Air separation module with clam shell axial support
AssigneeHoneywell International, Inc., Patent Services M/S AB/2B
InventorsDAVID A. FAUTSCH, MICHAEL S. SANDACZ, STEVEN M. POKLOP, REHAN ZAKI
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Abstract
An air separation module includes a housing, a bundle of hollow fiber membranes, and a clam shell axial support assembly. The axial support assembly includes two supportive elements, each supportive element including a flow-through component. The flow-through component includes a plurality of openings through which a supply of fluid (e.g. oxygen enriched air) may pass. The axial support assembly is secured around the bundle of hollow fiber membranes at a position radially inward from the housing and radially outward from the fiber bundle.
Claims20
An apparatus for insertion into a housing structure having a housing shell, the apparatus comprising:
- a potted bundle positionable within said housing structure, said potted bundle including a fiber bundle and at least one tubesheet;
- and
- an axial support assembly positioned around said potted bundle radially outward from said fiber bundle and radially inward from said housing shell when the apparatus is inserted into the housing structure.
An apparatus for insertion into a housing structure, the apparatus comprising:
- a fiber bundle having a plurality of hollow fiber membranes;
- a tubesheet in contact with said fiber bundle, said tubesheet including a support coupling groove;
- and
- two supportive elements positioned between said fiber bundle and said housing structure, each supportive element in contact with said support coupling groove.
A method of supporting a fiber bundle comprising the steps of:
- potting each end of said fiber bundle to provide a potted bundle having one tubesheet adjacent each end of said fiber bundle;
- positioning an axial support assembly around said potted bundle to form a supported fiber bundle assembly;
- securing portions of the supported fiber bundle assembly together;
- and
- positioning at least one o-ring in physical contact with said tubesheet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.