Abstract: A counterflow heat transfer system comprises a heat exchanger and a flow controller arranged to convey a first fluid through the heat exchanger in a first flow direction and a second fluid through the heat exchanger in a second counterflow direction. The heat exchanger comprises at least one first thermally conductive tube conveying the first fluid and at least one second thermally conductive tube conveying the second fluid. The first and second tubes are wound around one another and in contact with one another in an entwined tubular arrangement.

Abstract: A fuel tank inerting system for an aircraft, the system comprises a catalytic heat exchanger comprising a first flow path and a second flow path for heat exchange with the first flow path. The system further comprises a first inlet arranged upstream of the first flow path of the catalytic heat exchanger for providing a mixture of fuel vapour and oxygen to the first flow path for sustaining a catalysed reaction, and a second inlet arranged upstream of the second flow path for providing a flow of fuel to the second flow path of the catalytic heat exchanger for exchanging heat with the first flow path.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for cleaning a 3D printed article, in particular a 3D printed heat exchanger. After 3D printing, an article may have internal passages formed from bonded powder and said passages may contain unbonded powder that needs to be removed before further use of/processing of the article. To remove this unbonded powder, the article is filled with a cleaning fluid and vibrated. The cleaning fluid is then pumped out of the article and past a sensor that generates a magnetic field. The sensor detects the presence of powder particles in the fluid by detecting a perturbation of the magnetic field caused by said particles. The fluid is then filtered and returned to a reservoir for use. The sensor may indicate the article is sufficiently clean when a detected concentration of particles in the fluid drops below a threshold.

Abstract: A heat exchanger and a method for manufacturing a heat exchanger, the heat exchanger comprising: a first plurality of layers, each of the first plurality of layers including: a corrugated sheet comprising a series of regular corrugations across its width for flow of liquid therethrough, the series of corrugations having a predetermined period; and a de-congealing channel for flow of liquid across the width of the corrugated sheet in parallel with the corrugations, the de-congealing channel formed at least in part by two adjacent corrugations, that are separated by greater than the predetermined period.

Abstract: A lubrication circuit for a gas turbine engine comprises a heat exchanger having an inlet pipe which carries a flow of lubricant to the heat exchanger; a heater configured to heat lubricant to produce a flow of heated lubricant to be provided to the heat exchanger; and a sensor operable to measure a measured parameter from which it can be determined whether the lubricant requires heating.

Abstract: A multi-layer flexible hose is described comprising a multi-layered structure that has an inner, hollow tube comprising PTFE and an outer layer. The inner PTFE tube is provided so as to extend within the outer layer. The assembly further comprises another sleeve comprising steel braiding that is positioned between the inner PTFE tube and the outer layer. In addition to this, the hose further comprises a coating or layer of intumescent material that is provided between the steel braiding sleeve and the outer layer. A method for forming the hose is also described.

Abstract: A counterflow heat transfer system comprises a heat exchanger and a flow controller arranged to convey a first fluid through the heat exchanger in a first flow direction and a second fluid through the heat exchanger in a second counterflow direction. The heat exchanger comprises at least one first thermally conductive tube conveying the first fluid and at least one second thermally conductive tube conveying the second fluid. The first and second tubes are wound around one another and in contact with one another in an entwined tubular arrangement.

Abstract: A secondary heat exchange surface channel portion for a heat exchanger 7 comprises multiple joints between adjacent channel portions 2a, 2b, 101, for redirecting flow of fluid along a tortuous path. One of the channel portions at each joint has a concave profiled edge face 120, thereby providing a gap 110 between adjacent channel portions. The primary use of this arrangement is in heat exchangers which have corrugated secondary heat exchange surfaces.

Abstract: There is provided a fuel tank inerting system for an aircraft. The system comprises: a catalytic heat exchanger comprising a first flow path and a second flow path for heat exchange with the first flow path, wherein the first flow path comprises a plurality of core flow paths each fluidly isolated from one another within the catalytic heat exchanger and each arranged to exchange heat with the second flow path; and a control valve arranged upstream of the first flow path of the catalytic heat exchanger and arranged to selectively control a flow to each of the core flow paths.

Abstract: A fuel tank inerting system for an aircraft, the system comprises a catalytic heat exchanger comprising a first flow path and a second flow path for heat exchange with the first flow path. The system further comprises a first inlet arranged upstream of the first flow path of the catalytic heat exchanger for providing a mixture of fuel vapour and oxygen to the first flow path for sustaining a catalysed reaction, and a second inlet arranged upstream of the second flow path for providing a flow of fuel to the second flow path of the catalytic heat exchanger for exchanging heat with the first flow path.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a conduit, a header, and a swirler been formed as a unitary piece by additive manufacturing. The swirler is disposed within the conduit and the header and is arranged to disperse a flow from an inlet flow path a heat exchanger matrix. The swirler extends a only portion of the length of the header between the conduit and the heat exchanger matrix and thereby provides space within the header for fluid to diffuse before entering the heat exchanger matrix.

