JP2023552208A - Heat exchanger - Google Patents

Abstract

A heat exchanger, the housing comprising an inlet at a proximal end for receiving a first fluid and an outlet downstream of the inlet at a distal end of the housing and configured for fluid to exit the housing. and a plurality of heat exchanger cores within the housing, the plurality of heat exchanger cores meeting at a joint and facing one of the inlets or outlets of the housing. the plurality of heat exchanger cores have a plate fin arrangement, and the plurality of heat exchanger cores have one or more first It is equipped with a flow path. [Selection diagram] Figure 5

Description

The present invention relates to heat exchangers, preferably for use in aircraft, but not exclusively.

In aeronautical engineering, heat exchangers have a fundamental role in the thermal management of various components in an aircraft to ensure that they operate within their designed operating ranges.

Heat exchangers may be used to increase or decrease the temperature of fuel during flight to increase the efficiency of fuel usage within an aircraft engine.

The design process for next generation aerospace heat exchangers is faced with increased heat removal requirements. At moderate flight speeds, heat from the aircraft engine systems, lubricants, and various equipment and optional energy systems is often exhausted into the air. At relatively high speeds, heat from these components is often dissipated into another heat sink, such as aircraft fuel.

The design of heat exchangers in aircraft should suit the structural requirements of the aircraft, such as installation volume, pressure drop, heat load. Additionally, many aircraft have stringent weight and size requirements and it is not possible to provide a relatively lightweight and space efficient heat exchanger that can provide the required cooling to aircraft components. This is a challenge. Furthermore, conventional heat exchangers that are exposed to incoming air can also adversely affect the amount of drag on the aircraft.

The development of new types of heat exchangers is constantly underway, seeking both to reduce the volume of the heat exchanger and to improve its performance in terms of pressure drop and heat transfer capacity.

The heat exchanger of the present disclosure seeks to address some of these aforementioned issues.

According to one example, a heat exchanger includes a housing having an inlet at a proximal end for receiving a first fluid and downstream of an inlet at a distal end of the housing for the fluid to exit the housing. and a plurality of heat exchanger cores within the housing, the plurality of heat exchanger cores meeting at a junction and having one of the inlets or outlets of the housing. Branching toward one [each other], the plurality of heat exchanger cores comprises one or more first flow passages through which a first fluid can pass through the heat exchanger core in use.

Heat exchangers are traditionally the largest components within thermal management systems. Providing a bifurcated core results in a relatively small and lightweight installation volume compared to other installations, while at the same time providing the same/better thermal performance as sloped or "traditional" cuboid installations. have Furthermore, the relatively low first fluid pressure drop minimizes overall drag while still delivering the first fluid for cooling without the need for motivators.

Providing a heat exchanger with a bifurcated heat exchanger core reduces the pressure drop of the first fluid flowing through the heat exchanger while still providing a high level of heat transfer. Reducing pressure drop results in reduced drag on the aircraft. The heat exchanger may be located within the piping within the aircraft (with vents to outside air) or alternatively may be coupled to the skin of the aircraft.

The housing may have a substantially square shaped cross section. In other words, the housing may be substantially rectangular in shape with an opening at the proximal end and an opening at the distal end.

The length of the heat exchanger is approximately four times the width of the heat exchanger. The length of a heat exchanger is the distance between the distal and proximal ends of the heat exchanger along the longitudinal axis of the heat exchanger. The width of the heat exchanger is the distance between the walls of the housing in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing.

In one example, each of the plurality of heat exchanger cores includes a core inlet for receiving the second fluid and a core outlet configured to allow the second flow to exit the heat exchanger core.

In one example, the core inlet of the heat exchanger core is positioned toward the distal end of the housing. In another example, the heat exchanger core inlet is positioned toward the proximal end of the housing. In one example, the heat exchanger core inlet is located at a junction of the heat exchanger core.

In one example, the outlet of the heat exchanger core is located at a junction of the heat exchanger core. In other examples, the heat exchanger core outlet is positioned toward the proximal end of the housing. In one example, the heat exchanger core outlet is located at a junction of the heat exchanger core.

Heat exchanger according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat exchanger cores diverge from each other at an angle of 60 to 160 degrees.

In one example, the heat exchanger core comprises a finned tube configuration. In another example, the plurality of heat exchanger cores include a plate fin arrangement. The heat exchanger core may include multiple layers.

In one example, the heat exchanger includes one or more airfoils configured to guide the flow of the first fluid.

