Thermal management system
First Claim
1. A thermal management system for modulating the temperature of a first heat-generating component operating at a first temperature and a second heat-generating component operating at a second temperature, the first and second temperatures being different, the system comprising:
- (a) a first heat transfer circuit for circulating a heat transfer medium in heat exchange relation with the first heat-generating component, the first heat transfer circuit including a first heat exchanger for modulating the temperature of the heat transfer medium circulating in the first heat transfer circuit;
(b) a second heat transfer circuit for circulating the heat transfer medium in heat exchange relation with the second heat-generating component, the second heat transfer circuit including a second heat exchanger for modulating the temperature of the heat transfer medium circulating in the second heat transfer circuit, the first and second heat transfer circuits being in flow communication with one another;
(c) a circulation pump for circulating the heat transfer medium through both the first and second heat transfer circuits;
wherein the first heat transfer circuit forms a continuous loop, and the second heat transfer circuit has a first end and a second end at which the circuits are in flow communication; and
wherein the first end of the second heat transfer circuit is in flow communication with the first heat transfer circuit at a point which is upstream relative to the first heat-generating component, and wherein the second end of the second heat transfer circuit is in flow communication with the first heat transfer circuit at a point which is downstream relative to the first heat-generating component.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A thermal management system has a high temperature heat transfer circuit and a low temperature heat transfer circuit for modulating the temperature of heat-generating components having different operating temperatures. The heat transfer circuits are in flow communication and are interdependent so that a single circulating pump can be used to pump a liquid heat transfer medium through both circuits. One of the heat transfer circuits comprises a continuous loop and the other heat transfer circuit comprises an open loop having a first end and a second end at which it is in flow communication with the first heat transfer circuit. Each heat transfer circuit is provided with a heat exchanger to modulate temperature of the heat transfer medium.
71 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A thermal management system for modulating the temperature of a first heat-generating component operating at a first temperature and a second heat-generating component operating at a second temperature, the first and second temperatures being different, the system comprising:
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(a) a first heat transfer circuit for circulating a heat transfer medium in heat exchange relation with the first heat-generating component, the first heat transfer circuit including a first heat exchanger for modulating the temperature of the heat transfer medium circulating in the first heat transfer circuit; (b) a second heat transfer circuit for circulating the heat transfer medium in heat exchange relation with the second heat-generating component, the second heat transfer circuit including a second heat exchanger for modulating the temperature of the heat transfer medium circulating in the second heat transfer circuit, the first and second heat transfer circuits being in flow communication with one another; (c) a circulation pump for circulating the heat transfer medium through both the first and second heat transfer circuits; wherein the first heat transfer circuit forms a continuous loop, and the second heat transfer circuit has a first end and a second end at which the circuits are in flow communication; and wherein the first end of the second heat transfer circuit is in flow communication with the first heat transfer circuit at a point which is upstream relative to the first heat-generating component, and wherein the second end of the second heat transfer circuit is in flow communication with the first heat transfer circuit at a point which is downstream relative to the first heat-generating component. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification