US20190277580A1 - Segmented fins for a cast heat exchanger - Google Patents
Segmented fins for a cast heat exchanger Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20190277580A1 US20190277580A1 US15/914,089 US201815914089A US2019277580A1 US 20190277580 A1 US20190277580 A1 US 20190277580A1 US 201815914089 A US201815914089 A US 201815914089A US 2019277580 A1 US2019277580 A1 US 2019277580A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- plate
- row
- portions
- fin
- heat exchanger
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
- F28D1/00—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators
- F28D1/02—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators with heat-exchange conduits immersed in the body of fluid
- F28D1/04—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators with heat-exchange conduits immersed in the body of fluid with tubular conduits
- F28D1/053—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators with heat-exchange conduits immersed in the body of fluid with tubular conduits the conduits being straight
- F28D1/0535—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators with heat-exchange conduits immersed in the body of fluid with tubular conduits the conduits being straight the conduits having a non-circular cross-section
- F28D1/05366—Assemblies of conduits connected to common headers, e.g. core type radiators
- F28D1/05383—Assemblies of conduits connected to common headers, e.g. core type radiators with multiple rows of conduits or with multi-channel conduits
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
- F28F3/00—Plate-like or laminated elements; Assemblies of plate-like or laminated elements
- F28F3/02—Elements or assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with recesses, with corrugations
- F28F3/025—Elements or assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with recesses, with corrugations the means being corrugated, plate-like elements
- F28F3/027—Elements or assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with recesses, with corrugations the means being corrugated, plate-like elements with openings, e.g. louvered corrugated fins; Assemblies of corrugated strips
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
- F28F1/00—Tubular elements; Assemblies of tubular elements
- F28F1/02—Tubular elements of cross-section which is non-circular
- F28F1/022—Tubular elements of cross-section which is non-circular with multiple channels
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
- F28F1/00—Tubular elements; Assemblies of tubular elements
- F28F1/10—Tubular elements and assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with projections, with recesses
- F28F1/12—Tubular elements and assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with projections, with recesses the means being only outside the tubular element
- F28F1/24—Tubular elements and assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with projections, with recesses the means being only outside the tubular element and extending transversely
- F28F1/26—Tubular elements and assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with projections, with recesses the means being only outside the tubular element and extending transversely the means being integral with the element
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
- F28F3/00—Plate-like or laminated elements; Assemblies of plate-like or laminated elements
- F28F3/08—Elements constructed for building-up into stacks, e.g. capable of being taken apart for cleaning
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
- F28F3/00—Plate-like or laminated elements; Assemblies of plate-like or laminated elements
- F28F3/12—Elements constructed in the shape of a hollow panel, e.g. with channels
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
- F28F2215/00—Fins
- F28F2215/04—Assemblies of fins having different features, e.g. with different fin densities
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
- F28F2255/00—Heat exchanger elements made of materials having special features or resulting from particular manufacturing processes
- F28F2255/14—Heat exchanger elements made of materials having special features or resulting from particular manufacturing processes molded
Definitions
- a plate fin heat exchanger includes adjacent flow paths that transfer heat from a hot flow to a cooling flow.
- the flow paths are defined by a combination of plates and fins that are arranged to transfer heat from one flow to another flow.
- the plates and fins are created from sheet metal material brazed together to define the different flow paths.
- Thermal gradients present in the sheet material create stresses that can be very high in certain locations. The stresses are typically largest in one corner where the hot side flow first meets the coldest portion of the cooling flow. In an opposite corner where the coldest hot side flow meets the hottest cold side flow the temperature difference is much less resulting in unbalanced stresses across the heat exchanger structure. Increasing temperatures and pressures can result in stresses on the structure that can exceed material and assembly capabilities.
- Turbine engine manufactures utilize heat exchangers throughout the engine to cool and condition airflow for cooling and other operational needs. Improvements to turbine engines have enabled increases in operational temperatures and pressures. The increases in temperatures and pressures improve engine efficiency but also increase demands on all engine components including heat exchangers.
- a heat exchanger in a featured embodiment, includes a plate portion including a top surface, bottom surface, a leading edge, a trailing edge and a plurality of internal passages extending between an inlet and an outlet.
- a plurality of fin portion rows are included.
- a first row of the plurality of fin portions includes at least two discrete fin portions and a second row of the plurality of in portions includes fewer fin portions than the first row. The first row is closer to the inlet than the second row.
- the plurality of fin portion rows includes a last row spaced furthest from the inlet that includes a continuous fin portion extending uninterrupted from the leading edge to the trailing edge.
- a first group of discrete fin portions in the first row includes a first common length in a direction between the leading edge and the trailing edge.
- second group of discrete fin portions are included in the second row.
