U.S. patent application number 15/003452 was filed with the patent office on 2017-07-27 for heat exchanger with center manifold.
This patent application is currently assigned to Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation. Invention is credited to Lee A. Hoffman, Andrzej E. Kuczek, Gregory K. Schwalm, Leo J. Veilleux, JR..
Application Number | 20170211896 15/003452 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57714541 |
Filed Date | 2017-07-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170211896 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schwalm; Gregory K. ; et
al. |
July 27, 2017 |
HEAT EXCHANGER WITH CENTER MANIFOLD
Abstract
A heat exchange device includes a first section and a second
section. Each of the first and second sections includes flow
passages configured to cool fluid. A center manifold is disposed
between the first and second sections. Hot fluid enters the
manifold at one end, passes through the first and second sections
and cooled fluid exits the manifold at the opposing end. Each of
the flow passages can have a bend at an outer edge of the heat
exchange device configured to return high pressure fluid to the
center manifold.
Inventors: |
Schwalm; Gregory K.; (Avon,
CT) ; Veilleux, JR.; Leo J.; (Wethersfield, CT)
; Kuczek; Andrzej E.; (Bristol, CT) ; Hoffman; Lee
A.; (Vernon, CT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation |
Charlotte |
NC |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Hamilton Sundstrand
Corporation
Charlotte
NC
|
Family ID: |
57714541 |
Appl. No.: |
15/003452 |
Filed: |
January 21, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28D 1/0476 20130101;
F28D 9/0068 20130101; F28F 2009/224 20130101; F28F 2255/00
20130101; F28D 7/06 20130101; F28D 1/0408 20130101; F28F 9/02
20130101; F28F 2250/102 20130101; F28F 2225/04 20130101; F28F 1/40
20130101; F28F 9/26 20130101; F28D 2021/0026 20130101; F28F 3/04
20130101; F28F 9/0075 20130101; F28D 2021/0021 20130101; F28F
2210/04 20130101; F28D 7/0066 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F28F 9/26 20060101
F28F009/26; F28F 3/04 20060101 F28F003/04; F28F 9/007 20060101
F28F009/007; F28D 9/00 20060101 F28D009/00 |
Claims
1. A heat exchange device, comprising: a first section and a second
section, each of the first and second sections including flow
passages configured for heat exchange between fluid within the flow
passages and fluid external of the flow passages; and a center
manifold disposed between the first and second sections, wherein
fluid enters the manifold at one end, passes through the first and
second sections and exits the manifold at an opposing end.
2. The heat exchange device of claim 1, wherein each of the flow
passages has a bend at an outer edge of the heat exchange device
configured to return high pressure fluid to the center
manifold.
3. The heat exchange device of claim 2, wherein each of the bends
are equal in radius to allow for uniform distribution of fluid
flow.
4. The heat exchange device of claim 1, wherein each of the flow
passages are dimensionally the same to create uniform flow
throughout each of the first and second sections.
5. The heat exchange device of claim 1, wherein each of the flow
passages defines a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet.
6. The heat exchange device of claim 1, wherein the center manifold
includes a first plenum at one end configured to allow fluid to
enter the center manifold and a second plenum at the opposing side
configured to allow fluid to exit the center manifold.
7. The heat exchange device of claim 6, wherein fluid enters
through the first plenum into a fluid inlet of a respective flow
passage within the first and second sections, enters the center
manifold through a fluid outlet of the respective flow passage, and
exits the center manifold through the second plenum.
8. The heat exchange device of claim 1, wherein each of the first
and second sections include plate-fin core sections in a stacked
arrangement.
9. The heat exchange device of claim 8, wherein each of the flow
passages includes secondary heat transfer and structural elements
within the flow passage.
10. The heat exchange device of claim 8, wherein each of the flow
passages includes secondary heat transfer and structural elements
extending from the passage in a direction perpendicular to the flow
passage configured to structurally and physically connect adjacent
flow passages.
11. The heat exchange device of claim 8, wherein the secondary heat
transfer and structural elements and flow passages form a solid
matrix configured to limit wear of the device due to relative
motion with the device.
12. The heat exchange device of claim 1, further comprising a
housing surrounding the heat exchange device to provide a tight
seal and configured to prevent fluid from flowing around the flow
passages.
13. The heat exchange device of claim 1, wherein the first and
second sections and the center manifold are created through the use
of additive manufacturing.
14. The heat exchange device of claim 1, wherein the first and
second sections are connected to one another by one or more plates
or structural elements passing continuously through the center
manifold configured to segregate inlet and outlet flow and
counteract the forces created by high pressure acting in opposite
directions on the first and second sections.
