The invention consisting in a new and innovative tape heat exchanger module for use in fluid thermodynamics, in particular in air recuperation.

In the current times known as the “era of the climate crisis” and under the conditions pursuant to obligations under the Paris Agreement (2015), it has become a matter of high priority to search for solutions aimed at reducing EQ C02 emissions. Analysis of heat exchangers available on the market proves that assumptions concerning regular maintenance (especially cleaning) made at the design stage of heat exchangers should be regarded as erroneous. Such exchangers are, therefore, harmful to both users and the natural environment. The solution according to the present invention leads to elimination of this problem by introducing an innovative approach to the design of the heat exchanger. Durability is reduced to the necessary minimum, with easiness of replacement and recycling that accompany the replacement of filters.

Various types of heat exchangers are known. These include heat exchangers with the following solutions: shell structure, shell-and-tube structure, plate structure, crossflow structure, rectilinear counter-current structure and rectilinear concurrent structure solutions. Furthermore, enthalpy exchangers are known, whose construction enables the recovery of both heat energy and moisture.

The description of the invention No. P 410349 presents a recuperator with a cylindrical body, inside which a recovered heat space is located, including a heat exchanger with a system of cylindrical pipes.

The description of the utility model No. W 111636 presents a recuperator made of a single strip of metal foil stretched on expanding-spacer elements fixed on a structural frame. The foil is arranged in a multilayered structure on a part of cylinder surface, and spacer and spacersealing elements are arranged so that ducts are formed, which ducts are plugged on sides with plugging elements, which ducts are placed between the expanding-spacer elements,

The description of the invention No. P 396317 presents a counter-current recuperator in the form of a tape coil with a spacing between the layers achieved by means of rearranging, simultaneously separating sections for media input and output on the facing surfaces of the coil. The description of the invention No. P 296608 presents a sheli-and-tube structure heat exchanger made of aluminum. The exchanger consists of four modules connected with each other by collectors of the heating and the heated medium. A single exchanger module consists of several heating pipes twisted together in the form of a multiple coil spring, placed inside the shell and coiled, together with the shell, in the shape of a flattened coil spring. The shell of each module is welded to the collectors, whereas the heating pipes pass through the holes made in these collectors and are welded to external walls thereof, connecting with the collectors through collector pipes.

The chief difference between enthalpy heat exchangers and classic heat exchangers relies on the use of a selective vapor-open partition, which promotes the transfer of both heat energy and water vapor molecules. The common feature of these two types of exchangers lies in the fact that the material acting as a thermal energy transmitter (heat conductor) performs also a structural function (the shape of the !amellas), providing the exchangers with the required features, i.e. thermal conductivity of the partitions, stiffness and durability associated with the possibility of multiple maintenance. In order to maintain structural properties, exchangers are usually made of conductors of appropriate thickness of the partitions, determined as the optimum between the stiffness of the structure and the efficiency of heat transmission. In the case of enthalpy heat exchangers, thermal energy, together with water vapor particles, is transferred through the partitions, which results in the recovery of air moisture, a feature desirable in particularly in the period of overdrying. It is also known that the temperature inside the heating medium strewn that flows laminar along the axis of the duct is higher than at its wall. This phenomenon seems disadvantageous in the context of heat transfer through the walls of the heat exchanger partitions. The thinner the partition walls, the better the heat conductivity/heat transfer coefficient. Similar correlations apply to the transfer of water vapor molecules through selectively vapor-open materials. Membranes constitute the thinnest of partitions; yet due to their properties, no membrane guarantees desired shape of the exchanger ducts, which leads to the lack of reliability in terms of durability required for devices with a long expected period of use,

