Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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HEAT EXCHANGER
FIELD
The present disclosure relates to heat exchangers such as of the type which
may be used in
aerospace applications, automotive applications, industrial applications or
other applications.
The disclosure also relates to vehicles comprising such heat exchangers and to
a method of
operating such a heat exchanger.
BACKGROUND
GB2519147 describes a heat exchanger which comprises at least one first
conduit section
suitable for the flow of a first fluid in heat exchange with a second fluid in
a flow path which
passes the at least one first conduit section. At a first location, the at
least one first conduit
section is mounted on a support, and the at least one conduit section at a
second location is
moveable relative to the support in response to thermal change. The first
conduit section may
comprise a plurality of tubes extending between an inlet header to an outlet
header, and an
intermediate header is provided in the flow path therebetween. The inlet
header may be fixed
to the support and the outlet header may be moveable in response to thermal
change. The
support is capable of accepting high radially inward load and includes at
least one circular ring
in a cylindrical perforated drum structure, longeron members and X-shaped
bracing. The first
conduit section may comprise spiral sections that spiral inside one another.
The heat
exchanger may be used in a vehicle engine for an aircraft or orbital launch
vehicle.
0N205679090 describes a multi-stream heat exchanger having different pipe
diameters,
comprising a casing, a plurality of heat exchange tubes, and a first tube
plate and a second
tube plate, wherein the ends of each heat exchange tube are limited to the
first and second
tubes. The heat exchange tubes between the plates and between the first and
second tube
sheets are helically coiled along the axial direction of the housing to form a
multi-layer spiral
tube which is interposed between the inner and outer portions, and is
characterized in that the
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heat exchange tubes have at least two different outer diameters, the tubes
being arranged
adjacently. When used, the fluid with low pressure and small pressure drop can
flow in the
larger diameter heat exchange tube, and the fluid with higher pressure and
larger pressure
drop can be exchanged in the smaller diameter tube, so that the shell can be
better distributed.
The flow rate of the process is to meet the heat transfer requirements of each
tube, and the
heat exchange caused by the uneven distribution of the number of tubes in the
heat transfer
tube is not sufficient, so that the fluid in each heat exchange tube and the
fluid in the shell side
are sufficiently heat exchanged.
GB2241319 describes a heat exchanger comprising concentric annular arrays of
parallel
feeder tubes and receiver tubes which are interconnected by generally
circumferentially
extending heat exchanger tubes. Each heat exchanger tube interconnects one
feeder tube
with a corresponding receiver tube which is angularly spaced apart therefrom.
In operation, a
first fluid flows over the heat exchanger tubes while a second fluid flows
through the heat
exchanger tubes. The heat exchanger tubes are so arranged that the fluid
flowing through
them has a component which is opposite to that of the fluid flowing over them.
In one
aerospace application, the first fluid flow is of air and the second of liquid
hydrogen, the heat
exchanger being situated within the air intake and the air subsequently being
diverted into the
engine compressor.
GB2230594 describes a heat exchanger suitable for placing air and cold
hydrogen in heat
exchanger relationship with each other. The heat exchanger comprises two
concentric annular
arrays of header tubes, all the header tubes in the radially outer array being
in flow
communication with a first manifold while half of the header tubes in the
radially inner array
are in flow communication with a second manifold and the remainder are in flow
communication with a third manifold. Heat exchange pipes interconnect the
various header
tubes and air flows over those pipes. Various valves and pipes are provided
and are operable
to ensure that the heat exchanger functions in two modes of operation; a first
in which cold
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hydrogen flows through all the heat exchange pipes in a single direction and a
second in which
the cold hydrogen flows through alternate heat exchange pipes in the opposite
direction.
The present disclosure seeks to alleviate, at least to a certain degree, the
problems and/or
address at least to a certain extent, the difficulties associated with the
prior art.
SUMMARY
According to a first aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a heat
exchanger comprising:
a first conduit module for the flow of a first fluid;
a second conduit module for the flow of a second fluid, wherein the second
conduit module is fluidly isolated from the first conduit module; and
a first fluid flow path for the flow of a third fluid in heat exchange with
the first
and second fluids, wherein the first fluid flow path extends in a
substantially radial
direction of the heat exchanger;
wherein at least a portion of the first conduit module and at least a portion
of
the second conduit module are each arranged in a respective path that
gradually
widens or tightens about a longitudinal axis of the heat exchanger; and
wherein the first conduit module and the second conduit module are nested with
one another.
The first conduit module and the second conduit module may be configured such
that fluid is
not able to flow from the first conduit module into the second conduit module
and fluid is not
able to flow from the second conduit module into the first conduit module,
such that the second
conduit module is fluidly isolated from the first conduit module. The first
conduit module and
the second conduit module may be configured such that the first fluid is not
able to flow into
the second conduit module, and such that the second fluid is not able to flow
into the first
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conduit module, such that the second conduit module is fluidly isolated from
the first conduit
module. This fluid isolation allows different fluids to be provided in each
conduit.
The heat exchanger may have a radial direction that extends from the centre of
the heat
exchanger to its outer perimeter, or that extends from the outer perimeter of
the heat exchanger
to its centre. The radial direction of the heat exchanger may lie in a plane
which is
perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the heat exchanger.
The heat exchanger may have a radial direction that is perpendicular to the
longitudinal
direction of the heat exchanger.
The first fluid flow path may extend in a direction that is substantially
coincident or parallel with
the radial direction of the heat exchanger. The first fluid flow path may
extend radially outwards
or radially inwards with respect to the radial direction of the heat
exchanger. Optionally, during
operation of the heat exchanger, when the first fluid flow path contains the
third fluid, there
may be flow paths within the first fluid flow path that extend in other
directions.
The heat exchanger may be substantially circular or square in shape in a plane
which is
perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the heat exchanger.
Such a heat exchanger may advantageously provide the ability to cool and/or
heat multiple
fluids in a single heat exchanger installation. A single heat exchanger
installation may
advantageously be easier to install and has a lower overall volume than
multiple individual
units, which would otherwise be needed to cool and/or heat multiple fluids. A
heat exchanger
according to the first aspect of the disclosure can provide a heat exchanger
with reduced size
and mass, yielding space and weight saving benefits. Furthermore, such a heat
exchanger
may provide a high degree of flexibility for tailoring the effectiveness and
temperatures of each
fluid in the heat exchanger. Additionally, in such a heat exchanger, the
pressure drop in the
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third fluid may be lower than if the flow of the third fluid had to be
directed through multiple
individual heat exchangers. In addition, such a heat exchanger may provide for
a reduction or
complete avoidance of congealing and/or freezing of fluids within the conduit
modules. Even
further, in such a heat exchanger the geometries and positions of each conduit
module can be
configured to offer a very high degree of optimisation (during the process of
designing the heat
exchanger) whilst maintaining high effectiveness of the heat exchanger. The
heat exchanger
thus provides a high degree of flexibility to optimise the heat exchanger
across a wide range
of applications.
The heat exchanger may be provided with additional conduit modules, each
fluidly isolated
from at least one of the other conduit modules.
Optionally, at least a portion of the first conduit module follows a first
spiral path and at least a
portion of the second conduit module follows a second spiral path.
Optionally, the first spiral path and/or the second spiral path comprises a
plurality of straight
sections and/or one or more curved sections.
Optionally, the first spiral path and/or the second spiral path is circular or
elliptical or a polygon.
Optionally, the first spiral path and the second spiral path each comprises a
circular spiral or a
square spiral.
Optionally, the first spiral path and/or the second spiral path may be
circular, elliptical, square,
.. triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, or any other polygon or suitable 2D
shape.
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Optionally, the first conduit module has a length and the second conduit
module has a length.
The first conduit module and the second conduit module may each be arranged
such that they
spiral or wind about the longitudinal axis of the heat exchanger in their
respective path.
Optionally, the length of the first conduit module and the length of the
second conduit module
may each be arranged to gradually get closer to or further away from the
longitudinal axis of
the heat exchanger or a radial centre of the heat exchanger.
Optionally, the first spiral path and/or the second spiral path may be sized
and/or shaped such
that one of the first spiral path and the second spiral path may fit inside
the other of the first
spiral path and the second spiral path, such that the first conduit module and
the second
conduit module are nested with one another.
Optionally, at least a portion of one of the first spiral path and the second
spiral path may be
arranged to fit inside at least a portion of the other of the first spiral
path and the second spiral
path, such that the first conduit module and the second conduit module are
nested with one
another.
Optionally, the first spiral path and the second spiral path may be arranged
to lie in the same
plane, said plane being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the heat
exchanger, such that
the first conduit module and the second conduit module are nested with one
another.
Optionally, the first spiral path and the second spiral path may be arranged
adjacent one
another, such that the first conduit module and the second conduit module are
nested with one
another.
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Optionally, the first conduit module and the second conduit module may be
arranged adjacent
one another, such that the first conduit module and the second conduit module
are nested with
one another.
Optionally, at least a portion of the first conduit module may be arranged
adjacent at least a
portion of the second conduit module, such that the first conduit module and
the second conduit
module are nested with one another.
Optionally, the first conduit module has an inner diameter and an outer
diameter, and the
second conduit module has an inner diameter and an outer diameter, wherein the
inner
diameter of the first conduit module is different to the inner diameter of the
second conduit
module and/or the outer diameter of the first conduit module is different to
the outer diameter
of the second conduit module. The inner and outer diameter of each of the
first and second
conduit modules may relate to a tubular portion thereof. The inner and outer
diameters may
be substantially constant along a tubular portion thereof, or may vary, for
example a tapered
form.
Optionally, the first conduit module has a wall thickness which is different
to a wall thickness
of the second conduit module.