In one example, the heat exchanger cores diverge from each other toward the entrance of the housing. In another example, the heat exchanger cores diverge from each other toward the outlet of the housing.

In one example, the weight of the heat exchanger is between 9 kg and 12 kg. This compares to the 25-30 kg weight of conventional heat exchangers with similar heat transfer performance. A heat exchanger with a sloped heat exchanger core that achieves similar heat transfer performance would weigh approximately 18 kg to 21 kg.

In one example, the plurality of heat exchanger cores comprises two heat exchanger cores.

According to another example, an aircraft is provided comprising a heat exchanger as described above.

According to another example, a heat exchanger, the housing having an inlet at a proximal end for receiving a first fluid and downstream of the inlet at a distal end of the housing, the fluid exiting the housing. and a plurality of heat exchanger cores within the housing, the plurality of heat exchanger cores meeting at a joint and having an inlet or an outlet of the housing. branching towards one of the heat exchanger cores, the plurality of heat exchanger cores having a plate fin arrangement, the plurality of heat exchanger cores having a first fluid passing through the heat exchanger core in use; one or more first flow paths capable of

Heat exchangers are traditionally the largest components within thermal management systems. Providing a bifurcated core results in a relatively small and lightweight installation volume compared to other installations, while at the same time providing the same/better thermal performance as sloped or "traditional" cuboid installations. have Additionally, the relatively low first fluid pressure drop minimizes overall drag while still delivering the first fluid for cooling without the need for motivation.

Providing a heat exchanger with a bifurcated heat exchanger core reduces the pressure drop of the first fluid flowing through the heat exchanger while still providing a high level of heat transfer. Reducing pressure drop results in lower drag on the aircraft. The heat exchanger may be located within the piping within the aircraft (with vents to the air) or alternatively may be bonded to the skin of the aircraft.

The housing may have a substantially square shaped cross section. In other words, the housing may be substantially rectangular in shape with an opening at the proximal end and an opening at the distal end.

The length of the heat exchanger is approximately four times the width of the heat exchanger. The length of a heat exchanger is the distance between the distal and proximal ends of the heat exchanger along the longitudinal axis of the heat exchanger. The width of the heat exchanger is the distance between the walls of the housing in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing.

In one example, each of the plurality of heat exchanger cores includes a core inlet for receiving the second fluid and a core outlet configured to allow the second flow to exit the heat exchanger core.

In one example, the core inlet of the heat exchanger core is positioned toward the distal end of the housing. In another example, the heat exchanger core inlet is positioned toward the proximal end of the housing. In one example, the heat exchanger core inlet is located at a junction of the heat exchanger core.

In one example, the heat exchanger core is arranged in a countercurrent arrangement with respect to the first fluid.

In one example, the outlet of the heat exchanger core is located at a junction of the heat exchanger core. In other examples, the heat exchanger core outlet is positioned toward the proximal end of the housing. In one example, the heat exchanger core outlet is located at a junction of the heat exchanger core. In one example, multiple heat exchanger core outlets may exit the housing through a single aperture.

The heat exchanger cores may diverge from each other at angles of 60 to 160 degrees.

The heat exchanger core may include multiple layers.

In one example, the heat exchanger includes one or more airfoils configured to guide the flow of the first fluid.

In one example, the heat exchanger cores diverge from each other toward the entrance of the housing. In another example, the heat exchanger cores diverge from each other toward the outlet of the housing.

In one example, the weight of the heat exchanger is between 9 kg and 12 kg. This compares to the 25-30 kg weight of conventional heat exchangers with similar heat transfer performance. A heat exchanger with a sloped heat exchanger core that achieves similar heat transfer performance would weigh approximately 18 kg to 21 kg.

In one example, the plurality of heat exchanger cores comprises two heat exchanger cores.

According to another example, an aircraft is provided comprising a heat exchanger as described above.

It will be appreciated that features described in connection with one aspect of the invention may be incorporated into other aspects of the invention. For example, the apparatus of the invention may incorporate any of the features described in this disclosure with reference to methods, and vice versa. Moreover, additional embodiments and aspects will be apparent from the following description, drawings, and claims. As can be appreciated from the foregoing and following description, each and every feature described herein, and each and every combination of two or more of such features, and each and every one or more values defining a range, Combinations are included within this disclosure unless the features included in such combinations are mutually exclusive. Additionally, any feature or combination of features, or any value(s) defining a range, may be specifically excluded from any embodiment of this disclosure.

