U.S. patent application number 10/355010 was filed with the patent office on 2003-06-19 for bubble cycling heat exchanger system.
Invention is credited to Li, Jia Hao.
Application Number | 20030111217 10/355010 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24181165 |
Filed Date | 2003-06-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030111217 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Li, Jia Hao |
June 19, 2003 |
Bubble cycling heat exchanger system
Abstract
A bubble cycling heat exchanger system includes a closed fluid
cycling loop containing a working fluid therein for removing heat
from a heat source thermally coupled to a longitudinally extended
heat-conducting block. The closed fluid cycling loop is contacted
in proximity to the beat-conducting block with only one side
portion thereof near the heat source for establishing a temperature
difference and a density difference of the working fluid to aid in
achieving a unidirectional flow therein.
Inventors: |
Li, Jia Hao; (Kao Hsiung
Hsien, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROSENBERG, KLEIN & LEE
3458 ELLICOTT CENTER DRIVE-SUITE 101
ELLICOTT CITY
MD
21043
US
|
Family ID: |
24181165 |
Appl. No.: |
10/355010 |
Filed: |
January 31, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10355010 |
Jan 31, 2003 |
|
|
|
09546604 |
Apr 10, 2000 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/185 ;
165/104.21; 165/104.33 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28D 15/043
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/185 ;
165/104.21; 165/104.33 |
International
Class: |
F28D 015/00; F28F
007/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A bubble cycling heat exchanger system, comprising: a
heat-conducting block thermally coupled to a heat source; and at
least one closed fluid cycling loop containing a working fluid
therein, and having a spiral tube defining a plurality of
longitudinally arranged coils and a flow-returning tube with two
opposing ends respectively connected to corresponding opposing ends
of said spiral tube for generating a circulating flow, wherein said
coils each have two side portions, one of the two side portions
thereof in contact with the heat-conducting block.
2. The bubble cycling heat exchanger system as recited in claim 1,
wherein the flow-returning tube is longitudinally disposed and
contacted with an inner perimeter of each of said coils.
3. The bubble cycling heat exchanger system as recited in claim 1,
further comprising a filling block is arranged on a connected
portion between the spiral tube and the flow-returning tube.
4. The bubble cycling heat exchanger system as recited in claim 1,
wherein the coils each are formed from a shape selected from the
group consisting of a round shape, an ellipse shape a rectangle
shape and a trapezoid shape in a cross-sectional contour.
5. The bubble cycling heat exchanger system as recited in claim 1,
further comprising a fan installed with the closed fluid cycling
loop.
6. A closed fluid cycling loop containing a working fluid therein
for removing heat from a heat source thermally coupled to a
longitudinally extended heat-conducting block, comprising: a spiral
tube defining a plurality of longitudinally arranged coils, each of
said coils having a left-half portion and a right-half portion of
an asymmetric cross-sectional contour thereof, the spiral tube
being adapted for contact with said heat source at an arbitrary
location; and a flow-returning tube with two opposing ends
respectively connected to corresponding opposing ends of said
spiral tube for generating a circulating flow.
7. The closed fluid cycling loop as recited in claim 6, further
comprising means for generating bubbles adjacent to the
heat-conducting block.
8. The closed fluid cycling loop as recited in claim 6, further
comprising means for providing an expansion space to inflating
gas.
9. The closed fluid cycling loop as recited in claim 6, further
comprising means for guiding fluid to flow in a unidirectional
direction.
10. A closed fluid cycling loop containing a working fluid therein,
comprising: a plurality of spiral tubes being interlaced together
in proximity one to another and each defining a plurality of
longitudinally arranged coils; and a plurality of flow-returning
tubes each having two opposing ends respectively connected to
corresponding opposing ends of each of said spiral tubes thereby to
longitudinally pass through an inner perimeter of each of the coils
each of said spiral tubes; wherein said coils each have a left-half
portion and a right-half portion of an asymmetric cross-sectional
contour thereof with respect to a heat source thermally coupled to
a heat-conducting block for establishing a temperature difference
and a density difference of the working fluid to aid in achieving a
unidirectional flow therein.
11. The closed fluid cycling loop as recited in claim 10, wherein a
left spiral tube of the plurality of spiral tubes has a substantial
trapezoid shape in a cross-sectional contour, wherein flow of the
working fluid at one side of the loop will be suppressed and flow
of the working fluid at an opposing side of the loop will be guided
to flow, and thereby to transfer heat in a first predetermined
direction.
