Regenerative heat exchanger with energy-storing drive system

Abstract

A regenerative heat exchanger having an energy-storing drive system includes a high heat capacity matrix rotable about an axis and a drive system that is in operable communication with the high heat capacity matrix and is capable of rotating the high heat capacity matrix about the axis. An energy-storage mechanism is in operable communication with the drive system. The energy-storage mechanism is capable of controlling an acceleration and/or deceleration of rotation of the high heat capacity matrix thus reducing an amount of energy required to be input into the drive system to rotate the high heat capacity matrix.

1 . A regenerative heat exchanger comprising:
 a high heat capacity matrix rotable about an axis;   a drive system in operable communication with the high heat capacity matrix, the drive system capable of rotating the high heat capacity matrix about the axis; and   an energy-storage mechanism in operable communication with the drive system, the energy-storage mechanism capable of controlling an acceleration and/or deceleration of rotation of the high heat capacity matrix.   
   
   
       2 . The regenerative heat exchanger of  claim 1  wherein the energy-storage mechanism comprises:
 one or more cams disposed on a drive shaft of the drive system;   one or more cam followers, each cam follower having a first end contacting a cam of the one or more cams; and   at least one spring in operable communication with each cam follower of the one or more cam followers, the at least one spring urging the first end of each cam follower toward an axis of rotation of each cam.   
   
   
       3 . The regenerative heat exchanger of  claim 2  where the first end of each of the one or more cam followers comprises a roller. 
   
   
       4 . The regenerative heat exchanger of  claim 1  further comprising a motor in operable communication with the drive system capable of initiating rotation of the high heat capacity matrix. 
   
   
       5 . The regenerative heat exchanger of  claim 4  wherein the motor outputs a constant torque. 
   
   
       6 . The regenerative heat exchanger of  claim 5  wherein the motor is connected to the drive system via an overriding clutch. 
   
   
       7 . The regenerative heat exchanger of  claim 4  wherein the motor is a pneumatic motor. 
   
   
       8 . The regenerative heat exchanger of  claim 4  wherein the motor is an electrical motor capable of operating as an alternator and as the energy storage mechanism. 
   
   
       9 . The regenerative heat exchanger of  claim 8  wherein the electrical motor includes capacitors capable of energy-storage. 
   
   
       10 . The regenerative heat exchanger of  claim 1  wherein the energy-storage mechanism is a flywheel. 
   
   
       11 . The regenerative heat exchanger of  claim 1  wherein the drive system is configured for drive reduction. 
   
   
       12 . The regenerative heat exchanger of  claim 11  wherein a drive reduction ratio is substantially 4:1.