U.S. patent application number 10/908381 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-24 for fluid-cooled heat shield and system.
This patent application is currently assigned to THERMO-TEC HIGH PERFORMANCE AUTOMOTIVE, INC.. Invention is credited to White, James E..
Application Number | 20050257919 10/908381 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35374075 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050257919 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
White, James E. |
November 24, 2005 |
FLUID-COOLED HEAT SHIELD AND SYSTEM
Abstract
A fluid-cooled heat shield and closed loop system is provided to
continuously transfer heat away from an object or area to be
cooled. The system utilizes a coolant fluid that is pumped through
the system by a circulating pump. Heat from a heat source is
conveyed to a heat conductor shield and then to a heat sink and
transferred by convection to the coolant fluid. The coolant fluid
is pumped to a radiator where a fan is used to help transfer heat
from the fluid and into the ambient air. The cooled water is then
recirculated to the heat sink. The shields may be configured as
mats and may be used flat or wrapped around an object to be
cooled.
Inventors: |
White, James E.; (Greenwich,
OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HAHN LOESER & PARKS, LLP
One GOJO Plaza
Suite 300
AKRON
OH
44311-1076
US
|
Assignee: |
THERMO-TEC HIGH PERFORMANCE
AUTOMOTIVE, INC.
479 U.S. Highway 250 North P.O. Box 96
Greenwich
OH
|
Family ID: |
35374075 |
Appl. No.: |
10/908381 |
Filed: |
May 10, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60569539 |
May 10, 2004 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
165/104.31 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 13/083 20130101;
F28D 15/0266 20130101; F02B 77/11 20130101; F28D 2021/0029
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/104.31 |
International
Class: |
F28D 015/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A fluid-cooled heat shield comprising: a conductive sheet layer;
a facing sheet layer positioned on a first side of the conductive
sheet and adapted to protect the conductive sheet layer while
allowing heat transfer through the facing sheet; an insulating
sheet layer positioned on a second side of the conductive sheet and
adapted to prevent heat transfer from the second side of the
conductive sheet to the insulating sheet layer; a heat sink
conductively attached to the conductive sheet layer and positioned
between the facing sheet layer and the insulating sheet layer;
wherein the heat sink comprises a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and
a fluid passageway, wherein heat from the conductive sheet layer
and the heat sink is transferred to a fluid traveling through the
fluid passageway.
2. The fluid-cooled heat shield of claim 1 further comprising an
outer protective sheet layer positioned on a side of the insulating
layer opposite the conductive sheet layer.
3. The fluid-cooled heat shield of claim 1, wherein the conductive
sheet layer is a thin foil made of a conductive metallic
material.
4. The fluid-cooled heat shield of claim 1, wherein the conductive
sheet layer is at least partially copper or aluminum.
5. The fluid-cooled heat shield of claim 1, wherein the heat sink
is made of a conductive metallic material.
6. The fluid-cooled heat shield of claim 1, wherein the insulating
sheet layer is a high temperature silica or fiberglass felt.
7. The fluid-cooled heat shield of claim 2, wherein the outer
protective sheet layer is made of an aluminum foil fiberglass
lamination.
8. The fluid-cooled heat shield of claim 1, wherein the protective
facing is a Mylar fiberglass laminate.
9. The fluid-cooled heat shield of claim 1, wherein the fluid
passageway of the heat sink is "U" shaped or in the form of a
grid.
10. The fluid-cooled heat shield of claim 1 further comprising at
least one fastening aperture through at least the facing sheet
layer and the insulating layer.
11. A closed-loop heat removal system for an automotive vehicle
comprising: a fluid-cooled heat shield comprising a heat sink
conductively attached to a conductive sheet layer positioned
between an insulating sheet layer and a facing sheet layer; a
radiator; and a fluid pump adapted to move a heated fluid from the
fluid-cooled heat shield to the radiator where the fluid is
cooled.
12. The closed-loop heat removal system of claim 11 further
comprising an expansion tank for allowing the thermal expansion of
the heated fluid.
13. The closed-loop heat removal system of claim 11, wherein the
radiator further comprises a fan.
14. The closed-loop heat removal system of claim 11 wherein the
fluid-cooled heat shield is positioned in a footwell of the
automotive vehicle.
15. The closed-loop heat removal system of claim 11, wherein the
radiator is positioned in the vehicle at a location open to ambient
air.
16. The closed-loop heat removal system of claim 11, wherein the
fluid-cooled heat shield further comprises an outer protective
sheet layer positioned on a side of the insulating layer opposite
the conductive sheet layer.
17. The closed-loop heat removal system of claim 11, wherein the
fluid is water.
18. A method of removing heat from a portion of a vehicle
comprising the steps of: providing a fluid-cooled heat shield
comprising a heat sink conductively attached to a conductive sheet
layer positioned between an insulating sheet layer and a facing
sheet layer; positioning the facing sheet layer of the fluid-cooled
heat shield toward a source of heat of the vehicle; pumping a fluid
through the heat sink wherein heat from the conductive sheet layer
and the heat sink is transferred to the fluid; and pumping the
fluid through a radiator wherein the heat is transferred from the
fluid to an ambient air.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the steps of:
providing a fluid thermal expansion tank; and allowing the fluid to
expand in the thermal expansion tank as needed.
