Method for producing pipe for heat exchanger
By using non-diffusion materials and inert gas injection technology in aircraft turbine engines to manufacture pipe plates for heat exchangers, the challenge of positioning heat exchangers in turbine engines is solved, achieving efficient heat exchange and performance improvements.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202380057496.3
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-08-02
- Filing Date
- 2023-07-28
- Publication Date
- 2025-03-14
AI Technical Summary
In aircraft turbine engines, the positioning of the heat exchanger must be perfectly integrated to avoid affecting the efficiency and compactness of the turbine engine, and it is difficult for the prior art to integrate the heat exchanger after the manufacturing of the turbine engine parts.
Using a manufacturing method, a plate including a pipe is formed by applying a non-diffusion material to the first metal sheet and diffusing welding with the second metal sheet. The method includes injecting pressurized inert gas at the location where the non-diffusion material is applied to achieve the forming of the pipe.
The manufacture of compact and integrated heat exchangers is achieved, improving aircraft performance, reducing environmental impacts, and avoiding the negative impact of turbine head loss and thrust.
Smart Images
Figure CN119630935A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to the manufacture of heat exchangers.
[0002] In particular, the invention relates to the manufacture of a plate in which pipes are housed, allowing heat exchange between a heat transfer fluid circulating in the pipes and the external environment.
[0003] As a general rule, the invention applies to any type of heat exchanger, but is particularly suitable for making heat exchangers arranged on a rotating surface, and more particularly for exhaust systems of aircraft turbine engines, which heat exchangers allow heat recovery in the exhaust gas flow in order to heat the fuel and / or air intended to enter the combustion chamber of the turbine engine. Background Art
[0004] The manufacture of parts in the aeronautical field is generally subject to mass and size restrictions associated with said parts. In the case of integrating a heat exchanger in an aircraft, in particular in an aircraft turbine engine, said integration is difficult to perform after the manufacture of the turbine engine part, so preferably said integration is performed during the manufacture of said part.
[0005] In order to improve the performance of the turbine engine, the air and / or fuel may be heated before entering the combustion chamber of the turbine engine. A heat source located nearby is preferred in order to improve the thermal efficiency of the turbine engine and thus help reduce the environmental footprint of the turbine engine. The heat source is constituted by, for example, the gas flowing out via the exhaust system of the turbine engine.
[0006] However, positioning the heat exchanger in the main exhaust flow of the turbine engine induces turbine engine head losses and has a negative impact on aircraft thrust. Therefore, the positioning of the heat exchanger in the turbine engine must be perfectly integrated so as not to affect the efficiency and compactness of said turbine engine. Summary of the invention
[0007] The object of the present invention is therefore to produce a pipe for a compact and integrated heat exchanger. For this purpose, the invention is the result of technical research aimed at very significantly improving aircraft performance and thus contributes to reducing its impact on the environment.
[0008] The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a plate comprising tubes for a heat exchanger, the method comprising the following steps:
[0009] - applying a diffusion-resistant material to the first metal sheet at locations on the first metal sheet intended to form the duct portion;
[0010] - placing the first metal sheet in contact with the second metal sheet between a male tool and a female tool forming a die;
[0011] - diffusion welding the first metal sheet to the second metal sheet within the mould so as to form the plate;
[0012] - Injecting a pressurized inert gas between the first metal sheet and the second metal sheet at the location where the diffusion-proof material has been applied, in order to achieve the shaping of the ducts.
[0013] Advantageously, the method comprises the step of injecting, after the diffusion welding step, a pressurized inert gas into a cavity between one of the first and second metal sheets and one of the male and female tools, thereby forming the first and second metal sheets according to the desired plate shape.
[0014] In one embodiment, after the step of injecting gas into the cavity and before the step of injecting gas where the diffusion-proof material has been applied, the welded first and second metal sheets are positioned in a mold comprising a second male tool and a second female tool.
