U.S. patent application number 12/591053 was filed with the patent office on 2011-05-05 for cooling device and system.
Invention is credited to Siqi Zheng, Wanlie Zheng.
Application Number | 20110100605 12/591053 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43924155 |
Filed Date | 2011-05-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110100605 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zheng; Wanlie ; et
al. |
May 5, 2011 |
Cooling device and system
Abstract
A novel heat pipe and a cooling system that employs the heat
pipe are disclosed. The heat pipe has a configuration in the form
of a nail that includes a flattened upper section and an elongated
lower, section. The heat pipe may be in the form of nail shape or a
continuous bar that includes a flattened upper section and an
elongated section. The heat pipe may be employed together with a
thermoelectric cooling module and a heat sink to provide a cooling
device. The cooling device may be employed with a container to
provide a cooling system.
Inventors: |
Zheng; Wanlie; (Fairborn,
OH) ; Zheng; Siqi; (Fairborn, OH) |
Family ID: |
43924155 |
Appl. No.: |
12/591053 |
Filed: |
November 5, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/104.26 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28D 15/0233 20130101;
F25B 21/02 20130101; F25B 2500/01 20130101; F25D 25/00 20130101;
H01L 35/30 20130101; F28D 15/0275 20130101; F28F 1/14 20130101;
F25D 31/003 20130101; F25D 2331/808 20130101; F25B 23/006
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/104.26 |
International
Class: |
F28D 15/02 20060101
F28D015/02 |
Claims
1. A heat pipe comprising a flattened upper section operatively
connected to an elongated lower section wherein the elongated lower
section has the configuration on an elongated hollow cylinder.
2. The heat pipe of claim 1 wherein the elongated hollow cylinder
has a circular cross section or a hollow hexagonal cross
section.
3. The heat pipe of claim 1 wherein the lower section has a closed
lower end and an open upper end wherein the closed lower end has a
hemispherical configuration.
4. The heat pipe of claim 1 wherein the upper section includes a
port for admitting coolant into the lower section.
5. The heat pipe of claim 4 wherein the coolant is a phase change,
heat transfer liquid selected from the group consisting of ammonia,
acetone, 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane, 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoroprop-1-ene,
ethanol and mixtures thereof.
6. The heat pipe of claim 1 wherein each of the elongated section
and the upper section are formed from heat conductive materials
that have thermal conductivities of about 150Wm.sup.-1K.sup.-1 or
greater at 300 K.
7. The heat pipe of claim 6 wherein the heat conductive materials
are aluminum.
8. A heat pipe comprising a continuous angled bar that has an upper
section that is integral with an elongated lower section wherein
the upper section and lower section have an angle .theta. there
between and wherein the bar has at least one channel that extends
throughout the upper section and the lower section.
9. The heat pipe of claim 8 wherein the bar has a ratio of width to
thickness of about 3 to about 6.
10. The heat pipe of claim 8 wherein the bar includes a plurality
of channels.
11. The heat pipe of claim 8 wherein the angle .theta. is about
90.degree..+-.10.degree..
12. A cooling device comprising a heat pipe cooperatively connected
to a thermoelectric cooling module wherein the thermoelectric
cooling module is cooperatively connected to a heat sink and
wherein the thermoelectric cooling module generates a cold surface
that contacts the heat pipe to cool fluid coolant in the heat
pipe.
13. The device of claim 12 further comprising a fan unit
cooperatively connected the heat sink wherein the fan unit provides
air to the heat sink.
14. A cooling system comprising the cooling device of claim 12
secured to a container suitable for retaining flowable material
wherein the heat pipe extends into the container.
15. The cooling system of claim 14 wherein the cooling device of
claim 12 further comprises a fan unit cooperatively connected to
the heat sink wherein the fan unit provides air to the heat
sink.
16. The cooling system of claim 14 further comprising a tube for
extracting flowable material from the container.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to refrigeration technology.
More particularly, the present invention relates to portable
cooling devices and systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Known mechanical compressor type refrigeration units employ
a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator and a fan. These devices,
although useful, generate considerable vibration and noise. Also,
these devices, owing in part to their size, are not suitable for
cooling small amounts of liquids such as found in mugs intended for
automobile vehicle use.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is
shown in the drawings a form that is presently preferred, it being
understood, however, that this invention is not limited to precise
arrangements shown.
[0004] FIG. 1 is a frontal view of a first embodiment of a heat
pipe of the invention;
[0005] FIG. 1A is a side view of an a cooling device that shows an
alternative embodiment of a heat pipe of the invention;
[0006] FIG. 1B is a frontal view of another alternative embodiment
of a heat pipe of the invention;
[0007] FIG. 1C is a top view of the alternative embodiment shown in
FIG. 1B;
[0008] FIG. 1D is a top view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a partially exploded, assembly view in of a
cooling device that includes the heat pipe of FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a partially exploded assembly view of the cooling
device of FIG. 2 that includes a holding plate;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a side frontal view of the cooling device of FIG.
