Condenser heatsink

Abstract

A diffusion-absorption refrigerator system ( 1 ) comprising a condenser pipe ( 6 ) passing through and surrounded by a heatsink ( 2 ), the heatsink comprising a sealed enclosure defining an internal cavity surrounding the condenser pipe for containing a heat transfer liquid, a cross-section of the heatsink transverse the condenser pipe tapering to a minimum thickness towards an upper end when oriented for use of the refrigerator system.

1 . A diffusion-absorption refrigerator system comprising:
 a heatsink;   a condenser pipe passing through and surrounded by the heatsink, the heatsink comprising a sealed enclosure defining an internal cavity surrounding the condenser pipe for containing a heat transfer liquid, a cross-section of the heatsink transverse the condenser pipe tapering to a minimum thickness towards an upper end when oriented for use of the refrigerator system.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the heatsink is shaped in the form of a wing comprising a substantially uniform cross-section with a rounded lower end and a tapering upper end. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the heatsink comprises a section sealed at opposing ends by first and second end portions defining the cross-section, the middle section wrapping around the condenser pipe. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the heatsink comprises a filling port for introducing the heat transfer liquid into the cavity. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the cross-section of the heatsink is substantially uniform along a length direction parallel to the condenser pipe. 
   
   
       6 . A temperature-controlled system comprising:
 an enclosure;   a diffusion-absorption refrigerator system operatively connected to the enclosure, the diffusion-absorption refrigerator system comprising:   a heatsink;   a condenser pipe passing through and surrounded by the heatsink, the heatsink comprising a sealed enclosure defining an internal cavity surrounding the condenser pipe for containing a heat transfer liquid, a cross-section of the heatsink transverse the condenser pipe tapering to a minimum thickness towards an upper end when oriented for use of the refrigerator system.   
   
   
       7 . A temperature-controllable equipment cabinet comprising:
 a wall;   a diffusion-absorption refrigeration cycle system comprising:   a heatsink;   a condenser pipe passing through and surrounded by the heatsink, the heatsink comprising a sealed enclosure defining an internal cavity surrounding the condenser pipe for containing a heat transfer liquid, a cross-section of the heatsink transverse the condenser pipe tapering to a minimum thickness towards an upper end when oriented for use of the refrigerator system; and   a evaporator pipe,   wherein the evaporator pipe of the refrigeration system extends through the wall of the cabinet and passes through a second sealed enclosure for containing a heat transfer liquid, the sealed enclosure extending across and forming part of an internal surface of the cabinet such that the refrigeration system in use extracts heat from within the cabinet to an external environment.   
   
   
       8 . The equipment cabinet of  claim 7  wherein the wall of the cabinet comprises a layer of thermal insulation through which the evaporator pipe extends. 
   
   
       9 . The equipment cabinet of  claim 8  wherein the evaporator pipe passes through a recess provided in the wall. 
   
   
       10 . The equipment cabinet of  claim 9  wherein the second sealed enclosure is substantially planar in construction across the internal surface of the wall. 
   
   
       11 . The equipment cabinet of  claim 10  wherein the evaporator pipe passes in a horizontal direction through an upper portion of the second sealed enclosure when the cabinet is oriented for use such that, in use, convective flow of the heat transfer liquid aids heat transfer from within the cabinet. 
   
   
       12 . The system of any of  claim 5  wherein the internal cavity of the sealed enclosure contains a mixture of water and glycol as the heat transfer liquid. 
   
   
       13 . (canceled) 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the heatsink comprises a section sealed at opposing ends by first and second end portions defining the cross-section, the middle section wrapping around the condenser pipe. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the heatsink comprises a filling port for introducing the heat transfer liquid into the cavity. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cross-section of the heatsink is substantially uniform along a length direction parallel to the condenser pipe. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the internal cavity of the sealed enclosure contains a mixture of water and glycol as the heat transfer liquid. 
   
   
       18 . The equipment cabinet of  claim 7 , wherein the evaporator pipe passes through a recess provided in the wall. 
   
   
       19 . The equipment cabinet of  claim 7 , wherein the second sealed enclosure is substantially planar in construction across the internal surface of the wall. 
   
   
       20 . The equipment cabinet of  claim 7 , wherein the evaporator pipe passes in a horizontal direction through an upper portion of the second sealed enclosure when the cabinet is oriented for use such that, in use, convective flow of the heat transfer liquid aids heat transfer from within the cabinet. 
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the heatsink is shaped in the form of a wing comprising a substantially uniform cross-section with a rounded lower end and a tapering upper end, wherein the heatsink comprises a section sealed at opposing ends by first and second end portions defining the cross-section, the middle section wrapping around the condenser pipe, wherein the heatsink comprises a filling port for introducing the heat transfer liquid into the cavity, and wherein the cross-section of the heatsink is substantially uniform along a length direction parallel to the condenser pipe.