Regenerator wheel apparatus

Abstract

A regenerator wheel is disclosed. The regenerator wheel includes a framework, a plurality of ports disposed within the framework, with at least one port of the plurality of ports separated from another port by the framework. The regenerator wheel also includes a plurality of matrixes aligned individually with the plurality of ports.

1 . A regenerator wheel comprising:
 a framework, a plurality of ports disposed within the framework, at least one port of the plurality of ports separated from another port by the framework; and   a plurality of matrixes aligned individually with the plurality of ports.   
   
   
       2 . The wheel as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 at least one matrix of the plurality of matrixes comprises at least one straight flow passage.   
   
   
       3 . The wheel as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein:
 at least one matrix comprises a honeycomb configuration.   
   
   
       4 . The wheel as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 at least one matrix of the plurality of matrixes is embedded within the framework.   
   
   
       5 . The wheel as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein:
 the framework and the at least one matrix are the same material.   
   
   
       6 . The wheel as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein:
 the framework and the at least one matrix are ceramic.   
   
   
       7 . The wheel as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 at least one matrix of the plurality of matrixes comprises extruded ceramic honeycomb.   
   
   
       8 . The wheel as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the framework comprises a single piece structure.   
   
   
       9 . The wheel as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the single piece structure is a foamed structure. 
   
   
       10 . The wheel as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the framework comprises a set of side plates, each side plate comprising the plurality of ports; and   at least one matrix of the plurality of matrixes is disposed within a corresponding set of the plurality of ports.   
   
   
       11 . The wheel as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the framework further comprises:
 at least one spacer disposed between two side plates of the set of side plates.   
   
   
       12 . The wheel as claimed in  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a ceramic binder between at least one matrix and the corresponding set of the plurality of ports.   
   
   
       13 . The wheel as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein:
 at least one of the set of side plates and the ceramic binder comprise the same material as the at least one matrix.   
   
   
       14 . The wheel as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein:
 at least one of the framework and the at least one matrix comprise a set of axial retention features.   
   
   
       15 . The wheel as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein:
 the at least one matrix is a floating matrix within the set of axial retention features.   
   
   
       16 . The wheel as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a flexible binder disposed between each port of the plurality of ports and each corresponding matrix of the plurality of matrixes.   
   
   
       17 . The wheel as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the framework comprises:
 a set of side plates, each side plate having at least one straight flow passage corresponding to each port of the plurality of ports;   a boundary plate disposed between outer edges of the set of side plates, thereby defining a space between the set of side plates and an outer boundary of the wheel; and   at least one separator plate disposed within the space between the set of side plates, thereby defining the plurality of ports.   
   
   
       18 . The wheel as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein:
 the plurality of matrixes comprise a cloth-like material.   
   
   
       19 . The wheel as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein:
 the at least one separator plate is a unitized structure.   
   
   
       20 . The wheel as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein:
 one side plate of the set of side plates, the boundary plate, and the at least one separator plates are a unitized structure.   
   
   
       21 . The wheel as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the framework comprises:
 a boundary plate defining an outer boundary of the wheel, the boundary plate defining an open space; and   at least one separator plate disposed within the open space of the boundary plate, thereby defining a plurality of open ports.   
   
   
       22 . The wheel as claimed in  claim 21  wherein:
 the matrix comprises a rigid filler material.   
   
   
       23 . The wheel as claimed in  claim 21  wherein:
 the matrix comprises a rigidized ceramic cloth material disposed within the plurality of open ports.   
   
   
       24 . A regenerator wheel comprising:
 a plurality of distinct matrixes, each matrix comprising at least one flow passage; and   means for supporting the plurality of distinct matrixes.   
   
   
       25 . The wheel as claimed in  claim 24 , further comprising:
 a flexible binder disposed between the plurality of distinct matrixes and the means for supporting.   
   
   
       26 . The wheel as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein:
 the plurality of distinct matrixes and the means for supporting comprise the same material.   
   
   
       27 . The wheel as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein:
 the means for supporting comprises a framework of filler material.   
   
   
       28 . The wheel as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein:
 the means for supporting comprises a set of side plates.