Functionally graded composite polymer for heat exchanger
AssigneeHamilton Sundstrand Corporation
InventorsAbbas A. Alahyari, Matthew Robert Pearson, Catherine Thibaud
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of making a heat exchanger uses a functionally graded polymer composite material to create the heat exchanger. The polymer composite material includes a polymer and a filler, the filler concentration is varied in each part of the heat exchanger, either within the part, creating a gradient, or is different in each part of the heat exchanger depending on use of that part of the heat exchanger.
Claims19
A heat exchanger comprising:
- a plurality of polymer tubes, each of the plurality of polymer tubes comprised of a functionally graded polymer composite, the functionally graded polymer composite comprising:
- a polymer;
- and
- at least one filler material dispersed in the polymer such that the concentration of the at least one filler material varies in at least one of an axial or radial direction in each of the polymer tubes.
(canceled)
A heat exchanger comprising:
- a plurality of polymer tubes, each of the plurality of polymer tubes comprised of a functionally graded polymer composite, the functionally graded polymer composite comprising:
- a polymer;
- and
- at least one filler material, wherein each of the plurality of polymer tubes comprises a different concentration of the at least one filler material.
A heat exchanger wall comprising:
- a first side;
- and
- a second side opposite the first side, wherein the first side and the second side are comprised of a polymer composite, the polymer composite functionally graded across the heat exchanger wall from the first side to the second side, wherein the polymer composite comprises:
- a polymer;
- and
- at least one filler material comprising fibers, wherein the fibers extending beyond the first side of the wall.
11-12. (canceled)
The wall of claim 11, wherein the polymer composite is functionally graded from a higher concentration of the at least one filler material to a lower concentration of the at least one filler material.
The wall of claim 11, wherein the polymer composite is functionally graded from a higher concentration of the at least one filler material at a center part of the wall to a lower concentration of filler material at an exterior part of the wall.
The wall of claim 11, wherein the polymer composite is functionally graded from a lower concentration of the at least one filler material at a center part of the wall to a higher concentration of the at least one filler material an exterior part of the wall.
The wall of claim 11, wherein the polymer composite is functionally graded from a higher concentration of the at least one filler material to a lower concentration of the at least one filler material along a flow path inside the wall.
A method of making a heat exchanger comprising:
- creating functionally graded polymer plates comprising a polymer composite;
- and
- assembling the heat exchanger with the polymer plates.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.