Patent Publication Number: US-11047626-B2

Title: Heat transfer device

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/889,905, entitled Heat Transfer Device, filed on Feb. 6, 2018. All of the foregoing applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The transfer of heat is both a necessary and critical mechanism within a broad range of devices and processes. In fact, modern society now relies on many devices and processes utilizing heat transfer and/or refrigeration for, among other things, climate control of our houses, offices, cars, and food storage spaces. Refrigeration and/or the transfer of heat in most devices and processes, however, is an energy intensive exercise which can be costly, as it often involves the use of energy derived from fossil fuels and almost always utilizes an electro-mechanical compressor. 
     In addition to being costly and requiring large amounts of energy, many devices and processes involving refrigeration and/or the transfer of heat, are also bulky and complex with many different parts, stages, and underlying principles which limit their usefulness. In fact, due to their complexity, it is common for such devices and processes to have dedicated and trained personnel to design, install, maintain, and repair them. 
     However, many portions of the world have limited access to the wealth, experience, and reliable energy sources necessary to support such devices and processes. Further, even in industrialized portions of the world, many users now want simpler ways to lower costs and conserve energy for such devices and processes. Efforts to lower costs and energy requirements have been proposed involving alternative energy sources and devices with fewer energy-consuming parts. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,030,350 (1933), U.S. Pat. No. 3,242,679 (1964), and U.S. Pat. No. 4,744,224 (1988) disclose cooling systems utilizing solar energy. Also, conventional geothermal systems, utilizing the relatively constant temperature of the ground, are also well known. Further, U.S. Pub. No. 2014/0223957 discloses a refrigeration system which requires gravity- and a vertical arrangement to take advantage of such—to circulate working fluid and which operates without a compressor—one of the heaviest energy users in such a system. However, these prior efforts, and others like them, are complex, with many different parts and stages, are costly to manufacture, install, and maintain, require gravity to assist operation, or utilize electro-mechanical pumps, compressors, or blowers, and are not capable of being used in a variety of applications. Further, these prior efforts generally create significant amounts of noise. 
     Consequently, it would be advantageous to provide a device and method which, in one or more aspects, overcomes the aforementioned limitations of the current state of the art and is quiet, is of simple and inexpensive design, costs little to manufacture, install, and maintain, and provides desired heat transfer with fewer parts and stages and without the need for a specific arrangement utilizing gravity, fossil fuels or a conventional electro-mechanical compressor, pump, or blower. Each of the references mentioned above are hereby incorporated herein, in their entirety, by reference. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The present invention comprises a device and method that, in one or more aspects, provides desired heat transfer, without the need for energy from fossil fuels and is comprised of fewer parts and stages than many conventional heat transfer devices. Also, the device and method of the present invention, in one or more aspects, can produce refrigeration. That is, cooling to a temperature lower than ambient. Also, the device and method of the present invention, in one or more aspects, is quiet, is of simple and inexpensive design, and costs little to manufacture, install, and maintain. In certain aspects, the device and method provide heat transfer and/or refrigeration in a variety of applications without the need for a specific arrangement utilizing gravity, electricity, a conventional electro-mechanical compressor, an electro-mechanical blower, or an electro-mechanical pump, thereby lowering energy requirements, costs, and reducing the complexity of the apparatus. The device—in certain embodiments—may be used to lower energy requirements and costs by providing cooling or heating in a variety of applications, such as warming or cooling paved paths, municipal snow dumps or snow piles, attics and crawl spaces, swimming pools, cars, tents, and even solar panels—all without requiring the utilization of gravity or a conventional electro-mechanical compressor or pump, or electricity. In addition, the present device and method may be used either in concert with or as a replacement to other heat transfer devices and methods, such as a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. Other advantages of one or more aspects will be apparent from the drawings and ensuing description. 
     In accordance with one embodiment, heating and cooling sections of uninsulated conduit are affixed together in a continuous loop with a pressure relief valve and a one-way check valve so working fluid can flow in a single direction therein. In accordance with one aspect of operation, the heat transfer device is located within an area with a thermal gradient so that the heating section is in an area with a higher temperature than the area the cooling section is in. As heat is transferred to and absorbed by the working fluid in the heating section, working fluid therein pressurizes and heats. Due to the one-way check valve and release member, working fluid heating in the heating section becomes pressurized without use of a conventional, electro-mechanical compressor. Upon reaching a predetermined pressure, the pressurized working fluid is then forcibly released from the heating section into the cooling section through the pressure relief valve carrying the working fluid with absorbed heat away from the heating section and its surroundings. Working fluid within the cooling section then transfers such absorbed heat into the area surrounding the cooling section. In accordance with another aspect of operation, the pressurized working fluid released from the heating section may also vaporize, absorbing additional ambient heat, within or on the way to the cooling section. 