Advantageously, such a heat exchanger may provide for the optimisation of
energy transfer in
each of the conduit modules, based on the fluid that each conduit module is
for. In particular,
by tailoring the tube diameter and/or wall thickness of each of the conduit
modules (during the
process of designing the heat exchanger), the heat transfer area and therefore
the energy
transferred can be tailored for each of the conduit modules. Tailoring the
tube diameter of each
of the conduit modules may include tailoring one or more of the inner
diameter, the outer
diameter, or the wall thickness, of each of the conduit modules, the wall
thickness being
defined as the difference between the outer diameter and the inner diameter of
each of the
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conduit modules. Advantageously, tailoring the wall thickness of each of the
conduit modules
may provide for the optimisation (during the process of designing the heat
exchanger) of safety
considerations relating to the heat exchanger. For example, if the first fluid
is water and the
second fluid is fuel, the wall thickness of the first conduit module could be
thinner than the wall
.. thickness of the second conduit module, since a water leak would not be as
serious as a fuel
leak. Furthermore, another factor to consider could be foreign object damage
FOD. A conduit
module more susceptible to any impacts of FOD could be configured to have a
greater wall
thickness than another conduit module.
Optionally, the first conduit module comprises a first material and the second
conduit module
comprises a second material that is different to the first material.
Advantageously, such a heat exchanger may provide for the optimisation of
energy transfer in
each of the conduit modules, based on the fluid that each conduit module is
for. In particular,
by tailoring the material of each of the conduit modules, the heat transfer
properties and
therefore the energy transferred can be tailored for each of the conduit
modules.
Optionally, the first material and/or the second material may comprise steel
and/or an alloy
material, such as a nickel alloy or an aluminium alloy.
Optionally, the first conduit module comprises an inlet and an outlet, and the
second conduit
module comprises an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet of the first
conduit module is spaced
apart from the outlet of the first conduit module in the radial direction of
the heat exchanger,
and the inlet of the second conduit module is spaced apart from the outlet of
the second conduit
module in the radial direction of the heat exchanger.
Optionally, the inlet of the first conduit module is spaced closer to a radial
centre of the heat
exchanger than the outlet of the first conduit module, and the inlet of the
second conduit
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module is spaced closer to the radial centre of the heat exchanger than the
outlet of the second
conduit module.
Optionally, the outlet of the first conduit module is spaced closer to a
radial centre of the heat
exchanger than the inlet of the first conduit module, and the outlet of the
second conduit
module is spaced closer to the radial centre of the heat exchanger than the
inlet of the second
conduit module.
Optionally, the outlet of one of the first conduit module and the second
conduit module is
spaced closer to a radial centre of the heat exchanger than the inlet of the
same one of the
first conduit module and the second conduit module, and the inlet of the other
one of the first
conduit module and the second conduit module is spaced closer to the radial
centre of the heat
exchanger than the outlet of the same one of the first conduit module and the
second conduit
module.
Optionally, the first conduit module comprises an inlet and an outlet, and the
second conduit
module comprises an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet of the first
conduit module is spaced
apart from the inlet of the second conduit module in the radial direction of
the heat exchanger
and/or the outlet of the first conduit module is spaced apart from the outlet
of the second
conduit module in the radial direction of the heat exchanger.
Optionally, the inlet of the first conduit module is arranged at the same
radial distance along
the radial direction of the heat exchanger as the inlet of the second conduit
module, and the
outlet of the first conduit module is spaced apart from the outlet of the
second conduit module
in the radial direction of the heat exchanger.
Optionally, the outlet of the first conduit module is arranged at the same
radial distance along
the radial direction of the heat exchanger as the outlet of the second conduit
module, and the
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inlet of the first conduit module is spaced apart from the inlet of the second
conduit module in
the radial direction of the heat exchanger.
Optionally, the inlet of the first conduit module is spaced apart from the
inlet of the second
conduit module in the radial direction of the heat exchanger, and the outlet
of the first conduit
module is spaced apart from the outlet of the second conduit module in the
radial direction of
the heat exchanger.
Optionally, the first conduit module may have a longer length than the second
conduit module.
Optionally, the second conduit module may have a longer length than the first
conduit module.
Advantageously, such a heat exchanger may provide for the optimisation (during
the process
of designing the heat exchanger) of the inlet and outlet temperatures of the
first fluid and the
second fluid. In particular, positioning the respective inlets and/or outlets
of each of the first
conduit module and the second conduit module at different positions along the
radial direction
of the heat exchanger allows the inlet and outlet temperatures of the first
fluid and the second
fluid, when contained within the first conduit module and the second conduit
module
respectively, to be tailored, to optimise the effectiveness of the heat
exchanger. Additionally,
positioning the respective inlets and/or outlets of each of the first conduit
module and the
second conduit module at different positions along the radial direction of the
heat exchanger
allows the lengths of the first conduit module and the second conduit module
to be tailored, to
optimise the effectiveness of the heat exchanger.
Optionally, the second conduit module is arranged to be substantially
thermally isolated from
the first conduit module.
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Optionally, the second conduit module is arranged to be spaced apart from the
first conduit
module, such that the second conduit module does not touch the first conduit
module. In other
words, the second conduit module and the first conduit module may be arranged
such that
they do not directly contact one another. This can allow the third fluid to
flow between and/or
around the first conduit module and the second conduit module.
Optionally, the first conduit module and the second conduit module are
arranged to allow the
third fluid to flow between and/or around the first conduit module and the
second conduit
module.
Optionally, at least a portion of the first fluid flow path extends between
the first conduit module
and the second conduit module, such that the third fluid can flow between the
first conduit
module and the second conduit module.
Advantageously, the second conduit module being spaced apart from the first
conduit module
can provide that the first fluid and the second fluid can undergo heat
transfer with the third fluid
independently of one another. That is, the first fluid and the second fluid
can be cooled
independently by the third fluid. Furthermore, the spatial separation of the
second conduit
module from the first conduit module can allow for a low pressure drop for the
third fluid
combined with a high cooling efficacy.
Optionally, the heat exchanger further comprises a third conduit module for
the flow of a fourth
fluid in heat exchange with the third fluid, wherein the third conduit module
is fluidly isolated
from the first conduit module and the second conduit module, and wherein at
least a portion of
the third conduit module is arranged in a path that gradually widens or
tightens about the
longitudinal axis of the heat exchanger and is nested with the first and
second conduit modules.
Optionally, the fourth fluid is one of water, oil or refrigerant.
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Optionally, the third conduit module may be configured such that fluid is not
able to flow from
the third conduit module into the first conduit module or the second conduit
module, and fluid
is not able to flow from the first conduit module or the second conduit module
into the third
conduit module, such that the third conduit module is fluidly isolated from
the first conduit
module and the second conduit module.
Optionally, the third conduit module may be configured such that the fourth
fluid is not able to
flow into the first conduit module or the second conduit module, such that the
third conduit
module is fluidly isolated from the first conduit module and the second
conduit module.
The fourth fluid may be different to the first fluid and/or the second fluid.
Optionally, at least a portion of the third conduit module may follow a third
spiral path. The third
spiral path may comprise a plurality of straight sections and/or one or more
curved sections.
The third spiral path may be circular or elliptical or a polygon.
Optionally, the third spiral path comprises a circular spiral or a square
spiral.
Optionally, the third spiral path may be circular, elliptical, square,
triangular, pentagonal,
hexagonal, or any other polygon or suitable 2D shape.
Optionally, the third conduit module has a length. The length of the third
conduit module may
be arranged such that it spirals or winds about the longitudinal axis of the
heat exchanger in a
path that gradually widens or tightens.
Optionally, the length of the third conduit module may be arranged to
gradually get closer to
or further away from the longitudinal axis of the heat exchanger or a radial
centre of the heat
exchanger.
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Optionally, the third spiral path may be sized and/or shaped such that the
third spiral path may
fit inside one of the first spiral path and the second spiral path or such
that one of the first spiral
path and the second spiral path may fit inside the third spiral path, such
that the third conduit
module is nested with the first and second conduit modules.
Optionally, at least a portion of the third spiral path may be arranged to fit
inside at least a
portion of one of the first spiral path and the second spiral path, or at
least a portion of one of
the first spiral path and the second spiral path may be arranged to fit inside
at least a portion
of the third spiral path, such that the third conduit module is nested with
the first and second
conduit modules.
Optionally, the third spiral path may be arranged to lie in the same plane as
the first spiral path
and the second spiral path, said plane being perpendicular to the longitudinal
axis of the heat
exchanger, such that the third conduit module is nested with the first and
second conduit
modules.
Optionally, the third spiral path may be arranged adjacent the first spiral
path and/or the second
spiral path, such that the third conduit module is nested with the first and
second conduit
modules.
Optionally, the third conduit module may be arranged adjacent the first
conduit module and/or
the second conduit module, such that the third conduit module is nested with
the first and
second conduit modules.
Optionally, at least a portion of the third conduit module may be arranged
adjacent at least a
portion of the first conduit module or at least a portion of the second
conduit module, such that
the third conduit module is nested with the first and second conduit modules.
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Optionally, the third conduit module has an inner diameter and an outer
diameter, wherein the
inner diameter of the third conduit module is different to the inner diameter
of the first conduit
module and/or the inner diameter of the third conduit module is different to
the inner diameter
of the second conduit module and/or the outer diameter of the third conduit
module is different
to the outer diameter of the first conduit module and/or the outer diameter of
the third conduit
module is different to the outer diameter of the second conduit module.
The inner and outer diameters of the third conduit module may relate to a
tubular portion
thereof.
The inner and outer diameters of the third conduit module may be substantially
constant along
a tubular portion thereof, or may vary, for example a tapered form.
The third conduit module may comprise a third material that is different to
one or more of the
first and second materials.
The third conduit module may comprise an inlet and an outlet, wherein the
inlet of the third
conduit module is spaced apart from the outlet of the third conduit module in
the radial direction
of the heat exchanger.
