Method of building a heat exchanger
AssigneeHamilton Sundstrand Corporation
InventorPaul M. Colson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of building a heat exchanger includes forming the heat exchanger with layer-by-layer additive manufacturing. A first hollow annulus is formed. A body of the heat exchanger is formed to be integrally connected to and grown upwards from the first hollow annulus. The body includes an exterior wall and a heat exchanger core disposed within the exterior wall. The body defines an interior that is cylindrically shaped with an axis oriented parallel to a direction of gravity. The first annulus is disposed on a gravitational bottom of the body. A second hollow annulus is formed integrally connected to and grown upwards from a gravitational top of the body. Residual powder is removed from a bottom of the heat exchanger.
Claims11
A method of building a heat exchanger, the method comprising:
- forming, with layer-by-layer additive manufacturing, the heat exchanger, wherein forming the heat exchanger comprises:
- forming a first hollow annulus, wherein the first hollow annulus includes a conical cross-section shape;
- forming a body of the heat exchanger, wherein the body is integrally connected to and grown upwards from the first hollow annulus, wherein the body defines an interior that is cylindrically shaped, wherein an axis of the body is oriented parallel to a direction of gravity, wherein the first hollow annulus is disposed on a gravitational bottom of the body, wherein the body comprises:
- an exterior wall;
- and
- a heat exchanger core disposed within the exterior wall;
- forming a second hollow annulus integrally connected to and grown upwards from a gravitational top of the body, wherein the second hollow annulus includes a conical cross-section shape;
- and
- removing residual powder from a bottom of the heat exchanger.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.