     Further, working fluid in the cooling section is displaced back into the heating section through the one-way check valve as additional working fluid is released from the heating section, thereby intermittently moving the working fluid without requiring a conventional electro-mechanical pump. However, in certain embodiments, the working fluid in the cooling section may also be drawn back into the heating section through the one-way check valve by a vacuum created therein during the release of heated working fluid therefrom. Thereby, heat may be carried away from the heating section and disposed of in the cooling section without requiring a conventional electro-mechanical compressor or pump, or a blower, lowering energy requirements and costs to either remove or provide heat in particular applications. 
     In an additional embodiment, the release member may be an orifice member-like an orifice plate—regulating the release of pressurized working fluid from the heating section, instead of a pressure relief valve. Thereby, such a device can release pressurized working fluid from the heating section through the release member in a more continuous flow. In addition, such an orifice member may also be adjustable to alter the flow of working fluid as desired. While an orifice plate has been provided as one example of a possible orifice member, it is foreseen that the orifice member may be any device utilizing an orifice capable of regulating the release of pressurized working fluid from the heating section. 
     Furthermore, in additional embodiments, one or both of the heating and cooling sections can include other elements capable of effectively enhancing the transfer of heat to or from a working fluid in a particular application of the device. For example, in some applications, the heating and cooling sections may include structural features, such as fins, ridges, dimples, spikes, or the like—to increase thermal transfer with respect to the working fluid. Also, parts of the device, including the heating and cooling sections, may include heat absorbing and heat reflecting coatings, such as a flat black paint or mirrored chrome paint, to affect the transfer of heat, as desired. Further, in some applications, the heating and cooling sections may include specific heat exchangers, such as radiators, evaporators, or condensers. Also, in particular applications, the heating and cooling sections may also include working fluid collection reservoirs, such as tanks or other vessels to hold working fluid as it is heated or cooled. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, an additional section may be implemented into the system to enhance the heat transfer capabilities thereof. The additional section is called a Vaporization/Expansion/Evaporation (VEE) section, wherein the pressurized, heated working fluid is allowed to expand and vaporize, which absorbs ambient heat from the space around this section, leaving a cooler area behind. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where: 
         FIG. 1  is an elevation view of one embodiment of a heat transfer device being used to remove heat from an attic area having a heating section and cooling section connected in a continuous loop by a pressure relief valve and a one-way check valve; 
         FIG. 2  is an elevation view of one embodiment of a heat transfer device being used to add heat to a snow pile, such as that at a municipal snow dump, having a heating section and cooling section connected in a continuous loop through an orifice member and a one-way check valve; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a heat transfer device being used to remove heat from the exterior walls or siding material of a building having a heating section within the wall of a structure and cooling section under the ground connected in a continuous loop by a pressure relief valve and a one-way check valve; 
         FIG. 4  is an elevation view of one embodiment of a heat transfer device being used to add heat to a paved path to reduce freezing having a heating section and cooling section connected in a continuous loop by an orifice plate and a one-way check valve and where the orifice plate has a cutaway portion to illustrate liquid working fluid, represented by squiggly lines, passing through the hole therein and vaporizing into gaseous working fluid, represented by dots; 
         FIG. 5  is an elevation view of one embodiment of a heat transfer device being used to add heat to a crawl space beneath a house having a heating section and cooling section connected in a continuous loop by a pressure relief valve and a one-way check valve; 
         FIG. 6  is an elevation view of one embodiment of a heat transfer device disposed in a garment for the removal of heat from a person having a capillary heating section and vessel cooling section connected in a continuous loop; 
         FIG. 7  is an elevation view of one embodiment of a heat transfer device including a condensed moisture collector and purification mechanism; and 
         FIG. 8  is an elevation view of one embodiment of a heat transfer device that includes a pair of heat exchangers that are operationally connected to a VEE section in a heating and cooling loop. 
     
    
    
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 REFERENCE NUMERALS 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 10 
                 Device 
                 12 
                 Heating Section 
               
               
                 14 
                 Cooling Section 
                 18 
                 One-way Check Valve 
               
               
                 20 
                 Working Fluid 
                 22 
                 Pressure Relief Valve 
               
               
                 24 
                 Vessel 
                 26 
                 Orifice Member 
               
               
                 28 
                 Orifice Plate 
                 30 
                 Heat Exchange Device 
               
               
                 32 
                 Condensed Moisture Collector 
                 34 
                 Purification Mechanism 
               
               
                 36 
                 Lens 
                 38 
                 Snow 
               
               
                 40 
                 Paved Path 
                 42 
                 VEE Section 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Definitions 
     The term “comprises” and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that other components, ingredients, steps, etc. are optionally present. For example, an article “comprising” (or “which comprises”) components A, B, and C can consist of (i.e., contain only) components A, B, and C, or can contain not only components A, B, and C but also one or more other components. 