- the second group of discrete fin portions includes a second common length that is larger than the first common length.
- a third row is spaced further from the inlet than the first row and the second row.
- the third row includes a third group of discrete fin portion.
- the third group of discrete fin portions includes a third common length that is larger than either of the first common length and second common length.
- the plurality of fin portion rows includes additional rows including groups of discrete fin portions disposed between the first row and a last row furthest from the inlet.
- the plate portion includes a plurality of plate portions with corresponding pluralities of internal passages.
- the plurality of plate portions includes flow channels for cooling air flow with the plurality of fin portion rows extending into each of the flow channels.
- each of the top surface and the bottom surface include the plurality of fin portion rows.
- the plate portion and the fin portion rows include a single unitary cast item.
- a cast plate for a heat exchanger in another featured embodiment, includes a plate portion including a top surface, bottom surface, a leading edge, a trailing edge and a plurality of internal passages extending between an inlet and an outlet.
- a plurality of fin portion rows are included.
- a first row of the plurality of fin portions includes at least two discrete fin portions.
- the plate portion and the plurality of fin portion rows include a single unitary uninterrupted cast item.
- the plate portion includes a plurality of plate portions with corresponding pluralities of internal passages.
- the plurality of plate portions include flow channels for cooling air flow between at least some of the plate portions and the plurality of fin portion rows extend into each of the flow channels.
- the plurality of fin portion rows includes additional rows comprised of groups of discrete fin portions disposed between the first row and a last row furthest from the inlet.
- each of the groups of discrete fin portions includes discrete fin portions of a common length and the common length for each of the groups of discrete fin portions increases with an increasing distance from the inlet.
- the plurality of fin portion rows includes a last row spaced furthest from the inlet that includes a continuous fin portion extending uninterrupted from the leading edge to the trailing edge.
- each of the plurality of fin portions includes tapered longitudinal ends.
- a method of building a heat exchanger includes forming a first core defining a plurality of internal passages through a plate portion.
- the core is inserted within a mold cavity that defines outer surfaces of the plate portion to include a top surface, bottom surface, a leading edge, a trailing edge and a plurality of fin portion rows.
- a first row includes at least two discrete fin portions.
- Cast material is introduced into the mold to form a single unitary heat exchanger plate without a joint between the plate portion and the plurality of fin portions.
- the heat exchanger plate is removed from the mold and removes the core from the plate portion.
- the plate portion includes a plurality of plate portion defining flow channels between spaced apart plate portions and forming a second core to define a plurality of fin portions within the flow channels.
- the mold cavity includes features for defining fin portions on a top surface of a top one of the plurality of plate portions and on a bottom surface of the plurality of plate portions and the second core includes features for defining the fin portions within the flow channels between intermediate ones of the plurality of plate portions.
- the second core and the mold cavity define the plurality of fin portion rows to include additional rows comprised of groups of discrete fin portions disposed between the first row and a last row.
- the second core and the mold cavity define the plurality of fin portion rows to include a last row spaced furthest from the inlet that includes a continuous fin portion extending uninterrupted from the leading edge to the trailing edge
- FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an example heat exchanger embodiment.
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a plate assembly according to one example embodiment.
- FIG. 3 is a top view of a portion of the example plate assembly.
- FIG. 4 is a side view of the example plate assembly.
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another plate assembly embodiment.
- FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a method of fabricating a cast plate heat exchanger.
- a heat exchanger 10 includes an inlet manifold 12 and an outlet manifold 14 disposed on either side of a plate assembly 22 .
- the plate assembly 22 is a single cast unitary part that includes plate portions 24 that define a plurality of internal passages 34 between inlets 36 and outlets 38 . Fin portions 40 are disposed on each of the plate portions 24 and provide increased surface area for heat transfer between transverse flows 16 , 20 .
- the incoming flow 16 is directed through the inlet manifold 12 and enters the plate assembly 22 through inlets 36 and flows through the internal passages 34 .
- a cooling airflow 20 flows over the external surfaces of the plate assembly 22 to remove heat from the heated airflow 16 .
- a cooled exhaust flow 18 exits through the outlet manifold 14 .
- the plate assembly 22 includes a leading edge 30 where the cooling airflow 20 initially flows over surfaces of the plate portions 24 and through the plurality of fin portions 40 before being exhausted out past a trailing edge 32 .
- Heat exchanges encounter extremes in temperature differentials between the incoming hot airflow 16 and the cooling airflow 20 .
- the thermal differentials vary throughout different regions of the plate assembly 22 such that heat exchanges typically encounter extreme stresses and strain due to the extreme thermal gradients.
