초록 ▼

Recuperators include a core which is commonly constructed of a plurality of relatively thin flat sheets having an angled or corrugated spacer fixedly attached therebetween. The sheets are joined into cells, sealed and form passages between the sheets. These cells are stacked or rolled and form alter

Recuperators include a core which is commonly constructed of a plurality of relatively thin flat sheets having an angled or corrugated spacer fixedly attached therebetween. The sheets are joined into cells, sealed and form passages between the sheets. These cells are stacked or rolled and form alternate air (recipient) cells and hot exhaust (donor) cells. Compressed discharged air from a compressor of the engine passes through the air cell while hot exhaust gas flows through alternate cells. The exhaust gas heats the sheets and the spacers, and the compressor discharged air is heated by conduction from the sheets and spacers. The need for repeatability of construction of each cell assures that the final recuperator is economically and easily assembled. Examples, of such repeatability required includes length, height, thickness, weld size, weld position, weld splatter and others. The recuperator assembly method provides a cell and a recuperator having repeatability of length, height, thickness, weld size, weld position, weld splatter and others.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. An automated method of manufacturing a cell, said cell having a plurality of bars interposed a pair of sheets defining a passage between said pair of sheets, said cell being adapted for use with a recuperator; said method of manufacturing comprising the steps of:actuati

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. An automated method of manufacturing a cell, said cell having a plurality of bars interposed a pair of sheets defining a passage between said pair of sheets, said cell being adapted for use with a recuperator; said method of manufacturing comprising the steps of:actuating a master control system;actuating a work station control system;actuating a first work station defining a first work position of said first work station positioning a pair of first donor bars in a first fixture designated as "A", a second work position of said first work station positioning a pair of second donor bars in a second fixture designated as "B",a third work position of said first work station positioning one of said pair of sheets into each of said first fixture "A" and said second fixture "B", each one of said pair of sheets having a recipient side being up, and attaching said pair of first donor bars and said pair of second donor bars to each of said pair of sheets forming a first pair of cell portions, one of each first pair of cell portions being in said first fixture "A" and in said second fixture "B", and a fourth work position of said first work station rotating each of said first pair of cell portions and further attaching each of said pair of sheets and said pair of first donor bars;actuating a second work station defining a first work position of said second work station transferring and rotating one of said first pair of cell portions from said first fixture "A" of said first work station at said fourth work position to a first fixture "A'" of said second work station at said first work position, a donor side of said one of said pair of sheets being up and transferring said other one of said first pair of cell portions from said second fixture "B" of said first work station at said fourth work position to a second fixture "B'" of said second work station at said first work position, said recipient side of said one of said pair of sheets being up, a second work position of said second work station positioning a recipient bar on said recipient side of said one of said pair of sheets in said second fixture "B'" and attaching said recipient bar to said one of said pair of sheets, a third work position of said second work station positioning an other recipient bar on said recipient side of said one of said pair of sheets in said second fixture "B'", positioning a pair of director sheets on said recipient side of said one of said pair of sheets in said second fixture "B'" and further attaching said other recipient bar to said one of said pair of sheets, and a fourth work position of said second work station positioning said first pair of cell portions from said first fixture "A'" to said second fixture "B'" with said donor side of said one of said pair of sheets being up and further attaching said first pair of cell portions from said first fixture "A'" to said first pair of cell portions of said second fixture "B'" forming a second pair of cell portions;actuating a third work station defining a first work position of said third work station, transferring and storing said second pair of cell portions from said second fixture "B'" at said second work station at said fourth work position, a second work position of said third work station, rotating said second pair of cell portions into a preestablished position, said third work station at said second work position fixedly attaching a portion of a bottom edge of said pair of sheets and an entire length of said recipient bar, a third work position of said third work station transferring and rotating said second pair of cell portions as fixedly attached from said third work station at said second work position to said third work station at said third work position and fixedly attaching a pair of side edges of said pair of sheets to said recipient bar, a fourth work position of said third work station transferring and positioning said second pair of cell portions as fixedly attached at said third work station at said fourth work position and fixedly attaching a top edge of said pair of sheets and said recipient bar and a fifth work position of said third work station staging said second pair of cell portions as fixedly attached forming a cell; andactuating a fourth work station defining a first work position of said fourth work station, transferring and storing said cell from said third work station at said fifth work position, a second work position of said fourth work station testing a leakage within said passage of said cell, said fourth work station at said first work position further transferring said cell as tested to a third work position of said fourth work station, attaching a director sheet to said donor side of one of said pair of sheets, said fourth work station at said first work position further transferring said cell as completed to a fourth work position of said fourth work station unloading said cell.