HEAT EXCHANGER ARRANGEMENTS AND RELATED METHODS

Abstract

A heat exchanger arrangement includes a heat exchange body, a first fluid path extending through the heat exchange body, and a second fluid path extending through the heat exchange body in thermal communication with the first fluid path and fluidly isolated from the first fluid path. A bypass path is arranged externally of the heat exchange body and is fluidly connected in parallel with the first fluid path. A control module is operably connected to the bypass path to control temperature of fluids traversing the first fluid path and the second fluid path.

Description

FEDERAL RESEARCH STATEMENT

This invention was made with government support under United States Navy Contract No. N00019-02-C-3003. The government has certain rights in the invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to thermal management, and more particularly to thermal management of fluid flows in vehicles like aircraft.

2. Description of Related Art

Vehicles such as aircraft commonly have electrical systems with electrical devices that generate heat during operation. In some electrical systems heat generation can be such that cooling is necessary. Cooling in such electrical systems is generally by provided by flowing a coolant flow to heat generating components, transferring heat to the coolant, and thereafter flowing the heated coolant to the external environment, where the heat is dissipated into the ambient environment.

With the advent of ‘more electric’ aircraft increasingly large amounts of heat from electrical devices and electrical systems require movement within the aircraft. One approach to moving heat within such aircraft is by moving coolant through the aircraft airframe between heat generating devices and the ambient environment. In this respect the ambient environment serves as an infinite heat sink into which waste heat from heat generating electrical devices can be dissipated.

Such conventional methods and systems have generally been considered satisfactory for their intended purpose. However, there is still a need in the art for improved thermal management systems. The present disclosure provides a solution for this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A heat exchanger arrangement includes a heat exchange body, a first fluid path extending through the heat exchange body, and a second fluid path extending through the heat exchange body in thermal communication with the first fluid path and fluidly isolated from the first fluid path. A bypass path is arranged externally of the heat exchange body and is fluidly connected in parallel with the first fluid path. A control module is operably connected to the bypass path to control temperature of fluids traversing the first fluid path and the second fluid path.

In certain embodiments, the first bypass path can include a bypass valve disposed along the fluid path. The control module can be operatively connected to the bypass valve. A temperature sensor can be in thermal communication with the fluid path and downstream of the heat exchange body. The control module can be connected to the temperature sensor. The bypass path can be a first fluid path, and a second bypass path can be arranged external of the heat exchange body and fluidly connected in parallel with the second fluid path.

In accordance with certain embodiments, the bypass valve can be a first bypass valve and a second bypass valve can be disposed along the second fluid path. The control module can be operatively connected to the second bypass valve. A temperature sensor can be in thermal communication with the second fluid path. The temperature sensor can be disposed downstream of the heat exchange body. The control module can be connected to the temperature sensor.

It is also contemplated that, in accordance with certain embodiments, either or both the first fluid path and the second fluid path can be in fluid communication with a lubrication circuit of a gas turbine engine, a fuel circuit of a gas turbine engine, or a bleed air passage of a gas turbine engine compressor section, The control module can be configured to execute instructions recorded on a non-transitory machine-readable medium to flow a first fluid through a heat exchange body, flow a second fluid through the heat exchange body, and transfer heat between the first fluid flow and the second fluid flow. The instructions can also cause the control module to drive temperature of the first fluid flow to a predetermined temperature by throttling flow of the first fluid through the heat exchanger. The instructions can further cause the control module to drive temperature of the second fluid flow to a predetermined temperature by throttling flow of the second fluid through the heat exchanger.

A thermal management system includes a heat exchanger arrangement as described above, a first bypass valve disposed along the first bypass path, and a second bypass valve disposed along the second bypass path. A first temperature sensor is in thermal communication with the first fluid path downstream of the heat exchange body and a second temperature sensor in thermal communication with the second fluid path downstream of the heat exchange body. The control module is communicative with the first and second temperature sensors, and is operatively connected to the first and second bypass valves to access thermal margin of the fluid flows when either or both of the flows is below the respective fluid temperature limit.