[0015] In another embodiment, the welded first and second metal sheets are positioned in a mold comprising the male and second female tools, and the step of injecting into the cavity is extended and / or repeated so as to be performed simultaneously with the step of injecting pressurized inert gas between the first and second metal sheets at the location where the diffusion-resistant material has been applied, so that the pressure in the formed pipes and the pressure in the cavity during the inert gas injection are similar.
[0016] Advantageously, during the placing step, the first metal sheet is placed in a constriction of the male tool, the constriction having a depth between the thickness of the first metal sheet and the sum of the thicknesses of the first metal sheet and the second metal sheet, and wherein the step of injecting a pressurized inert gas between the second metal sheet and the female tool is carried out in such a way that the second metal sheet is partially pushed into the constriction and the diffusion welding step is allowed without moving the second metal sheet relative to the first metal sheet.
[0017] In a particular embodiment, the method further comprises the step of forming a distributor and / or a manifold between the first metal sheet and the second metal sheet or between the metal sheet and the third metal sheet.
[0018] Advantageously, the method comprises a final step of cooling the metal sheets and a step of sandblasting the metal sheets after forming the pipes.
[0019] Advantageously, the diffusion-resistant material comprises boron nitride.
[0020] Advantageously, the inert gas comprises argon.
[0021] In one embodiment, the tubes are formed to have a semicircular, or rectangular, or bell-shaped, or semi-elliptical, or triangular cross-section.
[0022] Advantageously, the metal sheets are made of a material comprising a titanium alloy and / or a nickel alloy.
[0023] In a particular embodiment, the male tool and the female tool are made of materials having different expansion coefficients.
[0024] The invention also relates to an exhaust system comprising a heat exchanger comprising a plate obtained with the method defined above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] Other objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the following description, given by way of non-limiting example only, and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0026] [ Figure 1 ] is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aircraft turbine engine; and
[0027] [ Figure 2 ] is a view of an embodiment of an exhaust system of a turbine engine; and
[0028] [ Figure 3 ] is a representation of the different steps of a first embodiment of a manufacturing method according to the invention; and
[0029] [ Figure 4 ]yes Figure 3 a schematic representation of a manufacturing environment for a manufacturing method of the invention; and
[0030] [ Figure 5A ]
[0031] and
[0032] [ Figure 5B ] is in Figure 3 A schematic cross-sectional representation of a first metal sheet and a second metal sheet welded during a manufacturing method of the present invention; and
[0033] [ Figure 6 ] is a representation of the different steps of a second embodiment of a manufacturing method according to the invention; and
[0034] [ Fig. 7A ]
[0035] and
[0036] [ Figure 7B ]
[0037] as well as
[0038] [ Figure 7C ] is in Figure 6 a schematic cross-sectional representation of a first metal sheet and a second metal sheet during a manufacturing method of; and
[0039] [ Figure 8 ] is a representation of the different steps of a third embodiment of a manufacturing method according to the present invention; and
[0040] [ Fig.9A ]
[0041] and
[0042] [ Fig. 9B ] is in Figure 8 a schematic cross-sectional representation of a first metal sheet and a second metal sheet during a manufacturing method of; and
[0043] [ Fig.10 ] is a representation of a first step of a method according to the invention integrating an alternative embodiment of said method; and
[0044] [ Fig.11A ]
[0045] and
[0046] [ Fig. 11B ] is in Fig.10 a schematic cross-sectional representation of a first metal sheet and a second metal sheet during a manufacturing method of; and
[0047] [ Fig.12 ] is a representation of an annular male tool and an annular female tool that allow the manufacture of the pipes of a heat exchanger in a single sector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0048] exist Figure 1 , an aircraft turbine engine 2 has been schematically represented. The turbine engine 2 comprises a fan 4 for recycling air from the external atmosphere to the turbine engine 2, a compressor 6, a combustion chamber 8, a turbine 10 and an exhaust system 12.
[0049] In particular, the exhaust system 12 includes a nozzle 14 and a center body 16 forming an annular cross-section of an exhaust gas flow 18. The exhaust system 12 includes a heat exchanger 20 configured to heat the fuel at the inlet of the combustion chamber 8 and / or the air at the outlet of the compressor 6 using heat exchange between the exhaust gas flow 18 and the wall of the nozzle 14 via the pipe 26 before the fuel and / or air enters the combustion chamber 8.
