Kurt M Fierle

US Patent:

6345442, Feb 12, 2002

Filed:

May 22, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/576308

Inventors:

Kurt M. Fierle - Wellsville NY
Lawrence J. Muscato - Bolivar NY

Assignee:

ABB Alstom Power N.V. - Amsterdam

International Classification:

B23P 1526

US Classification:

29890031, 29890034

Abstract:

A method for adding additional axial seals and radial seals within existing air preheaters. The installed heat transfer baskets, radial seals, axial seals, and gratings are all removed from the air preheater. The existing stay plates are modified, if they are to be reused, or replaced with new stay plates. An intermediate diaphragm plate is positioned in each original compartment and mounted to the stay plates. Additional hot and cold end axial seal support bars are mounted to the rotor shell and intermediate diaphragm plate. Axial seals are installed on the original and additional axial seal support bars and radial seals are installed on the axial edges of the original and intermediate diaphragm plates. Finally, new heat transfer baskets are inserted into each of the compartments formed by the original diaphragm plates, the intermediate diaphragm plates, and the rotor shell.

US Patent:

6397785, Jun 4, 2002

Filed:

May 5, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/565964

Inventors:

Kurt M. Fierle - Wellsville NY

Assignee:

ABB Alstom Power N.V. - Amsterdam

International Classification:

F23L 1502

US Classification:

122 1A, 122DIG 2, 165 8, 165 9

Abstract:

A method for adding additional axial seals and radial seals within existing air preheaters. The installed heat transfer baskets, radial seals, axial seals, gratings, and stay plates are all removed from the air preheater. An intermediate diaphragm plate is positioned in each original compartment, mounted to the rotor shell and a diaphragm inner support plate. Hot and cold end plates mounted to the post and an inboard portion of the diaphragm plates forming the original compartment provide additional support. New gratings and/or stay plates are installed. Additional hot and cold end axial seal support bars are mounted to the rotor shell and intermediate diaphragm plate. Axial seals are installed on the original and additional axial seal support bars and radial seals are installed on the axial edges of the original and intermediate diaphragm plates. Finally, new heat transfer baskets are inserted into each of the compartments formed by the original diaphragm plates, the intermediate diaphragm plates, and the rotor shell.

US Patent:

6422298, Jul 23, 2002

Filed:

Aug 22, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/643530

Inventors:

Robin B. Rhodes - Wellsville NY
Jon R. Cowburn - Ulysses PA
Kurt M. Fierle - Wellsville NY

Assignee:

Alstom Power N.V. - Amsterdam

International Classification:

F23L 1502

US Classification:

165 8, 165 6, 165 4

Abstract:

A method for constructing a rotor of an air preheater having a plurality of diaphragm plates dividing the rotor into a number of wedge-shaped compartments. Each compartment includes compartment components such as a rotor shell plate, a hot end rotor angle, a cold end rotor angle, and one or more stay plates and means for locating at least a portion of each of the components within the compartment. The diaphragm plates are manufactured by marking at least one index location associated with each compartment component on each diaphragm plate blank utilizing a template identifying the index locations and forming an opening at each index location. Each compartment is assembled by positioning a first diaphragm plate adjacent to a second diaphragm plate and locating each compartment component between the adjacent diaphragm plates by engaging the locating means of the component in an associated opening in one of the diaphragm plates. The locating means may comprise at least one tab extending from each of the sides of the compartment components. The tabs are inserted into the associated opening in one of the diaphragm plates to locate the component.

US Patent:

6581676, Jun 24, 2003

Filed:

Oct 10, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/974508

Inventors:

Kurt M. Fierle - Wellsville NY
Lawrence J. Muscato - Bolivar NY

Assignee:

ABB Alstom Power N.V. - Amsterdam

International Classification:

F23L 1502

US Classification:

165 9, 165 8

Abstract:

A method for adding additional axial seals and radial seals within existing air preheaters. The installed heat transfer baskets, radial seals, axial seals, and gratings are all removed from the air preheater. The existing stay plates are modified, if they are to be reused, or replaced with new stay plates. An intermediate diaphragm plate is positioned in each original compartment and mounted to the stay plates. Additional hot and cold end axial seal support bars are mounted to the rotor shell and intermediate diaphragm plate. Axial seals are installed on the original and additional axial seal support bars and radial seals are installed on the axial edges of the original and intermediate diaphragm plates. Finally, new heat transfer baskets are inserted into each of the compartments formed by the original diaphragm plates, the intermediate diaphragm plates, and the rotor shell.

