Heat pipe bearing cooler systems and methods
US8198770B2 · kind B2 · utility
5Cited by
9References
24Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 3, 2009 |
| Grant date | Jun 12, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 8, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16C37/00
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method of cooling shaft bearings of a high speed rotating machine is provided. In various embodiments, the method includes utilizing a primary cooling circuit of the machine that is structured and operable to cool a drive package of the machine to cool condenser ends of each of a plurality of heat pipes absent an auxiliary cooling system structured for cooling the heat pipe condenser ends. Each heat pipe including a respective evaporator end disposed proximate the shaft bearings to absorb heat generated by the bearings during operation of the machine.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.