The inlet of the third conduit module may be spaced apart from the inlet of
the first conduit
module and/or the inlet of the second conduit module in the radial direction
of the heat
exchanger and/or the outlet of the third conduit module may be spaced apart
from the outlet
of the first conduit module and/or the outlet of the second conduit module in
the radial direction
of the heat exchanger.
Advantageously, such a heat exchanger may provide the ability to cool and/or
heat multiple
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fluids in a single heat exchanger installation. There may be two, three or
more fluids provided
in separate conduit modules. A single heat exchanger installation may
advantageously be
easier to install and has a lower overall volume than multiple individual
units, which would
otherwise be needed to cool and/or heat multiple fluids. Accordingly, such a
heat exchanger
has reduced size and mass, yielding space and weight saving benefits.
Optionally, the third conduit module is thermally isolated from the first
conduit module and the
second conduit module.
Optionally, the third conduit module is arranged to be spaced apart from the
first conduit
module and the second conduit module, such that the third conduit module does
not touch the
first conduit module or the second conduit module. In other words, the third
conduit module,
the second conduit module and the first conduit module may be arranged such
that they do
not directly contact one another. This can allow the third fluid to flow
between and/or around
the first conduit module, the second conduit module and the third conduit
module.
Optionally, the first conduit module, the second conduit module and the third
conduit module
are arranged to allow the third fluid to flow between and/or around the first
conduit module, the
second conduit module and the third conduit module.
Advantageously, the third conduit module being spaced apart from the second
conduit module
and the first conduit module can provide that the fourth fluid, the first
fluid and the second fluid
can undergo heat transfer with the third fluid independently of one another.
That is, the fourth
fluid, the first fluid and the second fluid can be cooled independently by the
third fluid.
Furthermore, the spatial separation of the third conduit module from the
second conduit
module and the first conduit module can allow for a low pressure drop for the
third fluid
combined with a high cooling efficacy.
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Optionally, the heat exchanger may further comprise one or more additional
conduit modules
for the flow of one or more additional fluids in heat exchange with the third
fluid, wherein one
or more of the additional conduit modules are fluidly isolated from the first
conduit module, the
second conduit module, and the third conduit module, and wherein at least a
portion of each
of the additional conduit modules is arranged in a respective path that
gradually widens or
tightens about the longitudinal axis of the heat exchanger. For example, in
addition to the first
conduit module, the second conduit module, and the third conduit module, the
heat exchanger
may further comprise n additional conduit modules, such that the heat
exchanger is configured
to provide for the heat exchange of n+3 fluids with the third fluid, where n
is an integer greater
than or equal to 1.
Optionally, the one or more additional conduit modules are thermally isolated
from the first
conduit module, the second conduit module and the third conduit module.
Optionally, the one or more additional conduit modules are arranged to be
spaced apart from
the first conduit module, the second conduit module and the third conduit
module, such that
the one or more additional conduit modules do not touch the first conduit
module, the second
conduit module or the third conduit module. In other words, the one or more
additional conduit
modules, the third conduit module, the second conduit module and the first
conduit module
may be arranged such that they do not directly contact one another. This can
allow the third
fluid to flow between and/or around the first conduit module, the second
conduit module, the
third conduit module, and the one or more additional conduit modules.
Optionally, the first conduit module, the second conduit module, the third
conduit module and
the one or more additional conduit modules are arranged to allow the third
fluid to flow between
and/or around the first conduit module, the second conduit module, the third
conduit module
and the one or more additional conduit modules.
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Advantageously, the one or more additional conduit modules being spaced apart
from the third
conduit module, the second conduit module and the first conduit module can
provide that the
one or more additional fluids, the fourth fluid, the first fluid and the
second fluid can undergo
heat transfer with the third fluid independently of one another. That is, the
one or more
additional fluids, the fourth fluid, the first fluid and the second fluid can
be cooled independently
by the third fluid. Furthermore, the spatial separation of the one or more
additional conduit
modules from the third conduit module, the second conduit module and the first
conduit module
can allow for a low pressure drop for the third fluid combined with a high
cooling efficacy.
The gradual widening or tightening is typically along the length of the
respective path of each
conduit module. In this way, the path of a respective conduit module is spaced
closer or further
away from the longitudinal axis of the heat exchanger at a starting portion
than at an end
portion the part of the respective conduit module.
Optionally, the first conduit module comprises a plurality of first tubes each
wound in a
respective path that gradually widens or tightens about the longitudinal axis
of the heat
exchanger and each spaced from one another in rows along the longitudinal
direction of the
heat exchanger, and wherein the second conduit module comprises a plurality of
second tubes
each wound in a respective path that gradually widens or tightens about the
longitudinal axis
of the heat exchanger and each spaced from one another in rows along the
longitudinal
direction of the heat exchanger.
Optionally, the plurality of first tubes are connected at a first end thereof
to an inlet header of
the first conduit module, and the plurality of first tubes are connected at a
second end thereof
to an outlet header of the first conduit module.
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Optionally, the plurality of second tubes are connected at a first end thereof
to an inlet header
of the second conduit module, and the plurality of second tubes are connected
at a second
end thereof to an outlet header of the second conduit module.
Optionally, the inlet header of the first conduit module, the outlet header of
the first conduit
module, the inlet header of the second conduit module, and the outlet header
of the second
conduit module, each extends substantially in the longitudinal direction of
the heat exchanger.
Optionally, the plurality of first tubes are connected to the inlet header of
the first conduit
module and the outlet header of the first conduit module by one or more of
vacuum brazing,
dip brazing and an adhesive, or any other suitable joining method.
Optionally, the plurality of second tubes are connected to the inlet header of
the second conduit
module and the outlet header of the second conduit module by one or more of
vacuum brazing,
dip brazing and an adhesive, or any other suitable joining method.
Optionally, the inlet header of the first conduit module may be in fluid
communication with an
inlet end of each of the plurality of first tubes.
Optionally, the outlet header of the first conduit module may be in fluid
communication with an
outlet end of each of the plurality of first tubes.
Optionally, the inlet header of the second conduit module may be in fluid
communication with
an inlet end of each of the plurality of second tubes.
Optionally, the outlet header of the second conduit module may be in fluid
communication with
an outlet end of each of the plurality of second tubes.
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Optionally, the plurality of first tubes and the plurality of second tubes are
each arranged in
between about 10 to 1000 rows spaced along the longitudinal direction of the
heat exchanger,
for example about 70 to 100 such rows. Optionally, the plurality of the first
tubes and the
plurality of second tubes are arranged in rows of between about 1 and 40, i.e.
with between
about 1 and 40 tubes in each row, for example with 4 tubes in each row.
Optionally, the third conduit module may comprise a plurality of third tubes
each wound in a
respective path that gradually widens or tightens about the longitudinal axis
of the heat
exchanger and each spaced from one another in rows along the longitudinal
direction of the
heat exchanger.
Optionally, the plurality of third tubes are connected at a first end thereof
to an inlet header of
the third conduit module, and the plurality of third tubes are connected at a
second end thereof
to an outlet header of the third conduit module.
Optionally, the inlet header of the third conduit module and the outlet header
of the third conduit
module each extends substantially in the longitudinal direction of the heat
exchanger.
Optionally, the plurality of third tubes are connected to the inlet header of
the third conduit
module and the outlet header of the third conduit module by one or more of
vacuum brazing,
dip brazing and an adhesive, or any other suitable joining method.
Optionally, the inlet header of the third conduit module may be in fluid
communication with an
inlet end of each of the plurality of third tubes.
Optionally, the outlet header of the third conduit module may be in fluid
communication with
an outlet end of each of the plurality of third tubes.
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Optionally, the plurality of third tubes are each arranged in between about 10
to 1000 rows
spaced along the longitudinal direction of the heat exchanger, for example
about 70 to 100
such rows. Optionally, the plurality of third tubes are arranged in rows of
between about 1 and
40, i.e. with between about 1 and 40 tubes in each row, for example with 4
tubes in each row.
Optionally, the heat exchanger comprises a plurality of the first conduit
modules and a plurality
of the second conduit modules, wherein at least a portion of each of the
plurality of the first
conduit modules and at least a portion of each of the plurality of the second
conduit modules
are nested with one another in an alternating manner.
Such a heat exchanger may advantageously provide the ability to cool and/or
heat multiple
fluids in a single heat exchanger installation. A single heat exchanger
installation may
advantageously be easier to install and has a lower overall volume than
multiple individual
units, which would otherwise be needed to cool and/or heat multiple fluids.
Accordingly, a heat
exchanger according to the first aspect of the disclosure provides a heat
exchanger with
reduced size and mass, yielding space and weight saving benefits.
Optionally, the plurality of the second conduit modules are arranged to be
substantially
thermally isolated from the plurality of the first conduit modules.
Optionally, each of the plurality of the first conduit modules are arranged to
be spaced apart
from one another, and each of the plurality of the second conduit modules are
arranged to be
spaced apart from one another. That is, each of the plurality of the first
conduit modules may
be arranged such that they do not touch one another, and each of the plurality
of the second
conduit modules may be arranged such that they do not touch one another. In
other words,
each of the plurality of the first conduit modules may be arranged such that
they do not directly
contact one another, and each of the plurality of the second conduit modules
are arranged
such that they do not directly contact one another. This can allow the third
fluid to flow between
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and/or around the plurality of the first conduit modules and the plurality of
the second conduit
modules.
Optionally, the plurality of the first conduit modules and the plurality of
the second conduit
modules are arranged to allow the third fluid to flow between and/or around
the plurality of the
first conduit modules and the plurality of the second conduit modules.
Optionally, the plurality of the first conduit modules and the plurality of
the second conduit
modules are orientated such that their respective inlets and outlets are
angularly spaced
relative to one another.
Optionally, as an example, there may be 6 first conduit modules and 3 or 4
second conduit
modules. The first fluid may be water and the second fluid may be oil.
