Heat exchanger with integral anti-icing

• US 10,451,360 B2
• Filed: 10/24/2016
• Issued: 10/22/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Zager, Michael, Doe, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Schermerhorn, Jr., Jon T.
• Application Number:
  US15/332,574
• Publication Number:
  US 20180112934A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,093 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B21D 53/04 of sheet metal
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 1/022 with multiple channels
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 1/126 consisting of zig-zag shaped fins F28F1/105 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 21/082 from steel or ferrous alloys
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 21/086 from titanium or titanium alloys
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 21/087 from nickel or nickel alloys
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 2225/04 for conduits
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 2225/06 for fins
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 3/04 the means being integral with the element

Abstract

A heat exchanger includes a plurality of first and second fluid passages. The first fluid passages are defined by a pair of opposing first fluid passage walls and a plurality of first fluid diverters disposed between the first fluid passages walls. The second fluid passages are defined by a pair of opposing second fluid passage walls and a plurality of second fluid diverters disposed between the second fluid passage walls. The second fluid diverters include a body portion and a leading edge portion. The first fluid passage walls form a first fluid leading edge that extends upstream of the leading edge portion of the second fluid diverters. The second fluid passages extend in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the first fluid passages.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger comprising:

a plurality of first fluid passages, the plurality of first fluid passages defined by;

a pair of opposing first fluid passage walls each having a first wall thickness; and

a plurality of first fluid diverters disposed between the first fluid passage walls;

wherein each of the plurality of first fluid passages extends in a first direction and is configured to receive a first fluid flow in the first direction; and

a plurality of second fluid passages, the plurality of second fluid passages defined by;

a pair of opposing second fluid passage walls; and

a plurality of second fluid diverters disposed between the second fluid passage walls;

wherein each of the plurality of second fluid diverters comprises a body portion and a leading edge portion; and

wherein each of the plurality of second fluid passages extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and is configured to receive a second fluid flow in the second direction;

wherein one of the plurality of first fluid passages is an upstream first fluid passage defined by the first fluid passage walls which meet to form a first fluid leading edge located upstream, relative to the second fluid flow, of the leading edge portions of the second fluid diverters,

wherein another of the plurality of first fluid passages abuts the upstream first fluid passage on a side opposite the first fluid leading edge,

wherein the first fluid leading edge has a leading edge thickness greater than the first wall thickness, and

wherein the first fluid leading edge is situated upstream of the leading edge portions of the second fluid diverters a distance equivalent to at least twice a width of an individual one of the plurality of second fluid passages.

2. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the second fluid diverters are selected from the group consisting of fins, pins, and combinations thereof.

3. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the body portion of the second fluid diverter has a first thickness, and the leading edge portion of the second fluid diverter has a second thickness.

4. The heat exchanger of claim 3, wherein the second thickness is between 110% to 500% of the first thickness.

5. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the first fluid passage leading edge has an inner surface, and wherein the inner surface comprises fins.

6. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the plurality of first fluid passage walls and diverters, and the plurality of second fluid passage walls and diverters are formed from aluminum.

7. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the plurality of first fluid passage walls and diverters, and the plurality of second fluid passage walls and diverters are formed from a material selected from the group consisting of steel, nickel alloys, titanium, and combinations thereof.

8. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the plurality of first fluid passage walls and diverters, and the plurality of second fluid passage walls and diverters are formed from a non-metal material.

9. A method of making a heat exchanger comprising:

forming a plurality of opposing first fluid passage walls each having a first wall thickness, and a plurality of first fluid diverters disposed between the first fluid passage walls;

wherein the plurality of first fluid passage walls and the plurality of first fluid diverters define a plurality of first fluid passages extending in a first direction and configured to receive a first fluid flow in the first direction; and

forming a plurality of opposing second fluid passage walls, and a plurality of second fluid diverters disposed between the second fluid passage walls;

wherein the plurality of second fluid passage walls and the plurality of second fluid diverters define a plurality of second fluid passages extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and configured to receive a second fluid flow in the second direction; and

wherein each of the plurality of second fluid diverters comprises a body portion and a leading edge portion;

wherein one of the plurality of first fluid passages is an upstream first fluid passage defined by the first fluid passage walls which meet to form a first fluid leading edge located upstream, relative to the second fluid flow, of the leading edge portions of the second fluid diverters,

wherein another of the plurality of first fluid passages abuts the upstream first fluid passage on a side opposite the first fluid leading edge,

wherein the first fluid leading edge has a leading edge thickness greater than the first wall thickness, and

wherein the first fluid leading edge is situated upstream of the leading edge portions of the second fluid diverters a distance equivalent to twice a width of an individual one of the plurality of second fluid passages.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

forming the leading edge portion of the second fluid diverter such that is has a thickness between 110% to 500% relative to a thickness of the body portion of the second fluid diverter.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

forming fins on an inner surface of the first fluid passage leading edge.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

forming the heat exchanger by additive manufacturing.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

forming the heat exchanger from aluminum.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

forming the heat exchanger from a material selected from the group consisting of steel, nickel alloys, titanium, and combinations thereof.

15. The method of claim 9 and further comprising:

forming the heat exchanger from a non-metal material.