Method and apparatus for multi-functional capillary-tube interface unit for evaporation, humidification, heat exchange, pressure or thrust generation, beam diffraction or collimation using multi-phase fluid

Abstract

A method and apparatus for heat exchange with a volatile fluid in a parallel-channel capillary network traversing a solid receiver module manifests a multi-functional miniature device capable of performing as an evaporator, a condenser, a humidifier, a single-stream heat exchanger, a pressure generator, a thrust motor, a Fraunhofer diffraction device, or a collimation device. Heat is exchanged at a dedicated interface on the body by thermal contact or radiative fluence, and indirectly with the working fluid. Application-specific process control is manifested by applied heat rate, control of fluid saturation levels and vapor partial pressure at the capillary ends, and arrangement of flow network connections. The system operates in steady-state or transient modes, depending on the adapted functional mode and duty cycle. Specific materials and working fluids tolerate transient system performance levels of apparent heat rates exceeding 10 [MW / m3] and local fluid pressures exceeding 1 [GPa].

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 205,101 filed Jan. 15, 2009, by the present inventor, and entitled “Method And Apparatus For Multi-Functional Capillary-Tube Interface Unit For Evaporation, Humidification, Heat Exchange, Pressure Or Thrust Generation, Beam Diffraction Or Collimation Using Multi-Phase Fluid,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention allows the local heating (or cooling) of a volatile fluid while resident in a capillary tube network consisting of parallel channels penetrating a solid receiver module (i.e., web). The web provides the necessary mechanical structural integrity, and contributes to heat transfer by conductive mode from a heated interface to points throughout the body. Heat is delivered to the heating interface by direct thermal contact, indirect thermal contact, or a radiative fluen...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is a method and apparatus for regulating fluid pressure and saturation levels in a miniature device. The device uses heat exchange with a volatile fluid to control fluid pressure and saturation levels at specific locations throughout the device. The device can operate in eight different modes and can be adapted to different application modes. The device includes a capillary network with parallel flow axes penetrating a solid receiver module that provides mechanical structural integrity. The system geometry and dimensions are adapted to the specific application and can vary with the functional use. The invention has been found to have performance levels that are dependent on the combination of fluid and capillary wall material. The invention can be used in heat exchanger and heat pump devices, as well as in other applications such as a fluid evaporator, gas phase humidifier, and a Doppler-shift-sensitive device."

Problems solved by technology

There are inherent upper bounds to scaling the system up to increasingly larger size associated with loss of capillary phenomena in channels of sufficiently large radii, with the possibility of extensive liquid dryout for heating, and with unacceptable overall system pressure or temperature differences.

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