12. The closed fluid cycling loop as recited in claim 11, wherein a
right spiral tube of the plurality of spiral tubes has a
substantial trapezoid shape in a cross-sectional contour, wherein
flow of the working fluid at one side of the loop will be
suppressed and flow of the working fluid at an opposing side of the
loop will be guided to flow, and thereby to transfer heat in a
second predetermined direction.
13. The closed fluid cycling loop as recited in claim 12, wherein
the first predetermined direction is opposite to the second
predetermined direction.
14. The closed fluid cycling loop as recited in claim 13, wherein a
middle spiral tube of the plurality of spiral tubes has a first
joint end and a second joint end connected to a first joint end of
said right spiral tube, said right spiral tube has a second joint
end connected to a first joint end of said left spiral tube, and
said left spiral tube has a second joint end connected to said
first joint end of said middle spiral tube for generating a
circulating flow.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This Application is a Continuation-in-Part application of
prior application Ser. No. 09/546,604 filed Apr. 10, 2000.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a bubble cycling heat
exchanger system, and especially to a closed fluid cycling loop,
which will form a cold flow and a hot flow for performing a steady
heat exchange.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] A general heat-pipe type radiator includes a closed vacuum
chamber filled with proper working fluid therein, a plurality of
radiating fins are installed thereon, and a capillary section is
installed in the chamber. The heating way is to heat one end of the
chamber so as to boil and evaporate the working fluid. The heat is
transferred from a hot section at one side to a cold section at
another side. After the gas is condensed to become liquid at the
cold section. The liquid flows back due to gravitation or capillary
force. Thus, due to the structure of the heat pipe, the amount of
heat to be transferred will be deteriorated with the increment of
an operation inclination. Due to the capillary force from the
structure of the heat pipe, if overheat occurs, a dry-out will be
induced. Once dry-out occurs, no liquid flows back, and the heating
area are full of high temperature gas so that only gas phase
exists. Therefore, temperature will increase dramatically so that
heat supper conduction in the heat pipe is fail and thus the effect
is reduced greatly. Furthermore, the non-condensing gas in the heat
pipe must be exhausted completely otherwise super conduction will
be affected. Moreover, since an operation inclination exists, the
heat pipe is possibly moved or folded. Accordingly, it is apparent
that heat pipe has some original disadvantages necessary to be
improved. Therefore, there has an eager demand for an improved heat
exchanger system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Accordingly, the primary object of the present invention is
to provide a bubble cycling heat exchanger system, wherein an
original pushing force is formed by a temperature difference and
density difference as the liquid is heated, bubbles will generate
and then an unbalance guide is used to guide the bubbles, so that a
steady flow is generated in the closing loop and thus, heat in each
heat source is driven to a heat dissipating section
unidirectionally under a steady control, then the fluid flow back.
The returning flow will not mix with the output flow. By various
designs, a preferred heat dissipating effect is achieved.
[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
bubble cycling heat exchanger system, wherein the loop itself has a
flow-returning tube which will flow through the heat source, so
that each coil of the loop will obtain a longitudinal temperature
uniformity, and a transversal temperature uniformity will also be
achieved, and thus, heat transfer is more effective.
[0008] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a
closing fluid cycling loop includes a plurality of spiral tubes
being interlaced together in proximity one to another and thermally
coupled to a heat source through a heat conductive block, and each
of the loops containing a working fluid therein. The plurality of
spiral tubes each are contacted in proximity to the heat conducting
block with only one side portion thereof near the heat source for
establishing a temperature difference and a density difference of
the working fluid with respect to two side portions of each loop,
so as to aid in achieving a unidirectional flow therein; whereby,
when each loop is radiated continuously, the working fluid in each
loop will generate bubbles, and flow of the working fluid at one
side portion of each of the loops will be suppressed and flow of
working fluid at the opposing side portion will be guided to flow,
so that a unidirectional steady heat transfer is performed to the
working fluid in each of the loops.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment in the
present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the first embodiment in the
present invention.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the second embodiment in the
present invention.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the third embodiment in the
present invention.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the fourth embodiment in the
present invention.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the fifth embodiment in the
present invention.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the sixth embodiment in the
present invention.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the sixth embodiment in the
present invention.
[0017] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the seventh embodiment in
the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the seventh embodiment in the
present invention.
[0019] FIG. 11 is a schematic view of the eighth embodiment in the
present invention.
[0020] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the ninth embodiment in the
present invention.
[0021] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the tenth embodiment in the
present invention.
[0022] FIG. 14 is a schematic view of the tenth embodiment in the
present invention.
[0023] FIG. 15 is a schematic view of the eleventh embodiment in
the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 16 is a schematic view of the twelfth embodiment in the
present invention.