A thermal management method includes flowing a first fluid through a heat exchange body, flowing a second fluid through the heat exchange body, and transferring heat between the first fluid flow and the second fluid flow. Temperature of the first fluid flow is driven to a predetermined temperature by throttling flow of the first fluid through the heat exchanger. Temperature of the second fluid flow is driven to a predetermined temperature by throttling flow of the second fluid through the heat exchanger.

These and other features of the systems and methods of the subject disclosure will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that those skilled in the art to which the subject disclosure appertains will readily understand how to make and use the devices and methods of the subject disclosure without undue experimentation, embodiments thereof will be described in detail herein below with reference to certain figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of thermal management system constructed in accordance with the present disclosure, showing an aircraft having a gas turbine engine in thermal communication with the thermal management system;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of the thermal management system of FIG. 1, showing a heat exchanger arrangement in thermal communication with first and second flow paths for transferring heat between the first and second flow paths using a flow bypass path;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of another embodiment of the thermal management system of FIG. 1, showing a heat exchanger arrangement in thermal communication with first and second flow paths for transferring heat between the first and second flow paths using first and second flow bypass paths; and

FIG. 4 is a chart of a thermal management method, showing steps for accessing thermal margin in a first fluid system using a second fluid system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural features or aspects of the subject disclosure. For purposes of explanation and illustration, and not limitation, a partial view of an exemplary embodiment of a heat exchanger arrangement in accordance with the disclosure is shown in FIG. 1 and is designated generally by reference character 102. Other embodiments of heat exchanger arrangements, thermal management systems, and thermal management methods in accordance with the disclosure, or aspects thereof, are provided in FIGS. 2-4, as will be described. The systems and methods described herein can be used for managing heat flow in gas turbine engine fluid flows in aircraft, though the present disclosure is not limited to gas turbine engines or to aircraft in general.

Referring to FIG. 1, a vehicle, e,g., aircraft 10, is shown. Aircraft 10 includes an electrical load 12, a thermal management system 100, a gas turbine engine 14 interconnected by a fluid system 16. Gas turbine engine 14 includes a compressor section 18 coupled to a turbine section 20 by a shaft 22, a fuel system 24, a lubrication system 26, and a bleed air system 8. Electrical system 12 includes one or more heat generating component, e.g., avionics, environmental control devices, motor controllers, power converters, etc, Thermal management system 100 includes heat exchanger arrangement 102, which is in thermal communication with two or more of fuel system 24, lubrication system 26, and bleed air system 28. Electrical system 12 is also in thermal communication with one or more of fuel system 24, lubrication system 26, and bleed air system 28.

With reference to FIG. 2, thermal management system 100 is shown. Thermal management system 100 includes heat exchanger arrangement 102, a first fluid system 104, and a second fluid system 106. First fluid system 104 has a temperature target 108, which may be selectable, and second fluid system 106 has thermal margin 110, either or both of which may be a function of the operating regime of aircraft 10 (shown in FIG. 1). First fluid system 104 and second fluid system 106 are in thermal communication with one another through heat exchanger arrangement 102, heat thereby moving between first fluid system 104 and second fluid system 106. It is contemplated that first fluid system 104 and/or second fluid system 106 can be in fluid communication with a fuel system, e.g., fuel system 24 (shown in FIG. 1), a lubrication system, e.g., lubrication system 26 (shown in FIG. 1), and/or a bleed air system, e.g., bleed air system 28 (shown in FIG. 1).

Heat exchanger arrangement 102 is a unidirectional heat exchanger arrangement and includes a heat exchange body 116, a first fluid path 118 extending through heat exchange body 116, and a second fluid path 120 extending through heat exchange body 116. First fluid path 118 is in thermal communication with the second fluid path 120 within heat exchange body 116 and is fluidly isolated from first fluid path 118. A bypass path 122 is disposed externally to heat exchange body 116 and is fluidly connected in parallel with first fluid path 118. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art in view of the present disclosure, fluid traversing bypass path 122 bypasses heat exchange body 116, thereby reducing (or eliminating) heat transfer between a portion of fluid traversing first fluid path 118 and second fluid path 120.