[0050] exist Figure 2 , schematically shows an embodiment of an exhaust system in which the heat exchanger 20 is positioned on the nozzle 14. Alternatively, by analogy, the heat exchanger 20 may be positioned in the center body ( Figure 2 (not shown).
[0051] The heat exchanger 20 includes at least one distributor 22 , at least one manifold 24 , and conduits 26 .
[0052] The distributor 22 is configured to inject the heat transfer fluid into the tubes 26, which are themselves configured to circulate the heat transfer fluid in the tubes 26 to the manifold 24, which is configured to recover the heated heat transfer fluid.
[0053] The conduit 26 is formed in a plate 28 which forms the nozzle 14. In the embodiment shown, the nozzle 14 includes an inner surface in contact with which the exhaust gas is exhausted.
[0054] In particular, the plates 28 comprising the tubes 26 of the heat exchanger 20 are manufactured using the manufacturing method according to the present invention as described below.
[0055] exist Figure 3 In FIG. 1 , different steps of an embodiment of a method according to the invention for manufacturing a plate 28 comprising a duct 26 have been represented. By way of example, reference will be made to Figure 2 The tubes 26 shown in FIG. 1 and more generally with reference to the heat exchanger 20 . However, by the implementation of the method below, other plates 28 of tubes 26 for other purposes can also be manufactured.
[0056] exist Figure 4 In FIG. 2 , a schematic representation of the manufacturing environment of the plate 28 has been shown.
[0057] First, a step 30 is performed of applying a diffusion-resistant material (not shown) to the first metal sheet 32 at locations on the first metal sheet 32 intended to form portions of the duct 26. The first metal sheet 32 is, for example, a planar or curved fold of material, the thickness of which is significantly thinner than the other dimensions of the first metal sheet.
[0058] The diffusion-resistant material refers to a material that, once applied to the first metal sheet 32, prevents the first metal sheet 32 from being welded to the second metal sheet during diffusion welding. The diffusion-resistant material includes, for example, boron nitride.
[0059] In other words, for example, the diffusion-resistant material is periodically applied to the first metal sheet 32, thereby forming alternations of diffusion-resistant coated metal sheets and uncoated metal sheets. Uncoated metal sheets refer to metal sheet portions without diffusion-resistant material coating.
[0060] Then, a step 34 of placing the first metal sheet 32 in contact with the second metal sheet 36 is performed. The contact must be established in such a way that the diffusion-proof material is sandwiched between the first metal sheet 32 and the second metal sheet 36.
[0061] Furthermore, the first metal sheet 32 and the second metal sheet 36 stacked together are placed in a mold 38, which includes a male tool 40 and a female tool 42 forming the mold 38, and the metal sheets 32 and 36 are particularly positioned Figure 4 Between the male tool 40 and the female tool 42 shown.
[0062] Advantageously, the male and female tools 40 , 42 each comprise a seal 43 positioned at the periphery of said tools 40 , 42 at their interface to ensure fluid tightness between the inside and the outside of the mold 38 .
[0063] The die 38 may combine specific temperature and pressure conditions, such as those required to perform diffusion welding. The die 38 is included in a superplastic forming press, for example. The female tool 42 includes grooves 44 that are configured to give the pipe 26 its shape. The male tool 40 and the female tool 42 have shapes similar to those of the metal sheets 32 and 36 so that the metal sheets 32 and 36 are placed in the die 38 without deforming the metal sheets 32 and 36.
[0064] A step 46 of diffusion welding the first metal sheet 32 to the second metal sheet 36 is then carried out in the mold 38, the two metal sheets 32 and 36 then becoming one and forming the plate 28 intended to include the duct 26. Only the locations where the diffusion-resistant material is applied do not include the weld between the first metal sheet 32 and the second metal sheet 36.
[0065] exist Figure 5A , a first metal sheet 32 and a second metal sheet 36 welded in a die 38 have been schematically represented.
