Multi-fluid Heat Exchanger for Gas Turbine Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines, particularly those with open rotor propulsion systems, generate significant heat during operation, which needs to be dissipated efficiently without compromising engine efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design featuring a first and second wall manifold with vanes extending between them, forming multiple fluid circuits that allow for the cooling of various motive fluids within the engine using air flow through the fan duct.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a heat exchanger is added to dissipate heat from multiple systems, then heat dissipation capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple heat exchanger functions into a single integrated device that cools multiple motive fluids simultaneously. The heat exchanger includes multiple fluid circuits that can receive different motive fluids from various engine systems (thrust generating systems, electric motors, hydraulic systems) and cool them concurrently through a unified structure with multiple passages and heat transfer surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger is designed as a multi-functional device capable of cooling different types of motive fluids from various engine systems through a single unit. The structure includes multiple fluid circuits and passages that can accommodate different fluids and thermal loads, making the device universally applicable to multiple cooling needs within the engine.
2Productivity
If multiple fluid circuits are integrated into a single heat exchanger, then heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is segmented into multiple independent fluid circuits, each with its own passages and heat transfer surfaces. This segmentation allows each circuit to be optimized for specific fluid cooling requirements while maintaining a unified overall structure. The modular segmentation of fluid paths enables efficient simultaneous cooling of multiple fluids without requiring overly complex integrated manifolds.
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 heat exchanger effectively cools multiple systems within the gas turbine engine, enhancing overall efficiency by utilizing the air flow to dissipate heat from the motive fluids.
Implementation Method 1
The heat exchanger effectively cools multiple systems within the gas turbine engine, enhancing overall efficiency by utilizing the air flow to dissipate heat from the motive fluids
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger is provided. The heat exchanger includes a first wall manifold. The heat exchanger further includes a second wall manifold spaced apart from the first wall manifold. The heat exchanger further includes a plurality of vanes that extend generally circumferentially between the first wall manifold and the second wall manifold. The heat exchanger further includes a plurality of fluid circuits defined within the heat exchanger. Each fluid circuit in the plurality of fluid circuits includes an inlet channel portion and an outlet channel portion defined within the first wall manifold. A return channel portion defined within the second wall manifold. At least one passage portion of a plurality of passage portions defined within each vane of the plurality of vanes. The at least one passage portion extends between the return channel portion and one of the inlet channel portion and the outlet channel portion.