Abstract: A thermal system includes a tank storing a cooling fluid in a liquid state and a gas state, a first heat exchanger releasing heat into the tank, a second heat exchanger fluidly downstream of the fluid storage tank and exchanging heat between the cooling fluid and a heat load, a turbine fluidly downstream of the second heat exchanger and extracting mechanical energy from the cooling fluid, and a combustor fluidly upstream of the turbine and fluidly downstream of the second heat exchanger. The cooling fluid that has been heated by the second heat exchanger passes through the first heat exchanger and thereby heats upstream cooling fluid resident in the fluid storage tank, and the combustor is configured to ignite the cooling fluid flowing from the second heat exchanger such that combusted cooling fluid flows through and drives the turbine.

Abstract: A diaphragm pressure regulator includes: a body defining a process surface and including: an exhaust port having a discharge opening, and at least one vent void interconnecting the process surface and the exhaust port; and an inlet port, and at least one process void communicating with the process surface and the inlet port; a reference housing including a cavity defining a reference surface and a reference port in fluid communication with the cavity; and a diaphragm disposed between the body and the reference housing, the diaphragm movable between a first position engaged with the vent voids, and a second position wherein the membrane is not engaged with at least one of the vent voids, wherein a dome is defined between the cavity and the reference side of the diaphragm; and wherein the reference housing includes a sump configured to segregate liquid from the reference side of the diaphragm.

Abstract: A fluid storage tank can be configured to store a cooling fluid in a liquid state and a gas state. A first heat exchanger can be configured to release heat into the fluid storage tank. A second heat exchanger can be disposed fluidly downstream of the fluid storage tank and configured to exchange heat between the cooling fluid and a heat load. A pressure control device can be disposed fluidly downstream of the second heat exchanger. One of the first cooling fluid that has been heated by the second heat exchanger or a second cooling fluid different than the first cooling fluid can pass through the first heat exchanger and thereby heat upstream first cooling fluid resident in the fluid storage tank.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus includes a first fluid flowpath and a second fluid flowpath. The first fluid flowpath includes a subcooler having a first side in fluid communication with the first fluid flowpath; a flow control valve; a primary evaporator assembly including at least one evaporator configured to be disposed in thermal communication with a heat load; and a pressure regulator operable to control a saturation pressure within the at least one evaporator. The second fluid flowpath is in fluid communication with a second side of the subcooler.

Abstract: A pressure regulating valve includes: a body, including: a process surface; at least one inlet orifice in the process surface; In outlet orifices disposed in the process surface separate from the at least one inlet orifice; a resilient shut-off seal positioned in the process surface, defining a closed perimeter surrounding the at least one inlet orifice and separating the at least one inlet orifice from the plurality of outlet orifices; an inlet port communicating with the at least one inlet orifice; and an outlet port communicating with the plurality of outlet orifices; a reference housing; and a diaphragm constrained between the body and the reference housing, and arranged such that, when a reference pressure is higher than a process pressure the diaphragm is engaged with the outlet orifices, and when the process pressure is higher than the reference pressure, the diaphragm is disengaged from at least one outlet orifice.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus includes a first fluid flowpath and a second fluid flowpath. The first fluid flowpath includes a subcooler having a first side in fluid communication with the first fluid flowpath; a flow control valve; a primary evaporator assembly including at least one evaporator configured to be disposed in thermal communication with a heat load; and a pressure regulator operable to control a saturation pressure within the at least one evaporator. The second fluid flowpath is in fluid communication with a second side of the subcooler.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus includes: a first fluid flowpath including the following elements, in downstream flow sequence: a subcooler having a first side in fluid communication with the first fluid flowpath and a second side configured to be disposed in thermal communication with a source of cooling fluid; a flow control valve; a primary evaporator assembly including at least one primary evaporator configured to be disposed in thermal communication with a primary heat load; and a pressure regulator operable to maintain a refrigerant saturation pressure within the primary evaporator at a predetermined set point.

Abstract: A fluid storage tank can be configured to store a cooling fluid in a liquid state and a gas state. A first heat exchanger can be configured to release heat into the fluid storage tank. A second heat exchanger can be disposed fluidly downstream of the fluid storage tank and configured to exchange heat between the cooling fluid and a heat load. A pressure control device can be disposed fluidly downstream of the second heat exchanger. One of the first cooling fluid that has been heated by the second heat exchanger or a second cooling fluid different than the first cooling fluid can pass through the first heat exchanger and thereby heat upstream first cooling fluid resident in the fluid storage tank.

