Integral cooling system for a jet engine integral starter/generator and the like

摘要

A new cooling system for a jet engine integral starter/generator incorporates an array of thermosyphons in the rotor of the starter/generator in an off-axis geometry. The condenser sections of each thermosyphon extend out from the rotor into a coolant flowpath. Fins surrounding the condenser sections are oriented to increase the flow of coolant around the starter/generator. Asymmetrical balancing wicks partially cover the inside wall of the evaporator sections of each thermosyphon. The balancing wicks have the general shape assumed by a liquid working fluid during off-axis rotation. The wick cross-sectional shape is generally that of a crescent. The balancing wicks absorb working fluid when the rotor is not rotating so that the rotor will have generally the same balance at startup as it will have during full rotational speed operation.