An example of an aircraft is shown. An example of a heat exchanger housing is shown. An example of a known heat exchanger is shown. FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an example heat exchanger. Figure 3 shows an example of the outside of the chamber with the payload outside the chamber. 5 shows a cross-sectional view through the heat exchanger of FIG. 4; FIG. FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an example heat exchanger. An example of a portion of a heat exchanger core is shown. An example of a portion of a heat exchanger core is shown. An example of a portion of a heat exchanger core is shown. An example of a portion of a heat exchanger core is shown.

FIG. 1 shows an example of an aircraft 100 having a fuselage 102. As shown in FIG. Aircraft 100 is well known in the art and further details of the aircraft will not be provided here. In one example, the aircraft comprises a High Altitude Extended Entrance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicle. HALE aircraft typically have long wingspans and low drag to improve their ability to operate efficiently for weeks or months at altitudes above 15 km. In some examples, a HALE aircraft includes one or more payloads that include electronic components such as sensors that require thermal management.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a heat exchanger housing 104. Housing 104 includes walls 106 configured to provide an enclosure for housing a plurality of heat exchanger cores, which will be discussed in more detail below. The enclosure may be open at both ends, as discussed in more detail below.

In this example, heat exchanger housing 104 includes an inlet 108 and an outlet 110 or exit. Inlet 108 is configured to receive a first fluid, such as incoming air, that may be used as a coolant within the heat exchanger. Outlet 110 is configured to allow the first fluid to exit the heat exchanger after passing through the heat exchanger. The inlet 108 of the heat exchanger housing 104 is also the inlet of the heat exchanger. Heat exchanger outlet 110 is also a heat exchanger outlet.

In the example of FIG. 2, housing 104 is a cuboid with open ends defining an inlet 108 and an outlet 110, respectively. Housing 104 may extend along and define longitudinal axis AA. In the example of FIG. 2, the cross section of the housing 104 taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis AA would be square in shape. In other examples, housing 104 may be cylindrical or have other shapes extending along longitudinal axis AA. For example, the heat exchanger housing 104 may be a circular duct.

Housing 104 is shaped to be relatively compact while still providing sufficient space for the heat exchanger to be effective. In one example, the housing 104 has a length along the longitudinal axis AA from 0.5 m to 1.5 m, more preferably from 0.8 m to 1.2 m, and more preferably 1 m.

The width and height of the housing 104, for example the dimension perpendicular to the longitudinal axis AA, may be between 0.15 m and 0.3 m, more preferably 0.23 m. The length of the housing 104 can be approximately four times the width/height of the housing 104.

In one example, housing wall 106 has one or more apertures (not shown) for receiving a second fluid, as discussed in more detail below.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a conventional rectangular parallelepiped arrangement of heat exchangers that is not within the scope of the present invention. In this example, the heat exchanger includes a core 114 formed from alternating layers 112a, 112b. The alternating layers include alternating layers of first fluid path 112a and second fluid path 112b.

In this example, a first fluid flows through the first fluid pathway 112a and a second fluid flows through the second fluid pathway 112b. The first fluid and the second fluid are configured to enter the heat exchanger at different temperatures such that heat is exchanged between the first fluid and the second fluid.

The first fluid enters the core 114 in a first direction, as shown by the first arrow B, which in this example is in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the core 114. The first fluid then travels through core 114 and exits the core as shown by arrow C. The second fluid enters the core 114 in a second direction, as shown by arrow D, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the core 114 in this example. The second fluid exits the core as shown by arrow E.

In this example, the first fluid is prevented from moving through the second fluid path 112b and the second fluid is prevented from moving through the first fluid path 112a.

Blocking the first fluid flow path using a conventional cuboid installation results in a large pressure drop in the first fluid stream as it enters the heat exchanger. This pressure drop, in turn, causes an increase in overall drag and may require flow motivation. In addition, this installation provides a small front area for the first fluid flow path and requires a fin structure, resulting in a high installation volume and weight. In other words, the conventional rectangular parallelepiped installation shown in FIG. 3 has many drawbacks and is therefore undesirable.

FIG. 4 shows a heat exchanger 120 according to the invention. In this example, heat exchanger 120 includes housing 104 as shown in FIG. For clarity, the housing is shown transparent in FIG. 4 so that elements within the housing 104 are visible.

