Heat pipe system for cooling flywheel energy storage systems

• US 6,675,874 B2
• Filed: 06/27/2002
• Issued: 01/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thermal Corporation (Roper Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Thermal Corporation (Roper Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lindemuth, James E., Mast, Brian E., Gernert, Nelson J.
• Primary Examiner(s): MCKINNON, TERRELL L
• Application Number:
  US10/185,842
• Publication Number:
  US 20030000683A1
• Time in Patent Office: 565 Days
• Field of Search: 165/104.26, 165/185, 165/45
• US Class Current: 165/45
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 1/06 with the heat-exchange conduits forming part of, or being attached to, the tank containing the body of fluid
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 15/0233 the conduits having a particular shape, e.g. non-circular cross-section, annular F28D15/0241, F28D15/0266 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 15/0241 the tubes being flexible
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 15/0275 Arrangements for coupling heat-pipes together or with other structures, e.g. with base blocks; Heat pipe cores
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 15/046 characterised by the material or the construction of the capillary structure

Abstract

A cooling system is provided for cooling a canister. A first heat pipe is mounted around the perimeter of the canister. The first heat pipe has a condenser. A second heat pipe has an evaporator conductively coupled to the condenser of the first heat pipe. The second heat pipe has a condenser. A heat sink is conductively coupled to the condenser of the second heat pipe.

Claims

1. A system for cooling a canister, comprising:

a first heat pipe mounted around said perimeter of said canister, said first heat pipe having a condenser;

a second heat pipe having an evaporator thermally conductively coupled to said condenser of said first heat pipe, said second heat pipe having a condenser;

a heat sink conductively coupled to said condenser of said second heat pipe.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said canister is at least partially buried below ground, and said first heat pipe is positioned entirely below ground.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said heat sink is positioned above ground.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said canister has a circular cross section at a height at which said first heat pipe is located, and said first heat pipe is annularly disposed on said canister.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein said first heat pipe has a toroidal shape.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said first heat pipe has an I-beam-shaped wick.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein said wick of said first heat pipe extends throughout said first heat pipe.

8. The system of claim 4 wherein said canister has a groove extending throughout a circumference thereof, and said first heat pipe is mounted in said groove.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein said second heat pipe comprises a portion of a thermosyphon.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein said second heat pipe has a wick that is located substantially within said evaporator of said second heat pipe.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein said wick of said second heat pipe is formed of sintered powder.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein said canister is at least partially buried below ground, and said first heat pipe is positioned entirely below ground;

said heat sink is positioned above ground;

said canister has a circular cross-section at a height at which said first heat pipe is located, and said first heat pipe is toroidal;

said first heat pipe has an I-beam-shaped wick that extends throughout said first heat pipe; and

said canister has a groove extending throughout a circumference thereof, and said first heat pipe is mounted in said groove.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein said second heat pipe is a thermosyphon having a wick formed of sintered powder that is located substantially within said evaporator of said second heat pipe.