[0066] Then a step 48 of injecting a pressurized inert gas between the first metal sheet 32 and the second metal sheet 36 is performed. The injection is performed, for example, using an opening 50 formed in the mold 38 (for example in the concave tool 42), such as Figure 4 As shown. The opening 50 is configured, for example, to form a manifold 24 and / or a distributor 22. The injected gas is specifically directed to the location 51 where the diffusion-resistant material has been applied. The pressure of the injected gas is configured to deform the second metal sheet 36 and press it against the groove 44 of the female tool 42, thereby achieving the formation of the duct 26. The injected inert gas is retained in the mold 38 using the seal of the mold 38 provided by the seal 43.
[0067] exist Figure 5B In FIG. 2 , the conduit 26 formed after the step 48 of injecting the pressurized inert gas has been schematically represented.
[0068] Furthermore, the inert gas is, for example, argon or a mixture including argon.
[0069] In addition, the formed conduit 26 is in the shape of a groove 44, which can have different shapes. For example, the cross section of the formed conduit is semicircular as shown, or rectangular, or bell-shaped, or semi-elliptical, or triangular.
[0070] In one embodiment (eg, for aerospace applications), the first metal sheet 32 and the second metal sheet 36 are made of a material that is resistant to high temperatures compared to most metals, such as a material including a titanium alloy and / or a nickel alloy.
[0071] In a specific embodiment (e.g., for Figure 2 In the manufacture of the heat exchanger 20 shown in the figure, the step of forming the distributor 22 and / or the manifold 24 is performed by injecting an inert gas between the two metal sheets 32 and 36 in a suitable mold (not shown). Alternatively, the duct is formed between the first metal sheet 32 and the second metal sheet 36, and the distributor and / or the manifold is formed between the first metal sheet 32 and the third metal sheet (not shown). The latter embodiment makes it possible to form a plate 28 including ducts on one side of the plate and distributors and manifolds on the other side of the plate.
[0072] Optionally, a step 52 of cooling the metal sheets 32 and 36 (more generally, the plate 28 comprising the pipe 26 and formed by welding the metal sheets 32 and 36) is also performed at the end of the manufacturing method. Additionally, a step 54 of stripping the metal sheets 32 and 36, for example by sandblasting, is performed in order to clean the areas that were oxidized and / or contaminated during the manufacturing method.
[0073] In the above-described embodiment, the step 56 of shaping the first and second metal sheets is performed before the step 30 of applying the diffusion-proof material. The step 56 makes it possible to give the metal sheets 32 and 36 the shape of the desired plate 28 in the event that these metal sheets do not have a suitable shape for placing them in the mold 38, the shape of the mold 38 also being adapted to the shape of the desired plate 28.
[0074] exist Figure 6 , the steps of another embodiment of the method according to the present invention are schematically represented.
[0075] In this embodiment, the forming of the first metal sheet 32 and the second metal sheet 36 is performed during the manufacturing method according to the invention.
[0076] Therefore, a step 30 of applying a diffusion-resistant material (not shown) to the first metal sheet 32 at the location on the first metal sheet 32 that is intended to form a portion of the duct 26 is first performed. Figure 3 The same manner as in the previous embodiment shown in FIG.
[0077] Then, step 34 of placing the first metal sheet 32 in contact with the second metal sheet 36 is performed as described above. In this embodiment, the metal sheets 32 and 36 are not preformed, they are placed in a mold 38, which includes a male tool 58 and a female tool 60 of neutral shape, wherein the surface does not include the grooves 44 and corresponds to the desired final plate 28 shape. Fig. 7A , the first metal sheet 32 and the second metal sheet 36 between the male tool 58 and the female tool 60 have been schematically represented.
[0078] and Figure 3 Similar to the embodiment shown, a step 46 of diffusion welding the first metal sheet 32 to the second metal sheet 36 is then carried out in the mold 38, the two metal sheets 32 and 36 then becoming one and forming the plate 28 intended to include the duct 26. During diffusion welding, an inert gas is injected into the cavity 61 via the tool 60 to press the first metal sheet 32 and the second metal sheet 36 against the male tool 58. Only the locations where the diffusion-resistant material is applied do not include the weld between the first metal sheet 32 and the second metal sheet 36.
