SLANTED HEAT EXCHANGER FOR AN AERODYNAMIC VEHICLE

Abstract

A slanted heat exchange system and method for use in aerodynamic vehicle and for transferring heat between a coolant and a fluid. In some examples, the aerodynamic vehicle is an aircraft, and the fluid is air. The slanted heat exchange system and method include a slanted heat exchanger that is slanted relative to a channel direction just before the slanted heat exchanger. The slanted heat exchanger has an increased frontal surface area while still preserving a relatively compact cross-sectional area when viewed from the front. An array of inlet turning vanes both diffuse and slow down the fluid while also turning the fluid to enter the slanted heat exchanger approximately perpendicular to the slanted heat exchanger. This mitigates turning losses and reduces any pressure drop across the heat exchanger. In some examples, an array of outlet turning vanes turns and accelerates the fluid exiting the slanted heat exchanger.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present subject matter relates to heat exchangers and, more specifically, to slanted heat exchangers for use in aerodynamic vehicles such as aircraft.

BACKGROUND

Space is at a premium in many aerodynamic vehicles, such as aircraft, automotive vehicles, and so forth. Moreover, these aerodynamic vehicles typically have quite large cooling needs, which require large heat exchangers to meet these cooling needs. Packaging a large heat exchanger in a small cross section is a common problem for many types of aerodynamic vehicles. In addition, the installation of heat exchangers in an aerodynamic vehicle is always associated with aerodynamic drag penalties such as pressure losses.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to the figure number in which that element is first introduced.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an aerodynamic vehicle in the form of an aircraft according to some examples.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a slanted heat exchange system in accordance with at least one example.

FIG. 3 illustrates a simplified cross-section view of the slanted heat exchange system shown in FIG. 2 in accordance with some examples.

FIG. 4 illustrates an aspect of a slanted heat exchange system in accordance with at least one example of this disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates an aspect of the slanted heat exchange system as shown in FIG. 4 showing the details of a single individual turning vane.

FIG. 6 illustrates an aspect of a slanted heat exchange system in accordance with at least one example of this disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates an aspect of the slanted heat exchange system as shown in FIG. 6 showing the details of a single individual turning vane.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for transferring heat between a coolant and a fluid (such as air) using the slanted heat exchanger, according to some examples of this disclosure.

DESCRIPTION

General Overview

One way to fit a large heat exchanger in a small space is to slant the heat exchanger. This makes a more compact implementation and minimizes the frontal cross-section while keeping a large frontal surface area of the slanted heat exchanger. In other words, by slanting the heat exchanger relative to a longitudinal direction of the fluid at a section of the channel just upstream of the heat exchanger, the cooling requirements of a large frontal surface area of the slanted heat exchanger are retained while maintaining a compact installation.

One problem, however, is that slanting the heat exchanger cause pressure losses and reduced efficiency because the fluid is not hitting the heat exchanger at an angle that is perpendicular to the heat exchanger. This leads to large turning losses into the heat exchanger. Thus, there is a trade-off between installing a heat exchange that meets the cooling needs and also fits in the compact space required for aerodynamic vehicle installations (such as aircraft).

As disclosed herein, a slanted heat exchange system includes a slanted heat exchanger that is slanted relative to a channel direction at the section of the channel just before (or upstream) of the slanted heat exchanger. The slanted heat exchanger has an increased frontal surface area while still preserving a relatively small cross-sectional area when viewed from the front. Because the frontal cross-section of the slanted heat exchanger is much bigger that the cross section of the channel that houses the slanted heat exchanger. Consequently, the ideal is to have the fluid moving slowly through the slanted heat exchanger in a direction that is perpendicular to the slanted heat exchanger. This mitigates turning losses and recovers the pressure from the flow slowing down instead of dissipating the energy. The slanted heat exchange system reduces the pressure drop across the heat exchanger. In other words, the pressure stays approximately the same as the fluid goes through the slanted heat exchanger.

This is accomplished by using an array of inlet turning vanes to both turn and diffuse (and thus slow down) the fluid before it flows through the slanted heat exchanger. As disclosed herein, by having an array of inlet turning vanes, some of the pressure losses are mitigated as the fluid enter the slanted heat exchanger. The pressure then decreases again as the fluid is accelerated after the slanted heat exchanger and exhausted at an outlet. This increase and subsequent decrease in pressure significantly reduces aerodynamic losses that are otherwise associated with cooling flows through heat exchangers on aerodynamic vehicles.