The tape heat exchanger module according to proposed the invention overcomes the drawbacks resultant from the abovementioned state of the art. The solution according to present the invention is pro-ecological and will contribute to the improvement of the natural environment condition and its protection. The proposed solution in the form of a tape heat exchanger module, with vortex generating capability, is characterized with innovative feature, that is nearly disposable use, with no need to perform maintenance such as cleaning the exchanger. Chemical preparations and mechanical solutions applied in the cleaning process have negative consequences for the natural environment. In addition, the maintenance process of exchangers is liable to errors, imprecisions, and in most cases, primarily, to negligence and technological imperfections, which may result in a permanent reduction to the operating parameters of the devices (with a negative impact on the natural environment), and may also generate health risks to the users of the devices. The solution according to the proposed invention, is fitted the features similar to the disposable solution, can be recycled relatively easily and exerts no harm to the natural environment (with regard to the heat exchanger tape) and reused (with respect to the heat exchanger structure). The reduced durability of the solution is compensated by the benefits resultant from the lack of maintenance (including maintenance costs, negligence and accompanying technological errors) and a significantly lower unit cost of production (a smaller amount of conductors) and increased efficiency of heat recovery resulting from the use of membrane partitions in the form of a tape. An additional advantage in terms of environmental nature and comfort of use lies in the ability to adjust the enthalpy of the exchanger in relation to its moisture recovery capacity when a tape made of connected membranes with various enthalpy properties in applied.

In addition, the possibility to apply tapes with different properties in the solution according to the proposed invention may affect not only the recovery of vapor molecules (enthalpy), but also makes it possible to ionize, cool and heat the air, depending on the properties of the membrane applied.

The exchanger module according to the proposed invention has a simple structure, is characterized by exceptionally economical use of material and, therefore, is cheaper to produce. The material applied for its construction is extremely easy to reuse, whereas the intermediary material for heat transfer is extremely easy to recycle, with no maintenance required. The solution according to the proposed invention is easily replaced.

The reusable heat exchangers in usage nowadays have a lower efficiency, even in the event of condensation of moisture inside it, and result in a yield of the so-called "latent heat". Enthalpy exchangers recover heat and moisture, which prevents condensation inside them and inhibit "latent heat" recovery. Heat exchangers operate in variable climatic conditions. In winter, when the air is cool and dry, the recovery of moisture seems a favorable phenomenon. This indicates the advantage of enthalpy exchangers. In summer, however, higher temperature of the air and excess moisture may pose a problem. Thus, “traditional" exchangers are at an advantage in this season. Owing to the use of a tape made of membranes with different properties, the exchanger according to the proposed invention comprises a combination of the advantageous features of the two abovementioned solutions, The operating mode may be switched here from summer to winter season. As a result, the solution according to the proposed invention enables the recovery of moisture in conditions of dry air and the recovery of latent heat resulting from the condensation of excess moisture in conditions of humid air. The possibility to adjust the enthalpy of the exchanger results from the use of two types of tapes, i.e. a tape consisting of a section impermeable to water vapor particles and a vapor particles permeable tape. These tapes can be made of the same or a different material.

A heat exchanger made of modules according to the proposed invention, in confrast to the solutions known from the state of the art, uses the feed and tension of the tape, which makes it possible to modify the material of the exchanger walls. This results in a significant modification to its characteristics, depending on the tape components used and its properties. The essence of the invention consists in the fact that the tape exchanger module has a frame- membrane structure, which consists of structure unit bars that define the shape of the exchanger structure and the shape of the ducts, which ducts are mounted on the structure unit bars, and has tapes (membranes) of conductor and vapor conductor, which slide bidirectionally along the ducts without changing the geometry of the ducts, wherein by means of tape feed and by shifting the belt tension force, the characteristics of the ducts wall are changed from water vapor particle permeable to water vapor particle impermeable; wherein the conductor and vapor conductor function as membranes with different properties; the conductor is a membrane (tape) of lowered enthalpy, and the vapor-conductor is a membrane (tape) of increased enthalpy; the conductor and vapor-conductor membranes are wound up onto the tape winding rollers, where one roller is a tape winding roller with a reduced enthalpy, whereas the other roller is a tape winding roller with increased enthalpy, wherein rollers are moved by the feed adjustment knob, which allows the membrane to be wound towards the right and to the left; the construction structure has a vortex generator with which to disrupt the laminar flow of the medium; which vortex generator is formed of elements, at least one of which extends towards the center of the duct and is placed at an angle, which causes turbulence in the airflow and airflow turbulence within the duet; the membranes are wound on the tape winding rollers, wherein by adjusting the tape tension, the parameters of the system’s own frequency are regulated with the help of the tape winding rollers.