     The term “fluid” is used herein within the usual scientific meaning of the word to include both liquids and gases. The term “condense” is used herein within the usual scientific meaning of the term, i.e. to change from a gas or vapor phase into a liquid phase. Further, the term “condensation” is used herein within the usual scientific meaning of the word to mean the change of the physical state of matter from gas or vapor phase into liquid phase. 
     Heat Transfer Device and Method of Use Generally 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-7 , the present heat transfer device  10 , in general, includes a heating section  12 , cooling section  14 , release member (e.g.  22 ,  26 ,  28 ), and a one-way check valve  18  all affixed together in a continuous loop so that a working fluid  20  generally flows in a single direction therethrough. In use generally, the heat transfer device  10  is placed within an area with a thermal gradient so that the heating section  12  is in an area with a higher temperature than the area where the cooling section  14  is located. For example, the heating section  12  could be disposed in an attic above a house while the cooling section  14  is disposed in the ground below a house, in a shadow of the house, in a river, or any location with a lower temperature than the area where the heating section  12  is located. Further, while the device  10  might be arranged in a vertical manner and gravity might have an effect on operation of the device  10 , such arrangement and utilization of gravity is not required and the device  10  may be placed in any manner with relation to the higher and lower temperature areas of the thermal gradient. 
     In operation generally, heat is transferred to the working fluid  20  within the heating section  12  from the area surrounding the heating section  12 . As the working fluid  20  heats within the heating section  12 , the working fluid  20  therein attempts to expand and, due to the characteristics of the heating section  12  and placement of the release member and one-way check valve  18 , becomes pressurized. After pressurizing, the working fluid  20  from the heating section  12  is forcibly released into the cooling section  14  carrying heat away from the heating section  12 . Upon entering the cooling section  14 , the working fluid  20  may cool due to adiabatic phase change, adiabatic expansion, or the transfer of its absorbed heat to an area surrounding the cooling section  14 . Thereby, during operation of the heat transfer device  10 , heat may be absorbed in the heating section  12  alone or, in an alternate embodiment, in both the heating section  12  and cooling section  14 . The working fluid  20  entering the cooling section  14  displaces working fluid  20  already within the cooling section  14  back into the heating section  12  through the one-way check valve  18 . 
     Internal Processes 
     The present heat transfer device  10  generally utilizes one or more of three internal processes to achieve heat transfer. Those three internal processes include 1) movement of heat by absorbing heat into the working fluid  20  in one area and transferring it out in another area, 2) adiabatic phase change of the working fluid  20  during its release into the cooling section  14 , and 3) adiabatic expansion of working fluid  20  released into the cooling section  14 . These three internal processes are utilized by the present heat transfer device  10  to achieve, one or both of, heat removal from a specific area and the addition of heat to a specific area. 
     Absorbing Heat in One Area and Transferring it Out in Another 
     Regarding the internal process of merely moving heat by absorbing it into the working fluid in one area and transferring it out in another area, consider one embodiment of the present heat transfer device  10  including heating and cooling sections  12 , 14  of uninsulated conduit, a pressure relief valve  22  as the release member, a one-way check valve  18 , and a glycol-based working fluid  20  where heat is removed from one area, an attic, and transferred out into another area, the ground—as shown in  FIG. 1 . Working fluid within the heating section  12  absorbs heat from the attic and as it attempts to expand becomes pressurized. Upon reaching a predetermined pressure, the pressure relief valve  22  opens to forcibly release working fluid with its absorbed heat into the cooling section  14  and shuts once enough working fluid  20  is released to lower the pressure within the heating section  12  below a predetermined amount. Heat from the working fluid is then transferred out of the cooling section  14  into the surrounding ground to be harmlessly dissipated. Working fluid  20  released from the heating section  12  also displaces working fluid  20  in the cooling section  14  through the one-way check valve  18  into the heating section  12 . Thereby, heat may be removed from an area, like the attic, to cool such an area and harmlessly disposed into another area, like the ground, without use of conventional electro-mechanical pumps or compressors, or blowers. Such removal of heat from a house reduces the energy required to cool it. 