The above discussion is intended to provide an overview of subject matter of the present patent application. It is not intended to provide an exclusive or exhaustive explanation of the invention. The description below is included to provide further information about the present patent application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an aerodynamic vehicle in the form of an aircraft 100 according to some examples. The aircraft 100 includes a fuselage 114, two wings 112, an empennage 110, and propulsion systems 108 embodied as ducted fans or rotor assemblies 116 located in nacelles 102. The aircraft 100 includes one or more fuel cell stacks embodied in FIG. 1 as nacelle fuel cell stacks 104 and wing fuel cell stacks 106. One or more heat exchangers 120 are located in the wings 112, the fuselage 114, nacelles 102, or other locations. It should be noted that the fuel cell stacks 104, 106 and heat exchangers 120 (such as the slanted heat exchange system 200 described herein) in some examples are positioned in locations other than those shown in FIG. 1. For instance, in some examples, the fuel cell stacks and heat exchangers are located in one or more of the leading edges of wings or other aerosurfaces, wing nacelles, fuselage noses or in scoops sticking out from the sides of aircraft fuselages, wings, or nacelles.

The aircraft 100 will also typically include associated equipment such as an electronic infrastructure, control surfaces, a cooling system, landing gear and so forth. The wings 112 function to generate lift to support the aircraft 100 during forward flight. In some examples the wings 112 can additionally or alternately function to structurally support the fuel cell stacks 104, 106 and/or propulsion systems 108 under the influence of various structural stresses (e.g., aerodynamic forces, gravitational forces, propulsive forces, external point loads, distributed loads, and/or body forces, and so forth).

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a slanted heat exchange system 200 in accordance with at least one example. As shown in FIG. 2, the slanted heat exchange system 200 includes a channel 204 including at least an upper surface 206 and a lower surface 208. The flow of a fluid is shown in FIG. 2 as flowing from left to right. The channel 204 has two ends: an upstream end 230 and a downstream end 232. The upstream end 230 of the channel 204 includes an inlet 210 into which the fluid (such as air) enters the channel 204. The downstream end 232 of the channel 204 includes an outlet 212 where the fluid exits the channel 204. In general, the fluid enters the channel 204 through the inlet 210 flowing in direction parallel to a longitudinal flow axis 236 and then exits the channel 204 through the outlet 212.

Located within the channel 204, between the inlet 210 and the outlet 212, is a slanted heat exchanger 202 that is slanted relative to the flow of the fluid. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the slanted heat exchanger 202 is mounted at a slant angle 238 as measured from a channel direction 234 at the section of the channel 204 just before (or upstream of) the slanted heat exchanger 202. The slant angle 238 is shown in FIG. 2 as the angle between the channel direction 234 and a line 242 from the upper surface 206 to the lower surface 208 on a cross-section of the front (or upstream side) of the slanted heat exchanger 202 where the fluid enters. The orientation of the slanted heat exchanger 202 at the slant angle 238 within the channel 204 gives the slanted heat exchanger 202 an increased frontal surface area as compared to if the slanted heat exchanger 202 was not slanted (i.e., parallel to the channel direction 234). The frontal surface area of the slanted heat exchanger 202 is that portion of the slanted heat exchanger within the channel 204 that is facing the upstream end 230 of the fluid flow.

A plurality of individual inlet turning vanes 214 form an array of inlet turning vanes 216 that are mounted at the upstream end 230 of the slanted heat exchanger 202. Each of the individual inlet turning vanes 214 of the array of inlet turning vanes 216 turn the fluid at the upstream end 230 of the channel 204 towards the slanted heat exchanger 202. In particular, the fluid is turned such that it is substantially perpendicular to the frontal surface area (or upstream face) of the slanted heat exchanger 202. Additionally, the slanted heat exchanger 202, in conjunction with the upper surface 206 and the lower surface 208 of the channel 202, define a diffuser that slows down the fluid in the channel 204 as the fluid approaches the upstream face of the slanted heat exchanger 202. Thus, the fluid is both turned and diffused as it approaches the upstream end 230 of the slanted heat exchanger 202 such that it enters the slanted heat exchanger 202 at a velocity significantly slower than it entered at the inlet 210 and substantially perpendicular to the slanted heat exchanger 202.

