Coolant pumping system for mobile electronic systems

Abstract

A coolant pumping system for a mobile electronic system includes a coolant reservoir containing a coolant, a heat exchanger member fluidly connected to the coolant reservoir, and a mass moveably mounted to the mobile electronic system. The mass is moved along at least one axis in response to at least one of accelerations and orientation changes of the mobile electronic system. The coolant system further includes a force transfer member operatively connected between the mass and the coolant reservoir. The force transfer member urges the coolant from the coolant reservoir through the heat exchanger member in response to movements of the mass. A gear member is operatively connected between the mass and the force transfer member.

1 . A coolant pumping system for a mobile electronic system comprising:
 a coolant reservoir containing a coolant;   a heat exchanger member fluidly connected to the coolant reservoir;   a mass moveably mounted to the mobile electronic system, the mass being moved along at least one axis in response to at least one of acceleration and orientation changes of the mobile electronic system;   a force transfer member operatively connected between the mass and the coolant reservoir, the force transfer member urging the coolant from the coolant reservoir through the heat exchanger member in response to movement of the mass; and   a gear member operatively connected between the mass and the force transfer member.   
     
     
         2 . The coolant pumping system according to  claim 1 , wherein the mass includes a tooth element, and the gear member including a tooth member, the tooth element engaging with the tooth member to transfer movement of the mass to the force actuator. 
     
     
         3 . The coolant pumping system according to  claim 1 , further comprising: a latch configured and disposed to interact with the tooth member to limit rotation of the gear member. 
     
     
         4 . The coolant pumping system according to  claim 1 , further comprising: a spring element operatively coupled between the gear member and the force transfer member, the spring element storing energy resulting from movement of the mass for later transfer to the force transfer member. 
     
     
         5 . The coolant pumping system according to  claim 1 , wherein the coolant reservoir includes a flexible membrane, the force transfer member being configured and disposed to act upon the flexible membrane to urge coolant from the coolant reservoir into the heat exchange member. 
     
     
         6 . The coolant pumping system according to  claim 1 , wherein the mobile electronic system forms part of a vehicle. 
     
     
         7 . A method of pumping coolant to a mobile electronic system, the method comprising:
 moving the mobile electronic system to generate forces;   shifting a mass moveably mounted to the mobile electronic system in response to the forces generated by moving the mobile electronic system;   rotating a gear member operatively connected to the mass to create work; and   transferring the work through a force transfer member operatively connected to a coolant reservoir, the force transfer member urging coolant from the coolant reservoir through a heat exchanger member associated with the mobile electronic system.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising: storing the work in a spring element operatively coupled between the gear member and the force transfer member. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising: engaging the gear with a latch to store the work in the spring element. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising: selectively releasing the work stored in the spring element into the force transfer member to urge the coolant from the coolant reservoir through the heat transfer member. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein selectively releasing the work includes disengaging the latch from the gear. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein transferring the work through the force transfer member operatively connected to the coolant reservoir includes guiding the force transfer member into a flexible membrane of the coolant reservoir. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein moving the mobile electronics system includes generating acceleration forces in a motor vehicle.