Vascular Composite Heat Exchanger for Weight Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat exchangers used in naval applications are heavy and voluminous, making them unsuitable for applications where space and weight are limited, such as on aircraft or submarines, due to their size and weight implications.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, conformable, and thin vascular composite heat exchanger is developed by sandwiching two fluid networks between composite plies, allowing for reduced size and weight, with the ability to fit any profile and maintain high heat transfer efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If conventional metallic shell-and-tube heat exchangers are used, then heat transfer efficiency is high, but weight and volume are excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material construction with multiple plies (fiberglass, carbon fiber, Kevlar) laminated together to create a lightweight yet thermally efficient heat exchanger. This composite structure reduces weight compared to conventional metallic heat exchangers while maintaining structural integrity and heat transfer capability through the vascular network design
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger is segmented into multiple functional plies with distinct roles: structural plies for strength, thermal plies for heat transfer, and fluid network plies containing vascular channels. This segmentation allows optimization of each layer for its specific function, achieving lightweight construction without sacrificing heat transfer efficiency
2Volume of moving object
If conventional metallic shell-and-tube heat exchangers are used, then heat transfer efficiency is high, but volume occupied is significant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from the conventional three-dimensional shell-and-tube configuration to a two-dimensional planar vascular network embedded within laminated plies. This dimensional change allows the heat exchanger to achieve high heat transfer efficiency in a flattened, space-efficient configuration that occupies minimal volume while maintaining thermal performance
3Volume of moving object
If plate type or fin tube type heat exchangers are used, then volume is reduced, but the heat exchanger still takes up significant space
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is constructed as a flexible assembly of thin composite plies that can be laminated to conform to various surface profiles and geometries. This flexible film-based construction allows the heat exchanger to adapt to different spatial configurations and mounting surfaces, providing versatility while maintaining reduced volume
4Weight of moving object
If lightweight materials are used to reduce weight, then heat transfer efficiency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different material properties to different plies based on their specific functions: structural plies use high-strength materials like carbon fiber and Kevlar for mechanical support, while thermal plies use materials with optimized thermal conductivity for heat transfer. This localized material selection ensures lightweight construction without compromising heat transfer efficiency in the thermal plies
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 vascular composite heat exchanger achieves significant size and weight reduction while maintaining high heat transfer efficiency, suitable for applications where space and weight are critical, with the added benefit of being adaptable to various geometries.
Implementation Method 1
a first fluid network sandwiched between upper and central plies; and a second fluid network fluidly isolated from the first fluid network sandwiched between the central and lower plies
Data Source
AI summary
A vascular composite heat exchanger includes a first fluid network sandwiched between upper and central plies; and a second fluid network fluidly isolated from the first fluid network sandwiched between the central and lower plies.