Suction Base for Exhaust Duct Heat Exchanger
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Solution Overview
Problem
The autogenous pressurization system for space launchers faces challenges in efficiently vaporizing propellants due to fluid recirculation in the exhaust duct, which reduces the heat exchange efficiency and increases the length and mass of components, making existing solutions unsuitable for space launchers.
Innovation Solution
A base is positioned in the exhaust duct between the turbopump and heat exchanger, featuring suction ports to draw fluid around the base, optimizing fluid flow and eliminating recirculation currents, allowing for efficient heat transfer across the entire heat exchanger surface without increasing component length or mass.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the heat exchanger length is increased to increase exchange surface area, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but the mass and volume of the exhaust duct increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the harmful recirculation flow from the exhaust duct by introducing a suction port that draws this stagnant fluid away. This allows the heat exchanger to operate efficiently without requiring increased length or surface area, thereby avoiding the mass and volume penalties associated with longer exhaust ducts.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction port acts as an intermediary element introduced between the turbopump and heat exchanger. It mediates the fluid flow by actively removing recirculation currents, enabling efficient heat transfer across the heat exchanger surface without requiring the exhaust duct to be longer or heavier.
2Productivity
If the gap between turbopump and heat exchanger is increased to attenuate recirculation currents, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but the volume and mass increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the gap to eliminate recirculation, the invention directly extracts the recirculating fluid through a suction port. This approach achieves the same goal of improving heat exchange efficiency without the volume penalty of a larger gap or extended exhaust duct.
3Reliability
If dedicated inert gases are used for pressurization, then pressurization function is ensured, but storage systems and auxiliary circuits are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the exhaust gas itself to provide the pressurization function through heat exchange with the propellant. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate inert gas storage systems and auxiliary circuits, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable pressurization.
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 exchanger efficiency by ensuring all surfaces are utilized, reducing the need for longer or heavier components, and allows for controlled suction to optimize pressurization based on operational needs.
Implementation Method 1
the heat exchanger being configured so as to transfer heat between a propellant circulating within the heat exchanger and the fluid flowing in the exhaust duct
Implementation Method 2
comprising suction ports made in a wall of the base configured to suck a part of a flow of fluid around the base
Data Source
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AI summary
Space launcher comprising a turbopump (30), a heat exchanger (40) and an exhaust nozzle (50) which are arranged in a fluid-flow exhaust duct (20), from upstream to downstream in a direction of fluid flow in said exhaust duct (20), the heat exchanger (40) being configured so as to carry out heat transfer between a propellant circulating within the heat exchanger (40) and the fluid flowing in the exhaust duct (20), characterized in that it comprises a base (60) positioned in the exhaust duct (20) between the turbopump (30) and the heat exchanger (40), the base (60) being positioned in the centre of the fluid flow and comprising suction orifices formed in a wall of the base (60) that are configured so as to draw in a portion of a fluid flow around the base (60).