Heat exchanger module and heat exchanger comprising said module

Abstract

A heat exchanger module includes a first fluid domain defining a first fluid flow path extending in a general first fluid flow path from a first fluid inlet to a first fluid outlet; and a second fluid domain defining a second fluid flow path extending in a general second fluid flow path from the second fluid inlet to the second fluid outlet. The solid domain forms a separation between the first fluid domain and the second fluid domain. The first fluid domain extends from the first fluid inlet to the first fluid outlet and includes a plurality of primary conduits and a plurality of secondary conduits adjacent the first fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to heat exchangers. The embodiments disclosed herein specifically relate to heat exchangers manufactured by additive manufacturing. Background Technology

[0002] Heat exchangers are used in a variety of systems where heat is transferred from one fluid to another. For example, heat exchangers are used to remove heat from liquids such as oil, which is used as a bearing fluid in hydrodynamic bearings in turbines or hydrostatic bearings.

[0003] Indirect heat exchangers typically consist of a first fluid domain and a second fluid domain separated by solid walls. Two fluids flow through the heat exchanger in the first and second fluid domains. A temperature gradient allows heat energy to be transferred from the warmer fluid to the cooler fluid through the solid domain separating the first and second fluid domains.

[0004] Currently known heat exchangers typically use shell-and-tube, alternating plate-fin, or alternating plate-plate constructions.

[0005] These known structures are expensive to manufacture because they require extensive welding to assemble the solid domains that separate the two fluid domains from each other. Furthermore, these structures are not particularly efficient from a thermodynamic point of view. Recently, more complex and efficient heat exchanger structures have been developed using additive manufacturing. Typically, heat exchanger structures have been developed that include a monolithic core with a bicontinuous or multicontinuous structure suitable for heat exchange. These structures typically consist of replicated unit cells.

[0006] Further improvements are still needed in heat exchanger efficiency to enable the production of compact heat exchangers with significantly lower volumes than conventional heat exchangers. Summary of the Invention

[0007] According to one aspect, a heat exchanger module is disclosed herein, comprising: a first fluid domain defining a first fluid flow path extending in an overall first fluid flow path from a first fluid inlet to a first fluid outlet; and a second fluid domain defining a second fluid flow path extending in an overall second fluid flow path from a second fluid inlet to a second fluid outlet. The first fluid domain and the second fluid domain are separated by a solid domain forming a separating membrane between the first fluid domain and the second fluid domain. The first fluid domain extends from the first fluid inlet to the first fluid outlet. The first fluid domain includes:

[0008] Multiple primary conduits are adjacent to a first fluid inlet and a first fluid outlet, each primary conduit having a hydraulic diameter between 0.2 L' and 0.3 L'.

[0009] Multiple secondary pipes, each with a hydraulic diameter between 0.1 L' and 0.2 L';

[0010] in:

[0011] The hydraulic diameter is defined as

[0012] Dh=4Vi / S

[0013] in

[0014] Vi is the volume of the corresponding primary or secondary pipe;

[0015] S is the wetted inner surface of the corresponding primary or secondary pipeline;

[0016] And L' is defined as

[0017]

[0018] Where V0 is the internal volume of the parallelepiped of the first fluid domain, the second fluid domain, and the solid domain of the encapsulated heat exchanger module.

[0019] In some implementations, the heat exchanger module may also include multiple tertiary pipes, each of which may have a hydraulic diameter of less than 0.1 L'.

[0020] These arrangements allow for a trade-off between the heat transfer efficiency of the heat exchanger and the pressure drop along the heat exchange flow path.

[0021] Secondary piping can extend from primary piping to areas of higher heat transfer, while tertiary piping can extend between any of the following groups: two different primary piping, two different secondary piping, primary and secondary piping, and secondary and primary piping.

[0022] Further features of the heat exchanger module according to this disclosure are defined in the dependent claims and are described below with reference to exemplary embodiments.

