Asymmetric Flow Path Notch for Heat Transfer With Low Pressure Loss
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional turbulators in thermal management systems often result in excessive flow pressure loss, which is not acceptable in applications like airfoil cooling where backflow margin constraints are stringent.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an asymmetric notch in the flow path wall, which acts as a flow trip to interrupt the thermal boundary layer without causing bulk flow mixing, thereby enhancing the heat transfer coefficient while minimizing pressure drop.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional turbulators are used to enhance heat transfer, then heat transfer coefficient is improved, but flow pressure loss increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by introducing an asymmetric notch in the flow path wall with unequal flow expansion and contraction angles. The first angle (expansion) is different from the second angle (contraction), creating an asymmetric geometry that interrupts the thermal boundary layer differently than symmetric features. This asymmetric design allows the flow to be tripped effectively for heat transfer enhancement while controlling the pressure drop by optimizing the specific angle values.
Solution Approach 2:
The asymmetric notch creates localized flow disturbance at specific positions in the flow path where boundary layer interruption is most needed for heat transfer enhancement. By concentrating the flow tripping action in localized asymmetric features rather than using extensive turbulator surfaces, the patent achieves effective heat transfer improvement with minimal overall pressure loss.
2Temperature
If conventional turbulators are used to interrupt thermal boundary layer, then heat transfer is enhanced, but bulk flow mixing occurs causing pressure drop
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the flow path features by using an asymmetric notch with specific unequal angles instead of conventional symmetric turbulator geometries. By optimizing the flow expansion angle and flow contraction angle parameters, the asymmetric notch achieves effective boundary layer interruption for heat transfer enhancement while minimizing the harmful bulk flow mixing that causes pressure drop.
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 solution effectively enhances heat transfer coefficients while maintaining minimal flow pressure loss, making it suitable for thermal management systems that require efficient heat transfer without significant pressure drop.
Implementation Method 1
acts as a flow trip to interrupt the thermal boundary layer without causing bulk flow mixing, thereby enhancing the heat transfer coefficient
Data Source
AI summary
Flow paths and boundary layer restart features are provided. For example, a flow path comprises a flow path wall defining an inner flow path surface and an asymmetric notch defined in the flow path wall. The asymmetric notch comprises a first surface and a second surface and is asymmetric about a first line extending through an intersection of the first and second surfaces. Further, a flow boundary layer restart feature comprises a first surface extending inward with respect to a flow path surface of a flow path and a second surface extending inward with respect to the flow path surface. The second surface is asymmetric with respect to the first surface such that the first and second surfaces define an asymmetric notch. Additionally, a flow path wall may comprise an asymmetric notch that includes a flow expansion angle and a flow contraction angle that are unequal.