Heat exchanger arrangement 102 also includes a control module 124, a bypass valve 126, and a temperature sensor 128, which in the illustrated exemplary embodiment are disposed outside (i.e. externally) of heat exchange body 116. Temperature sensor 128 is arranged along first fluid path 118 to acquire temperature information corresponding to the temperature of fluid downstream of heat exchange body 116. Temperature sensor 128 is also arranged downstream of a location there fluid traversing bypass path 122 rejoins first fluid path 118.

Bypass valve 126 is disposed along bypass path 122 and is arranged for throttling fluid traversing bypass path 122, In this respect bypass valve 122 apportions fluid flow received from first fluid system 104 between bypass path 122 and heat exchange body 116. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art in view of the present disclosure, throttling fluid flow through bypass path 122 influences thermal communication between first fluid path 118 and second fluid path 120.

Control module 124 is operatively connected to bypass valve 126 and is communicative with temperature sensor 128 through a link 130. As illustrated in FIG. 2, link 130 is a communication bus, As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, operative connection to bypass valve 126 and communication with temperature sensor 128 may be through discrete conductors, wireless devices, or optical devices, as suitable for a given application,

Control module 124 modulates the amount of heat transferred between first fluid path 118 and second fluid path 120. In particular, control module 124 determines the temperature of fluid A traversing first fluid path 118 at a location downstream of heat exchange body 116, and compares the determined temperature with a selectable temperature target 108. Based on the comparison of the determined (i.e. actual) temperature, control module 124 throttles, i.e. increases or decreases, the proportion of fluid A flowing through bypass path 122 in relation. to the proportion of fluid A flowing through heat exchange body 116 from first fluid path 118, thereby modulating temperature by throttling flow of fluid A through heat exchange body 116.

Decreasing the proportion of fluid A flowing through heat exchange body 116 reduces the transfer of heat between fluid A and fluid B through heat exchange body 116. This increases the temperature of fluid A returning to first fluid system 104—which can be advantageous when fluid A is below temperature target 108. Thus, if there is thermal margin in first fluid system 104, margin meaning that additional waste heat can be temporarily stored in fluid A, increasing the fluid flow through bypass path 122 allows for utilization of thermal margin 110 of second fluid system 106 by first fluid system 104. In systems where the cold side fluid, e.g., fluid B, otherwise requires a supplemental heat sink to maintain operation at its limit (such as a fuel recirculation system back to aircraft tank), making thermal margin 110 margin available in the cold side accessible to the hot side reduces or eliminates the need to recirculate the cold side fluid to a supplemental heat sink. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that no supplemental heat sink is required for second fluid system 106.

With reference to FIG. 3, a thermal management system 200 is shown. Thermal management system 200 is similar to thermal management system 100 and additionally a bidirectional heat exchanger arrangement 202, a second bypass path 232, a second bypass valve 234, and a second temperature sensor 236. Bidirectional heat exchanger arrangement 202 is configured to transfer heat between first fluid path 218 and second fluid path 220 in either direction. In this respect heat can flow from first fluid path 218 to second fluid path when temperature of fluid A is greater than that of fluid B. Heat can also flow from second fluid path 220 to first fluid path 218 when temperature of fluid B is greater than that of fluid A.

Second bypass path 232 is similar to first bypass path 222 with the difference that second bypass path 232 is arranged fluidly in parallel with a portion of second fluid 218 extending through heat exchange body 216. In this respect second bypass path 222 is disposed externally to heat exchange body 216, and is arranged to receive fluid from second fluid system 206 at a location upstream of heat exchange body 216 and to return the received fluid to second fluid path 220 at union disposed downstream of heat exchange body 216. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art in view of the present disclosure, fluid traversing second bypass path 232 bypasses heat exchange body 216, reducing (or eliminating) heat transfer between portions of fluid A and fluid B traversing first fluid path 218 and second fluid path 220 through heat exchange body 216.