Abstract: A heat transfer segment for a curved heat exchanger, wherein the heat transfer segment comprises a plurality of enclosure bars that at least partially define two opposite ends of the heat transfer segment, wherein the two opposite ends define respective general planes, characterised in that: the enclosure bars are shaped and arranged such that the general plane of one end of the heat transfer segment is not parallel with the general plane of the other end of the heat transfer segment, such that when said heat transfer segment is joined to an adjacent heat transfer segment in an end-to-end fashion the enclosure bars the heat transfer segment may join to corresponding enclosure bars of the adjacent heat transfer segment.

Abstract: A floating anchor nut configured to receive a bolt is described. The floating anchor nut comprises a plate having a bolt aperture and retention features for retaining a nut. The floating anchor nut additionally comprises the nut that itself comprises an internally threaded body and a flange extending from an outer surface of the body, the nut being retained through interaction of the flange with the retention features, the retention features allow limited parallel displacement with respect to a plane of the plate. The flange is positioned along the body so that at least a portion of the body is counter-sunk into the bolt aperture of the plate.

Abstract: A method of forming a component for a heat exchanger is disclosed. The method comprises machining a portion of a metal sheet to form a plurality of protrusions, and forming apertures in the portion of the metal sheet so as to form a plurality of ribs defined by adjacent ones of the apertures, wherein at least one protrusion is located on each of said ribs.

Abstract: A component that generates or requires heat includes a heat exchanger integrated with the component. The component includes a component housing holding functional parts of the component, and the heat exchanger has a heat exchanger housing formed integrally with the component housing. There is a first fluid circuit in which a first fluid flows through the component in a heat exchange relationship with the functional parts, into the heat exchanger via a first fluid inlet, through the heat exchanger, out of the heat exchanger via a first fluid outlet, and back to the functional parts of the component. The heat exchanger has a second fluid inlet and a second fluid outlet for connection into a second fluid circuit in which a second fluid flows from outside of the component into the component.

Abstract: An automated method of manufacturing a laminated heat exchanger, wherein a plurality of unassembled parts is provided, said parts comprising a plurality of laminate members, the method comprising: identifying the correct laminate member to be stacked using an identification system; stacking the laminate members using a robot to form a stack comprising the laminate members; checking the quality of the stack using a quality checking system; and joining the laminate members of the stack together.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a heat exchanger comprising a body and a support embedded within the body. The support comprises a different material and/or a different material structure to the body and hence has at least one material property which is different to that of the body. The method comprises; forming at least a first portion of the support with a first material and a first material structure using a first additive manufacturing step; and forming at least a first portion of the body with a second material and a second material structure using a second additive manufacturing step. The first material is different to the second material and/or the first material structure is different to the second material structure.

Abstract: A fuel tank inerting system for an aircraft, the system comprising: a fuel tank, and a catalytic heat exchanger. The catalytic heat exchanger comprises a first flow path and a second flow path for heat exchange with the first flow path, as well as a first inlet arranged upstream of the first flow path of the catalytic heat exchanger for providing a mixture of fuel vapour and oxygen to the first flow path for sustaining a catalysed reaction, and a second inlet arranged upstream of the second flow path for providing a flow of fuel from the fuel tank to the second flow path of the catalytic heat exchanger for exchanging heat with the first flow path. The system further comprises a transfer pipe in heat exchange with the fuel tank, wherein the transfer pipe is arranged to receive fuel from the second flow path of the catalytic heat exchanger.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for cleaning a 3D printed article, in particular a 3D printed heat exchanger. After 3D printing, an article may have internal passages formed from bonded powder and said passages may contain unbonded powder that needs to be removed before further use of/processing of the article. To remove this unbonded powder, the article is filled with a cleaning fluid and vibrated. The cleaning fluid is then pumped out of the article and past a sensor that generates a magnetic field. The sensor detects the presence of powder particles in the fluid by detecting a perturbation of the magnetic field caused by said particles. The fluid is then filtered and returned to a reservoir for use. The sensor may indicate the article is sufficiently clean when a detected concentration of particles in the fluid drops below a threshold.

Abstract: A method for thermographic analysis of a heat exchanger comprises: applying vibrations to the heat exchanger as a part of a vibration testing process; capturing a thermographic image of at least a portion of the heat exchanger whilst the heat exchanger is undergoing vibrations; analysing the thermographic image; and determining a status of the heat exchanger based on the analysis of the image.