Advantageously, such a heat exchanger may provide improved flow uniformity in
the first fluid
flow path for the third fluid. In particular, more conduit modules may be
arranged at an
angular/circumferential position relative to their respective inlets and
outlets where a higher
amount of driving pressure difference is available in the first fluid flow
path for the third fluid.
Advantageously, this may provide for a heat exchanger with reduced complexity
and mass, as
consequently no flow guides are required.
Optionally, the heat exchanger may further comprise a plurality of the third
conduit modules,
wherein at least a portion of each of the plurality of the third conduit
modules are nested with
at least a portion of each of the plurality of the first conduit modules and
at least a portion of
each of the plurality of second conduit modules.
Optionally, the plurality of the first conduit modules and the plurality of
the second conduit
modules and the plurality of the third conduit modules are orientated such
that their respective
inlets and outlets are angularly spaced relative to one another.
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Optionally, when viewed in the radial direction of the heat exchanger, at
least a portion of one
of the plurality of first conduit modules is arranged adjacent at least a
portion of one of the
plurality of second conduit modules, which is arranged adjacent at least a
portion of another
.. one of the plurality of first conduit modules.
Optionally, when viewed in the radial direction of the heat exchanger, at
least a portion of one
of the plurality of second conduit modules is arranged adjacent at least a
portion of one of the
plurality of first conduit modules, which is arranged adjacent at least a
portion of another one
of the plurality of second conduit modules.
Optionally, when viewed in the radial direction of the heat exchanger, at
least a portion of one
of the plurality of third conduit modules is arranged adjacent at least a
portion of one of the
plurality of first conduit modules or one of the plurality of second conduit
modules, which is
arranged adjacent at least a portion of another one of the plurality of first
conduit modules or
one of the plurality of second conduit modules or one of the plurality of
third conduit modules.
Optionally, when designing the heat exchanger, the number of the plurality of
first conduit
modules, and/or the number of the plurality of second conduit modules, and/or
the number of
the plurality of third conduit modules, may be chosen depending on the fluids
that the first
conduit module, the second conduit module, the third conduit module, and/or
the first fluid flow
path are for.
Optionally, the heat exchanger further comprises a first inlet manifold in
fluid communication
with the inlets of each of the first conduit modules, a first outlet manifold
in fluid communication
with the outlets of each of the plurality of first conduit modules, a second
inlet manifold in fluid
communication with the inlets of each of the plurality of second conduit
modules, and a second
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outlet manifold in fluid communication with the outlets of each of the
plurality of second conduit
modules.
Such a heat exchanger provides that each of the first conduit modules is
fluidly isolated from
each of the second conduit modules.
Optionally, each of the first inlet manifold, the first outlet manifold, the
second inlet manifold
and the second outlet manifold is annular in shape.
Optionally, each of the first inlet manifold, the first outlet manifold, the
second inlet manifold
and the second outlet manifold may be a ring manifold.
Optionally, the heat exchanger further comprises a third inlet manifold in
fluid communication
with the inlets of each of the third conduit modules, and a third outlet
manifold in fluid
communication with the outlets of each of the plurality of third conduit
modules.
Optionally, each of the third inlet manifold and the third outlet manifold is
annular in shape.
Optionally, each of the third inlet manifold and the third outlet manifold may
be a ring manifold.
Optionally, the heat exchanger further comprises one or more valves arranged
within the first
conduit module and/or the second conduit module, the one or more valves being
configured
to selectively reverse, stop or alter a flow of the first fluid in the first
conduit module and/or a
flow of the second fluid in the second conduit module.
Optionally, the heat exchanger further comprises one or more valves arranged
within the third
conduit module, the one or more valves being configured to selectively
reverse, stop or alter a
flow of the first fluid in the third conduit module.
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Advantageously, such a heat exchanger may be configured to operate in a number
of distinct
modes, wherein in each mode, the flows of one or more of the first fluid, the
second fluid and
the third fluid may be reversed and/or altered, and/or the flow of one of the
first fluid and the
second fluid may even be stopped. This may alter or even reverse the heat
transfer in the first
conduit module, the second conduit module and/or the first fluid flow path.
Advantageously,
using such modes, such a heat exchanger may provide for both the cooling
and/or heating of
certain desired fluids, within the same mode or different modes, depending on
the
temperatures and properties of the first fluid, the second fluid and the third
fluid. For example,
such a heat exchanger may provide for independently heating and cooling
separate fluids
within the same compact heat exchanger. Furthermore, using such modes, such a
heat
exchanger may advantageously provide for the control and/or reduction and/or
elimination of
frost formation on and/or within the conduit modules. Advantageously, such a
heat exchanger
may also provide for a reduction or complete avoidance of congealing and/or
freezing of fluids
within the conduit modules.
Optionally, the first fluid is one of water, oil or refrigerant, and the
second fluid is a different
one of water, oil or refrigerant, and the third fluid is air.
Advantageously, such a heat exchanger may for example be employed in a
heating, ventilation
and air conditioning system such that water is used to heat the incoming air,
and refrigerant is
used to cool the air.
Optionally, the first conduit module contains the first fluid, the second
conduit module contains
the third fluid, and the first fluid flow path contains the third fluid.
Optionally, during and/or after operation/use of the heat exchanger, one or
more of the plurality
of first conduit modules may contain the first fluid, one or more of the
plurality of second conduit
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modules may contain the second fluid, the first fluid flow path may contain
the third fluid, and/or
one or more of the plurality of third conduit modules may contain the fourth
fluid.
According to a second aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a vehicle,
such as an aircraft,
flying machine or automobile, comprising a heat exchanger according to the
first aspect of the
disclosure with or without any optional feature thereof.
According to a third aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method of
operating the heat
exchanger according to the first aspect of the disclosure with or without any
optional feature
thereof, comprising:
heating or cooling the first fluid and heating or cooling the second fluid by
causing the first fluid to flow through the first conduit module, the second
fluid to flow
through the second conduit module, and the third fluid to flow through the
first fluid flow
path.
Such a method may advantageously provide the ability to cool and/or heat
multiple fluids in a
single heat exchanger installation. A single heat exchanger installation may
advantageously
be easier to install and has a lower overall volume than multiple individual
units, which would
otherwise be needed to cool and/or heat multiple fluids. Accordingly, a method
according to
the third aspect of the disclosure provides a heat exchanger with reduced size
and mass,
yielding space and weight saving benefits.
Furthermore, such a method may provide a high degree of flexibility for
tailoring the
effectiveness and temperatures of each fluid in the heat exchanger.
Additionally, in such a method, the pressure drop in the third fluid may be
lower than if the flow
of the third fluid had to be directed through multiple individual heat
exchangers.
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In addition, such a method may provide for a reduction or complete avoidance
of congealing
and/or freezing of fluids within the conduit modules.
Even further, such a method may provide for the ability to tune the geometries
and positions
of each conduit module, advantageously offering a very high degree of
optimisation (during
the process of designing the heat exchanger) whilst maintaining high
effectiveness of the heat
exchanger. The heat exchanger thus provides a high degree of flexibility to
optimise the heat
exchanger across a wide range of applications.
Optionally, the method comprises providing a means for forcing the third fluid
to flow through
the first fluid flow path.
Optionally, the means for forcing the third fluid to flow through the first
fluid flow path comprises
a fan, a pump, or other suitable means.
Optionally, the method further comprises reversing or altering the direction
of flow in one or
more of the first conduit module, the second conduit module and the first
fluid flow path.
Optionally, the method further comprises stopping the flow in one of the first
conduit module
and the second conduit module while maintaining flow in the other of the first
conduit module
and the second conduit module and then subsequently starting the flow in said
one of the first
conduit module and the second conduit module.
Optionally, the method further comprises operating the heat exchanger in one
or more modes
of operation, wherein in at least one of the modes of operation the flow in
one or more of the
first conduit module, the second conduit module and the first fluid flow path
may be reversed
or altered and/or the flow in one of the first conduit module and the second
conduit module
may be stopped.