- the example plate assembly 22 includes features for reducing the thermal gradients based on the temperature of the incoming flow 16 and the cooling airflow 20 . Specific features of the plate assembly 22 tailor the thermal differences to reduce the thermal gradients and includes structures that reduce stresses caused by extreme differences in temperature.
- the example plate assembly 22 includes a plurality of plate portions 24 and a plurality of fin portions 40 .
- the fin portions 40 are disposed on both a top surface 26 and a bottom surface 28 of each plate portion 24 .
- the fin portions 40 are arranged in a plurality of rows 42 that extend perpendicular to the direction of the plurality of internal passages 34 .
- Each of the plurality of rows 42 extend from the leading edge 30 to the trailing edge 32 .
- the greatest temperature differential in the plate assembly 22 during operation is at the inlet 36 where the incoming hot flow is at its greatest temperature before it has expelled heat into the plate assembly 22 .
- the cooling airflow 20 is at its lowest temperature at the leading edge 30 prior to absorbing any heat from the surface of the plate assembly 22 .
- the plurality of rows 42 includes features that tailor heat transfer to the extremes of the incoming flows 16 , 20 to reduce extremes in thermal gradients.
- the example plate assembly 22 includes a first row 48 including a first group of discrete fin portions 46 that are aligned from the leading edge 30 to the trailing edge 32 .
- Each of the plurality of discrete fin portions 46 are individual separate segments that are spaced apart longitudinally between the leading edge 30 and the trailing edge 32 .
- the segmented fin portions 46 reduces a heat transfer surface area over which the cooling airflow 20 flows near the inlet 36 .
- the reduced heat transfer surface area results in a reduction in heat transfer and a reduction in the differences in thermal gradient of the surface of the plate portions 24 relative to the temperature of air flowing through the passages 34 near the inlets 36 .
- a second row 50 from the inlet 36 includes a second group of discrete fin portions 56 that are spaced apart longitudinally between the leading edge and the trailing edge 32 .
- a third row 52 from the inlet 36 includes a third group of discrete fin portions 58 that are spaced apart longitudinally between the leading edge 30 and the trailing edge 32 .
- the plate assembly 22 includes three rows of segmented discrete fin portions and the remaining rows 42 of fin portions 40 up to the last row 54 furthest from the inlet 36 are continuous fins 60 that extend uninterrupted between the leading edge 30 and the trailing edge 32 .
- the first row 48 includes the plurality of the discrete fin portions 46 that each have a common width 66 .
- Each of the fin portions 46 are also spaced a common distance 68 .
- the width 66 and distance 68 tailor the available heat transfer surface area provided by the first row 48 nearest the inlet 36 to minimize heat transfer into the cooling flow 20 . Minimizing heat transfer nearest the inlet 36 locally reduces the thermal gradient within the plate assembly 22 .
- the width 66 and distance of the discrete fin portions 46 in the first row 48 is tailored to provide a heat transfer surface area determined to provide an acceptable thermal gradient based on expected temperatures of hot flow 16 and cooling flow 20 .
- the second row 50 includes the second group of discrete fin portions 56 that each have a second common width 70 and a second spacing 72 there between.
- the second row 50 includes an increased surface area as compared to the first row 48 that is tailored to maintain an acceptable thermal gradient in the plate assembly 22 within the region of the second row 50 .
- the third row 52 of discrete fin portions 58 that have a third common width 74 that are spaced apart a third distance 76 .
- the width 74 and spacing 76 provides another increase in heat transfer surface area compared to each of the first row 48 and the second row 50 .
- a region 64 schematically shown in FIG. 3 of the plate assembly 22 is at corner where the inlet 36 and the leading edge 30 meet.
- the hot flow 16 is at its greatest temperature and the cooling flow 20 is at its coolest temperature.
- the resulting interface between the two flows generates the highest thermal gradient within the plate assembly 22 .
- the cooling airflow heats up in a direction indicated by arrow 90 and the hot airflow 16 cools down as it proceeds away from the inlet 36 in a direction indicated by arrow 92 .
- the surface area provided by the rows 48 , 50 and 52 of discrete fin portions 46 , 50 and 56 accommodate the differences in temperatures within the region 64 to reduce stresses and strains on the plate assembly 22 by reducing the differences in thermal gradient encountered by the material comprising the plate assembly 22 .
- the different fin portions are provided relative to a high stress region such as the region 64 or a joint between the plate assembly and one of the inlet manifold 12 and the outlet manifold 14 .
- the asymmetric orientation of fin portions provide benefits within a region disposed within a distance about 10% of the total length of the plate assembly. In another example the distance is within a region about 7% of the total length of the plate assembly.
- the asymmetric application of heat transfer augmentation features such as the discrete fin portions means lower the amount of augmentation feature density by approximately 15%. Additionally, an increase in density up to 200% of the nominal on the external or internal core or joint features.