[0025] FIG. 17 is a schematic view of the thirteenth embodiment in
the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 18 is a schematic view of the fourteenth embodiment in
the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 19 is a schematic view of the fifteenth embodiment in
the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 20 is a schematic view of the sixteenth embodiment in
the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 20A is a perspective view of the sixteenth embodiment
in the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 20B is an exploded view of FIG. 20A.
[0031] FIG. 21 is a schematic view of the seventeenth embodiment in
the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 22 is a schematic view of the eighteenth embodiment in
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0033] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 22, the eighteen embodiments of
the bubble cycling heat exchanger system according to the present
invention are illustrated. In these embodiments, a closing fluid
cycling loop 1 is in contact with a heat source 3 through a
heat-conducting block 2. The loop 1 has a bubble generator 40 and
an expansion section 4 for generating bubbles in the fluid loop 1.
The loop 1 is adhered to or near the heat-conducting block 2 and is
asymmetric in left and right sides. Only one side of the loop 1 is
near the heat source 3, so that two sides of the loop 1 are formed
with a temperature difference and density difference, and thus a
unidirectional flow is achieved. As the loop 1 is radiated
continuously, it will generate bubbles. Since the asymmetry in the
heat flow structure, the fluid flowing in one side will be
suppressed. Meanwhile, the fluid in the opposite side will be
guided to flow, so that the fluid in the loop will be in a
unidirectional steady heat transfer. By the guiding due to
unbalance in a guiding section 5, the bubbles in the loop 1 will
rapidly flow away from the heat-conducting block 2. Then, by the
guiding owing to the unbalance of the guiding section 5, the
bubbles in the loop 1 will rapidly flow away from some part of the
heat-conducting block 2, so that the fluid in the loop 1 can flow
unidirectionally and steadily. Then, by matching a plurality of
radiating fins 7 of a radiating body 6 and a fan 8, heat will be
guided out of the heat source. The loop 1 operates continuously
until a thermal equilibrium is achieved.
[0034] The first embodiment of the present invention is illustrated
in FIGS. 1 and 2. A single cycle loop 1 is provided, which is a
continuous spiral tube as a general spring. It can be easily
manufactured and shaped for reducing the whole manufacturing cost.
The number of the coils of the loop 1 is dependent on the number of
the heat sources. The lower end of the loop 1 is adhered to the
heat-conducting block 2. The joint of the loop 1 and the
heat-conducting block 2 is shifted to one side so as to be formed
with a condition of loop unbalance. The loops of first coil and
second coil each have a round shape.
[0035] However, the second embodiment shown in FIG. 3 has an
elliptic shape. The third embodiment shown in FIG. 4 has a single
circle form formed by two arc sections, one of which is long, while
the other of which is short. The fourth embodiment show in FIG. 5
has an inner loop and an outer loop, which are engaged with one
another and are tilt at one side. Similarly, the fifth embodiment
shown in FIG. 6 has three cycles, which are engaged with each
other. The flow-returning tube 9 has a distal end, which is
returned from the loop to be connected to the head portion of the
tube. A filling block 10 is existed at the joint. By the filling
block 10, liquid can be filled into the loop 1.
[0036] Moreover, as the sixth embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a
right loop 1R and a left loop 1L are crossed with one another and
are used simultaneously. Other than each loop can be used and
operated independently. Another characters of this design are that
the left loop 1L is guided out through the filling block 10 and
then is formed as a spiral shape and extends backwards. The rear
end thereof further extends forwards through a straight tube of a
loop tube 9L. The outer end of the straight tube is connected to
the initial portion of another loop of the right loop 1R. The
distal end of the loop 1R extends forwards through a flow-returning
tube 9R to be connected to the filling block 10. Therefore, a flow
cycle of single loop is formed. Since in a spiral lying type loop,
the effect of heat transfer is that temperature is uniform in the
longitudinal direction. But it only has a limited effect about the
temperature uniformity in the transversal direction. In order to
solve the temperature balance problem, the flow-returning tubes 9R
and 9L run across the circle of the loop. In one case, the
flow-returning tubes 9 are closely adhered to the loop above the
heat-conducting block 2 so as to be formed with a simplest
structure for temperature uniformity in the transversal direction.