Due to the fact that the solution is fitted with two tape winding rollers, it enables not only the tape feed, but also the adjustment of the tape tension force through the use of mechanisms known from the state of the art in which the mechanism of winding up and unwinding flexible elements is applied. Tape winding and unwinding is performed either mechanically or through an electronic tensioning mechanism.

By regulating tension force of the tape, the regulation of the system’s own frequency occurs. Thus, vibrations are dampened. By adjusting the system’s own frequency (by tensioning the tape), parametric vibrations may also be activated to disturb the laminar flows. The degree of unwinding or winding the tapes, i.e., adjustment of tension force, causes parametric vibrations. Duct wall vibrations lead to disturbance of laminar flows in the ducts, i.e., turbulent flows, which increases efficiency of heat energy transfer.

Adjusting tension of the tape can also affect intensity level of water vapor molecule transfer. Each membrane can be homogeneous or perforated. The use of perforated tapes eliminates slippage and facilitates obtaining favorable tensions.

The tape heat exchanger module according to the proposed invention is of a frame-membrane structure, in which heat conductor provides a separate material that functions as a partition between the ducts and a separate frame that serves as the structure, This allows for the introduction of ducts of various shapes, easy to modify, improve, bend, ste, These duets are surrounded with a membrane that acts as a thermal conductor. The membranes move along or across the ducts, depending on the exchanger layout. The use of feed membranes with the possibility of adjusting tension (membranes) thereof modifies the properties of the exchanger, for example in terms of the enthalpy feature. Due to this design, the heat exchanger enthalpy can be regulated. The membranes can be arranged in two extreme positions or in an intermediate position. In the extreme positions, enthalpy either occurs or not. In an intermediate position - part of the exchanger surface is enthalpic, whereas part remains standard. The adjustment is made smoothly by means of the tape feed. The solution according to the proposed invention has the structure of a heat exchanger, which consists of at least two materials, one of which (the structure unit) ensures the stiffness of the structure, whereas the other is a tape. The latter consists of a uniform membrane or connected membranes with various properties. Membranes with various properties (conductor and vapor-conductor) ensure thermal conductivity and thermal conductivity with selective vapor permeability. Both the conductor and the vapor-conductor provide extremely thin barriers (membranes) made of materials with high thermal conductivity properties. However, the vapor-conductor is the only element that has selectivelywapor-permeable properties. The structure unit guarantees the required shape, structure and layout of the ducts (and thus the shape of the exchanger as a whole), The duets known from the state of the art - regardless of their cross-sectional shape (round, square, triangular, polygonal) may be twisted along the airflow axis, thus ensuring that he flow medium is launched in turbulent or vortex motion, or they can be equipped with vortex generators. The variability of enthalpy in the case of the proposed solution results from the combination of a conductor and vapor-conductors with a continuous membrane with a tape layout and the possibility of its two-way motion along the structure unit elements. The tape feed makes no change to the geometry of the flow ducts of the medium. The tape feed modifies the characteristics of the membrane (wall) of the ducts - from permeable to impermeable. Owing to the use of the tape feed in the solution according to proposed the invention, it is possible to automatically clean the device without the need to interfere with the inside of the exchanger. The moveable tape, additionally supported (in the variant of the solution) with fitted brushes, causes the device to be cleaned automatically by moving the tape along the right - left axis. In this variant of the proposed invention, while rewinding the tape, the walls of the exchanger are self-cleaned.

The belt exchanger made of modules according to the proposed invention makes it possible to introduce modification to the exchanger shapes, as well as to modify the geometry of the ducts by appropriate bending or twisting the structure unit. The structure unit may, for example, consist of a wire which makes this feature possible. Moreover, with the aid of the structure unit in the exchanger made of modules according to the proposed invention, it is possible to introduce a vortex generator in the form of, e.g„ a duct bent towards the center of one of the structure unit elements. The use of the structure unit, on the one hand, ensures the stiffness of the entire structure. On the other hand, it offers the possibility to modify the shape and introduce variable geometry of the ducts from straight ducts to ones that may generate vortex motion. This occurs due to the fact that structure bars in heat exchanger according to the proposed invention can be bent towards the inside of the duct, thus creating vortices.