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Advantageously, such a method may provide for a heat exchanger to be
configured to operate
in a number of distinct modes, wherein in each mode, the flows of one or more
of the first fluid,
the second fluid and the third fluid may be reversed and/or altered, and/or
the flow of one of
the first fluid and the second fluid may even be stopped. This may alter or
even reverse the
heat transfer in the first conduit module, the second conduit module and/or
the first fluid flow
path. Advantageously, using such heat exchanger modes, such a method may
provide for both
the cooling and/or heating of certain desired fluids, within the same mode or
different modes,
depending on the temperatures and properties of the first fluid, the second
fluid and the third
fluid. For example, such a method may provide for independently heating and
cooling separate
fluids within the same compact heat exchanger. Furthermore, using such a
method, a heat
exchanger may advantageously provide for the control and/or reduction and/or
elimination of
frost formation on and/or within the conduit modules. Advantageously, such a
method may
also provide for a reduction or complete avoidance of congealing and/or
freezing of fluids within
the conduit modules.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present disclosure may be carried out in various ways and embodiments of
the disclosure
will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in
which:
Figure 1A prior art shows a graph of fluid temperature plotted against
distance through a heat
exchanger, for the heat exchangers of Figure 1B;
Figure 1B prior art shows heat exchangers arranged in series;
Figure 2A prior art shows a graph of fluid temperature plotted against
distance through a heat
exchanger, for the heat exchangers of Figure 2B;
Figure 2B prior art shows heat exchangers arranged in parallel;
Figure 3 prior art shows a heat exchanger arrangement;
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Figure 4 prior art shows a simplified plan view of a spiral conduit of the
heat exchanger
arrangement of Figure 3;
Figure 5 prior art shows a detailed isometric view of a part of the heat
exchanger arrangement
of Figure 3;
Figure 6 prior art shows an isometric view of the spiral conduit of Figure 4;
Figure 7A shows a graph of fluid temperature plotted against distance through
a heat
exchanger, for the heat exchanger of Figure 7B;
Figure 7B shows a schematic plan view of a heat exchanger;
Figure 8 shows a schematic plan view of a plurality of first conduits and a
plurality of second
conduits;
Figure 9A shows a schematic plan view of a spiral path that is square;
Figure 9B shows a schematic plan view of a spiral path that is circular;
Figure 90 shows a schematic plan view of a spiral path that is a polygon;
Figure 10A shows a graph of fluid temperature plotted against distance through
a heat
exchanger, for the heat exchanger of Figure 10B;
Figure 10B shows a schematic plan view of a heat exchanger;
Figure 11A shows a graph of fluid temperature plotted against distance through
a heat
exchanger, for the heat exchanger of Figure 11B;
Figure 11B shows a schematic plan view of a heat exchanger;
Figure 12A shows a graph of fluid temperature plotted against distance through
a heat
exchanger, for the heat exchanger of Figure 12B;
Figure 12B shows a schematic plan view of a heat exchanger;
Figure 13A shows a graph of fluid temperature plotted against distance through
a heat
exchanger, for the heat exchanger of Figure 13B; and
Figure 13B shows a schematic plan view of a heat exchanger.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
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In automotive applications, as an example, it is necessary to cool multiple
fluids in a common
air duct. Conventionally this is done using heat exchangers in series or
parallel arrangements,
as shown in Figures 1B and 2B respectively. The example arrangement shown in
Figure 1B is
used to cool water in a first heat exchanger module 1, and oil in a second
heat exchanger
module 2, using a flow of air 3 over the first heat exchanger module 1 and the
second heat
exchanger module 2. The first and second heat exchanger modules 1, 2 are
arranged in series
such that the flow of air 3 flows firstly through the second heat exchanger
module 2 and then
through the first heat exchanger module 1. The example arrangement shown in
Figure 1B fails
to achieve close approach temperatures with the cooling air, as shown in
Figure 1A, and
provides limited performance.
The example arrangement shown in Figure 2B is also used to cool water in a
first heat
exchanger module 1, and oil in a second heat exchanger module 2, using a flow
of air 3 over
the first heat exchanger module 1 and the second heat exchanger module 2. The
first and
second heat exchanger modules 1, 2 are arranged in parallel such that the flow
of air 3
encounters both of the first and second heat exchanger modules 1, 2 at the
same time. The
example arrangement shown in Figure 2B requires the frontal area of the heat
exchanger
arrangement to be doubled and provides limited performance. Figure 2A shows
the cooling
effect of the flow of air 3 on the water in the first heat exchanger module 1
and the oil in the
second heat exchanger module 2 in the heat exchanger arrangement of Figure 3B.
Figure 3 shows a plan view of a heat exchanger arrangement 4 as described in
GB2519147.
The heat exchanger arrangement 4 comprises a plurality of spiral conduit
modules 5a, 5b, 5c,
etc. each having an inlet 6a, 6b, 6c, etc. and an outlet 7a, 7b, 7c, etc.. A
simplified plan view
of one of the spiral conduit modules 5a, which has an inlet 6a and an outlet
7a, is shown in
Figure 4. The spiral conduit modules 5a, 5b, 5c, etc. are nested with one
another and are
orientated such that their respective inlets 6a, 6b, 6c, etc. and their
respective outlets 7a, 7b,
7c, etc. are angularly spaced relative to one another. Each of the inlets 6a,
6b, 6c, etc. are in
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fluid communication with one another, and each of the outlets 7a, 7b, 7c, etc.
are in fluid
communication with one another, such that each of the spiral conduit modules
5a, 5b, 5c, etc.
is in fluid communication with one another. In other words, all of the spiral
conduit modules 5a,
5b, 5c, etc. are configured to contain the same fluid.
Figure 6 shows an isometric view of the spiral conduit module 5a shown in
Figure 4. The spiral
conduit module 5a includes a plurality of tubes 8. The plurality of tubes 8
are spaced from one
another in rows along the longitudinal direction of the heat exchanger, as
shown in Figure 5.
Figure 7B shows a schematic plan view of a heat exchanger 9 in accordance with
the present
disclosure. The heat exchanger 9 comprises a first conduit module 10a for the
flow of a first
fluid and a second conduit module 11a for the flow of a second fluid. The
second conduit
module 11a is fluidly isolated from the first conduit module 10a. Depending
upon application,
the first fluid can be different to the second fluid. The first fluid, the
second fluid and the third
fluid can be chosen, during the design process of the heat exchanger,
depending on the
application.
A first fluid flow path 12 for the flow of a third fluid in heat exchange with
the first and second
fluids extends in a substantially radial direction, r 13 of the heat exchanger
9. In the example
shown in Figure 7B, the first fluid flow path 12 is illustrated as flowing
radially outwards.
Though, it is also envisaged that the first fluid flow path 12 may be
configured to flow radially
inwards, i.e. in the opposite direction to that depicted in Figure 7B. In the
example shown in
Figure 7B, in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 14 of the
heat exchanger 9,
the heat exchanger 9 is substantially circular in shape. However, it is
envisaged that the heat
exchanger 9 may be any other shape, such as a square, for example. The heat
exchanger 9
has a longitudinal axis 14, which in Figure 7B is shown going into the page.
The longitudinal
axis 14 is substantially perpendicular to the radial direction, r 13.
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At least a portion of the first conduit module 10a and at least a portion of
the second conduit
module 11 a are each arranged in a respective path that gradually widens or
tightens about the
longitudinal axis 14 of the heat exchanger 9. In other words, each of the
first conduit module
10a and the second conduit module 11a has a length. The lengths of each of the
first conduit
module 10a and the second conduit module 11a are arranged such that they
spiral/wind about
the longitudinal axis 14 in a gradually widening or tightening path. In other
words, they are
each arranged to gradually get closer or further away from the longitudinal
axis 14 or radial
centre (marked at the location of the "X" indicating the position of the
longitudinal axis 14 in
Figure 7B) of the heat exchanger 9. In the example shown in Figure 7B, at
least a portion of
the first conduit module 10a follows a first spiral path along the length of
the first conduit module
10a, and at least a portion of the second conduit module 11a follows a second
spiral path along
the length of the second conduit module 11a. The first spiral path comprises
one curved section
and is a circular spiral path, and the second spiral path also comprises one
curved section and
is a circular spiral path. Although, it is envisaged that the first spiral
path and the second spiral
path may also comprise any other shape. For example, the first spiral path and
the second
spiral path may each comprise a plurality of straight sections and/or one or
more curved
sections. Figure 8 shows an exemplary such arrangement comprising a first
conduit module
19a and a second conduit module 19b, wherein at least a portion of the first
conduit module
19a and at least a portion of the second conduit module 20a follows a first
spiral path and a
second spiral path respectively. The first and second spiral paths each
comprise a plurality of
straight sections.
As further examples, the first spiral path and/or the second spiral path may
be circular, elliptical,
square, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, or any other polygon or suitable 2D
shape. Figure
9A shows an exemplary square spiral path. Figure 9B shows an exemplary
circular spiral path.
Figure 90 shows an exemplary hexagonal spiral path.
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Referring back to Figure 7B, the first conduit module 10a and the second
conduit module 11 a
are nested with one another. The first conduit module 10a and the second
conduit module lla
and accordingly also the first spiral path and the second spiral path lie in
the same plane, said
plane being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 14 of the heat exchanger 9.
The first and
second spiral paths that the first conduit module 10a and the second conduit
module 11 a
respectively follow are arranged adjacent one another. Accordingly, when
viewed in the radial
direction, r 13 of the heat exchanger 9, at least a portion of the first
conduit module 10a is
arranged adjacent at least a portion of the second conduit module 10b. Figure
8 shows another
example in which the first and second spiral paths comprise a plurality of
straight sections and
the first conduit section 19a and the second conduit section 20a are nested
with one another.
Such a heat exchanger advantageously provides the ability to cool and/or heat
multiple fluids
in a single heat exchanger installation. A single heat exchanger installation
is advantageously
easier to install and has a lower overall volume than multiple individual
units, which would
otherwise be needed to cool and/or heat multiple fluids. Accordingly, such a
heat exchanger
provides for reduced size and mass, yielding space and weight saving benefits.
Furthermore,
such a heat exchanger provides a high degree of flexibility for tailoring the
effectiveness and
temperatures of each fluid in the heat exchanger. Additionally, in such a heat
exchanger, the
pressure drop in the third fluid can be lower than if the flow of the third
fluid had to be directed
through multiple individual heat exchangers. In addition, such a heat
exchanger may provide
for a reduction or complete avoidance of congealing and/or freezing of fluids
within the conduit
modules. Even further, such a heat exchanger may provide for the ability to
tune the
geometries and positions of each conduit module during the process of
designing the heat
exchanger, advantageously offering a very high degree of optimisation during
the process of
designing the heat exchanger, whilst maintaining high effectiveness of the
heat exchanger.
The heat exchanger thus provides a high degree of flexibility to optimise the
design of the heat
exchanger for a wide range of applications.
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Referring again to Figure 7B, the first conduit module 10a comprises an inlet
15a and an outlet
16a, and the second conduit module 11a comprises an inlet 17a and an outlet
18a. The inlet
15a is spaced apart from the outlet 16a in the radial direction, r 13 of the
heat exchanger 9.
The inlet 15a is arranged closer to the radial centre of the heat exchanger 9
than the outlet
.. 16a. Though, it is envisaged that the radial positions of the inlet 15a and
the outlet 16a may
be reversed such that the outlet 16a is arranged closer to the radial centre
of the heat
exchanger 9 than the inlet 15a. Similarly, the inlet 17a is spaced apart from
the outlet 18a in
the radial direction, r 13 of the heat exchanger 9. The inlet 17a is arranged
closer to the radial
centre of the heat exchanger 9 than the outlet 18a. Though, it is envisaged
that the radial
positions of the inlet 17a and the outlet 18a may be reversed such that the
outlet 18a is
arranged closer to the radial centre of the heat exchanger 9 than the inlet
17a.
