Abstract:
A substantially hollow, closed container includes within it a capillary structure and a fluid. The container is adapted for positioning in proximity to a piece of equipment from which heat needs to be removed. In one embodiment, the container is positioned near a heat shield of a vehicular brake component.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    Various embodiments relate to heat dissipating devices, and in an embodiment, but not by way of limitation, a heat dissipating device that removes heat from brake components, and in particular, aircraft brake components. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Heat dissipating devices are used in many industrial settings. For example, braking systems for vehicles generate a tremendous amount of heat. This is particularly true of brakes for aircraft, mainly because of the weight of the aircraft, the speed of the aircraft, and the rather long braking distance needed to stop the aircraft. The inability of a braking system to effectively remove heat from the system components may result in failure of the brakes, resulting in serious consequences. 
         [0003]    The art would therefore benefit from a system that effectively removes heat from industrial equipment such as the removal of heat from brakes generated during the usage of those brakes. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  illustrates an example embodiment of a device that removes heat from mechanical equipment. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  illustrates an example embodiment of the device of  FIG. 1  positioned in connection with a typical brake drum. 
           [0006]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate an example embodiment of the device of  FIG. 1  positioned in connection with a heat shield. 
       
    
    
     SUMMARY 
       [0007]    A substantially hollow, closed container includes within it a capillary structure and a fluid. The container is adapted for positioning in proximity to a piece of equipment from which heat needs to be removed. In one embodiment, the container is positioned near a heat shield of a vehicular brake component. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0008]    In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that the various embodiments of the invention, although different, are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Furthermore, a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described herein in connection with one embodiment may be implemented within other embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, it is to be understood that the location or arrangement of individual elements within each disclosed embodiment may be modified without departing from the scope of the invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims, appropriately interpreted, along with the full range of equivalents to which the claims are entitled. In the drawings, like numerals refer to the same or similar functionality throughout the several views. 
         [0009]    One or more embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a device for removing heat from industrial equipment such as vehicular brakes. In an embodiment, the device is used in connection with the brakes on an aircraft. 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  illustrates an example embodiment of a heat dissipation device  100 . The device  100  includes three primary parts—a heat conducting container  110 , a phase changing and heat absorbing fluid  120  contained within the container  110 , and a capillary or wick structure  130 . In an example embodiment, the container  110  may be manufactured out of any heat conducting material such as copper, aluminum, and stainless steel. The phase changing and heat absorbing liquid  120  may be water, an ethylene glycol-water mixture, toluene, etc. The capillary or wick structure  130  may be made out of copper, steel, aluminum, or nickel mesh. The pore sizes of the mesh may vary from a range of approximately 2 to 30 meshes per linear inch. The mesh may further include fibrous materials such as ceramics and carbon fiber filaments. 
         [0011]    In a particular embodiment, the capillary, wick, or mesh structure  130  is inserted into the heat conducting container  110 . The container is then filled with the fluid  120 , and the container  110  is sealed under pressure. In an embodiment, the pressure within the container  110  may be suitably reduced below atmospheric pressure. In an embodiment, the liquid is drawn into the container because of negative pressure created in the container by a simple vacuum pump. 
         [0012]    When the example embodiment is a pipe, the pipe is sealed at one end, the mesh is inserted into the pipe at the open end, the liquid is drawn into the pipe via the negative pressure, and the other end of the pipe is sealed. One end of the pipe is referred to as an evaporator end, and the other end of the pipe is referred to as a condenser end. 
         [0013]    In an example embodiment in which the heat dissipating device  100  is used in connection with the brakes on an aircraft, the container is adapted to the required length and shape, and it is then inserted into existing heat shields in the aircraft brake drum. This arrangement is illustrated in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 A, and  3 B. Referring to  FIG. 2 , a brake drum  300  includes one or more heat shields  310 . One or more heat dissipation devices  100  are positioned between the heat shields  310  and the brake drum  300 . 
         [0014]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate an example of the position of the heat dissipating device  100  and a brake heat shield  310 . In  FIG. 3A , two individual devices  100 A and  100 B are positioned in proximity to a heat shield  310 . In one embodiment, the heat shield is shaped to receive and mate with the devices  100 A and  100 B. In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the heat from the brake drum will dissipate to the evaporator portion of the heat dissipating devices  100 A and  100 B, as shown in  FIG. 3A . The evaporator portion of the heat dissipating devices are primarily those portions of the devices which are in contact with the brake drum. The liquid in the evaporator portion of the device evaporates, and dissipates via the mesh (not shown in  FIG. 3A ) to the condenser segment of the heat dissipating devices. In the embodiment of  FIG. 3A , the condenser portion of the heat dissipating devices  100 A and  100 B are those segments that are exposed to cooler atmospheric air. The heated liquid in the condenser portion gives up its heat to the environment surrounding the condenser portion, and the condensed liquid returns to the evaporator segment to begin the cycle again. 
         [0015]      FIG. 3B  illustrates another embodiment of a heat dissipating device  100  positioned in proximity to a heat shield  310 . The embodiment of  FIG. 3B  includes a single heat dissipating device  100  positioned in proximity to a heat shield  310 . The device  100  includes three evaporator segments  325 A,  325 B, and  330 B, and two condenser segments  330 A and  100 . As previously disclosed, the heat from the heat shield will cause the liquid in the evaporator section to evaporate and dissipate to the condenser sections. The liquid will condense in the condenser section, and return via the mesh within the device to the evaporator sections  325 A,  325 B, and  330 B. 
         [0016]    Therefore, in general, heat generated by a brake will be transferred from the brake drum, heat shield, and other components of the brake system to the device  100 . The heat causes the liquid in the evaporator end of the device  100  to vaporize. When this occurs, latent heat dissipates to the condenser end of the pipe, where the heat from the liquid is dissipated to the atmosphere and the liquid condenses. After condensation, the liquid is returned to the evaporator by the mesh via capillary action of the mesh. 
         [0017]    As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the heat dissipating device  100  may be formed or shaped such as to mate with a heat shield. The heat dissipating device may be secured in place by attachment to the heat shield and brake drum. This can be done via connecting means such as bolts or other means such as welding. In another embodiment, it may be attached and secured to other structures that are part of the brake system or that are in proximity to the brake system. As can be gleaned from  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the length and shape of the device  100  are determined by the components of the brake system and the surrounding environment. 
         [0018]    While the present disclosure deals primarily with heat dissipation devices used in connection with vehicular brakes, one of skill in the art will realize that embodiments of the present disclosure may be used in connection with other apparatuses from which there is a need to remove heat. 
         [0019]    In the foregoing detailed description of embodiments of the invention, various features are grouped together in one or more embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments of the invention require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description of embodiments of the invention, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment. It is understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. It is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein,” respectively. Moreover, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc., are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. 
         [0020]    The abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b) to allow a reader to quickly ascertain the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.