U.S. patent application number 17/128551 was filed with the patent office on 2022-06-23 for adaptive heat exchanger.
The applicant listed for this patent is Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation. Invention is credited to Abbas A. Alahyari, Vijay Narayan Jagdale, Yasmin Khakpour, John H. Whiton.
Application Number | 20220196350 17/128551 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-06-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220196350 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Alahyari; Abbas A. ; et
al. |
June 23, 2022 |
ADAPTIVE HEAT EXCHANGER
Abstract
Disclosed is a heat exchanger comprising a first flow path with
an inlet, an outlet and a first surface and a second flow path with
an inlet, an outlet and a second surface wherein at least one of
the first surface and the second surface has a portion consisting
of a shape memory alloy which has a first shape at a first
temperature, a second shape at a second temperature different than
the first temperature, and returns to the first shape in response
to a return to the first temperature.
Inventors: |
Alahyari; Abbas A.;
(Glastonbury, CT) ; Khakpour; Yasmin; (South
Windsor, CT) ; Jagdale; Vijay Narayan; (South
Windsor, CT) ; Whiton; John H.; (South Windsor,
CT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation |
Charlotte |
NC |
US |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/128551 |
Filed: |
December 21, 2020 |
International
Class: |
F28F 21/08 20060101
F28F021/08; F28D 9/00 20060101 F28D009/00; F28F 3/08 20060101
F28F003/08 |
Claims
1. A heat exchanger comprising a first flow path with an inlet, an
outlet and a first surface and a second flow path with an inlet, an
outlet and a second surface wherein at least one of the first
surface and the second surface has a portion consisting of a shape
memory alloy which has a first shape at a first temperature, a
second shape at a second temperature different than the first
temperature, and returns to the first shape in response to a return
to the first temperature.
2. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the first surface and the
second surface both have a portion consisting of a shape memory
alloy.
3. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the first shape is planar
with the first surface and the second shape projects into the flow
path.
4. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the first shape is planar
with the first surface and the second shape reduces the size of the
flow path.
5. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the portion consisting of
a shape memory alloy is fabricated using additive
manufacturing.
6. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the first shape puts the
first surface in the flow path and the second shape puts the first
surface on the side of the flow path.
7. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the first shape is planar
with the first surface and the second shape closes the flow
path.
8. A heat exchanger comprising: a first flow path with an inlet, an
outlet and a first set of fins and a second flow path with an
inlet, an outlet and a second set of fins, wherein at least one of
the first set of fins and the second set of fins has a portion
consisting of a shape memory alloy which has a first shape at a
first temperature, a second shape at a second temperature different
than the first temperature, and returns to the first shape in
response to a return to the first temperature.
9. The heat exchanger of claim 8, wherein the first set of fins and
the second set of fins both have a portion consisting of a shape
memory alloy.
10. The heat exchanger of claim 8, wherein the first shape is
planar with the fins in the first set fins and the second shape
projects into the flow path.
11. The heat exchanger of claim 8, wherein the portion consisting
of a shape memory alloy is fabricated using additive
manufacturing.
12. The heat exchanger of claim 8, wherein the first shape is
planar with the fins in the first set of fins and the second shape
reduces the size of the first flow path.
13. The heat exchanger of claim 8, the first shape puts the first
set of fins in the first flow path and the second shape puts the
first set of fins on the side of the first flow path.
14. The heat exchanger of claim 8, wherein the first shape is
planar with the first set of fins and the second shape closes the
flow path.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Exemplary embodiments pertain to the art of heat
exchangers.
[0002] One heat exchanger technology includes plate and fin
technology. Plate and fin heat exchangers include layers of
corrugated sheets separated by flat metal plates to create several
finned chambers. A first fluid and a second fluid flow through
alternating layers of the heat exchanger. Heat is exchanged between
the first fluid and the second fluid at an interface between the
fluids as the fluids flow through the heat exchanger. While
currently available heat exchangers are adequate, improvements to
efficiency are desired.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0003] Disclosed is a heat exchanger comprising a first flow path
with an inlet, an outlet and a first surface and a second flow path
with an inlet, an outlet and a second surface wherein at least one
of the first surface and the second surface has a portion
consisting of a shape memory alloy which has a first shape at a
first temperature, a second shape at a second temperature different
than the first temperature, and returns to the first shape in
response to a return to the first temperature.
[0004] In addition to one or more of the features described above,
or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the first
surface and the second surface both have a portion consisting of a
shape memory alloy.