Figure 7A shows a graph of fluid temperature plotted against distance through
the heat
exchanger of Figure 7B. The arrows on each of the three curves represent the
directions of
.. flow of the first, second and third fluids through the distance of the heat
exchanger. The curves
show the temperature profiles of the first, second and third fluids that can
be achieved using
the heat exchanger of Figure 7B, in particular, the respective inlet and
outlet temperatures of
the first, second and third fluids (for each curve, the inlet temperature is
shown at one of end
of the curve behind the direction of the arrow, and the outlet temperature is
shown at the other
end of the curve ahead of the direction the arrow is pointing in).
In the example shown in Figure 8, wherein the first and second spiral paths
each comprise a
plurality of straight sections, the first conduit module 19a has an inlet 21a
and an outlet 22a,
and the second conduit module 20a has an inlet 23a and an outlet 24a. The
inlet 21a is
arranged farther from the radial centre (marked at the location of the "X"
indicating the position
of the longitudinal axis 14 in Figure 8) of the heat exchanger than the outlet
22a. Similarly, the
inlet 23a is arranged farther from the radial centre of the heat exchanger
than the outlet 24a.
Though, it is envisaged that the radial positions of the inlet 21a and the
outlet 22a may be
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reversed. It is also envisaged that the radial positions of the inlet 23a and
the outlet 24a may
be reversed.
Referring back to Figure 7B, in one example, the inlet 15a of the first
conduit module 10a and
.. the inlet 17a of the second conduit module lla are arranged at the same
radial distance along
the radial direction, r 13 of the heat exchanger 9, and the outlet 16a of the
first conduit module
10a and the outlet 18a of the second conduit module 11 a are arranged at the
same radial
distance along the radial direction r 13 of the heat exchanger 9. However,
other positions of
the inlets and outlets of the respective conduit modules can also be
envisaged. In particular,
the inlet 15a of the first conduit module 10a may be spaced apart from the
inlet 17a of the
second conduit module 11 a in the radial direction, r 13 of the heat exchanger
9, and/or the
outlet 16a of the first conduit module 10a may be spaced apart from the outlet
18a of the
second conduit module 11 a in the radial direction, r 13 of the heat exchanger
9.
For example, as shown in Figure 10B, which is a schematic plan view of another
exemplary
heat exchanger, the inlet 15a of the first conduit module 10a is spaced apart
from the inlet 17a
of the second conduit module 11 a in the radial direction, r 13 of the heat
exchanger 9. The
inlet 15a of the first conduit module 10a is arranged closer to the radial
centre of the heat
exchanger (marked at the location of the "X" indicating the position of the
longitudinal axis 14
in Figure 10B) than the inlet 17a of the second conduit module 11a. The outlet
16a of the first
conduit module 10a and the outlet 18a of the second conduit module lla are
arranged at the
same radial distance along the radial direction, r 13 of the heat exchanger 9.
In such an
arrangement, the second conduit module lla has a longer length than the first
conduit module
10a. In other words, the second spiral is longer than the first spiral path,
such that only a portion
of the length of the second conduit module 11 a is nested with the first
conduit module 10a. In
the example shown in Figure 10B, the first fluid flow path 12 is illustrated
as flowing radially
outwards. Though, it is also envisaged that the first fluid flow path 12 may
be configured to
flow radially inwards, i.e. in the opposite direction to that depicted in
Figure 10B.
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Figure 10A shows a graph of fluid temperature plotted against distance through
the heat
exchanger of Figure 10B. The arrows on each of the three curves represent the
directions of
flow of the first, second and third fluids through the distance of the heat
exchanger. The curves
show the temperature profiles of the first, second and third fluids that can
be achieved using
the heat exchanger of Figure 10B, in particular, the respective inlet and
outlet temperatures of
the first, second and third fluids (for each curve, the inlet temperature is
shown at one of end
of the curve behind the direction of the arrow, and the outlet temperature is
shown at the other
end of the curve ahead of the direction the arrow is pointing in).
Another example is shown in Figure 11B, wherein the inlet 15a of the first
conduit module 10a
and the inlet 17a of the second conduit module llb are arranged at the same
radial distance
along the radial direction, r 13 of the heat exchanger 9. The outlet 16a of
the first conduit
module 10a is spaced apart from the outlet 18a of the second conduit module 11
a in the radial
.. direction, r 13 of the heat exchanger 9. The outlet 16a of the first
conduit module 10a is
arranged closer to the radial centre of the heat exchanger (marked at the
location if the "X"
indicating the position of the longitudinal axis 14 in Figure 11B) than the
outlet 18a of the
second conduit module 11a. In such an arrangement, the first conduit module
10a has a longer
length than the second conduit module 11a. In other words, the first spiral
path is longer than
the second spiral path, such that only a portion of the length of the first
conduit module 10a is
nested with the second conduit module 11a. It is also envisaged that both the
inlet 15a of the
first conduit module 10a may be spaced apart from the inlet 17a of the second
conduit module
11a in the radial direction, r 13 of the heat exchanger 9, and also the outlet
17a of the first
conduit module 10a may be spaced apart from the outlet 19a of the second
conduit module
11a in the radial direction, r 13 of the heat exchanger 9. In the example
shown in Figure 11B,
the first fluid flow path 12 is illustrated as flowing radially outwards.
Though, it is also envisaged
that the first fluid flow path 12 may be configured to flow radially inwards,
i.e. in the opposite
direction to that depicted in Figure 11B.
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Advantageously, such a heat exchanger provides for the optimisation of the
inlet and outlet
temperatures of the first fluid and the second fluid. In particular,
positioning the respective inlets
and/or outlets of each of the first conduit module and the second conduit
module at different
positions along the radial direction of the heat exchanger allows the inlet
and outlet
temperatures of the first fluid and the second fluid, when contained within
the first conduit
module and the second conduit module respectively, to be tailored, during the
process of
designing the heat exchanger, to optimise the effectiveness of the heat
exchanger.
Additionally, positioning the respective inlets and/or outlets of each of the
first conduit module
and the second conduit module at different positions along the radial
direction of the heat
exchanger allows the lengths of the first conduit module and the second
conduit module to be
tailored, during the process of designing the heat exchanger, to optimise the
effectiveness of
the heat exchanger.
Figure 11A shows a graph of fluid temperature plotted against distance through
the heat
exchanger of Figure 11B. The arrows on each of the three curves represent the
directions of
flow of the first, second and third fluids through the distance of the heat
exchanger. The curves
show the temperature profiles of the first, second and third fluids that can
be achieved using
the heat exchanger of Figure 11B, in particular, the respective inlet and
outlet temperatures of
the first, second and third fluids (for each curve, the inlet temperature is
shown at one of end
of the curve behind the direction of the arrow, and the outlet temperature is
shown at the other
end of the curve ahead of the direction the arrow is pointing in).
In the example shown in Figure 13B, the heat exchanger 9 further comprises a
third conduit
module 25a for the flow of a fourth fluid in heat exchange with the third
fluid. The third conduit
module 25a is fluidly isolated from the first conduit module 10a and the
second conduit module
11a. In the example shown in Figure 13B, the first fluid flow path 12 is
illustrated as flowing
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radially outwards. Though, it is also envisaged that the first fluid flow path
12 may be configured
to flow radially inwards, i.e. in the opposite direction to that depicted in
Figure 13B.
Figure 13A shows a graph of fluid temperature plotted against distance through
the heat
exchanger of Figure 13B. The arrows on each of the four curves represent the
directions of
flow of the first, second, third and fourth fluids through the distance of the
heat exchanger. The
curves show the temperature profiles of the first, second, third and fourth
fluids that can be
achieved using the heat exchanger of Figure 13B, in particular, the respective
inlet and outlet
temperatures of the first, second, third and fourth fluids (for each curve,
the inlet temperature
is shown at one of end of the curve behind the direction of the arrow, and the
outlet temperature
is shown at the other end of the curve ahead of the direction the arrow is
pointing in).
At least a portion of the third conduit module 25a is arranged in a path that
gradually widens
or tightens about the longitudinal axis 14 of the heat exchanger 9. In other
words, the third
conduit module 25a has a length. The length of the third conduit module 25a is
arranged such
that it spirals/winds about the longitudinal axis 14 in a gradually widening
or tightening path. In
other words, it is arranged to gradually get closer or further away from the
longitudinal axis 14
or radial centre (marked at the location of the "X" indicating the position of
the longitudinal axis
14 in Figure 13B) of the heat exchanger 9. As shown in Figure 13B, at least a
portion of the
third conduit module 25a follows a third spiral path along the length of the
third conduit module
25a. The third conduit module 25a follows a third spiral path that comprises
one curved section
and is a circular spiral path. Though, it is envisaged that the third spiral
path may comprise any
suitable shape. At least a portion of the third conduit module 25a is nested
with the first conduit
module 10a and the second conduit module 11a.
Advantageously, such a heat exchanger provides the ability to cool and/or heat
multiple,
specifically, three or more, fluids in a single heat exchanger installation. A
single heat
exchanger installation is advantageously easier to install and has a lower
overall volume than
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multiple individual units, which would otherwise be needed to cool and/or heat
multiple fluids.
Accordingly, such a heat exchanger has reduced size and mass, yielding space
and weight
saving benefits.
Referring now to Figure 5, the first conduit module 10a comprises a plurality
of first tubes 8
each wound in a respective path that gradually widens or tightens along a
length of said
respective path about the longitudinal axis 14 of the heat exchanger 9. In
other words, the
plurality of first tubes 8 are each wound in a respective path about the
longitudinal axis 14 of
the heat exchanger 9 that is arranged to gradually get closer to or further
away from the
longitudinal axis 14 of the heat exchanger 9. The plurality of first tubes 8
are each spaced from
one another in rows along the longitudinal direction i.e. along a direction
which is substantially
parallel to the longitudinal axis 14 of the heat exchanger 9.