15. The heat exchange device of claim 1, wherein some or all of the
flow passages are of different length to allow the device to fit
within an envelope with sides that are not perpendicular to each
other.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present disclosure relates to heat exchangers, and more
particularly to plate-stack heat exchangers.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Heat exchangers such as, for example, tube-shell heat
exchangers, are typically used in aerospace turbine engines. These
heat exchangers are used to transfer thermal energy between two
fluids without direct contact between the two fluids. In
particular, a primary fluid is typically directed through a fluid
passageway of the heat exchanger, while a cooling or heating fluid
is brought into external contact with the fluid passageway. In this
manner, heat may be conducted through walls of the fluid passageway
to thereby transfer energy between the two fluids. One typical
application of a heat exchanger is related to an engine and
involves the cooling of air drawn into the engine and/or exhausted
from the engine.
[0005] However, typical tube shell design heat exchangers have
structural issues when their cantilevered tube bundles are exposed
to typical aerospace vibration environments. In addition, there can
be significant bypass of flow around the tubes on the low pressure
side of the heat exchanger, resulting in reduced thermal
effectiveness as well as other adverse system impacts such as
excessive low pressure flow. Subsequently, the heat exchangers
either fail, or are heavy, expensive, and difficult to
manufacture.
[0006] Such conventional methods and systems have generally been
considered satisfactory for their intended purpose. However, there
is still a need in the art for improved heat exchangers. The
present disclosure provides a solution for this need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A heat exchange device includes a first section and a second
section. Each of the first and second sections includes flow
passages configured for heat exchange between heat exchange fluid
within the flow passages and fluid external of the flow passages. A
center manifold is disposed between the first and second sections.
Heat exchange fluid enters the manifold at one end, passes through
the first and second sections and exits the manifold at the
opposing end.
[0008] Each of the flow passages can have a bend at an outer edge
of the heat exchange device configured to return high pressure
fluid to the center manifold. Each of the bends can be equal in
radius to allow for uniform distribution of fluid flow. Each of the
flow passages can be dimensionally the same to create uniform flow
throughout each of the first and second sections. Each of the flow
passages can define an external air inlet and an external air
outlet.
[0009] The center manifold can include a first plenum at one end
configured to allow air to enter the center manifold and a second
plenum on the opposing side configured to allow air to exit the
center manifold. Fluid can flow through the first plenum into an
air inlet of a respective flow passage within the first and second
sections and enter the center manifold through and air outlet of
the respective flow passage. The fluid can exit the center manifold
through the second plenum.
[0010] Each of the first and second sections can include plate-fin
core sections in a stacked arrangement. Each of the flow passages
can include structures such as fins, pins or vanes within the flow
passage extending from the passage configured to act as secondary
heat transfer and structural elements. The secondary heat transfer
and structural elements can form a solid matrix configured to limit
wear of the device due to relative motion within the device. The
device can further include a housing surrounding the heat exchange
device to provide a tight seal and configured to prevent air from
flowing around the flow passages. The first and second sections and
the center manifold can be created through the use of additive
manufacturing.
[0011] These and other features of the systems and methods of the
subject disclosure will become more readily apparent to those
skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] So that those skilled in the art to which the subject
disclosure appertains will readily understand how to make and use
the devices and methods of the subject disclosure without undue
experimentation, preferred embodiments thereof will be described in
detail herein below with reference to certain figures, wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a
heat exchange device constructed in accordance with the present
disclosure, showing first and section sections and a center
manifold;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a detailed cross-sectional perspective view of the
flow passage of each of the first and second sections of FIG. 1,
showing hot and cold fins running in directions perpendicular to
one another;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a detailed perspective view of the flow passage of
each of the first and section sections of FIG. 1, showing angled
separators and the flow direction for hot fluid through the flow
passages;
[0016] FIG. 4a is a cross-sectional view of the center manifold of
FIG. 1, showing a plurality of sheets spanning the width of the
center manifold, structurally connecting inner loops of the first
and second sections and separating the flows at flow passage inlet
and outlet; and
[0017] FIG. 4b is an alternate cross-sectional view of the center
manifold of FIG. 1, showing a plurality of sheets spanning the
width of the center manifold connecting outer sheets of the flow
passages of the first and second section.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like
reference numerals identify similar structural features or aspects
of the subject disclosure. For purposes of explanation and
illustration, and not limitation, a partial view of an exemplary
embodiment of a heat exchange device in accordance with the
disclosure is shown in FIG. 1 and is designated generally by
reference character 100. Other embodiments of the heat exchange
device in accordance with the disclosure, or aspects thereof, are
provided in FIG. 2-4b, as will be described. The systems and
methods described herein can be used in turbine engines exposed to
high pressure and high temperatures, for example in aerospace
application.