[0023] According to another aspect, this document discloses a heat exchanger comprising a plurality of heat exchanger modules as described above, the plurality of heat exchanger modules being stacked on top of each other. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Now, please briefly refer to the attached diagram, in which:

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic isometric view of a heat exchanger in one implementation scheme;

[0026] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The isometric view of the heat exchanger module shown;

[0027] Figure 3 Is it like this? Figure 1 The diagram shows an isometric view of a heat exchanger that does not have an outer solid enclosure surrounding the second fluid domain.

[0028] Figure 4 It is based on Figure 4A Top plan view of the IV-IV heat exchanger, which includes four heat exchanger modules;

[0029] Figure 4A It is based on Figure 4 A side view of AA;

[0030] Figure 4B yes Figure 4 An isometric view of the first fluid domain of the heat exchanger module shown in the diagram.

[0031] Figure 4C yes Figure 4 An isometric view of the second fluid domain of the heat exchanger module shown in the diagram.

[0032] Figure 4D yes Figure 4 Axonometric view of the first fluid domain, second fluid domain, and solid domain of the heat exchanger module combination shown in the heat exchanger;

[0033] Figure 5A , Figure 5B , Figure 5C and Figure 5D yes Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger module based on a plane orthogonal to the first direction;

[0034] Figure 6A , Figure 6B , Figure 6C and Figure 6D yes Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger module based on a plane orthogonal to a second direction, which is orthogonal to the first direction;

[0035] Figure 7A , Figure 7B , Figure 7C and Figure 7D , Figure 7E , Figure 7F yes Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger module based on a plane orthogonal to a third direction, which is orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction;

[0036] Figures 8A to 19D This is a view of another embodiment of the heat exchanger according to this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0037] Exemplary embodiments of an oil / air heat exchanger are illustrated in the following description and accompanying drawings. The first fluid is oil, and the second fluid is air. The heat exchanger may have a cooler for the oil flow, such as oil from the bearings of a turbine (e.g., a turbine).

[0038] Figure 1 A schematic isometric view of a heat exchanger 1 is shown. The heat exchanger 1 includes multiple modules or units 3, one of which is shown in isometric view and... Figure 2 Module 3 is shown separately. A single module 3 will be described in detail below. Modules 3 may be identical to each other or mirror images of each other.

[0039] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the diagram, heat exchanger 1 and its individual module 2 are illustrated as having an external parallelepiped shape. However, as will become apparent from the following description, Figure 1 and Figure 2 The outer planar walls of the heat exchanger 1 and each of its modules 3 shown can actually be replaced by geometric planes of the structure enclosing the heat exchanger and associated modules, rather than solid walls surrounding the internal volume of the heat exchanger 1 and each of its modules 3. In other words, the planar walls can figuratively represent the geometric surfaces enclosing the solid domains contained therein.

[0040] Figure 3 One embodiment is shown in which the heat exchanger is not enclosed by a solid wall on its outer plane, but is simply enclosed within a parallelepiped-shaped geometric volume. Whether the outer parallelepiped enclosure of the heat exchanger 1 is a physical structure formed by solid walls or simply represents the geometric boundary of the heat exchanger depends on, for example, the nature of the second fluid flowing in the heat exchanger. If the second fluid is, for example, air, the outer enclosure can be at least partially open, i.e., not represented by a solid enclosing wall.

[0041] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the parallelepiped sheath of the encapsulated heat exchanger 1 has a first fluid inlet side 1a and a first fluid outlet side 1b. In some embodiments, the first fluid inlet side 1a and the first fluid outlet side 1b are arranged on two opposing and parallel faces of the parallelepiped of the encapsulated heat exchanger 1.

[0042] Each module 3 (see Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 4A , Figure 4B , Figure 4CThe module 3 may include a first fluid inlet side 3a and a first fluid outlet side 3b. Module 3 is stacked on top of one another, such that all the first fluid inlet sides 3a of module 3 are located on the first fluid inlet side 1a of heat exchanger 3, and all the first fluid outlet sides 3b of module 3 are located on the first fluid outlet side 1b of heat exchanger 3.

