Heat pipe-based cooling apparatus and method for turbine engine
First Claim
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1. A cooling apparatus for a turbine engine including a cowling with an outer surface defined by a skin exposed to an external air flow, the cooling apparatus comprising:
- at least one heat pipe having a first end thermally coupled with the outer surface of the cowling and a second end thermally coupled to a heat source, such that heat from the heat source can be transferred through the heat pipe to the external air flow; and
a tray attached to the cowling defining an opening disposed in thermal communication with the outer surface, wherein the first end of the at least one heat pipe is substantially enclosed between the tray and the cowling, and wherein the tray is filled with a thermally conductive filler material that surrounds the first end of the at least one heat pipe.
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Abstract
A cooling apparatus is provided for a turbine engine of the type including an cowling with an outer surface defined by a skin exposed to an external air flow. The cooling apparatus includes at least one heat pipe disposed in the cowling. The heat pipe has a first end thermally coupled with the outer surface of the casing and a second end thermally coupled to a heat source, such that heat from the heat source can be transferred through the heat pipe to the external air flow.
42 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A cooling apparatus for a turbine engine including a cowling with an outer surface defined by a skin exposed to an external air flow, the cooling apparatus comprising:
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at least one heat pipe having a first end thermally coupled with the outer surface of the cowling and a second end thermally coupled to a heat source, such that heat from the heat source can be transferred through the heat pipe to the external air flow; and a tray attached to the cowling defining an opening disposed in thermal communication with the outer surface, wherein the first end of the at least one heat pipe is substantially enclosed between the tray and the cowling, and wherein the tray is filled with a thermally conductive filler material that surrounds the first end of the at least one heat pipe. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A gas turbine engine comprising:
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a cowling including an outer surface defined by a skin exposed to an external air flow; and at least one heat pipe disposed in the cowling, the heat pipe having a first end thermally coupled with the outer surface and a second end thermally coupled to a heat source, such that heat from the heat source can be transferred through the at least one heat pipe to the external air flow; and a tray attached to the cowling defining an opening disposed in thermal communication with the outer surface, wherein the first end of the at least one heat pipe is substantially enclosed between the tray and the cowling, and wherein the tray is filled with a thermally conductive filler material that surrounds the first end of the at least one heat pipe. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for cooling a fluid in a turbine engine having a cowling including an outer surface defined by a skin exposed to an external air flow, the method comprising:
- providing at least one heat pipe;
coupling a first end of the at least one heat pipe with the outer surface;
providing a tray attached to the cowling defining an opening disposed in thermal communication with the outer surface, wherein the first end of the at least one heat pipe is substantially enclosed between the tray and the cowling, and wherein the tray is filled with a thermally conductive filler material that surrounds the first end of the at least one heat pipe;
coupling a second end of the at least one heat pipe to a source of heated fluid within the engine; and
receiving heat from the fluid in the at least one heat pipe and transferring the heat through the outer surface to the external air flow. - View Dependent Claims (20)
- providing at least one heat pipe;
Specification