A plurality of individual outlet turning vanes 218 form an array of outlet turning vanes 220 that are mounted at the downstream end 232 of the slanted heat exchanger 202. Each of the individual outlet turning vanes 218 of the array of outlet turning vanes 220 turn the fluid leaving the slanted heat exchanger 202 towards the outlet 212. More specifically, the fluid leaving the slanted heat exchanger 202 is turned such that it is substantially perpendicular to the outlet 212 and approximately parallel to the channel direction 234. Moreover, the upper surface 206, the lower surface 208, and the outlet 212 form a nozzle at the downstream end 232 of the channel 204 that reaccelerates the fluid as it exits the slanted heat exchanger 202.

In some examples, the array of outlet turning vanes 220 is omitted, because the fluid will naturally accelerate and turn after passing the slanted heat exchanger 202. The challenging part of the process is providing a controlled and uniform diffusion such that the fluid enters the slanted heat exchanger 202 at a slower velocity and substantially perpendicular. This difficulty is addressed by the array of inlet turning vanes 216. Nevertheless, in some examples the array of outlet turning vanes 220 is useful to prevent the generation of backflow through the slanted heat exchanger 202, or other similar types of phenomena.

As the individual inlet turning vanes 214 form small diffusers, the length of these individual inlet turning vanes 214 versus the spacing between them forms a spacing ratio that is important. Ideally, the length of the individual inlet turning vanes 214 is also longer than the spacing between the individual inlet turning vanes 214 in the slanted heat exchanger 202 for smaller slant angles (i.e., less than 45 degrees), which corresponds to a significant turning angle, the angle that the fluid turns from a direction approximately parallel to the channel direction 234 to meet the slanted heat exchanger 202 in a perpendicular manner.

For small slant angles up to 15 degrees the spacing ratio, in some examples, is between 1 to 2 for the arc length of the individual inlet turning vanes 214 to the spacing between the individual inlet turning vanes 214, as measured at the slanted heat exchanger 202. In some examples, the spacing ratio is from 0.5 to 3. At a slant angle of 60 degrees, in some examples, the spacing ratio ranges from about 3 to about 4. In other examples, the spacing ratio is between about 3 and about 6. At a slant angle of 85 degrees, in some examples, a spacing ratio of 5 or more is likely.

Slanting the slanted heat exchanger 202 in the channel 204 allows the slanted heat exchanger 202 to have a greater height 224 than the total height 222 of the channel 204, as well as having a greater height 224 than the height of the inlet 210 or outlet 212. This gives the slanted heat exchanger 202 a greater frontal surface area than it would have as if it were situated perpendicular the channel direction 234 (i.e., a slant angle of 90 degrees). This greater frontal surface area increases the amount of heat that can be exchanged with the fluid in the channel 204.

Slanting the slanted heat exchanger 202 also increases the cross-sectional area of the fluid at the slanted heat exchanger 202, as compared to it being mounted perpendicular to the channel direction 234, thereby slowing the fluid velocity while it passes through the heat exchanger 202. This improves heat transfer, particularly in situations in which the fluid entering the inlet 210 is likely to be fast. This may occur, for example, in an aircraft in forward flight. The slanted heat exchange system 200 thus provides both an increased frontal surface area of the slanted heat exchanger 204 as well as slower passage of the fluid through the slanted heat exchanger 202.

It should be noted that, while FIG. 2 illustrates the array of inlet turning vanes 216 and the array of outlet turning vanes 220 in the slanted heat exchange system 200 each having a single row or stack of individual inlet turning vanes 214 and individual outlet turning vanes 218, it will be appreciated that additional rows or partial rows of vanes can be provided upstream of the individual inlet turning vanes 214 or downstream of the individual outlet turning vanes 218 to further manage the flow of the fluid. Additionally, while the individual inlet turning vanes 214 and the individual outlet turning vanes 218 are shown as respectively ending and beginning at the slanted heat exchanger 202, in some examples they may also be spaced apart from the slanted heat exchanger 202. Similarly, while the individual inlet turning vanes 214 and the individual outlet turning vanes 218 are shown as having the same length in the direction of the fluid flow, it will be appreciated that in some examples the lengths of the individual inlet turning vanes 214 and the individual outlet turning vanes 218 can vary individually or along the arrays. It will also be appreciated that conventional equipment associated with the slanted heat exchanger 202, such as a cooling fluid loop of which the slanted heat exchanger 202 forms a part, a pump, and a heat exchanger as a heat source, are not shown in FIG. 2.

