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  Compact heat exchangerRelated Patent Categories: Heat Exchange, With Agitating Or Stirring StructureThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070227706. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] This invention relates to a compact heat exchanger or microcircuit for providing heat dissipation and film protection. More specifically, the invention relates to a linked compact heat exchanger or microcircuit with low levels of internal pressure loss. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] As a result of moving at high speeds through gas or having high-speed gas passing over static parts, parts such as turbines employ various techniques to dissipate internal heat, as well as provide a protective cooling film over the surface of the part. One such technique involves the integration of cooling channels into the part through which cool gas can flow, absorbing heat energy, and exiting so as to form a protective film. [0006] With reference to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a cooling channel fabricated as a linked microcircuit. This linked microcircuit is the subject of U.S. Pat. No. 6,705,831 to Draper, which is commonly owned with the present application and the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The linked microcircuit provides coolant gas flow through a part, such as, for example, combustor liners, turbine vanes, turbine blades, turbine BOAS, vane endwalls, and/or airfoil edges. The exemplary embodiment of the Draper linked microcircuit comprises an inlet through which a coolant gas may enter, a circuit channel extending from the inlet through which the coolant gas may flow and an outlet appended to the circuit channel through which the coolant gas may exit the circuit channel (as depicted in the two sets of arrows). The circuit channel is formed from the superimposition of a plurality of alternating serpentine circuits. [0007] The linked microcircuit of Draper provides improved thermal coverage while reducing the incongruity of coolant gas properties present at the junctions or crossover points of the component serpentine microcircuits. This is due at least in part to the property that similar points along the circuit channel of the Draper linked microchannel would end up coincident, and the properties of the coolant gases present at any one such point joining after traveling through adjacent circuit channels would be nearly identical. The resulting mixing of gases in the Draper microchannel occurs with a reduction of incongruities in gas temperature or pressure. [0008] However, the use of serpentine circuit channels having an abrupt 180.degree. turn therein (e.g., adjacent 90.degree. turns), creates internal pressure losses. Thus, there is a need for a microcircuit that reduces internal pressure losses while maintaining the efficiency of heat exchange. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved system and method for heat dissipation and film protection. [0010] It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a system and method that reduces internal pressure losses. [0011] It is another object of the present invention to provide such a system and method that improves thermal coverage, while reducing the incongruity of coolant gas properties flowing therein. [0012] A compact heat exchanger for providing coolant gas flow through a part is provided. The compact heat exchanger comprises at least one inlet through which a coolant gas may enter; a circuit channel in fluid communication with the at least one inlet, wherein the circuit channel is formed from superimposition of a plurality of alternating serpentine circuits; and at least one outlet in fluid communication with the circuit channel through which the coolant gas may exit the circuit channel. The at least one crossover of the circuit channel has a flow stabilizer that is formed in the circuit channel. The flow stabilizer reduces internal pressure losses in the circuit channel. [0013] In another aspect, a method of dispensing heat in a part is provided. The method comprises providing a compact heat exchanger in thermal communication with the part, with the microcircuit being formed from superimposition of a plurality of alternating serpentine circuits that provide adjacent flow paths that converge and/or diverge at crossovers; and directing at least two of the adjacent flow paths to converge or diverge at an angle with respect to each other at one or more of the crossovers. [0014] The flow stabilizer may direct the flow along a non-orthogonal path. The at least one crossover can be adjacent to the at least one inlet. The flow stabilizer may be positioned along a downstream portion of the at least one crossover. The flow stabilizer can reduce a cross-sectional area of the at least one crossover. The at least one crossover may be positioned along a portion of the part that is in proximity to a low-pressure ratio area. [0015] The downstream portion of the at least one crossover can be substantially convex. The upstream portion of the at least one crossover may be substantially convex. The upstream and downstream portions of the at least one crossover can be substantially symmetrical. The circuit channel can have a first-cross-sectional area, and the at least one crossover can have a second cross-sectional area that is twice as large as the first cross-sectional area. [0016] The circuit channel can have a third cross-sectional area, and the first cross-sectional area can be twice as large as the third cross-sectional area. The inner geometry of the first crossover can direct flow in a non-orthogonal path. The downstream portion of the first crossover may be convex. The downstream portion of the second crossover can be planar. The method may further comprise directing one or more of the flow paths to eliminate 90.degree. turns along a portion of the compact heat exchanger that is subject to a low-pressure ratio. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0017] Other uses and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the specification and the drawings, in which: [0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a linked microcircuit as depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 6,705,831. [0019] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a gas turbine engine that may employ a compact heat exchanger in accordance with the present invention; [0020] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of the compact heat exchanger of the present invention; and [0021] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of another exemplary embodiment of a compact heat exchanger of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Continue reading... Full patent description for Compact heat exchanger Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Compact heat exchanger patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Compact heat exchanger or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Electronic apparatus having a heat-radiating unit for radiating heat of heat-generating components Next Patent Application: Integrated liquid to air conduction module Industry Class: Heat exchange ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Compact heat exchanger patent info. 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