[0043] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 Each module 3 extends from the first fluid inlet side 3a to the first fluid outlet side 3b in the X direction, and the modules are stacked one on top of the other in the Z direction. In addition, each module 3 extends in the Y direction, which is perpendicular to the X and Y directions.

[0044] In the illustrated embodiment, each module 3 includes a plurality of first fluid inlet ports 5 aligned along the Y direction on the first fluid inlet side 3a. Each module 3 also includes a plurality of first fluid outlet ports 7 aligned along the Y direction on the first fluid outlet side 3b.

[0045] Each module 3 includes a first fluid domain 10 extending in a general first fluid flow path from the first fluid inlet 3a to the first fluid outlet 3b. Therefore, the general first fluid flow path is in the direction X.

[0046] Figure 4B , Figure 4C , Figure 4D An isometric view of a single module is shown. Figures 5A to 5D , Figures 6A to 6D and Figures 7A to 7F Examples are shown of cross-sectional views at different locations along the unfolding of a single module, based on a plane orthogonal to the X, Y, and Z directions. See details. Figure 4 , Figures 5A to 5D , Figures 6A to 6D , Figures 7A to 7F Each heat exchanger module 3 also includes a solid domain 9. The solid domain 9 defines the boundary of the first fluid region 10 and fluidly separates the first fluid region 10 from the second fluid region 11. In some embodiments, the solid domain may be made of a metal structure generated by additive manufacturing. In each module, the solid domain 9 extends between the first fluid inlet 3a and the first fluid outlet 3b.

[0047] In some implementations, the solid domains 9 of adjacent modules 3 are separated from each other, or may be in contact with each other or integrated, wherein there is no fluid connection between the corresponding modules, that is, there is no fluid connection between the first fluid domains of two adjacent modules.

[0048] In other implementations, such as Figure 5A , Figure 5B , Figure 5C , Figure 5D , Figure 6A, Figure 6B , Figure 6C , Figure 6D , Figure 7A , Figure 7B , Figure 7C , Figure 7D , Figure 7E and Figure 7F As shown, the solid domains 9 of adjacent modules 3 are in contact with each other and also form a fluid connection therebetween, such that the first fluid domains 10 and the second fluid domains 11 of the two adjacent modules are fluidly connected to each other. In some embodiments, a fluid connection can be formed between each pair of adjacent modules, such that a fluid connection is established between all the first fluid domains 10 of the heat exchanger 1.

[0049] Still referencing Figure 5A , Figure 5B , Figure 5C , Figure 5D , Figure 6A , Figure 6B , Figure 6C , Figure 6D , Figure 7A , Figure 7B , Figure 7C , Figure 7D , Figure 7E and Figure 7F The second fluid domain 11 is represented by the volume contained within the parallelepiped boundary of the heat exchanger 1 and the outer surface of the solid domain 9. In the illustrated embodiment, the second fluid domain is an air domain, since the heat exchanger can be a liquid / air heat exchanger. In some embodiments, the heat exchanger 1 can be a liquid cooler adapted to cool the liquid circulating in the first fluid domain 10 by transferring heat from the first fluid domain 10 to the second fluid domain 11 through the solid domain 9. In some embodiments, the first fluid can be oil.

[0050] The second fluid domain 11 defines a second fluid flow path that extends from the second fluid inlet side 3c to the second fluid outlet side 3d in the overall second fluid flow direction.

[0051] In the illustrated embodiment, the second fluid inlet side 3c of each heat exchanger module 3 is located on the side of the module 3 orthogonal to the first fluid inlet side 3a and the first fluid outlet side 3b. The second fluid outlet side 3d of each heat exchanger module 3 is located on the side of the module 3 opposite to the second fluid inlet side 3c, parallel to the second fluid inlet side, and spaced apart from the second fluid inlet side in the overall flow direction of the second fluid (i.e., in direction Y).

