Patent Description:
In thermodynamics, the Joule-Thomson effect describes the temperature change of a fluid, such as a gas or liquid, when the fluid is forced through a valve or porous plug while kept insulated so that no heat is exchanged with the environment. This procedure is often referred to as a throttling process or Joule-Thomson process. Conventional throttling processes utilize large and expensive equipment, and therefore are impractical or unusable for many applications.

Document <CIT> states in its abstract: "a quick cooling/heating system for beverages and the like contained within a closed vessel, for instance a can incorporating a heat exchanger communicating to the outside of the vessel through an inlet and an outlet an adapted to be run through by a cooling/heating fluid delivered by an outer supply source to be connected to the vessel inlet. The system comprises a recovery device of the cooling/heating fluid to be connected with the outlet of the heat exchanger of the vessel. The recovery device feeds back the supply source, whereby the flow path of the cooling/heating fluid through the heat exchanger of the vessel is along a closed circuit. " Document <CIT> discloses a cooling device to be included in liquid packaging containers, consists of a gas reservoir and a heat exchanger tube. Release of the liquified gas through a venturi formed by pinching the tube cools the tube and the liquid in the container. The basis of this addition is the repositioning of the orifice between the gas reservoir and the heat exchanger coil, such that the entire length of the coil contains cold gas. The gas can be released by piercing the top of the reservoir or cutting off the end of the coil.

Therefore, what is needed is an improved heat transfer device.

The present disclosure generally relates to heat transferring apparatuses and methods. The apparatus and methods utilize the Joules-Thompson effect to remove heat from a heat source to facilitate cooling of the heat source.

A heat transfer device comprises the features of claim <NUM>.

In another aspect, a method of cooling an object according to claim <NUM> is disclosed.

So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present disclosure can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the disclosure, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to examples some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. <FIG> and <FIG> are schematic perspective views of a heat transfer device, according to one aspect of the disclosure.

<FIG> and <FIG> are schematic perspective views of a heat transfer device <NUM>, according to one aspect of the disclosure. <FIG> is a schematic sectional view of the heat transfer device of <FIG>. <FIG> is a schematic partial view of the heat transfer device of <FIG>. <FIG> is a schematic partial exploded view of the heat transfer device of <FIG>. To facilitate explanation, <FIG> are explained in conjunction.

The heat transfer device <NUM> includes a body <NUM> and a lid assembly <NUM> disposed thereon. The body <NUM> includes a base <NUM> and a side wall <NUM> extending from the base <NUM>. The lid assembly <NUM> includes a cylindrical plate <NUM> having a stepped surface <NUM> formed in a radially outward edge thereof.

The stepped surface <NUM> engages the upper end of the sidewall <NUM> forming a seal therebetween. In one example the stepped surface <NUM> engages the upper end of the sidewall <NUM> in an interference fit. Additionally or alternatively, an adhesive may be applied between the stepped surface <NUM> and the sidewall <NUM> to couple the lid assembly <NUM> to the body <NUM>.

The body <NUM> and the lid assembly <NUM> define an interior volume <NUM> therein. The interior volume <NUM> includes therein an internal container <NUM> and one or more puncturing devices <NUM> (nine are shown in <FIG>). The internal container <NUM> is centrally located with respect to the base <NUM> of the body <NUM>, as well as centrally located with respect to the lid assembly <NUM>. Thus, in one example, the internal container <NUM> is concentric with respect to the body <NUM> and the lid assembly <NUM>. The internal container <NUM> includes a bowl <NUM> positioned adjacent the lid assembly <NUM>, and one or more heat sinks <NUM> coupled to a lower surface of the bowl <NUM>. The one or more heat sinks <NUM> are in physical contact with an internal surface of the base <NUM> of the body <NUM>, and also in physical contact with a lower external surface of the bowl <NUM>. The one or more heat sinks <NUM> are illustrated as having a cylindrical shape and being in spaced apart relationships, but it is contemplated that other shapes and configurations may be selected depending on heat transfer-, weight-, space-, or cost-parameters.

A cap <NUM> is positioned over the bowl <NUM>. The cap <NUM> seals against the bowl <NUM> to define an internal volume <NUM>. The cap <NUM> may be integrally formed with and extending from a lower surface of the cylindrical plate <NUM>, or may be separate component therefrom. Alternatively, it is contemplated that the lower surface of the cylindrical plate <NUM> may seal against the bowl <NUM>, and thus, a cap <NUM> would be unnecessary. To facilitate sealing with the bowl <NUM>, the cap <NUM> may include a stepped surface around a perimeter thereof. In such an example, a portion of the stepped surface may be disposed within the inner diameter of the bowl <NUM>, for example by an interference fit, while a second portion of the stepped surface mates against an upper end of a sidewall of the bowl <NUM>. The internal volume <NUM> is a fluid-tight compartment configured to contain a fluid therein, such as a liquid or a gas (for example, ammonium (NH<NUM>)). While the internal volume is illustrated as having a cylindrical shape, other shapes or configurations are contemplated.

The bowl <NUM> includes one or more openings <NUM> formed through a sidewall thereof. The one or more openings <NUM> correspond to (in a one-to-one relationship) and are radially aligned with a respective puncturing device <NUM>. Each of the openings <NUM> are initially sealed with a sealing member <NUM>, such as a membrane or diaphragm, capable of being punctured by the puncturing device <NUM>. The sealing members <NUM> are capable of withstanding a predetermined level of pressure without unintentional rupturing. The sealing members <NUM> isolate the internal volume <NUM> of the bowl <NUM> from the internal volume <NUM> of the body <NUM> until ruptured. In one example, the sealing members <NUM> are formed from one or more of an elastomeric, polymeric, and metallic material. In another example, the sealing members are formed from one or more of carbon steel, stainless steel, nickel-molybdenum alloys such as Hastelloy®, graphite, aluminum, silicone, and a high temperature rubber compound.