[0079] Then, a step 62 is performed of injecting a pressurized inert gas into the cavity 64 via the tool 58, for example between the male tool 58 and the first metal sheet 32, thereby giving the metal sheets 32 and 36 the shape of the desired panel 28. Figure 7B , the metal sheets 32 and 36 are shown after this step 62 .
[0080] Then the step 66 of replacing the tool in the mold 38 is performed. Thus, the welded metal sheets 32 and 36 are positioned with Figure 3 Between the second male tool 40 and the second female tool 42, the welded metal sheets 32 and 36 have a desired final shape. In particular, the female tool 42 includes grooves 44 that are configured to give the pipe 26 its shape. Figure 7C , the metal sheets 32 and 36 are shown after this step 66 .
[0081] Then, the step 48 of injecting pressurized inert gas between the first metal sheet 32 and the second metal sheet 36 is performed as described above to achieve the formation of the pipe, such as Figure 5B shown.
[0082] The steps 62 and 48 of injecting the inert gas are preferably performed separately, and the step 62 of injecting the cavity is preferably implemented before the step 48 of injecting the gas between the metal sheets 32 and 36. In addition, during the implementation of the steps 62 and 48, the injected inert gas may have the same composition or different compositions.
[0083] Optionally, a cooling 52 and / or peeling 54 step is performed lastly.
[0084] exist Figure 8 In FIG. 2 , steps of another embodiment of the method according to the present invention are schematically represented.
[0085] In this embodiment, the steps of applying the diffusion-resistant material 30, placing the metal sheet 34, diffusion welding 46, and injecting the pressurized inert gas 62 are performed as described in the above embodiments and Figure 6 shown.
[0086] However, in this embodiment, a step 68 of replacing a single tool in the mold 38 is performed. In particular, the metal sheets 32 and 36 to be welded are thus positioned between the male tool 58 and the second female tool 42, which are connected to the male tool 58 and the second female tool 42. Figure 3 The male and female tools of the embodiment shown in are identical. Fig.9A , the metal sheets 32 and 36 are shown after this step 68 .
[0087] Then, steps 48 and 62 of injecting the pressurized inert gas into the cavity 64 are performed simultaneously so that once the plate 28 and the tube 26 are formed, the pressure in the formed tube 26 and the pressure in the cavity 64 during the inert gas injection are similar. Fig. 9B , the metal sheets 32 and 36 have been represented after these steps 48 and 62 .
[0088] Optionally, a cooling 52 and / or peeling 54 step is performed lastly.
[0089] exist Fig.10 , a first step of the method according to the invention integrating an alternative embodiment of the method has been schematically represented.
[0090] In this variant, which applies to all embodiments, the step 30 of applying the diffusion-proof material described above is carried out, as well as the step 34 of placing the first metal sheet 32 in contact with the second metal sheet 36 as described above.
[0091] However, the metal sheets 32 and 36 are positioned between the male tool 70 and the female tool 60 or 42 including the constriction 72. More specifically, the first metal sheet 32 is positioned in the constriction 72, the size of which is substantially the same as the size of the first metal sheet 32 and smaller than the size of the second metal sheet 36, and the depth of the constriction 72 is between the thickness of the first metal sheet 32 and the sum of the thickness of the first metal sheet 32 and the second metal sheet 36.
[0092] Therefore, for the subsequent steps of the method, the movement of the first metal sheet 32 is restricted. Fig.11A , the metal sheets 32 and 36 are shown after this step 34 .
[0093] Then, a step 74 of injecting pressurized inert gas between the second metal sheet 36 and the female tool 60 or 42 is performed, so that the second metal sheet 36 is partially pushed into the constriction, which also limits the movement of the second metal sheet 36. Fig. 11B , the metal sheets 32 and 36 are shown after this step 34 .
[0094] The welding step 46 described above is then performed, which is facilitated by the lack of movement and friction of the second metal sheet 36 relative to the first metal sheet 32 .