[0052] Therefore, the first fluid inlet side 3a, the second fluid inlet side 3c, the first fluid outlet side 3b, and the second fluid outlet side 3d form the side surfaces of the heat exchanger module 3 in the shape of a parallelepiped.

[0053] Because heat exchanger modules 3 are stacked on top of each other along direction Z ( Figure 1 , Figure 3 , Figure 4A In this configuration, all first fluid inlet sides 3a of module 3 are located on the first fluid inlet side 1a of heat exchanger 1, and all first fluid outlet sides 3b of module 3 are located on the first fluid outlet side 1b of heat exchanger 1. The second fluid inlet side 3c is located on the second fluid inlet side 1c of the parallelepiped-shaped enclosure of heat exchanger 1, and the second fluid outlet side 3d is located on the second fluid outlet side 1d of the parallelepiped-shaped enclosure of heat exchanger 1. The side surfaces 1c and 1d are parallel to each other, spaced apart from each other in the overall flow direction (direction Y) of the second fluid, and orthogonal to the sides 1a and 1b where the first fluid inlet port 5 and the first fluid outlet port 7 are located.

[0054] Direction Y extends from the second fluid inlet side 3c of heat exchanger module 3 and the second fluid inlet side 1c of heat exchanger 1 to the second fluid outlet side 3d of heat exchanger module 3 and the second fluid outlet side 1d of heat exchanger 1. Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 4A , Figure 4B , Figure 4C , Figure 4D This direction defines the overall direction of the second fluid flow from the second fluid inlet to the second fluid outlet.

[0055] Below, the three dimensions of each parallelepiped encapsulating the corresponding heat exchanger module 3 are labeled as L, W, and H, where L (also called "length") is the dimension in the X direction, W (also called "width") is the dimension in the Y direction, and H (also called "height") is the dimension in the Z direction.

[0056] Each heat exchanger module 3 has a parallelepiped enclosure consisting of L H W (V=LxHxW) gives the content product V0. In the following description, the characteristic length L' of the heat exchanger module 3 will be referenced, which is defined as:

[0057]

[0058] exist Figure 4 Figure 7 best illustrates the shape of the solid domain 9, and thus the shape of the first liquid domain 10 contained therein, and the shape of the second liquid domain 11 surrounding the solid domain. Specifically, Figure 4 This is a top view of heat exchanger module 3. Figure 5A , Figure 5B , Figure 5C and Figure 5D This is a cross-sectional view of heat exchanger module 3 according to a plane orthogonal to direction X (i.e., along the length L of heat exchanger module 3). More specifically, Figure 5A , Figure 5B , Figure 5C and Figure 5D These are cross-sectional views at distances of L / 5, 2L / 5, 3L / 5, and 4L / 5 from the first fluid inlet side 3a of the heat exchanger module 3.

[0059] Figure 6A , Figure 6B , Figure 6C , Figure 6D This is a cross-sectional view of heat exchanger module 3 based on a plane orthogonal to direction Y (i.e., along the width W of heat exchanger module 3). More specifically, Figure 6A , Figure 6B , Figure 6C and Figure 6D These are cross-sectional views at distances of W / 5, 2W / 5, 3W / 5, and 4W / 5 from the second fluid inlet side 3c of the heat exchanger module 3.

[0060] Figure 7A , Figure 7B , Figure 7C , Figure 7D and Figure 7E This is a cross-sectional view of heat exchanger module 3 according to a plane orthogonal to direction Z (i.e., along the height H of heat exchanger module 3). More specifically, Figure 7A , Figure 7B , Figure 7C , Figure 7D and Figure 7E These are cross-sectional views taken at distances of 0, H / 5, 2H / 5, 3H / 5, and H from the bottom or top flat surface of the corresponding heat exchanger module 3.