Each of the one or more openings <NUM> is shaped as a venturi, e.g., having a narrow section located between two wider sections. In yet another example, a venturi-shaped section of material may be coupled to an internal or external surface of the bowl <NUM>, over a respective opening <NUM>. In the above configurations, it is contemplated that the venturi is sized and positioned to allow the puncturing devices <NUM> to puncture a respective sealing member <NUM> within the one or more openings <NUM>.

Each puncturing device <NUM> includes a housing <NUM>, a needle <NUM>, a spring <NUM>, and a stop plate <NUM>. The puncturing devices <NUM> are radially spaced around the internal container <NUM> and located radially outward relative thereto. The puncturing devices <NUM> are coupled to the body <NUM> and extend radially inward from the body <NUM>. The housing <NUM> engages an opening having a corresponding shape formed in the sidewall of the body <NUM>. Such engagement facilitates coupling of respective puncturing devices <NUM> to the body <NUM>, and additionally, facilitates ease of installation, maintenance, and replacement of the puncturing devices <NUM> without requiring removal of the lid assembly <NUM>. However, it is contemplated that instead of engaging a corresponding opening formed in the body <NUM>, the puncturing devices <NUM> may be secured to an internal surface of the body <NUM>, or an internal surface of the lid assembly <NUM>.

Each housing <NUM> includes a release mechanism <NUM> (one shown schematically in <FIG>) therein to facilitate release of the needle <NUM>. Upon release, the needle <NUM> is biased by the spring <NUM>. The spring <NUM> is disposed around a base portion of the needle <NUM> and is positioned to bias against the housing <NUM> and the stop plate <NUM>. Thus, in some examples, the needle <NUM> is spring-loaded. A tip of the needle <NUM> extends radially inward from the stop plate <NUM> to engage a respective opening <NUM>, thereby puncturing a sealing member <NUM> of the respective opening <NUM>. The stop plate <NUM> is configured to contact an outer surface of the bowl <NUM> to prevent over-penetration of the needle <NUM>, which may result in the needle <NUM> becoming stuck in the opening <NUM> and thus complicating removal or retraction therefrom. Retraction of the needle <NUM> from the opening <NUM> may be effected by the release mechanism <NUM>, by a separate actuator located within the housing <NUM>, or by pressure of fluid traveling from the internal volume <NUM> of the bowl to the internal volume <NUM>.

During operation of the heat transfer device <NUM>, the heat transfer device <NUM> is thermally coupled to an object to be cooled. For example, the base <NUM> of the body <NUM> is positioned in physical contact with the object to be cooled. As the temperature of the object increases, thermal energy is transferred from the object to a fluid stored in bowl <NUM> of the internal container <NUM>. The heat sinks <NUM> facilitate transfer of heat from the object, through the base <NUM>, to the bowl <NUM> and the fluid therein. To facilitate heat transfer, the base <NUM>, the heat sinks <NUM>, and the bowl <NUM> may be formed with a material of a suitable heat transfer coefficient.

Once sufficient thermal energy is transferred to the fluid within the bowl <NUM>, the fluid reaches a predetermined pressure and/or temperature. Reaching the predetermined pressure and/or temperature results in a triggering event. One example of a triggering event is actuation of one or more needles <NUM>. In one example, the release mechanism <NUM> is configured to release the needle <NUM> in response to sensor data, in response to a control signal, in response to a timer, in response to predetermined condition, or the like. For example, the release mechanism <NUM> may release upon indication of a predetermined temperature of pressure being reached by the fluid contained within the bowl <NUM>. To facilitate such a release, a temperature or pressure sensor may be positioned to relay the temperature or pressure of the fluid located within the bowl <NUM>. It is contemplated that a controller may be positioned in the housing <NUM> to facilitate release of the needles <NUM>. Alternatively, an external controller coupled to heat transfer device <NUM> may facilitate release of the needles <NUM>.

The release mechanism <NUM> maintains each respective needle <NUM> in cocked or retracted position. Disengagement of a release mechanism <NUM>, as described above, allows actuation of a respective needle <NUM> towards the internal container <NUM>. Actuated needles <NUM> puncture sealing members <NUM> disposed over openings <NUM>, thereby allowing fluid to flow from the internal volume <NUM> of the bowl <NUM> into the internal volume <NUM>. As the fluid flows through opening <NUM>, the fluid expands, resulting in a decrease in temperature (e.g., via a constant enthalpy) of the heated fluid. Thus, cooling of an object to which the heat transfer device <NUM> is thermally coupled occurs by transferring heat from the object to a fluid of the heat transfer device <NUM>, and then subsequently reducing the temperature of the fluid via the Joule-Thomson effect.

<FIG> illustrate one example of a heat transfer device <NUM>. However, other configurations are also contemplated. For example, while the body <NUM> and the lid assembly <NUM> are shown having a cylindrical shape, it is to be noted that other shapes and configurations are also contemplated. In another example, it is contemplated that the number and position of puncturing devices <NUM> may be varied.

It is contemplated that the described triggering events may be passive, active, or a combination thereof. A passive triggering event can include a melting retaining substrate that maintains a puncturing device <NUM> in a cocked position. In the latter example, upon melting, the puncturing device <NUM> releases to rupture a sealing member <NUM>. Active triggering events can include electronically sending a signal to facilitate actuation of the puncturing device <NUM>, such as electronically triggering a release primer after electronically detecting that a temperature threshold has been exceeded.

