An ultra-compact counterflow microchannel cooler for stirling engines
By employing an ultra-compact counter-flow microchannel cooler in the Stirling engine, utilizing the alternating stacking design of heat dissipation plates and air guide plates and counter-flow heat exchange, the problems of large volume and high thermal resistance of existing coolers are solved, achieving high-efficiency heat exchange performance and compact structure, adapting to space-constrained application scenarios.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- XI AN JIAOTONG UNIV
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-03
AI Technical Summary
Existing Stirling engine coolers are bulky and difficult to adapt to space-constrained environments. The high thermal resistance of the capillary bundles limits the heat exchange rate, which cannot meet the high-efficiency operation requirements of the next generation of Stirling engines.
An ultra-compact counter-flow microchannel cooler is adopted. By alternately stacking hollow tubular heat dissipation plates and air guide plates in the cooling shell and cooling core, cooling channels and air guide channels are designed to achieve counter-flow heat exchange between hot and cold fluids. Combined with axial microchannel etching technology and vacuum expansion welding process, the heat exchange area and compactness are improved.
It significantly increases the heat exchange area and heat exchange power per unit volume, adapts to space-constrained scenarios, reduces operating energy consumption and noise, and improves the compactness and heat exchange efficiency of the cooler.
Smart Images
Figure CN224452928U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of Stirling engine technology, and more particularly to an ultra-compact counter-flow microchannel cooler for Stirling engines. Background Technology
[0002] Stirling engines are widely used in underwater platform combat systems due to their high efficiency and low noise. In a Stirling engine, helium working fluid undergoes high-speed alternating flow between the cold and hot ends. The cooler is responsible for dissipating the exhaust heat of the Stirling engine system and is crucial for the efficient and stable operation of the Stirling engine.
[0003] The existing Stirling engine cooler is an annular cylindrical capillary shell-and-tube heat exchanger. Due to its own structural form and manufacturing process, it is difficult to further improve the heat exchange power of the high-pressure alternating helium gas flow in the limited annular space under high heat load. It cannot meet the strategic requirements of the next generation of megawatt-class Stirling engines for efficient operation. Therefore, it is urgent to develop new microchannel heat exchange technology with high specific surface area. Utility Model Content
[0004] This application provides an ultra-compact counter-flow microchannel cooler for Stirling engines, which solves the technical problems of traditional shell-and-tube coolers being bulky and difficult to adapt to space-constrained scenarios, and the high thermal resistance of capillary bundles easily limiting the heat exchange rate.
[0005] This utility model provides an ultra-compact counter-flow microchannel cooler for Stirling engines, comprising a cooling shell and a cooling core; the cooling core includes multiple heat dissipation plates and multiple air guide plates; the multiple heat dissipation plates and multiple air guide plates are all hollow tubular structures; the multiple heat dissipation plates and multiple air guide plates are alternately stacked in the radial direction; the heat dissipation plates have cooling channels in the axial direction, and the air guide plates have air guide channels in the axial direction; the multiple heat dissipation plates and multiple air guide plates are all disposed within the cooling shell; the cooling shell has a first guide groove and a second guide groove, hot fluid enters the air guide channel through the first guide groove, and cold fluid enters the cooling channel through the second guide groove.
[0006] In one possible implementation, the cooling housing includes a housing, a first end cap, and a second end cap; the cooling core is disposed inside the housing; the first end cap and the second end cap are connected to both ends of the housing and the cooling core; a second guide groove and a fourth guide groove are formed on the housing; a first guide groove is formed on the first end cap, and a third guide groove is formed on the second end cap; the hot fluid enters the air guide channel through the first guide groove and is discharged through the third guide groove; the cold fluid enters the cooling channel through the second guide groove and is discharged through the fourth guide groove.
[0007] In one possible implementation, the cooling housing is further provided with an inlet and an outlet; the inlet is connected to the input end of the second guide channel, the output end of the second guide channel is connected to the input end of the cooling channel, the output end of the cooling channel is connected to one end of the fourth guide channel, and the other end of the fourth guide channel is connected to the outlet.
[0008] In one possible implementation, the air guide plate has a plurality of air guide channels, and the plurality of air guide channels are evenly distributed around the circumference; the heat dissipation plate has a plurality of cooling channels, and the plurality of cooling channels are evenly distributed around the circumference.
