Sealed Plate Heat Exchanger for Hydrogen Leak Isolation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heat exchanger designs for hydrogen systems in aircraft face challenges in preventing contamination and leakage, leading to increased mass, volume, and complexity in the secondary fluid circuit due to the need for double-skinned pipes to prevent hydrogen leakage.

Innovation Solution

A plate heat exchanger with a sealed housing and a body comprising alternating assemblies of plates, where the first fluid (hydrogen) is separated from the second fluid by two plates, and the body is positioned inside the housing to minimize leakage risks, allowing the secondary fluid circuit to be non-hydrogen and thus not requiring double-skinned conduits, with sensors for hydrogen detection and an inert atmosphere to prevent ignition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single intermediate plate is used to separate hydrogen from the second fluid, then the heat exchanger structure is simplified, but the risk of fluid mixing increases if a crack appears on the plate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat exchanger structureVSAvoidfluid separation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The heat exchanger is divided into two independent assemblies: a first assembly for hydrogen with its own inlet/outlet channels, and a second assembly for the second fluid with its own inlet/outlet channels. This segmentation ensures that even if one assembly fails, the other remains intact and functional, resolving the contradiction between simplified structure and reliable fluid separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If double-walled pipes are used in the second circuit to prevent hydrogen leakage, then safety is improved, but the mass, volume, and complexity of the second circuit increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen leakage preventionVSAvoidsecond circuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hydrogen circuit and second fluid circuit are completely segmented into separate assemblies with independent channels. The first assembly handles hydrogen with dedicated inlet/outlet, while the second assembly handles the second fluid with its own dedicated inlet/outlet. This eliminates the need for double-walled pipes in the second circuit, maintaining safety while reducing complexity and mass.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the entire second circuit is sized for hydrogen to prevent leakage, then safety is improved, but the mass and volume of the second circuit increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen leakage preventionVSAvoidsecond circuit mass

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The second assembly is completely segmented from the hydrogen circuit, with its own dedicated inlet channel and outlet channel. This allows the second circuit to be sized and constructed according to the requirements of the second fluid rather than hydrogen specifications, reducing mass while maintaining safety through complete separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of manufacture

If a single intermediate plate separates the two fluids, then manufacturing is simplified, but the risk of contamination between fluids increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat exchanger assemblyVSAvoidfluid contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The heat exchanger is segmented into two independent assemblies with completely separate channel systems. The first assembly contains channels exclusively for hydrogen, while the second assembly contains channels exclusively for the second fluid. This complete segmentation eliminates the risk of fluid contamination while maintaining ease of manufacture through modular assembly of standardized components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 design reduces the risk of fluid mixing and leakage, minimizing the need for costly and complex secondary fluid circuit enhancements, while ensuring safe and efficient hydrogen transfer and preventing ignition risks.

Implementation Method 1

a heat exchanger configured to heat the hydrogen as it changes from a liquid to a gaseous state

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

heat the hydrogen as it changes from a liquid to a gaseous state

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentEP4130635B1Heat exchanger limiting the risk of contamination between two fluids and aircraft comprising at least one such heat exchanger

Publication Date: 2024.03.20 AIRBUS (SAS)

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a heat exchanger comprising a sealed housing (42) and a body (44) positioned inside the housing (42). The body (44) comprises a stack of at least one first assembly (60) of first and second plates (62, 64) pressed together, between which a first fluid (46) flows, and at least one second assembly (66) of third and fourth plates (68, 70) pressed together, between which a second fluid (48) flows. The first and second assemblies (60, 66) are arranged to ensure heat transfer between the first and second fluids (46, 48). This configuration limits the risks of leakage and mixing between the two fluids. The invention also relates to an aircraft comprising at least one such heat exchanger.