It is contemplated that release of fluid from within the bowl <NUM> may occur through both puncturing of sealing members <NUM> by the puncturing devices <NUM>, and by rupturing of sealing members <NUM> due to a predetermined pressure within the bowl being realized. The use of both puncturable disks and rupturing disks augments reliability by offering redundant fluid-releasing avenues. In such, the rupturing disks may be configured to rupture at the same pressure (or a corresponding temperature) configured to engage the puncturing devices <NUM>. Thus, the punctured sealing members (pierced by the puncturing device <NUM>) and the rupturing disks (which rupture at a predetermined pressure) allow fluid flow through respective openings at about the same time. Alternative, the heat transfer device <NUM> may be configured such that the puncturable sealing members are configured to release fluid flow first, and the rupturing disks are configured to release fluid flow at a second, later time, thus acting us a back-up or redundant fluid releasing operation.

The fluid within the bowl <NUM> may include a wax or other material that absorbs heat to phase change to a liquid substance (e.g., melts) either before or during rupturing of the sealing members <NUM>. The liquid substance may then absorb additional heat to phase change from a liquid substance to a gaseous form (e.g., vaporize), either before or after rupturing of the sealing members <NUM>. In one instance, liquid-to-vapor phase changes occur before rupturing of the sealing members <NUM> when solid-to-liquid phase changes also occur before rupturing the sealing members <NUM>. In another instance, liquid-to-vapor phase changes occur after the sealing members <NUM> rupture when the phase change from solid-to-liquid also occurs after rupturing the sealing members <NUM>. Fluid within the bowl <NUM> may alternatively phase change from a solid directly and/or exclusively to a gas (e.g., sublimate) either before or after rupturing the sealing members <NUM>. In some instance, cooling from the Joules-Thomson effect may reverse a phase change, temporarily reverse a phase change, and/or constitute a phase change to a more condensed state than originally stored. Phase changes to a more condensed state include one or more of a phase change from a gas to a liquid (e.g., condensing), a phase change from a liquid to a solid (e.g., freezing), and/or a phase change directly and/or exclusively from a gas to a solid (e.g., deposing).

Melting of frozen/solid-state cooling fluid may contribute to pressure buildup within the internal volume <NUM> and/or frozen/solid-state cooling fluid may contribute in part or entirely to rupturing of the sealing member <NUM>. Alternatively, the sealing member <NUM> may be ruptured using a primer, N-Glycerin, or excitation of C<NUM>H<NUM>(NO<NUM>)<NUM>CH<NUM>.

It is contemplated that the release mechanism <NUM> may release the needle <NUM> in response to material dissolving once a predetermined condition, such as temperature, is met. For example, the needle <NUM> may be released once a retainer is melted. In such an example, the retainer may be lead (<NUM>Pb), or another material with a desired melting point, e.g., Tin. In another example, the sealing member may be ruptured by other methods, including projected components, detonators, plasma ablators, shaped charges, or the like.

It is contemplated that the release mechanism <NUM> can be an actuator that actuates the needle <NUM> towards the internal container <NUM>. In such an example, the spring <NUM> is configured to bias the needle <NUM> into a retracted position. Thus, after the release mechanism <NUM> actuates the needle <NUM> to rupture a respective sealing member, the spring <NUM> returns the needle to a radially outward position to facilitate fluid from through a respective opening <NUM>.

A compound with a relatively high heat transfer coefficient may be positioned between the heat transfer device <NUM> and an object to be cooled, in order to facilitate transfer of thermal energy therebetween. The heat transfer device <NUM> may be configured to absorbed Electro-Magnetic (EM) radiation, including optical light, or heat induced through a pressure signal.

The needle <NUM> of a respective puncturing device may create a seal within the opening <NUM> such that the needle <NUM> regulates the flow of fluid through the opening <NUM>. The needle <NUM> may include one or more O-rings therein to facilitate sealing. The needle <NUM> may completely stop fluid flow, if desired. When using the needle <NUM> to control fluid flow, it is contemplated that a controller may facilitate control of needle position. In doing so, either open-loop control or closed-loop control may be utilized. When utilizing closed-loop control, the closed-loop control may alter the pressure permitted past the needle <NUM> via the opening <NUM>. Control routines that may be employed include proportional, proportional-integral, proportional-integral-derivative, Kalman, Kalman-bucy (simulation), Iterated Extended Kalman Filter (IEKF), Optimal Control, Adaptive Control, Fuzzy logic, Genetic Algorithm, Sliding Mode Control, and the like.

<FIG> and <FIG> are schematic perspective views of heat transfer device arrangements 220a, 220b, according to the disclosure. The heat transfer device arrangement 220a includes a plurality of heat transfer devices <NUM> serially stacked in a vertical orientation. While nine heat transfer devices <NUM> are illustrated, it is contemplated that any number of heat transfer devices <NUM> may be utilized in the heat transfer device arrangement 220a. The heat transfer devices <NUM> are in thermal contact such that heat received by one heat transfer device <NUM> is transferred, at least partially, to an adjacent heat transfer device <NUM>. Thus, the heat transfer device arrangement 220a improves cooling of an object in thermal contact with the heat transfer device arrangement 220a, as compared to when using only a single heat transfer device <NUM>.

In the example of <FIG>, it is contemplated that thermal energy may be transferred between adjacent heat transfer devices <NUM> both prior to and after rupturing of sealing members <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) in one or more heat transfer devices <NUM>. To facilitate transfer between adjacent heat transfer devices <NUM>, it is contemplated that one or more heat transfer compounds (e.g., thermal grease, thermal film, thermal tape, and/or thermal straps) may be applied therebetween. In one example, it is contemplated that fluid-containing structure may be disposed between each successive heat transfer device <NUM> to facilitate heat transfer and/or heat absorption.

