Heat exchanger assembly for an aircraft control

Abstract

A heat exchanger assembly for an aircraft control has an aircraft control for controlling an operation of an aircraft. The aircraft control is in thermal communication with a first fluid. A first thermoelectric device is configured to transfer heat between the first fluid and the second fluid against a temperature gradient of the first fluid and the second fluid. A temperature sensor is provided for sensing a temperature of the first fluid. A temperature control is also configured to control the first thermoelectric device based on an input from the temperature sensor.

1 . A heat exchanger assembly for an aircraft control, comprising:
 an aircraft control for controlling an operation of an aircraft;   said aircraft control in thermal communication with a first fluid;   a first thermoelectric device configured to transfer heat between said first fluid and a second fluid against a temperature gradient of said first fluid and said second fluid;   a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of said first fluid; and   a temperature control configured to control said first thermoelectric device based on an input from said temperature sensor.   
   
   
       2 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein said second fluid is an aircraft engine fuel. 
   
   
       3 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein said first thermoelectric device has a first side and a second side, said first fluid in thermal communication with said first side and said second fluid in thermal communication with said second side. 
   
   
       4 . The assembly of  claim 3  including a first plurality of flow conduits and a second plurality of flow conduits, said first plurality of flow conduits for guiding said first fluid across said first side of said first thermoelectric device and said second plurality of flow conduits for guiding said second fluid across said second side of said first thermoelectric device. 
   
   
       5 . The assembly of  claim 4  wherein said first fluid is configured to flow along said first side in a first direction and said second fluid is configured to flow along said second side in a second direction, said first direction different than said second direction. 
   
   
       6 . The assembly of  claim 5  wherein said first direction is generally opposite said second direction. 
   
   
       7 . The assembly of  claim 5  wherein said first direction is transverse to said second direction. 
   
   
       8 . The assembly of  claim 3  including a second thermoelectric device, said second thermoelectric device spaced from said first thermoelectric device and having a third side and fourth side, said third side facing said second side of said first thermoelectric device, said second fluid disposed between said second side and said third side. 
   
   
       9 . The assembly of  claim 8  including a third thermoelectric device having a fifth side and a sixth side, said fifth side facing said fourth side of said second thermoelectric device wherein said second thermoelectric device is sandwiched between said first thermoelectric device and said third thermoelectric device. 
   
   
       10 . The assembly of  claim 9  wherein said first fluid is on said first side, said second fluid disposed on said second side between said second side and said third side, said first fluid is also disposed between said fourth side and said fifth side, and said second fluid is also disposed on said sixth side. 
   
   
       11 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein said first thermoelectric device is configured to cool said first fluid when said second fluid has a higher temperature than said first fluid. 
   
   
       12 . The assembly of  claim 1  including a first thermally conductive plate and a second thermally conductive plate, said first thermoelectric device sandwiched by said first thermally conductive plate and said second thermally conductive plate, said first thermally conductive plate and said second thermally conductive plate sealing said first thermoelectric device against fluid. 
   
   
       13 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein said first fluid is disposed in a closed loop. 
   
   
       14 . A heat exchanger assembly for an aircraft control, comprising:
 an aircraft control for an aircraft;   said aircraft control in thermal communication with a first fluid, said first fluid configured to cool said control;   a first thermoelectric device configured to transfer heat from said first fluid to a second fluid having a higher temperature than said first fluid, said first thermoelectric device having a first side and a second side;   a second thermoelectric device, said second thermoelectric device spaced from said first thermoelectric device and having a third side and fourth side, said third side facing said second side of said first thermoelectric device; and   wherein said first fluid is on said first side, said second fluid between said second side and said third side, and said first fluid is also on said fourth side.   
   
   
       15 . The assembly of  claim 14  including a first plurality of flow conduits and a second plurality of flow conduits, said first plurality of flow conduits for guiding said first fluid across said first side of said first thermoelectric device and said second plurality of flow conduits for guiding said second fluid across said second side of said first thermoelectric device. 
   
   
       16 . The assembly of  claim 14  wherein said first fluid is configured to flow along said first side in a first direction and said second fluid is configured to flow along said second side in a second direction, said first direction different than said second direction. 
   
   
       17 . The assembly of  claim 14  wherein said first direction is generally opposite said second direction. 
   
   
       18 . The assembly of  claim 14  wherein said first direction is transverse to said second direction. 
   
   
       19 . The assembly of  claim 14  including a third thermoelectric device having a fifth side and a sixth side, said fifth side facing said fourth side of said second thermoelectric device wherein said second thermoelectric device is sandwiched between said first thermoelectric device and said third thermoelectric device wherein said first fluid is also disposed between said fourth side and said fifth side, and said second fluid is also disposed on said sixth side. 
   
   
       20 . A method of controlling a temperature for an aircraft control, comprising the steps of:
 disposing a first fluid proximate a control for an aircraft, the first fluid configured to absorb heat from the control for the aircraft;   providing a first flow path to a thermoelectric device;   disposing a second fluid proximate the thermoelectric device, the second fluid configured to absorb heat from the first fluid through the thermoelectric device;   providing a second flow path from the thermoelectric device to the control; and   wherein the first thermoelectric device is configured to transfer heat from the first fluid to the second fluid when the first fluid has a higher temperature than the second fluid thereby cooling the first fluid.