- the example plate assembly is a quad plate assembly 22 and includes four plate portions 24 , each including a top surface 26 and a bottom surface 28 and a fin portions extending therefrom.
- Each of the plate portions 24 include the first row 48 , second row 50 and third row 52 on both the top surface 26 and the bottom surface 28 .
- the stacked plate portions 24 form flow channels 62 there through within which the fin portions extend.
- Each of the fin portions are arranged such that they alternate and intermesh to define the flow channels 62 to provide the desired cooling airflow proximate the internal passages 34 within each of the plate portions 24 .
- the plate assembly 22 includes an upper plate 80 , a lower plate 82 and intermediate plates 84 .
- the upper and lower plates 80 , 82 define the top and bottom surfaces of the plate assembly 22 .
- the intermediate plate portions 24 define the flow channel 62 and include intermeshing fin portions that extend from each corresponding plate portion 24 .
- Each of the plate portions 24 includes a common housing 86 disposed on an inlet side and a common outlet housing 88 that is integrated between the four plate portions 24 .
- the example plate assembly 22 is a single unitary cast structure that includes common features utilized to define desired thermal gradients throughout the heat exchanger to reduce stresses and strains.
- FIG. 5 another example plate assembly embodiment 100 is shown and includes a single plate portion 24 including fin portions disposed on the top and bottom surfaces 26 , 28 .
- the example plate assembly 100 includes the first, second and third rows 48 , 50 and 52 with corresponding groups of discrete fin portions 46 , 56 , 58 . It should be understood that although a single plate 100 is shown and a plate assembly 22 with four plate portions 24 is shown in the previous figures by way of example, other numbers of plate portions 24 could be utilized and stacked to create a single unitary plate assembly with discrete fin portions provided to tailor thermal gradients within the structure during operation.
- the example plate assembly is formed as a single cast item and formed utilizing a casting method schematically indicated at 115 .
- a first core 102 is used to define the internal passages through each of the corresponding plate portions 24 .
- a second core 104 is utilized to define the flow channel 62 between the plate portions 24 .
- the first core 102 and a second core 104 are formed using materials known and understood by those in the casting art.
- the cores 102 and 104 are placed within a mold 106 and a cast material 108 is injected into the mold 106 and cured.
- the cores 102 and 104 remain within the mold 106 and form the internal passages and the fins within the flow channel 62 .
- the internal features of the cavity provided by the mold 106 define the fin portions of the top plate and bottom plate that provide the desired fin configuration of the discrete fin portions 46 , 48 , 58 to tailor the thermal gradient through the heat exchanger.
- the cast part is removed from the mold 106 , the cores 102 and 104 are removed using known techniques and the completed heat exchanger is ready for assembly and use.
- the example heat exchanger plate assemblies provide a single cast unitary part that includes segmented fins to tailor thermal gradients in the heat exchanger to provide strain relief and improve operational life.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Geometry (AREA)
- Heat-Exchange Devices With Radiators And Conduit Assemblies (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- A plate fin heat exchanger includes adjacent flow paths that transfer heat from a hot flow to a cooling flow. The flow paths are defined by a combination of plates and fins that are arranged to transfer heat from one flow to another flow. The plates and fins are created from sheet metal material brazed together to define the different flow paths. Thermal gradients present in the sheet material create stresses that can be very high in certain locations. The stresses are typically largest in one corner where the hot side flow first meets the coldest portion of the cooling flow. In an opposite corner where the coldest hot side flow meets the hottest cold side flow the temperature difference is much less resulting in unbalanced stresses across the heat exchanger structure. Increasing temperatures and pressures can result in stresses on the structure that can exceed material and assembly capabilities.
- Turbine engine manufactures utilize heat exchangers throughout the engine to cool and condition airflow for cooling and other operational needs. Improvements to turbine engines have enabled increases in operational temperatures and pressures. The increases in temperatures and pressures improve engine efficiency but also increase demands on all engine components including heat exchangers.
- Turbine engine manufacturers continue to seek further improvements to engine performance including improvements to thermal, transfer and propulsive efficiencies.
- In a featured embodiment, a heat exchanger includes a plate portion including a top surface, bottom surface, a leading edge, a trailing edge and a plurality of internal passages extending between an inlet and an outlet. A plurality of fin portion rows are included. A first row of the plurality of fin portions includes at least two discrete fin portions and a second row of the plurality of in portions includes fewer fin portions than the first row. The first row is closer to the inlet than the second row.
- In another embodiment according to the previous embodiment, the plurality of fin portion rows includes a last row spaced furthest from the inlet that includes a continuous fin portion extending uninterrupted from the leading edge to the trailing edge.