The tape exchanger module according to the proposed invention has a frame-membrane structure, which consists of bars, rollers, sliding elements and other elements with which to ensure the structural stability of the structure unit (1) as the material that guarantees the required shape, structure and layout of ducts (8), and a conductor (2) and a vapor conductor (3). Among the remaining elements to ensure structural stability of the structure unit (1), the following are included: drive rollers and, in case drives are used, a power-driven tape transport mechanism, mounting holes, guide and pressure rollers, spool locks, inspection eye and a pollution elimination opening,

Both the conductor and the vapor-conductor consist of membranes. The conductor (2) comes in the form of a membrane (tape) of reduced enthalpy. This membrane is impermeable to water vapor molecules. The vapor conductor (3) consists of a membrane (tape) of increased enthalpy. This membrane is permeable to water vapor molecules, The conductor (2) and vapor-conductor (3) membranes are made of materials with thermal conductivity properties and permeability of water vapor molecules, desirable in the case of exchangers. They also have physical properties that enable their use in a tautened and wound tape system. The Structure unit bars (1) outline the shape of the exchanger structure itself, whereas the ducts are mounted onto them. The ducts (8) are surrounded by membranes (2) or (3). The membranes (2) and (3) are connected by a membrane connector, which provides the point of contact between the two membranes. These are connected in a well-known manner, e.g. by gluing or welding. Preferably, several exchanger modules connected by a structure unit (1) and mounted around the feed adjustment knob (6) form a tape heat exchanger. The connection of the modules constructed in accordance with the proposed invention with the feed adjustment knob (6) and the rollers (4) and (5) in the solution according to tire proposed invention is made in any manner known from the prior state of the art. The method of combining the modules relates to the joining of individual structural elements. In a variant qf the proposed solution, the exchanger may consist of one module only. Inside the frame formed by the duets (8), tape winding rollers (4) and (5) are fitted. The roller (4) is a tape winding roller of reduced enthalpy. The roller (5) is a tape winding roller of increased enthalpy. The rollers (4) and (5) move owing to the feed adjustment knob (6), which has the ability to wind the membranes to the right or to left. Winding the membrane modifies the enthalpy of the entire exchanger. Each of tire membranes (2) and (3), of reduced and increased enthalpy, respectively, moves through the rollers (4) and (5) to the right or left, to its extreme positions. In one extreme position, the exchanger operates in the standard mode. Whereas if the membrane is moved entirely to the other side, the exchanger switched to the enthalpy mode of operation. The membranes can also move to intermediate positions. Thanks to this movement of the membranes, it is possible to recover moisture in a controlled manner - from maximum (enthalpy) to zero. A stabilizing connector (7), preferably of a circular cross-section, is placed between the rollers (4) and (5). The rollers (4) and (5), as well as the feed adjustment knob (6) are set in motion by the use of a motor or mechanically. The rollers (4) and (5) and the feed adjustment knob (6) are mounted inside the exchanger, along with the entire feed mechanism, by attaching it to the exchanger housing or to the structure unit itself, preferably by snap lock connections to facilitate assembly and disassembly thereof. Fixing the rollers (4) and (5) and the feed adjusting knob (6) together with the entire feed mechanism to the housing of the exchanger means that replacing the exchanger (e.g, due to its contamination) does not force the feed mechanism to be replaced. In such a situation, the installation of a new exchanger requires the installation of a cartridge containing tape in the exchanger housing and then winding the tape onto the rollers.

On the other hand, mounting the rollers (4) and (5) and the feed adjustment knob (6) along with the entire feed mechanism to the structure unit results in the need to replace the: feed mechanism while replacing the exchanger (e.g. due to its contamination). This eliminates the need to wind up a new tape on the structure unit in the event of its replacement.

The shape of the ducts (8), and thus the shape of the exchanger itself, is determined by the structure unit (1). The exchanger may come in a shape known from the state of the art, i.e. in a cross-section with round or oval, triangular, cubic, hexagonal or polygonal ducts. Both rigid and flexible taut elements, e.g. bars, tubes, taut cables or hybrids of these solutions, can be used as structure units (1). It is advantageous to apply a hybrid structure unit (1), i.e. based on both rigid rods or tubes and taut cables (tie-rods). The structure unit (1) can be made of both thermal conductors and insulators. Around the structure unit (1) a partition made of conductor is places, to ensure tightness and high level of heat energy exchange. The structure unit (1) ensures the rigidity of the entire structure.