The shapes of the channel 204 can be a variety of different shapes, including rectangular, cylindrical, circular, conical, and so forth. Moreover, in some examples, the inlet 210 is a variable-geometry inlet having an inlet size that can be varied to control the flow of the fluid through the channel 204. Similarly, in some examples, the outlet 212 is a variable-geometry outlet having an outlet size that can be varied to control the flow of fluid through the channel 204. In some examples, the aerodynamic vehicle is an aircraft 100 and the fluid is air.

The array of outlet turning vanes 220 is, in some examples, optional. Moreover, in some examples, the array of outlet turning vanes 220 is comprised of a plurality of individual outlet turning vanes 218 that are positioned along an entire length of the slanted heat exchanger 202. In other examples, the plurality or individual turning vanes 218 are positioned along at least 75% of the length of the slanted heat exchanger 202. In still other examples, the plurality of individual outlet turning vanes 218 are located along a length of the slanted heat exchanger only near the upper surface 206, near the lower surface 208, or both.

In some examples, the slanted heat exchange system 200 is in wings of an aircraft. In other examples, the slanted heat exchange system 200 is in a fuselage or nacelles of an aircraft. In yet other examples, the slanted heat exchange system 200 is in scoops located above or below the wings, of at the top, bottom, or sides of the fuselage.

FIG. 3 illustrates a simplified cross-section view of the slanted heat exchange system 200 shown in FIG. 2 in accordance with some examples. As shown in FIG. 3, the slanted heat exchange system 300 includes a channel 302 having an upper surface 304 and a lower surface 305 (comparable to the upper surface 206 and the lower surface 208 shown in FIG. 2). A slanted heated exchanger 306 is positioned in the channel 302 at a slant angle 322 from a channel direction 320. The slanted heat exchange system 300 also includes an array of inlet turning vanes 308 and an array of outlet turning vanes 310. The fluid flows in a direction from left to right.

FIG. 4 illustrates an aspect of a slanted heat exchange system 400 in accordance with at least one example of this disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4, a fluid flows into an inlet 404 of a channel 412 at an inlet velocity. Once inside the channel 412, the fluid impacts an array of inlet turning vanes 406. The array of inlet turning vanes 406 causes the fluid 402 to form a diffused flow, which slows down and decelerates the fluid to below or less than the inlet velocity. Stated another way, array of inlet turning vanes 406 operationally receives the fluid from the inlet 404 and, together with the adjacent walls of the channel 412, increase a cross-section of the flow of the fluid, thus diffusing the fluid.

In addition, the array of inlet turning vanes 406 turns the fluid to a direction that is substantially (or nearly) perpendicular to a slanted heat exchanger 414. In some examples, the array of inlet turning vanes 406 turns the fluid to be 45 degrees or less from perpendicular to the slanted heat exchanger 414.

After slowing down and turning, the fluid flows through the slanted heat exchanger 414. Similar to FIG. 2, a slant angle 418 of the slanted heat exchanger 414 is measured from a channel direction 402 at the section of the channel 412 just before (or upstream) of the slanted heat exchanger 414. The slant angle 418 varies depending on the installation geometry, space constraints, size of slanted heat exchanger 414, and so forth. In some examples, the slanted heat exchanger 414 is oriented at a slant angle 418 of from about 45 degrees to about 85 degrees. In other examples, the slant angle 418 varies from about 5 degrees to about 90 degrees. In some examples, the slant angle 418 is approximately 45 degrees. Upon flowing through the slanted heat exchanger 414, heat transferred or exchanged from coolant in the slanted heat exchanger 414 to the fluid or from the fluid to the coolant.

In some examples, the slanted heat exchange system 400 includes an array of outlet turning vanes 408 for turning and accelerating the fluid as it exits the array of outlet turning vanes 408. Stated another way, the array of outlet turning vanes 408 operationally receives the fluid from the slanted heat exchanger 414 and, together with the adjacent walls of the channel 412, increases the velocity of the fluid while redirecting the fluid to an outlet 410 of the channel 412.

The array of inlet turning vanes 406 and the array of outlet turning vanes 408 in some examples also comprise an integrated series of turning vanes. For example, the array of inlet turning vanes 406, the array of outlet turning vanes 408, or both in some examples includes multiple stages of turning vanes. Each of the various stages may redirect the fluid partially and allow for expansion and/or compression of the fluid.

