Patents Examined by Teresa Walberg
  • Patent number: 8162036
    Abstract: A heat pipe structure including a pipe body and a working substance is provided. The pipe body has two closed ends opposite to each other, an inner surface, a compressed portion, and an expanded portion. The inner surface and the two closed ends form a cavity. The compressed portion includes a plurality of first grooves formed at the inner surface. Any one of the first grooves includes a first width. The expanded portion includes a plurality of second grooves formed at the inner surface. Any one of the second grooves includes a second width, and the first width is approximately equal to the second width. The working substance is contained in the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Compal Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei-Chung Hsiao, Hsuan-Cheng Wang, Chi-Wei Tien
  • Patent number: 8162035
    Abstract: A cold plate and method for cooling using the cold plate are disclosed. The cold plate includes a housing having hyperporous, microchannel ceramic foam strips disposed therewithin. A plurality of plugs formed from a high thermal conductivity material are disposed into the ceramic foam strips. Heat is transferred in an extremely efficient manner by leveraging the high thermal conductivity of the plugs to transfer the energy deep into a high internal surface area ceramic foam, which in turn transfers the heat to a coolant via convection. Channels between the foam strips form coolant inlet and outlet plenums, which results in minimal coolant pressure drop through the cold plate. In one example, an exemplary cold plate may provide cooling to one or two printed circuit boards. In another example, a cold plate may be disposed within a heat exchanger housing to provide cooling to a fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: William Webster Behrens, Andrew Richard Tucker
  • Patent number: 8156998
    Abstract: The present invention is a patterned metal thermal interface. In one embodiment a system for dissipating heat from a heat-generating device includes a heat sink having a first surface adapted for thermal coupling to a first surface of the heat generating device and a thermal interface having at least one patterned surface, the thermal interface being adapted to thermally couple the first surface of the heat sink to the first surface of the heat generating device. The patterned surface of the thermal interface allows the thermal interface to deform under compression between the heat sink and the heat generating device, leading to better conformity of the thermal interface to the surfaces of the heat sink and the heat generating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce K. Furman, Sushumna Iruvanti, Paul A. Lauro, Yves C. Martin, Da Yuan Shih, Theodore G. Van Kessel, Wei Zou
  • Patent number: 8151869
    Abstract: The invention relates to a scraped surface heat exchanger (100) comprising a heat exchanging wall (20) having an cylindrical inner surface (21) with a radius (R+?), a shaft (10) being rotatable mounted inside of and concentrically to the inner surface (21) of the heat exchanging wall (20) and having at least one gap portion (10A) with an outer surface (11) and a radius (R), and at least one scraping member (40) supported by the shaft (10) and extending to the inner surface (21) of the heat exchanger wall (20), characterized in that the at least one or che gap portions (10A) with an outer surface (11) and a radius (R) extend over at least 60% of the circumference of the shaft (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Invensys APV A/S
    Inventors: Knud Thorsen, Preben Koeningsfeldt, Ole Poulsen
  • Patent number: 8146652
    Abstract: A heat exchanger used as an evaporator is configured such that two heat exchange tube groups, each composed of a plurality of heat exchange tubes, are provided between a pair of header tanks, while being separated from each other in a front-rear direction. Each of the header tanks includes two header sections. Each header tank includes a first member to which the heat exchange tubes are connected, a second member which is joined to the first member and covers the side of the first member opposite the heat exchange tubes, and a partition plate disposed between the first and second members and having partition portions which divide the interiors of the two header sections into respective upper and lower spaces. Through holes are formed in the partition portions so as to establish communication between the upper and lower spaces of the header sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Showa Denko K. K.
