Passive hex flow regulation
AssigneeHamilton Sundstrand Corporation
InventorsNaison E. Mastrocola, William E. Villano
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A heat exchanger is configured to adjust a flow restriction of flow passages through the heat exchanger in response to changes in temperature of elements that define at least a portion of the flow passages. The elements include a first material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion, and a second material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion that is different from the first coefficient of thermal expansion.
Claims18
A heat exchanger configured to automatically adjust a flow restriction of flow passages through the heat exchanger in response to changes in temperature of elements that define at least a portion of the flow passages, the elements each comprising:
- a first end;
- a second end;
- a first material comprising a first coefficient of thermal expansion extending from the first end to the second end;
- and
- a second material comprising a second coefficient of thermal expansion different from the first coefficient of thermal expansion and contiguous with the first material,
- wherein the first end of the first material of a first element of the elements contacts the second material of a second element at a point between the first end and the second end of the second element when the heat exchanger is at a first temperature, and wherein the first element does not contact the second element when the heat exchanger is at a second temperature.
A heat exchanger comprising:
- a base;
- and
- a plurality of fins extending from the base, wherein each fin of the plurality of fins comprises:
- a base end connected to the base;
- a distal end opposite the base end;
- a first section comprising a first material, wherein the first section extends from the base end to the distal end;
- and
- a second section comprising a second material, wherein the second section extends from the base end to the distal end contiguous with the first section, and wherein the first material and the second material have different coefficients of thermal expansion,
- wherein the first section at the distal end of a first fin of the plurality of fins contacts the second section of a second fin at a point between the distal end and the base end of the second fin when the heat exchanger is at a first temperature, and wherein the first fin does not contact the second fin when the heat exchanger is at a second temperature.
A method of altering a flow area of flow passages in a heat exchanger comprising:
- altering temperatures of a plurality of fins that define at least portions of flow passages of the heat exchanger, wherein each fin of the plurality of fins comprises a first material adjacent to a second material, and wherein the first material comprises a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the second material;
- altering shapes of the plurality of fins in response to the altering of temperatures, wherein altering the shapes comprises either:
- raising the temperatures of the plurality of fins such that the plurality of fins moves from a closed position to an open position;
- or
- lowering the temperatures of the plurality of fins such that the plurality of fins moves from the open position to the closed position;
- wherein in the closed position a first material at a distal end of a first fin of the plurality of fins contacts a second material of a second fin at a point between a distal end and a base end of the second fin;
- and
- altering the flow area of the flow passages via the altering of the shapes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.