Phase change material heat exchanger for three fluids
US10953728B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 16, 2018 |
| Grant date | Mar 23, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 5, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/14
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A three fluid phase change material (PCM) heat exchanger for a vehicle comprises (i) an intake air channel having a first set of fins disposed therein and configured to receive and output intake air prior to combustion by an engine of the vehicle, (ii) a PCM layer surrounding the intake air channel and configured to cool the intake air, the PCM layer comprising a second set of fins, a PCM fluid that expands when freezing, and a set of elastomeric devices are configured to compress to compensate for the PCM fluid expansion during freezing, and (iii) a refrigerant channel surrounding the PCM layer and configured to circulate a refrigerant to cool the PCM layer to a solid, frozen state.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.