     Conversely, one embodiment of the present heat transfer device  10  shown in  FIG. 2 , includes a tank vessel  24 , which is painted with a flat black paint (represented by the speckled appearance of tank  24 ) and positioned at the focal point of at least one convex lens  36  as to increase the absorption of solar radiation, as heating section  12 , a segment of uninsulated conduit located within a pile of snow  38  as the cooling section  14 , a one-way check valve  18 , an orifice member  26  as a release member, and corn oil as working fluid  20 . The device of  FIG. 2  may be utilized to add heat to the snow pile  38  to increase melting. Corn oil absorbs heat generated by solar radiation upon the tank vessel  24  of the heating section  12  and, as it attempts to expand, becomes pressurized therein. Upon becoming pressurized, the working fluid  20  passes through the orifice member  26  into the cooling section  14  with the absorbed heat. Heat from the corn oil is then transferred out of the cooling section  14  conduit into the surrounding snow pile to melt it. The working fluid  20  released form the heating section  12  displaces working fluid  20  already in the cooling section  14  back into the heating section  12  through the one-way check valve  18 . Thereby heat may be added to an area, such as a snow pile, without use of a conventional electro-mechanical pump, compressor blower, combustion, or use of fossil fuels. Such melting is beneficial as it provides a solution to the longstanding problem of what to do with such pile which can linger for months after snow storms. 
     Alternatively, in another embodiment of the device  10 , heat may be added to the crawl space of a house to help prevent pipes from freezing during winter and to augment home heating systems, as in  FIG. 5 . In  FIG. 5 , the device  10  includes a heating and cooling section  12 , 14  of uninsulated conduit, a pressure relief valve  22 , and a one way check valve  18  arranged so that n-butane (hereafter “butane”) working fluid  20  therein may cycle through in a single direction. In use, gaseous butane—butane vaporizes around 31° F.—absorbs heat from the ground below a house (i.e. geothermal heat) in the heating section  12  becoming pressurized therein. Upon reaching a predetermined pressure, the pressure relief valve  22  then opens and forcibly releases the gaseous butane into the cooling section  14 . As the gaseous butane enters the cooling section  14 , it carries with it the heat absorbed from the ground and radiates such heat to a crawl space area through which the cooling section  14  passes. As gaseous butane is forcibly released, it concurrently forces already cooled gaseous butane back into the heating section  12  through the one way check valve  18  to be reheated. Thereby the device  10  can provide heat to a crawl space during winter, as the ground temperature remains constant and such temperature is commonly above the ambient temperature above ground during winter. 
     Adiabatic Phase Change 
     Regarding the utilization of adiabatic phase change in the present device  10 , such process may be utilized to help the device  10  remove heat from a specific area or add heat to a specific area. For example, to remove heat from an area utilizing adiabatic phase change, consider one embodiment of the present heat transfer device  10  having heating and cooling sections  12 , 14  of uninsulated conduit, a pressure relief valve  22  release member, one-way check valve  18 , and acetone-which vaporizes around 31° F.—as working fluid  20  utilized to remove heat from a portion of a structure, such as the exterior walls of a house as in  FIG. 3  or the attic of a structure as in  FIG. 1 . In use, the uninsulated conduit of the heating section  12  is located within the walls or attic of the structure and that of the cooling section  14  is located under the ground or in the shade. Heat created by solar radiation striking the walls or roof is absorbed into the acetone working fluid  20  through the heating section  12 . Thereby, the temperature of the acetone is brought up to or over is normal boiling point and it is pressurized in the heating section  12 . Upon reaching a predetermined pressure, the pressure relief valve  22  opens to forcibly release pressurized acetone into the cooling section  14 . As it is released, the acetone vaporizes, lowering in temperature and eventually condensing back to liquid within the cooling section  14 . The forceful release of pressurized acetone may also lower the pressure in the heating section  12  so that not only does the pressure relief valve  22  close but also the working fluid  20  remaining in the heating section  12  vaporizes and lowers in temperature, drawing in additional heat from the walls or attic (also discussed below regarding adiabatic expansion). Released acetone also displaces already condensed acetone within the cooling section  14  back into the heating section  12  through the one-way check valve  18 . Thereby, the present heat transfer device  10 , rather than merely transferring heat by moving it, may also utilize vaporization of some portion of a working fluid  20  and the heat required for such a phase change to enhance the transfer of heat from an area, such as a wall or attic. 
