Counter spiral tube and shell heat exchanger

Abstract

A heat exchanger has an outer shell enclosing an inner chamber and extending between a first inlet and a first outlet. The chamber receives a separating wall. The shell extends between axial ends, and generally along a helix. The helix is defined with the wall moving in a continuous manner along a first axial direction and with a circumferential component between the first inlet and the first outlet. A plurality of tubes extend through openings in the separating wall and generally along a helix. The plurality of tubes extend from a second inlet and a second outlet, and with the helix defined along the first axial direction and with a component in a circumferential direction. A method and a temperature control system are also disclosed.

1 . A heat exchanger comprising:
 an outer shell enclosing an inner chamber and extending between a first inlet and a first outlet, with said chamber receiving a separating wall, said shell extending between axial ends, said separating wall extending generally along a helix, with said helix being defined with said separating wall moving in a continuous manner along a first axial direction and with a circumferential component between said first inlet and said first outlet; and   a plurality of tubes, said separating wall having a plurality of openings, and said plurality of tubes extending through said openings in said separating wall and generally along a helix, and said plurality of tubes extending from a second inlet and a second outlet, with the helix defined extending along the first axial direction and with a component in a circumferential direction.   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein when looked at along the same said first axial direction, said separating wall circumferential component being in an opposed circumferential direction relative to said circumferential component of said plurality of tubes. 
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein end walls within said shell separate said inlets and said outlets. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein said end walls have holes and said tubes extend to said holes to allow a fluid to communicate into end chambers defined between said end walls and said second inlet and said second outlet, respectively. 
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein said tubes having straight portions extending from said holes in each said end wall, and leading into said helix. 
     
     
         6 . The heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein said first inlet and said first outlet extend circumferentially outwardly through an outer wall of said shell. 
     
     
         7 . The heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein said second inlet and said second outlet extend outwardly through said axial ends of said shell. 
     
     
         8 . The heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said first inlet and said first outlet extend circumferentially outwardly through an outer wall of said shell. 
     
     
         9 . The heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said second inlet and said second outlet extend outwardly through said axial ends of said shell. 
     
     
         10 . A heat exchanger comprising:
 an outer shell enclosing an inner chamber and extending between a first inlet and a first outlet, with said chamber receiving a separating wall, said shell extending between axial ends, said separating wall extending generally along a helix, with said helix being defined with said separating wall moving in a continuous manner along a first axial direction and with a circumferential component between said first inlet and said first outlet;   a plurality of tubes, said separating wall having a plurality of openings, and said plurality of tubes extending through said openings in said separating wall and generally along a helix, and said plurality of tubes extending from a second inlet and a second outlet, with the helix defined extending along the first axial direction and with a component in a circumferential direction;   wherein when looked at along the same said first axial direction, said separating wall circumferential component being in an opposed circumferential direction relative to said circumferential component of said plurality of tubes;   wherein end walls within said shell separate said inlets and said outlets;   wherein said end walls have holes and said tubes extend to said holes to allow a fluid to communicate into end chambers defined between said end walls and said second inlet and said second outlet, respectively; and   wherein said tubes having straight portions extending from said holes in each said end wall, and leading into said helix.   
     
     
         11 . The heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein said first inlet and said first outlet extend circumferentially outwardly through an outer wall of said shell, wherein said second inlet and said second outlet extend outwardly through said axial ends of said shell. 
     
     
         12 . A temperature control system for use on a spacecraft comprising:
 a source of a first fluid, and a heat sink to be cooled, a refrigerant circuit for circulating a second fluid across said heat sink; and   a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the first and second fluid, the heat exchanger including an outer shell enclosing an inner chamber and extending between a first inlet and a first outlet, with said chamber receiving a separating wall, said shell extending between axial ends, said separating wall extending generally along a helix, with said helix being defined with said separating wall moving in a continuous manner along a first axial direction and with a circumferential component between said first inlet and said first outlet; and   a plurality of tubes, said separating wall having a plurality of openings, and said plurality of tubes extending through said openings in said separating wall and generally along a helix, and said plurality of tubes extending from a second inlet and a second outlet, with the helix defined extending along the first axial direction and with a component in a circumferential direction.   
     
     
         13 . The system as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein when looked at along the same said first axial direction, said separating wall circumferential component being in an opposed circumferential direction relative to said circumferential component of said plurality of tubes. 
     
     
         14 . The system for use on a spacecraft as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein there are end walls within said shell separating said inlets and said outlets. 
     
     
         15 . The system for use on a spacecraft as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein said end walls have holes and said tubes extend to said holes to allow a fluid to communicate into end chambers defined between said end walls and said second inlet and said second outlet, respectively. 
     
     
         16 . The system for use on a spacecraft as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein said tubes having straight portions extending from said holes in each said end wall, and leading into said helix. 
     
     
         17 . The system for use on a spacecraft as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said first inlet and said first outlet extend circumferentially outwardly through an outer wall of said shell, and said second inlet and said second outlet extend outwardly through said axial ends of said shell. 
     
     
         18 . The system for use on a spacecraft as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said heat sink cools electronics associated with a spaceship. 
     
     
         19 . The system for use on a spacecraft as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said heat sink providing cooling for systems associated with a passenger on a spacecraft. 
     
     
         20 . The system for use on a spacecraft as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said first fluid is delivered outwardly of the spaceship into the atmosphere.