Homogenisation device, heat exchanger assembly and method of homogenising a temperature distribution in a fluid stream

Abstract

A homogenisation device which is in particular suitable to homogenise a temperature distribution in a fluid stream exiting a heat exchanger comprises a body with a fluid flow passage extending there through. The homogenisation device further includes a flow control device which is disposed in the fluid flow passage and which is configured to induce a swirl in an outer layer of a fluid stream flowing through the fluid flow passage, while the flow characteristics of a core layer of the fluid stream remain substantially unaffected by the flow control device.

1 . Homogenisation device comprising:
 a body with a fluid flow passage extending there through, and   a flow control device which is disposed in the fluid flow passage and which is configured to induce a swirl in an outer layer of a fluid stream flowing through the fluid flow passage, while the flow characteristics of a core layer of the fluid stream remain substantially unaffected by the flow control device.   
     
     
         2 . Homogenisation device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the flow control device is configured to cause the outer layer of the fluid stream flowing through the fluid flow passage to follow a coil-shaped fluid flow path along an inner wall of the fluid flow passage.   
     
     
         3 . Homogenisation device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the flow control device is configured to induce coherent eddies in a buffer layer disposed between the outer layer (and the core layer of the fluid stream.   
     
     
         4 . Homogenisation device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the fluid flow passage comprises a first portion having a first flow cross section and a second portion having a second flow cross section smaller that the first flow cross section.   
     
     
         5 . Homogenisation device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the flow control device comprises at least one flow control blade extending from the inner wall of the fluid flow passage into the fluid flow passage, wherein an inner edge region of the at least one flow control blade preferably is arranged at a predetermined distance from a central axis of the fluid flow passage.   
     
     
         6 . Homogenisation device according to  claim 5 ,
 wherein the at least one flow control blade is inclined relative to the inner wall of the fluid flow passage such that an angle defined between a first main surface of the flow control blade is smaller than 90° and an angle defined between a second main surface of the flow control blade is greater than 90° and/or the at least one flow control blade is designed such that one of the main surfaces is provided with a concave curvature.   
     
     
         7 . Homogenisation device according to  claim 5 ,
 wherein the at least one flow control blade comprises a first portion disposed in the first portion of the fluid flow passage and a second portion disposed in the second portion of the fluid flow passage.   
     
     
         8 . Homogenisation device according of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the flow control device comprises a first coil-shaped groove formed in the region of the inner wall of the fluid flow passage.   
     
     
         9 . Homogenisation device according to  claim 8 ,
 wherein the flow control device comprises a second coil-shaped groove formed in the region of the inner wall of the fluid flow passage such that alternately a winding of the first coil-shaped groove and a winding of the second coil-shaped groove are formed in the region of the inner wall of the fluid flow passage, wherein an upstream end of the first coil-shaped groove is disposed in a first region of the fluid flow passage which is adapted to be flown through with fluid having a first temperature and an upstream end of the second coil-shaped groove is disposed in a second region of the fluid flow passage which is adapted to be flown through with fluid having a second temperature so as to ensure that the fluid having a first temperature is brought into close contact with the fluid having a second temperature.   
     
     
         10 . Homogenisation device according to  claim 8 ,
 wherein the flow control device is disposed in the second portion of the fluid flow passage.   
     
     
         11 . Heat exchanger assembly comprising:
 a heat exchanger, and   a homogenisation device according to  claim 1 , the homogenisation device being disposed at an exit of the heat exchanger.   
     
     
         12 . Method of homogenising a temperature distribution in a fluid stream, the method comprising the steps:
 directing a fluid stream through a fluid passage extending through a body, and   inducing a swirl in an outer layer of the fluid stream flowing through the fluid flow passage by means of a flow control device which is disposed in the fluid flow passage, while the flow characteristics of a core layer of the fluid stream remain substantially unaffected by the flow control device.   
     
     
         13 . Method according to  claim 12 ,
 wherein the flow control device causes the outer layer of the fluid stream flowing through the fluid flow passage to follow a coil-shaped fluid flow path along an inner wall of the fluid flow passage.   
     
     
         14 . Method according to  claim 12 ,
 wherein coherent eddies are induced in a buffer layer between the outer layer and the core layer of the fluid stream.   
     
     
         15 . Use of a homogenisation device according to  claim 1  in an aircraft. 
     
     
         16 . Use of a heat exchanger assembly according to  claim 10  in an aircraft. 
     
     
         17 . Use of a method according to  claim 12  in an aircraft.