FIG. 4 also illustrates flowrate and flowrate gradients between the inlet 404 and the outlet 410. As can be seen in FIG. 4, and by referring to the legend 420, the inlet velocity of the fluid at the inlet 404 is fast. Once inside the channel 412, the fluid is slowed down and turned by the array of inlet turning vanes 406. After passing through the slanted heat exchanger 414, the fluid is accelerated and turned by the array of outlet turning vanes 408 towards the outlet 410.

FIG. 5 illustrates an aspect of the slanted heat exchange system 400 as shown in FIG. 4 showing the details of a single individual turning vane. This single individual turning vane contains both an individual turning vane from the array of inlet turning vanes 406 and the array of outlet turning vanes 408. As shown in FIG. 5 and the legend 500, at the inlet flow the fluid velocity is fast. As noted above, the fluid is slowed down and turned, passing through the slanted heat exchanger 414, and then accelerated and turned towards the outlet 410.

FIG. 6 illustrates an aspect of a slanted heat exchange system 600 in accordance with at least one example of this disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6, a fluid flows into an inlet 604 of a channel 612 at an inlet velocity. Once inside the channel 612, the fluid impacts an array of inlet turning vanes 606. The array of inlet turning vanes 606 causes the fluid 602 to form a diffused flow, which slows down and decelerates the fluid to below or less than the inlet velocity. Stated another way, array of inlet turning vanes 606 operationally receives the fluid from the inlet 604 and, together with the adjacent walls of the channel 612, increase a cross-section of the flow of the fluid, thus diffusing the fluid.

In addition, the array of inlet turning vanes 606 turns the fluid to a direction that is substantially (or nearly) perpendicular to a frontal surface area (or upstream face) of a slanted heat exchanger 614. In some examples, the array of inlet turning vanes 606 turns the fluid to be 45 degrees or less from perpendicular to the slanted heat exchanger 614.

After slowing down and turning, the fluid flows through the slanted heat exchanger 614. A slant angle 618 of the slanted heat exchanger 614 is measured from a channel direction 602 at the section of the channel 612 just before (or upstream of) the slanted heat exchanger 614. The slant angle 618 varies as described above regarding FIG. 4. In some examples, the slanted heat exchange system 600 includes an array of outlet turning vanes 608 for turning and accelerating the fluid as it exits the array of outlet turning vanes 608. Stated another way, the array of outlet turning vanes 608 operationally receives the fluid from the slanted heat exchanger 614 and, together with the adjacent walls of the channel 612, increases the velocity of the fluid while redirecting the fluid to an outlet 610 of the channel 612.

The array of inlet turning vanes 606 and the array of outlet turning vanes 608 in some examples also comprise an integrated series of turning vanes. For example, the array of inlet turning vanes 606, the array of outlet turning vanes 608, or both in some examples includes multiple stages of turning vanes. Each of the various stages may redirect the fluid partially and allow for expansion and/or compression of the fluid.

FIG. 6 also illustrates the pressure and the pressure gradients between the inlet 604 and the outlet 610. As can be seen in FIG. 6 and by referring to the legend 620, the pressure at the inlet 604 is low, and increases as it encounters the array of inlet turning vanes 606 to a region of relatively higher pressure at the slanted heat exchanger 6145. It should be noted that the pressure does not change much as the fluid passes through the slanted heat exchanger. In other words, a first pressure at the array of inlet turning vanes 606 and a second pressure at the array of outlet turning vanes 608 are substantially similar. This is important because the lack of pressure drop serves to mitigate turning losses of the fluid. Note that there is an additional component of pressure drop through the slanted heat exchanger 600 that is inherent and needed for the slanted heat exchanger 614 to operate. In the pressure plot of FIG. 6, these inherent losses have been minimized to emphasize the effect of turning losses. After passing through the slanted heat exchanger 600, the pressure of the fluid decreases again as it encounters the array of outlet turning vanes 608 and moves towards the outlet 610.

