Cold cranking simulator having hybrid heat transfer system

A heat transfer apparatus for use in measuring a rheological property of a test sample, the heat transfer apparatus comprising:

• a receptacle for receiving the test sample;
• a heat conveying member disposed in heat transfer relation to the receptacle, the heat conveying formed from a plurality of heat sinks interconnected to one another so as to surround at least a portion of the receptacle, the heat conveying member including
• at least first and second internal passages spaced apart from one other through at least a portion of the heat conveying member, each of the first and second internal passages having first and second ends,
• an inlet,
• an outlet,
• a passage splitter connected to the inlet and the first ends of the first and second internal passages for dividing flow through the inlet into the first and second internal passages, and
• a passage union connected to the outlet and the second ends of the first and second internal passages, the passages formed so as to provide for counter-flow circulation of a fluid through the heat conveying member,
• the first and second internal passages extending through at least a portion of each of the plurality of heat sinks;
• and
• a plurality of connectors each extending between adjoining heat sinks and connecting one of the first and second internal passages of one of the adjoining heat sinks with a corresponding one of the first and second internal passages in the other of the adjoining heat sinks for permitting fluid to pass through the internal passages from one heat sink to the other.

A cold cranking simulator comprising:

• a receptacle for receiving a sample;
• at least one heat exchanging element disposed in heat transfer relation the receptacle, the heat exchanging element responsive to electric current to transfer heat to or from the receptacle;
• and
• a heat conveying member in heat transfer relation to the heat exchanging element for transferring heat to or from the heat exchanging element, the receptacle and the at least one heat exchanging element located within an interior defined by the heat conveying member such that the receptacle and the at least one heat exchanging element are substantially surrounded by the heat conveying member, the heat conveying member having first and second internal passages spaced apart from one another through at least a portion of the heat conveying member, the first and second internal passages having first and second ends,
• an inlet,
• an outlet,
• a passage splitter connected to the inlet and the first ends of the first and second internal passages for dividing a flow of a fluid from the inlet between the first and second internal passages, and
• a passage union connected to the outlet and the second ends of the first and second internal passages,
• each of the first and second internal passages extending in a substantially complete loop around the interior of the heat conveying member and the receptacle therein, the passage splitter and the first and second internal passages arranged for counter-flow circulation in which a fluid is respectively directed in the first and second internal passages through the heat conveying member in clockwise and counterclockwise directions.

A cold cranking simulator comprising:

• a receptacle for receiving a sample;
• at least one heat exchanging element disposed in heat transfer relation to the receptacle, the heat exchanging element adapted to receive electric current for transferring heat to or from the receptacle by means of the heat exchanging element;
• a heat conveying member in heat transfer relation to the heat exchanging element for transferring heat to or from the heat exchanging element, the heat conveying member having first and second internal passages spaced apart from one another through at least a portion of the heat conveying member, the first and second internal passages having first and second ends,
• an inlet,
• an outlet,
• a passage splitter connected to the inlet and the first ends of the first and second internal passages for dividing flow through the inlet into the first an second internal passages, and
• a passage union connected to the outlet and the second ends of the first and second internal passages;
• the passages formed so as to provide for counter-flow circulation of a fluid, the first and second internal passages extending through at least a portion of each of the plurality of heat sinks;
• and
• a plurality of connectors each extending between adjoining heat sinks and connecting one of the first and second internal passages of one of the adjoining heat sinks with a corresponding one of the first and second internal passages in the other of the adjoining heat sinks for permitting fluid to pass through the first and second internal passages from one heat sink to the other.

A heat transfer apparatus for use in controlling the temperature of a sample container, the heat transfer apparatus comprising

• a heat transfer housing having four wall sections and a bottom, the wall sections having an inside surface defining a cavity within the housing and an outside surface;
• at least two thermal electrical units mounted in two of the wall section in heat transfer relationship with the inside surface, each of the thermal electrical units responsive to electric current for controlling heat transfer from the inside surface of the wall;
• an inlet port formed extending from the outside surface of one wall section into the wall;
• an outlet port formed extending from the outside surface of one wall section into the wall;
• an internal cooling circuit extending between the inlet port and the outlet port, the cooling circuit including first and second channels, the first and second channels each having a first end connected to the inlet port, and a second end connected to the outlet port, the first channel extending through the wall sections from the inlet port to the outlet port in a first direction, the second channel extending through the wall sections from the inlet port to the outlet port in a substantially opposite direction from the first channel such that in operation flow though the first and second channels are in opposite directions.