Fluid cooling systems for a gas turbine engine

Abstract

A heat exchanger includes an airfoil configured to be positioned in a coolant stream. The airfoil includes a pressure sidewall and a suction sidewall coupled to the pressure sidewall. The suction sidewall and the pressure sidewall define a leading edge and a trailing edge opposite the leading edge. The leading edge defines an impingement zone wherein the coolant stream is configured to impinge the airfoil. The heat exchanger also includes at least one channel defined within the airfoil between the pressure sidewall and the suction sidewall. The at least one channel is at least partially defined within the impingement zone proximate the leading edge.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A heat exchanger comprising:
 an airfoil configured to be positioned in a coolant stream, said airfoil comprising:
 a pressure sidewall; and 
 a suction sidewall coupled to said pressure sidewall, said suction sidewall and said pressure sidewall define a leading edge and a trailing edge opposite said leading edge, said leading edge defines an impingement zone wherein the coolant stream is configured to impinge said airfoil; and 
   at least one channel defined within said airfoil between said pressure sidewall and said suction sidewall, said at least one channel at least partially defined within the impingement zone proximate said leading edge.   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said at least one channel is configured to receive a fluid stream such that heat is removed from the fluid stream at least in part through the coolant stream impinging on said leading edge. 
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said suction sidewall and said pressure sidewall further define a root portion and a tip portion opposite said root portion, said at least one channel comprises:
 an inlet section extending from said root portion to adjacent said tip portion proximate said leading edge; and   an outlet section extending from adjacent said tip portion to said root potion such that said at least one channel is substantially U-shaped.   
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein said at least one channel is adjacent said pressure sidewall. 
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said suction sidewall and said pressure sidewall further define a root portion and a tip portion opposite said root portion, said at least one channel comprises:
 an inlet section extending from said root portion to adjacent said tip portion proximate said leading edge;   an outlet section extending from adjacent said tip portion to said root portion; and   at least one middle section extending from said inlet section at said tip portion towards said root portion and from said root portion towards said tip portion and said outlet section such that said at least one channel is substantially S-shaped.   
     
     
         6 . The heat exchanger in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein said at least one channel is adjacent said pressure sidewall. 
     
     
         7 . An outlet guide vane comprising:
 an airfoil comprising:
 a pressure sidewall; and 
 a suction sidewall coupled to said pressure sidewall, said suction sidewall and said pressure sidewall define a leading edge and a trailing edge opposite said leading edge, said leading edge defines an impingement zone wherein the coolant stream is configured to impinge said airfoil; and 
   a heat exchanger comprising at least one channel defined within said airfoil between said pressure sidewall and said suction sidewall, said at least one channel at least partially defined within the impingement zone proximate said leading edge.   
     
     
         8 . The outlet guide vane in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein said suction sidewall and said pressure sidewall further define a root portion and a tip portion opposite said root portion, said at least one channel comprises:
 an inlet section extending from said root portion to adjacent said tip portion proximate said leading edge; and   an outlet section extending from adjacent said tip portion to said root potion such that said at least one channel is substantially U-shaped.   
     
     
         9 . The outlet guide vane in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein said suction sidewall and said pressure sidewall further define a root portion and a tip portion opposite said root portion, said at least one channel comprises:
 an inlet section extending from said root portion to adjacent said tip portion proximate said leading edge;   an outlet section extending from adjacent said tip portion to said root portion; and   at least one middle section extending from said inlet section at said tip portion towards said root portion and from said root portion towards said tip portion and said outlet section such that said at least one channel is substantially S-shaped.   
     
     
         10 . A turbofan engine comprising:
 a core engine;   a bypass duct at least partially extending about said core engine; and   a plurality of circumferentially spaced outlet guide vanes extending between said core engine and said bypass duct, at least one outlet guide vane of said plurality of outlet guide vanes comprising:
 an airfoil comprising:
 a pressure sidewall; and 
 a suction sidewall coupled to said pressure sidewall, said suction sidewall and said pressure sidewall define a leading edge and a trailing edge opposite said leading edge, said leading edge defines an impingement zone wherein the coolant stream is configured to impinge said airfoil; and 
 
 a heat exchanger comprising at least one channel defined within said airfoil between said pressure sidewall and said suction sidewall, said at least one channel at least partially defined within the impingement zone proximate said leading edge. 
   
     
     
         11 . The turbofan engine in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein said suction sidewall and said pressure sidewall further define a root portion and a tip portion opposite said root portion, said at least one channel comprises:
 an inlet section extending from said root portion to adjacent said tip portion proximate said leading edge; and   an outlet section extending from adjacent said tip portion to said root potion such that said at least one channel is substantially U-shaped.   
     
     
         12 . The turbofan engine in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein said suction sidewall and said pressure sidewall further define a root portion and a tip portion opposite said root portion, said at least one channel comprises:
 an inlet section extending from said root portion to adjacent said tip portion proximate said leading edge;   an outlet section extending from adjacent said tip portion to said root portion; and   at least one middle section extending from said inlet section at said tip portion towards said root portion and from said root portion towards said tip portion and said outlet section such that said at least one channel is substantially S-shaped.