[0005] In addition to one or more of the features described above,
or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the first
shape is planar with the first surface and the second shape
projects into the flow path.
[0006] In addition to one or more of the features described above,
or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the first
shape is planar with the first surface and the second shape reduces
the size of the flow path.
[0007] In addition to one or more of the features described above,
or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the
portion consisting of a shape memory alloy is fabricated using
additive manufacturing.
[0008] In addition to one or more of the features described above,
or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the first
shape puts the first surface in the flow path and the second shape
puts the first surface on the side of the flow path.
[0009] In addition to one or more of the features described above,
or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the first
shape is planar with the first surface and the second shape closes
the flow path.
[0010] Also disclosed is a heat exchanger including a first flow
path with an inlet, an outlet and a first set of fins and a second
flow path with an inlet, an outlet and a second set of fins wherein
at least one of the first set of fins and the second set of fins
has a portion consisting of a shape memory alloy which has a first
shape at a first temperature, a second shape at a second
temperature different than the first temperature, and returns to
the first shape in response to a return to the first
temperature.
[0011] In addition to one or more of the features described above,
or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the first
set of fins and the second set of fins both have a portion
consisting of a shape memory alloy.
[0012] In addition to one or more of the features described above,
or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the first
shape is planar with the fins in the first set fins and the second
shape projects into the flow path.
[0013] In addition to one or more of the features described above,
or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the
portion consisting of a shape memory alloy is fabricated using
additive manufacturing.
[0014] In addition to one or more of the features described above,
or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the first
shape is planar with the fins in the first set of fins and the
second shape reduces the size of the first flow path.
[0015] In addition to one or more of the features described above,
or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the first
shape puts the first set of fins in the first flow path and the
second shape puts the first set of fins on the side of the first
flow path.
[0016] In addition to one or more of the features described above,
or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the first
shape is planar with the first set of fins and the second shape
closes the flow path.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The following descriptions should not be considered limiting
in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like
elements are numbered alike:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a heat exchanger; and
[0019] FIGS. 2A-B, FIGS. 3A-B, and FIGS. 4A-B show exemplary
changes in fin shape.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the
disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of
exemplification and not limitation with reference to the
Figures.
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of heat exchanger 20. Heat
exchanger 20 includes housing 22, a first layer 24, a second layer
26, a first flow path 28, a second flow path 30, inlet 32, outlet
34, fins 36, passages 38, inlet 40, outlet 42, fins 44, and
passages 46.
[0022] Heat exchanger 20 includes housing 22 that forms a body of
heat exchanger 20. Heat exchanger 20 is shown as including two
layers, first layer 24 and second layer 26 but this is not limiting
and heat exchanger 20 may include additional layers. Two layers are
shown merely for simplicity and clarity. First layer 24 includes
first flow path 28 and second layer 26 includes second flow path
30. First flow path 28 extends in a first direction through heat
exchanger 20 and second flow path 30 extends in a second direction
through heat exchanger 20 that is perpendicular to the first
direction. In alternate embodiments, first flow path 28 and second
flow path 30 can extend in parallel directions.
[0023] First flow path 28 has inlet 32 and outlet 34. Inlet 32 is
positioned on a first end of first flow path 28 and outlet 34 is
positioned on a second end of first flow path 28. A fluid enters
first flow path 28 through inlet 32 and exits first flow path 28
through outlet 34. First flow path 28 further includes first
surfaces such as fins 36 that are walls that extend from inlet 32
to outlet 34. Fins 36 form passages 38 in first flow path 28.
Passages 38 are open channels that extend from inlet 32 to outlet
34 through which the fluid in first flow path 28 flows.
[0024] Second flow path 30 has inlet 40 and outlet 42. Inlet 40 is
positioned on a first end of second flow path 30 and outlet 42 is
positioned on a second end of second flow path 30. A fluid enters
second flow path 30 through inlet 40 and exits second flow path 30
through outlet 42. Second flow path 30 further includes second
surfaces such as fins 44 that are walls that extend from inlet 40
to outlet 42. Fins 44 form passages 46 in second flow path 30.
Passages 46 are open channels that extend from inlet 40 to outlet
42 through which the fluid in second flow path 30 flows.