According to the known state of the art, the exchanger ducts (8) may come in a straight or torsional form. In torsional ducts, the flow of the medium can be laminar or turbulent. In order for the flow to be turbulent, it is necessary to use a vortex generator. The vortex generator consists in such a layout of the structure unit (1) that forces a turbulent air flow - structure unit element (1) is formed in a way that introduces air turbulence in the ducts. The structure unit element (1) to introduce turbulent flow in the ducts (8) preferably consists of wires that perform the function of the structure unit (1), at least one of which stretches into the center of the duct and is arranged at an angle. Such a layout causes turbulence in the air flow and air flow turbulence within the duct. The turbulent flow of the medium can be caused both by the use of a vortex generator only, the shape of the duct, by launching forced vibrations (1), and a combination of all these solutions.

Turbulent air flow can also be caused by other solutions known from the state of the art, for example by the shape of the ducts; by launching parametric vibrations of the tape caused by streams of the medium flowing in the ducts; by means of vortex generators located at the inlets to the ducts; by increasing the flow velocity; by causing the walls of the ducts to vibrate.

The tape heat exchanger made of the exchanger modules according to the proposed invention can operate in three modes: in the classic heat exchanger mode, in the enthalpy mode and in the intermediate mode, i.e. standard enthalpy mode. The exchanger operates in the standard mode when the membrane of the walls of the exchanger ducts (8) consists of the conductor material only (2). In this ease, the exchanger enables the condensation of water vapor and receives additional so-called "latent heat", with account to the need for the condensate to he removed. When the exchanger is in enthalpy mode, the membrane of the walls of the exchanger ducts (8) consists of the vapor-conductor material only (3). In such a system, the exchanger recovers water vapor particles together with heat energy, thereby eliminating the risk of the exchanger being frosted. The intermediate operation mode of the exchanger means that the membrane of the walls of the exchanger ducts (8) consists of both a conductor (2) and a vapor-conductor materials (3).

In the tape exchanger module according to the proposed invention, the membranes (2) and (3) are wound on the rollers (4) and (5) of the tape winding rollers. At the same time, with the help of the rollers (4) and (5), it is possible to adjust the system’s own frequency parameters. This makes it possible both to eliminate the risk of parametric vibrations and to launch them, for example in order to obtain better parameters in terms of turbulent air flow within the ducts. The modification to the natural frequency (resonance frequencies of the tape) depends on, and changes in accordance with, the strength of tape tension. The more the tape is stretched or the thicker (more massive) it is, the higher its resonant frequency. The less the tape is stretched or the thinner it is (has a lower mass), the lower its resonance frequency. The tape tension is modified by tensioning the tape, with one roller locked and simultaneous increasing the winding of the other roller, or by winding both rollers in opposite directions. Parametric vibrations are launched by external energy, e.g. the energy of uneven (turbulent) flow of the medium flowing in directions opposite to the tape wall. The uneven pressure of the fluids in the ducts takes the form of waves that are reflected from the walls of the heat exchanger ducts, transferring some of the energy to these walls, which can lead to the selfresonance of the entire system.

The solution according to the invention is shown in the attached drawings, Figures 1-8, wherein:

Fig, 1 shows the module of tape heat exchanger

Fig. 2 presents a circular cross-sectional view of tape heat exchanger consisting qf three modules

Fig. 3 presets a hexagonal cross-sectional view of tape heat exchanger, made up of several modules

Fig, 4 presents a triangular cross-sectional view of tape heat exchanger consisting of several modules. Fig 5 presents a schematic diagram of sliding mechanism

Fig. 6 presents a square shaped cross-sectional view of tape heat exchanger consisting of several modules

Fig, 7 presents a hexagonal cross-sectional view of vortex generators as part of tape heat exchanger

Fig. 8 presents model of tape heat exchanger in a cross-sectional of hexagonal shape with vortex generators.