    Inventors: Naohisa Higashiyama, Yukihiro Tsurumi
  • Patent number: 8118084
    Abstract: An improved precision cooling system for high heat density applications comprises a heat exchanger having more fluid outlet conduits than fluid inlet conduits to optimize the pressure drop across the heat exchanger at a given fluid flow rate. The heat exchanger may be of microchannel or tube fin construction, and the cooling system may utilize single phase or multi-phase pumped or compressed fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Liebert Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas E. Harvey
  • Patent number: 8109321
    Abstract: A modular heat sink assembly is disclosed. The heat sink assembly includes a main (larger) heat sink member having one or more voids through the member. The heat sink assembly also includes one or more additional (smaller) heat sink members that fit within the voids of the main heat sink member and are able to move (float) within the voids while thermally connected to main heat sink member. The thermal connection to the main heat sink member may be accomplished by incorporating heat pipes as a bridge between the heat sink members, so that heat spreading, and regulation thereof, occurs over the additional heat sink members and the main heat sink member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventors: Sinan Alousi, Daniel Anav, Joseph D. Griffin, Ali Mira, Michael Mira, Henry Schrader
  • Patent number: 8104533
    Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a spray nozzle apparatus and method of use. The subject spray nozzle can be used to spray atomized fluid. The atomized fluid can then be incident on a heated surface such that heat is transferred from the heated surface to the atomized fluid. The subject invention also relates to a spray-cooling system and method of use. The subject spray-cooling system can incorporate a spray nozzle and a heat transfer plate. A device to be cooled, such as a laser diode, microwave amplifier, or other high power electrical device, can be placed in direct thermal contact with the heat transfer plate. The spray from the spray nozzle can then be sprayed onto the heat transfer plate. In a specific embodiment, a cellular transfer plate can be used and the spray from the spray nozzle can be sprayed into a cellular cavity or compartment, within the heat transfer plate. Heat is transferred from the heat source to the sprayed liquid via the wall of the heat transfer plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Rini Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel P. Rini, H. Randolph Anderson, Guochang Zhao
  • Patent number: 8100169
    Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a spray nozzle apparatus and method of use. The subject spray nozzle can be used to spray atomized fluid. The atomized fluid can then be incident on a heated surface such that heat is transferred from the heated surface to the atomized fluid. The subject invention also relates to a spray-cooling system and method of use. The subject spray-cooling system can incorporate a spray nozzle and a heat transfer plate. A device to be cooled, such as a laser diode, microwave amplifier, or other high power electrical device, can be placed in direct thermal contact with the heat transfer plate. The spray from the spray nozzle can then be sprayed onto the heat transfer plate. In a specific embodiment, a cellular transfer plate can be used and the spray from the spray nozzle can be sprayed into a cellular cavity or compartment, within the heat transfer plate. Heat is transferred from the heat source to the sprayed liquid via the wall of the heat transfer plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Rini Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel P. Rini, H. Randolph Anderson, Guochang Zhao
  • Patent number: 8100171
    Abstract: A distiller's counterflow-heat-exchanger module includes thermally conductive distillate and concentrate dividers across which heat flows to an influent liquid from distillate and concentrate liquids, respectively. The distillate divider's shape is convoluted in such a manner as to form alternating distillate and influent channels having end openings. A peripheral gasket is so over-molded onto the distillate divider that it forms plugs that seal the end openings from each other and further forms a ridge providing surfaces against which opposed generally planar parallel surfaces of cover members can be urged to form a peripheral seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: ZanAqua Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Zebuhr
  • Patent number: 8091619
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heat exchanger with an indentation pattern, and specifically a heat exchanger with heat exchanger plates (1) provided with a special pattern instead of the traditional herringbone pattern. The pattern comprises at least one section with bulges (2) and hollows (3), said bulges and hollows having flat tops and bottoms intended to be placed against respective hollows and bulges of a heat exchanger plate of a corresponding design. The surface area of said tops and bottoms is such in relation to the distance between the tops and bottoms that channels (6) for the flow of a medium are formed between the bulges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: EP Technology AB
    Inventor: Lars Persson
  • Patent number: 8091621
    Abstract: A number of flat tubes, flat tube heat exchangers, and methods of manufacturing both are described and illustrated. The flat tubes can be constructed of one, two, or more pieces of sheet material. A profiled insert integral with the flat tube or constructed from another sheet of material can be used to define multiple flow channels through the flat tube. The flat tubes can be constructed of relatively thin material, and can be reinforced with folds of the flat tube material and/or of an insert in areas subject to higher pressure and thermal stresses. Also, the relatively thin flat tube material can have a corrosion layer enabling the material to resist failure due to corrosion. Heat exchangers having such flat tubes connected to collection tubes are also disclosed, as are manners in which such tubes can be provided with fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Werner Zobel, Jens Nies, Bernhard Stephan, Charles James Rogers, Thomas Feldhege
  • Patent number: 8079411
