Spiral Duct Heat Exchanger With Intertwined Flow Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat exchangers in aircraft structures consume significant space and add weight, requiring complex mounting features which can be challenging in congested environments.
Innovation Solution
A duct with an integrated heat exchanger featuring a tubular shell with spirally intertwined flow paths, allowing for efficient heat exchange without the need for additional space or mounting points, utilizing additive manufacturing for complex shapes and reduced weight through varying wall thickness and internal cavities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional heat exchanger is installed in an aircraft structure, then heat exchange function is provided, but space is consumed and weight is added
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heat exchanger function with the existing duct structure by integrating a second flow path within the duct's wall thickness. This merging of functions allows the duct to serve both as a flow conduit and as a heat exchanger, eliminating the need for a separate heat exchanger component and reducing overall space consumption in the aircraft structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where the second flow path (heat exchange flow) is embedded within the wall thickness of the duct. This nesting approach allows the heat exchange channels to be contained within the existing duct volume, effectively utilizing the wall space and avoiding additional external space requirements.
2Reliability
If a conventional heat exchanger is installed in an aircraft structure, then heat exchange function is provided, but weight is added
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heat exchanger function with the existing duct structure, eliminating the need for a separate heat exchanger component. This integration removes the additional weight that would be imposed by a standalone heat exchanger, while still providing the required heat exchange functionality through the integrated second flow path.
3Reliability
If a conventional heat exchanger is installed in an aircraft structure, then heat exchange function is provided, but complicated mounting features are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the heat exchanger function directly into the duct structure, eliminating the need for separate mounting features. The second flow path is formed as an integral part of the duct wall, which simplifies installation and removes the complexity of mounting a separate heat exchanger component in the congested aircraft environment.
4Volume of stationary object
If spiral flow paths are intertwined within the duct, then heat exchange efficiency is improved and space is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs additive manufacturing technology, which enables the fabrication of complex spiral flow paths with varying cross-sectional areas and wall thicknesses. This manufacturing approach transforms the difficulty of creating intricate geometries into a routine process, allowing the optimization of flow path parameters (such as spiral pitch, radius, and wall thickness) to achieve efficient heat exchange while minimizing space usage.
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 reduces the overall size and weight of the heat exchanger, enabling efficient heat transfer within existing aircraft structures without the need for additional space or complex mounting, while maintaining uniform flow areas and accommodating different flow rates.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchange structure... the second flow path is spirally intertwined with the first flow path for a section of the duct to provide a heat exchanger within the duct
Implementation Method 2
a first flow path within the shell for conveying a first flow between the inlet and the outlet, and a second flow path within the shell for conveying a second flow between the intake port and the output port
Data Source
AI summary
A duct comprising: an inlet; an outlet; a shell having a tubular form extending between the inlet and the outlet; a main flow path (H) within the shell for conveying a main flow between the inlet and the outlet; and a heat exchange structure, wherein the heat exchange structure comprises: an intake port provided in the shell; an output port provided in the shell; and a secondary flow path (C) within the shell for conveying a secondary flow between the intake port and the output port, wherein the secondary flow path is spirally intertwined with the main flow path for a section of the duct to provide a heat exchanger within the duct.