2 mounted on a drinking mug;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a top view of the device shown in FIG. 4.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The disclosed cooling device 10 employs a heat pipe, such as
an elongated heat pipe such as heat pipe 1 in combination with
thermoelectric cooling module 2. Heat pipe 1 advantageously may
operate in silence and without moving parts. Cooling device 10
advantageously may operate with minimal noise and vibration.
Cooling device 10 may be configured to a wide range of dimensions.
Advantageously, cooling device 10 may be configured in dimensions
suitable for enabling cooling device 10 to be useful as a portable,
mini-cooling appliance for use in automotive vehicles, boats, home
and office. Cooling device 10 may be configured for battery, DC and
AC operation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] In a first embodiment, and referring to FIG. 1, heat pipe 1
of the invention has the overall configuration of an elongated nail
that has a flattened upper section and an elongated lower section.
In this first embodiment, heat pipe 1 includes lower, elongated
section 1B and upper section 1A.
[0015] Elongated section 1B preferably is in the form of an
elongated, hollow cylinder such as a cylinder that has any of a
circular cross section or a hollow hexagonal cross section,
preferably a hollow circular cross section. When elongated, lower
section 1B of heat pipe 1 has a circular cross-section, the inner
and outer diameters of lower section 1B may vary over a wide range.
Typically, the outer diameter of lower section 1B may vary from
about 10 mm to about 20 mm, preferably about 14 mm to about 18 mm.
Lower section 1B may have a wall thickness that may vary from about
1 mm to about 2 mm. Where heat pipe 1 is formed from aluminum, the
wall thickness is preferably about 1.5 mm and the outer diameter is
preferably about 16 mm. The length of section 1B may vary and is
limited only by the depth of the container in which the heat pipe
is employed. Typically, the length of section 1B is about 80% to
about 95% of the depth of the container in which the heat pipe is
employed.
[0016] Section 1B has an open, upper end and a closed bottom end.
The bottom end of section 1B may be configured in a wide variety of
shapes. Preferably, the bottom end of lower section 1B is upwardly
concave, preferably in the form of a hemisphere. Upper section 1A
of heat pipe 1 may have a variety of configurations so as to
correspond to the configuration of thermoelectric cooling module 2.
Section 1A may have configurations such as square, rectangular,
circular, preferably square. Section 1A, as shown in FIG. 1, may
include a port, such as port 1C for admitting fluid such as coolant
into heat pipe 1 for receipt into lower section 1B. The coolant
employed in the heat pipe typically is a phase change, heat
transfer liquid such as ammonia, acetone, R134a from DuPont
(1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane), HFO-1234yf from DuPont
(2,3,3,3-tetrafluoroprop-1-ene), ethanol and mixtures thereof.
[0017] The upper surface of elongated section 1B may be joined to
the bottom surface of upper section 1A by a variety of methods such
as welding, brazing and the like to form a leak resistant,
preferably a leak-proof assembly. Upper section 1A also may be
integral with elongated section 1B as may be produced by methods
such as casting.
[0018] Each of elongated section 1B and upper section 1A may be
formed from the same or different, heat conductive materials,
preferably the same heat conductive materials. Useful heat
conductive materials typically have thermal conductivities of about
150Wm.sup.-1K.sup.-1 or greater at 300 K. Examples of these heat
conductive materials include but are not limited to aluminum and
copper, preferably aluminum, as well as bi-layer composites of
aluminum and copper. Where copper is employed, the copper may be
nickel-plated or chrome plated. Where aluminum is employed, the
aluminum may be anodized, preferably hard anodized. Where bi-layer
materials of aluminum and copper are employed in any of elongated
section 1B and upper section 1A of heat pipe 1, copper is
preferably on the interior of elongated section 1B. Where bi-layer
materials of aluminum and copper are employed for upper section 1A,
copper is preferably employed on the exterior of upper section 1A.
Heat pipe 1 is suitable for use in a container such as container 13
shown in FIG. 4. Typically, section 1B has a length that is about
80% to about 95% of the depth of the container in which the heat
pipe is employed
[0019] Elongated section 1B, as shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C, may
include one or more cooling fins 1G. Spacings between adjacent
cooling fins 1G may be uniform or non-uniform, preferably uniform.
Fins 1G may extend over any desired length of lower section 1B,
preferably about 70% to about 85% of the length of lower section
1B.
[0020] In a second embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 1A, heat pipe 1
may have the configuration of a continuous angled bar that has an
upper section 1D that is integral with a longer, lower section 1E.
