Craft outer skin heat exchanger and method for manufacturing a craft outer skin heat exchanger

Abstract

A heat exchanger comprising a plurality of heat transfer modules disposed side by side so as to define a multilayer body of the heat exchanger. Each heat transfer module has at least one heat transfer medium channel configured to allow a flow of a heat-carrying medium therethrough. At least one portion of the multilayer body of the heat exchanger has a curvature configured to allow the heat exchanger to be used as a curved outer skin section of a craft. Adjacent heat transfer modules of the at least one portion of the multilayer body are arranged with a tilt angle of their central axes towards each other such that each heat transfer module is aligned towards the center of a local osculating circle defined by an outer surface of the heat exchanger.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of International Application PCT / EP2013 / 056702 filed Mar. 28, 2013, designating the United States and published on Oct. 10, 2013 as WO 2013 / 149936. This application also claims the benefit of the U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 620,474, filed on Apr. 5, 2012, and of the European patent application No. 12002472.4, filed on Apr. 5, 2012, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by way of reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention relates to a craft outer skin heat exchanger, to the use of such an outer skin heat exchanger in an aircraft, and to a method for manufacturing such a craft outer skin heat exchanger.[0003]Fuel cell systems enable low-emission, highly efficient generation of electric current. For this reason, efforts are currently made to use fuel cell systems to generate electrical energy in various mobile applications, such as for example in automotive engineeri...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a heat exchanger for use in crafts, such as aircraft, that helps to cool the craft's power-generating devices. The heat exchanger is made up of heat transfer modules that are designed to be efficient in transferring heat. These modules can be manufactured in a flat, thin way and can have a relatively large length compared to their thickness. The modules can also have more than one heat transfer channel, which can be arranged in a way that allows the heat to flow from high-power devices to low-power devices. The heat exchanger can also have a separating element, which helps to prevent the entry of ambient air and create a smooth outer surface for the heat exchanger. This design reduces the aerodynamic drag caused by the heat exchanger when in use. Overall, the heat exchanger helps to cool the craft efficiently while minimizing the impact on its aerodynamic performance.

Problems solved by technology

A fuel cell that has a high capacity for generating electrical energy, however, also generates a large amount of thermal energy and therefore has a high cooling requirement.

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