Interwoven Radial Cross-Flow Heat Exchanger for Primary Surface Gain
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional plate-fin heat exchangers primarily transfer heat through secondary surfaces, such as fins, rather than maximizing primary heat transfer surface area, and are susceptible to stress from external forces and thermal stress.
Innovation Solution
A radially-flowing cross-flow heat exchanger assembly with an interwoven core that increases primary heat transfer surface area by utilizing a weave-style design, where a first fluid flows axially and a second fluid flows radially, and is fabricated using additive manufacturing to allow for unique geometries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If conventional plate-fin heat exchanger design is used, then heat transfer occurs through secondary surfaces (fins), but primary heat transfer surface area is not maximized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional planar plate-fin geometry to a three-dimensional interwoven core structure where flow paths are arranged in multiple spatial dimensions. This dimensional change allows both primary and secondary surfaces to contribute effectively to heat transfer, maximizing the utilization of available surface area while maintaining compact form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger core is divided into multiple interconnected flow paths arranged in an interwoven pattern, creating numerous discrete heat transfer zones. This segmentation increases the effective heat transfer surface area by distributing heat transfer across multiple primary and secondary surfaces rather than relying on a single continuous plate-fin structure.
2Strength
If conventional plate-fin heat exchanger design is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but resistance to stress from external forces and thermal stress is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The interwoven core structure segments the heat exchanger into multiple interconnected flow paths and support elements distributed throughout the volume. This segmentation creates a lattice-like framework that distributes mechanical and thermal stresses across numerous discrete structural elements, enhancing overall strength and stress resistance compared to conventional plate-fin designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger employs a composite structure combining primary heat transfer surfaces, secondary fin surfaces, and interwoven support structures made from thermally conductive materials. This composite architecture provides both thermal management functionality and enhanced mechanical strength to withstand external forces and thermal stress.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additive manufacturing is used to fabricate the heat exchanger, then unique geometries and interwoven structures are enabled, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes additive manufacturing parameters such as layer thickness, infill density, and support structure geometry to create the interwoven core structure. By controlling these manufacturing parameters, complex three-dimensional flow paths and support structures are fabricated as monolithic components, enabling geometric flexibility that would be difficult to achieve with conventional manufacturing methods.
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
Enhances heat transfer efficiency by maximizing primary surface area and reduces pressure drop, while being resistant to stress from external forces and thermal stress.
Implementation Method 1
heat exchanger core (12) that includes a plurality of first flow paths (18) interwoven with a plurality of second flow paths (20)... a first fluid (38) flows axially through the plurality of first flow paths (18)... a second fluid (40) flows radially through the plurality of second flow paths (20)... transferring heat from one fluid to another
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present disclosure provides for heat exchanger assemblies, systems and methods. More particularly, the present disclosure provides for radially-flowing cross flow heat exchanger assemblies and systems that increase primary heat transfer surface, and related methods of use. The present disclosure provides for a cross-flow heat exchanger assembly that can be packaged cylindrically or the like (or other selfenclosed shapes), and where the heat exchanger assembly also increases and/or maximizes primary heat transfer surface area by utilizing a weave-style or interwoven heat exchanger core (12). A first circuit flow path (14) can be axial or circumferential in nature, and a second circuit flow path (16) can be radial.