Patent ID: 7191858

Claim:
A thermal management system for modulating the temperature of a first heat-generating component operating at a first temperature and a second heat-generating component operating at a second temperature, the first and second temperatures being different, the system comprising: (a) a first heat transfer circuit for circulating a heat transfer medium in heat exchange relation with the first heat-generating component, the first heat transfer circuit including a first heat exchanger for modulating the temperature of the heat transfer medium circulating in the first heat transfer circuit; (b) a second heat transfer circuit for circulating the heat transfer medium in heat exchange relation with the second heat-generating component, the second heat transfer circuit including a second heat exchanger for modulating the temperature of the heat transfer medium circulating in the second heat transfer circuit, the first and second heat transfer circuits being in flow communication with one another; (c) a circulation pump for circulating the heat transfer medium through both the first and second heat transfer circuits; wherein the first heat transfer circuit forms a continuous loop, and the second heat transfer circuit has a first end and a second end at which the circuits are in flow communication; and wherein the first end of the second heat transfer circuit is in flow communication with the first heat transfer circuit at a point which is upstream relative to the first heat-generating component, and wherein the second end of the second heat transfer circuit is in flow communication with the first heat transfer circuit at a point which is downstream relative to the first heat-generating component.