Multi-scale Radial Heat Exchanger Core for Compact Aircraft Thermal Management

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft heat exchangers face challenges in maximizing heat transfer surface area while maintaining compactness, which affects their efficiency in transferring heat between hot and cold fluids.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a radial heat exchanger core with hollow cylinders and passages arranged in a sinusoidal relationship, allowing for scalability and adjustable geometry to optimize heat transfer capabilities by varying the wavelength and wall thickness, and incorporating waviness and struts to increase surface area and promote turbulent flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the heat transfer surface area is increased to improve heat transfer effectiveness, then the heat exchanger effectiveness is improved, but the heat exchanger size and compactness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer effectivenessVSAvoidheat exchanger size

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested cylindrical structure where multiple hollow cylinders are arranged concentrically around a central axis. Each cylinder contains or is surrounded by passages, creating a multi-layered nested configuration. This nesting allows multiple heat transfer surfaces to be packed within a compact radial envelope, increasing the heat transfer surface area without proportionally increasing the overall heat exchanger volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a planar or simple linear arrangement to a three-dimensional radial configuration with cylindrical geometry. By utilizing the radial dimension and arranging passages and cylinders in concentric layers around a central axis, the design maximizes heat transfer surface area within a compact volume. The sinusoidal spacing further optimizes the three-dimensional arrangement of components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If the number of cylinders and passages is increased to maximize heat transfer surface area, then the heat transfer effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer surface areaVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cylindrical walls serve multiple functions simultaneously: they act as structural support elements, define passage boundaries, provide heat transfer surfaces, and serve as fluid separators. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components, thereby increasing heat transfer surface area without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs cylindrical and curved geometries throughout the design. The sinusoidal spacing of cylinders and passages introduces controlled curvature variations that optimize heat transfer while maintaining structural integrity. These curved geometries are more efficient than straight linear arrangements for packing heat transfer surfaces within a compact volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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

This configuration enhances heat transfer efficiency by increasing the number of cylinders and passages within a given space, improving the heat transfer coefficient and accommodating various performance levels without altering the overall size.

Implementation Method 1

heat exchanger core includes a first hollow cylinder... a second hollow cylinder... The first and second hollow cylinders and the first and second passages are spaced from one another in a sinusoidal relationship

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

Heat exchangers are often used to transfer heat between two fluids... transfer heat between a relatively hot air source... and a relatively cool air source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

incorporating waviness and struts to increase surface area and promote turbulent flow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentUS11781813B2Multi-scale unitary radial heat exchanger core

Publication Date: 2023.10.10 HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORP

AI summary

A heat exchanger core includes a first hollow cylinder extending circumferentially around a center axis and extending axially along the center axis. The first hollow cylinder includes a first passage disposed radially within the first hollow cylinder and extending axially through the first hollow cylinder. A second hollow cylinder extends circumferentially around the center axis and extends axially along the center axis. The first hollow cylinder is disposed radially within the second hollow cylinder. The second hollow cylinder includes a second passage disposed radially between the first hollow cylinder and the second hollow cylinder and extending axially between the first hollow cylinder and the second hollow cylinder. The first hollow cylinder fluidically separates the first passage from the second passage. The first and second hollow cylinders and the first and second passages are spaced from one another in a sinusoidal relationship.