Electrokinetic pump driven heat transfer system

• US 20050230080A1
• Filed: 04/19/2004
• Published: 10/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Teleflex Life Sciences Pte., Ltd. (Teleflex Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Eksigent Technologies LLC
• Inventors: Paul, Phillip H., Arnold, Don W., Anex, Deon S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,559,356 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 165/47
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/02 by heating methods of steam generation F22B; preheating boiler feed-water or accumulating preheated boiler feed-water F22D
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2001/46128 Bipolar electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 19/006 Micropumps F04B43/043 and F04B43/095 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 15/00 Heat-exchange apparatus with the intermediate heat-transfer medium in closed tubes passing into or through the conduit walls ; Heat-exchange apparatus employing intermediate heat-transfer medium or bodies F28D17/00, F28D19/00, F28D20/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 15/0266 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 Class Codes: F28F 2250/08 Fluid driving means, e.g. pumps, fans
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/20 Cooling means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/201 Cooling arrangements using cooling fluid

Abstract

A heat transfer system comprising a primary heat exchanger for receiving heat from a heat source; a secondary heat exchanger for exhausting heat to a heat sink; a conduit connecting the primary heat exchanger and the secondary heat exchanger; and an electrokinetic pump for pumping a heat exchange fluid between the primary heat exchanger and the secondary heat exchanger through the conduit.

Claims

1. A heat transfer system comprising:

a) a primary heat exchanger for receiving heat from a heat source;

b) a secondary heat exchanger for exhausting heat to a heat sink;

c) a conduit connecting the primary heat exchanger and the secondary heat exchanger; and

d) an electrokinetic pump for pumping a heat exchange fluid between the primary heat exchanger and the secondary heat exchanger through the conduit.

2. The heat transfer system of claim 1 further comprising a heat exchange fluid in the heat exchangers and the conduit.

3. The heat transfer system of claim 1 wherein the electrokinetic pump further comprises a capacitive electrode.

4. The heat transfer system of claim 1 further comprising a fluid flow controller coupled to the electrokinetic pump;

and wherein the electrokinetic pump is operated in a cyclic mode by the controller.

5. The heat transfer system of claim 1 further comprising two secondary heat exchangers;

wherein the electrokinetic pump further comprises;

a first side; and

a second side opposite to the first side;

wherein one of the two secondary heat exchangers is coupled to the first side of the electrokinetic pump and the other of the two secondary heat exchangers is coupled to the second side of the electrokinetic pump; and

wherein both secondary heat exchangers are coupled to the primary heat exchanger.

6. The heat transfer system of claim 1 further comprising:

a plurality of primary heat exchangers; and

a plurality of secondary heat exchangers;

wherein the plurality of primary heat exchangers and the plurality of secondary heat exchangers are connected in series along a single flow path by the conduit; and

wherein the plurality of primary heat exchangers and the plurality of secondary heat exchangers are operated thermally in parallel.

7. The heat transfer system of claim 1 further comprising:

a plurality of primary heat exchangers; and

a plurality of secondary heat exchangers;

wherein the plurality of primary heat exchangers and the plurality of secondary heat exchangers are connected in parallel along two or more flow paths; and

wherein the plurality of primary heat exchangers and the plurality of secondary heat exchangers are operated thermally in parallel.

8. The heat transfer system of claim 7 further comprising a plurality of electrokinetic pumps.

9. The heat transfer system of claim 1 wherein the heat exchange fluid comprises water.

10. The heat transfer system of claim 1 wherein the electrokinetic pump further comprises an electrolyte;

and wherein the electrolyte and the heat exchange fluid are the same.

11. The heat transfer system of claim 1 wherein the electrokinetic pump further comprises an electrolyte;

and wherein the heat exchange fluid is isolated from the electrolyte by a flexible member.

12. The heat transfer system of claim 1 wherein the heat exchange fluid is single-phase.

13. The heat transfer system of claim 1 wherein the heat exchange fluid is multiphase.

20. A method of removing heat using the apparatus of claim 1 comprising:

placing the primary heat exchanger in thermal communication with a heat source;

placing the secondary heat exchanger in thermal communication with a heat sink;

operating the pump to move the heat exchange fluid in the primary heat exchanger through the conduit to the secondary heat exchanger and to move the heat exchange fluid in the secondary heat exchanger through the conduit to the primary heat exchanger.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising operating the pump to pump the heat exchange fluid uni-directionally.

22. The method of claim 20 further comprising operating the pump in a cyclic mode.

14. A heat transfer system comprising:

a) an electrokinetic pump having a capacitive electrode;

b) means for receiving heat;

c) means for exhausting heat; and

d) a conduit connecting the means for receiving heat and the means for exhausting heat, the conduit also being coupled to the electrokinetic pump; and

wherein a heat exchange fluid is pumped through the conduit between the means for receiving heat and the means for exhausting heat by the by the pump.

15. The heat transfer system of claim 14 further comprising a controller coupled to the electrokinetic pump;

and wherein the controller operates the electrokinetic pump in a cyclic mode.

16. The heat transfer system of claim 14 further comprising a plurality of electrokinetic pumps.

17. The heat transfer system of claim 14 wherein the heat exchange fluid comprises water.

18. The heat transfer system of claim 14 wherein the electrokinetic pump further comprises an electrolyte;

and wherein the electrolyte and the heat exchange fluid are the same.

19. The heat transfer system of claim 14 wherein the electrokinetic pump further comprises an electrolyte;

and wherein the heat exchange fluid is isolated from the electrolyte by a flexible member.