Second bypass valve 234 is disposed along second bypass path 222 and is arranged for throttling fluid traversing second bypass path 222. In this respect bypass valve 226 apportions fluid flow received from second fluid system 206 between bypass path 222 and a portion of second fluid path 220 extending through heat exchange body 216. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art in view of the present disclosure, throttling fluid flow through bypass path 222 influences (e.g., increase or decrease) thermal communication between second fluid path 220 and first fluid path 218.

Second temperature sensor 236 is arranged along second fluid path 220 at a location downstream of heat exchange body 216 and the union of second bypass path 222 with second fluid path 220, In this respect second temperature sensor 236 is configured to acquire temperature information of fluid B as fluid B returns to second fluid system 206.

Control module 224 is operatively connected to by link 230 to both first bypass valve 226 and second bypass valve 234. Control module 224 is also communicative with both first temperature sensor 228 and second temperature sensor 236. Being communicative with both first temperature sensor 228 and second temperature sensor 236, and further operatively connected to both first bypass valve 226 and second bypass valve 234, control module 224 is arranged to determine temperatures of both fluid A and fluid B at locations downstream of heat exchange body 116 and compare the determined temperatures to selectable temperature targets for fluid A and fluid B (e.g., first temperature target 208 and second temperature target 238). Based on the comparison, control module 224 throttles either (or both) of portions of fluid A and fluid B traversing first bypass path 222 and second bypass path 232. This allows first fluid system 204 to utilize available margin 210 of second fluid system 206. It also allows second fluid system 206 to utilize available margin 240 of first fluid system 204. Thus, both first fluid system 204 and second fluid system 206 can be controlled, potentially allowing both fluid A and fluid B to be returned to first fluid system 204 and second fluid system 206 at their respective selected target temperatures. As will be appreciated, this can optimize the thermal operation of each system, for example, by heating fuel flowing to combustors of gas turbine engine 14 (shown in FIG. 1) while maintaining lubricant provided to gas turbine engine 10 at a predetermined target temperature.

With reference to FIG. 4, a thermal management method 300 is shown. Method 300 includes throttling flow of a first fluid, e.g., fluid A (shown in FIG. 2) flowing through a heat exchange body, e.g., heat exchange body 116 (shown in FIG. 2), as shown with box 310. Method 300 also includes throttling flow of a second fluid, e.g., second fluid B (shown in FIG. 2), flowing through the heat exchange body as shown with box 320. Heat flows between the first fluid and the second fluid, as shown with box 330, Heat flow can be unidirectional, e.g., from first fluid A to second fluid B or vice versa, as shown by box 332. The temperature of first fluid flow is driven to a selected target temperature, e.g., temperature target 108 (shown in FIG. 2), using margin available in the second fluid, e.g., thermal margin 110 (shown in FIG. 2), as shown with box 340.

In certain embodiments, method 300 also includes driving the temperature of the second fluid to a second selected temperature target, e.g., temperature target 238 (shown in FIG. 3), using margin available in the first fluid system, e.g., margin 214 (shown in FIG. 3), as shown with box 350. Driving fluid in the second fluid system to the second fluid temperature target can be done coincidently, i.e. simultaneously, with driving fluid in the first fluid system to the first fluid temperature target, as shown with box 252.

The methods and systems of the present disclosure, as described above and shown in the drawings, provide for heat exchanger arrangements, thermal management systems, and thermal management methods with superior properties including access to thermal margin present in a fluid flowing through a first fluid path by fluid flowing through a second fluid path. While the apparatus and methods of the subject disclosure have been shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that changes and/or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the subject disclosure.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger arrangement, comprising:

a heat exchange body;

a first fluid path extending through the heat exchange body;

a second fluid path extending through the heat exchange body in thermal communication with the first fluid path and fluidly isolated from the first fluid path;

a bypass path external of the heat exchange body and fluidly connected in parallel with the first fluid path; and

a control module operably connected to the bypass path and configured to control flow rate of fluids traversing the first fluid path and the second fluid path.

