Matrix structure and method for making
AssigneeGTE Sylvania Incorporated
InventorChester John Dziedzic
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Abstract
There is described an improved matrix structure for use in a heat regenerator for a turbine engine. The improvement comprises providing the structure's outer region with a plurality of corrugated and flat ceramic strips, a substantial portion of said strips of a thickness greater than the thickness of the structure's operative region. A method for making the structure is also disclosed.
Claims22
In an annular matrix structure adapted for use in a rotary heat regenerator for a turbine engine wherein said matrix includes an inner operative region and an outer region substantially about said operative region and adapted for having a driveable means affixed thereto, said operative region defined by a plurality of radially alternating corrugated and flat ceramic strips each of a pre-established thickness and secured together to define a plurality of radially sealed axial flow passages, wherein said outer region comprises a plurality of corrugated and flat ceramic strips radially disposed in a predetermined pattern, a substantial portion of said strips of a thickness substantially greater than said preestablished thickness of said ceramic strips of said operative region,
- the improvement wherein the total cross-sectional area of said outer region is within the range from about 8% to about 11% of the total cross-sectional area of said matrix structure, and the thickness of said substantial portion of said ceramic strips of said outer region is within the range of from about 2 to about 4 times greater than said preestablished thickness of said ceramic strips of said operative region.
In a method of making an annular matrix structure adapted for use in a rotary heat regenerator for a turbine engine wherein said matrix includes an inner operative region and an outer region and wherein said method includes forming said inner operative region of a plurality of radially alternating corrugated and flat ceramic strips, each of a preestablished thickness and secured together to define a plurality of radially sealed axially flow passages, and forming said outer region substantially about said inner region, wherein said outer region is formed of a plurality of corrugated and flat ceramic strips radially disposed in a predetermined pattern, a substantial portion of said strips of a thickness substantially greater than said preestablished thickness of said ceramic strips of said operative region,
- the improvement wherein the total cross-sectional area of said outer region is within the range of from about 8% to about 11% of the total cross-sectional area of said matrix structure, and the substantial portion of said ceramic strips of said outer region is of a thickness within the range of from about 2 to about 4 times said preestablished thickness of said ceramic strips of said operative region.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.