Exemplary embodiments pertain to the art of heat exchangers and, more particularly, to a laminated heat exchanger.
Exchanging heat between two fluids is desirable in many applications. Heat exchangers pass a first medium having a first heat energy in proximity to another medium having a second heat energy to facilitate a transfer of the heat energy. More specifically, the mediums are passed in proximity to cause heat from the medium having the higher heat energy to the medium having a lower heat energy. The mediums can be passed in direct contact one with the other, or the mediums can be separated by a heat transfer surface. Conventional heat exchangers, particularly for aerospace applications, include plate/fin designs, or tube/shell designs.
Plate/fin heat exchangers employ sandwiched passages that contain fins. The fins provide increased surface area which leads to greater heat exchange. Plate/fin heat exchangers include both cross-flow and counter-flow designs and are provides with various fin arrangements depending on desired heat exchange characteristics. Tube/shell heat exchangers are generally incorporated into high pressure applications and include a shell, such as a pressure vessel, within which are positioned a number of tubes. One medium passes through the tubes and another medium passes through the shell and over the tubes. The tubes are typically formed from a material that facilitates a desired heat transfer. Of course, numerous other heat exchanger arrangements also exist.
Disclosed is a laminated heat exchanger including at least one heat exchange layer having a plurality of side members that define a frame including an interior portion. A plurality of heat exchange members extend between at least two of the plurality of side members across the interior portion. The plurality of heat exchange members are linked by a ligament member to form a heat exchange member chain.
Also disclosed is a laminated heat exchanger including at least one heat exchange layer having a plurality of side members that define a frame including an interior portion. At least one tank member is integrally formed with at least one of the plurality of side members. The at least one tank member establishes a medium reservoir that is fluidly connected to the interior portion.
Further disclosed is a laminated heat exchanger including at least one heat exchange layer having a plurality of side members that define a frame including an interior portion. A plurality of heat exchange members extend between at least two of the plurality of side members across the interior portion. The plurality of heat exchange members are linked by a ligament member to form a heat exchange member chain. At least one tank member is integrally formed with at least one of the plurality of side members. The at least one tank member establishes a medium reservoir that is fluidly connected to the interior portion.
The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike:
A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.
With reference to
First heat exchange element 8 includes a frame element 20 having a substantially planer surface 23 that establishes a boundary to second heat exchange section 7. First heat exchange element 8 includes plurality of heat exchange components 25 that project outward from substantially planar surface 23. Similarly, second heat exchange element 9 includes a frame element 28 having a substantially planar surface 31 that establishes a boundary to an adjacent heat exchange section (not separately labeled). Second heat exchange element 9 includes a plurality of heat exchange components 33 that project outward from substantially planar surface 31 and are positioned to register with the plurality of heat exchange components 25 on first heat exchange element 8. Heat exchange components 25 and 33 facilitate a heat transfer between first heat exchange section 6 and second heat exchange section 7.
Reference will continue to
First heat exchange layer 15 also includes a plurality of integrated tank members 80-83 that are integrally formed with frame 60. In the exemplary embodiment shown, tank member 80 extends from side member 65 through a curvilinear section (not separately labeled) and rejoins side member 65. Similarly, tank member 81 extends from side member 66 through a curvilinear section (not separately labeled) and rejoins side member 66. Tank members 82 and 83 extend from side member 63 through corresponding curvilinear sections (not separately labeled) and rejoin side member 65. Tank members 80-83 join with tank members (not separately labeled) on heat exchange elements 8 and 9 as well as second heat exchange layers 16 to form a corresponding plurality of tanks or reservoirs 84-87 that are configured to hold one of a first heat exchange medium and a second heat exchange medium. In accordance with one aspect of the exemplary embodiment, tanks 84 and 85 define an inlet and an outlet respectively for a first heat exchange medium passing through first medium section 6. Towards that end, first medium section 6 is fluidly connected to tanks 84 and 85. Similarly, tanks 86 and 87 define an inlet and an outlet respectively for a second heat exchange medium flowing through second medium section 7. In order to enhance contact with heat exchange member 74 and guide the second medium between tank 86 and 87, first heat exchange layer 15 includes a medium guide member 88 that extends from side wall 63 toward side wall 62. First heat exchange layer 15 is also shown to include a pair of frame flanges 89 and 90 that are machined to produce a desired interface between laminated heat exchanger 2 and a component such as a portion of an airframe. First heat exchange layer 15 is further shown to include a pair of mold members 91 and 92. Mold members 91 and 92 are formed when producing first heat exchange layer 15 and may be used to establish a desired alignment between adjacent first and second medium sections 6 and 7.
Reference will now be made to
Reference will now be made to
Reference will now be made to
Reference will now be made to
At this point it should be understood that the exemplary embodiment provide a laminated heat exchanger formed from heat exchange layers that can be joined one to another to form a medium section. The number of heat exchange layers can vary. In addition, forming the heat exchange layers with heat exchange member chains eases manufacturing while at the same time providing a flexible building block for a laminated heat exchanger. That is, by eliminating a planar surface previous employed to support heat exchange members, multiple heat exchange layers can be combined to form a medium section. Finally, it should be understood that the material used to form the heat exchange layer can very depending upon desired design characteristics.
While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.
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20120168112 A1 | Jul 2012 | US |