Heat exchanger
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorsNicholas J. Nagurny, Natalie B. Levings, Derek M. Beckner, Michael R. Eller, Patrick D. Grandelli, Joe Van Ryzin, Eliot Goldstein, Randy J. Brown, Leslie D. Kramer, Robert J. Howard
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A heat exchanger and a method for fabricating the heat exchanger are disclosed. The heat exchanger comprises a heat exchanger core that is formed from a plurality of stacked aluminum panels that are joined together via friction stir welding. Each panel in the core is formed from at least two aluminum extrusions that are joined to one another via friction stir welding.
Claims29
A heat exchanger comprising:
- a first plank comprising a first conduit for conveying a first fluid, wherein the first plank consists of a first material that is substantially thermally conductive;
- and
- a second plank comprising a second conduit for conveying the first fluid, wherein the second plank consists of the first material, wherein the first plank and second plank are mated such that they collectively define a first weld line;
- wherein the first plank and the second plank are fixedly joined along the first weld line via a first friction-stir welding joint, and wherein the first plank and the second plank collectively define a third conduit for conveying a second fluid, and further wherein the first friction-stir welding joint is operative as a barrier between a flow of the first fluid and a flow of the second fluid.
A heat exchanger comprising:
- a first plank comprising a first plurality of first channels for conveying a first fluid, wherein the first plank consists of a first material that is substantially thermally conductive;
- and
- a second plank comprising a second plurality of first channels for conveying the first fluid, wherein the second plank consists of the first material;
- wherein the first plank and second plank are fixedly joined by friction-stir welding, and wherein the first plank and second plank collectively define a first conduit for conveying a second fluid, and wherein first plank and second plank enable thermal coupling between the first fluid and the second fluid.
A method of forming a heat exchanger comprising:
- providing a first plank comprising a first plurality of first channels for conveying a first fluid, wherein the first plank consists of a first material that is substantially thermally conductive;
- providing a second plank comprising a second plurality of first channels, wherein the second plank consists of the first material;
- mating the first plank and a second plank such that they collectively define a first weld line;
- and
- joining the first plank and the second plank along the first weld line via a first friction-stir welding joint, wherein the joined first plank and second plank collectively form at least a portion of a first conduit for conveying a second fluid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.