Systems and methods for heat transfer using heat pipes
AssigneeTrane Technologies Life Sciences LLC
InventorsAlex Roberts, Trace A. Lydick
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An embodiment of a system for changing a temperature of a packaged biologic substance includes a chamber configured to receive the packaged biologic substance. In addition, the system includes a refrigeration assembly configured to change a temperature of the packaged biologic substance. Further, the system includes an auxiliary heat exchanger at least partially positioned in the chamber, the auxiliary heat exchanger including at least one heat pipe.
Claims20
A system for changing a temperature of a packaged biologic substance, the system comprising:
- a chamber configured to receive the packaged biologic substance;
- a refrigeration assembly configured to generate an airflow through the chamber to change the temperature of the packaged biologic substance;
- and
- an auxiliary heat exchanger at least partially positioned in the chamber, the auxiliary heat exchanger comprising:
- at least one heat pipe that is configured to transfer heat between the packaged biologic substance and the airflow;
- a first portion that is configured to contact at least a portion of the packaged biologic substance;
- and
- a second portion that is configured to be exposed to the airflow through the chamber,
- wherein the second portion extends at a non-zero angle relative to the first portion, and
- wherein the second portion is located entirely in the chamber.
A method of changing a temperature of a packaged biologic substance, the method comprising:
- (a) contacting the packaged biologic substance with a first portion of an auxiliary heat exchanger within a chamber, the auxiliary heat exchanger also including a second portion and at least one heat pipe extending between the first portion and the second portion;
- (b) generating an airflow through the chamber with a refrigeration assembly;
- and
- (c) circulating the airflow between the chamber and the refrigeration assembly so that the airflow:
- (i) contacts the packaged biologic substance in the chamber to transfer heat between the packaged biologic substance and the airflow, and
- (ii) contacts the second portion of the auxiliary heat exchanger to transfer heat between the packaged biologic substance and the airflow via the heat pipe, wherein the second portion is configured to be exposed to the airflow through the chamber, the second portion extends at a non-zero angle relative to the first portion, and the second portion is located entirely in the chamber.
A system for cooling a packaged biologic substance, the system comprising:
- a chamber;
- a refrigeration assembly configured to generate an airflow through the chamber to cool the packaged biologic substance in the chamber;
- and
- an auxiliary heat exchanger at least partially positioned in the chamber, the auxiliary heat exchanger comprising:
- a first portion that is configured to contact at least a portion of a surface area of the packaged biologic substance;
- a second portion that is spaced from the packaged biologic substance,
- wherein the second portion is configured to be exposed to the airflow through the chamber,
- wherein the second portion extends at a non-zero angle relative to the first portion, and
- wherein the second portion is located entirely in the chamber;
- and
- a heat pipe extending between the first portion and the second portion, wherein the heat pipe contains a refrigerant that is configured to change phase to transfer heat from the first portion to the second portion to cool the packaged biologic substance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.