Similar to FIG. 2, the housing 104 has an inlet 108 for receiving a first fluid and an outlet 110 downstream of the inlet 108 and configured to allow the first fluid to exit the housing 104. In one example, the inlet 108 of the housing 104 is located at the proximal end of the housing 104 and the outlet 110 is located at the distal end of the housing 104. In another example, the inlet 108 is located at the distal end of the housing 104 and the outlet is located at the proximal end of the housing 104. For clarity, the longitudinal axis AA is not superimposed in FIG. 4, but is shown in FIG.

In use, the first fluid is configured to flow within the housing 104 from the inlet 108 to the outlet 110.

Heat exchanger 120 includes a plurality of heat exchanger cores 122. In this example, the heat exchanger includes two heat exchanger cores 122.

Heat exchanger core 122 is positioned between inlet 108 and outlet 110 of housing 104 of heat exchanger 120 . That is, as the first fluid moves from the inlet 108 to the outlet 110 of the heat exchanger 120, it must flow through at least one of the heat exchanger cores 122.

Heat exchanger core 122 includes a first fluid path through which a first fluid can travel. Heat exchanger core 122 also includes a second fluid path through which a second fluid can travel. The first fluid path and the second fluid path are isolated from each other to prevent mixing of the first fluid and the second fluid. For example, the second fluid may move within the pipes of the heat exchanger core 122 while the first fluid is configured to enter a path around the pipes of the heat exchanger core 122. .

The heat exchanger core is angled relative to the longitudinal axis AA of the housing 104. In other words, heat exchanger core 122 is not parallel to longitudinal axis AA of housing 104.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, heat exchanger cores 122 abut or join at joints 124 within housing 104 of heat exchanger 120. In the example shown in FIG. In this example, heat exchanger core 122 diverges from junction 124 toward outlet 110 of housing 104 of heat exchanger 120 . That is, the distance between heat exchanger cores 122 increases from junction 124 toward outlet 110.

In FIG. 4, heat exchanger 120 comprises two heat exchanger cores 122, but in practice more than two heat exchanger cores 122 may be used.

Heat exchanger core 122 includes a core inlet 126 and a core outlet 128. Core inlet 126 is configured to receive a second fluid. The second fluid is configured to exit heat exchanger core 122 through core outlet 128 .

In FIG. 4, the wall 106 of the housing 104 includes an aperture that allows the second fluid to enter the core inlet 126. In this arrangement, the second fluid will still be isolated from the first fluid, since the second fluid will enter directly into the conduit or pipe of the heat exchanger core 122, which is isolated from the first fluid. will be done.

Additional apertures may be present in the wall 106 of the housing 104 for the core outlet 128 to allow the second fluid to exit the heat exchanger 120.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, the core inlet 126 is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis AA of the housing 104 of the heat exchanger 120, although other arrangements are possible. Core inlet 126 may be positioned toward or adjacent inlet 108 or outlet 110 of housing 104. Although in the example shown in FIG. 4 the core inlet is shown toward or adjacent the distal end of the outlet 110 or the housing 104, in other arrangements the core inlet is shown proximal to the inlet 108 or the housing 104. It may be located towards or adjacent to the end. In both examples, heat exchanger core 122 still diverges from junction 124 toward inlet 108 or outlet 110 of housing 104.

Core outlet 128 may be located at or adjacent junction 124. Core outlet 128 may be positioned perpendicular to longitudinal axis AA of housing 104. In one example, core outlet 128 is configured to be perpendicular to core inlet 126. In other examples, core inlet 126 and core outlet 128 may be reversed as shown in FIG. 4. In other words, the second fluid may enter the heat exchanger core 122 at the core inlet 126 located at or near the junction 124, and the second fluid then enters the inlet 108 or the outlet 110 of the housing 104 or moving through the heat exchanger core 122 toward a core outlet 128 that may be located toward it (eg, in a countercurrent arrangement with respect to the first fluid).

As shown in FIG. 4, the core inlets 126 of each heat exchanger core 122 may be opposed to each other. That is, they are placed on opposite sides of the housing 104 with respect to each other. Core outlets 128 of heat exchanger core 122 are positioned adjacent to each other. In one example where the core outlets 128 of each heat exchanger core 122 are positioned adjacent to each other, both outlets 128 may exit the housing 104 through a single aperture. In this way, the aperture into housing 104 is minimized. This makes the manufacture of heat exchanger 120 simpler.