While parts of the flow-returning tube 9 is unnecessary to pass
through the middle portion of the ring. It can be installed out of
the ring and can be installed to resist against the to sides of the
heat-conducting block 2. This is a preferred structure under the
consideration of temperature uniformity and is helpful for the
heat-conducting block 2 to have a steadier heat dissipating
structure. The seventh and eighth embodiments are illustrated in
FIGS. 9 and 10, wherein a pair of alternative arranged loops 1L and
1R are illustrated, and a loop 1 is at the middle portion. In the
ninth embodiment shown in FIG. 11, a further loop 1W is arranged at
outer side of the loops 1L and 1R.
[0037] In the aforesaid structure, the loop is adhered to the
surface of the heat-conducting block 2. In general, the loops are
made of copper tube or aluminum tube. The heat-conducting block 2
can be made of a copper block or a material with a preferred
conductivity. Soldering and brazing serves to combine the heat
conductive block and the loop. In another type, part of the loop
passes through the heat conductive block. As the ninth embodiment
shown in FIG. 12, two ends of the loop 1 are connected to the two
sides of the heat-conducting block 2. In FIG. 12, a line serves to
represent the loop 1. Moreover, a returning flow channel 20 or a
connecting channel is installed at the heat-conducting block 2 for
achieving the function of transversal temperature uniformity. Then,
a plug 2 serves to seal the output of the channel 20. The function
thereof is identical to the filling opening of the filling block
10. The filling opening is sealed as liquid has completely
filled.
[0038] Since the loop itself has the function of heat dissipation,
as the radiating area is not sufficient, at each cycle of the loop
is arranged with a radiating fin 7 as the tenth embodiment shown in
FIGS. 13 and 14. It is a single loop. Moreover, it can be designed
as the eleventh embodiment shown in FIG. 15, radiating fins 7 are
further installed on the alternative arranged loops 1L and 1R. The
radiating fins 7 are parallel to the cycle of the loop. If can be
installed at another direction. As the twelfth embodiment shown in
FIG. 16, the fins 7 are arranged in parallel to the direction of
the returning tube. This also has the function of transversal
temperature uniformity.
[0039] Besides, the heat transferred to the loop 1 and the
radiating fins 7 must be removed rapidly so as not to accumulate
heat energy, and thus, fan 8 for heat dissipation is installed out
of the loop 1. In the thirtieth embodiment shown in FIG. 17, a
stand fan 8 is installed at a proper position of the fin 7. By the
air fluid flow from the fan, the cold air is driven to flow into
the space in the loop 1 continuously. In the fourteenth embodiment
shown in FIG. 18, the fan 8 is lay on the outer cycle of the loop
1. In the fifteenth embodiment shown in FIG. 19, the fan 8 is
installed on the left and right loops.
[0040] In the sixteenth embodiment shown in FIG. 20, the fan 8 is
installed with the closed fluid cycling loop 1 that is crossed
arranged. Since the closed fluid cycling loop 1 can be designed as
various different shapes, for example, a round shape, an ellipse
shape a rectangle shape and a trapezoid shape in a cross-sectional
contour, etc. They are being fabricated according to practical
requirement for matching the desire in heat dissipation. It is a
perspective view of the sixteenth embodiment shown in FIG. 20A, and
an exploded view of FIG. 20 shown in FIG. 20B. The present
invention provides a bubble cycling heat exchanger system with a
closed fluid cycling loop 1 containing a working fluid therein,
wherein the closed fluid cycling loop 1 includes a plurality of
spiral tubes 11R, 11L and 11M being interlaced together in
proximity one to another and each defining a plurality of
longitudinally arranged coils 110R, 110L and 110M; and a plurality
of flow-returning tubes 9R, 9L and 9M each having two opposing ends
respectively connected to corresponding opposing ends of each of
said spiral tubes 11R, 11L and 11M thereby to longitudinally pass
through an inner perimeter of each of the coils 110R, 110L and 110M
each of said spiral tubes 11R, 11L and 11M; wherein said coils 110R
and 110L each have a left-half portion and a right-half portion of
an asymmetric cross-sectional contour thereof with respect to a
heat source thermally coupled to a heat-conducting block 2 for
establishing a temperature difference and a density difference of
the working fluid to aid in achieving a unidirectional flow
therein.
[0041] Furthermore, a left spiral tube 11L of the plurality of
spiral tubes has a substantial trapezoid shape in a cross-sectional
contour, wherein flow of the working fluid at one side of the loop
will be suppressed and flow of the working fluid at an opposing
side of the loop will be guided to flow, and thereby to transfer
heat in a first predetermined direction.
[0042] Another a right spiral tube 11R of the plurality of spiral
tubes has a substantial trapezoid shape in a cross-sectional
contour, wherein flow of the working fluid at one side of the loop
will be suppressed and flow of the working fluid at an opposing
side of the loop will be guided to flow, and thereby to transfer
heat in a second predetermined direction, wherein the first
predetermined direction is opposite to the second predetermined
direction.