<FIG> is a schematic perspective view of a heat transfer device arrangement 220b. The heat transfer device arrangement 220b includes two heat transfer devices <NUM> in a lid-to-lid configuration, wherein the respective lid assemblies <NUM> are adjacent one another. In such a configuration, a first heat transfer device <NUM> is positioned upright, while a second heat transfer device <NUM> is inverted and positioned on the first heat transfer device <NUM>. Such a configuration allows objects to be cooled to be positioned at opposite ends of the heat transfer device arrangement 220b: a unique arrangement for cooling of multiple objects in constrained spaces.

<FIG> and <FIG> are schematic perspective views of heat transfer devices 300a, 300b, respectively, according to the disclosure. The heat transfer devices 300a, 300b are similar the heat transfer device <NUM>, but additionally includes respective recirculation systems 325a, 325b. With reference to <FIG>, the recirculation system 325a includes a recirculation path <NUM> having one or more sections of tubing 326a-326d and a hub <NUM>. The one or more sections of tubing 326a-326d are in fluid communication with the internal volume <NUM> of the bowl <NUM>, as well as with the internal volume <NUM> (shown in <FIG>), thus facilitating recirculation of fluid upon rupturing of sealing members <NUM> (shown in <FIG>). The recirculation of fluid provides additional cooling beyond the initial release of heated fluid, by allowing multiple iterations of heating and expanding the fluid. Additionally, the one more sections of tubing 326a-326d and the hub <NUM> are spaced from the body <NUM> and the lid assembly <NUM> to facilitate cooling of fluid as the fluid travels through the recirculation system 325a. However, other configurations are contemplated, for example, when spacing is constrained.

Upon rupturing of a sealing member <NUM>, heated fluid can be released into an internal volume <NUM> (shown in <FIG>). The released fluid is allowed to flow into the tubing 326a, then through tubing 326c, the hub <NUM>, and the tubing 326d, successively. Fluid in the tubing 326d is directed back into the internal volume <NUM> of the bowl <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) to be heated once again. Thus, the fluid is capable of being heated and then being subjected to expansion, multiple times.

To facilitate multiple iterations of heating and expanding the fluid, it is contemplated that after a needle <NUM> ruptures a sealing member, the needle <NUM> may then be used to plug a respective opening <NUM>. It is contemplated that such a needle <NUM> may be actuated to allow selective release of fluid through a respective opening <NUM>. One or more needles <NUM> may passively operate as spring-loaded, pressure-reducing valves after initial rupturing has occurred. Thus, for subsequent fluid releases, the needles <NUM> would be disengaged to allow fluid to effuse through respective openings <NUM> once a predetermined pressure overcomes a bias force of a respective spring <NUM> (shown in <FIG>).

Additionally or alternatively, the needles <NUM> may rupture sealing members in succession. In such an example, once fluid is released by rupturing, a respective needle <NUM> permanently plugs the respective opening <NUM>. To perform subsequent fluid releases, an alternative puncturing device <NUM> is utilized.

To prevent recirculation of fluid in a reverse direction, hub <NUM> functions as or includes therein a one-way check valve. Thus, as fluid is heated in the bowl <NUM>, heated fluid does not inadvertently travel backwards through the recirculation system. In addition, it is contemplated that the hub <NUM> may include additional components to facilitate recirculation and/or cooling of fluid, such as one or more of a radiator, a condenser, and a pump.

<FIG> is a schematic perspective view of a heat transfer device 300b. The heat transfer device 300b is similar to the heat transfer device 300a; however, the recirculation system 325b of the heat transfer device 300b includes multiple recirculation paths <NUM>. While two recirculation paths <NUM> are shown, it is contemplated that more than two recirculation paths <NUM> may be utilized. Additionally, in the illustrated example, the recirculation paths <NUM> are coupled to a shared hub <NUM>. However, it is contemplated that the recirculation paths <NUM> may alternatively utilize individual hubs <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic perspective view of a heat transfer device <NUM>, according the disclosure. <FIG> is a partial schematic perspective view of the heat transfer device <NUM> of <FIG>. In <FIG>, the cylindrical plate <NUM> of the lid assembly <NUM> is not shown for explanatory purposes. <FIG> is a schematic perspective view of an internal container <NUM> of the heat transfer device <NUM> of <FIG>. To facilitate explanation, <FIG> will be explained in conjunction.

The heat transfer device <NUM> is similar to the heat transfer device 300b; however, the heat transfer device <NUM> includes nine recirculation paths <NUM> coupled to a central hub <NUM>. The recirculation paths <NUM> are equally spaced around the heat transfer device <NUM>. Each of the recirculation paths <NUM> is fluidly coupled to an internal volume <NUM> of the body <NUM> at a position located between adjacent puncturing devices <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the heat transfer device <NUM> includes a internal container <NUM>, in contrast to the internal container <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) of the heat transfer device <NUM>. The internal <NUM> is similar to the container <NUM>, but includes one or more partitions <NUM> disposed in the bowl <NUM> and dividing the interval volume <NUM> into a plurality of individual compartments <NUM>. In <FIG> and <FIG>, the one or more partitions <NUM> radially extend outward, forming wedge-shaped compartments <NUM>; however, other configurations are contemplated. The compartments <NUM> are isolated from one another, and aligned with one or more openings <NUM>. In one example, each compartment <NUM> is aligned with a single, corresponding opening <NUM>.