- In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, a first group of discrete fin portions in the first row includes a first common length in a direction between the leading edge and the trailing edge.
- In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, second group of discrete fin portions are included in the second row. The second group of discrete fin portions includes a second common length that is larger than the first common length.
- In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, a third row is spaced further from the inlet than the first row and the second row. The third row includes a third group of discrete fin portion. The third group of discrete fin portions includes a third common length that is larger than either of the first common length and second common length.
- In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, the plurality of fin portion rows includes additional rows including groups of discrete fin portions disposed between the first row and a last row furthest from the inlet.
- In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, the plate portion includes a plurality of plate portions with corresponding pluralities of internal passages. The plurality of plate portions includes flow channels for cooling air flow with the plurality of fin portion rows extending into each of the flow channels.
- In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, each of the top surface and the bottom surface include the plurality of fin portion rows.
- In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, the plate portion and the fin portion rows include a single unitary cast item.
- In another featured embodiment, a cast plate for a heat exchanger includes a plate portion including a top surface, bottom surface, a leading edge, a trailing edge and a plurality of internal passages extending between an inlet and an outlet. A plurality of fin portion rows are included. A first row of the plurality of fin portions includes at least two discrete fin portions. The plate portion and the plurality of fin portion rows include a single unitary uninterrupted cast item.
- In another embodiment according to the previous embodiment, the plate portion includes a plurality of plate portions with corresponding pluralities of internal passages. The plurality of plate portions include flow channels for cooling air flow between at least some of the plate portions and the plurality of fin portion rows extend into each of the flow channels.
- In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, the plurality of fin portion rows includes additional rows comprised of groups of discrete fin portions disposed between the first row and a last row furthest from the inlet.
- In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, each of the groups of discrete fin portions includes discrete fin portions of a common length and the common length for each of the groups of discrete fin portions increases with an increasing distance from the inlet.
- In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, the plurality of fin portion rows includes a last row spaced furthest from the inlet that includes a continuous fin portion extending uninterrupted from the leading edge to the trailing edge.
- In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, each of the plurality of fin portions includes tapered longitudinal ends.
- In another featured embodiment, a method of building a heat exchanger includes forming a first core defining a plurality of internal passages through a plate portion. The core is inserted within a mold cavity that defines outer surfaces of the plate portion to include a top surface, bottom surface, a leading edge, a trailing edge and a plurality of fin portion rows. A first row includes at least two discrete fin portions. Cast material is introduced into the mold to form a single unitary heat exchanger plate without a joint between the plate portion and the plurality of fin portions. The heat exchanger plate is removed from the mold and removes the core from the plate portion.
- In another embodiment according to the previous embodiment, the plate portion includes a plurality of plate portion defining flow channels between spaced apart plate portions and forming a second core to define a plurality of fin portions within the flow channels.
- In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, the mold cavity includes features for defining fin portions on a top surface of a top one of the plurality of plate portions and on a bottom surface of the plurality of plate portions and the second core includes features for defining the fin portions within the flow channels between intermediate ones of the plurality of plate portions.
- In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, the second core and the mold cavity define the plurality of fin portion rows to include additional rows comprised of groups of discrete fin portions disposed between the first row and a last row.
- In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, the second core and the mold cavity define the plurality of fin portion rows to include a last row spaced furthest from the inlet that includes a continuous fin portion extending uninterrupted from the leading edge to the trailing edge
- Although the different examples have the specific components shown in the illustrations, embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to those particular combinations. It is possible to use some of the components or features from one of the examples in combination with features or components from another one of the examples.
- These and other features disclosed herein can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description.
