Heat Exchanger Mixing Chamber with Louvers for Boundary-Layer Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft engine heat exchangers face inefficiencies due to boundary layer buildup, which reduces heat transfer as fluids flow through conduits, leading to decreased performance over time.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a mixing chamber with movable louvers and convergent-divergent sections within the heat exchanger to mix boundary layer and core flows, enhancing turbulence and maintaining efficient heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fluids flow through conduits in heat exchangers, then heat exchange occurs, but boundary layer buildup reduces heat transfer efficiency over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs movable louvers that can transition between deployed and collapsed configurations. When deployed, the louvers create turbulence and disrupt boundary layers to maintain heat transfer efficiency. When collapsed, they minimize flow resistance. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to changing flow conditions and maintain performance over extended service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The louvers are designed to oscillate or cycle between deployed and collapsed states periodically. This periodic action continuously disrupts boundary layer formation and prevents the buildup that would otherwise reduce heat transfer efficiency, thereby maintaining reliable performance throughout the operational lifespan of the heat exchanger.
2Reliability
If louvers are deployed to disrupt boundary layers, then heat transfer efficiency improves, but pressure drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
The louvers transition between deployed and collapsed configurations based on operational requirements. When heat transfer efficiency is prioritized, the louvers are deployed to create turbulence. When pressure drop becomes excessive, the louvers collapse to reduce flow resistance. This dynamic balancing act allows the system to optimize between heat transfer performance and pressure loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state of the louvers (deployed vs. collapsed) to alter flow parameters. By adjusting the louver configuration, the system can modify turbulence intensity, flow velocity distribution, and pressure drop characteristics. This parameter adjustment enables optimization of heat transfer efficiency while controlling pressure loss to acceptable levels.
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 significantly improves heat transfer efficiency by disrupting boundary layers, maintaining performance over extended use, and reducing pressure drop.
Implementation Method 1
mixing chamber with movable louvers and convergent-divergent sections within the heat exchanger to mix boundary layer and core flows, enhancing turbulence and maintaining efficient heat transfer
Implementation Method 2
heat exchanger for exchanging heat with a fluid flowing through the aircraft component
Implementation Method 3
heat exchanger having first conduits within the housing, the first conduits fluidly connecting the first inlet to the first outlet; one or more second conduit within the housing, the one or more second conduits fluidly connecting the second inlet to the second outlet, the one or more second conduit in heat exchange relationship with the first conduits
Data Source
AI summary
A system for an aircraft engine, has: an aircraft component; and a heat exchanger having: a housing defining a first inlet, a first outlet, a second inlet, and a second outlet; first conduits within the housing, the first conduits fluidly connecting the first inlet to the first outlet; one or more second conduit within the housing, the one or more second conduits fluidly connecting the second inlet to the second outlet, the one or more second conduit in heat exchange relationship with the first conduits; a mixing chamber intersecting two or more of the first conduits, the mixing chamber having a peripheral wall extending around a mixing volume and a central axis; and louvers mounted to the peripheral wall and extending transversally to the central axis, the louvers movable between a collapsed configuration and a deployed configuration and extending across the mixing volume in the deployed configuration.