During operation, the heat transfer device <NUM> is configured such that each compartment <NUM> is individually vented. Thus, in the example shown, nine separate venting operations (e.g., heating and expansion of fluid) occur. For example, heat from an object may be transferred to the bowl <NUM> through heat sinks <NUM> as described above. Once a predetermined heating condition is reached in the bowl <NUM>, a sealing member <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) is ruptured by a respective puncturing device <NUM> to facilitate release of a heated fluid through the opening <NUM>. The fluid may be selectively recirculated though one or more recirculation paths <NUM>. As additional cooling is desired, additional puncturing devices <NUM> may deploy to rupture respective sealing members <NUM>, thereby releasing heated fluid for expansion, and thus, cooling.

As further illustrated in <FIG>, the base <NUM> of the body <NUM> includes additional heat sink features 440a, 440b, and 440c. The heat sink features 440a, 440b, and 440c include concentric circles of heat sinks coupled to an internal surface of the base <NUM>. While three concentric circles are illustrated, it is contemplated that more than three concentric circles may be utilized. In one example, each radially outward circle of heat sink features 440a, 440b, 440c includes increasing larger conical, spaced-apart, heat sinks. Other shapes and configurations are also contemplated. The additional heat sink features 440a, 440b, and 440c facilitate heat removal from an object to be cooled, as well as facilitate turbulent mixing of fluid within the heat transfer device <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, heat sinks <NUM> are disposed about the perimeter of the bowl <NUM>, extending from a lower surface thereof. It is contemplated that such a configuration facilitates uniform heat transfer to fluid in the bowl <NUM>, while mitigating weight. However, it is contemplated that additional heat sinks <NUM> may be coupled to the lower surface of the bowl <NUM>. Such heat sinks may be located interior of the perimeter, e.g., radially inward of the heat sinks <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

Benefits of aspects disclosed herein include simplified heat transfer devices having reduced size and weight. For example, it is contemplated that heat transfer devices herein may have a diameter as small as <NUM> (<NUM> inch), such as about <NUM> (<NUM> inches). Additionally, heat transfer devices disclosed herein are driven by waste/excess heat from another source which is transferred into the heat transfer device and becomes the driving mechanism for fluid past a venturi. Driving the fluid past the venture causes a fluid, such as a liquid, to build a vapor pressure and reduce temperature of the fluid through vaporization. Thus, heat transfer devices disclosed herein benefit from a simplified design compared to conventional approaches.

Also, heat transfer devices disclosed herein may be entirely resistant to Electro-Magnetic (EM) fluctuations in nearby environment and/or produce virtually no EM noise themselves. Additionally, aspects of the disclosure may remove or transfer heat while being resistant to pressure fluctuations in nearby environments and/or while producing virtually no pressure noise, including audio noise (e.g., via minimal vibration of the heat transfer device <NUM>, which in turn projects minimal-to-no pressure waives in the ambient atmosphere), as an example in high vibration scenarios.

Released fluids may pass through a plurality of chambers (in series or parallel) to further enhance cooling. Where successive chambers are utilized, the fluid may pass through a venturi at each interface of successive chambers. Each heat transfer device may be either open-looped or closed-looped. In an open-loop configuration, vaporized fluid is expelled from the heat transfer device and is either dumped from the heat transfer device by a radiator(s) or expelled to the atmosphere. In a closed-loop configuration, a recirculation path is utilized, as described above.

It is contemplated that the puncturing device may include a first ball and spring valve. In such, instead of venting the heated fluid into the environment, the fluid is vented through the ball and spring valve into a second chamber to enable sufficient cooling of the first volume (e.g., the internal volume <NUM>) or of heat source, such as an object desired to be cool. It is contemplated that the second chamber may include a second ball and spring that is located within the second chamber. The second ball and spring valve may be unidirectional in direction opposite of the first ball and spring valve. Fluid may be pumped back into the first chamber (e.g., the internal volume <NUM>) through the second ball and spring valve to facilitate repetition of the cooling process. This configuration is useful for applications ranging from spacecraft to submersibles to oceanic to subterranean. Such a configuration is beneficial because the cooling process is not limited to single use. The first chamber may be a component of (or used to cool) an electronic device. In such an example, after releasing fluid from the internal volume <NUM>, the electronic device could be turned "ON. " When using a ball and spring valve, the spring may be resistant to high temperatures, and/or may be coated with a spark-suppression substance. Additionally or alternatively, the spring may be a hairspring to create a low-profile and small device for small applications.

Additionally or alternatively, the puncturing device may be a ball-and-spring valve (e.g., a check valve), where flow-rate, displacement, pressure, and compression are all inter-related. Sensing may occur as an example by connecting a linear transducer to a sliding poppet or by connecting strain gauges to membrane valves.

The heat transfer devices may include additional structural components, such as an in-wall iso-grid that provides light-weight pressure re-enforcement to facilitate structural rigidity. In some instances, the heat transfer device is applied to the cavities of an iso-grid, including cavities of an iso-grid dish. The heat transfer device may be applied to an antenna, an antenna dish and even a mirror. Additionally or alternatively, the disclosed heat transfer devices may contain in-wall additively manufactured rib-stiffeners, such as vertical flutes, to help resist compression and/or serve the dual purpose of another medium/heat-path of heat transfer, be it convective, conductive, and radiative and/or some other heat transfer mode. In some examples, the iso-grid may function as a "Mills" shaping for purposes including ejection or separation of a hot device. Such "Mills" shaping may be internally or externally etched into the device, wherein flat faces of the device may have a recessed star or flower pattern or may even have a waffle-grid countersunk etch pattern.

