Laminated Heat Exchanger Segmented Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat exchangers, particularly in aerospace applications, face limitations in efficiently transferring heat between fluids due to their design constraints, such as the need for increased surface area and pressure handling, which can be inflexible and costly to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
A laminated heat exchanger design featuring multiple heat exchange layers with side members forming a frame and heat exchange member chains linked by ligament members, allowing for enhanced heat transfer without a planar surface support, integrated tank members for medium reservoirs, and leak detection mechanisms, enabling flexible assembly and improved heat exchange characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional plate/fin heat exchanger designs are used to increase heat exchange surface area, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is divided into multiple discrete layers (first heat exchange layer, second heat exchange layer, etc.), each containing heat exchange members arranged in a grid pattern. These layers are stacked and sealed together to form the complete heat exchanger assembly, allowing for simplified manufacturing of individual layers while achieving high overall heat exchange efficiency through the stacked configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from conventional two-dimensional plate/fin structures to a three-dimensional stacked layer configuration. Multiple heat exchange layers are arranged in sequence with heat exchange members extending between side members, creating additional heat transfer pathways in the vertical dimension while maintaining manufacturability through standardized layer designs
2Stress or pressure
If tube/shell heat exchanger designs are used for high pressure applications, then pressure handling capability is improved, but flexibility and manufacturing adaptability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchange members are configured to be flexible within their planes, allowing the layers to be stacked and sealed together in various configurations. The side members and heat exchange members form a flexible grid structure that can adapt to different pressure requirements and application scenarios while maintaining structural integrity through the layered assembly approach
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 laminated heat exchanger design enhances heat transfer efficiency, flexibility in manufacturing, and safety through integrated leak detection, addressing the limitations of conventional designs by allowing for varied heat exchange configurations and improved medium handling.
Implementation Method 1
Heat exchangers pass a first medium having a first heat energy in proximity to another medium having a second heat energy to facilitate a transfer of the heat energy
Implementation Method 2
The mediums can be passed in direct contact one with the other, or the mediums can be separated by a heat transfer surface
Implementation Method 3
The fins provide increased surface area which leads to greater heat exchange
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A laminated heat exchanger (2) includes at least one heat exchange layer (15;16;130;160;190;220) that includes a plurality of side members (62-66;133-135;166-169;194-197;224-228) that define a frame (60;132;164;192;222) having an interior portion (69;136;171;199;236). A plurality of heat exchange members (74;100;107;113;139;175;205;234) extend between at least two of the plurality of side members across the interior portion. The plurality of heat exchange members are linked by a ligament member (93;101;108;115) to form a heat exchange member chain (72;99;106;112;137;173;203;232).