FIG. 7 illustrates an aspect of the slanted heat exchange system 600 as shown in FIG. 6 showing the details of a single individual turning vane. This single individual turning vane contains both an individual turning vane from the array of inlet turning vanes 606 and the array of outlet turning vanes 608. As shown in FIG. 7 and the legend 700, at the inlet flow the fluid pressure is relatively high. As noted above, the fluid is slowed down and turned as it passes through the array of inlet turning vanes 606, and consequently the pressure of the fluid increases as the fluid gets closer to the slanted heat exchanger 614. After passing through the slanted heat exchanger 614 the fluid enters the array of outlet turning vanes 608. Again, it should be noted that the pressure does not change much as the fluid passes through the slanted heat exchanger 614 as turning losses are mitigated. The array of outlet turning vanes 608 accelerate and turn the fluid towards the outlet 610.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method 800 for transferring heat between a coolant and a fluid (such as air) using the slanted heat exchanger 200, according to some examples of the disclosure. The method 800 begins at operation 810 by receiving air into a channel through an inlet at an upstream end of the channel. The air is received at an inlet velocity. At operation 820, the method 800 slows the air using an array of inlet turning vanes. As explained above, this is done by diffusing the air. Moreover, the air is slowed to less than the inlet velocity prior to flowing through the slanted heat exchanger. The array of inlet turning vanes is located at the upstream end of the slanted heat exchanger.

The method 800 then performs operation 830 by turning the air using the array of inlet turning vanes prior to the air flowing through the slanted heat exchanger. The air is turned so that the air is substantially perpendicular to the slanted heat exchanger. Next, the method uses operation 840 to pass the air through the slanted heat exchanger to transfer heat between a coolant and the air. The slanted heat exchanger is oriented in the channel at a slant angle as measured from a channel direction at the section of the channel just before (or upstream of) the slanted heat exchanger. In some examples, the slant angle is approximately 45 degrees.

In an optional operation (as denoted by the dashed box around operation 850), the method 800 turns and accelerates the air using an array of outlet turning vanes. Operation 850 is optionally performed after the air flows through the slanted heat exchanger and before an outlet. The method then performs operation 860 by exhausting the air from the channel through the outlet. The outlet is positioned at a downstream end of the channel after the slanted heat exchanger and, optionally, the array of outlet turning vanes.

Additional Notes

The following, non-limited examples, detail certain aspects of the present subject matter to solve the challenges and provide the benefits discussed herein, among others.

Example 1 is a slanted heat exchange system for providing cooling on an aerodynamic vehicle, the slanted heat exchange system comprising: a channel having two ends with an opening at each of the two ends; an inlet on one of the two ends, wherein a fluid enters the channel; a slanted heat exchanger oriented at a slant angle in the channel to increase a frontal surface area of the slanted heat exchanger; an array of inlet turning vanes that receive the fluid from the inlet and then turn and diffuse the fluid prior to the fluid flowing across the slanted heat exchanger; and an outlet on another one of the two ends, wherein the fluid exits the channel.

In Example 2, the subject matter of Example 1 includes, wherein the aerodynamic vehicle is an aircraft and the fluid is air.

In Example 3, the subject matter of Examples 1-2 includes, wherein the array of inlet turning vanes turns the fluid to be nearly perpendicular to the slanted heat exchanger.

In Example 4, the subject matter of Examples 1-3 includes, degrees or less from perpendicular to the slanted heat exchanger.

In Example 5, the subject matter of Examples 1-4 includes, furthering comprising an array of outlet turning vanes that receive the fluid from the slanted heat exchanger, turn the fluid, and accelerate the fluid.

In Example 6, the subject matter of Example 5 includes, wherein the array of outlet turning vanes is comprised of a plurality of individual outlet turning vanes along an entire length of the slanted heat exchanger.

In Example 7, the subject matter of Examples 5-6 includes, % of a length of the slanted heat exchanger.

In Example 8, the subject matter of Examples 5-7 includes, wherein the channel has an upper surface and a lower surface, and wherein the array of outlet turning vanes is comprised of a plurality of individual outlet turning vanes located along a length of the slanted heat exchanger of at least one of: (a) near the upper surface; (b) near the lower surface; and (c) near both the upper surface and the lower surface.

In Example 9, the subject matter of Examples 5-8 includes, wherein a first pressure at the array of inlet turning vanes and a second pressure at the array of outlet turning vanes are substantially similar.

In Example 10, the subject matter of Examples 1-9 includes, wherein a shape of the channel is one of: (a) cylindrical; and (b) conical.

In Example 11, the subject matter of Examples 1-10 includes, wherein the outlet is a variable-geometry outlet for controlling a flow of the fluid through the channel by varying a size of the variable-geometry outlet.

Example 12 is a slanted heat exchange system for an aircraft, the slanted heat exchange system comprising: a channel having an upstream end and a downstream end; an inlet on the upstream end of the channel for receiving air into the channel at an inlet velocity; a slanted heat exchanger oriented at a slant angle in the channel for transferring heat from a coolant running through the slanted heat exchanger to the air flowing across the slanted heat exchanger; an array of inlet turning vanes at the upstream end of the slanted heat exchanger for slowing down the air to less than the inlet velocity and turning the air such that the air is substantially perpendicular to the slanted heat exchanger; and a variable-geometry outlet on the downstream end of the channel for exhausting the air from the channel.