The disclosed heat transfer devices may be constructed with use of metallic Additive Manufacturing. It may also be post-processed with strengthimproving techniques including Hot Isostatic Press (HIP) and/or Heat Treat (HT). In both Additive Manufacturing and traditional manufacturing, the device may be coated with thermal resistive coating including but not limited to Silicon-Carbide and/or Zirconium. Exemplary metallic additive manufacturing methods and printers include direct energy deposition, direct metal laser sintering, direct metal printing, electron beam additive manufacturing, electron beam melting, electron beam powder bed, fused deposition modeling, indirect power bed, laser cladding, laser deposition, laser deposition welding (optionally with integrated milling), laser engineering net shape, laser freeform manufacturing, laser metal deposition-powder, laser metal deposition-wire, laser powder bed, laser puddle deposition, laser repair technology, powder directed energy deposition, stereolithography, selective laser melting, selecting laser sintering, and small puddle deposition.

Exemplary additive manufacturing materials include metals such as steel, stainless steel, titanium, copper, aluminum, nickel alloys, and alloys thereof, including but not limited to IN625, IN718, Ti-6Al-4V, AISi10Mg, SS316, Monel, Copper, Ti-<NUM>, Ti-6Al-6V-2Sn, Ti-<NUM>, Maraging Steel MSI <NUM>, Mar <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, Cobalt Chrome SP2, Ti-6Al-4V ELI, Nickel Alloy HX, gold (au), silver (ag), as well as plastics including Acrylonitile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Polylactic acid (PLA), Polyvinyl alcohol, and Polycarbonate, and others including ULTEM, Kel-F, Kevlar, Nylon, and Carbon Composite, as well as thermoplastics such as Polyamide (PA), Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS), Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK), Poly-Ether-Ketone-Ketone (PEKK), Polyetherimide (PEI), Polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), Polyethersulfone (PES), Thermoplastic Polyimide (TPI), liquid crystalline polymer (LCP), polyamide-imide (PAI), or the like (<NUM>/<NUM>). Further, support materials may be used, such as support materials for plastics like PVA or support materials for metallics, including water-soluble crystals and other melt-aways, including, but not limited to Cu, Ag, Al, Sb, Zn and Sn, as well as other alloys such as solder and low melting point Ag alloy solder (Ag-Sn-Pb, Ag-Pb, Ag-Sn, Ag-Sn-Cu, Ag-Cd-Zn, Ag-Cd); polyethylene, polyamide, polyimide, polyprophylene, PMMA, polyether sulfone, thermoplastic polyester, copolymer or polyhexafluroropropylene and polytetrafluoroethylene, polyfluorovinylidene, and other organic composite photoresist materials, including but not limited to dry film type resists (<CIT>). The device may be constructed with non-thermoplastic materials, including epoxies, including high-temp resistant epoxies.

The heat transfer devices disclosed herein may be formed by altering the blending of deposited additively manufactured material such that Functionally Gradient Material (FGM) properties may be achieved, including varying the Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE). Such varying may be useful for passive actuation of puncturing devices.

Additionally or alternatively, heat transfer devices disclosed herein may be formed using melt-away materials such as Ag-Sn-Pb, Ag-Pb, Ag-Sn, Ag-Sn-Cu, Ag-Cd-Zn, Ag-Cd), polyethylene, polyamide, polyimide, polypropylene, PMMA, polyether, sulfone, thermoplastic, polyester, copolymer of polyhexafluoropropylene and polytetrafluoroethylene, polyfluorovinylidene, organic composite photoresist materials and dry film resists. In such an example, a sealing member of the heat transfer device may exhibit a higher melting point threshold than a respective melt-away support material.

The disclosed heat transfer devices may be constructed of AM materials, including AlSi10Mg, Ti-6AI-4V, Inconel625, Inconel718, SS316, Ti-<NUM>, Ti-6Al-6V-2Sn, Ti-<NUM>, Mar <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, CobaltChrome MP1, Cobalt Chrome SP2, Nickel Alloy HX, Bronze, Copper, and Monel. The heat transfer devices may be powder-formed by processes including Gas Atomized, Plasma Atomized, and Plasma Rotating Electrode formation processes. In such an example, a sealing member of the heart transfer device may exhibit a lower melting point threshold than a primary structure material. In one example, powder may be formed as collected waste powder or produced powder from Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) machining processes.

One or more parts of the heat transfer devices may be formed from plastics, including but not limited to Nylon, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polyactic acid, polyetherimide (ULTEM ®), Carbon fiber, para-aramid synthetic fibers (Kevlar®), polychlorotrifluoroethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon™), and polyethylene terephthalate. In such an example, a sealing member of the heart transfer device may exhibit a lower melting point threshold than a respective primary structure material.

The disclosed heat transfer devices may be constructed of flexible material for purposes of resiliency to high-vibration regimes, flexure in aeroelastic applications, and/or compact storage and inflation during operation, and/or use in inflatable or elastic devices including the dirigible, an automotive tire, or embedded/implanted elastic/flexible membranes. The heat transfer device may be fixed to a break pad, a hollow cylinder such as a barrel, or any portion of a firearm for any firearm, including the Nepalese Bira, a power-generating reactor, in or on an axel, bearing or bushing, on a micro-wave, oven, coffee maker, toaster, or battery. The heat transfer device may be fixed to a revolving body, including a revolver. It may be affixed to a revolving volume, including a revolving room or elevator, including an elevator which may pass between and/or within elevator shafts and/or transportation mediums.

The heat transfer devices disclosed herein may be geometrically shaped to fit within a diamond, hexagonal, triangular or other geometrically shaped pocket on interior, exterior or a wall of a structure, such that maximum surface contact is achieved for transfer of heat and/or maximum packing density of heat transfer devices is achieved. In one example, conductive coating may be plasma-deposited on an exterior pattern to directly overlay any iso-grid pattern.

