MECHANICALLY CONFORMABLE MICRO-HEAT EXCHANGERS AND METHODS FOR USE IN THERMAL MANAGEMENT OF TARGET COMPONENTS

摘要

A mechanically conformable micro-heat exchanger for use in managing temperature of a subject component. The exchanger includes a flexible fluid tube. In various embodiments, the tube is connected to a flexible substrate, such as by a flexible polymer. The exchanger can be changed manually from an initial shape to a first shape to conform to a shape of the subject component. The flexible fluid tube is configured to channel heat-transfer fluid through a heat-transfer tube section of the tube. The heat-transfer fluid is configured to cool or heat the subject component when, in operation of the mechanically conformable micro-heat exchanger, the heat-transfer fluid is channeled through the heat-transfer tube section.

主权项

1. A mechanically conformable micro-heat exchanger, for use in managing temperature of a subject component, comprising:
a physically flexible substrate configured to change shape easily by manual manipulation; and a physically flexible fluid tube being connected to the substrate and also configured to change shape easily by manual manipulation; wherein:
the mechanically conformable micro-heat exchanger can be changed manually from an initial shape to a first shape to conform to a first-subject-component shape of the subject component;the fluid tube comprises a fluid-tube opening and a fluid-tube exit, and a heat-transfer tube section positioned between the fluid-tube opening and the fluid-tube exit;the fluid tube is configured to receive a heat-transfer fluid via the fluid-tube opening and channel the heat-transfer fluid, from the fluid-tube opening, through the heat-transfer tube section, and to the fluid-tube exit; andthe heat-transfer fluid is configured to cool or heat the subject component when, in operation of the mechanically conformable micro-heat exchanger, the heat-transfer fluid is channeled through the heat-transfer tube section.