Metal working – Method of mechanical manufacture – Heat exchanger or boiler making
Reexamination Certificate
2002-03-25
2004-11-16
Chaney, Carol (Department: 1745)
Metal working
Method of mechanical manufacture
Heat exchanger or boiler making
C429S006000, C429S006000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06817097
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is related to thermal control systems generally, and more specifically to thermal control systems including heat pipes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Fuel cells convert chemical energy to electrical energy and, as a byproduct, waste heat that must be rejected. The power levels and fluxes of a cell are typically low, but the surface area is large. Also, because fuel cells are often included in stacks of several cells, the surface area requiring heat transfer is substantial. This causes a problem if conventional heat pipes are applied to this class of cooling task. The fluxes and power levels are typical of the capacity of an inexpensive three-millimeter heat pipe. However, because the heat reject area is large, and it is necessary to cool at least every other cell in the stack, the number of conventional heat pipes needed grows rapidly. In addition, the conventional heat pipes require a mounting plate or spreader to maintain alignment and to effect heat transfer from the fuel cell components. As a result, conventional heat pipe solutions are often not cost effective.
Conventional fuel cell designs use a pumped oil loop to cool the fuel cell stack. Although pumped oil meets current performance needs, it has several disadvantages. Oil is a combustible fluid and is not environmentally friendly. An oversized pump is required to push the oil through the fuel cell at lower temperatures (e.g., during winter), when the oil's viscosity increases. Further, a pump has many moving parts that may break and require maintenance, increasing costs.
An alternative device suitable for removing heat from objects having large surface areas is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a heat pipe assembly, comprising a base plate and a corrugated lid joined to the base plate to form a plurality of tubes therebetween. Each of the plurality of tubes forms an envelope of a respective heat pipe within the heat pipe assembly.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3958627 (1976-05-01), Edelstein
patent: 4640347 (1987-02-01), Grover et al.
patent: 4674565 (1987-06-01), Beam
patent: 5064732 (1991-11-01), Meyer
patent: 5358799 (1994-10-01), Gardner
patent: 5560423 (1996-10-01), Larson et al.
patent: 6146779 (2000-11-01), Walsh
patent: 6355368 (2002-03-01), Kralick
patent: 6397935 (2002-06-01), Yamamoto et al.
patent: 60089687 (1985-05-01), None
patent: 63254393 (1988-10-01), None
patent: 1263490 (1989-10-01), None
patent: 9318282 (1997-12-01), None
patent: 10306989 (1998-11-01), None
Sarraf David B.
Schwendemann Joel T.
Chaney Carol
Duane Morris LLP
Parsons Thomas H.
Thermal Corp.
LandOfFree
Flat plate fuel cell cooler does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Flat plate fuel cell cooler, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Flat plate fuel cell cooler will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3292936