Turbofan engine with heat exchanger module having optimized fan to element area parameter
US11692484B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 24, 2021 |
| Grant date | Jul 4, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 28, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T50/60
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A turbofan gas turbine engine includes, in axial flow sequence, a heat exchanger module, a fan assembly, a compressor module, and a turbine module. The fan assembly includes fan blades defining a corresponding fan area (AFAN). The heat exchanger module is in fluid communication with the fan assembly by an inlet duct, and includes radially-extending vanes arranged in a circumferential array with at least one vane including a heat transfer element for heat transfer from a first fluid contained within each element to an airflow passing over a surface of each heat transfer element before entering the fan assembly inlet. Each heat transfer element extends axially along the corresponding vane, with a swept heat transfer element area (AHTE) being the wetted surface area of all heat transfer elements in contact with the airflow. A Fan to Element Area parameter FEA of AHTE/AFAN lies in the range of 47 to 132.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.