Active Multiphase Heat Transportation System

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a method and system for transporting heat from a heat source to a heat sink. Containers containing a phase change material in a first phase, a guide track leading from the heat source to the heat sink, and a drive system are provided. The phase change material in the first phase in the containers absorbs the heat from the heat source on establishing thermal contact with the heat source and changes to a second phase. The drive system moves the containers containing the phase change material in the second phase to the heat sink along the guide track. The phase change material in the second phase in each of the containers transfers the absorbed heat to the heat sink and changes to the first phase. The heat source is cooled due to transportation of the heat from the heat source to the heat sink.

1 . A method of transporting heat from a heat source to a heat sink, comprising the steps of:
 providing a plurality of containers containing a phase change material in a first phase, a guide track leading from said heat source to said heat sink, and a drive system;   absorbing said heat from said heat source by said phase change material in said first phase in said containers on establishing thermal contact with said heat source, wherein said phase change material in said first phase in said containers changes to a second phase on said absorption of said heat;   moving said containers containing said phase change material in said second phase to said heat sink along said guide track by said drive system; and   transferring said absorbed heat by said phase change material in said second phase in each of said containers to said heat sink, wherein said phase change material in said containers in said second phase changes to said first phase on said transfer of said absorbed heat;   
     whereby said heat source is cooled due to said transportation of said heat from said heat source to said heat sink. 
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first phase is a solid phase and said second phase is a liquid phase. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first phase is a liquid phase and said second phase is a vapor phase. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said phase change material is selected from a group comprising metals, alloys, salts, salt mixtures, salt hydrates, polymers, hydrocarbons, silicones, fluorocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons, organic liquids, water, salt water solutions, and a combination thereof. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said guide track is a tube filled with a non-flammable dielectric liquid. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said phase change material in each of said containers absorbs said heat from said heat source via said non-flammable dielectric liquid. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising the step of providing a source plate for transferring said heat from said heat source to said non-flammable dielectric liquid. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said drive system comprises a plurality of sets of electromagnetic coils, wherein said sets of said electromagnetic coils are activated in succession for moving said containers to said heat sink. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said drive system comprises a drive chain for carrying said containers to said heat sink. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said drive system comprises a wheel with sphere engaging teeth employed inside said guide track to move said containers along said guide track, wherein said wheel is moved by one of a motor and a spinning magnet. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said containers are hollow balls of one of a spherical shape, a cylindrical shape, and a cubical shape. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said containers have a diameter ranging from about 10 nanometers to about 10 centimeters. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said containers contain headspace for allowing expansion of said phase change material. 
   
   
       14 . A system for transporting heat from a heat source to a heat sink, comprising:
 a plurality of containers containing a phase change material in a first phase, wherein said phase change material in said first phase in said containers absorb said heat from said heat source on establishing thermal contact with said heat source, wherein said phase change material in said first phase in said containers changes to a second phase on said absorption of said heat;   a guide track leading from said heat source to said heat sink; and   a drive system for moving said containers containing said phase change material in said second phase to said heat sink along said guide track.   
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said first phase is a solid phase and said second phase is a liquid phase. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said first phase is a liquid phase and second phase is a vapor phase. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said guide track is a tube filled with a non-flammable dielectric liquid. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein said phase change material in each of said containers absorbs said heat from said heat source via said non-flammable dielectric liquid. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 17 , further comprising a source plate for transferring said heat from said heat source to said non-flammable dielectric liquid. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said drive system comprises a plurality of sets of electromagnetic coils, wherein said sets of said electromagnetic coils are activated in succession for moving said containers to said heat sink. 
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said drive system comprises a drive chain for carrying said containers to said heat sink. 
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said drive system comprises a wheel with sphere engaging teeth employed inside said guide track to move said containers along said guide track, wherein said wheel is moved by one of a motor and a spinning magnet. 
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said containers are hollow balls of one of a spherical shape, a cylindrical shape, and a cubical shape, wherein said containers contain headspace for allowing expansion of said phase change material.