20. The method of claim 18, further comprising the steps of:
providing a fan associated with the radiator; and activating the
fan to cause air flow through the radiator to transfer heat from
the fluid to the air.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/569,539, filed May 10, 2004, herein
incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to specialized heat exchangers
and, more particularly, to a fluid-cooled heat shield and system
used to transfer heat from a first location to a second location
and having applications particularly suited to vehicles and, in
particular, endurance race cars.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A serious problem for race car drivers is the heat that
enters the cockpit through the footwell of the vehicle. The
vehicle's exhaust collectors are typically located directly below
the driver's footwell or floor pan such that the heat travels
directly into the driver's cockpit. The elevated temperatures are
such that many drivers have burned portions of their feet and
especially their heels during the course of the race. In addition,
the temperature of the cockpit increases to an intolerable and,
possibly dangerous, level if it can distract the driver from the
race.
[0004] Many prior art attempts have been made to try to lower the
cockpit/footwell temperature, however, a suitable light-weight,
effective, and low cost solution has yet to be found. One problem
with the prior art has been that the hot areas or heat sources are
merely shielded. Over a prolonged race, the heat merely builds up
and overcomes or lessens the effectiveness of the shielding. One
prior art shielding product boasts that their product has the
ability to lower the floor pan temperature from 750.degree. F. to
380.degree. F. This lower temperature is still too hot and will
burn the driver's feet over an extended race.
[0005] Accordingly, there is a need for a heat shield that is able
to constantly remove the heat to the ambient environment without
allowing a constant unrelieved heat build-up on the shield.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides a fluid-cooled heat shield
comprising a conductive sheet layer, a facing sheet layer
positioned on a first side of the conductive sheet and adapted to
protect the conductive sheet layer while allowing heat transfer
through the facing sheet, an insulating sheet layer positioned on a
second side of the conductive sheet and adapted to prevent heat
transfer from the second side of the conductive sheet to the
insulating sheet layer, a heat sink conductively attached to the
conductive sheet layer and positioned between the facing sheet
layer and the insulating sheet layer, wherein the heat sink
comprises a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a fluid passageway,
wherein heat from the conductive sheet layer and the heat sink is
transferred to a fluid traveling through the fluid passageway.
[0007] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a
closed-loop heat removal system for an automotive vehicle
comprising a fluid-cooled heat shield comprising a heat sink
conductively attached to a conductive sheet layer positioned
between an insulating sheet layer and a facing sheet layer, a
radiator, and a fluid pump adapted to move a heated fluid from the
fluid-cooled heat shield to the radiator where the fluid is
cooled.
[0008] The present invention provides a method of removing heat
from a portion of a vehicle comprising the steps of providing a
fluid-cooled heat shield comprising a heat sink conductively
attached to a conductive sheet layer positioned between an
insulating sheet layer and a facing sheet layer; positioning the
facing sheet layer of the fluid-cooled heat shield toward a source
of heat of the vehicle; pumping a fluid through the heat sink
wherein heat from the conductive sheet layer and the heat sink is
transferred to the fluid; and pumping the fluid through a radiator
wherein the heat is transferred from the fluid to an ambient
air.
[0009] These and other advantages will be apparent by reviewing the
following specification and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the layers
comprising the fluid-cooled heat shield of the present
invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of three different sized
fluid-cooled heat shields of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a first embodiment of the
conductive shield and heat sink of the present invention showing a
fluid passage through the heat sink;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of
the conductive shield and heat sink of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the heat sink of FIG. 4
showing the fluid passageway grid providing optimized heat transfer
between the fluid and the heat sink; and
[0015] FIG. 6 is a flow chart and related components of the
fluid-cooled heat shield system of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] Referring now to FIG. 1, the fluid-cooled heat shield 10 of
the present invention is shown in a partial cross-sectional view.
The fluid-cooled heat shield comprises a heat sink 20 having a
fluid passageway 30 formed therethrough to promote convective heat
transfer between the heat sink 20 and the fluid, typically water or
any other suitable heat transfer fluid. The heat sink 20 may be
comprised of a block of copper or aluminum or any other suitable
material, preferably having a high thermal conductivity, but not
necessarily limited as such. The fluid passageway 30 of the heat
sink 20 may be anodized or otherwise treated to prevent corrosion
from the coolant fluid. A conductive sheet or shield 40 is
conductively attached to the heat sink 20 and extends outward away
from the heat sink 20. The conductive sheet 40 is preferably
comprised of a thin copper foil although alternative materials such
as aluminum or any material with a suitably high thermal
conductivity may be used. The conductive sheet 40 and the heat sink
20 are preferably made from the same material, however, the
invention is not limited as such. Appropriate measures may be
needed to prevent galvanic corrosion from dissimilar metals if
different materials are used for the heat sink 20 and the
conductive shield 40. The "hot side" (the side intended to face the
source or direction of heat) of the conductive sheet 40 and the
heat sink 20 are covered with a protective facing 50 which may be
comprised of a Mylar fiberglass lamination or any other suitable
material that allows the heat to pass through to the conductive
sheet 40 and heat sink 20 and also protects and strengthens the
thin foil of the conductive sheet 40. The protective facing 50 will
also protect the conductive sheet 40 from moisture which may
corrode many of the materials suitable for the conductive sheet 40.
