Counter-stream-mode oscillating-flow heat transport apparatus

Abstract

A counter-stream-mode oscillating-flow heat transport apparatus accommodates a change in volume of a liquid while preventing reduction in heat transport capability. A flow path and a buffer tank are placed in communication with each other via a throttle such as a capillary tube. This prevents a channel connecting the flow path and the buffer tank from having an excessively reduced channel resistance (flow path resistance). This prevents the fluid in a heat transport device assembly (the flow path) from only going back and forth between the heat transport device assembly and the buffer tank without experiencing liquid (pressure) oscillations in the heat transport device assembly. Accordingly, the liquid in the heat transport device assembly is prevented from being reduced in amplitude of oscillation, thereby preventing degradation in heat transport capability of the counter-stream-mode oscillating-flow heat transport apparatus.

1 . A counter-stream-mode oscillating-flow heat transport apparatus for inducing oscillatory movement in a liquid flowing in opposite directions through adjacent flow paths to transfer heat between the adjacent flow paths and thereby transport heat from a hot area to a cold area, the apparatus comprising: 
 a buffer tank that is placed in communication with the flow path for accommodating changes in volume of the liquid; and    means for throttling between the flow path and the buffer tank so that the flow path and the buffer tank can communicate with each other, wherein the throttle means has a predetermined channel resistance.    
   
   
       2 . The counter-stream-mode oscillating-flow heat transport apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the throttle means comprises a capillary tube having a channel of a predetermined length.  
   
   
       3 . The counter-stream-mode oscillating-flow heat transport apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 the throttle means comprises an orifice having a hole of a predetermined diameter.    
   
   
       4 . The counter-stream-mode oscillating-flow heat transport apparatus according to  claim 1 , the throttle means further comprising: 
 means for channeling liquid, the liquid channel means formed in a scroll pattern.    
   
   
       5 . The counter-stream-mode oscillating-flow heat transport apparatus according to  claim 4 , the liquid channel means further comprising: 
 a plate having a groove formed in a scroll pattern.    
   
   
       6 . The counter-stream-mode oscillating-flow heat transport apparatus according to  claim 1 , the throttle means further comprising: 
 means for channeling liquid, the liquid channel means formed in a spiral fashion.    
   
   
       7 . The counter-stream-mode oscillating-flow heat transport apparatus according to  claim 6 , the liquid channel means further comprising: 
 a female screw-shaped member having a spiral groove formed on an inner circumferential wall thereof and a rod-shaped cover member fitted into the female screw-shaped member.    
   
   
       8 . The counter-stream-mode oscillating-flow heat transport apparatus according to  claim 6 , the liquid channel means further comprising: 
 a male screw-shaped member having a spiral groove formed on an outer circumferential wall thereof and a cylindrical member having a hole portion fitted over the male screw-shaped member.    
   
   
       9 . The counter-stream-mode oscillating-flow heat transport apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein 
 the groove is generally triangular in cross section.    
   
   
       10 . The counter-stream-mode oscillating-flow heat transport apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a fluid tank chamber located in the buffer tank, the fluid tank chamber fillable with a fluid, wherein the throttle means is in communication with the tank chamber.    
   
   
       11 . The counter-stream-mode oscillating-flow heat transport apparatus according to  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 a gas tank chamber located in the buffer tank, the gas tank chamber fillable with a gas; and    a partition for defining the liquid tank chamber and the gas tank chamber, the partition being elastically deformable and displaceable.    
   
   
       12 . The counter-stream-mode oscillating-flow heat transport apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein 
 the partition comprises a bellows.    
   
   
       13 . The counter-stream-mode oscillating-flow heat transport apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein 
 the partition is formed of a bag-shaped thin-film member of an elastic material.    
   
   
       14 . The counter-stream-mode oscillating-flow heat transport apparatus according to  claim 1 , the buffer tank further comprising: 
 means for correcting an opening position of a buffer tank side opening of the throttle means below a liquid and gas interface.    
   
   
       15 . The counter-stream-mode oscillating-flow heat transport apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 the buffer tank is located in liquid and formed in a capsule shape defining an inner space therein, and    the throttle means is integrated with the buffer tank, the buffer tank having a gas and a liquid filled in the inner space thereof and including a weight portion for orienting a tank inner opening of the throttle means such that the tank inner opening is immersed in the liquid.    
   
   
       16 . The counter-stream-mode oscillating-flow heat transport apparatus according to  claim 15 , further comprising: 
 a female screw portion formed in the buffer tank, and a bolt-shaped member integrated with a male screw portion screwed into the female screw portion and the weight portion, wherein the throttle means passes through the male screw portion and the weight portion.    
   
   
       17 . The counter-stream-mode oscillating-flow heat transport apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein 
 the buffer tank is located in the liquid and formed in a capsule shape defining a space therein, and    the throttle means is integrated with the buffer tank, the buffer tank having a gas and a liquid filled in the inner space thereof and including a weight portion for orienting a tank inner opening of the throttle means such that the tank inner opening is immersed in the liquid.    
   
   
       18 . The counter-stream-mode oscillating-flow heat transport apparatus according to  claim 15 , further comprising: 
 a reserve tank provided with a communication path in communication with the flow path and filled with the liquid therein, and wherein    the buffer tank is located inside the reserve tank.    
   
   
       19 . The counter-stream-mode oscillating-flow heat transport apparatus according to  claim 18 , further comprising: 
 a plurality of the buffer tanks located in the reserve tank.    
   
   
       20 . The counter-stream-mode oscillating-flow heat transport apparatus according to  claim 18 , further comprising: 
 a plurality of the communication paths.    
   
   
       21 . The counter-stream-mode oscillating-flow heat transport apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein 
 the buffer tank is generally spherical in shape.    
   
   
       22 . The counter-stream-mode oscillating-flow heat transport apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein 
 the weight portion is formed of a fixing material for securing the throttle means to the buffer tank.    
   
   
       23 . The counter-stream-mode oscillating-flow heat transport apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 the channel resistance across the throttle means is from 0.1% to 5% of the channel resistance across the flow path.    
   
   
       24 . The counter-stream-mode oscillating-flow heat transport apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 the channel resistance across the throttle means is from 0.5% to 3% of the channel resistance across the flow path.