Recuperator for exchanging energy between two air flows

Abstract

The invention provides a recuperator for exchanging energy between air flows, comprising stacked plates with flow channels for air flows being provided between neighbouring plates. Plates of a first type and plates of a second type are provided in the stack. The plates of the first type and the plates of the second type differ from one another as to their weight and/or the material from which they are manufactured. The invention further relates to a ventilation device provided with such a recuperator, to a window frame provided with such a ventilation device, and to a building provided with such a ventilation device or such a window frame.

1 - 53 . (canceled) 
     
     
         54 . A recuperator for exchanging energy between a first air flow and a second air flow, comprising stacked plates such that first flow channels and second flow channels for the first air flow and the second air flow, respectively, are arranged between neighbouring plates, wherein plates of a first type and plates of a second type are provided in the stack, wherein the plates of the first type and the plates of the second type differ from one another as regards their weight and/or as regards the material from which they are manufactured, the material of the plates of one of the first and second types being permeable to moisture whereas the material of the plates of the other one of the first and second types being impermeable to moisture, and wherein at least in the area of the first flow channels and the second flow channels, the plates of one of the first and second types are planar and the plates of the other one of the first and second types having an undulating profile alternating, neighbouring first flow channels and second flow channels being formed within sets of two neighbouring planar plates with an undulating profile plate therebetween. 
     
     
         55 . The recuperator according to  claim 54 , wherein the plates of the first type and the plates of the second type are provided in alternation in the stack. 
     
     
         56 . The recuperator according to  claim 54 , wherein the plates having an undulating profile are created through a deformation of planar plates. 
     
     
         57 . The recuperator according to  claim 54 , wherein the distance between two neighbouring planar plates is between 1 mm and 20 mm. 
     
     
         58 . The recuperator according to  claim 54 , wherein hydrophilic or hydrophobic properties of the material of the plates of one of the first and second types differ from hydrophilic or hydrophobic properties of the material of the plates of the other one of the first and second types. 
     
     
         59 . The recuperator according to  claim 54 , wherein hygienic properties of the material of the plates of one of the first and second types differ from hygienic properties of the material of the plates of the other one of the first and second types. 
     
     
         60 . The recuperator according to  claim 54 , wherein the plates of one of the first and second types are provided with a coating on at least one side, whereas the plates of the other one of the first and second types are not provided with a coating or are provided with a different coating. 
     
     
         61 . The recuperator according to  claim 54 , wherein the flow channels extend parallel to one another. 
     
     
         62 . A ventilation device for the exchange of energy between a first air flow entering a building from the outer air and a second air flow issuing from said building to the outer air, comprising a housing with an internal communication channel for the two air flows and at least one recuperator of a first type which is arranged in said communication channel, which recuperator of the first type comprises first further flow channels for the first air flow and second further flow channels for the second air flow, wherein neighbouring first further flow channels and second further flow channels are at least partly separated from one another by a wall which is impermeable to moisture, wherein at least one latent recuperator is also arranged in the communication channel in series with the recuperator of the first type, the latent recuperator operable for exchanging energy between the first and second air flows and comprising stacked plates such that first flow channels and second flow channels for the first air flow and the second air flow, respectively, are arranged between neighbouring ones of the stacked plates, wherein plates of a first type and plates of a second type are provided in the stack, and wherein the plates of the first type and the plates of the second type differ from one another in weight and/or material. 
     
     
         63 . The ventilation device according to  claim 62 , wherein the at least one recuperator of the first type is a sensible recuperator. 
     
     
         64 . The ventilation device according to  claim 62 , wherein the at least one recuperator of the first type is a hybrid recuperator wherein only a proportion of the plates of the recuperator of the first type is manufactured from a material that is impermeable to moisture. 
     
     
         65 . The ventilation device according to  claim 62 , wherein the ventilation device comprises at least one fan for causing an associated one of the two air flows to pass through the communication channel. 
     
     
         66 . The ventilation device according to  claim 62 , wherein the ventilation device is provided with at least one valve that is switchable between a first position and a second position, such that in the first position an air flow is passed at least substantially through a recuperator associated with this first position and in the second position the air flow is directed by the valve so as to flow at least substantially past said associated recuperator. 
     
     
         67 . The ventilation device according to  claim 62 , wherein the recuperators are of a counterflow type. 
     
     
         68 . The ventilation device according to  claim 62 , wherein the communication channel has a flow surface area of between 50 cm 2  and 500 cm 2 . 
     
     
         69 . A window frame provided with a ventilation device according to  claim 62 . 
     
     
         70 . The window frame according to  claim 69 , wherein the communication channel has a longitudinal direction that runs parallel to the plane of the window frame. 
     
     
         71 . The window frame according to  claim 69 , wherein the housing adjoins a lintel of the window frame and is mounted to this lintel. 
     
     
         72 . A building provided with a window frame according to  claim 69 . 
     
     
         73 . A building provided with a ventilation device according to  claim 62 , wherein the housing is provided in a passage in an outer wall of the building for exchanging energy between an air flow that flows from the outer air via the device into the building and an air flow that flows out of the building via the device to the outer air.