     Furthermore, it is also foreseen that in use, the present heat transfer device  10  utilizing adiabatic phase change may also remove heat from an area surrounding a portion of the cooling section  14 , particularly that adjacent the release member. For example, in the previously outlined use involving the removal of heat from walls of a structure, it is possible that the acetone as it releases and vaporizes may also lower in temperature enough to also absorb heat from a portion of the cooling section  14  conduit adjacent the release member. It is foreseen that this cooling may be significant enough to be utilized to provide cooling or refrigeration by disposing such portion of conduit through an area in which cooling or refrigeration is desired, such as the wall or the inside of an insulated cooler. Thereby, the present heat transfer device  10  may be utilized, to also provide refrigeration without conventional electro-mechanical compressors, pumps, or blowers. 
     Conversely, the present heat transfer device  10  utilizing adiabatic phase change may also be used to add heat to an area. For example, consider a device  10  having uninsulated conduit, such as polyethylene tubing, as heating and cooling section  12 , 14 , an orifice member  26 , particularly an orifice plate  28 , a one-way check valve  18 , and butane working fluid  20 , which vaporizes around 31° F., utilized to add heat to a paved path  40  to prevent the formation of ice and accumulation of snow—as in  FIG. 4 . In use, the conduit of the heating section  12  is disposed at a depth underground, for example 4 feet, and the cooling section  14  is disposed within the substance of the paved path  40 . Heat thereby may be absorbed from the ground through the heating section to heat and pressurize the butane working fluid  20 . Thereupon the pressurized butane is released from the heating section  12  through the orifice plate  28 , whereupon it vaporizes and passes into the cooling section  14  carrying away the absorbed heat. Orifice plate  28  is shown in  FIG. 4  with a portion cutaway to illustrate that the liquid butane (represented by squiggly lines) changes to vaporized butane (represented by dots). Pressurized butane released from the heating section  12  also displaces already condensed working fluid  20  in the cooling section  14  back into the heating section  12  through the one-way check valve  18 . The vaporized butane within the cooling section  14  gives up its heat to the surrounding paved path  40  substance to warm it and condenses back to liquid. Thereby, the present heat transfer device  10  utilizing adiabatic phase change may be utilized to add heat to a specific area, such as a paved path  40 . 
     Adiabatic Expansion 
     Regarding the utilization of adiabatic expansion, the present heat transfer device  10  may utilize such processes to remove heat from a specific area or add heat to a specific area. For example, consider an embodiment of the present device  10  utilized to heat a structure, like a car, trailer, or building like in  FIG. 1 . Thereby, the device has uninsulated conduit for both heating and cooling sections  12 , 14 , a pressure relief valve  22  release member, and one-way check valve  18 . Within, the device  10  utilizes gaseous butane as a working fluid  20 . As in  FIG. 1 , the heating section  12  thereof may be placed in thermal contact with an area of the structure which is heated by solar radiation, like the attic, while the cooling section  14  is placed in thermal contact with a cooler area, such as the ground. As heat is produced in the attic, a portion thereof is absorbed by the gaseous butane, which pressurizes within the heating section  12 . Upon reaching a predetermined pressure, the pressure relief valve  22  opens and heated pressurized butane is forcibly released therethrough into the cooling section  14 . As the pressurized butane is rapidly released, pressure on the gaseous butane remaining within the heating section  12  is suddenly reduced. Just as rapidly increasing the pressure of a gas produces and gives off heat, rapidly decreasing the pressure of a gas—as may happen to gaseous butane during rapid release of working fluid through the pressure relief valve  22 —absorbs heat. Thereby, gaseous butane remaining in the heating section  12  may absorb additional ambient heat from the area around the heating section  12 . Likewise, released gaseous butane also forces already cooled butane already within the cooling section  14  through the one-way check valve  18  and back into the heating section  12  to absorb more heat. Thereby, the removal of heat from the area around the heating section  12  may be enhanced when the device  10  utilizes adiabatic expansion. Further such removal of heat may be achieved without use of conventional electro-mechanical pumps, compressors, or blowers. 
     Alternative Embodiments and Additional Elements 
     Heating and Cooling Sections 
     While the heating and cooling sections  12 , 14  of the earlier embodiments have been described as comprising segments of uninsulated conduit and tanks, it is foreseen that one or both of the heating and cooling sections  12 , 14  may take other forms in additional embodiments. For example, the heating or cooling sections  12 , 14  may comprise, uninsulated segments of conduit placed in a specific arrangement, such as the coiled arrangement of  FIG. 1 , or another specific pattern, such as a planar zig-zag or sigmoid, to enhance the transfer of heat between the working fluid  20  and a specific area. Further, the heating or cooling sections  12 , 14  may comprise vessels  24  capable of storing various amounts of working fluid  20 , and specific heat exchange devices  30  to enhance heat transfer in alternative embodiments. For example, as previously mentioned in one embodiment, the present device  10  may comprise a tank vessel  24  heating section, as in  FIG. 2 . In an additional example, the present device  10  may have a radiator heat exchange device  30  as the heating or cooling section  12 , 14 —such as the radiator of  FIG. 7  including lines representing fins. 