It is contemplated that a heat transfer device may be formed integrally with a wall or surface of a structure via additive deposition during construction of an object. Alternatively, a heat transfer device may be secured to a wall of a structure via welding or abrading, including linear friction welding. It is also contemplated that heat transfer devices described herein may have features selectively altered (e.g., acidly eroded) during a lifetime of operation of the heat transfer devices to coincide with intended variances in performance. The structural altering may include etching induced by an internal fluid, oxidation, selective melting induced by a heat source, and the like.

The disclosed heat transfer devices may double as a capacitor or energy storage device, where charge may be altered via selective expulsion of internal fluid, and/or where a structural housing may serve as an electrode (cathode or anode) for charge and discharge.

The disclosed heat transfer devices may have surfaces that include microinclusions, including hydrophilic or superhydrophilic pores, such that liquids such as thermal paste, light-absorbing paint, and/or adhesives, are easily applied.

The disclosed heat transfer devices may constitute a portion of a fastening device, including the head of a screw/bolt, a washer, and/or a nut, and/or a bearing or bushing. The disclosed heat transfer devices may constitute all or a portion of an exoskeleton or a conformally-shaped layer of a re-entry vehicle. Additionally or alternatively, the heat transfer devices may be coupled to or form part of a solid-state launch vehicle, including a re-usable launch vehicle. The resonant frequency modal responses of the disclosed heat transfer devices (including the needle <NUM> and/or body <NUM> and/or the lid assembly <NUM>) may be designed to correspond with the operational envelope of a vehicle which may pass through varying pressure regimes and/or varying mission objectives.

The thickness of the walls of the housing and the lid assembly may be sufficiently thin to achieve quality inspection via radiographic/X-ray and/or CT scanning.

Fluids contained within the heat transfer devices may include reactive elements, such as NaN<NUM> and/or KNOs. A heterogeneous fluid contains small particles, including small electronic devices, that operate on a dependent relationship which may passively react, including expansion, contraction, or release or absorption of a substance, during a certain event, including surpassing of a temperate or acceleration threshold and/or receipt of an EM signal and/or variance in such element's net voltage.

Implementations of the disclosed heat transfer devices may include installation of the heat transfer devices to the underside of the build plate of a metallic or plastic additively manufactured printer to facilitate cooling. Implementations of the disclosed heat transfer devices may also include regenerative braking devices of automobiles, as well as any other system, such as systems which revolve about at least one axis of rotation, including the internal structure of a commercial turbojet. In another implementation, the heat transfer devices described herein may cool one or more components of a computer or a super computer, including processors. In such an example, the relatively small foot print of the disclosed heat transfer devices facilitates close placement to a desired component of a computer.

Additional contemplated implementations include conformal applications, such as tiles on the donut-shaped Tokomak energy provider, conformal surfaces of a commercial re-entry vehicles, and the conformal surface of a thruster or hyperloop vehicle; protective equipment such as helmets; thin-profile applications within communication or electronic devices, including laptops, computers, smart phones, displays, or tablets; adhesion to processors, memory devices, or motherboards; devices within automotive, space, aerospace, or marine areas; vehicles or stationary machines or other applications such as mining where the device is attached or a component of a milling bit; other applications where the heat transfer device may take a large form as a container for liquid fuel in marine-, automotive-, space-, and aerospace-vehicles as well as stationary machines; and/or other applications where the heat transfer device cools an O-ring or seal and/or gasket, or the heat transfer device functions as the O-ring, seal and/or gasket, and/or where the heat transfer device may carry desired mass to serve as the rotational mass of a Reaction Wheel Assembly (RWA) and/or a Control Moment Gyroscope (CMG).

The disclosed cooling devices may be fixed to a charging device, including a charging device that plugs into a vehicle, a receptacle port for a charging device within a vehicle, and/or a charging device that plugs into a machine, including an additive manufacturing printer. The disclosed cooling devices may be affixed to any battery in any automotive or machine, including an additive manufacturing printer. The disclosed cooling devices may be affixed to any hot element in any vehicle or machine, including the deposition head within and additive manufacturing printer. Machine as used herein includes electronic and/or communication devices.

While the disclosed heat transfer devices may be modularly attached to electronic components, the heat transfer devices may also be a component of an electronic device. For example, a heat transfer device may be embedded within a structure, such as a structural component of a flash-memory drive, memory card, thumb-drive, hard drive, and the like. Further, such electronics may be nested within a body of the heat transfer device. As an example, a flash-memory drive may be modularly or permanently inserted within the heat transfer device.

Additional implementations include converting heat to energy by utilizing the exhausted fluid to perturb one or more pistons on a pneumatic engine (e.g., a fly-wheel engine), and/or as an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) of a commercial aircraft. Additionally, the disclosed heat transfer devices may cool an engine or energy source which may produce energy via plasma emission, or may extract and/or convert energy from an energy source which produces energy via plasma emission. The disclosed heat transfer devices may be attached to or a component of an engine, including both a piston engine and a rotary engine, a combustion engine for applications on marine-, terrainian- (including automotive), subterranean- (including mining), airborne- (including the turbofan engine), submersible- (including underwater drilling), and space-based applications.