2. The heat exchanger arrangement as recited in claim 1, further comprising a bypass valve disposed along the first bypass path. The heat exchanger arrangement as recited in claim 2, wherein the control module is operatively connected to the bypass valve,

4. The heat exchanger arrangement as recited in claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor in thermal communication with the first fluid path downstream of the heat exchange body.

5. The heat exchanger arrangement as recited in claim 4, wherein the control module is connected to the temperature sensor.

6. The heat exchanger arrangement as recited in claim 1, further comprising a bypass valve disposed along the second bypass path.

7. The heat exchanger arrangement as recited in claim 6, wherein the control module is operatively connected to the bypass valve.

8. The heat exchanger arrangement as recited in claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor in thermal communication with the second fluid path downstream of the heat exchange body.

9. The heat exchanger arrangement as recited in claim 8, wherein the control module is connected to the temperature sensor.

10. The heat exchanger arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein one or more of the first fluid path and the second fluid path are in fluid communication with a lubrication circuit of a gas turbine engine.

11. The heat exchanger arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein one or more of the first fluid path and the second fluid path are in fluid communication with a fuel circuit of a gas turbine engine.

12. The heat exchanger arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein one or more of the first fluid path and the second fluid path are in fluid communication with a bleed air passage of a gas turbine engine compressor section.

13. The heat exchanger arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein the control module is configured to execute instructions recorded on a non-transitory machine readable medium to:

throttle flow a first fluid through a heat exchange body; and

throttle flow a second fluid through the heat exchange body to thereby allow heat to transfer between the first fluid flow and the second fluid flow to drive temperature of the first fluid flow to a predetermined temperature and to drive temperature of the second fluid flow to a predetermined temperature.

14. The heat exchanger arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one bypass path is a first bypass path and further comprising a second bypass path, wherein the second bypass path is external of the heat exchange body and is fluidly connected in parallel with the second fluid path, and wherein the control module is operably connected to the first bypass path and the second bypass path to control flow rate of fluids traversing the first fluid path and the second fluid path.

15. A thermal management system, comprising:

a heat exchanger arrangement as recited in claim 1;

a first bypass valve disposed along the first bypass path, wherein the control module is operatively connected to the first bypass valve;

a first temperature sensor in thermal communication with the first fluid path downstream of the heat exchange body, wherein the control module is connected to the first temperature sensor;

a second bypass valve disposed along the second bypass path, wherein the control module is operatively connected to the second bypass valve;

a second temperature sensor in thermal communication with the second fluid path downstream of the heat exchange body, wherein the control module is connected to the second temperature sensor.

16. The thermal management system as recited in claim 14, wherein one or more of the first fluid path and the second fluid path are in fluid communication with (a) a lubrication circuit of a gas turbine engine, (b) a fuel circuit of a gas turbine engine, and (c) a bleed air passage of a gas turbine engine compressor section.

17. The thermal management system as recited in claim 14, wherein the control module is configured to execute instructions recorded on a non-transitory machine-readable medium to:

flow a first fluid through a heat exchange body;

flow a second fluid through the heat exchange body;

transfer heat between the first fluid flow and the second fluid flow;

drive temperature of the first fluid flow to a predetermined temperature by throttling flow of the first fluid through the heat exchanger; and

drive temperature of the second fluid flow to a predetermined temperature by throttling flow of the second fluid through the heat exchanger.

18. A thermal management method, comprising:

throttling flow of a first fluid through a heat exchange body;

throttling flow of a second fluid through the heat exchange body;

transferring heat between the first flowing fluid and the second flowing fluid;

driving temperature of the first flowing fluid to a selected temperature; and

driving temperature of the second fluid flow to a selected temperature.