Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation

Hamilton Sundstrand Space Systems International, Inc.

Gary A Adamson

Wei-Lin Cho

A thermal management loop system may include an accumulator, an evaporator in fluid receiving communication with the accumulator, a condenser in fluid receiving communication with the evaporator, and a rotary separator in fluid receiving communication with the condenser. Gas exiting the rotary separator may recirculate back to the condenser and liquid exiting the rotary separator may flow to the accumulator. The thermal management loop system may be a dual-mode system and thus may be operable in a powered-pump mode or a passive-capillary mode.

Two-phase thermal loop with rotary separation

A multifunctional phase separation apparatus is provided herein. The multifunctional phase separation apparatus includes a porous tube, a phase separator, and liquid collecting modules. The porous tube includes a first entry port and an exit port. The phase separator includes a second entry port. The multifunctional phase separation apparatus also includes a reservoir. The reservoir is on a first end of the liquid collecting modules.

Multifunctional phase separation apparatus

A thermal management loop system may include an accumulator, an evaporator in fluid receiving communication with the accumulator, a condenser in fluid receiving communication with the evaporator, and a membrane separator in fluid receiving communication with the condenser. Gas exiting the membrane separator may recirculate back to the condenser and liquid exiting the membrane separator may flow to the accumulator. The thermal management loop system may be a dual-mode system and thus may be operable in a powered-pump mode or a passive-capillary mode.

Two-phase thermal loop with membrane separation

A heat transport device includes a heat pipe having a capillary container having a wick and a working fluid arranged therein. A first heat source is coupled to a first end of the capillary container to define an evaporator section and a cold sink is coupled to a second end of the capillary container to define a condenser section. A capillary pump includes an evaporator and a reservoir configured to store an additional supply of working fluid. A second heat source coupled to the evaporator is configured to vaporize the working fluid arranged therein. A fluid loop couples the capillary pump to the heat pipe. Upon detection of a predetermined condition indicative that a majority of the working fluid within the heat pipe is frozen, the capillary pump is configured to supply vaporized working fluid to the heat pipe.

Capillary pump assisted heat pipe

A system may include a pump, an evaporator, a condenser, an accumulator, a pump bypass line, a first valve, and a second valve. The system may operate in a powered-pump mode, in which the pump drives fluid circulation, the first valve prevents fluid circulation through the pump bypass line, the pump pumps liquid from the accumulator to the evaporator, gas exiting the evaporator flows to the condenser, liquid exiting the evaporator flows through the second valve to the accumulator, and liquid exiting the condenser flows to the accumulator. The system may operate in a passive-capillary mode, in which capillary pressure in the evaporator drives fluid circulation, the first valve prevents fluid circulation through the pump, liquid flows from the accumulator, through the pump bypass line, and to the evaporator, gas exiting the evaporator flows to the condenser, the second valve is closed, and liquid exiting the condenser flows the accumulator.

Dual-mode thermal management loop

A system according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a control unit and a heat pipe heat exchanger having a first heat pipe and a second heat pipe. The system also includes a first flow regulator selectively adjustable in response to instructions from the control unit to direct a first flow of fluid over a portion of the first heat pipe. Further, the system includes a second flow regulator selectively adjustable in response to instructions from the control unit to direct a second flow of fluid over a portion of the second heat pipe. A method is also disclosed.

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North Granby, CT, United States of America

Gary A Adamson