Figure 5, a flow diagram is provided showing a sequence of
movements of species transfer masses 34 through one complete cycle. The figure
is self
explanatory, and represents, in this case, an area or mass or area and mass
ratio of 3:1.
[0041] Referring now to Figures 6 and 7, an alternative embodiment of species
transfer module 12, identified as 12a is illustrated. The distinction in this
embodiment is that
the species transfer mass 34a is longer with respect to the flow path of the
fluid stream. The
extension box 94 of 12a may be of any flow length desired while considering
practicality.
[0042] Referring now to Figures 8, 9 and 10, another alternative embodiment of
a
species transfer device is illustrated. This embodiment provides even more
variability than
the foregoing embodiments because not only can the mass/area subjected to each
stream be
varied; the entire mass/area available can be varied. From a review of Figures
8, 9 axed 10 it
will be recognized that the overall construct of the species transfer device
110 is similar to
that of species transfer device 10 (Figure 1) except that the length of
housing 40 is increased
and is denoted 140 to distinguish the same. Considering Figure 10, the reason
for the
increased length becomes apparent. On each side of species transfer mass 34 in
module 112
is a blank 36 as is the case in the embodiment of Figure 1. Tn the embodiment
of Figure 10
however, another blank 136 is provided. The addition of the blank 136 allows
the greater
variability with respect to the species transfer device 110 as read above
because it allows one
whole module 112 to be closed off, thereby rendering the total area or mass or
area and mass
of species transfer mass material to be reduced either permanently or
temporarily to tailor the
species transfer device 110 to a smaller duty or to allow it to be optimized
to any particular
run state of a dependent device, respectively.
[0043] Referring to Figure 11, the species transfer module 112 is in large
part similar
to that of module 12. Numerals are employed on Figure 11 that axe identical to
Figure 4 if
the component is identical or if the component differs only in length. The
components
discussed hereunder are those that differ from module 12 in construction and
bear a 100
series equivalent numeral to that used in the discussion of module 12.
[0044] Addressing actuator 146, Cam 162 includes three profiles in this
embodiment
to allow for energy recovery at each potential stopping position for slide box
142. Actuator
146 is in other respects the same as actuator 46.
CA 02556144 2006-08-14
WO 2005/083344 PCT/US2005/000865
9
[0045] The seal module 180 illustrated in Figure 11 is specifically a lifting
seal
arrangement and therefore illustrates seal 196 and individual seal actuators
198, which may
be mechanical, electrical, electro mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, magnetic,
etc. Seal 196
is lifted out of contact with slide box 142 instantaneously before slide box
142 is moved and
then is reapplied instantaneously after slide box 142 is stopped. A minimum of
seal wear and
a maximum seal life are achieved. As with module 12, sliding or scraping seals
may also be
employed.
[0046] Referring now to Figuxes 12 and 13, two flow diagrams are provided for
enhanced understanding of the variability of the system. A 2:3 species
transfer area ratio is
illustrated in Figure 12 with an overall species transfer to total area ratio
of 5:16. In Figure
13 a 3:4 ratio for species transfer area is illustrated with an overall
species transfer area to
total area ratio of 7:16. One of skill in the art will readily appreciate the
progression and the
partial use of fully blanl~ed-off modules 112 in these flow diagrams. The
species transfer
area ratios and overall ratios illustrated are but two of many possibilities
based upon
alternative combinations of blanked modules.
[0047] Referring now to Figures 14, 15 and 16 a "rotary" species transfer
device
embodiment 210 exhibiting the properties of variability identified above is
illustrated. For
this device there are again four manifolds 214, 216, 218 and 220 wherein a
first flow-stream
passageway 230 is defined between manifolds 214 and 218 while a second flow-
stream
passageway 232 is defined between manifolds 216 and 220. In this example of
the rotary
species transfer device 210 four species transfer modules 212 are illustrated.
Each module
includes a rotor 242 comprising a species transfer mass 234 (see Figure 15)
rotatable about an
axis of rotation, which brings the species transfer mass 234 into aligmnent
with one or the
other of passageways 230 or 232 or can be positioned out of alignment with
either of these
passageways (see Figure 17) for blanking off a particular module 212.
[0048] Rotors 242 are driven by actuators 213, which comprise, in the
illustrated
embodiment, a motor 246 having a drive wheel 250. The motor may be of any type
and in
this embodiment is a direct current brushless motor with encoder. The encoder
helps to
ensure proper alignment of the rotors 242 with the manifolds 214/218 and
216/220. Drive
wheel 250 is operably engaged with a chain or belt member 252, which extends
arotuld rotor
242 and engages therewith via drive ring 260, which is operably connected to
rotor 242. The
CA 02556144 2006-08-14
WO 2005/083344 PCT/US2005/000865
IO
drive ring may be a sprocket for a chain or belt drive hub or other
equivalents and is
rotationally fixed relative to rotor 242 by adhesive, press fit, integral
formation, welding, etc.
An idler 254 is also provided as shown in Figure 16 to maintain proper tension
on member
252. A motor cover 274 may be added if desired for safety or aesthetics. Clear
to one of skill
in the art, this discussed actuator is but one possible arrangement. Other
arrangements are
also applicable such as configuring driven ring 260 as a worm gear and
mounting a worm and
a drive to selectively rotate the worm gear and rotor thereby. In one
embodiment and as
shown, species transfer mass cleaning or replacement access is provided in
each module 212
at 276.
[0049] Interposed between manifolds 2141216/218!220 and rotor module 242 are
seal
modules 222 having either a lifting (dynamic) or sliding/scraping (passive)
seal similar to that
described for use with module 12. These seals are illustrated in Figures 18
and 19
respectively, the difference being that the actuator 298 of the dynamic seal
of Figure 18 is
replaced by a spring 299 to get the passive version shown in Figure 19.
Referring now to
Figure 20, a perspective cross-section view of Figure 18 is illustrated, and
referring to Figure
21, a perspective exploded view is shown of Figure 18. In operation, the seal
ring 296 is
pressed against or lifted away from the rotor 242 by actuator 298, fastened to
seal ring 296 on
one end and inlet/outlet manifold 214/216/218/220 on the other. Leakage around
the seal
ring 296 is prevented by internal piston ring 278 and external piston ring
279. Other sealing
arrangements can also be employed such as metal bellows and elastomers for
temperature
compatible applications. Other than round seal bodies rnay also be used; in
those cases, the
piston rings are energized by metal, ceramic, or elastomeric springs to hold
them against their
respective sealing surfaces.
[0050] In operation, one or more of the species transfer masses in rotors 242
can be
moved at whatever speed/frequency is desired between two flow streams or out
of either flow
stream providing a high degree of variability; this is exactly analogous to
the operation of the
linear version as illustrated in Figures I2 and 13.
[0051] In yet another variability embodiment, a more conventional species
transfer
device such as that disclosed in U.S. Patent 5,259,444 to David Gordon Wilson
is modified
with an adjustable area duct between the manifolds and the species transfer
mass to change
the area of species transfer mass exposed to the incoming flow. This means of
creating
CA 02556144 2006-08-14
WO 2005/083344 PCT/US2005/000865
lI
variability is accomplished by varying the cross-sectional area of the
manifold by
telescopically widening or narrowing that manifold thereby exposing more or
less area of the
species transfer mass to the incoming stream. These adjustments could be done
initially
during set up of the device and then fixed or could be done variably during
operation of the
device. By employing such a device, both the amount of species transferred and
the pressure
drop across the species transfer device can be adjusted.
[0052] Figure 22 shows an adjustable duct 300 with a wall surface removed for
viewing. Movable walls 301 are moved by actuators 302 to a desired position as
a means of
exposing more or less of the species transfer mass 303, and/or adjusting the
pressure drop
across the species transfer device. A similar arrangement can be implemented
in a round duct
by employing an iris, similar to that used in a conventional film camera.
[0053] While preferred embodiments have been shown and described,
modifications
and substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and
scope of the
invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention has
been described
by way of illustrations and not limitation.