    Abstract: A heat absorbing device usable to cool hot beverages includes a support rim for supporting the device on a brim of a container and a heat absorbing element extending away from the support rim in a first direction. The heat absorbing element includes a thermally conductive material for absorbing heat from a liquid in the container. A handle extends away from the support rim in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The handle is usable for positioning the heat absorbing element in the container and for removing the heat absorbing element from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Inventors: Donna Lyn Cerra, Faisal Issa Yaquob El-Fanek
  • Patent number: 8074708
    Abstract: A heat exchanger includes tubes and a tank. The tubes extend in a first direction, and are stacked in a second direction. The tank has a tube insertion plate part, and is arranged at an end portion of the tubes. The tube insertion plate part has tube holes in which the tubes are inserted, and ribs extending in a third direction that is approximately perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction. The tube hole has end portions in the third direction. The rib are arranged to overlap with the end portion of the tube hole in the second direction, and to provide a deformable part to be deformable in the first direction. The deformable part is located in the tube insertion plate part outside of the ribs in the third direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hajime Sugito, Hiroyuki Osakabe, Hirokazu Hirose, Takahiro Uno
  • Patent number: 8069912
    Abstract: A heat exchanger is disclosed. The heat exchanger may have a conduit configured to conduct a fluid and at least one body of metal foam surrounding the conduit. The at least one body of metal foam may have a radially inner portion, a radially outer portion, and a radially intermediate portion between the radially inner portion and the radially outer portion. The at least one body of metal foam may have a lower percentage of void space at the radially outer portion as compared to the radially intermediate portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Campagna, Robert John Moffat
  • Patent number: 8056616
    Abstract: An exhaust heat recovery apparatus includes an evaporation unit and a condensation unit communicated with the evaporation unit such that an operation fluid circulates therein. The evaporation unit is disposed in a first fluid passage through which a first fluid flows, and performs heat exchange between the first fluid and the operation fluid, thereby evaporating the operation fluid. The condensation unit is disposed in a second fluid passage through which a second fluid flows, and performs heat exchange between the second fluid and the operation fluid. The exhaust heat recovery apparatus further includes a wet area increasing member in a tube of the evaporation unit for increasing a wet area of the operation fluid due to surface tension of the operation fluid. The wet area increasing member is disposed adjacent to an inner surface of the tube and has extension surfaces extending in directions intersecting with the inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Miyagawa, Kimio Kohara
  • Patent number: 8051902
    Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a heat-exchange section including a first group of tubes and a second group of tubes alternating with the first group of tubes. The first and second groups of tubes are in contact with a heat-conductive medium. In one structure, a first inlet manifold at a first end of the heat-exchange section is fluidly coupled to first ends of the first group of tubes. A first outlet manifold is isolated from the first inlet manifold and is fluidly coupled to first ends of the second group of tubes. A second inlet manifold at a second end of the heat-exchange section is fluidly coupled to second ends of the second group of tubes. A second outlet manifold is isolated from the second inlet manifold and is fluidly coupled to second ends of the first group of tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Kappes, Cassiday & Associates
    Inventors: Daniel W. Kappes, Dustin J. Albin
  • Patent number: 8047273
    Abstract: In a micro heat exchanger for the transfer of high area-specific amounts of heat from a heat source to a heat transfer medium, including a heat transfer structure with an inlet- and an outlet duct structure between which a plurality of passages extend through the heat transfer structure, the inlet and outlet duct structures are arranged in alternating order in the heat transfer area in close proximity to the heat source, with the inlet and outlet duct structure and the passages interconnecting the inlet and outlet structures covering the whole heat transfer area directly adjacent the heat source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Schubert, Jürgen Brandner, Ulrich Schygulla, Eugen Anurjew, Edgar Hansjosten
  • Patent number: 8047269
    Abstract: A thermal spreader comprises: a casing having a first side contacted with a heat source and a second side secured with a heat sink, and having a vapor chamber defined in an interior in the casing; and a crosslinking capillary lattice retained in the casing and occupying the vapor chamber in the casing, whereby upon evacuation to form vacuum in the vapor chamber and filling of a vaporizable working fluid in the vapor chamber, the working fluid will be repeatedly vaporized and condensed through the crosslinking capillary lattice to absorb and remove heat from the first side of the casing and to dissipate heat outwardly from the second side of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Tamkang University
    Inventors: Shung-Wen Kang, Meng-Chang Tsai
  • Patent number: 8042608
    Abstract: A heat exchanger (10) has an outer housing (16) and a first helical fluid flow path or coil (12) located in the housing (16) defining a plurality of turns and having an inlet (24) and an outlet (22) for entry and exit of fluid into the flow path to be heated or cooled. A second helical coil (14) defining a second fluid flow path is located within the housing (16) adjacent to the first coil. The second coil also has an inlet (24) and outlet (22) for a passage for hot or cold service media. A conductive or non-conductive sheath (18) is disposed between the coils. A transfer medium is disposed in the housing for transfer of heat between the first and second flow paths. A plurality of baffles (20) are located between the outer housing and sheath and disposed between turns of the first coil. A plurality of baffles (21) are also disposed between turns of the second coil (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Inventor: Benjamin Paul Baker