In FIG. 4, the first fluid flow enters heat exchanger 120 through inlet 108 in the direction represented by arrow F, ie, substantially parallel to longitudinal axis AA of housing 104. In FIG. The first fluid then passes through one or more first flow passages in heat exchanger core 122 before exiting housing 104 at outlet 110. A first fluid stream exits heat exchanger 120 in the direction indicated by arrow G in FIG.

In FIG. 4, the second fluid enters heat exchanger 120 via core inlet 126. The second fluid may enter heat exchanger core 122 in the direction indicated by arrow H in FIG.

The second fluid then travels within heat exchanger core 122 and exits heat exchanger core 122 at core outlet 128 . In FIG. 4, the second fluid exits heat exchanger core 122 in the direction indicated by arrow I in FIG.

One or more headers (not shown) may be present at core inlet 126 and/or core outlet 128.

In FIG. 4, core inlet 126 is shown substantially at or adjacent outlet 110 of housing 104. In FIG. In other words, core inlet 126 may be located at or adjacent the distal end of housing 104.

However, in other examples, there may be a gap between the core inlet 126 and the distal end of the housing 104.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of heat exchanger 120. As shown in FIG. 5, the heat exchanger core 122 may have the same shape but is mounted about the longitudinal axis AA of the housing.

FIG. 5 also shows a plurality of flow guide vanes 130 within heat exchanger 120. Flow guide vanes 130 may extend the entire height of heat exchanger 120.

The purpose of the flow guide vanes 130 is to guide the first fluid through the heat exchanger core 122 at an optimal angle to ensure uniform mass flow distribution across the front surface area of the heat exchanger core. be.

The junction 124 that the heat exchanger core 122 abuts may be on the longitudinal axis AA of the housing. That is, the joint may be on the centerline of the housing 104 when viewed from above.

Junction 124 may be spaced apart from inlet 108 of housing 104. In one example, joint 124 is spaced approximately half the width of housing 104 from the inlet.

Heat exchanger core 122 may be shaped such that inlet 126 is positioned at an approximately 45 degree angle relative to longitudinal axis AA of housing 104. Heat exchanger core 122 has an internal length K that represents the length of an inner portion of heat exchanger core 122, eg, a border of heat exchanger core 122 facing another heat exchanger core. Heat exchanger core 122 also has an external length L that represents the length of an outer portion of heat exchanger core 122, such as the border of heat exchanger core 122 facing wall 106 of housing 104.

FIG. 5 also shows the width J, which is the dimension perpendicular to the longitudinal axis AA at the core inlet 126.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, heat exchanger core 122 is configured to bifurcate at an angle indicated by α. An important design constraint for heat exchanger core 122 is to keep the external length L and width J to a minimum for a particular heat load/pressure drop. This allows the angle α to be designed to be high enough so that fewer flow guide vanes 130 are needed to guide the first fluid flow through the heat exchanger 120. , or not required at all. Providing fewer flow guide vanes 130 reduces the weight of heat exchanger 120 and makes heat exchanger 120 easier to design.

Preferably, the angle α is between 60 degrees and 160 degrees, more preferably between 75 degrees and 145 degrees, more preferably between 90 degrees and 130 degrees, and even more preferably between 105 degrees and 115 degrees. Providing a branch angle α of 60 to 160 degrees reduces the pressure drop of the first fluid within heat exchanger 120 by providing a relatively larger cross-sectional area on the air side to the flow length. do.

Furthermore, the bifurcated heat exchanger core 122 maximizes the front surface area for the first fluid compared to other arrangements of heat exchanger cores. This leads to a lower pressure drop on the first fluid side and/or allows the use of more heat transfer efficient geometries. This arrangement means that heat exchanger 120 can use a more efficient (in terms of heat transfer) geometry for the first fluid exchanger side (e.g., inlet 108 of housing 104). .

This arrangement also provides reduced weight of heat exchanger 120. In one example, heat exchanger 120 is approximately 50-60% lower than a "traditional" installation (eg, the arrangement shown in FIG. 3).

In this bifurcated arrangement, there is an interesting opposing/orthogonal orientation of the first and second fluid streams, which also provides thermal benefits.

In one example, the geometry of heat exchanger core 122 is as follows:
0.05x≦J≦0.35x
0.8y≦L≦1.2y
Here, x and y are the width and length of the housing 104, respectively.

The size of other components within heat exchanger 120 (such as headers) should be kept to a minimum to keep the weight in heat exchanger 120 low.

