# US 8,739,540 B2 · Vapor vortex heat sink > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,739,540 B2 - Document ID: US8739540B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/155,157 - Filed: 2011-06-07 - Published: 2011-09-29 - Granted: 2014-06-03 - Earliest claimed: 2008-03-31 - Assignees: McCutchen Co. - Applicants: Wilmot H. McCutchen; David J. McCutchen - Inventors: Wilmot H. McCutchen; David J. McCutchen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8739540B2 ## CPC - F28D 15/0266: {with separate evaporating and condensing chambers connected by at least one conduit; Loop-type heat pipes; with multiple or common evaporating or condensing chambers (F28D15/043 takes precedence)} - F01K 25/08: using special vapours - F28D 15/0233: {the conduits having a particular shape, e.g. non-circular cross-section, annular (F28D15/0241, F28D15/0266 take precedence)} - F28D 15/025: {having non-capillary condensate return means} - H10W 40/73: for cooling by change of state - F28D 2015/0291: {comprising internal rotor means, e.g. turbine driven by the working fluid} - F28F 2250/08: Fluid driving means, e.g. pumps, fans - F28D: HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT (fluid heaters having heat generating means and heat transferring means F24H; furnaces F27; details of heat-exchange apparatus of general) - F01K: STEAM ENGINE PLANTS; STEAM ACCUMULATORS; ENGINE PLANTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; ENGINES USING SPECIAL WORKING FLUIDS OR CYCLES (gas-turbine or jet-propulsion plants F02; nuclear power plants, engine arrangements therein G21D) - H10W: GENERIC PACKAGES, INTERCONNECTIONS, CONNECTORS OR OTHER CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF DEVICES COVERED BY CLASS H10 - F28F: DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION (water and air traps, air venting F16) ## Abstract A hermetic Rankine cycle in a sealed casing powers an internal centrifugal condensate pump with an internal vapor turbine during forced convective heat transfer between a heat source and a heat sink. No work is imported into the cycle during operation. A centrifugal pumping disk shears the working fluid against a heating surface, sweeping evolving vapor into radial vortices which provide sink flow conduits to a vapor space at the center of the cylindrical turbine. Convective mass flow through the vapor space to the condensing end of the casing spins the turbine and the centrifugal pumping disk which is connected to it. Vapor is continuously swept from the heating surface, so bubbles do not form and superheat while blocking heat flux into liquid working fluid. Vapor is sucked through the radial vortices into the central vapor space and into the condensing end of the casing along the low pressure gradients in vortex cores established by cooling power. A high heat flux surface is thereby thermally connected to a conventional heat sink having high cooling power, for maximal heat extraction at data centers or other heat sources. Vapor vortices organize counterflow of vapor and condensate in a continuous mass flow cycle, and extract work from heat. Organic working fluids can be used in the casing to make even low temperature waste heat a power source. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for heat exchange between a heat source and a heat sink, comprising (1) at least one sealed casing having a centerline and comprising an evaporating end at one end of the casing, the evaporating end comprising a heating surface thermally communicating with the heat source, and a condensing end at the other end of the casing, the condensing end comprising a condensing surface thermally communicating with the heat sink, the heat sink structured to reject heat from the apparatus; (2) a working fluid hermetically contained within the casing; (3) a vortex organizer positioned within the casing between the evaporating end and the condensing end, the vortex organizer being rotatable about an axis positioned approximately along the centerline and being spaced apart from the casing and defining an annular condensate space between the vortex organizer and the casing, the annular condensate space structured to provide a path for condensate to flow from the condensing end to the evaporating end, the vortex organizer further comprising a central vapor space that provides a path for vapor to flow from the evaporating end to the condensing end, and (4) a centrifugal pumping disk coupled to the vortex organizer, the pumping disk coupled within the evaporating end of the casing and spaced apart therefrom, the centrifugal pumping disk defining an advection space between the casing and the pumping disk, the advection space communicating with the condensate space, and a radial vortex space between the pumping disk and the heating surface, the radial vortex space communicating with the advection space and the vapor space through an aperture at the center of the pumping disk. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: radial volutes positioned on the heating surface, the radial volutes defining radial channels for flow of the working fluid radially inward to the axis of rotation; and an annular bearing assembly positioned between and coupled to the pumping disk and the volutes on the heating surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the radial volutes extend in the radial vortex space. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a static wall positioned between the vortex organizer and the condensate space. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: thermal insulation in the vortex organizer positioned between the vapor space and the condensate space. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: thermal insulation in the casing. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a drive spindle that connects the vortex organizer to an armature of a generator, the drive spindle extending through the casing at the condensing end. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heating surface comprises a heat source positioned within the radial vortex space. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vortex organizer includes runners. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a reaction turbine positioned within the condensing end. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the working fluid includes an organic compound. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the working fluid includes HFC-245fa. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the working fluid includes water. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of heat sources thermally connected to the heating surface.