[0061] Figure 4 , Figure 5A , Figure 5B , Figure 5C , Figure 5D , Figure 6A , Figure 6B , Figure 6C , Figure 6D , Figure 7A , Figure 7B , Figure 7C , Figure 7D , Figure 7EThe complex shape of the solid domain 9 of the individual heat exchanger module 3 is shown in combination. The remaining heat exchanger modules 3 are identical or symmetrical with respect to a plane parallel to the directions X and Y, i.e., a plane orthogonal to the direction Z (typically "height") of the heat exchanger modules 3.

[0062] like Figure 4 As best shown, the solid domain 9 of the heat exchanger module 3 comprises a structure similar to a blood circulation system with interconnected blood vessels of variable dimensions. The contents of the container cumulatively define the first fluid domain 10.

[0063] In some implementations, the conduit comprises two different types of conduits: primary conduits and secondary conduits, which will be defined in more detail below. In other implementations, the conduit comprises three different types of conduits: primary conduits, secondary conduits, and tertiary conduits, which will be described in more detail below.

[0064] Primary piping extends from relatively low heat transfer regions located near the inlet and outlet of the fluid domain to high heat transfer regions located near the diagonal of the domain. Secondary piping extends from primary piping to higher heat transfer regions, while tertiary piping extends between any of the following combinations: two distinct primary piping, two distinct secondary piping, primary and secondary piping, and secondary and primary piping. Primary piping has larger dimensions than secondary piping, and secondary piping has larger dimensions than tertiary piping, as quantified below. It is recognized that narrower piping has higher pressure loss but also higher heat transfer (due to increased heat transfer surface area), and wider piping has the opposite effect; heat transfer across layers can be optimized by adjusting the dimensions of piping in different regions of the domain.

[0065] More specifically, such as Figure 4 As shown, the solid domain 9 defines a plurality of primary pipes 21, which belong to the first fluid domain 10 and are arranged adjacent to the first fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet. The primary pipes are those with the largest cross-section. The solid domain 9 also defines a plurality of secondary pipes 23, whose internal volume belongs to the first fluid domain 10 and which have an intermediate cross-section smaller than the first cross-section. Furthermore, the solid domain defines a plurality of tertiary pipes 25, whose internal volume belongs to the first fluid domain 10 and which have a cross-section smaller than both the first and second cross-sections.

[0066] In the implementation scheme, the secondary piping extends from the primary piping adjacent to the first fluid inlet and the primary piping adjacent to the first fluid outlet. The tertiary piping connects the secondary piping to each other.

[0067] The structure of the boundary between the first fluid domain 10 and the solid domain 9 is generated by a virtual topology optimization algorithm, which separates the first fluid domain 10 from the second fluid domain 11.

[0068] The optimal arrangement of primary, secondary, and tertiary pipes, found through a virtual topology optimization algorithm, visually evokes the biological cardiovascular system. Using this analogy, primary pipes resemble large veins or arteries, carrying hot or cold fluids in and out of inlets and outlets; secondary pipes resemble small arteries or veins, flowing from large vessels to smaller ones; and tertiary pipes resemble capillaries, possessing the largest surface area to maximize heat transfer.

[0069] In some implementations, the velocity boundary conditions for the first fluid side (oil side) can be set at the inlet to a value ranging from 0.01 m / s to 0.5 m / s (e.g., 0.05 m / s to 0.2 m / s), and the velocity boundary conditions for the second fluid side (air side) can be set to a value ranging from 0.01 m / s to 0.5 m / s (e.g., from 0.05 m / s to 0.2 m / s).

[0070] In some implementations, the temperature boundary conditions may be as follows: a first fluid inlet temperature, ranging between 110°C and 150°C, for example, between 120°C and 130°C; and a second fluid inlet temperature, ranging between 40°C and 70°C, for example, between 50°C and 60°C.

[0071] like Figure 4 As best shown, the primary, secondary, and tertiary pipes do not contain any regular or repetitive structures because the virtual topology optimization algorithm takes into account the temperature variations of the first and second fluids at each point in the first fluid domain 10 and the second fluid domain 11.

