Fixing device for reinforcing the joint of a rotary heat exchanger

An apparatus for stabilizing a heat exchanger rotatable about an axis and having a hub at the axis, a heat-storage part formed by alternating flat and corrugated elements wrapped around the hub, a cylindrical radially outer wall surrounding the heat-storage part, and a pair of axially spaced end walls axially flanking the heat-storage part, the apparatus being used in combination with a plurality of screw spokes each having a headed outer end and a pointed inner end, the apparatus comprising:

• a frame adapted to hold the heat exchanger stationarily;
• a guide assembly on the frame and extending radially outward from the end wall;
• and
• a screwing/drilling device displaceable radially along the guide assembly for screwing at least one of the screw spokes radially inward through the outer wall, through the heat-exchange part, and into the drum and thereby forming a guide bore holding the one screw spoke and extending through the outer wall, the layers, and into the hub until the headed end of the screw spoke radially engages the outer wall and the pointed end is seated in the hub.