In the example shown in Figure 5, the plurality of first tubes 8 are arranged
in a plurality of
rows along the longitudinal direction of the heat exchanger. For the sake of
clarity, in Figure
5, only one row of the tubes 8 is shown installed, with 3 tubes 8 illustrated
in the row. Though,
it is envisaged that there may be any number of tubes 8 in each row. Each of
the plurality of
first tubes 8 are connected to the inlet header 100 by a brazing process.
Though, it is envisaged
that any suitable joining method may be used, for example, by use of one or
more of vacuum
brazing, dip brazing, and an adhesive. The inlet header 100 at one end of the
plurality of first
tubes 8 is in fluid communication with an inlet end of each of the plurality
of first tubes, which
is fluidly associated with the inlet 15a of the first conduit section 10a. The
header (not shown)
at the other end (not shown) of the plurality of first tubes 7 is in fluid
communication with an
outlet end of each of the plurality of first tubes 8, which is fluidly
associated with the outlet 16a
of the first conduit section 10a.
Similarly, the second conduit module 11 a comprises a plurality of second
tubes, which are
each spaced from one another in rows along the longitudinal direction of the
heat exchanger
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9. The plurality of second tubes are also arranged in the layout described
above in relation to
the plurality of first tubes, and as illustrated in Figure 5. Similarly, the
third conduit module 25a
comprises a plurality of third tubes, which are each spaced from one another
in rows along the
longitudinal direction of the heat exchanger 9. The plurality of third tubes
are also arranged in
.. the layout described above in relation to the plurality of first tubes, and
as illustrated in Figure
5.
As shown in Figures 7B, 10B, 11B, 12B and 13B, the heat exchanger 9 comprises
a plurality
of the first conduit modules 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d and a plurality of the
second conduit
modules 11a, 11 b, 11c and 11d. At least a portion of each of the plurality of
the first conduit
modules 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d and at least a portion of each of the plurality
of the second
conduit modules 11a, lib, 11c and hid are nested with one another in an
alternating matter.
Exemplary alternating nesting arrangements are shown in Figures, 7B, 10B, 11B,
12B and
13B.
Such a heat exchanger advantageously provides the ability to cool and/or heat
multiple fluids
in a single heat exchanger installation. A single heat exchanger installation
is advantageously
easier to install and has a lower overall volume than multiple individual
units, which would
otherwise be needed to cool and/or heat multiple fluids. Accordingly, such a
heat exchanger
provides reduced size and mass, yielding space and weight saving benefits.
As an example, there may be 4 first conduit modules 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d, and
4 second
conduit modules 11a, 11b, 11c and 11d, for example as shown in Figures 7B,
10B, 11B and
12B. For example, if the first fluid is water and the second fluid is oil,
there may be 6 first
conduit modules 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d and 3 or 4 second conduit modules 11a,
11b, 11c,
and 11d. This is because the present inventors have noted that almost twice as
much heat can
be rejected from water than from oil, so the number of first and second
conduit modules may
be selected accordingly to optimise the effectiveness of the heat exchanger 9.
Though, it is
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envisaged that the heat exchanger 9 may comprise any number greater than one
of the first
conduit modules and any number greater than one of the second conduit modules.
As
described in the aforementioned example, the number of first conduit modules
and the number
of second conduit modules may be selected depending on what the first, second
and third
fluids are, to optimise the effectiveness of the heat exchanger 9.
Advantageously, such a heat exchanger provides improved flow uniformity in the
first fluid flow
path for the third fluid. In particular, more conduit modules can be arranged
at an
angular/circumferential position relative to their respective inlets and
outlets where a higher
amount of driving pressure difference is available in the first fluid flow
path for the third fluid.
Advantageously, this provides for a heat exchanger with reduced complexity and
mass, as
consequently no flow guides are required.
First conduit modules 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d have inlets 15a, 15b, 15c and 15d
and outlets
16a, 16b, 16c and 16d respectively. Second conduit modules 11a, 11b, 11c and
11d have
inlets 17a, 17b, 17c and 17d and outlets 18a, 18b, 18c and 18d respectively.
Similarly, in the example shown in Figure 8, first conduit modules 19a and 19b
have inlets 21a
and 21b, and outlets 22a and 22b respectively, and second conduit modules 20a
and 20b have
inlets 23a and 23b and outlets 24a and 24b respectively.
The exemplary heat exchanger shown in Figure 13B comprises a plurality of the
third conduit
modules 25a, 25b. At least a portion of each of the plurality of the third
conduit modules 25a,
25b is nested with at least a portion of one or more of the plurality of first
conduits 10a, 10b,
10c, 10d and/or one or more of the plurality of second conduits 11a ,11b, 11c,
11d in an
alternating manner.
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Third conduit modules 25a and 25b have inlets 26a and 26b and outlets 271 and
27b
respectively.
As shown in Figures 7B, 10B, 11B, 12B and 13B, the plurality of the first
conduit modules 10a,
.. 10b, 10c, 10d and/or the plurality of the second conduit modules 11a, 11b,
11c, lid and/or if
present, the plurality of the third conduit modules 25a, 25b, are orientated
such that their
respective inlets and outlets are angularly spaced relative to one another.
The heat exchanger 9 comprises a first inlet manifold (not shown) in fluid
communication with
the inlets 15a, 15b, 15c and 15d of each of the first conduit modules 10a,
10b, 10c, 10d. The
heat exchanger 9 comprises a second inlet manifold (not shown) in fluid
communication with
the inlets 17a, 17b, 17c and 17d of each of the second conduit modules 11a,
lib, 11c and
11d. The heat exchanger 9 comprises a third inlet manifold (not shown) in
fluid communication
with the inlets 26a and 26b of each of the third conduit modules 15a and 25b.
The heat
exchanger 9 comprises a first outlet manifold (not shown) in fluid
communication with the
outlets 16a, 15b, 16c and 16d of each of the first conduit modules 10a, 10b,
10c and 10d. The
heat exchanger 9 comprises a second outlet manifold (not shown) in fluid
communication with
the outlets 18a, 18b, 18c and 18d of each of the second conduit modules 11a,
11 b, 11c and
11d. The heat exchanger 9 comprises a third outlet manifold (not shown) in
fluid
communication with the outlets 27a and 27b of each of the third conduit
modules 25a and 25b.
The first inlet manifold, the second inlet manifold, the third inlet manifold,
the first outlet
manifold, the second outlet manifold, and the third outlet manifold are ring
manifolds. The first
inlet manifold and the first outlet manifold are fluidly isolated from the
second inlet manifold,
.. the second outlet manifold, the third inlet manifold, and the third outlet
manifold, and the
second inlet manifold and the second outlet manifold are fluidly isolated from
the third inlet
manifold and the third outlet manifold, such that the plurality of first
conduit modules 10a, 10b,
10c and 10d is fluidly isolated from the plurality of second conduit modules
11a, 11b, 11 c and
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11d and the plurality of third conduit modules 25a and 25b, and the plurality
of second conduit
modules 11a, 11 b, 11c and lid is fluidly isolated from the plurality of third
conduit modules
25a and 25b.
Each of the plurality of first conduit modules 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d, each of
the plurality of
second conduit modules 11a, 11 b, 11c and 11d, and each of the plurality of
third conduit
modules 25a and 25b comprises an inner diameter and an outer diameter.
Specifically, each
of the plurality of tubes 8 of each of the plurality of first conduit modules
10a, 10b, 10c and
10d, each of the plurality of second conduit modules 11a, 11b, 11 c and 11d,
and each of the
plurality of third conduit modules 25a and 25b comprises an inner diameter and
an outer
diameter. The inner diameter and/or the outer diameter and/or the wall
thickness of the plurality
of tubes in each of the first conduit modules 10a, 10b, 10c and id, the second
conduit modules
11 a, 11 b, 11 c and 11d, and the third conduit modules 25a and 25b may be
chosen, during the
design of the heat exchanger, to optimise the heat transfer area in each of
the conduit modules.
Advantageously, such a heat exchanger provides for the optimisation of energy
transfer in
each of the conduit modules, based on the fluid that each conduit module is
for. In particular,
by tailoring the tube diameter and/or wall thickness of each of the conduit
modules, the heat
transfer area and therefore the energy transferred can be tailored for each of
the conduit
modules. Advantageously, tailoring the wall thickness of each of the conduit
modules may also
provide for the optimisation (during the process of designing the heat
exchanger) of safety
considerations relating to the heat exchanger. For example, if the first fluid
is water and the
second fluid is fuel, the wall thickness of the first conduit module could be
thinner than the wall
thickness of the second conduit module, since a water leak would not be as
serious as a fuel
leak. Furthermore, another factor to consider could be foreign object damage
FOD. A conduit
module more susceptible to any impacts of FOD could be configured to have a
greater wall
thickness than another conduit module.
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Additionally, during the design of the heat exchanger, the materials of the
conduit modules
may be chosen to optimise the effectiveness of the heat exchanger, by
optimising the heat
transfer properties and therefore the energy transferred for each of the
conduit modules. As
an example, one or more of the conduit modules can be manufactured from steel
and/or an
alloy material, such as a nickel alloy or an aluminium alloy. Though, it is
envisaged that any
suitable material(s) may be used.
The heat exchanger may comprise one or more valves (not shown). The one or
more valves
may be arranged within one or more of the plurality of first conduit modules
10a, 10b, 10c and
10d, and/or within one or more of the plurality of second conduit modules 11a,
11 b, 11c and
11d, and/or within one or more of the plurality of third conduit modules 25a
and 25b. The one
or more valves can be configured to selectively reverse, stop or alter (e.g.
alter the mass flow
rate or another property of the flow) a flow of the first fluid in one or more
of the plurality of first
conduit modules 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d, and/or a flow of the second fluid in
one or more of the
plurality of second conduit modules 11 a, 11 b, 11c and 11d, and/or a flow of
the fourth fluid in
one or more of the third conduit modules 25a and 25b.
