Heat transfer system and method for turbine engine using heat pipes
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A heat transfer system for a turbine engine including an inlet cowling, the heat transfer system comprising:
- an annular fan casing terminating at a first end in an annular inlet cowling;
a heat exchanger having a heat source passing therethrough disposed about a second end of the fan casing and mounted to an exterior surface thereof; and
a plurality of heat pipes each extending between the heat exchanger and an interior of the inlet cowling, each of the heat pipes having an aft section extending in an axial direction across the exterior surface of the fan casing and terminating at one end within an interior cavity defined within the heat exchanger, a transition section extending along at least a portion of a circumferential surface of the first end of the fan casing, and a forward section terminating in generally axially extending portions connected through an arcuate portion, the forward section extending along the interior of the inlet cowling;
wherein the forward sections of each of the heat pipes are radially spaced around the interior of the inlet cowling.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A heat transfer system is provided for a turbine engine of the type including an annular inlet cowling. The heat transfer system includes at least one heat pipe disposed in contact with an interior of the casing. The heat pipe is thermally coupled to a heat source, such that heat from the heat source can be transferred through the heat pipe and into the inlet cowling.
-
Citations
13 Claims
-
1. A heat transfer system for a turbine engine including an inlet cowling, the heat transfer system comprising:
-
an annular fan casing terminating at a first end in an annular inlet cowling; a heat exchanger having a heat source passing therethrough disposed about a second end of the fan casing and mounted to an exterior surface thereof; and a plurality of heat pipes each extending between the heat exchanger and an interior of the inlet cowling, each of the heat pipes having an aft section extending in an axial direction across the exterior surface of the fan casing and terminating at one end within an interior cavity defined within the heat exchanger, a transition section extending along at least a portion of a circumferential surface of the first end of the fan casing, and a forward section terminating in generally axially extending portions connected through an arcuate portion, the forward section extending along the interior of the inlet cowling; wherein the forward sections of each of the heat pipes are radially spaced around the interior of the inlet cowling. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A method for transferring heat in a turbine engine having an inlet cowling, said method comprising:
-
providing an annular fan casing terminating at a first end in an annular inlet cowling; providing a heat source about a second end of the fan casing and mounted to an exterior surface thereof; providing a plurality of heat pipes each extending between the heat source and an interior of the inlet cowling, each of the heat pipes having an aft section extending in an axial direction across the exterior surface of the fan casing and terminating at one end within an interior cavity defined within the heat exchanger, a transition section extending along at least a portion of a circumferential surface of the first end of the fan casing, and a forward section terminating in generally axially extending portions connected through an arcuate portion, the forward section extending along the interior of the inlet cowling; and thermally coupling the plurality of heat pipes to the heat source and thermally coupling the forward section of each of the plurality of heat pipes to the interior of the inlet cowling. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
-
Specification