[0009] In one possible implementation, the output end of the second guide channel is close to the third guide channel, and the input end of the fourth guide channel is close to the first guide channel.
[0010] In one possible implementation, the cooling channel is a cylindrical groove with an opening, the opening of which contacts the air guide plate; the air guide channel is a semi-cylindrical groove structure.
[0011] One or more technical solutions provided in this application have at least the following technical effects:
[0012] This utility model embodiment employs an ultra-compact counter-flow microchannel cooler for Stirling engines, comprising a cooling shell and a cooling core. The cooling core includes multiple heat dissipation plates and multiple air guide plates. Both the heat dissipation plates and air guide plates are hollow tubular structures. The heat dissipation plates and air guide plates are alternately stacked in the radial direction. The heat dissipation plates have cooling channels in the axial direction, and the air guide plates have air guide channels in the axial direction. The cooling shell has a first guide groove and a second guide groove. Hot fluid enters the air guide channel through the first guide groove, and cold fluid enters the cooling channel through the second guide groove. Heat exchange occurs between the hot and cold fluids in the multiple air guide plates and heat dissipation plates. This application solves the technical problems of existing shell-and-tube coolers being bulky and difficult to adapt to space-constrained scenarios, and the high thermal resistance of capillary bundles limiting the heat exchange rate. By using an alternating stacked design of air guide plates and heat dissipation plates in the heat exchange core, the heat exchange area per unit volume can be significantly increased, the compactness of the cooler structure can be improved, and the heat exchange power can be increased. Attached Figure Description
[0013] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments of this utility model will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0014] Figure 1 An isometric view of an ultra-compact counter-flow microchannel cooler for a Stirling engine provided in an embodiment of this application;
[0015] Figure 2 A front view of an ultra-compact counter-flow microchannel cooler for a Stirling engine provided in an embodiment of this application;
[0016] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Axonometric sectional view of AA;
[0017] Figure 4 for Figure 2 Axonometric sectional view of BB;
[0018] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Enlarged view of point C;
[0019] Figure 6 An isometric sectional view of an ultra-compact counterflow microchannel cooler for a Stirling engine provided in an embodiment of this application.
[0020] Icons: 1-Cooling shell; 11-Shell; 111-Second guide channel; 112-Fourth guide channel; 113-Inlet; 114-Outlet; 12-First end cap; 121-First guide channel; 13-Second end cap; 131-Third guide channel; 2-Cooling core; 21-Heat dissipation plate; 211-Cooling channel; 22-Air guide plate; 221-Air guide channel. Detailed Implementation
[0021] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present utility model. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present utility model.
[0022] In the description of the embodiments of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship, are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of this utility model and simplifying the description. They do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model. The terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. In addition, the terms "installed," "connected," and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal connection of two components. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of this utility model can be understood according to the specific circumstances.
[0023] Printed circuit board heat exchangers have advantages such as ultra-compact structure, high heat exchange efficiency, and high temperature and pressure resistance. However, traditional printed circuit board heat exchangers cannot match the annular columnar irregular structure of Stirling coolers, and the micro-holes etched on the plates have insufficient axial alignment accuracy. Therefore, it is urgent to propose a new Stirling engine cooler structure and its manufacturing process.
[0024] This utility model provides an ultra-compact counter-flow microchannel cooler for Stirling engines, such as... Figure 1-4 As shown, the device includes a cooling shell 1 and a cooling core 2. The cooling core 2 includes multiple heat dissipation plates 21 and multiple air guide plates 22. Both the heat dissipation plates 21 and the air guide plates 22 are hollow tubular structures. The heat dissipation plates 21 and the air guide plates 22 are alternately stacked in the radial direction. The heat dissipation plates 21 have cooling channels 211 in the axial direction, and the air guide plates 22 have air guide channels 221 in the axial direction. Both the heat dissipation plates 21 and the air guide plates 22 are disposed inside the cooling shell 1. The cooling shell 1 has a first guide groove 121 and a second guide groove 111. Hot fluid enters the air guide channel 221 through the first guide groove 121, and cold fluid enters the cooling channel 211 through the second guide groove 111.