US Patent:

6598664, Jul 29, 2003

Filed:

Jan 25, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/769553

Inventors:

Kurt M. Fierle - Wellsville NY
Robin B. Rhodes - Wellsville NY
Charles R. White - Wellsville NY

Assignee:

Alstom (Switzerland) Ltd - Baden

International Classification:

F23L 1502

US Classification:

165 9, 165 8, 277370, 277922, 277549

Abstract:

A bypass seal for a rotary regenerative air preheater includes primary and secondary seal leaves that are joined at a single position longitudinally intermediate their first and second sends. The first end portion of the primary seal leaf extends longitudinally beyond the first end of the secondary seal leaf and the second end portion of the secondary seal leaf extends longitudinally beyond the second end of the primary seal leaf. When installed in the air preheater, the first end portion of the primary seal leaf of each bypass seal in one of the seal rings overlaps the second end portion of the secondary seal leaf of an adjacent bypass seal in the seal ring.

US Patent:

6615905, Sep 9, 2003

Filed:

Mar 7, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/093716

Inventors:

Robin B. Rhodes - Wellsville NY
Jon R. Cowburn - Ulysses PA
Kurt M. Fierle - Wellsville NY

Assignee:

Alstom (Switzerland) Ltd - Baden

International Classification:

F23L 1502

US Classification:

165 8, 165 4, 29890, 2940709

Abstract:

A method for constructing a rotor of an air preheater having a plurality of diaphragm plates dividing the rotor into a number of wedge-shaped compartments. Each compartment includes compartment components such as a rotor shell plate, a hot end rotor angle, a cold end rotor angle, and one or more stay plates and means for locating at least a portion of each of the components within the compartment. The diaphragm plates are manufactured by marking at least one index location associated with each compartment component on each diaphragm plate blank utilizing a template identifying the index locations and forming an opening at each index location. Each compartment is assembled by positioning a first diaphragm plate adjacent to a second diaphragm plate and locating each compartment component between the adjacent diaphragm plates by engaging the locating means of the component in an associated opening in one of the diaphragm plates. The locating means may comprise at least one tab extending from each of the sides of the compartment components. The tabs are inserted into the associated opening in one of the diaphragm plates to locate the component.

US Patent:

57134111, Feb 3, 1998

Filed:

Dec 12, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/764533

Inventors:

Kurt M. Fierle - Wellsville NY

Assignee:

ABB Air Preheater, Inc. - Wellsville NY

International Classification:

F23L 1502

US Classification:

165 8

Abstract:

A lifting device for engaging lifting openings in a splitter plate of a heat transfer element basket assembly has first and second opposed hook bodies. Each hook body has an upper engagement portion and a lower portion offset from the upper portion. The hook bodies further define hook openings. A fastener releasably fastens the upper portions of the hook bodies wherein the hook openings define a through-bore and the lower portions define a splitter plate gap. Each hook body further defines a hook portion extending from the offset portion forward the other hook body and across the splitter plate gap. The hook portions are adapted to extend through the lifting openings of the splitter plate when the hook bodies are fastened by the fastener.

US Patent:

59112719, Jun 15, 1999

Filed:

Aug 27, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/140883

Inventors:

Kurt M. Fierle - Wellsville NY
Robin B. Rhodes - Wellsville NY

Assignee:

ABB Air Preheater, Inc. - Wellsville NY

International Classification:

F23L 1502

US Classification:

165 9

Abstract:

The gas flow bypass around the heating elements in a regenerative air preheater is reduced by the use of floating bypass seals which are placed in the rotor compartments between stacked heating elements. The seals comprise a frame with an open center with the peripheral frame portion bridging the gaps between the heating elements and the sides of the compartments. The seals may be adjustable and may include a deformable edge seal to actually contact and seal against the sides.