Powerplant with integrated heat pipe
AssigneeRtx Corporation
InventorsLawrence A. Binek, Yoel Bugin, Edward L. Hieb
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus is provided for a powerplant. The apparatus includes a heat pipe extending axially along an axis from a first end of the heat pipe to a second end of the heat pipe. The heat pipe extends circumferentially around the axis. The heat pipe includes an evaporator region, a condenser region and a plurality of fluid passages. The evaporator region is disposed at the second end of the heat pipe. The condenser region is disposed at the first end of the heat pipe. The condenser region is disposed radially inboard of the evaporator region. The fluid passages are axially between and fluidly couple the evaporator region and the condenser region.
Claims17
An apparatus for a powerplant, comprising:
- a support structure comprising a heat pipe, the heat pipe extending axially along an axis from a first end of the heat pipe to a second end of the heat pipe, the heat pipe extending circumferentially around the axis, and the heat pipe including an evaporator region, a condenser region and a plurality of fluid passages;
- the evaporator region disposed at the second end of the heat pipe;
- the condenser region disposed at the first end of the heat pipe, and the condenser region disposed radially inboard of the evaporator region;
- and
- the plurality of fluid passages axially between and fluidly coupling the evaporator region and the condenser region;
- a shaft rotatable about the axis;
- and
- a bearing rotatably mounting the shaft to the support structure, wherein the heat pipe extends axially along and circumscribes the bearing.
An apparatus for a powerplant, comprising:
- a heat pipe extending axially along an axis from a first end of the heat pipe to a second end of the heat pipe, the heat pipe extending circumferentially around the axis, and the heat pipe including an evaporator region, a condenser region and a plurality of fluid passages;
- the evaporator region disposed at the second end of the heat pipe;
- the condenser region disposed at the first end of the heat pipe, and the condenser region disposed radially inboard of the evaporator region;
- the plurality of fluid passages axially between and fluidly coupling the evaporator region and the condenser region;
- the plurality of fluid passages including a first fluid passage and a second fluid passage;
- the heat pipe comprising a closed-loop internal fluid circuit which extends from the evaporator region, through the first fluid passage, the condenser region and the second fluid passage, back to the evaporator region;
- and
- the heat pipe further comprising a working fluid, and the heat pipe configured to circulate the working fluid through the closed-loop internal fluid circuit;
- wherein the first fluid passage is a liquid passage, and the heat pipe is configured to flow the working fluid in a liquid phase through the liquid passage from the condensing region to the evaporator region;
- wherein the second fluid passage is a gas passage, and the heat pipe is configured to flow the working fluid in a gaseous phase through the gas passage from the evaporator region to the condenser region;
- wherein the gas passage is disposed radially outboard of and extends circumferentially about the liquid passage as the gas passage and the liquid passage extends axially between the evaporator region and the condenser region;
- wherein the liquid passage is an inner liquid passage, and the plurality of fluid passages further include an outer liquid passage;
- and
- wherein the outer liquid passage is disposed radially outboard of and extends circumferentially about the gas passage as the outer liquid passage and the gas passage extends axially between the evaporator region and the condenser region.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.