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an example heat exchanger embodiment. -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a plate assembly according to one example embodiment. -
FIG. 3 is a top view of a portion of the example plate assembly. -
FIG. 4 is a side view of the example plate assembly. -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another plate assembly embodiment. -
FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a method of fabricating a cast plate heat exchanger. - Referring to
FIG. 1 , aheat exchanger 10 includes aninlet manifold 12 and anoutlet manifold 14 disposed on either side of aplate assembly 22. Theplate assembly 22 is a single cast unitary part that includesplate portions 24 that define a plurality ofinternal passages 34 betweeninlets 36 andoutlets 38.Fin portions 40 are disposed on each of theplate portions 24 and provide increased surface area for heat transfer betweentransverse flows - The
incoming flow 16 is directed through theinlet manifold 12 and enters theplate assembly 22 throughinlets 36 and flows through theinternal passages 34. Acooling airflow 20 flows over the external surfaces of theplate assembly 22 to remove heat from theheated airflow 16. A cooledexhaust flow 18 exits through theoutlet manifold 14. Theplate assembly 22 includes aleading edge 30 where the coolingairflow 20 initially flows over surfaces of theplate portions 24 and through the plurality offin portions 40 before being exhausted out past a trailingedge 32. - Heat exchanges encounter extremes in temperature differentials between the incoming
hot airflow 16 and the coolingairflow 20. The thermal differentials vary throughout different regions of theplate assembly 22 such that heat exchanges typically encounter extreme stresses and strain due to the extreme thermal gradients. - The
example plate assembly 22 includes features for reducing the thermal gradients based on the temperature of theincoming flow 16 and the coolingairflow 20. Specific features of theplate assembly 22 tailor the thermal differences to reduce the thermal gradients and includes structures that reduce stresses caused by extreme differences in temperature. - Referring to
FIG. 2 with continued reference toFIG. 1 , theexample plate assembly 22 includes a plurality ofplate portions 24 and a plurality offin portions 40. Thefin portions 40 are disposed on both atop surface 26 and abottom surface 28 of eachplate portion 24. Thefin portions 40 are arranged in a plurality ofrows 42 that extend perpendicular to the direction of the plurality ofinternal passages 34. Each of the plurality ofrows 42 extend from the leadingedge 30 to the trailingedge 32. - The greatest temperature differential in the
plate assembly 22 during operation is at theinlet 36 where the incoming hot flow is at its greatest temperature before it has expelled heat into theplate assembly 22. Moreover, the coolingairflow 20 is at its lowest temperature at theleading edge 30 prior to absorbing any heat from the surface of theplate assembly 22. The plurality ofrows 42 includes features that tailor heat transfer to the extremes of the incoming flows 16, 20 to reduce extremes in thermal gradients. - The
example plate assembly 22 includes afirst row 48 including a first group ofdiscrete fin portions 46 that are aligned from the leadingedge 30 to the trailingedge 32. Each of the plurality ofdiscrete fin portions 46 are individual separate segments that are spaced apart longitudinally between theleading edge 30 and the trailingedge 32. Thesegmented fin portions 46 reduces a heat transfer surface area over which thecooling airflow 20 flows near theinlet 36. The reduced heat transfer surface area results in a reduction in heat transfer and a reduction in the differences in thermal gradient of the surface of theplate portions 24 relative to the temperature of air flowing through thepassages 34 near theinlets 36. - A
second row 50 from theinlet 36 includes a second group ofdiscrete fin portions 56 that are spaced apart longitudinally between the leading edge and the trailingedge 32. - A
third row 52 from theinlet 36 includes a third group ofdiscrete fin portions 58 that are spaced apart longitudinally between theleading edge 30 and the trailingedge 32. - In this disclosed example, the
plate assembly 22 includes three rows of segmented discrete fin portions and the remainingrows 42 offin portions 40 up to thelast row 54 furthest from theinlet 36 arecontinuous fins 60 that extend uninterrupted between theleading edge 30 and the trailingedge 32. - Referring to
FIG. 3 with continued reference toFIG. 2 , thefirst row 48 includes the plurality of thediscrete fin portions 46 that each have acommon width 66. Each of thefin portions 46 are also spaced acommon distance 68. Thewidth 66 anddistance 68 tailor the available heat transfer surface area provided by thefirst row 48 nearest theinlet 36 to minimize heat transfer into the coolingflow 20. Minimizing heat transfer nearest theinlet 36 locally reduces the thermal gradient within theplate assembly 22. Thewidth 66 and distance of thediscrete fin portions 46 in thefirst row 48 is tailored to provide a heat transfer surface area determined to provide an acceptable thermal gradient based on expected temperatures ofhot flow 16 andcooling flow 20. - The
second row 50 includes the second group ofdiscrete fin portions 56 that each have a secondcommon width 70 and asecond spacing 72 there between. Thesecond row 50 includes an increased surface area as compared to thefirst row 48 that is tailored to maintain an acceptable thermal gradient in theplate assembly 22 within the region of thesecond row 50. - The
third row 52 ofdiscrete fin portions 58 that have a thirdcommon width 74 that are spaced apart a third distance 76. Thewidth 74 and spacing 76 provides another increase in heat transfer surface area compared to each of thefirst row 48 and thesecond row 50. - In this disclosed example, there are three
rows fin portion rows 42 including continuous and interruptedfins 60. However, it is within the contemplation of this disclosure that additional rows of discreet fin portions could be utilized to further tailor operation of the heat exchanger based on expected operational temperatures and pressures. - A
region 64 schematically shown inFIG. 3 of theplate assembly 22 is at corner where theinlet 36 and the leadingedge 30 meet. In thisregion 64, thehot flow 16 is at its greatest temperature and thecooling flow 20 is at its coolest temperature. The resulting interface between the two flows generates the highest thermal gradient within theplate assembly 22. The cooling airflow heats up in a direction indicated byarrow 90 and thehot airflow 16 cools down as it proceeds away from theinlet 36 in a direction indicated byarrow 92. The surface area provided by therows discrete fin portions region 64 to reduce stresses and strains on theplate assembly 22 by reducing the differences in thermal gradient encountered by the material comprising theplate assembly 22. - Although an example orientation of
discrete fin portions - Moreover, the different fin portions are provided relative to a high stress region such as the
region 64 or a joint between the plate assembly and one of theinlet manifold 12 and theoutlet manifold 14. The asymmetric orientation of fin portions provide benefits within a region disposed within a distance about 10% of the total length of the plate assembly. In another example the distance is within a region about 7% of the total length of the plate assembly. The asymmetric application of heat transfer augmentation features such as the discrete fin portions means lower the amount of augmentation feature density by approximately 15%. Additionally, an increase in density up to 200% of the nominal on the external or internal core or joint features. - Referring to
FIG. 4 with continued reference toFIGS. 2 and 3 , the example plate assembly is aquad plate assembly 22 and includes fourplate portions 24, each including atop surface 26 and abottom surface 28 and a fin portions extending therefrom. Each of theplate portions 24 include thefirst row 48,second row 50 andthird row 52 on both thetop surface 26 and thebottom surface 28. Thestacked plate portions 24form flow channels 62 there through within which the fin portions extend. Each of the fin portions are arranged such that they alternate and intermesh to define theflow channels 62 to provide the desired cooling airflow proximate theinternal passages 34 within each of theplate portions 24. - In one disclosed example embodiment, the
plate assembly 22 includes anupper plate 80, alower plate 82 andintermediate plates 84. The upper andlower plates plate assembly 22. Theintermediate plate portions 24 define theflow channel 62 and include intermeshing fin portions that extend from eachcorresponding plate portion 24. Each of theplate portions 24 includes acommon housing 86 disposed on an inlet side and acommon outlet housing 88 that is integrated between the fourplate portions 24. Theexample plate assembly 22 is a single unitary cast structure that includes common features utilized to define desired thermal gradients throughout the heat exchanger to reduce stresses and strains. - Referring to
FIG. 5 , another exampleplate assembly embodiment 100 is shown and includes asingle plate portion 24 including fin portions disposed on the top andbottom surfaces example plate assembly 100 includes the first, second andthird rows discrete fin portions single plate 100 is shown and aplate assembly 22 with fourplate portions 24 is shown in the previous figures by way of example, other numbers ofplate portions 24 could be utilized and stacked to create a single unitary plate assembly with discrete fin portions provided to tailor thermal gradients within the structure during operation. - Referring to
FIG. 6 with continued reference toFIG. 4 , the example plate assembly is formed as a single cast item and formed utilizing a casting method schematically indicated at 115. Afirst core 102 is used to define the internal passages through each of thecorresponding plate portions 24. Asecond core 104 is utilized to define theflow channel 62 between theplate portions 24. - The
first core 102 and asecond core 104 are formed using materials known and understood by those in the casting art. Thecores mold 106 and acast material 108 is injected into themold 106 and cured. Thecores mold 106 and form the internal passages and the fins within theflow channel 62. The internal features of the cavity provided by themold 106 define the fin portions of the top plate and bottom plate that provide the desired fin configuration of thediscrete fin portions - Once the material for the heat exchanger is cured, the cast part is removed from the
mold 106, thecores - Accordingly, the example heat exchanger plate assemblies provide a single cast unitary part that includes segmented fins to tailor thermal gradients in the heat exchanger to provide strain relief and improve operational life.
- Although an example embodiment has been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this disclosure. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the scope and content of this disclosure.
