Stackable energy transfer core spacer

Abstract

A stackable spacer element for use in a energy recovery core formed by stacking a plurality of relatively thin energy transfer media (e.g. sheets, panels, or plates (un-perforated exchanger sheets) so as to define a plurality of stacked energy transfer stages providing air passages for two separate air flows.

1 . A stackable energy transfer core spacer comprising a peripheral frame member,
 said peripheral frame member extending about and defining a framed core opening,   said peripheral frame member having a pair of opposed major sides,   said peripheral frame member comprising
 a pair of side opening components 
   and
 a pair of side wall components, 
   each side opening component comprising a framed side opening in air communication with said framed core opening,   each side wall component respectively interconnecting said side opening components, said spacer being configured such that said spacer may be oriented and stacked, major side to major side, on top of a second like spacer, with an intermediate air to air energy transfer sheet extending across the framed core openings and being sandwiched between the frame members of both spacers so that the spacers and the energy transfer sheet define a pair of transversely oriented air paths on opposite sides of the energy transfer sheet, each air path extending from one respective framed side opening through a respective framed core opening to the other respective framed side opening of a respective spacer.   
   
   
       2 . A stackable energy transfer core spacer as defined in  claim 1  wherein said peripheral frame member, on each major side thereof, comprises an inter-registrable tongue/mortise interlock element. 
   
   
       3 . A stackable energy transfer core spacer as defined in  claim 2  wherein said frame member is configured such that when the air to air energy transfer sheet is sandwiched between said frame member and the frame member of said second like spacer, the air to air energy transfer sheet is sandwiched between tongue/mortise interlock elements of said frame member and the frame member of said second like spacer. 
   
   
       4 . A stackable heat transfer core spacer as defined in  claim 1  having a square configuration. 
   
   
       5 . A stackable heat transfer core spacer as defined in  claim 1  having a hexagonal configuration. 
   
   
       6 . A stackable energy transfer core spacer as defined in  claim 1  wherein the spacer comprises one or more rib air guide elements disposed in the framed core opening, said rib air guide elements being connected to the frame member. 
   
   
       7 . An air to air energy recovery core having a first air path and a separate second air path, each air path having a respective air inlet and a respective air outlet, said core comprising a stack of one or more successive heat transfer stages, each such stage comprising an energy transfer sheet having opposed major faces and a pair of spacers engaging opposite major faces of the sheet, each of said spacers being a spacer as defined in  claim 1 , said spacers being oriented and disposed relative to each other so that the spacers and the energy transfer sheet define a pair of transversely oriented air paths on opposite sides of the energy transfer sheet, each air path extending from one respective framed side opening through a respective framed core opening to the other respective framed side opening of a respective spacer, the framed side openings of one frame member each respectively defining a respective element of the air inlet and air outlet of the first air path and the framed side openings of the other frame member each respectively defining a respective element of the air inlet and air outlet of the second air path.