Additively manufactured fin slots for thermal growth

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2020141663-A1
Application number	US-201816180665-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 5, 2018
Priority date	Nov 5, 2018
Publication date	May 7, 2020
Grant date	—

Abstract

A core arrangement for a heat exchanger includes a first core layer. The first core layer includes first upstream and downstream ends, first and second parting sheets parallel to one another, and a plurality of adjacent fins disposed between the first and second parting sheets. Each of the plurality of fins extends from a surface of the first parting sheet to a surface of the second parting sheet, and longitudinally between the first upstream end and the first downstream end. The plurality of fins are further laterally arranged to define a plurality of first fluid passages. Each of a subset of the plurality of fins includes an internal slot positioned away from the first upstream end and the first downstream end.

First claim

1 . A core arrangement for a heat exchanger comprising:
a first core layer comprising:
a first upstream end;
a first downstream end;
a first parting sheet;
a second parting sheet parallel to the first parting sheet; and
a plurality of adjacent fins disposed between the first and second parting sheets;
wherein each of the plurality of fins extends from a surface of the first parting sheet to a surface of the second parting sheet, and longitudinally between the first upstream end and the first downstream end;
wherein the plurality of fins are further laterally arranged to define a plurality of first fluid passages; and
wherein each of a subset of the plurality of fins includes an internal slot positioned away from the first upstream end and the first downstream end.

2 . The core arrangement of claim 1 , and further comprising:
a second core layer adjacent to the first core layer, the second core layer comprising:
a second upstream end offset from the first upstream end by at least ninety degrees;
a second downstream end offset from the first downstream end by at least ninety degrees;
a third parting sheet parallel to the second parting sheet; and
a plurality of adjacent fins disposed between the second and third parting sheets;
wherein each of the plurality of fins extends from a surface of the second parting sheet to a surface of the third parting sheet, and longitudinally between the second upstream end and the second downstream end; and
wherein the plurality of fins are further laterally arranged to define a plurality of second fluid passages.

3 . The core arrangement of claim 2 , wherein a geometry of the internal slot is characterized by a length corresponding to the longitudinal direction, and a height perpendicular to the length.

4 . The core arrangement of claim 3 , wherein the geometry of the internal slot is further characterized by a curved edge.

5 . The core arrangement of claim 3 , wherein the height is uniform along the length.

6 . The core arrangement of claim 3 , wherein the height is greater at a first position along the length than at a second position along the length.

7 . The core arrangement of claim 3 , wherein the subset of the plurality of fins comprises a first fin and a second fin.

8 . The core arrangement of claim 7 , wherein the first fin is adjacent to the second fin.

9 . The core arrangement of claim 8 , wherein the geometry of the internal slot of the first fin is different from the geometry of the internal slot of the second fin.

10 . The core arrangement of claim 7 , wherein the first fin and the second fin are non-adjacent.

11 . The core arrangement of claim 9 and further comprising: an un-slotted fin disposed between the first fin and the second fin.

12 . The core arrangement of claim 6 , wherein a longitudinal position of the internal slot of the first fin is different from a longitudinal position of the internal slot of the second fin.

13 . A heat exchanger comprising:
a core arrangement comprising:
a first core layer comprising:
a first upstream end;
a first downstream end;
a first parting sheet;
a second parting sheet parallel to the first parting sheet; and
a plurality of adjacent fins disposed between the first and second parting sheets;
wherein each of the plurality of fins extends from a surface of the first parting sheet to a surface of the second parting sheet, and longitudinally between the first upstream end and the first downstream end;
wherein the plurality of fins are further laterally arranged to define a plurality of first fluid passages; and
wherein each of a subset of the plurality of fins includes an internal slot positioned away from the first upstream end and the first downstream end.

14 . The heat exchanger of claim 13 , and further comprising:
a second core layer adjacent to the first core layer, the second core layer comprising:
a second upstream end offset from the first upstream end by at least ninety degrees;
a second downstream end offset from the first downstream end by at least ninety degrees;
a third parting sheet parallel to the second parting sheet; and
a plurality of adjacent fins disposed between the second and third parting sheets;
wherein each of the plurality of fins extends from a surface of the second parting sheet to a surface of the third parting sheet, and longitudinally between the second upstream end and the second downstream end; and
wherein the plurality of fins are further laterally arranged to define a plurality of second fluid passages.

15 . The heat exchanger of claim 13 , wherein a geometry of the internal slot is characterized by a length corresponding to the longitudinal direction, and a height perpendicular to the length.

16 . The heat exchanger of claim 15 , wherein the geometry of the internal slot is further characterized by a curved edge.

17 . The heat exchanger of claim 15 , wherein the height is uniform along the length.

18 . The heat exchanger of claim 15 , wherein the height is greater at a first position along the length than at a second position along the length.

19 . A method of forming a heat exchanger core, the method comprising:
forming, using an additive manufacturing process, a core layer comprising:
a first parting sheet;
a second parting sheet parallel to the first parting sheet; and
a plurality of adjacent fins disposed between the first and second parting sheets;
wherein each of a subset of the plurality of fins is additively manufactured to include an internal slot.

20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the additive manufacturing process is a powder bed fusion process.

Assignees

• Hamilton Sundstrand Corp

Inventors

• Ruiz Gabriel
• Killen Thomas James
• Bleeker Daniel
• Doe Michael
• Delugan Anthony
• Streeter James

Classifications

• F28D1/0366

  the conduits being formed by spaced plates with inserted elements (F28D1/0358 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F28F3/048 Primary

  in the form of ribs integral with the element or local variations in thickness of the element, e.g. grooves, microchannels · CPC title

• F28F3/04

  the means being integral with the element · CPC title

• F28F2215/08

  with openings, e.g. louvers · CPC title

• F28F2265/26

  for allowing differential expansion between elements · CPC title