     It is also foreseen that the placement of the heating and cooling sections  12 , 14  can enhance heat transfer. For example, placement of a heating section  12  in an area with higher temperatures may increase the thermal transfer of heat to the working fluid  20 . Likewise, placement of a cooling section  14  in an area with lower temperatures may increase the thermal transfer of heat out of the working fluid  20 . An exemplary example of placement choice and its effects can be seen when comparing locating a cooling section  14  below the ground versus a shaded area, where one provides a more consistent removal of heat over time. However, in particular embodiments, such as when the present device  10  is used on a car, a shaded area may be the only location feasibly available for placement of the cooling section  14 . 
     Furthermore, it is foreseen that the heating and cooling sections  12 , 14  may have additional structural features to increase or decrease thermal transfer. For example, the conduit thereof may have fins, dimples, spikes, or the like which operate to increase the effective surface area of the conduit in thermal contact with the surrounding area. Further additional elements may also be provided to increase thermal transfer in certain applications, such as fans, mirrors, lenses, and heat absorbent coverings. For example, a tank heating section  12  may be covered in a heat absorbent covering, like a flat black paint, and placed in a focal area of one or more convex lenses focusing radiation from the sun, as in  FIG. 2 . Alternatively, it is also foreseen that portions of one or both of the heating and cooling sections  12 , 14  may be thermally insulated or have a heat reflective covering, such as mirrored chrome paint, to limit the areas in which heat can generally be transferred. The selection of these various elements, or features may be based on the use of the heat transfer device  10  and the characteristics of the desired working fluid  20 . There are many means, features, and elements for enhancing efficient heat transfer and one skilled in the art will recognize that any suitable means for enhancing such heat transfer may be employed. Furthermore, one or both of the heating and cooling sections  12 ,  14  may have multiple heat exchange devices or structural features operatively connected in tandem to enhance the transfer of heat by the device  10 . 
     It is also foreseen that the heating and cooling sections  12 , 14  may be any size which complements its internal operation and provides sufficient exposure to areas around both the heating and cooling sections  12 , 14  to allow for the transfer of heat. For example, one or both of the heating and cooling sections  12 , 14  may comprise capillary tubing as the conduit in particular embodiments, such as in clothing items wherein body heat is utilized as in  FIG. 6 . Such tubing—like the earlier conduit—may also be arranged in a specific pattern or network to increase the thermal transfer with the working fluid  20  passing therethrough. Also, in a further example the heating section  12  may comprise a tank shaped and sized to assist functioning of the device  10 , like a 1000-gallon low profile rectangular tank vessel. Also, it is foreseen that—in particular to clothing—the heating and cooling sections  12 ,  14  may be placed in any useful locations therein to effect the transfer of heat. As such, while  FIG. 6  shows the heating section  12  as an arrangement of capillary tubing in the back portion of a garment and the cooling section  14  as a vessel  24  disposed outside and below the garment so that heat may be expelled therefrom, it is foreseen that the heating and cooling sections  12 ,  14  may be other forms and may be arranged in other ways to effect heat transfer. For example, the heating section  12  may be an arrangement of capillary tubing disposed inside the garment so that it is adjacent a wearer&#39;s skin and capable of absorbing heat therefrom and the cooling section  14  may be a section of capillary tubing arranged along or just below the exterior surface of the garment away from a wearer&#39;s skin to allow for the transfer of heat to the air around such garment. 
     In addition, it is foreseen that, in particular embodiments, the working fluid  20  may vaporize and cool in the cooling section  14  due to its rapid release into a lower pressure environment, further assisting the dispersal of heat absorbed in the heating section  12 . For example, when a working fluid  20  has been heated to or above its boiling point in the heating section  12 , it may—upon release through a release member and upon entering a sufficiently lower pressure environment in the cooling section  14 —vaporize and absorb ambient heat, producing cooling. 