[0095] Then you can execute the above and Figure 3 , Figure 6 and Figure 8 4 shows the steps after step 46 of the embodiment.
[0096] The different embodiments described can be implemented for different applications and different heat exchanger shapes.
[0097] For Figure 2 The manufacture of the pipes of the heat exchanger 20 shown makes it possible to manufacture the different sectors 76 and then assemble them, for example, by tungsten inert gas (also called TIG) welding, which is known to those skilled in the art.
[0098] exist Fig.12 In the figure, the Figure 3 The embodiment of the method shown allows the manufacture of an annular male tool 40 and an annular female tool 42 of a tube 26 of a heat exchanger 20 in a single sector.
[0099] Advantageously, the male tool 40 comprises a tool having a key.
[0100] Advantageously, the female tool 42 and the male tool are made of materials having different expansion coefficients, for example, the male tool 40 has a larger expansion coefficient than the female tool 42, so as to more easily exert force on the metal sheets 32 and 36 during heating for diffusion welding.
Claims
1. A method for manufacturing a plate (28) comprising a pipe (26) for a heat exchanger (20), characterized in that The method comprises the following steps: - applying (step 30) a diffusion-proof material to the first metal sheet (32) at locations (51) on the first metal sheet (32) intended to form portions of the duct (26); - placing the first metal sheet (32) in contact with the second metal sheet (36) between a male tool (40; 58; 70) and a female tool (42; 60) of a forming mould (38) (step 34); - diffusion welding (step 46) the first metal sheet (32) to the second metal sheet (36) within the mold (38) so as to form the plate (28); - after the diffusion welding step (46), injecting a pressurized inert gas into a cavity (64) between one of the first and second metal sheets (32; 36) and one of the male tool (58) and the female tool (60), thereby forming the first and second metal sheets according to the desired shape of the plate (28) (step 62); - Injecting a pressurized inert gas (step 48) between the first metal sheet (32) and the second metal sheet (36) at the location (51) where the diffusion-resistant material has been applied, in order to achieve the forming of the duct (26).
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: After the step (62) of injecting gas into the cavity and before the step (48) of injecting gas at the location (51) where the diffusion-resistant material has been applied, the welded first and second metal sheets are positioned (step 66) in a mold (38) comprising a second male tool (40) and a second female tool (42), or, wherein the welded first and second metal sheets (32) are positioned in a mold comprising the male tool (58) and the second female tool (42), the step (62) of injecting into the cavity (64) is extended and / or repeated so as to be performed simultaneously with the step (48) of injecting pressurized inert gas between the first and second metal sheets (32) and (36) at the location (51) where the diffusion-resistant material has been applied, so that the pressure in the formed pipe (26) and the pressure in the cavity (64) during the injection of the inert gas are similar.
3. The method according to one of claims 1 and 2, wherein: During the placing step (34), the first metal sheet (32) is placed in a constriction (72) of the male tool (70), the constriction (72) having a depth between the thickness of the first metal sheet (32) and the sum of the thicknesses of the first metal sheet and the second metal sheet, and wherein the step (74) of injecting a pressurized inert gas between the second metal sheet (36) and the female tool (60) is performed in such a way that the second metal sheet (36) is partially pushed into the constriction (72) and the diffusion welding step (46) is allowed without moving the second metal sheet (36) relative to the first metal sheet (32).
4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: The step of forming a distributor and / or a manifold between the first metal sheet (32) and the second metal sheet (36) or between the metal sheet and the third metal sheet.
5. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a final step (52) of cooling the metal sheet (32; 36) and a step (54) of sandblasting the metal sheet (32; 36) after forming the pipe (26).
6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The diffusion-resistant material comprises boron nitride, and / or wherein the inert gas comprises argon.
7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The formed duct (26) has a semicircular, rectangular, bell-shaped, semi-elliptical or triangular cross section.
8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The male tool (40) and the female tool (42) are made of materials having different expansion coefficients.
9. Exhaust system (12) comprising a heat exchanger (20) comprising a plate (28) obtained with a method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.