Additional implementations include cooling high-temperature batteries via securing of the heat transfer device to a surface of the battery and/or embedding the heat transfer device to the surface of the battery and/or creating a structure of the battery housing which includes the heat transfer device described above. The disclosed heat transfer devices may also cool an Euler plate or wobble plate of a Variable Elliptical Drive (VED) by securing the heat transfer device to the plate, or by forming teeth around the perimeter of the heat transfer device such that the heat transfer device functions as the Euler plate. The disclosed heat transfer devices may also be utilized where expulsion of vaporized fluid may have desirable effects on the function of a gear network, including lubrication of the gears and/or spark suppression. The heat transfer device may be coated with static dissipative spray and/or flame-resistant spray. Exemplary gears include a planetary gear, a worm gear, a powder screw, a bevel gear, a cycloidal gear, and/or other elliptical components like the inner or outer race of a bearing, a journal bearing, and/or a roller bearing. In another example, the disclosed heat transfer devices may function as a wheel or otherwise be formed onto a wheel. The device can be mounted to an EM brake for gearing of rotorcraft.

Additional implementations include preventing overheating and/or facilitating heat transfer from an electrode in an electrical transferring connection when charging or draining of electrical batteries. A cooling device may be embedded within, partially within, and/or around the electrode or near the electrode, including but not limited to conformally shaped or integrated with the electrode.

Additional implementations include preventing overheating and/or facilitating heat transfer of a photon-receptive device, including photo-voltaic collectors such as P-N junction, monocrystalline, polycrystalline, thin film, Type I, Type II, Type III, amorphous silicon, Cadmium Telluride, bio-activated cells, flexible cells, bio-hybrid, buried contact, concentrated pV, Copper indium gallium selenide, Crystalline silicon, dye-sensitized, gallium arsenide germanium, hybrid solar, luminescent solar concentrator, micromorph, monocrystalline, multi-junction, nanocrystal, organic solar, perovskite solar, photo electrochemical, plasmonic, plastic solar, polycrystalline solar, polymer solar, quantum dot, solid-state solar, wafer solar, photo electrochemical cells for solar water splitting, and nanotube arrays. In other examples, the device is affixed to bio-medical devices, including devices used for medical treatment as well as devices temporarily or permanently secured to or within biological organisms.

The fluid used within the heat transfer devices can be nitrogen gas, or another environmentally-friendly gas. The exhausted fluid of the heat transfer devices may be mixed with the exhaust stream of another object, such as a vehicle. The fluid can be an inert substance.

The expulsion of vaporized fluid from heat transfer devices may provide back-pressure to stiffen the structure of a larger pressure vessel or to check against the inflow of outer fluids or gases. Additionally or alternatively, the expulsion of the vaporized fluid may be used to provide thrust to an object or dump momentum. In one example, expulsion of the fluid may provide Active Flow Control (AFC) and/or Passive Flow Control (PFC), and/or Synthetic Jet Actuators (SJA), and may be used on the surface and/or body of a flight vehicle, and/or may be utilized in connection with fluidic oscillation. Additionally or alternatively, exhausted fluid may be used to affect the surrounding environment, including effecting temperature or pressure changes, extinguishing a fire, and/or disabling an electronic device.

The present disclosure may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.), or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a "circuit," "module" or "system. " The present disclosure may be a system, a method, and/or a computer program product.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations of the present disclosure may be assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages. The computer readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a standalone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. Electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present disclosure.

These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an article of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block, blocks, or graded blocks.

The disclosure further comprises the illustrative, non-exhaustive examples.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the heat transfer device further comprises a plurality of heat sinks extending between the bowl and the body.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the heat transfer device further comprises a recirculation system, the recirculation system having a first end coupled to the body and a second end coupled to the lid assembly.

In an elaboration of the previous embodiment, the recirculation system includes a plurality of recirculation paths.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the puncturing device includes a spring-loaded needle.

In an elaboration of the previous embodiment, the puncturing device includes a stop plate coupled to the spring-loaded needle, the stop plate configured to engage the bowl of the internal container.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the sealing member seals the opening formed through a sidewall of the bowl.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the puncturing device includes a plurality of puncturing devices radially spaced about the internal container.

In an embodiment according to the invention, each of the plurality of puncturing devices is aligned with an opening formed through a sidewall of the bowl.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the internal volume of the bowl is partitioned into wedge-shaped compartments.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the internal container is positioned concentrically with respect to the body.

In an embodiment of the method according to the invention, the sealing member is ruptured by a needle.

In an embodiment of the method according to the invention, the released fluid is recirculated within the heat transfer device.

Claim 1:
A heat transfer device (<NUM>, 300a, 300b, <NUM>, 500a, 500b) configured to be thermally coupled to an object to be cooled, comprising:
- a body (<NUM>);
- a lid assembly (<NUM>) positioned on the body (<NUM>) and defining an internal volume (<NUM>) of the body (<NUM>);
- an internal container (<NUM>, <NUM>) located within the body (<NUM>), the internal container (<NUM>, <NUM>) including a bowl (<NUM>) having an internal volume (<NUM>) therein, wherein the internal volume (<NUM>) of the bowl (<NUM>):
- is separated from the internal volume (<NUM>) of the body (<NUM>) by a sealing member (<NUM>) that is positioned over an opening (<NUM>) formed through a sidewall of the bowl (<NUM>), the opening (<NUM>) including a venturi; and
- the internal volume (<NUM>) of the bowl (<NUM>) is a fluid-tight compartment that is configured to contain a fluid therein; and
- a puncturing device (<NUM>) positioned to rupture the sealing member (<NUM>), characterised by the device being configured so that thermal energy may be transferred from the object to be cooled to the fluid stored in the bowl (<NUM>) therewith increasing pressure and/or temperature of the fluid stored in the bowl, and wherein the puncturing device is configured to rupture the sealing member (<NUM>) when the fluid stored in the bowl reaches a predetermined pressure and/or temperature to allow fluid to flow from the internal volume (<NUM>) of bowl (<NUM>) into internal volume (<NUM>) of the body (<NUM>).