Dynamic heat exchanger

Abstract

A rotary heat exchanger includes a housing defining an interior space and heat transfer structure in the interior space. The heat transfer structure includes a plurality of concentric discs disposed in spaced relation to define passageways between the discs. The discs are mounted for rotation within the housing. Partition structure divides the interior space into first and second chambers. When heat transfer structure is rotated and first and second fluids are introduced into the associated chambers and between the passageways, with the first fluid having a temperature greater than a temperature of the second fluid, the discs are rapidly heated thereby removing heat from the first fluid and heating the second fluid.

1 . A rotary heat exchanger for heat exchange between at least two fluids, the rotary heat exchanger comprising:
 a housing defining an interior space,   heat transfer structure in the interior space of the housing, the heat transfer structure being in the form of a plurality of concentric, plate-shaped discs disposed in spaced relation to define passageways between the discs, the discs being mounted for rotation within the housing,   a first inlet in the housing for introducing a first fluid into the interior space of the housing,   a second inlet in the housing for introducing a second fluid into the interior space of the housing,   partition structure dividing the interior space into first and second chambers with the first inlet communicating with the first chamber and the second inlet communicating with the second chamber,   a first outlet in the housing for removal of the first fluid from the first chamber after heat exchange with the heat transfer structure, and   a second outlet in the housing for removal of the second fluid from the second chamber after heat exchange with the heat transfer structure,   wherein when the heat transfer structure is rotated and the first and second fluids are introduced into their associated chambers and between the passageways, with the first fluid having a temperature greater than a temperature of the second fluid, the discs are rapidly heated thereby removing heat from the first fluid and heating the second fluid.   
   
   
       2 . The rotary heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein each disc has a base with a material of a certain thermal conductivity, and at least a layer of material on the base with a thermal conductivity substantially greater than the certain conductivity. 
   
   
       3 . The rotary heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the partition structure comprises a plurality of spacers that space the discs a distance apart. 
   
   
       4 . The rotary heat exchanger of  claim 2 , wherein the base is of composed of polycarbonate plastic and the layer of material on the base is a metal. 
   
   
       5 . The rotary heat exchanger of  claim 2 , wherein the base is of composed of plastic material and the layer of material on the base is a metal. 
   
   
       6 . The rotary heat exchanger of  claim 5 , wherein the metal is one of silver, copper or gold. 
   
   
       7 . The rotary heat exchanger of  claim 5 , wherein the metal is one of silver, copper or gold. 
   
   
       8 . The rotary heat exchanger of  claim 2 , wherein each base has opposing surfaces and said layer of material is on each opposing surface. 
   
   
       9 . The rotary heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second inlets are at opposite ends of the housing so that the first and second fluids can flow in opposite directions and counter to the rotation of the discs. 
   
   
       10 . The rotary heat exchanger of  claim 2 , wherein the layer of material has a plurality of ridges and grooves therein to promote turbulent flow of the fluids over the discs. 
   
   
       11 . The rotary heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein each disc is coupled with a common shaft for rotation therewith. 
   
   
       12 . The rotary heat exchanger of  claim 3 , further including seal structure associated with the spacers so as to provide a seal with respect to the discs. 
   
   
       13 . The rotary heat exchanger of  claim 1 , in combination with a motor, a controller and at least one sensor, the motor being constructed and arranged to rotate the heat transfer structure, the sensor being constructed and arranged to sense temperature changes within the heat exchanger, the sensor being constructed and arranged to send a signal to the controller such that the controller can control the speed of the motor to control a heat transfer rate of the heat exchanger. 
   
   
       14 . A rotary heat exchanger for heat exchange between at least two fluids, the rotary heat exchanger comprising:
 a housing defining an interior space,   means for transferring heat in the interior space of the housing, the means for transferring heat including a plurality of members disposed in spaced relation and mounted on a shaft for simultaneous rotation upon rotation of the shaft,   a first inlet in the housing for introducing a first fluid into the interior space of the housing,   a second inlet in the housing for introducing a second fluid into the interior space of the housing,   means for dividing the interior space into first and second chambers with the first inlet communicating with the first chamber and the second inlet communicating with the second chamber,   a first outlet in the housing for removal of the first fluid from the first chamber after heat exchange with the heat transfer structure, and   a second outlet in the housing for removal of the second fluid from the second chamber after heat exchange with the heat transfer structure,   wherein when the members are rotated and the first and second fluids are introduced into the associated chambers and spaces between the members, with the first fluid having a temperature greater than a temperature of the second fluid, the members are rapidly heated thereby removing heat from the first fluid and heating the second fluid.   
   
   
       15 . The rotary heat exchanger of  claim 14 , wherein each member has a base with a material of a certain thermal conductivity, and at least a layer of material on the base with a thermal conductivity substantially greater than the certain conductivity. 
   
   
       16 . The rotary heat exchanger of  claim 14 , wherein the means for dividing comprises a plurality of spacers that space the members a distance apart. 
   
   
       17 . The rotary heat exchanger of  claim 15 , wherein the layer of material on the base is a metal. 
   
   
       18 . The rotary heat exchanger of  claim 17 , wherein the metal is one of silver, copper or gold. 
   
   
       19 . The rotary heat exchanger of  claim 15 , wherein each base is a disc having opposing surfaces and said layer of material is on each opposing surface. 
   
   
       20 . The rotary heat exchanger of  claim 14 , wherein the first and second inlets are at opposite ends of the housing so that the first and second fluids can flow in opposite directions and counter to the rotation of the members. 
   
   
       21 . The rotary heat exchanger of  claim 15 , wherein the layer of material has a plurality of ridges and grooves therein to promote turbulent flow of the fluids over the members. 
   
   
       22 . The rotary heat exchanger of  claim 14 , wherein each member is coupled with a common shaft for rotation therewith. 
   
   
       23 . The rotary heat exchanger of  claim 16 , further including seal structure associated with the spacers so as to provide a seal with respect to the members. 
   
   
       24 . The rotary heat exchanger of  claim 14 , in combination with a motor, a controller and at least one sensor, the motor being constructed and arranged to rotate the means for transferring heat, the sensor being constructed and arranged to sense temperature changes within the heat exchanger, the sensor being constructed and arranged to send a signal to the controller such that the controller can control the speed of the motor to control a heat transfer rate of the heat exchanger.