[0072] exist Figure 4 Note the following: Primary conduits 21 with larger cross-sections are arranged at different locations along the Y direction on the first fluid inlet side 3a and the first fluid outlet side 3b. More specifically, the primary conduits 21 are positioned near the second fluid inlet side 3c and near the first fluid inlet side 3a, and diagonally opposite each other, i.e., near the second fluid outlet side 3d and the first fluid outlet side 3b. Secondary conduits 23 with intermediate dimensions extend in directions oriented along the X and W directions, i.e., they show an overall inclination along the diagonal direction D in the rectangular top view from the corner where the first and second fluid inlet sides intersect towards the corner where the first and second fluid outlet sides intersect.

[0073] A tertiary pipe 25 with the smallest cross-sectional direction fluidly connects adjacent intermediate secondary pipes 23 to each other.

[0074] Referring to the hydraulic diameter of the reference pipe, the dimensions of primary, secondary, and tertiary pipes (21, 23, 25) can be defined as follows. The hydraulic diameter is defined as...

[0075] Dh=4Vi / S

[0076] in

[0077] Vi is the pipe volume, that is, the internal volume of the corresponding pipe;

[0078] S is the wetted inner surface of the corresponding pipe;

[0079] And L' is defined as

[0080]

[0081] Where V0 is the internal volume of the parallelepiped of the first fluid domain, the second fluid domain, and the solid domain of the encapsulated heat exchanger module.

[0082] The larger primary conduit 21 has a hydraulic diameter between 0.2 L' and 0.3 L'. The intermediate secondary conduit 23 has a hydraulic diameter between 0.1 L' and 0.2 L'. The smaller third conduit 25 extends between the adjacent intermediate conduits 23 and has a hydraulic diameter less than 0.1 L', for example, between 0.06 L' and 0.09 L'.

[0083] It should be understood that all primary, secondary, and tertiary piping in a heat exchanger can satisfy the above geometric relationships. However, this is not mandatory. In some implementations, based on the above hydraulic diameter values, most piping can be classified as primary, secondary, and tertiary piping, but additional piping falling outside the specific ranges described above may exist in the heat exchanger.

[0084] From another perspective, the characteristics of primary, secondary, and tertiary pipelines 21, 23, and 25 are defined by the following characteristic dimensions:

[0085]

[0086] Where Vx is the internal volume of the pipe.

[0087] In some embodiments, the characteristic dimension L1 of each primary pipe 21 includes a value between 0.8L' and 0.2L', preferably between 0.55L' and 0.35L', wherein L1 is defined as...

[0088]

[0089] Where V1 is the volume of the corresponding first-stage pipe 21.

[0090] In some embodiments, the characteristic dimension L2 of each secondary conduit 23 includes a value between 0.1L' and 0.2L', preferably between 0.15L' and 0.17L', wherein L2 is defined as...

[0091]

[0092] Where V2 is the volume of the corresponding secondary pipe 23.

[0093] In some embodiments, the characteristic dimension L3 of each tertiary pipe 25 is less than 0.1L', preferably between 0.03L' and 0.07L', more preferably between 0.04L' and 0.06L', wherein L3 is defined as

[0094]

[0095] Where V3 is the volume of the corresponding tertiary pipe 25.

[0096] The above embodiment has a crossflow configuration, wherein: the first fluid domain 10 has corresponding inlets and outlets arranged on corresponding opposite sides of the heat exchanger module; the second fluid domain has corresponding inlets and outlets arranged on corresponding opposite sides of the heat exchanger module; and wherein the overall flow directions are arranged orthogonally to each other. This is not the only possible configuration of the heat exchanger module.

[0097] A counter-current arrangement is also possible, wherein the inlet and outlet ports of the first fluid are arranged on opposite first and second sides of the heat exchanger module, the inlet port of the second fluid is arranged on the same side as the outlet port of the first fluid, and the outlet port of the second fluid is arranged on the same side as the inlet port of the first fluid.