Advantageously, such a heat exchanger may be configured to operate in a number
of distinct
modes, wherein in each mode, the flows of one or more of the first fluid, the
second fluid and
the third fluid may be reversed and/or altered, and/or the flow of one of the
first fluid and the
second fluid may even be stopped. This may alter or even reverse the heat
transfer in the first
conduit module, the second conduit module and/or the first fluid flow path.
Advantageously,
using such modes, such a heat exchanger can provide for both the cooling
and/or heating of
certain desired fluids, within the same mode or different modes, depending on
the
temperatures and properties of the first fluid, the second fluid and the third
fluid. For example,
such a heat exchanger can provide for independently heating and cooling
separate fluids within
the same compact heat exchanger. Furthermore, using such modes, such a heat
exchanger
may advantageously provide for the control and/or reduction and/or elimination
of frost
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formation on and/or within the conduit modules. Advantageously, such a heat
exchanger may
also provide for a reduction or complete avoidance of congealing and/or
freezing of fluids within
the conduit modules.
In the exemplary arrangements of Figures 7B, 10B and 11B, the first fluid is
water, the second
fluid is oil, and the third fluid is air.
In the example arrangement of Figure 12B, the first fluid is water, the second
fluid is refrigerant,
and the third fluid is air. Advantageously, such a heat exchanger can for
example be employed
in a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system such that water is used
to heat the
incoming air, and refrigerant is used to cool the air. In the example shown in
Figure 12B, the
first fluid flow path 12 is illustrated as flowing radially outwards. Though,
it is also envisaged
that the first fluid flow path 12 may be configured to flow radially inwards,
i.e. in the opposite
direction to that depicted in Figure 12B.
Figure 12A shows a graph of fluid temperature plotted against distance through
the heat
exchanger of Figure 12B. The arrows on each of the three curves represent the
directions of
flow of the first, second and third fluids through the distance of the heat
exchanger. The curves
show the temperature profiles of the first, second and third fluids that can
be achieved using
the heat exchanger of Figure 12B, in particular, the respective inlet and
outlet temperatures of
the first, second and third fluids (for each curve, the inlet temperature is
shown at one of end
of the curve behind the direction of the arrow, and the outlet temperature is
shown at the other
end of the curve ahead of the direction the arrow is pointing in).
As another example, in the arrangement of Figure 13B, the first fluid is
water, the second fluid
is oil, the third fluid is air, and the fourth fluid is another fluid.
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The heat exchanger 9 can be employed in a vehicle, such as an aircraft, flying
machine or
automobile.
The operation of the heat exchanger 9 shall now be described with reference to
the exemplary
embodiment shown in Figure 7B. During a method of operating the heat exchanger
9, the first
fluid and/or the second fluid can be heated and/or cooled by causing the first
fluid to flow
through the first conduit module 10a, the second fluid to flow through the
second conduit
module 11a, and the third fluid to flow through the first fluid flow path 12.
The method
comprises providing a means for forcing the third fluid to flow through the
first fluid flow path
12. Such means may, for example, comprise a fan, a pump, or other suitable
means. In the
example shown in Figure 7B, the third fluid is configured to travel radially
outwards. Though, it
is envisaged that the direction of flow of the third fluid in the first fluid
flow path 12 could be
reversed such that the third fluid is configured to travel/flow radially
inwards.
.. Such a method advantageously provides the ability to cool and/or heat
multiple fluids in a
single heat exchanger installation. A single heat exchanger installation is
advantageously
easier to install and has a lower overall volume than multiple individual
units, which would
otherwise be needed to cool and/or heat multiple fluids. Accordingly, such a
method provides
a heat exchanger with reduced size and mass, yielding space and weight saving
benefits.
Furthermore, such a method may provide a high degree of flexibility for
tailoring the
effectiveness and temperatures of each fluid in the heat exchanger.
Additionally, in such a
method, the pressure drop in the third fluid can be lower than if the flow of
the third fluid had
to be directed through multiple individual heat exchangers. In addition, such
a method may
provide for a reduction or complete avoidance of congealing and/or freezing of
fluids within the
conduit modules. Even further, such a method may provide for the ability to
tune the
geometries and positions of each conduit module, advantageously offering a
very high degree
of optimisation (during the process of designing the heat exchanger) whilst
maintaining high
effectiveness of the heat exchanger.
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Referring again to the example shown in Figure 7B, the first fluid (which is
water in the
example) is caused to flow through the plurality of first conduit modules 10a,
10b, 10c and 10d,
to flow from the outside of the heat exchanger 9 towards the inside (i.e.
radial centre) of the
heat exchanger 9. Though, it is envisaged that the direction of flow of the
first fluid in the
plurality of first conduit modules 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d could be reversed
such that the first
fluid is configured to flow from the inside (i.e. radial centre) of the heat
exchanger 9 towards
the outside of the heat exchanger 9. Similarly, also in the example shown in
Figure 7B, the
second fluid (which is oil in the example) is caused to flow through the
plurality of second
conduit modules 11a, lib, 11c and 11d, to flow from the outside of the heat
exchanger 9
towards the inside (i.e. radial centre) of the heat exchanger 9. Though, it is
envisaged that the
direction of flow of the second fluid in the plurality of second conduit
modules 11a, 11 b, 11c
and lid could be reversed such that the second fluid is configured to flow
from the inside (i.e.
radial centre) of the heat exchanger 9 towards the outside of the heat
exchanger 9.
In the method of operating the heat exchanger, the first fluid flow path 12
and hence the third
fluid are configured to flow over and around the plurality of first conduit
modules 10a, 10b, 10c
and 10d, the plurality of second conduit modules 11a, lib, 11c and 11d, and if
present, also
the plurality of third conduit modules 25a and 25b.
The method can additionally include, as an example, reversing or altering the
direction of flow
in one or more of the plurality of first conduit modules 10a, 10b, 10c and
10d, and/or in one or
more of the plurality of second conduit modules 11a, 11 b, 11c and 11d. Such a
method may
include stopping the flow in one or more of the plurality of first conduit
modules 10a, 10b, 10c
and 10d, or stopping the flow in one or more of the plurality of second
conduit modules 11a,
11b, 11c and 11d, and then subsequently starting the flow in said one or more
of the plurality
of first conduit modules 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d or the plurality of second conduit
modules 11a,
11b, 11c and 11d.
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Accordingly, the method of operating the heat exchanger may comprise operating
the heat
exchanger in one or more modes of operation. In at least one of the modes of
operation, the
flow in one or more of the plurality of first conduit modules 10a, 10b, 10c
and 10d, and/or the
.. flow in one or more of the plurality of second conduit modules 11a, lib, 11
c and 11d, and/or
the flow in the first fluid flow path 12 may be reversed or altered, and/or
the flow in one or more
of the plurality of first conduit modules 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d, or the flow
in one or more of the
plurality of second conduit modules 11a, 11 b, 11c and 11d, may be stopped.
.. Advantageously, such a method provides for a heat exchanger to be
configured to operate in
a number of distinct modes, wherein in each mode, the flows of one or more of
the first fluid,
the second fluid and the third fluid may be reversed and/or altered, and/or
the flow of one of
the first fluid and the second fluid may even be stopped. This may alter or
even reverse the
heat transfer in the first conduit module, the second conduit module and/or
the first fluid flow
path. Advantageously, using such heat exchanger modes, such a method can
provide for both
the cooling and/or heating of certain desired fluids, within the same mode or
different modes,
depending on the temperatures and properties of the first fluid, the second
fluid and the third
fluid. For example, such a method may provide for independently heating and
cooling separate
fluids within the same compact heat exchanger. Furthermore, using such a
method, a heat
.. exchanger may advantageously provide for the control and/or reduction
and/or elimination of
frost formation on and/or within the conduit modules. Advantageously, such a
method may
also provide for a reduction or complete avoidance of congealing and/or
freezing of fluids within
the conduit modules.
As an example, in a first mode the heat exchanger is configured to cool the
third fluid using the
first fluid, and in a second mode the heat exchanger is configured to heat the
third fluid using
the second fluid. This could be achieved by stopping the flow of the second
fluid in the first
mode, and stopping the flow of the first fluid in the second mode.
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CA 03131814 2021-08-27
WO 2020/178199
PCT/EP2020/055355
As another example, with reference to the heat exchanger shown in Figure 11B,
if the second
fluid (which in the example of Figure 11B, is oil) was not required to be
cooled continuously,
then in one exemplary mode, the flow of the second fluid in one or more of the
plurality of
second conduit modules 11a, 11 b, 11 c and lid is reduced or stopped. The flow
of the first
fluid (which in the example of Figure 11B, is water) in one or more of the
plurality of first conduit
modules 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d is reduced or stopped to still give the same
effective heat
transfer between the active fluids.
As yet another example, with reference to the heat exchanger shown in Figure
12B, the method
of operating the heat exchanger could be applied to a heating, ventilation and
air conditioning
system such that the first fluid (which in the example of Figure 12B, is
water) is used to heat
the incoming third fluid (which in the example of Figure 12B, is air), and the
second fluid (which
in the example of Figure 12B, is refrigerant), is used to cool the third fluid
by means of
controlling the flow of the fluids to the plurality of first conduit modules
10a, 10b, 10c and 10d,
and to the plurality of second conduit modules 11a, 11 b, 11 c and 11d.
The control of the first, second and third fluids, and also the fourth fluid,
if present, is achieved
using one or more valves.
Various modifications may be made to the described embodiment(s) without
departing from
the scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.
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