     In another embodiment, an additional section is added to enhance the transfer of heat, and that section is called a Vaporization/Expansion/Evaporation section  42 , wherein the pressurized, heated working fluid is allowed to expand and vaporize, which absorbs ambient heat from the space around this section, leaving a cooler area behind. An example of this embodiment is shown in  FIG. 8 , wherein a first heat exchanger  30  is located in the attic of a house, along with a VEE section  42 , and a second heat exchanger  30  (which acts as a heat sink) is positioned outside, and away from the house. The two heat exchangers  30  and the VEE section  42  are operationally connected in a loop, so that the working fluid may recirculate throughout the loop, absorbing heat in the attic through the first heat exchanger  30  and the VEE section  42 , and then transferring that heat out to the second heat exchanger  30 , where the heat will be rejected. Then, the cooler working fluid is transferred back to the attic to recirculate through the same cycle. In this embodiment, the pressure relief valve  22  is positioned between the first heat exchanger  30  and the VEE section  42 , and the check valve  18  is positioned between the VEE section  42  and the second heat exchanger  30 , and the conduit between the second heat exchanger  30  and the first heat exchanger  30  is thermally insulated. 
     In operation, the sun heats the fluid in the second heat exchanger  30 , which causes the pressure of the working fluid to rise, but the working fluid is trapped between the check valve  18  and the pressure relief valve  22 . Ambient heat is also absorbed in the first heat exchanger  30  in the attic. When the pressure builds enough to release working fluid, then the working fluid vaporizes in the VEE section  42 , absorbing heat and leaving behind cooler air. The working fluid then condenses and falls by gravity (or a pump, in some instances) back to the second heat exchanger  30  in the yard. This cycle is ongoing, as the working fluid recirculates through the heat transfer loop, as shown. 
     The VEE section  42  is designed to allow the pressurized, heated working fluid to expand and vaporize, which absorbs ambient heat from the space around that section (in the attic, in this particular example), so that in this embodiment, the VEE section  42  and the cooling section are one and the same. In one embodiment, the VEE section  42  may simply be an uninsulated conduit. 
     The VEE section  42  is intended as a confined area where the working fluid can expand and vaporize, so it may take the form of a vessel having a higher internal volume than the conduit that leads into it, conduit with a larger diameter, or any suitable container that allows for such expansion and vaporization. 
     Release Member 
     The release member may comprise a pressure relief valve  22 , orifice member  26 , or other structure of sufficient ability to restrict flow and allow for the build-up of pressure in the heating section  12  and forcible release of working fluid  20  therefrom. For example, the release member may comprise an orifice plate  28  which restricts the flow of the working fluid  20  as previously mentioned in regards to and shown in  FIG. 4 . The orifice plate  28 , like other orifice members  26 , restricts flow by requiring working fluid  20  to flow through an orifice of a diameter generally smaller than that of the conduit. The restriction of flow can cause increased pressure on one side of the orifice plate  28  while maintaining lower pressure conditions on the other. Thereby restriction can provide a higher pressure heating section  12  so as the working fluid is released into the cooling section  14 , the working fluid  20  may expand and cool. Further, the release of the working fluid  20  and absorbed heat from the heating section  12  through the orifice member  26  may be continuous, instead of intermittent as with the pressure relief valve  22 . It is foreseen that the orifice member  26  may also be adjustable, allowing for control over the rate of working fluid  20  flow and, thereby, the transfer of heat. 
     It is further foreseen that a release member may be adjustable, along with the one way check valve  18 , to allow for operation of the device in reverse should it be so desired. In such a reverse operation, the portions of the device identifying the heating section  12  and cooling section  14  during standard operation may effectively switch. Thereby the heating section  12  during standard operation may function as the cooling section  14  during reverse and the cooling section  14  during standard operation may function as the heating section  12 . 
     Heat Source 
     In multiple embodiments, it is foreseen that the heat source may be one of a number of non-electric based sources, including but not limited to ambient heat, solar radiation, geothermal heat, or even body heat, such as that generated by a human. Determination of the heat source is generally based on the desired use of the device  10 . For example, use of the present heat transfer device  10  to heat water in a pool may utilize ambient heat, such as that generated within an attic over the course of a day or heat produced by solar radiation interacting directly with the heating section  12 . In addition, use of the present device  10  to warm a paved path  40  during winter may utilize geothermal heat, heat stored in the ground, to warm working fluid  20  contained within the heating section  12 . Further, use of the present device  10  to cool a person may utilize heat produced by that person&#39;s body, body heat, to warm working fluid  20  contained within the heating section  12 . It is also foreseen that additional sources of heat may be utilized with the present device  10 , beyond those identified above. For example, the heat source may be waste heat generated by devices, systems, and processes, such as that generated by car engines, exhausts, and batteries, motors of electric vehicles, computer and server rooms, and industrial dryers, which would normally not be utilized. 
