Decongealing Channel for Aircraft Heat Exchanger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines face challenges in maintaining fluid flow through heat exchangers during low temperature conditions due to high viscosity of lubricating fluids, leading to prolonged heating times and increased weight and bulk with oversized ducts.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating decongealing channels with a supersaturated solution and actuation components that respond to fluid pressure changes to initiate an exothermic reaction, generating heat to decongeal the lubricating fluid without external energy sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If increased diameter ducts are used to allow continued flow of oil during low temperature conditions, then fluid flow is maintained, but weight and bulk of the engine increase
Solution Approach 1:
The supersaturated solution is prepared in advance within the decongealing channels, ready to undergo exothermic crystallization when triggered by pressure changes. This preliminary preparation allows immediate heat generation without external energy sources, enabling rapid decongealing of the lubricating fluid during low temperature conditions while maintaining compact duct dimensions
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes changes in pressure parameters of the lubricating fluid to trigger the exothermic reaction in the supersaturated solution. The pressure change acts as a trigger mechanism that converts the supersaturated solution into crystalline form, releasing heat to decongeal the fluid without requiring oversized ducts or external heating systems
2Productivity
If increased diameter ducts are used to allow continued flow of oil during low temperature conditions, then fluid flow is maintained, but the ducts are oversized for normal operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The supersaturated solution is pre-positioned in the decongealing channels to provide immediate exothermic response when pressure changes occur. This preliminary action eliminates the need for oversized ducts, as the heat generation occurs in-place within the existing duct geometry, maintaining optimal duct sizing for all operating conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The lubricating fluid's own pressure changes during operation serve to trigger the decongealing process. The system uses the fluid's inherent pressure variations to activate the exothermic reaction, eliminating the need for external control systems or complex duct configurations, thereby simplifying the overall device design
3Reliability
If external heating systems are used to decongeal lubricating fluid, then decongealing effectiveness is improved, but weight and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the lubricating fluid's own pressure changes during operation to trigger the exothermic reaction in the supersaturated solution. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external energy sources, achieving reliable decongealing effectiveness while consuming no additional energy beyond what is already present in the fluid's pressure variations
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the pressure build-up that occurs during low temperature operation (which could be harmful by blocking flow) into a beneficial trigger for the exothermic reaction. The pressure change that indicates congealing problems becomes the activation mechanism for the decongealing process, eliminating the need for external heating systems
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 reduces weight and cost while efficiently decongealing fluids in aviation engines, minimizing startup time for fluid flow through heat exchangers, potentially from 20 minutes to 60 seconds, and operates passively without external energy.
Implementation Method 1
an actuation component responsive to a change in a fluid pressure exerted thereon by the lubricating fluid so as to actuate an exothermic reaction in the supersaturated solution
Implementation Method 2
The decongealing channel includes a decongealing channel body enclosing therein a supersaturated solution in a metastable state
Data Source
AI summary
A decongealing channel for use in a heat exchanger apparatus, including a supersaturated solution contained therein and an actuation component in fluid communication with a lubricating fluid coupled to the decongealing channel. The actuation component is responsive to a change in pressure exerted thereon by the lubricating fluid so as to actuate an exothermic response in the supersaturated solution. The heat exchanger apparatus is disposed in a bypass fan duct of an aircraft engine. The heat exchanger apparatus including a manifold portion, one or more flow through openings extending therethrough the manifold portion to define one or more flow through channels having contained therein the lubricating fluid. In addition, the manifold portion including one or more additional openings extending therethrough to define one or more decongealing channels. Further disclosed is an engine including the heat exchanger apparatus and a method of decongealing a lubricating fluid in the heat exchanger apparatus.