In Example 13, the subject matter of Example 12 includes, an array of outlet turning vanes at the downstream end of the slanted heat exchanger for accelerating and turning the air.

In Example 14, the subject matter of Example 13 includes, % or more of a length of the slanted heat exchanger.

In Example 15, the subject matter of Examples 12-14 includes, wherein the inlet is a variable-geometry inlet where a size of the variable-geometry inlet can be changed to control the flow of air through the channel.

In Example 16, the subject matter of Examples 12-15 includes, wherein the slanted heat exchange system is in wings of the aircraft.

Example 17 is a method for transferring heat between a coolant and air using a slanted heat exchanger, the method comprising: receiving the air into a channel at an inlet velocity, wherein the air is received through an inlet at an upstream end of the channel; slowing the air to less than the inlet velocity prior to flowing through the slanted heat exchanger, wherein the air is slowed using an array of inlet turning vanes at the upstream end of the slanted heat exchanger; turning the air so that the air is substantially perpendicular to the slanted heat exchanger prior to flowing through the slanted heat exchanger, wherein the air is turned using the array of inlet turning vanes; passing the air through the slanted heat exchanger to transfer heat between the coolant and the air, wherein the slanted heat exchanger is oriented in the channel at a slant angle from a channel direction at a section of the channel just before the slanted heat exchanger; and exhausting the air from the channel through an outlet at a downstream end of the channel after the air passes through the slanted heat exchanger.

In Example 18, the subject matter of Example 17 includes, turning and accelerating the air after the air flows across the slanted heat exchanger and before the outlet, wherein the air is turned and accelerated using an array of outlet turning vanes.

In Example 19, the subject matter of Example 18 includes, % of a length of the slanted heat exchanger.

In Example 20, the subject matter of Examples 17-19 includes, degrees.

Example 21 is at least one machine-readable medium including instructions that, when executed by processing circuitry, cause the processing circuitry to perform operations to implement of any of Examples 1-20.

Example 22 is an apparatus comprising means to implement of any of Examples 1-20.

Example 23 is a system to implement of any of Examples 1-20.

Example 24 is a method to implement of any of Examples 1-20.

Examples of the system and method can include every combination and permutation of the various system components and the various method processes, wherein one or more instances of the method and/or processes described herein can be performed asynchronously (e.g., sequentially), concurrently (e.g., in parallel), or in any other suitable order by and/or using one or more instances of the systems, elements, and/or entities described herein.

As a person skilled in the art will recognize from the previous detailed description and from the figures and claims, modifications and changes can be made to the examples of the invention disclosed herein without departing from the scope of this invention defined in the following claims.

The above-detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. These embodiments are also referred to herein as “examples.” Such examples can include elements in addition to those shown or described. However, the present inventors also contemplate examples in which only those elements shown or described are provided. Moreover, the present inventors also contemplate examples using any combination or permutation of those elements shown or described (or one or more aspects thereof), either with respect to a particular example (or one or more aspects thereof), or with respect to other examples (or one or more aspects thereof) shown or described herein.

In the event of inconsistent usages between this document and any documents so incorporated by reference, the usage in this document controls.

In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one, independent of any other instances or usages of “at least one” or “one or more.” In this document, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive or, such that “A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unless otherwise indicated. In this document, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Also, in the following claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are open-ended, that is, a system, device, article, composition, formulation, or process that includes elements in addition to those listed after such a term in a claim are still deemed to fall within the scope of that claim. Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.

The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one or more aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Other embodiments can be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b), to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Also, in the above Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together to streamline the disclosure. This should not be interpreted as intending that an unclaimed disclosed feature is essential to any claim. Rather, inventive subject matter may lie in less than all features of a particular disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description as examples or embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment, and it is contemplated that such embodiments can be combined with each other in various combinations or permutations. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Claims

1. A slanted heat exchange system for providing cooling on an aerodynamic vehicle, the slanted heat exchange system comprising: a channel having two ends with an opening at each of the two ends;an inlet on one of the two ends, wherein a fluid enters the channel;a slanted heat exchanger oriented at a slant angle in the channel to increase a frontal surface area of the slanted heat exchanger;an array of inlet turning vanes that receive the fluid from the inlet and then turn and diffuse the fluid prior to the fluid flowing across the slanted heat exchanger; andan outlet on another one of the two ends, wherein the fluid exits the channel.

