AXIAL FLOW HEAT EXCHANGER DEVICES AND METHODS FOR HEAT TRANSFER USING AXIAL FLOW DEVICES

摘要

Systems and methods described herein are directed to rotary heat exchangers configured to transfer heat to a heat transfer medium flowing in substantially axial direction within the heat exchangers. Exemplary heat exchangers include a heat conducting structure which is configured to be in thermal contact with a thermal load or a thermal sink, and a heat transfer structure rotatably coupled to the heat conducting structure to form a gap region between the heat conducting structure and the heat transfer structure, the heat transfer structure being configured to rotate during operation of the device and flow a heat transfer medium in a substantially axial direction through the heat transfer structure. In example devices heat may be transferred across the gap region from a heated axial flow of the heat transfer medium to a cool stationary heat conducting structure, or from a heated stationary conducting structure to a cool axial flow of the heat transfer medium.

主权项

1. A method of transferring heat between a stationary structure and a finned structure operable to rotate relative to the stationary structure, the method comprising:
rotating the finned structure relative to the stationary structure; flowing a heat transfer medium through the finned structure and substantially along a longitudinal axis of the finned structure, the finned structure being in thermal contact with the stationary structure which is configured to function as at least one of a heat source or a heat sink; and transferring heat across a gas-filled gap defined between the finned structure and the stationary structure in a generally inward radial direction.