Method for fast thermalization and thermal management operation optimization
AssigneeRolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
InventorsErik A. Munevar, Eric S. Donovan, Ken S. Rubel
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Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for decreasing thermalization time and/or increasing coefficients of performance by adding waste heat. A thermal management system may include a coolant loop and be configured to cool a target component via the coolant loop, the thermal management system may be further configured to heat the target component during a thermalization period with a waste heat source via the same coolant loop with which the thermal management system is configured to cool the target component.
Claims20
A thermal management system comprising a coolant loop, the thermal management system configured to cool a target component via the coolant loop, the thermal management system further configured to heat the target component during a thermalization period with a waste heat source via the same coolant loop with which the thermal management system is configured to cool the target component.
A method of decreasing thermalization time, the method comprising:
- heating a target component by pumping a coolant through a coolant loop during a thermalization period, the coolant comprising thermal energy obtained from a waste heat source;
- and
- cooling the target component with the coolant in the coolant loop after the thermalization period.
An integrated power and thermal management system, the integrated power and thermal management system comprising:
- an electric generator configured to generate electricity for a directed-energy weapon;
- an engine configured to power the electric generator;
- and
- a thermal management system comprising a coolant loop, the thermal management system configured to cool a target component via the coolant loop, the thermal management system further configured to heat the target component with a waste heat source via the coolant loop, wherein the target component includes the directed-energy weapon and/or a component of the integrated power and thermal management system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.