[0098] In some implementations, one of the first and second fluid domains may have an inlet and an outlet arranged on the same side of the heat exchanger module. In this case, the fluid flow path will have a U-shaped bend within the heat exchanger module.

[0099] Figures 8 to 19 illustrate an embodiment in which a first fluid domain 10 (e.g., an oil domain) has a first fluid inlet port (or multiple first fluid inlet ports) and a first fluid outlet port (or multiple first fluid outlet ports) on the same side of the heat exchanger module, while a second fluid domain 11 (e.g., an air domain) has a second fluid inlet side 3c and a second fluid outlet side 3d arranged on opposite sides of the heat exchanger module, which are different from the side where the first fluid inlet port and the first fluid outlet port are located.

[0100] Specifically, Figures 8A to 8EFive isometric views of the solid domain 9 of the heat exchanger in this embodiment are illustrated. The heat exchanger includes five modules 3. Reference numerals 5 and 7 indicate the inlet and outlet of the first fluid domain 10. Reference numeral 11 indicates the second fluid domain, which is separated from the first fluid domain 10 by the solid domain 9. Figure 9 and Figure 10 The bottom and top views of the solid domain of the heat exchanger in this embodiment are illustrated.

[0101] The first fluid domain is in Figure 11 and Figure 12 The two isometric views are shown. The second fluid domain is... Figure 13 and Figure 14 The two isometric views are shown in the figure. Figure 15 The isometric view of the first fluid domain 10 and the second fluid domain 11 is illustrated using an isometric view. Figure 16 The solid domain separating the first fluid domain from the second fluid domain is shown in an isometric view.

[0102] Reference Figure 8C And referring to the X, Y, and Z directions shown therein, Figure 17A , Figure 17B , Figure 17C , Figure 17D This is a cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger module of the second embodiment, taken according to a plane orthogonal to the X direction. More specifically, Figure 17A , Figure 17B , Figure 17C and Figure 17D These are cross-sectional views of heat exchanger module 3 at distances of 1 / 5, 2 / 5, 3 / 5, and 4 / 5 of the dimension along direction X. Figure 18A , Figure 18B , Figure 17C and Figure 18D This is a cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger module of the second embodiment, taken according to a plane orthogonal to the Y direction. More specifically, Figure 18A , Figure 18B , Figure 18C and Figure 18D These are cross-sectional views of heat exchanger module 3 at distances of 1 / 5, 2 / 5, 3 / 5, and 4 / 5 of the dimension along the Y direction. Figure 19A , Figure 19B , Figure 19C , Figure 19D This is a cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger module of the second embodiment, taken according to a plane orthogonal to the Z-direction. More specifically, Figure 19A , Figure 19B , Figure 19C and Figure 19D These are cross-sectional views of heat exchanger module 3 at distances of 1 / 5, 2 / 5, 3 / 5, and 4 / 5 of the dimension along the Z direction.

[0103] The “overall” fluid flow path is understood as the overall flow direction of the relevant fluid at a macroscopic level within the corresponding fluid domain. Within the relevant fluid domain, the flow rate is divided into primary, secondary, and tertiary pipelines, which typically follow flow directions that deviate from the primary or overall flow direction of the relevant fluid.

[0104] like Figures 8A to 1 As illustrated in Figure 9F, the first fluid domain is characterized as described above. Figure 1 The primary, secondary, and tertiary pipes are defined according to the dimensions shown in Figure 7.