Abstract: A fluid storage tank can be configured to store a cooling fluid in a liquid state and a gas state. A first heat exchanger can be configured to release heat into the fluid storage tank. A second heat exchanger can be disposed fluidly downstream of the fluid storage tank and configured to exchange heat between the cooling fluid and a heat load. A pressure control device can be disposed fluidly downstream of the second heat exchanger. The first heat exchanger can be fluidly downstream of the second heat exchanger such that cooling fluid, after being heated in the second heat exchanger, passes through the first heat exchanger and thereby heats upstream cooling fluid resident in the fluid storage tank.

Abstract: A heat exchange device comprising phase change material-impregnated heat conductive foam disposed between fluid stream channels in a heat exchanger element.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus includes: a first fluid flowpath including the following elements, in downstream flow sequence: a subcooler having a first side in fluid communication with the first fluid flowpath and a second side configured to be disposed in thermal communication with a source of cooling fluid; a flow control valve; a primary evaporator assembly including at least one primary evaporator configured to be disposed in thermal communication with a primary heat load; and a pressure regulator operable to maintain a refrigerant saturation pressure within the primary evaporator at a predetermined set point.

Abstract: A diaphragm pressure regulator includes: a body defining a process surface and including: an exhaust port having a discharge opening, and at least one vent void interconnecting the process surface and the exhaust port; and an inlet port, and at least one process void communicating with the process surface and the inlet port; a reference housing including a cavity defining a reference surface and a reference port in fluid communication with the cavity; and a diaphragm disposed between the body and the reference housing, the diaphragm movable between a first position engaged with the vent voids, and a second position wherein the membrane is not engaged with at least one of the vent voids, wherein a dome is defined between the cavity and the reference side of the diaphragm; and wherein the reference housing includes a sump configured to segregate liquid from the reference side of the diaphragm.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus includes: a first fluid flowpath including the following elements, in downstream flow sequence: a separator vessel; a subcooler having a first side in fluid communication with the first fluid flowpath and a second side configured to be disposed in thermal communication with a cold sink; a flow control valve; a primary evaporator assembly including at least one primary evaporator configured to be disposed in thermal communication with a primary heat load; and a pressure regulator operable to maintain a refrigerant saturation pressure within the primary evaporator at a predetermined set point.

Abstract: A method of operating a thermal system including at least a compressor, a condenser, a flow control valve, and at least one heat exchanger connected in a closed fluid loop charged with refrigerant. The method includes: regulating refrigerant pressure at a selected point within the fluid loop using a pressure regulating apparatus including: a main pressure regulator including a dome in fluid communication with a diaphragm that seals directly against at least one process void and at least one vent void; and a pilot pressure regulator in fluid communication with the dome so as to provide fluid thereto at a setpoint pressure. The setpoint pressure is maintained by the pilot pressure regulator utilizing refrigerant tapped from the fluid loop The refrigerant is tapped from a point upstream of the main pressure regulator and tapped refrigerant is returned to the fluid loop downstream of the main pressure regulator.

Abstract: A fluid storage tank can be configured to store a cooling fluid in a liquid state and a gas state. A first heat exchanger can be configured to release heat into the fluid storage tank. A second heat exchanger can be disposed fluidly downstream of the fluid storage tank and configured to exchange heat between the cooling fluid and a heat load. A pressure control device can be disposed fluidly downstream of the second heat exchanger. The first heat exchanger can be fluidly downstream of the second heat exchanger such that cooling fluid, after being heated in the second heat exchanger, passes through the first heat exchanger and thereby heats upstream cooling fluid resident in the fluid storage tank.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus includes: a first fluid flowpath including the following elements, in downstream flow sequence: a separator vessel; a subcooler having a first side in fluid communication with the first fluid flowpath and a second side configured to be disposed in thermal communication with a cold sink; a flow control valve; a primary evaporator assembly including at least one primary evaporator configured to be disposed in thermal communication with a primary heat load; and a pressure regulator operable to maintain a refrigerant saturation pressure within the primary evaporator at a predetermined set point.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is disclosed. The heat exchanger includes a heat exchange member that includes a first extruded member having a first end and a second end. The first extruded member forms a plurality of fluid passages that are in fluid communication with the first end of the first extruded member and the second end of the first extruded member. At least one of the fluid passages is an inlet fluid passage and at least one of the fluid passages is an outlet fluid passage. A plug is fixedly coupled to the second end of the first extruded member. The plug forms a plug fluid passage that fluidically interconnects the inlet fluid passage at the second end of the first extruded member with the outlet fluid passage at the second end of the first extruded member.

Abstract: A heat exchange device comprising phase change material-impregnated heat conductive foam disposed between fluid stream channels in a heat exchanger element.