Rotary regenerative machine structure

A modular support structure for a rotary regenerative machine or RAM comprising:

• an upper module comprising:
• an upper stator, the upper stator configured as a structural support member having a lower surface;
• an upper rotor bearing housing mount disposed above the lower surface;
• and
• at least two support pedestals, each pedestal comprising a first segment having a top portion and a lower portion;
• and
• a lower module comprising:
• a lower stator;
• and
• at least two support pedestals, each pedestal comprising a second segment having a top portion and a lower portion wherein once assembled, the upper stator and lower stator are spaced apart by each of the first segments of pedestals, each of the first segments extending between and attached to the upper stator and the lower stator, and
• each top portion of each first segment of pedestal is attached to the upper stator and each lower portion of each first segment of pedestal is attached to the lower stator and the lower portion of the first segment is attached to the top portion of the second segment.

A rotor assembly, for a rotary regenerative machine or RAM comprising:

• an upper rotor post,
• a lower rotor post,
• an intermediate central portion or hub of larger diameter than the upper rotor post and the lower rotor post,
• an upper disc beam;
• a lower disc beam;
• and
• an upper rotor bearing attached to the upper rotor post;
• wherein the hub is positioned between and attached to the upper disc beam and the lower disc beam, thereby defining an annular space between the upper disc beam and the lower disc beam.

A support structure for a rotary regenerative heat exchanger, the support structure comprising:

• an upper section comprising an upper ring having a first exterior surface, a rotor bearing housing and at least three upper spokes each extending between and secured at respective ends thereof to the upper ring and the rotor bearing housing;
• a lower section configured to be supportable in use by a foundation mounting structure mounted on a foundation, with the lower section being spaced apart from the upper section;
• and
• a plurality of support members, each of the plurality of support members being fixedly secured, directly or indirectly, to the upper ring and the lower section, thereby creating an annular space between the upper ring and the lower section, the annular space being configured to receive compartments of a rotor assembly;
• wherein the rotor bearing housing, the upper spokes and the support members cooperate to provide rigidity to the support structure such that the support members cooperate to support and transmit the weight of the upper spokes, the upper ring and the rotor bearing housing to the lower section;
• a first buttressed bracing support having a first vertical strut extending from a first top end to a first bottom end and a first radially extending buttress extending from a first upper end to a first anchor end, the first upper end being connected to the first top end of the first vertical strut;
• the first anchor end being connected to a first portion of the upper ring;
• and
• the first bottom end of the first vertical strut being connected to a first portion of the rotor bearing housing.