Apparatus and method for testing a recuperator core for leakage
AssigneeSolar Turbines Incorporated
InventorsCharles W. Bucey, Timothy A. Booth, Steven W. Clayton, Robert M. Jones
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A recuperator core has a plurality of passages sealingly formed therein. In use, a fluid passes through a respective one of the plurality of passages under pressure. The recuperator core must be tested to determine an operational efficiency or leakage within the respective plurality of passages. A pair of sealing mechanisms are positioned at a respective one a pair of ends of the respective one of the plurality of passages. A pressure or a vacuum is pulled across the respective ones of plurality of passages and a rate of leakage or decay rate is monitored to define an operational recuperator core and a failed recuperator core.
Claims16
An apparatus for testing a leakage rate within a recuperator core, wherein a rate of decay has a predefined acceptable rate and a predefined rejection rate for said recuperator core, said recuperator core having a plurality of components, such components being a plurality of cells being welded one to another, said apparatus comprising:
- a platform defining a first end and a second end, a first surface of the platform extends between said first end and said second end, a first support portion being attached to said first surface and a second support portion being spaces from said first support portion and each being attached to said first surface;
- a pair of sealing mechanisms, one of said pair of sealing mechanisms having a rod end of a pressure member attached thereto and being movable in an infinite number of positions resulting in said one of said pair of sealing mechanisms being movable between an open or non testing position and a closed or testing position, in said closed or testing position a reservoir being formed;
- a pump being operatively connected to at least one of said pair of sealing mechanisms;
- a monitoring system being operatively connected to said platform, said pair of sealing mechanisms, said reservoir and said pump;
- and
- a readout station being operatively connected to said monitoring system, said reservoir and said pump.
A method of testing a recuperator core, said recuperator core having a plurality of donor passages defining a donor inlet end and a donor outlet end and a plurality of recipient passages defining a recipient inlet end and a recipient outlet end, said plurality of donor passages being sealed from said plurality of recipient passages, said method of testing said recuperator core comprising the steps of:
- positioning said recuperator core in a test stand and wherein prior to said step of positioning said recuperator core in said test stand said recuperator core having a guard member position about an “OD” of said recuperator core;
- positioning a sealing member in sealing relationship with one of said donor inlet end and said recipient inlet end and a rod end of a pressure member being attached to an other of said sealing members and being movable in an infinite number of positions resulting in positioning said an other of said sealing member in sealing relationship with one of said donor outlet end and said recipient outlet end forming a reservoir and defining a closed or testing position;
- actuating a controller applying one of a pressure and a vacuum to said reservoir;
- monitoring a rate of decay of said pressure and said vacuum;
- and displaying said rate of decay.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.