[0019] With reference to FIG. 1, a heat exchange device 100 in
accordance with the present disclosure is shown. The device
includes a first section 102 and a second section 104. The first
and second sections 102, 104 are two identical plate-fin core
sections each made up of flow passages 110 configured for heat
exchange between heat exchange fluid within the flow passages 110
and fluid external of the fluid passages 110. The first and second
sections 102, 104 are separated by a center manifold 106 configured
to allow high pressure fluid to enter the manifold 106 at one end
112, pass into the flow passages 102, 104 on either side of the
manifold 106, and return to the manifold 106 to exit the manifold
106 at the opposite end 114. More specifically, the center manifold
106 includes a first plenum 112a at one end and a second plenum
114a on an opposing end. Each of the flow passages 110 includes an
air inlet 120 and a separate air outlet 122 (see FIG. 2) leading to
and from the center manifold 106, respectively. Fluid flows into
the first plenum 112a of the center manifold 106, passes through a
respective air inlet 120 of a flow passage 110, follows a bend/loop
130 of the flow passage 110, enters the center manifold 106 again
through the air outlet 122 and then exits the center manifold 106
through the second plenum 114a. The design for the first and second
sections 102, 104 and the center manifold 106 facilitates
installation of the proposed heat exchange device 100 in place of
an existing tube-shell unit.
[0020] With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, each of the flow
passages 110 includes a bend or loop 130 at the outer edges of the
device 100 to return the fluid to the center manifold 106. The bulk
of the heat transfer occurs within the flow passages 110 of the
first and section sections 102, 104. The bends 130 of each flow
passage 110 are equal in radius and each flow passage 110 is
dimensionally the same to achieve uniform distribution of fluid
flow within the first and second sections 102, 104 and achieve
optimal thermal effectiveness. This similarity in structure also
facilitates quick and accurate prediction of thermal performance.
In further embodiment, the flow passages may vary in length so as
to fit into designated spaces with opposing sides that are not
perpendicular to one another.
[0021] The flow passages 110 are in stacked arrangement such that
the air flow direction loops back to the center manifold 106. In
one embodiment, heat transfer elements, such as fins 132, 134 (see
FIG. 2a) are included within each of the flow passages 110. The
fins 132, 134 can be either hot fins 132 or cold fins 134 that form
a solid matrix to provide thermal and structural connection. Fins
132 can run parallel to fins 134 when the fins 132 have openings to
allow flow through the flow passage. Therefore, the device 100 does
not have fretting or other wear issues associated with relative
motion between tubes and supporting structure of typical tube-shell
heat exchange designs.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, a cross-sectional view of the center
manifold 100 illustrating angled center manifold plates 138. The
flow rate of the hot fluid flowing (illustrated with arrows) within
the center manifold 106 varies as a function of a distance along a
flow length of the manifold in both the inlet and outlet sections
of the center manifold 106. The cross-sectional area increases with
increased flow in regions of both the inlet and outlet manifolds to
reduce pressure drop as well as to achieve a more uniform static
pressure distribution along the flow length of the manifold 106
that helps to achieve more uniform distribution of flow among each
flow passage bend 130. This in turn improves the overall thermal
effectiveness of the device relative to a manifold configuration
with nearly uniform manifold inlet and outlet cross-sectional flow
areas.
[0023] FIGS. 4a and 4b illustrate two embodiments of a
cross-section of the center manifold 106. In both embodiments
continuous sheets 124 span across the center manifold. In both
embodiments shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b, the sheets provide load paths
to react against pressure forces pulling the first and second core
sections 102 and 104 apart. The sheets also separate the hot inlet
and outlet flows. In FIG. 4a, the sheets extend from inner loops of
cold fluid between the first and second sections 102 and 104. In
FIG. 4b the sheets extend straight across from outer sheets of the
flow passages. The tight radius of each flow passage 110 at the
outer edges of the heat exchanger 100 reduces hoop stress, reducing
the amount of material required to contain the high pressure fluid
compared to traditional heat exchanger fluid turning methods such
as external headers or internal miter sections with thick closure
bars.
[0024] The device 100 as a whole is stiffer than a typical
tube-shell heat exchanger, which typically drives critical mode
frequencies above regions of concern, due to the fins 130 and 132
and parting sheets forming a solid matrix. In further embodiments,
a housing can be included which tightly surrounds the device to
provide a tight seal and prevent air from flowing around or outside
of the air passages. In this embodiment, bends/loops of the flow
passages can be modified to tightly align with the housing. In
addition, the secondary heat transfer and structural elements can
extend from the outermost flow passages to the housing containing
the low pressure fluid to create the tight seal around the heat
exchange device. The bends and loops are created during
manufacturing therefore the tightness of the loops or exact shapes
can be modified as needed. The first and section sections 102, 104
and the center manifold 106 as shown and described can be formed
using the techniques of additive manufacturing.
[0025] The methods and systems of the present disclosure, as
described above and shown in the drawings, provide for a heat
exchange device with superior properties including a center
manifold to provide improved structural integrity. While the
apparatus and methods of the subject disclosure have been shown and
described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in
the art will readily appreciate that changes and/or modifications
may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the subject
disclosure.
* * * * *