Hybrid loop heat pipe with integrated magnetically levitating bearingless pump

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12173965-B2
Application number	US-202117210407-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 23, 2021
Priority date	Mar 23, 2020
Publication date	Dec 24, 2024
Grant date	Dec 24, 2024

Abstract

A hybrid capillary and mechanically pumped loop heat pipe (HLHP) includes a fluid loop having an evaporator thermally coupled to a heat load, a condenser thermally coupled to a heat sink, a reservoir, and one or more magnetically levitating pumps configured to pump fluid through the loop thereby improving heat transport capacity and system stability.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A hybrid capillary and mechanically pumped loop heat pipe (HLHP) comprising:
a fluid loop having
an evaporator thermally coupled to a heat load, the evaporator being configured to allow excess fluid to flow through the evaporator and exit without changing phase and the excess fluid is routed to a liquid return line,
a condenser thermally coupled to a heat sink,
a reservoir, and
first and second magnetically levitating bearingless pumps configured to pump fluid through the loop, wherein the first and second magnetically levitating bearingless pumps are configured to run at a same rate and to produce, when running at the same rate: (i) a doubled value in pressure head compared to a single magnetically levitating bearingless pump, and (ii) a less than doubled increase in mass flowrate in the fluid loop compared to a single magnetically levitating bearingless pump, wherein the less than doubled increase in mass flow rate in the fluid loop comprises an increase by a factor of 1.4.

2. The HLHP of claim 1 , wherein the first and second magnetically levitating bearingless pumps are fluidly connected in series.

3. The HLHP of claim 1 , further comprising a processor configured to selectively operate the first and second magnetically levitating bearingless pumps to minimize dynamic oscillations in mass flowrate through the loop.

Assignees

• Us Gov Sec Navy

Inventors

• Goodwin Gabriel
• Hyde Evan
• Maxwell Jesse
• Cheung Kwok
• Baldauff Robert
• Hoang Triem

Classifications

• F28D15/043

  forming loops, e.g. capillary pumped loops · CPC title

• F04D29/058

  magnetic; electromagnetic · CPC title

• F28F2250/08

  Fluid driving means, e.g. pumps, fans · CPC title

• F28D15/025 Primary

  having non-capillary condensate return means · CPC title

• F28D15/0266 Primary

  with separate evaporating and condensing chambers connected by at least one conduit; Loop-type heat pipes; with multiple or common evaporating or condensing chambers (F28D15/043 takes precedence) · CPC title