Dual-Circuit Heat Transfer Fluid Control for Lower Piping Mass
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature control systems for heat transfer fluids in aircrafts face constraints due to high flow rates, leading to bulky and heavy piping, limited aerothermal performance, and increased electricity consumption, while maintaining temperature within a predetermined range to avoid damage or icing.
Innovation Solution
A dual-stage temperature control system with engine and tank exchangers, allowing the heat transfer fluid to be heated above the maximum operating temperature without increasing flow rate, using a regenerative exchanger to optimize heating and cooling stages, reducing piping mass and electricity consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the flow rate of the heat transfer fluid is increased to limit the maximum temperature, then the temperature control is improved, but the piping becomes bulky and heavy, and electricity consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation loop is divided into two independent circuits: a first circuit passing through the engine enclosure with a first flow rate, and a second circuit passing through the tank enclosure with a second flow rate. This segmentation allows each circuit to be optimized independently, enabling temperature control without requiring high flow rates throughout the entire system, thus reducing piping mass.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the flow rate parameter differently in different circuits. The first circuit operates at a first flow rate while the second circuit operates at a second flow rate, allowing the system to maintain temperature control with lower overall flow rates, thereby reducing piping dimensions and mass.
2Temperature
If the flow rate of the heat transfer fluid is increased to limit the maximum temperature, then the temperature control is improved, but the electricity consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation loop is divided into two independent circuits with different flow rates. The first circuit serving the engine enclosure operates at a lower flow rate than a single unified circuit would require, reducing the electricity consumption of the pump while still achieving effective temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the flow rate parameter to be lower in the first circuit compared to what a unified system would require, the system reduces the energy consumption of the pump while maintaining temperature control through the dual-circuit architecture.
3Reliability
If the temperature of the heat transfer fluid is kept below the maximum operating temperature, then the structural safety is improved, but the heating efficiency is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the heating function into two circuits: the first circuit heats the heat transfer fluid to high temperatures for efficient heat extraction, while the second circuit delivers controlled temperatures to the fuel. This allows high heating efficiency in the first circuit without compromising structural safety in the second circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat transfer fluid acts as an intermediary carrier that receives high-temperature heating in the first circuit and then transfers controlled amounts of heat to the fuel in the second circuit. This intermediary role allows the system to achieve high heating efficiency while maintaining safe operating temperatures in the fuel circuit.
4Device complexity
If a single circulation loop is used, then the system complexity is reduced, but the temperature control precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The single circulation loop is segmented into two independent circuits with separate flow rate controls. This segmentation enables precise temperature control in each circuit independently, achieving superior temperature control precision while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design.
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 system efficiently heats the fluid to optimal injection temperatures for turbomachines, minimizing piping dimensions, reducing wear and electricity consumption, and preventing icing, while maintaining safe operating temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
the heat transfer fluid F extracts the calories from hot sources Cm available on board of the aircraft (for example the heat from the lubricating oil of the turbomachine M, the calories at the turbine outlet, heat from the nozzle), via an engine heat exchanger 104 mounted on the circulation loop 102
Implementation Method 2
The temperature control system 101 for controlling the temperature also comprises a tank heat exchanger 105 for warming the fuel flow Qc of the conditioning system SCAA from the calories transferred by the heat transfer fluid F
Implementation Method 3
a mechanical pump P for driving a fuel flow Qc from upstream to downstream in the fuel circuit CQ
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a system (1) for controlling the temperature of a heat transfer fluid (F) configured to transfer heat to a fluid to be heated (Q) originating from a cryogenic tank (R), the control system (1) comprising: a loop (2) for circulating the heat transfer fluid (F), comprising an engine branch (21) and a tank branch (22); a first engine heat exchanger (41), configured to heat the heat transfer fluid (F) to a second temperature (T2) above a maximum operating temperature (Tmax); a mechanical pump (3) configured to circulate the heat transfer fluid (F) in the circulation loop (2), such that, in a second engine heat exchanger (42), a first part of the heat is transferred from the heat transfer fluid (F) to the fluid to be heated (Q) and the heat transfer fluid (F) is cooled to a third temperature (T3) below the maximum operating temperature (Tmax), before it leaves the engine enclosure (EN-M).