PHASE-CHANGE HEAT EXCHANGER

摘要

A phase-change heat exchanger (22) is provided for thermally conditioning a fluid. The phase-change heat exchanger includes, but is not limited to, conduits (60) configured to convey the fluid through the phase-change heat exchanger (22) and a foam structure (66) in thermal contact with at least one of the conduits (60). The foam structure (66) has ligaments (84) interconnected to form a three-dimensional reticulated structure of open cells (86). A phase-change material (88) is contained within the open cells (86) and the phase-change material (88) is configured to receive thermal energy of the fluid from the ligaments (84) of the foam structure (66).