[0025] For example, in this application, both the heat sink 21 and the air guide plate 22 are annular tubular plates, and multiple such plates are provided. The multiple heat sinks 21 and air guide plates 22 are arranged alternately in the radial direction to form a heat exchange plate pair. Both the cold flow channel and the hot flow channel are arranged along the axial direction, and both are processed by etching the flow channel. The cold fluid and the hot fluid realize the heat transfer process in the staggered cooling channel 211 and air guide channel 221. In terms of flow pattern, the hot fluid flows downward along the axial direction, and the cold fluid flows upward along the axial direction, thus forming a counter-current heat exchange process.
[0026] For example, pure countercurrent heat transfer between single-phase cooling water and alternating oscillating helium gas flow can be achieved through axial microchannels, with channel dimensions as small as 0.1 mm. Compared to the crossflow heat transfer process of the original shell-and-tube cooler, this can significantly improve the cooler's heat transfer power and heat transfer area.
[0027] In the embodiments of this application, such as Figure 1-4 As shown, the cooling housing 1 includes a housing 11, a first end cap 12, and a second end cap 13; the cooling core 2 is disposed inside the housing 11; the first end cap 12 and the second end cap 13 are connected to the two ends of the housing 11 and the cooling core 2; a second guide groove 111 and a fourth guide groove 112 are provided on the housing 11; a first guide groove 121 is provided on the first end cap 12, and a third guide groove 131 is provided on the second end cap 13; hot fluid enters the air guide channel 221 through the first guide groove 121 and is discharged through the third guide groove 131; cold fluid enters the cooling channel 211 through the second guide groove 111 and is discharged through the fourth guide groove 112.
[0028] In the embodiments of this application, such as Figure 1-4 As shown, the cooling housing 1 is also provided with an inlet 113 and an outlet 114; the inlet 113 is connected to the input end of the second guide channel 111, the output end of the second guide channel 111 is connected to the input end of the cooling channel 211, the output end of the cooling channel 211 is connected to one end of the fourth guide channel 112, and the other end of the fourth guide channel 112 is connected to the outlet 114.
[0029] For example, the first guide channel 121 is configured as a cooling through hole. High-speed helium gas flow from the upstream regenerator flows in through the cooling through hole etched on the first end cover 12. Furthermore, in order to ensure that the helium gas flowing in from the first end cover 12 can effectively enter the gas guide channel 221 of the gas guide plate 22, an airflow groove is provided between the first end cover 12 and the gas guide plate 22. After passing through the cooling through hole of the upper end plate, the helium gas flows into the airflow groove and is then distributed by the airflow groove to the gas guide channel 221 of each gas guide plate 22. After passing through the heat sink 21, the helium gas flows through the third guide channel 131 of the second end cover 13 and flows into the downstream compression chamber from the third guide channel 131.
[0030] For example, the inlet 113 and outlet 114 are arranged radially along the housing 11, and are aligned in a straight line. Cooling water enters from the side cooling water inlet and gradually flows into the cooling channel 211 of the heat sink 21 through the second guide channel 111, allowing the cooling water to flow axially in the cooling channel 211. The cooling water in the second guide channel 111 is continuously distributed to the cooling channel 211 of each heat sink 21. Similarly, after reaching the fourth guide channel 112, the cooling water finally flows out from the outlet 114.
[0031] In the embodiments of this application, such as Figure 1-4 As shown, the air guide plate 22 has multiple air guide channels 221, and the multiple air guide channels 221 are evenly distributed around the circumference; the heat dissipation plate 21 has multiple cooling channels 211, and the multiple cooling channels 211 are evenly distributed around the circumference.
[0032] In the embodiments of this application, such as Figure 1-4 As shown, the output end of the second guide channel 111 is close to the third guide channel 131, and the input end of the fourth guide channel 112 is close to the first guide channel 121.
[0033] In the embodiments of this application, such as Figure 1-4 As shown, the cooling channel 211 is a cylindrical groove with an opening, and the opening of the cooling channel 211 is in contact with the air guide plate 22; the air guide channel 221 is a semi-cylindrical groove structure.
[0034] For example, the cooler structure proposed in this application can also be used in a phase change cooling system. In a phase change cooling system, the system uses vacuum negative pressure to achieve a low-temperature phase change process. In this application, cooling water flows into the cooling channel 211 of the heat dissipation plate 21 and flows upward axially while continuously evaporating and boiling, absorbing a large amount of latent heat of vaporization. Finally, the gaseous water vapor is collected through the fourth guide channel 112 and flows out from the outlet 114 on the other side. In the phase change cooling system, the water vapor is heated upward by natural convection heat transfer due to the density difference between the vapor and water. Thanks to the high heat transfer benefit brought by the boiling phase change of the cooling water, the heat transfer power of the cooler can be greatly improved, solving the problem that the traditional shell-and-tube cooler structure cannot be applied to a phase change cooling system.
[0035] For example, the Stirling engine phase change cooler proposed in this application can also be applied to phase change cooling systems. Relying on the enormous boiling phase change heat transfer coefficient of liquid water, the heat exchange power of the cooler can be further improved. Moreover, the phase change cooling system eliminates the need for a circulating water pump, reducing the operating energy consumption and noise of the Stirling engine system and improving the stealth and combat performance of underwater vehicles. Furthermore, this application develops high-precision axial microchannel etching and vacuum expansion welding technology for tubular plates, ensuring the axial continuity of cold and hot fluids, resulting in a more compact cooler structure.
[0036] For example, traditional shell-and-tube coolers cannot be used to address the technical problem of high heat load heat exchange within a confined annular space. By using an alternating layered design of air guide plates and heat dissipation plates in the heat exchange core, as well as the flow direction of hot and cold fluids, the heat exchange area per unit volume can be significantly increased. This also improves the compactness of the cooler structure and increases the heat exchange power.
[0037] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner. For the same or similar parts between the various embodiments, please refer to each other. Each embodiment focuses on describing the differences from other embodiments.
[0038] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit this application. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of this application.
Claims
1. An ultra-compact counter-flow microchannel cooler for a Stirling engine, characterized by, It includes a cooling housing (1) and a cooling core (2); The cooling core (2) includes multiple heat dissipation plates (21) and multiple air guide plates (22); The plurality of heat sinks (21) and the plurality of air guides (22) are all hollow tubular structures; The plurality of heat sinks (21) and the plurality of air guides (22) are alternately stacked in the radial direction; The heat sink (21) has a cooling channel (211) in the axial direction, and the air guide plate (22) has an air guide channel (221) in the axial direction. Multiple heat sinks (21) and multiple air guides (22) are disposed inside the cooling housing (1); The cooling housing (1) is provided with a first guide groove (121) and a second guide groove (111). Hot fluid enters the air guide channel (221) through the first guide groove (121), and cold fluid enters the cooling channel (211) through the second guide groove (111).
2. The ultra-compact counter-flow microchannel cooler for a Stirling engine according to claim 1, wherein The cooling housing (1) includes a housing (11), a first end cap (12), and a second end cap (13); The cooling core (2) is disposed on the inner side of the housing (11); The first end cap (12) and the second end cap (13) are connected to both ends of the housing (11) and the cooling core (2); The housing (11) is provided with a second guide groove (111) and a fourth guide groove (112); The first end cap (12) is provided with a first guide groove (121), and the second end cap (13) is provided with a third guide groove (131); The hot fluid enters the air guiding channel (221) through the first guide channel (121) and is discharged through the third guide channel (131); the cold fluid enters the cooling channel (211) through the second guide channel (111) and is discharged through the fourth guide channel (112).
3. The ultra-compact counter-flow microchannel cooler for a Stirling engine according to claim 2, wherein The cooling housing (1) is also provided with a water inlet (113) and a water outlet (114); The inlet (113) is connected to the input end of the second guide channel (111), the output end of the second guide channel (111) is connected to the input end of the cooling channel (211), the output end of the cooling channel (211) is connected to one end of the fourth guide channel (112), and the other end of the fourth guide channel (112) is connected to the outlet (114).
4. The ultra-compact counter-flow microchannel cooler for a Stirling engine of claim 1, wherein, The air guide plate (22) is provided with a plurality of air guide channels (221), and the plurality of air guide channels (221) are evenly distributed around the circumference; The heat sink (21) has multiple cooling channels (211) which are evenly distributed around the circumference.
5. The ultra-compact counter-flow microchannel cooler for a Stirling engine of claim 2, wherein, The output end of the second guide channel (111) is close to the third guide channel (131), and the input end of the fourth guide channel (112) is close to the first guide channel (121).
6. The ultra-compact counter-flow microchannel cooler for a Stirling engine of claim 1, wherein, The cooling channel (211) is a cylindrical groove with an opening, and the opening of the cooling channel (211) is in contact with the air guide plate (22). The air guide channel (221) is a semi-cylindrical groove structure.