The bifurcated heat exchanger core 122 arrangement provides for minimizing the first fluid pressure drop through reducing the local Reynolds number inside the heat exchanger 120.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative arrangement of heat exchanger core 122 compared to the example shown in FIG. For clarity, housing 104 is shown transparent in FIG. 6 so that elements within housing 104 are visible.

In this example, heat exchanger cores 122 still meet at joint 124. However, the heat exchanger core 122 then diverges toward the inlet 108 or the proximal end of the housing 104. That is, the distance between heat exchanger cores 122 increases from junction 124 toward inlet 108.

In FIG. 6, heat exchanger 120 comprises two heat exchanger cores 122, but in practice more than two heat exchanger cores 122 may be used.

Heat exchanger core 122 includes a core inlet 126 and a core outlet 128. Core inlet 126 is configured to receive a second fluid. The second fluid is configured to exit heat exchanger core 122 through core outlet 128 .

In FIG. 6, the wall 106 of the housing 104 includes an aperture that allows the second fluid to enter the core inlet 126. In this arrangement, the second fluid will still be isolated from the first fluid, since the second fluid will enter directly into the conduit or pipe of the heat exchanger core 122, which is isolated from the first fluid. will be done.

Additional apertures may be present in the wall 106 of the housing 104 for the core outlet 128 to allow the second fluid to exit the heat exchanger 120.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, the core inlet 126 is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis AA of the housing 104 of the heat exchanger 120, although other arrangements are possible. In this example, core inlet 126 is positioned toward or adjacent inlet 108 of housing 104.

Core outlet 128 may be located at or adjacent junction 124. Core outlet 128 may be positioned perpendicular to longitudinal axis AA of housing 104. In one example, core outlet 128 is configured to be perpendicular to core inlet 126. In other examples, core inlet 126 and core outlet 128 may be reversed as shown in FIG. 6. In other words, the second fluid may enter the heat exchanger core 122 at the core inlet 126 located at or near the junction 124, and the second fluid then enters the inlet 108 or the outlet 110 of the housing 104 or Traveling through the heat exchanger core 122 toward a core outlet 128 that may be located toward it.

As shown in FIG. 6, the core inlets 126 of each heat exchanger core 122 may be opposed to each other. That is, they are placed on opposite sides of the housing 104 with respect to each other. Core outlets 128 of heat exchanger core 122 are positioned adjacent to each other.

In FIG. 6, the first fluid flow enters heat exchanger 120 through inlet 108 in the direction represented by arrow F, ie, substantially parallel to longitudinal axis AA of housing 104. In FIG. The first fluid then passes through one or more first flow passages in heat exchanger core 122 before exiting housing 104 at outlet 110. A first fluid stream exits heat exchanger 120 in the direction indicated by arrow G in FIG. The second fluid enters heat exchanger 120 via core inlet 126. The second fluid may enter heat exchanger core 122 in the direction indicated by arrow H in FIG.

The second fluid then travels within heat exchanger core 122 and exits heat exchanger core 122 at core outlet 128 . In FIG. 6, the second fluid exits heat exchanger core 122 in the direction indicated by arrow I.

In FIG. 4, core inlet 126 is shown substantially at or adjacent inlet 110 of housing 104. In FIG. In other words, core inlet 126 may be located at or adjacent the proximal end of housing 104.

However, in other examples, there may be a gap between the core inlet 126 and the proximal end of the housing 104. The angle between heat exchanger cores 122 is the same as described above in connection with FIG. 4.

The arrangement of heat exchanger 120 in FIG. 6 provides the same advantages as the arrangement in FIG. That is, the pressure drop of the first fluid entering the heat exchanger is significantly reduced.

In one example, the first fluid is air or another compressible fluid (gas). The second fluid may be an incompressible fluid, ie a liquid such as water or oil.

Heat exchanger core 122 may include a fin-tube arrangement. 7A and 7B show an example of a portion of a heat exchanger core 122 in the form of a finned tube. In this example, the first fluid moves through heat exchanger core 122 in the direction indicated by arrow M. The first fluid moves through one or more first fluid paths through heat exchanger core 122. The first fluid path may be defined by a plurality of fins 134.

The second fluid moves within heat exchanger core 122 in conduit 132 . Fins 134 are thermally coupled to conduit 132.

FIG. 7B shows a cross-section through the example shown in FIG. 7A, but with only a single tube 132.

