Transparent Heat Exchanger for Laser Gain Media Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electro-optical devices, such as laser gain media, generate significant heat that must be efficiently removed to prevent damage and maintain performance, but traditional heat exchangers convert light energy into thermal energy at the interface, leading to reduced thermal performance.

Innovation Solution

A transparent heat exchanger system comprising a transparent substrate optically attached to a heat source, with fins made of transparent material, allowing for separate handling of thermal and light energy, enabling improved thermal performance by separating heat removal from light energy conversion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If traditional heat exchangers are used to remove heat from electro-optical devices, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but light energy is converted into thermal energy at the interface, reducing overall thermal performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidlight energy conversion loss

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The heat exchanger is segmented into multiple transparent substrates with fins, creating separate functional zones. The first transparent substrate contacts the heat source while the second transparent substrate provides a separate interface for light energy handling, allowing thermal and optical energy to be managed independently to prevent unwanted conversion and improve overall efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Transparent substrates act as intermediary elements between the heat source and the cooling fluid. These substrates conduct heat away from the electro-optical device while allowing light energy to pass through or be handled separately, preventing direct conversion of light to heat at the interface and maintaining energy efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If heat exchangers are placed in contact with heat sources, then heat removal is effective, but the interface converts light energy into thermal energy, reducing thermal performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat removal effectivenessVSAvoidlight energy to thermal energy conversion

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the heat exchanger have specialized properties: the first transparent substrate region is optimized for heat conduction from the heat source, while the second transparent substrate region is optimized for light energy transmission or separate handling. This local differentiation allows heat removal to proceed effectively while light energy follows a separate path, avoiding unwanted conversion losses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

The transparent heat exchanger system enhances thermal performance by allowing light energy to pass through or be converted into heat on separate surfaces, reducing heat transfer per unit area and improving cooling efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a first transparent substrate optically attached to a heat source, one or more fins to transfer heat from the heat source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

allowing light energy to pass through or be converted into heat on separate surfaces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical energy conversion: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS11092392B2Transparent heat exchanger

Publication Date: 2021.08.17 RAYTHEON CO

AI summary

In one aspect, a transparent heat exchanger includes a first transparent substrate optically attached to a heat source, one or more fins to transfer heat from the heat source, the one or more fins comprising transparent material and further comprising one of a manifold coupled to the first transparent substrate or a facesheet coupled to the first transparent material.