2. The slanted heat exchange system of claim 1, wherein the aerodynamic vehicle is an aircraft and the fluid is air.

3. The slanted heat exchange system of claim 1, wherein the array of inlet turning vanes turns the fluid to be nearly perpendicular to the slanted heat exchanger.

4. The slanted heat exchange system of claim 1, wherein the array of inlet turning vanes turns the fluid to be 45 degrees or less from perpendicular to the slanted heat exchanger.

5. The slanted heat exchange system of claim 1, furthering comprising an array of outlet turning vanes that receive the fluid from the slanted heat exchanger, turn the fluid, and accelerate the fluid.

6. The slanted heat exchange system of claim 5, wherein the array of outlet turning vanes is comprised of a plurality of individual outlet turning vanes along an entire length of the slanted heat exchanger.

7. The slanted heat exchange system of claim 5, wherein the array of outlet turning vanes is comprised of a plurality of individual outlet turning vanes along at least 75% of a length of the slanted heat exchanger.

8. The slanted heat exchange system of claim 5, wherein the channel has an upper surface and a lower surface, and wherein the array of outlet turning vanes is comprised of a plurality of individual outlet turning vanes located along a length of the slanted heat exchanger of at least one of: (a) near the upper surface; (b) near the lower surface; and (c) near both the upper surface and the lower surface.

9. The slanted heat exchange system of claim 5, wherein a first pressure at the array of inlet turning vanes and a second pressure at the array of outlet turning vanes are substantially similar.

10. The slanted heat exchange system of claim 1, wherein a shape of the channel is one of: (a) cylindrical; and (b) conical.

11. The slanted heat exchange system of claim 1, wherein the outlet is a variable-geometry outlet for controlling a flow of the fluid through the channel by varying a size of the variable-geometry outlet.

12. A slanted heat exchange system for an aircraft, the slanted heat exchange system comprising: a channel having an upstream end and a downstream end;an inlet on the upstream end of the channel for receiving air into the channel at an inlet velocity;a slanted heat exchanger oriented at a slant angle in the channel for transferring heat from a coolant running through the slanted heat exchanger to the air flowing across the slanted heat exchanger;an array of inlet turning vanes at the upstream end of the slanted heat exchanger for slowing down the air to less than the inlet velocity and turning the air such that the air is substantially perpendicular to the slanted heat exchanger; anda variable-geometry outlet on the downstream end of the channel for exhausting the air from the channel.

13. The slanted heat exchange system of claim 12, further comprising an array of outlet turning vanes at the downstream end of the slanted heat exchanger for accelerating and turning the air.

14. The slanted heat exchange system of claim 13, wherein the array of outlet turning vanes is comprised of a plurality of individual outlet turning vanes along 75% or more of a length of the slanted heat exchanger.

15. The slanted heat exchange system of claim 12, wherein the inlet is a variable-geometry inlet where a size of the variable-geometry inlet can be changed to control the flow of air through the channel.

16. The slanted heat exchange system of claim 12, wherein the slanted heat exchange system is in wings of the aircraft.

17. A method for transferring heat between a coolant and air using a slanted heat exchanger, the method comprising: receiving the air into a channel at an inlet velocity, wherein the air is received through an inlet at an upstream end of the channel;slowing the air to less than the inlet velocity prior to flowing through the slanted heat exchanger, wherein the air is slowed using an array of inlet turning vanes at the upstream end of the slanted heat exchanger;turning the air so that the air is substantially perpendicular to the slanted heat exchanger prior to flowing through the slanted heat exchanger, wherein the air is turned using the array of inlet turning vanes;passing the air through the slanted heat exchanger to transfer heat between the coolant and the air, wherein the slanted heat exchanger is oriented in the channel at a slant angle from a channel direction at a section of the channel just before the slanted heat exchanger; andexhausting the air from the channel through an outlet at a downstream end of the channel after the air passes through the slanted heat exchanger.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising turning and accelerating the air after the air flows across the slanted heat exchanger and before the outlet, wherein the air is turned and accelerated using an array of outlet turning vanes.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the array of outlet turning vanes is comprised of a plurality of individual outlet turning vanes along at least 75% of a length of the slanted heat exchanger.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising setting the slant angle between about 45 degrees and about 85 degrees.