Claims (20)
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US15/914,089 US20190277580A1 (en) | 2018-03-07 | 2018-03-07 | Segmented fins for a cast heat exchanger |
EP19161406.4A EP3537084B1 (en) | 2018-03-07 | 2019-03-07 | Segmented fins for a cast heat exchanger |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US15/914,089 US20190277580A1 (en) | 2018-03-07 | 2018-03-07 | Segmented fins for a cast heat exchanger |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20190277580A1 true US20190277580A1 (en) | 2019-09-12 |
Family
ID=65724314
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US15/914,089 Abandoned US20190277580A1 (en) | 2018-03-07 | 2018-03-07 | Segmented fins for a cast heat exchanger |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20190277580A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3537084B1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11391523B2 (en) * | 2018-03-23 | 2022-07-19 | Raytheon Technologies Corporation | Asymmetric application of cooling features for a cast plate heat exchanger |
US20220316813A1 (en) * | 2021-04-06 | 2022-10-06 | General Electric Company | Heat exchangers including partial height fins having at least partially free terminal edges |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11808529B2 (en) * | 2018-03-23 | 2023-11-07 | Rtx Corporation | Cast plate heat exchanger and method of making using directional solidification |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3692105A (en) * | 1970-09-02 | 1972-09-19 | Peerless Of America | Heat exchangers |
EP0132237A3 (en) * | 1983-06-30 | 1986-02-05 | Renato Ferroni | Element for exchanging heat between fluids, and radiator constructed with the said heat exchange element |
JPS60242919A (en) * | 1984-05-17 | 1985-12-02 | Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd | Manufacturing method for heat exchange pipe with needle fins |
US9238284B2 (en) * | 2011-12-20 | 2016-01-19 | Unison Industries, Llc | Methods for forming a heat exchanger and portions thereof |
US9599410B2 (en) * | 2012-07-27 | 2017-03-21 | General Electric Company | Plate-like air-cooled engine surface cooler with fluid channel and varying fin geometry |
US20140027097A1 (en) * | 2012-07-30 | 2014-01-30 | Ian Alexandre Araujo De Barros | Heat Exchanger for an Intercooler and Water Extraction Apparatus |
US8936067B2 (en) * | 2012-10-23 | 2015-01-20 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Casting core for a cooling arrangement for a gas turbine component |
-
2018
- 2018-03-07 US US15/914,089 patent/US20190277580A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2019
- 2019-03-07 EP EP19161406.4A patent/EP3537084B1/en active Active
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11391523B2 (en) * | 2018-03-23 | 2022-07-19 | Raytheon Technologies Corporation | Asymmetric application of cooling features for a cast plate heat exchanger |
US20220316813A1 (en) * | 2021-04-06 | 2022-10-06 | General Electric Company | Heat exchangers including partial height fins having at least partially free terminal edges |
US11940232B2 (en) * | 2021-04-06 | 2024-03-26 | General Electric Company | Heat exchangers including partial height fins having at least partially free terminal edges |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP3537084A2 (en) | 2019-09-11 |
EP3537084A3 (en) | 2019-12-18 |
EP3537084B1 (en) | 2021-05-12 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP3553447B1 (en) | Heat augmentation features in a cast heat exchanger | |
US20190277579A1 (en) | High temperature plate fin heat exchanger | |
EP3537084B1 (en) | Segmented fins for a cast heat exchanger | |
EP3492857A1 (en) | High temperature plate fin heat exchanger | |
EP3553446B1 (en) | Shaped leading edge of cast plate fin heat exchanger | |
US11079181B2 (en) | Cast plate heat exchanger with tapered walls | |
US10415901B2 (en) | Counter-flow ceramic heat exchanger assembly and method | |
US10024182B2 (en) | Cooled composite sheets for a gas turbine | |
CN109790754B (en) | Turbine blade comprising a cooling circuit | |
EP3537085A1 (en) | Ganged plate stack in cast plate fin heat exchanger | |
US11808529B2 (en) | Cast plate heat exchanger and method of making using directional solidification | |
US11781819B2 (en) | Stackable core system for producing cast plate heat exchanger | |
US11391523B2 (en) | Asymmetric application of cooling features for a cast plate heat exchanger | |
EP3889533B1 (en) | Mixing between flow channels of cast plate heat exchanger | |
US20160025425A1 (en) | Heat exchanger with slotted guard fin | |
EP3492858B1 (en) | Heat exchanger low pressure loss manifold | |
EP3553448B1 (en) | Secondarily applied cold side features for cast heat exchanger | |
EP4385736A1 (en) | Variable passages to optimize delta p and heat transfer along flow path |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION, CONNECTICUT Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:DISORI, MICHAEL A.;STILLMAN, WILLIAM P.;DIENER, ADAM J.;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:045129/0826 Effective date: 20180306 |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: RESPONSE TO NON-FINAL OFFICE ACTION ENTERED AND FORWARDED TO EXAMINER |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: NON FINAL ACTION MAILED |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: RESPONSE TO NON-FINAL OFFICE ACTION ENTERED AND FORWARDED TO EXAMINER |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: NON FINAL ACTION MAILED |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION, MASSACHUSETTS Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:054062/0001 Effective date: 20200403 |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: FINAL REJECTION MAILED |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION, CONNECTICUT Free format text: CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE AND REMOVE PATENT APPLICATION NUMBER 11886281 AND ADD PATENT APPLICATION NUMBER 14846874. TO CORRECT THE RECEIVING PARTY ADDRESS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 054062 FRAME: 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE CHANGE OF ADDRESS;ASSIGNOR:UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:055659/0001 Effective date: 20200403 |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: RESPONSE AFTER FINAL ACTION FORWARDED TO EXAMINER |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: ADVISORY ACTION MAILED |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |