Apparatus and methods for additively manufacturing microtube heat exchangers
US11022375B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 6, 2017 |
| Grant date | Jun 1, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 25, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF28F2255/18
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for additively manufacturing microtube heat exchangers are disclosed herein. A heat exchanger header is additively manufactured with high density microtube arrays to achieve an integrated structure achieving values of heat transfer effectiveness Eff up to ninety percent and values of transfer surface area densities up to 20,000 m2/m3. The heat exchanger header can be printed with a high density microtube array to separate different types of fluids or liquids into different microtubes and to form a high quality seal. Additionally, microtubes and/or microtube arrays can be additively manufactured to be curved or to have pleats; and microtube lattice arrays can be compactly positioned within hollow support structures.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.