A heat exchanger according to the proposed invention is shown in examples below that do not limit the invention Example 1

The tape heat exchanger with a circular cross-section has a frame-membrane structure that consists of three modules. A single module comprises vertically arranged bars of a structure unit (1) made of a wire, a conductor (2) in the form of aluminum tape and a vapor-eonductor (3) being a vapor-permeable tape. These tapes are connected to each other by welding. Both the conductor and the vapor-conductor serve the function of membranes, duets are mounted radially on the structure unit bars (1). Inside the frame, rollers (4) and tape winding rollers (5) are placed and centrally there is feed adjustment knob (6). Three identical modules described above are mounted around the knob (6). These are connected by the structure (1) through snap lock connections that facilitate their assembly and disassembly. Between rollers (4) and (5) there is a stabilizing connector (7), preferably of a circular cross-section. Rrollers (4) and (5), as well as the feed adjustment knob (6) are firmly fixed inside the exchanger, preferably with screws.

Example 2

The tape heat exchanger of a hexagonal cross-section has a frame-membrane structure, which consists of five modules. A single module comprises spiral-shaped bars of the structure unit (1) made a rigid tube, and a conductor (2) and a vapor conductor (3) that come as foils of various properties. These foils are joined together by gluing. Both the conductor and the vapor-conductor serve as membranes. The ducts are mounted on the bars of the structure unit (1). Inside the frame, tape winding rollers, both of membranes and a feed adjustment knob are placed. Five identical modules described above are mounted around the feed adjustment knob. These are connected with a structure unit (1) by means of connections known from the state of the art. Between rollers (4) and (S), a stabilizing connection (7) is placed, preferably of circular cross-section, Rollers (4) and (5) and feed adjustment knob (6) are firmly fixed inside the exchanger, preferably with screws.

Example 3

The tape heat exchanger of a triangular cross-section has a frame-membrane structure, which consists of six modules. A single module comprises vertically arranged bars of a structure unit (1) being a taut cable (tie-rod) and a conductor (2) and a vapor conductor (3) as membranes of various conductive properties. These membranes are joined together by gluing. The ducts are mounted on the bars of the structure unit (1). Inside the frame, winding rollers of both membranes and a feed adjustment knob are placed. Six identical, described above, modules mounted around the knob are connected by a structure unit (1) with snap lock connections that facilitate their assembly and disassembly. Between rollers (4) and (5), a stabilizing connection (7) is fitted, preferably of circular cross-section. The rollers (4) and (5) and feed adjustment knob (6) are firmly fixed inside the exchanger, preferably with screws.

Example 4

The strip exchanger of a hexagonal cross-section has a frame-membrane structure, in which a single module contains vertically arranged bars of the structure unit (1) as a rigid tube, and a conductor (2) and a vapor-conductor (3) made of tapes of various properties. These tapes are joined together by gluing. Both the conductor and the vapor-conductor provide membranes. The ducts (8) are mounted on the structure unit bars (1). The tapes (2) and (3) are wound onto the winding rollers of each of the membranes, respectively. The vapor particle impermeable tape (2) is wound onto roller (4) of the vapor impermeable tape winding roller. The steam- permeable tape (3) wound onto roller (5) of the vapor permeable tape winding roller (5). Each of rollers (4) and (5) can be rotated using feed adjustment knob (6), A stabilizing connection (7), preferably of circular cross-section, is placed between the tape winding rollers· Rollers (4) and (5) and the feed adjustment knob (6) are firmly fixed inside the exchanger, preferably with screws.

Example 5

The tape exchanger of a circular cross-section has a frame-membrane structure, which consists of one module made up of vertically arranged bars of the structure unit (1) being a wire, and a conductor (2) in the form of an aluminum tape and a vapor-permeable vapor- conductor (3) in the form of a vapor-permeable tape. These tapes are connected to each other by welding, Both the conductor and the vapor-permeable conductor provide membranes. Ducts are mounted radially on the structure unit bars (1). Inside the frame, rollers (4) and (5) of the tape winding rollers are placed, and centrally there is a feed adjustment knob (6), Three identical modules described above are mounted around feed adjustment knob (6). They ate connected to the structure unit (1) by snap lock connections to facilitate their assembly and disassembly, or by other types of lock connections known from the state of the art. Between rollers (4) and (5), a stabilizing connection (7), preferably of circular cross-section, is located. Rollers (4) and (5) and the feed adjustment knob (6) are firmly fixed inside the exchanger, preferably with screws.