[0025] A cold fluid can flow through passages 38 of first flow path
28 while a hot fluid flows through passages 46 of second flow path
30. As the hot fluid flows through passages 46 of second flow path
30 it will flow across fins 44 and heat will transfer out of the
hot fluid and into fins 44. The heat from fins 44 in second flow
path 30 will then transfer through housing 22 of heat exchanger 20
and into fins 36 in first flow path 28. The cold fluid flowing
through passages 38 of first flow path 28 can then absorb heat from
fins 36. The cold fluid that has absorbed heat from fins 36 can
then exit passages 38, removing the heat from heat exchanger 20. In
this manner, the hot fluid flowing through second flow path 30 will
be cooled as it flows through heat exchanger 20 and the cold fluid
flowing through the first flow path 28 will be heated as it flows
through heat exchanger 20.
[0026] Heat exchangers are typically designed for a specific
condition and are oversized for most other conditions. The
resulting fluid flow resistance reduces the efficiency of the
system overall by having greater fluid flow resistance than
necessary during the majority of the operating conditions. The
efficiency of the overall system can be improved by employing an
adaptive heat exchanger which increases the surface area for heat
exchange when needed. As disclosed herein at least a portion of the
surface of the flow path of the heat exchanger, such as the fins,
alter shape in response to temperature, thus providing an adaptive
heat exchanger. In some embodiments the fins adapt to lay on the
bottom or top of the flow path and then can adapt again to extend
across the flow path. FIGS. 2A and 2B show fins altering shape to
lay on the bottom of the flow path. FIG. 2A shows fins 36
positioned in the flow path 28 to form passages 38. In response to
a change in temperature fins 36 may change shape to lay on a side
of flow path 28, thereby decreasing fluid flow resistance.
[0027] In some embodiments a surface of the flow path, such as the
fins, alters shape to have a projection which extends into the flow
path and increase turbulence of the fluid flowing through the flow
path. The fins can further alter shape to remove the projection
from the flow path. FIGS. 3A and 3B shows fins having projections
that extend into the flow path altering shape to remove the
projections from the flow path. In FIG. 3A fins 36 have projections
37 protruding into the passages 38 that are part of flow path 28.
In FIG. 3B projections 37 have altered shape to be removed from the
flow path 28 and be planar with the remainder of the fin. The
projections 37 are shown in FIG. 3B to be additional to the fin. In
some embodiments projections 37 may be integral to the fin and
leave an opening when protruding into the flow path.
[0028] FIGS. 4A and 4B show an embodiment in which fins 36 have
portions 39 which can alter shape in response to a change in
temperature to reduce the size of the flow path by closing off a
portion of the flow path. In some embodiments the portions 39 can
close the flow path to fluid flow.
[0029] The fins can alter shape due to at least a portion of the
fin consisting of a shape memory alloy. For example, in embodiments
such as those shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the portion of the fin that
connects to the housing 22 or is adjacent to housing 22 is a shape
memory alloy which changes shape at the desired temperature,
allowing the fin to change position. Alternatively, the entire fin
may consist of a shape memory alloy.
[0030] Similarly, the fin in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A and
3B has a portion which consists of a shape memory alloy and allows
the projection to move into and out of the flow path. It is further
contemplated that the entire projection may consist of a shape
memory alloy.
[0031] While fins are used as an example throughout the description
this should not be construed as limiting as any surface of the heat
exchanger that forms part of the flow path may comprise a portion
consisting of a shape memory alloy.
[0032] Exemplary shape memory alloys include nickel-titanium alloy,
copper-aluminum-nickel, copper-tin, copper-zinc-X, indium-titanium,
nickel-aluminum, iron-platinum, manganese-copper, and
iron-manganese-silicon.
[0033] The heat exchanger, the fins or both can be made using
additive manufacturing. Exemplary methods include laser powder-bed
fusion.
[0034] The shape memory alloy portion of the fin must be trained to
have two-way shape memory. Two-way shape memory is developed
through thermomechanical cyclic training. Developing two-way shape
memory allows the shape memory alloy to have a different shape
depending on temperature. This is in contrast to a shape memory
alloy without two-way shape memory which may change shape in
response to a temperature change but does not revert to the
previous shape once the original temperature is re-established.
[0035] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a",
"an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well,
unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further
understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when
used in this specification, specify the presence of stated
features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components,
but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other
features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and/or
groups thereof.
[0036] While the present disclosure has been described with
reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be
understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be
made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof
without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In
addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular
situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure
without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it
is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the
particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for
carrying out this present disclosure, but that the present
disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of
the claims.
* * * * *