     Working Fluid 
     While in the earlier embodiments the working fluid  20  is described as glycol, corn oil, acetone and butane, it is foreseen that the working fluid may be one of almost any number of other fluids, gas or liquid at room temperature and atmospheric pressures. For example, the working fluid  20  may in particular embodiments include oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, vegetable oil, mineral oil, ammonium hydroxide, ether, butane, an alcohol (like methanol or ethanol), or the like. In fact, any fluid with expansion characteristics and boiling and melting points which can provide a desired efficient flow and transfer of heat in a particular use of the device  10  may be utilized. 
     However, determination of the best working fluid  20  may be based on the use of the device  10  and temperatures of the general areas surrounding the heating section  12  and cooling section  14  during a desired effective period. For example, use of the present device  10  to heat a pool or cool an attic may utilize glycol or corn oil as a working fluid  20  due to its ability to expand upon heating and low freezing point. In addition, determination of the best working fluid  20  may also be based on the desired internal operation of the present device  10 . For example, should a user desire the device to utilize the phase change of a fluid to facilitate the transfer of heat away from the heating section  12  towards the cooling section  14 , selection of a fluid which is generally liquid at the temperatures surrounding the cooling section  14  and gaseous at the temperatures surrounding the heating section  12  may be best. Thereby, the working fluid  20  may vaporize and condense when flowing through the device  10 . Furthermore, it is foreseen that the working fluid  20  may, in lieu of changing phases, remain fully a liquid or gas during operation of the present device  10 . 
     Condensed Moisture Collector 
     The present device  10 , in certain embodiments, may further include a condensed moisture collector  32  which captures moisture which may condense on outside portions of the device  10 , as in  FIG. 7 . For example, condensed moisture forming on the outside of a conduit may be captured by a container as it falls therefrom. Alternatively, condensed moisture may be collected by any receptacle, vessel, canister, can, box, holder, repository, or other structure sufficient to collect water. In use, condensed moisture may form on an outside portion of the present device  10  due to the differences in temperatures between that portion of the device and the surroundings. As such moisture forms, water is removed from the air, and humidity is reduced in the surrounding area. The condensed moisture may be fall or flow from the outside portion of the device into a condensed moisture collector  32 . Such condensed moisture collector  32  may also remove such collected moisture from the surroundings, such as by being connected to a drainage system, to prevent the moisture from evaporating and increasing the humidity of the surroundings again. Such a condensed moisture collector  32  may be useful where the present device  10  is utilized in areas in which increased humidity or wetness may not be desired or may cause damage. 
     Purification Mechanism 
     In addition to the above condensed moisture collector  32 , it is also foreseen that certain embodiments of the device  10  may also employ a purification mechanism  34  to purify the condensed moisture for consumption or use, as in  FIG. 7 . For example, condensed moisture may be purified by passing it through a filter, such as a drip filter with activated charcoal and baking soda. However, the purification mechanism  34  may be any device or method which removes or neutralizes impurities to produce useful water. For example, the purification mechanism  34  may involve sedimentation, ultraviolet light, the use of chemicals (chlorine, bromine, iodine, hydrogen peroxide, silver, etc.), filtration through mediums or membranes, or oxidation. 
     Additional Uses 
     In addition to the uses described above, it is foreseen that each embodiment may be utilized in a wide variety of applications. In fact, particular embodiments of the present heat transfer device  10  may remove heat—without a conventional electro-mechanical pump or compressor, or blower—from attics, crawl spaces, building walls and interiors, tents, vehicle interiors, vehicle engines, vehicle exhausts, batteries, vehicle brakes, motors of electric vehicles, clothing, headwear, and other garments, coolers, computer server rooms, laptops, firearm barrels, and even solar panels. In further examples, the present heat transfer device  10  may also add heat—without a conventional electro-mechanical pump or compressor, or blower—to snow, paved paths, pools, and crawl spaces. In fact, depending upon the elements utilized as heating and cooling sections  12 , 14 , release member, and working fluid  20  and the conditions in which the elements of the device  10  are placed, the present device  10  may provide heat transfer between almost any two distinct areas having differing temperatures without use of conventional electro-mechanical pumps, compressors, blowers, or electricity. 
     Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with possible reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein. All features disclosed in this specification may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. Further, it is not necessary for all embodiments of the invention to have all the advantages of the invention or fulfill all the purposes of the invention. 
     In the present description, the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features (including method steps) of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a claim, that feature can also be employed, to the extent possible, in aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally. 
     Where reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where the context excludes that possibility), and the method can include one or more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all the defined steps (except where the context excludes that possibility).