Shell and tube heat exchanger

Abstract

A heat exchanger is provided that includes a shell defining a first fluid space and one or more tubes within the first fluid space having interiors fluidly isolated therefrom. The tubes define a second fluid space and are configured to permit thermal energy transfer between the first fluid space and the second fluid space. One or more heat pipes are disposed within one of the first fluid space and the second fluid space and are configured to transfer thermal energy within the respective fluid space.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A heat exchanger comprising:
 a shell defining a first fluid space;   one or more tubes within the first fluid space having interiors fluidly isolated therefrom, the tubes defining a second fluid space and configured to permit thermal energy transfer between the first fluid space and the second fluid space; and   one or more heat pipes disposed within one of the first fluid space and the second fluid space and configured to transfer thermal energy within the respective fluid space.   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , further comprising a first medium configured to flow through the first fluid space, and a second medium configured to flow through the second fluid space. 
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger of  claim 2 , wherein the first medium is a relatively hot oil and the second medium is a relatively cold fuel. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger of  claim 2 , wherein the first medium and the second medium flow in generally parallel directions through the respective fluid spaces. 
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger of  claim 2 , wherein the first medium and the second medium flow in generally opposite directions through the respective fluid spaces. 
     
     
         6 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more heat pipes define at least one first heat pipe disposed within the first fluid space, the heat exchanger further comprising at least one second heat pipe disposed within the second fluid space. 
     
     
         7 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , configured to be installed on an aircraft. 
     
     
         8 . A method of transferring thermal energy between two mediums, the method comprising:
 providing a heat exchanger defining a first fluid space and a second fluid space that is fluidly isolated from the first fluid space, the heat exchanger configured to allow thermal energy transfer between the first fluid space and the second fluid space; and   providing one or more heat pipes within one of the first fluid space and the second fluid space, the heat pipes configured to transfer thermal energy within the respective first fluid space or second fluid space.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising providing one or more additional heat pipes within the other of the first fluid space and the second fluid space, the one or more additional heat pipes configured to transfer thermal energy within the respective first fluid space or second fluid space. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first fluid space is defined by a shell and the second fluid space is defined by one or more tubes that pass through the shell. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising providing a first medium within the first fluid space and a second medium within the second fluid space. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first medium is a relatively hot oil and the second medium is a relatively cold fuel. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first fluid and the second fluid flow in generally parallel directions through the respective fluid spaces. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first fluid and the second fluid flow in generally opposite directions through the respective fluid spaces.