Phase cooling method and apparatus
AssigneeNorthrop Grumman Ship Systems, Inc.
InventorGarth Turner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for cooling a workpiece, tool or the like by subjecting the workpiece, tool or the like to a coolant that has been heated to have a temperature near the temperature at which the coolant changes phase from liquid to gas. Thus, the coolant can quickly draw a substantial amount of heat from the workpiece, tool or the like in order to effect a phase change from liquid to gas. Typically, the coolant is preheated to within a predefined range of the phase change temperature, such as within 5° C. or even 1° C.
Claims20
A method of cooling at least one of a workpiece and a tool, the method comprising:
- heating a coolant to a temperature within a predefined range of a phase change temperature at which the coolant will change phase from liquid to gas;
- and
- subjecting at least one of the workpiece and the tool to the heated coolant in liquid form such that heat transfer to the coolant from at least one of the workpiece and the tool will cause the coolant to change phase from liquid to gas.
An apparatus for cooling at least one of a workpiece and a tool, the apparatus comprising:
- a source of coolant that has been heated to a temperature within a predefined range of a phase change temperature at which the coolant will change phase from liquid to gas;
- and
- a transport element for directing the heated coolant in liquid form from said source for eventual delivery to at least one of the workpiece and the tool such that heat transfer to the coolant from at least one of the workpiece and the tool will cause the coolant to change phase from liquid to gas.
An assembly comprising:
- at least one element to be cooled selected from the group consisting of a workpiece and a tool;
- a source of coolant that has been heated to a temperature within a predefined range of a phase change temperature at which the coolant will change phase from liquid to gas;
- and
- a transport element for directing the heated coolant in liquid form from said source for eventual delivery to at least one of the workpiece and the tool such that heat transfer to the coolant from at least one of the workpiece and the tool will cause the coolant to change phase from liquid to gas.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.