Preferably, upper section 1D has a length that is less that the
length of the lower section 1E. The angle .theta. between upper
section 1D and lower section 1E may be about 90.degree..+-.about
10.degree., preferably about 90.degree.. The angled bar preferably
is formed from aluminum and has a ratio of width to thickness of
about 3 to about 6, preferably about 3 to about 4. Typically, the
bar has a width of about 30 mm to about 40 mm and a thickness of
about 6 mm to about 10 mm. The bar includes one or a plurality of
channels, preferably a plurality of channels, more preferably a
plurality of channels that have a diameter of about 3 mm to about 6
mm, preferably a diameter of about 3.5 mm to about 4 that extend
the throughout the total length of the upper section 1D and the
lower section 1E. The channels may be of the same or different
diameter. The pitch between the channels is about 1.5 times to
about 2 times the diameter of the holes. Each end of the bar may be
sealed by brazing or welding.
[0021] Upper section 1D may vary over a wide range of dimensions
and configurations. Typically, section 1D has dimensions of length
and width that are about equal to that of thermoelectric cooling
module 2. Section 1D may have configurations such as square,
rectangular, circular, preferably square. The dimensions of section
1E also may vary over a wide range. Typically, section 1E has a
length that is about 80% to about 95% of the depth of the container
in which the heat pipe is employed. The bar may be formed of
conductive metals such as aluminum, copper, or bi-layers of
aluminum and copper, preferably aluminum.
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, cooling device 10 employs heat
pipe 1 together with thermoelectric cooling module 2, heat sink 3
and fan 4. Thermoelectric cooling module 2 may have a variety of
configurations. Preferably, thermoelectric cooling module 2 has a
square configuration. An example of thermoelectric cooling module 2
that has a square cross section for use in cooling device 10 is
NORD Corp. thermoelectric cooling module # TM-127-1.4-6.0.
thermoelectric cooling module 2 is secured to the top surfaces of
sections 1A, 1D of heat pipes 1 so that the cold surface of
thermoelectric cooling module 2 contacts the top surfaces of the
upper sections of heat pipe 1, such as the upper sections 1A,1D of
heat pipe 1. Thermoelectric cooling module 2 may be secured to the
upper surface of heat pipe 1 by mechanical fasteners such as
screws, and the like, preferably screws. Heat sink 3 is secured to
the top of thermoelectric cooling module 2 so as to contact the
upper surface of thermoelectric cooling module 2. Heat sink 3 may
be secured to the upper surface of thermoelectric cooling module 2
by any one or more of mechanical fasteners such as screws, and the
like, preferably screws. Heat sink 3 preferably is in the form of
an air-cooled heat sink that includes a plurality of cooling fins
3A. This type of heat sink is available from AAVID.
[0023] Fan 4, such as a muffin fan from SUNON, is secured to heat
sink 3. Fan 4 generates forced air to dissipate heat from heat sink
3. Fan 4 may be secured to heat sink 3 by mechanical fasteners such
as screws.
[0024] Heat pipe 1, thermoelectric cooling module 2, and heat sink
3 that has fan 4 mounted thereon are secured to holding plate 8 by
fasteners such as screws 9 to form an assembly. Holding plate 8 may
be formed from conductive materials such as metal or insulating
materials such as plastics. Optional insulation cubes 7 formed of
materials such as non-metallic insulative materials such as nylon
may be secured together with heat pipe 1, thermoelectric cooling
module 2 and heat sink 3 to holding plate 8 by fasteners such as
screws 9. Thermal insulation foam optionally may be provided
between the bottom surface of heat sink 3 and the top surface of
holding plate 8.
[0025] In use, cooling device 10, as shown in FIG. 4, may be
mounted on container 13 to form a cooling system suitable for use
at home and office as well as in a motor vehicle. Container 13 may
be of any desired configuration, preferably a cylindrical
container. Container 13 typically has flowable material therein,
such as liquid, to be chilled by cooling device 10.
[0026] Container 13, as shown in FIG. 4, optionally may be equipped
with a tube 14 such as a straw for extracting material from
container 13. Container 13 may include removable lid 11 for supply
of material to container 13. Cooling device 10 may be secured to
lid 11 of container 13 by fasteners such as screws, clips, and the
like. Lid 11 may include a seal ring to aid in sealing of lid 11 to
container 13. Lid 11, on the bottom thereof, may include a
flexible, rubber type sealant 12 to aid in securing cooling device
10 to container 13. Cooling device 10 may include a 12V DC socket
15 for connection to a power supply or a power outlet such as that
of an automobile for powering of thermoelectric cooling module 2
and fan 4.
[0027] During use, heat pipe 1 of cooling device 10 is inserted
into a flowable material to be cooled, such as a liquid such as
water in container 13. Heat from the flowable material is
transferred to heat pipe 1 to cause evaporation of the coolant in
heat pipe 1, the vapor rises upwardly until it reaches the cold
surface of the upper section of heat pipe 1. The latent heat of the
coolant vapor is transferred to thermoelectric cooling module 2
whereby the vapor condenses and falls to the bottom of heat pipe 1
for subsequent cycling and continued cooling of the material in
container 13.
* * * * *