Fan Exit Guide Vane Heat Exchanger for Hybrid Electric Cooling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Hybrid electric engines face challenges in integrating heat exchangers for cooling power electronics due to increased ducting requirements and excess cabling volume, leading to weight and drag losses in classical integrations.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing fan exit guide vanes as heat exchangers within hybrid electric engines to cool power electronics by routing working fluid through channels within the vanes, cooled by air from the rotor fan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If classical heat exchanger integration is used in turbo fan architecture, then cooling function is provided, but weight and nacelle drag losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heat exchanger function with the fan exit guide vane structure, integrating cooling capabilities into an existing component rather than adding separate cooling equipment. This combination provides the cooling function while avoiding the additional weight of standalone heat exchangers and ducting systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The fan exit guide vane is given multiple functions: it continues to guide fan airflow while simultaneously serving as a heat exchanger for cooling power electronics. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cooling components, thereby reducing overall weight.
2Temperature
If surface air coolers are used, then cooling function is provided, but weight and nacelle drag losses increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cooling function with the guide vane structure, eliminating the need for separate surface air coolers and their associated ducting. This integration significantly reduces weight compared to traditional surface cooler installations.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide vane structure serves its own cooling needs by incorporating the heat exchanger function, using the existing airflow through the engine to cool power electronics without requiring additional cooling infrastructure.
3Temperature
If heat exchangers are placed in lower bifurcation, then cooling function is provided, but cabling volume increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heat exchanger from the lower bifurcation area and relocates it to the fan exit guide vane position, removing the source of cabling volume problems while preserving the cooling function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves the heat exchanger from the vertical lower bifurcation space to the horizontal fan exit plane, utilizing a different spatial dimension that does not interfere with cable routing requirements.
4Temperature
If external ducting is added for heat exchanger integration, then cooling function is provided, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heat exchanger with the guide vane structure, eliminating the need for external ducting and reducing system complexity while maintaining the cooling function.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide vane structure provides its own cooling capability through integrated heat exchange surfaces, using the existing airflow path without requiring additional ducting infrastructure.
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
Reduces the need for external air oil coolers, decreases weight and drag, and improves heat distribution while preserving design space for cable routing.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one fan exit guide vane comprises a heat exchanger mechanism therein configured to cool the working fluid
Implementation Method 2
The working fluid passing through the heat exchanger mechanism within the at least one fan exit guide vane is cooled by air from the rotor fan passing over the at least one fan exit guide vane
Data Source
AI summary
A system for cooling a working fluid of a thermal management system of a hybrid electric engine includes at least one fan exit guide vane located aft of a rotor fan of the hybrid electric engine. The at least one fan exit guide vane comprises a heat exchanger mechanism therein configured to cool the working fluid. At least one inlet connected to the heat exchanger mechanism receives the working fluid heated by power electronics of the hybrid electric engine. At least one outlet connected to the heat exchanger mechanism provides the working fluid to the power electronics. The working fluid passing through the heat exchanger mechanism within the at least one fan exit guide vane is cooled by air from the rotor fan passing over the at least one fan exit guide vane.