Extruded Connected Microtube Assembly for Harmonic Vibration Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Microtube heat exchangers in extreme applications, such as aircraft propulsion systems, face operational life reduction due to harmonic responses induced by vibrations, which existing technologies fail to effectively mitigate.
Innovation Solution
The heat exchanger assembly features microtube assemblies formed as one-piece unitary structures with web portions extending between microtube portions, providing increased stiffness and reduced vibratory excitement through extrusion or other seamless manufacturing processes, and arranged in specific configurations to enhance thermal energy transfer and vibrational resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional multi-piece microtube structures with seams and joints are used, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but structural stiffness decreases and vibratory excitement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate microtube components into a single integrated microtube assembly with continuous walls and no seams or joints. This merging of components increases structural stiffness and reduces vibratory excitement while the extrusion process maintains manufacturing feasibility by forming the entire assembly in one operation.
2Reliability
If seamless one-piece unitary structures are used, then vibratory excitement is reduced and operational life is extended, but manufacturing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical assembly processes (joining separate pieces with fasteners or welds) with an extrusion process that forms the entire microtube assembly as a single piece. This substitution eliminates seams and joints that would otherwise be sources of fatigue and failure, extending operational life while using a well-established manufacturing technique.
3Ease of manufacture
If microtube assemblies with seams and joints are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but fatigue issues arise reducing operational life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple microtube components into a single seamless structure, eliminating the seams and joints that create fatigue points. The extrusion process achieves this merging while maintaining manufacturing simplicity by forming the entire assembly in one continuous operation without requiring secondary joining operations.
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 solution effectively mitigates harmonic responses and enhances operational life by increasing stiffness and improving thermal energy transfer efficiency, while avoiding the fatigue issues associated with seams in traditional structures.
Implementation Method 1
each of the plurality of microtube assemblies is formed by extruding the web portion, the first microtube portion and the second microtube portion without any formed seams or joints
Implementation Method 2
Another working fluid is flowed across an external surface of the tubes to provide a transfer of thermal energy
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A heat exchanger assembly (20) includes an inlet manifold (22) that is configured to receive a working fluid (28), a plurality of microtube assemblies (32) that define corresponding plurality passages (34) for the working fluid (28) and an outlet manifold (24) that is configured to exhaust the working fluid (28). The plurality of microtube assemblies (32) include a one-piece unitary structure that has a web portion (46) that extends between at least a first microtube portion (36) and a second microtube portion (38).