Skin-Integrated Heat Pipe Cooling for Low-Drag HALE Aircraft
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Solution Overview
Problem
High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) unmanned aircraft face challenges in effectively removing heat generated by electronic components and friction due to low airflow at high altitudes, making traditional cooling systems like air conditioning units or pumps unsuitable for vehicles with stringent weight requirements.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight thermal management system utilizing a heat pipe with an evaporator end near the heat source and a condenser end integrated with heat exchangers that form part of the vehicle's skin, along with a processor-controlled translation and vapor flow mechanism to optimize heat dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional cooling systems like air conditioning units or pumps are used, then heat removal capability is improved, but vehicle weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical cooling systems (pumps, fans, air conditioning units) with a passive heat pipe system that utilizes phase change and capillary action to transport heat, eliminating the need for heavy mechanical components while maintaining effective heat removal capability
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pipe system exploits phase transitions of the working fluid (evaporation at the evaporator end and condensation at the condenser end) to transfer heat efficiently from the heat source to the heat exchanger without requiring mechanical energy input
2Temperature
If heat exchangers are added to the vehicle body, then heat dissipation is improved, but drag coefficient increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the heat exchanger directly into the vehicle skin structure, merging the thermal management function with the aerodynamic shell, thereby eliminating separate drag-generating components while maintaining heat dissipation effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger is strategically positioned and integrated only in specific regions of the vehicle skin where it provides maximum thermal management benefit with minimal impact on overall aerodynamic performance, rather than uniformly across the entire vehicle surface
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution provides a lightweight and efficient means to transfer heat away from the source, reducing the vehicle's overall weight and drag coefficient while allowing for adaptive cooling based on temperature thresholds.
Implementation Method 1
a vapour arranged to flow from the evaporator end to the condenser end; and a working fluid arranged to flow from the condenser end to the evaporator end
Implementation Method 2
an evaporator end and a condenser end; a vapour arranged to flow from the evaporator end to the condenser end
Implementation Method 3
a vapour arranged to flow from the evaporator end to the condenser end; and a working fluid arranged to flow from the condenser end to the evaporator end
Implementation Method 4
one or more heat exchangers arranged in proximity to the condenser end and integrated with the skin
Implementation Method 5
one or more heat exchangers arranged in proximity to the condenser end and integrated with the skin
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a vehicle (100) comprising: a body (4) having a skin; a heat source (12); and a thermal management system. The thermal management system comprises: a heat pipe (14) comprising: an evaporator end (close to 12) and a condenser end (close to heat exchanger 22a, 22b); a vapour arranged to flow from the evaporator end to the condenser end; and a working fluid arranged to flow from the condenser end to the evaporator end, wherein the heat pipe (14) is arranged such that the evaporator end is arranged in proximity to the heat source to absorb heat from the heat source; and one or more heat exchangers arranged in proximity to the condenser end and integrated with the skin. The present invention also provides a method of managing temperature in a vehicle.