The opposite face side or "cool side" of the conductive sheet 40
and the heat sink 20 are covered by an insulating sheet 60. The
insulating sheet 60 may be comprised of a high temperature silica
or fiberglass felt or any other suitable material that will help
ensure that the heat is not transferred to the cool or protected
side of the fluid-cooled heat shield 10. The insulating sheet 60 is
covered by a protective layer 70 which may be comprised of an
aluminum foil fiberglass lamination or any other suitable material
which will protect conductive sheet 40, heat sink 20, and
insulating sheet 60. The protective layer 70 will also protect the
conductive sheet 40 from moisture which may corrode many of the
materials suitable for the conductive sheet 40. The protective
layer 70 will also prevent moisture ingress to the insulating sheet
60 which would result in the moisture helping redirect the heat
through the insulating sheet 60 and into the protected area beyond
the fluid-cooled heat shield 10.
[0017] A series of different sized, fluid-cooled heat shields 10
are shown in FIG. 2 having fluid inlet tubes 12 and fluid outlet
tubes 14 extending therefrom. The fluid-cooled heat shields 10 are
formed as thin mats sized according to their particular
application. The mats 10 can be placed directly below the driver's
feet, on the outside of the cockpit, tied or wrapped around exhaust
pipes, or placed as needed in the engine compartment. The mats 10
may include fastening apertures 16 at the corners to facilitate
attachment of the mats in a particular location. The highly
textured aluminum composite surface of protective layer 70 provides
a durable and aesthetically pleasing look.
[0018] FIG. 3 shows a first embodiment of the conductive shield 40
and heat sink 20 of the present invention showing the fluid
passageway 30 through the heat sink 20. The fluid passageway 30 is
represented as a U-shaped loop. Fluid enters the heat sink 20
through the inlet 12 at a first temperature and is subjected to the
elevated temperatures of the heat sink 20. Heat is transferred from
the heat sink 20 to the fluid by convection and then leaves the
heat sink 20 through the outlet 14. The heat sink 20 is typically
formed as two pieces with the first member including the fluid
passageway 30. A base plate or second member (not shown) is
positioned on the opposite side of the conductive shield 40 and the
first member is secured to the base member by fasteners 22 or the
like.
[0019] A second embodiment of the heat sink 20' of the present
invention is shown in FIG. 4. In this embodiment, the simple "U" of
the fluid passageway 30 is replaced by a more complex grid 32 and
fluid passageway 30' which greatly increases the contact surface
area of the fluid and the heat sink 20' resulting in a significant
increase in the heat exchange transfer efficiency of the heat sink
20'. A side cross-sectional view is shown in FIG. 5 and shows the
heat sink 20' sandwiching the conductive shield 40. As shown, the
conductive shield 40 forms the upper wall of the fluid passageway
30' such that convection takes place directly with the conductive
shield 40 at these locations. Although not shown, it is also
contemplated that the conductive shield 40 may be positioned or
surface treated such that it is not in direct contact with the
fluid in order to prevent corrosion of the conductive shield
40.
[0020] It is contemplated that the fluid-cooled heat shield 10 is
used as part of a closed loop cooling system 110 as shown in FIG.
6. System 110 comprises a fluid circuit between the fluid-cooled
heat shield 10, a pump 112, a radiator 114 and an expansion tank
116. The fluid passes through these components and transfers heat
collected at the fluid-cooled heat shield 10 to the radiator 114. A
fan 118 is typically associated with the radiator to force air
through the radiator and such that the heat is removed from the
fluid and into the ambient air. The pump 112 keeps the fluid moving
between components such that the heat is properly transferred. The
fluid used will typically be water or a water based coolant
material. Water is about twenty times more effective than air at
removing heat from a body by convection. While water holds four
times more heat than air, weight for weight, water is eight hundred
times more dense than air. Accordingly, a small amount of water can
hold much more heat than a large volume of air. This results in the
system of the present invention being able to run component
temperatures much closer to ambient with little temperature
variation under varying heat loads.
[0021] It is contemplated that innumerable changes could be made to
the configuration of the embodiments shown without departing from
the intended scope of the invention. For example, different fluid
passageways could be provided, multiple conductive shields could be
employed with the heat sink, etc. The copper foil heat shield could
be used with a conventional type of metal of any other prior art
material that might increase the performance of the shield.
Although the present invention has been described above in detail,
the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to
be taken as a limitation on the present invention.
* * * * *