[0043] Additionally, a middle spiral tube 11M of the plurality of
spiral tubes has a first joint end and a second joint end connected
to a first joint end of said right spiral tube 11R, said right
spiral tube 11R has a second joint end connected to a first joint
end of said left spiral tube 11L, and said left spiral tube 11L has
a second joint end connected to said first joint end of said middle
spiral tube 11M for generating a circulating flow.
[0044] Besides, as the eighteenth embodiment shown in FIG. 21, the
left and right three loops are connected to a heat-conducting block
2 which are connected to the loops at two sides by a protrusion
22.
[0045] Furthermore, as the eighteenth embodiment shown in FIG. 22,
an expansion section 4 for generating bubbles is installed at a
tube of the loop 1 contacting with a heat-conducting block 2. The
loop 1 is formed with a guiding section 5 for guiding bubbles from
liquid to flow away, and a bubble generator 40 for speeding the
generation of bubbles. The expansion section 4 is at a
predetermined space in the loop 1. Since liquid expands thermally
and is vaporized, a proper expansion section is required for
preventing that the loop 1 is broken. In the present invention, the
guiding section 5 is installed in an unbalance way. That is, each
turn forming the loop 1 is in a state that one side is hot, while
the other side is cold. Namely, one side is near a heat source,
while another side is far away the heat source. Then, the densities
of the liquid at two sides of the loop are unequal so as to induce
a temperature difference. Thus, liquid flows with a lower speed.
That is, an asymmetric way is used to install the loop 1 on the
heat-conducting block 2. An unbalance is employed to move the loop
1 in advance. By this nature force, a longitudinal temperature
uniformity is formed. The bubble generator 40 is installed at the
loop 1 having liquid therein. That is, the requirement for
overheated temperature for generating boiling bubbles in the loop 1
is not too high so that the temperature for the boiling bubbles
become low and therefore, more boiling bubbles are generated. As a
result, the recycling in the loop 1 occurs more easily, and the
recycling speed is increased. The temperature of the heat source
can be further reduced.
[0046] In the so-called bubble generator 40, the inner wall of the
loop 1 can be arranged with convex or concave structures with
proper sizes, such as points, blocks, surfaces, grooves, thread
spirals, or other geometrical structure. Therefore, the loop 2 can
have the shape of single loop, double loops, multiple loops or web
loops, or is a single layer loop, double layer loop, multiple layer
loop, or porous loop, or the combinations thereof. Accordingly,
many aspects can be used to embody the bubble generator 40. After
bubbles are generated through a heat source 3, the fluid in the
loop 1 may be cycled rapidly. A better guide means is required for
guiding bubble out of the loop and driving the cycling
operation.
[0047] The fluid in the loop 1 can be selected according to the
requirement of operation and pressure. The loop 1 can be exhausted
to vacuum or not be exhausted to vacuum, which is determined
according to the kinds of the fluid or the operating temperature
range. The loop has any desired shapes, outlooks, material and the
combination thereof. The loop 1 can be rigid, flexible, or the
combination thereof. The loops 1 can be connected in series or
parallel, independently, multiple, or the combination of the
aforesaid structures.
[0048] The radiator can be the loop itself, or be extended or
prolonged to the place for heating exchanging. The radiator can be
connected to the prior art radiating structures for heating
exchanging.
[0049] The expanding section 4 in the loop can be an expanding
vapor space or reduced vapor space, which can be placed in the
inner space of a loop with a proper size, i.e. the area without
filling liquid completely in loop, or the expanding area is
attached to the loop. Of course, the expanding area does not be
included. It is a device capable of deformation as a proper
pressure is applied. Then, the liquid can be filled in the whole
loop without including the expandable area. Therefore, a volume is
provided for the vapor from heating the liquid within the loop in
order to avoid the breakage of the loop.
[0050] In summary, in the present invention, continuous curved
tubes can be used to adding above the prior art heat absorption
block. Other than providing a security, and a transversal
temperature uniformity is achieved. It can be presented through
many structures which are arranged for achieving the desired
requirement. Therefore, the present invention may provide a
preferred application, and has a structure completely different
from the prior art.
[0051] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that
the invention is not limited to the details described thereof.
Various substitutions and modifications have been suggested in the
foregoing description, and others will occur to those of ordinary
skill in the art. Therefore, all such substitutions and
modifications are intended to be embraced within the scope of the
invention as defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *