Annular Heat Exchanger Integrated Fluidic Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchangers for aircraft engines face challenges in oil cooling, including complex and costly assembly processes due to the need for structurally independent connecting members that require welding or brazing, making them non-removable and difficult to inspect, and requiring a large radial dimension that can impact other parts.
Innovation Solution
An annular heat exchanger design with a one-piece annular part that forms fluidic circuits within itself, using a sealing member with external grooves and parallel channels to create fluid connections without independent connecting members, allowing for direct internal fluid connections and simplified assembly, and a compact design that does not require welding or brazing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If structurally independent connecting members are used to connect ducts, then fluid connection between circuits is achieved, but assembly complexity and manufacturing cost increase due to welding or brazing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the connecting member with the annular part into a single integrated structure. The connecting member is formed as an integral part of the annular heat exchanger body, eliminating the need for separate welding or brazing operations to attach independent connecting members. This integration directly resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliable fluid connections while dramatically simplifying assembly and manufacturing processes.
2Reliability
If structurally independent connecting members are used, then fluid connection is achieved, but inspection and maintenance difficulty increases due to non-removable design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic configurability to the connecting members, allowing them to be either fixed or removable based on design requirements. This dynamic approach enables the system to provide reliable fluid connections when fixed, while also allowing easy removal for inspection and maintenance when configured as removable, thus resolving the contradiction between connection reliability and ease of repair.
3Power
If radial dimension of heat exchanger is increased, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but impact on other parts increases due to space constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the radial space constraint by optimizing the spatial arrangement of ducts and circuits within the available radial envelope. The design efficiently packs multiple ducts and fluid circuits within a compact radial dimension, allowing adequate heat exchange surface area to be achieved without excessive radial growth that would interfere with other turbine engine parts.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design simplifies assembly, reduces costs, and allows for easier inspection and maintenance by eliminating the need for structurally independent connecting members, while maintaining compactness and ensuring fluid continuity between circuits.
Implementation Method 1
the first sealing member shaped so as to: delimit with the annular part at least a first fluidic connection channel of the first pipe of the first circuit with the second pipe of the first circuit
Implementation Method 2
having a matrix, in the form of a sinuous pipe shaped so as to carry out a heat exchange, in which the oil coming from said parts is introduced then cooled
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5A~6
AI summary
The invention relates to an annular heat exchanger (12a) which has a longitudinal axis (14) for a turbomachine and which is designed, for example, to be supported by an annular shell (16) of a casing of the turbomachine, comprising a monobloc annular portion (48) which comprises a first fluid circuit (37) comprising at least a first pipe (38) and at least a second pipe (40) which extend annularly and a second fluid circuit (42) comprising at least a first pipe (44) and at least a second pipe (46) which extend annularly and which are arranged in a direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (14) on either side of the first pipe (38) and second pipe (40) of the first circuit (37).