[0105] Exemplary embodiments have been disclosed above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, omissions, and additions may be made to the specific disclosure herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger module, the heat exchanger module comprising: A first fluid domain, the first fluid domain being defined as a first fluid flow path extending in a general first fluid flow path from a first fluid inlet to a first fluid outlet; The second fluid domain is defined as a second fluid flow path extending in the overall second fluid flow path from the second fluid inlet to the second fluid outlet; and A solid domain that forms a partition between the first fluid domain and the second fluid domain; The first fluid domain extends from the first fluid inlet to the first fluid outlet and includes: Multiple primary conduits, adjacent to a first fluid inlet and a first fluid outlet, each primary conduit having a hydraulic diameter between 0.2 L' and 0.3 L'; and Multiple secondary conduits, each having a hydraulic diameter between 0.1 L' and 0.2 L'; wherein the primary conduit and the secondary conduit are defined by the solid domain; in: The hydraulic diameter is defined as Dh=4Vi / S in Vi is the volume of the corresponding primary or secondary pipeline; S is the wetted inner surface of the corresponding primary or secondary pipe; Where L' is defined as Where V0 is the internal volume of the parallelepiped enclosing the first fluid domain, the second fluid domain, and the solid domain of the heat exchanger module.

2. The heat exchanger module according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger module further comprises a plurality of tertiary pipes, each tertiary pipe having a hydraulic diameter of less than 0.1 L; and wherein: The secondary conduit extends from the primary conduit to a higher heat transfer region, while the tertiary conduit extends between any of the following combinations: two different primary conduits, two different secondary conduits, a primary conduit and a secondary conduit, and a secondary conduit and a primary conduit; wherein the tertiary conduit is defined by the solid domain.

3. The heat exchanger module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The first fluid inlet is arranged on the first side of the heat exchanger module; The first fluid outlet is arranged on the second side of the heat exchanger module; and the first side and the second side are parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other along the overall first fluid flow path.

4. The heat exchanger module according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein: The second fluid inlet is arranged on the third side of the heat exchanger module; the second fluid outlet is arranged on the fourth side of the heat exchanger module; the third side and the fourth side are parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other along the overall second fluid flow path; and the overall second fluid flow path and the overall first fluid flow path are orthogonal to each other.

5. The heat exchanger module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet are arranged on a first side of the heat exchanger module; wherein the second fluid inlet is arranged on a second side of the heat exchanger module; the second fluid outlet is arranged on a third side of the heat exchanger; and the second side is opposite to the third side.

6. The heat exchanger module according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first fluid inlet comprises a plurality of first fluid inlet ports.

7. The heat exchanger module of claim 6, wherein the first fluid inlet port is aligned along a direction orthogonal to the overall first fluid flow path and parallel to the overall second fluid flow path.

8. The heat exchanger module according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first fluid outlet comprises a plurality of first fluid outlet ports.

9. The heat exchanger module of claim 8, wherein the first fluid outlet port is aligned along a direction orthogonal to the overall first fluid flow path and parallel to the overall second fluid flow path.

10. The heat exchanger module according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the characteristic dimension L1 of each primary pipe is between 0.8L' and 0.2L', preferably between 0.55L' and 0.35L', wherein L1 is defined as Where V1 is the volume of the corresponding first-level pipeline.

11. The heat exchanger module according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the characteristic dimension L2 of each secondary pipe is between 0.1L' and 0.2L', preferably between 0.15L' and 0.17L', wherein L2 is defined as Where V2 is the volume of the corresponding secondary pipeline.

12. The heat exchanger module according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the characteristic dimension L3 of each tertiary pipe is less than 0.1L', preferably between 0.03L' and 0.07L', more preferably between 0.04L' and 0.06L', wherein L3 is defined as Where V3 is the volume of the corresponding tertiary pipeline.

13. The heat exchanger module according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the solid domain is generated by additive manufacturing.

14. The heat exchanger module according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the primary conduit and the secondary conduit do not contain any regular or repeating structure.

15. The heat exchanger module of claim 14, wherein, when subordinate to claim 2, the tertiary piping does not contain any regular or repetitive structure.

16. A heat exchanger comprising a plurality of heat exchanger modules according to one or more of the preceding claims, the plurality of heat exchanger modules being arranged one on top of the other along a direction orthogonal to the overall first fluid flow path and the overall second fluid flow path.

17. The heat exchanger of claim 16, wherein adjacent heat exchanger modules are identical or mirror-symmetrical to each other.

Images