Configurable Cooling Assembly and Cooling Method

Abstract

An assembly of thermally conductive cooling blocks is configured to be placed against a composite skin between a heating blanket used to thermally cure a composite repair patch and a structure formed of a heat sensitive material. The cooling block assembly conducts heat away from the skin to prevent overheating of the heat sensitive material.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . Apparatus for cooling a structure, comprising:
 an assembly of configurable, thermally conductive cooling blocks configured to be placed against a surface of the structure and fit within a predetermined volume of space adjacent the structure.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the assembly includes a plurality of the cooling blocks arranged in a three-dimensional array. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the cooling blocks is formed from one of:
 copper, and   aluminum.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cooling blocks include releasable connections coupling the cooling blocks together, and allowing the cooling blocks to be reconfigured. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least certain of the cooling blocks include at least one through-hole allowing passage of air therethrough. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the assembly includes a plurality of the cooling blocks arranged in a row and having through-holes therein aligned to form an air passageway through the cooling blocks in the row. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , including a fan configured to force air through the air passageway. 
     
     
         8 . Apparatus for preventing overheating of heat sensitive materials near a repair patch being thermally cured on a composite skin by a heat source, comprising:
 an assembly of thermally conductive cooling blocks configured to be placed against the composite skin for conducting heat away from the composite skin between the heat sensitive material and the heat source.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the cooling blocks are formed of one of:
 copper, and   aluminum.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein each of the cooling blocks is cube shaped. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the cooling blocks are arranged in a three-dimensional array. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the cooling blocks include interconnections coupling the cooling blocks together. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the interconnections are releasable to allow the shape of the assembly of the cooling blocks to be reconfigured. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the interconnections include one of:
 ways and gibs formed in each of the cooling blocks,   pins between the cooling blocks,   snap fit fasteners,   magnets, and   a conductive adhesive between the cooling blocks.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein at least certain of the cooling blocks include at least one through-hole therein allowing air to pass therethrough. 
     
     
         16 . A method of managing the temperature of heat sensitive materials located near a repair patch being thermally cured on a composite skin using a heating blanket, comprising:
 configuring an assembly of thermally conductive cooling blocks to fit within a space between the heating blanket and the heat sensitive material; and   installing the assembly of thermally conductive cooling blocks against the skin within the space.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the configuring includes:
 placing the cooling blocks in an arrangement of rows and columns, and   holding the cooling blocks in the arrangement.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the configuring includes forming through-holes in at least certain of the cooling blocks allowing air to pass therethrough. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , including drawing heat away from the cooling blocks by forcing air through the through-holes. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 disassembling the assembly of the cooling blocks;   and reassembling the cooling blocks in another configuration.