Heat exchanger core 122 includes a plate-fin arrangement. Plate-fin heat exchangers have a greater density than tube-fin arrangements due to their unique geometry, which creates a larger surface area for heat transfer to take place. Plate-fin heat exchangers can therefore be made smaller and lighter for a given heat load compared to conventional tube-fin heat exchangers, or alternatively, the size and/or Higher heat loads can be dissipated without increasing weight. 8A and 8B show an example of a portion of a heat exchanger core 122 in the form of a plate-fin arrangement. In this example, there are alternating layers of first and second fluid paths. The first fluid may move in the direction represented by arrow O and the second fluid may move in the direction represented by arrow P. FIG. 8B shows an example of a cross-section through one of the fluid paths.

Plate-fin heat exchangers may also be manufactured using additive manufacturing techniques, such as selective laser melting, selective laser sintering, or directed energy deposition. Such manufacturing techniques allow complex plate-fin heat exchanger geometries to be manufactured that would otherwise be difficult or impossible with conventional manufacturing techniques. As such, plate-fin heat exchangers can be manufactured to have an even larger surface area than tube-fin heat exchangers or conventionally manufactured plate-fin heat exchangers, thereby providing Allows for the possibility of smaller, lighter heat exchangers or, alternatively, the ability to dissipate higher heat loads without increasing size and/or weight.

The heat exchanger 122 provides an increased frontal transfer area, which allows for a lower Reynolds number reduction inside the heat exchanger 122 compared to a conventional cuboid (FIG. 3) or sloped installation. do. This, in turn, provides a more efficient internal geometry for heat transfer, which allows for a reduction in installed volume and weight of the heat exchanger 122 (up to 60% compared to conventional, 40% compared to sloped). Allows the use of shapes. Additionally, the flow orientation of the first fluid and the second fluid facilitates the heat exchange shown in FIGS. It is closer to the most efficient countercurrent flow in the vessel 120, making the heat transfer more efficient and making the heat exchanger 120 smaller for a given heat transfer requirement within certain pressure drop limits.

In the foregoing description, where integers or elements are mentioned that have known, obvious, or predictable equivalents, such equivalents are incorporated herein as if individually recited. . Reference should be made to the claims to determine the true scope of the disclosure, which should be interpreted to include any such equivalents. It will also be recognized by the reader that any integer or feature of this disclosure described as optional does not limit the scope of the independent claims. Moreover, such optional integers or features, while potentially advantageous in some embodiments of the present disclosure, may be undesirable and therefore may not be present in other embodiments. One thing should be understood.

Claims (14)

A heat exchanger,
A housing,
an inlet at the proximal end for receiving the first fluid;
an outlet downstream of the inlet at the distal end of the housing and configured to allow the fluid to exit the housing;
a plurality of heat exchanger cores within the housing, the plurality of heat exchanger cores meeting at a joint and branching off from each other toward one of the inlet or the outlet of the housing;
the plurality of heat exchanger cores comprising a plate fin arrangement;
A heat exchanger, wherein the plurality of heat exchanger cores comprises one or more first flow passages through which the first fluid can pass through the heat exchanger core in use. A heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a substantially square shaped cross section. 3. A heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the length of the heat exchanger is approximately four times the width of the heat exchanger. 1 . The heat exchanger core of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of heat exchanger cores comprises a core inlet for receiving a second fluid and a core outlet configured to allow the second flow to exit the heat exchanger core. The heat exchanger according to any one of , 2, or 3. 5. The heat exchanger of claim 4, wherein a core inlet of the heat exchanger core is positioned toward the distal end of the housing. 6. A heat exchanger according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the outlet of the heat exchanger core is arranged at the joint of the heat exchanger core. A heat exchanger according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the heat exchanger core is arranged in a countercurrent arrangement with respect to the first fluid. Heat exchanger according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat exchanger cores diverge from each other at angles of 60 to 160 degrees. A heat exchanger according to any preceding claim, wherein the heat exchanger core comprises multiple layers. A heat exchanger according to any preceding claim, comprising one or more airfoils configured to guide the flow of the first fluid. A heat exchanger according to any preceding claim, wherein the heat exchanger cores diverge from each other towards the inlet of the housing. A heat exchanger according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat exchanger cores diverge from each other towards the outlet of the housing. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the weight of the heat exchanger is between 9 kg and 12 kg. An aircraft comprising a heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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