Cooling means

• US 3,884,293 A
• Filed: 07/23/1973
• Issued: 05/20/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Richard L. Pessolano, Robin B. Rhodes
• Original Assignee: Richard L. Pessolano, Robin B. Rhodes
• Inventors: Pessolano, Richard L., Rhodes, Robin B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Davis, Jr., Albert W.
• Application Number:
  US05/382,024
• Time in Patent Office: 666 Days
• Field of Search: 165/105,51 184/6.22,14B 33/126.7R,126.7A 73/344,346
• US Class Current: 165/51
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 11/12 concerning lubricant level
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 5/002 Cooling
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2003/2278 Heat pipes
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 3/22 characterised by evaporation and condensation of coolant in closed cycles other cooling by evaporation F01P9/02; characterised by the coolant reaching higher temperatures than normal atmospheric boiling-point
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 15/02 in which the medium condenses and evaporates, e.g. heat pipes heat pipes used in solar heat collectors F24S10/95; in radiators F28D1/0226; in nuclear reactors G21C15/257

Abstract

The present invention comprises a means for cooling an engine, such as might be found in a conventional automotive vehicle. More particularly, the instant invention comprises: (1) a heat pipe having a condenser end and an evaporator end, wherein the evaporator end is in thermal contact with the engine to be cooled; and (2) a finned heat sink joined to the condenser end, whereby heat from said engine is vaporously transported through said heat pipe from the evaporator end to the condenser end of said pipe, and convected therefrom into the ambient air.

Claims

1. A means for cooling an oil lubrication subsystem of an automotive vehicle, comprising:

a. a heat pipe having a condensor end and an evaporator end, said evaporator end removably insertable into the dip stick hole of the oil lubrication subsystem, said heat pipe including an oil level indicator placed near said evaporator end; and

b. a heat sink joined to the condensor end, whereby heat from said subsystem is vaporously transported within said heat pipe from the evaporator end to the condensor end, and transported therefrom into a medium of lower temperature than that of said subsystem.

2. The cooling means as recited in claim 1 in which said heat sink is finned.

3. The cooling means as recited in claim 1 in which said evaporator end is finned.

4. The cooling means as recited in claim 1 in which said heat pipe comprises a reflux condenser.

5. A new use of a heat pipe, wherein said new use resides in a method of cooling an oil lubrication subsystem of an engine, comprising the steps of:

a. adjoining a heat sink to the condensor end of the heat pipe; and

b. removably inserting the evaporator end of said heat pipe into the dip stick hole of said subsystem, whereby heat from said subsystem is vaporously transported within said heat pipe from its evaporator end to its condensor end, and transported therefrom into a medium of lower temperature than that of said subsystem.