Co-Mingled Channel Heat Exchanger for Low-Pressure-Loss Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines face inefficiencies in cooling due to air being used for temperature regulation, which results in reduced cooling efficiency and pressure loss, necessitating improved techniques to maximize cooling capability while minimizing pressure loss.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design featuring co-mingled channels with different temperature sets, arranged in a spiral or helical configuration, to efficiently transfer heat from hot channels to cooler airstreams, optimizing heat exchange capacity while minimizing weight and pressure loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air is used to cool engine components, then cooling capability is provided, but pressure loss occurs that degrades efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
A heat exchanger is introduced as an intermediary device between the cooling air source and the engine components. The heat exchanger pre-cools the cooling air using cooler air from the engine inlet, thereby reducing the temperature of cooling air before it reaches the components and minimizing pressure loss while maintaining cooling effectiveness.
2Temperature
If air with elevated temperature is used for cooling, then cooling capability is maintained, but cooling efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger performs preliminary cooling of the cooling air before it is used to cool engine components. By pre-cooling the air in the heat exchanger using cooler inlet air, the system prepares the cooling medium in advance, ensuring it has optimal cooling capacity before contacting the hot components.
3Temperature
If more air is used for cooling, then cooling capability is increased, but pressure loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the temperature parameter of the cooling air by using the heat exchanger to pre-cool it. This parameter change allows the system to achieve better cooling efficiency with the same volume of air, or to reduce the volume of air required for cooling, thereby minimizing pressure loss.
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
The heat exchanger effectively extends the usable lifetime of engine components by enhancing cooling efficiency, allowing for increased combustion temperatures and pressures, thereby maximizing engine performance and thrust.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger comprising: a first plurality of channels configured to convey a first medium at a first set of temperatures along a first span of the first plurality of channels, the second plurality of channels configured to convey a second medium at a second set of temperatures along a second span of the second plurality of channels
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a heat exchanger comprising: a first plurality of channels configured to convey a first medium at a first set of temperatures along a first span of the first plurality of channels, the first set of temperatures including a first inlet temperature and a first outlet temperature, a second plurality of channels configured to convey a second medium at a second set of temperatures along a second span of the second plurality of channels, the second set of temperatures being at least partially different from the first set of temperatures and including a second inlet temperature and a second outlet temperature, and a core region where the first plurality of channels and the second plurality of channels are co-mingled with respect to one another.