Multi-Width Channel Heat Exchanger for Gas Turbine Intercooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air-to-air heat exchangers in gas turbine engines require complex and heavy ducting, increasing system weight and cost, which poses a challenge for efficient heat transfer between core and bypass air streams.
Innovation Solution
A multi-width channel heat exchanger (MWCHX) system that includes mini-channel air-passage and heat transfer fluid channels, configured in a counter-flow type to minimize ducting complexity by using a heat transfer fluid that transfers heat between the core air stream and bypass air stream, reducing the need for heavy ducting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional air-to-air heat exchangers are used for heat transfer between core and bypass air streams, then heat transfer function is achieved, but system weight and ducting complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a heat transfer fluid as an intermediary substance that circulates between the core air stream and bypass air stream heat exchangers. This fluid mediator enables thermal energy transfer without requiring direct air-to-air heat exchange, thereby eliminating the need for complex heavy ducting while maintaining effective heat transfer functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the heat transfer function from the air stream itself by introducing a separate heat transfer fluid loop. This separation allows the air streams to remain independent while still achieving thermal interaction through the fluid intermediary, reducing the complexity of ducting requirements
2Temperature
If conventional air-to-air heat exchangers are used for heat transfer between core and bypass air streams, then heat transfer function is achieved, but system weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat transfer fluid serves as a lightweight intermediary that enables thermal coupling between core and bypass streams without requiring heavy structural ducting. The fluid circulation system replaces mass-intensive air ducts with lighter fluid conduits and heat exchanger components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydraulic principles by using a liquid heat transfer fluid to transfer thermal energy. This approach leverages the high heat capacity and efficient heat transfer properties of liquids, enabling compact heat exchanger design with reduced weight compared to conventional air-to-air systems
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 MWCHX system achieves efficient heat transfer with reduced weight and complexity, enabling effective thermal management in gas turbine engines while minimizing the requirement for heavy ducting, thus optimizing performance and cost.
Implementation Method 1
transfer heat between a core air stream and a bypass stream
Implementation Method 2
counter-flow type to minimize ducting complexity by using a heat transfer fluid that transfers heat
Data Source
AI summary
A gas turbine engine heat exchange system including a first multi-width channel heat exchanger (MWCHX) configured to transfer heat between a first air stream and a heat transfer fluid. The first MWCHX includes a first plurality of air-passage mini-channels configured to allow passage of the first air stream therethrough, where each air-passage channel has an air-channel width and an air-channel length greater than the air-channel width. The MWCHX also includes a first plurality of heat transfer fluid channels configured to allow passage of the heat transfer fluid therethrough, where each heat transfer fluid channel has a heat transfer channel width and a heat transfer channel length greater than the heat transfer channel width. The heat transfer channel width is less than the air-channel width.