Web, web matrix, and rotor for heat exchanger

Abstract

A web for a rotary heat exchanger is configured for transfer of thermal energy and/or moisture to and/or from a fluid. The web includes first profiled sections and second profiled sections configured to protrude in opposite directions, each a fluid passage. The first and second profiled sections form a plurality of fluid flow channels, each fluid flow channel having a main fluid flow axis and being configured to allow fluid flow at least partially along the main fluid flow axis. Each fluid flow channel is formed by alternating at least one first profiled section and at least one second profiled section along the main fluid flow axis and by aligning the fluid passages of the alternatingly arranged first profiled section(s) and second profiled section(s). Each fluid flow channel has at least one lateral opening allowing fluid flow to at least partially travel between adjacent fluid flow channels.

1 . A web for a rotary heat exchanger, said web being configured for transfer of thermal energy and/or moisture to and/or from a fluid,
 said web comprising a plurality of first profiled sections and a plurality of second profiled sections,   said first profiled sections and said second profiled sections being configured to protrude in opposite directions from a main plane (P 1 ) of said web, each protrusion comprising a fluid passage,   said first profiled sections and said second profiled sections forming a plurality of fluid flow channels, each fluid flow channel having a main fluid flow axis (A 1 ) and being configured to allow fluid flow at least partially along said main fluid flow axis (A 1 ),   each fluid flow channel being formed by alternating at least one first profiled section and at least one second profiled section along said main fluid flow axis (A 1 ) and by aligning said fluid passages of said alternatingly arranged first profiled section(s) and second profiled section(s),   each fluid flow channel comprising at least one lateral opening allowing said fluid flow to at least partially travel between adjacent fluid flow channels.   
     
     
         2 . The web according to  claim 1 , wherein a fluid outlet end of said first profiled section is arranged adjacent a fluid inlet end of an adjacent second profiled section, and/or wherein
 a fluid inlet end (of said first profiled section is arranged adjacent a fluid outlet end of an adjacent second profiled section,   said fluid passage of said first profiled section extending from said fluid inlet end to said fluid outlet end along said main fluid flow axis (A 1 ), and   said fluid passage of said second profiled section extending from said fluid inlet end to said fluid outlet end along said main fluid flow axis (A 1 ).   
     
     
         3 . The web according to  claim 2 , wherein
 said fluid flow can deviate from said main fluid flow axis (A 1 ) as it exits said fluid outlet end of said first profiled section of said fluid flow channel, and   travel into said fluid passage of said second profiled section of an adjacent fluid flow channel, and/or   said fluid flow can deviate from said main fluid flow axis (A 1 ) as it exits said fluid outlet end of said second profiled section of said fluid flow channel, and   travel into said fluid passage of said first profiled section of an adjacent fluid flow channel.   
     
     
         4 . The web according to  claim 1 , wherein
 said first profiled section(s) and said second profiled section(s) of each fluid flow channel have identical shape,   an axis of symmetry (A 2 ) of said first profiled section(s) extending coaxially with an axis of symmetry (A 3 ) of said second profiled section(s), and   extending in parallel with said main fluid flow axis (A 1 ) of said fluid flow channel.   
     
     
         5 . The web according to  claim 3 , wherein said first profiled section and said second profiled section each comprise an apex and a base, said apex of said first profiled section and said base of said second profiled section being arranged at one side of said main plane (P 1 ), and
 said base of said first profiled section and said apex of said second profiled section being arranged at an opposite side of said main plane (P 1 ).   
     
     
         6 . The web according to  claim 5 , wherein said apex of said first profiled section and said base of said second profiled section are arranged in a first common plane, and
 said base of said first profiled section and said apex of said second profiled section are arranged in a second common plane (P 4 ).   
     
     
         7 . The web according to  claim 1 , wherein said first profiled section and said second profiled section each comprise at least one stepped part, said stepped part of said first profiled section extending adjacent said stepped part of an adjacent second profiled section. 
     
     
         8 . The web according to  claim 7 , wherein said stepped part(s) of said first profiled section(s) extend coplanarly with said stepped part(s) of said second profiled section(s). 
     
     
         9 . The web according to  claim 1 , wherein said web comprises a web material such as polymer, steel, or aluminum foil, and, optionally, a hygroscopic or epoxy coating. 
     
     
         10 . A web matrix for transfer of thermal energy and/or moisture to and/or from a fluid, said web matrix comprising a plurality of webs according to  claim 1 , said webs being superimposed onto each other such that the main fluid flow axes (A 1 ) of said webs extend in parallel. 
     
     
         11 . The web matrix according to  claim 10 , further comprising at least one integral sheet material, each sheet material being arranged between two adjacent webs. 
     
     
         12 . The web matrix according to  claim 10 , wherein the apex and/or the base of the first profiled sections and/or the second profiled sections of said webs are fixedly attached to said sheet material. 
     
     
         13 . A rotor for a heat exchanger comprising the web matrix according to  claim 10 , a rotation axis (A 4 ) of said rotor extending in parallel with the main fluid flow axes (A 1 ) of the webs of said web matrix. 
     
     
         14 . The rotor according to  claim 13 , wherein each fluid flow channel of said webs is configured to accommodate bidirectional fluid flow at least partially along said main fluid flow axis (A 1 ),
 said fluid flowing in a first direction (D 3 ), along said main fluid flow axis (A 1 ), within a rotor section when said rotor section is in a first angular position (R 1 ),   said fluid flowing in a second, opposite direction (D 4 ), along said main fluid flow axis (A 1 ), within said rotor section when said rotor section is in a second angular position (R 2 ).   
     
     
         15 . The rotor according to  claim 13 , wherein said rotor is configured for air-to-air heat transfer. 
     
     
         16 . A rotary heat exchanger comprising the rotor according to  claim 13 .