Modular heat exchanger and method for making the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a module (3) comprising a cell having a lattice mesh structure (31) capable of transferring heat and a heat pipe (32) provided within the lattice mesh structure (31), and also to a method for manufacturing a module (3). The present invention also relates to an apparatus comprising a plurality of such modules to a method for manufacturing such an apparatus, and also to a connector (4) suitable for connecting an end of the heat pipe of such module.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A module comprising a cell having a lattice mesh structure capable of transferring heat; a heat pipe provided within the lattice mesh structure; and a connector; wherein the heat pipe has an end configured to receive the connector; wherein the connector is configured to enable connection with a respective end of a heat pipe of another cell; and wherein the connector has a hollow tube with a first ring of bonding material. 
     
     
         16 . The module of  claim 15 , wherein the cell has a tetrahedral, a truncated octahedron, a cubic or a rhombic dodecahedron shape. 
     
     
         17 . The module of  claim 15  wherein the heat pipe has a branched, straight or bent shape. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus comprising a plurality of modules wherein at least one module comprises:
 a cell having a lattice mesh structure capable of transferring heat;   a heat pipe provided within the lattice mesh structure; and   a connector;   wherein the heat pipe has an end configured to receive the connector;   wherein the connector is configured to enable connection with a respective end of a heat pipe of another cell;   wherein the connector has a hollow tube with a first ring of bonding material; and   wherein a first module and a second module from the plurality of modules are connected to one another by the connector connecting an end of a first heat pipe of the first module to an end of a second heat pipe of the second module.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein cells from the plurality of the modules are assembled to wrap around an object. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein two or more heat pipes are connected to form a heat pipe network. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the heat pipes form a bifurcated network. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein;
 the bonding material of the first ring has a melting temperature which is lower than the melting temperature of the hollow tube, said first ring of bonding material being suitable for being inserted into a first heat pipe and sealing the connector to an end of the first heat pipe by an annealing process, and   a lip extends outwardly from said hollow tube and is suitable for preventing the connector from sliding entirely into the module.   
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , further comprising a second ring of bonding material having a melting temperature which is lower than the melting temperature of the hollow tube, said second ring of bonding material being suitable for being inserted into a second heat pipe and sealing the connector to an end of the second heat pipe by an annealing process, the lip being arranged so as to separate the first ring of bonding material and the second ring of bonding material. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 23  wherein the first heat pipe is provided in a first heat transfer structure and the second heat pipe is provided in a second heat transfer structure. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , further comprising an end cap extending out of the connector. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the end cap is provided with a heat tube extension that is suitable for crimping and sealing when the heat pipe is charged with working fluid. 
     
     
         27 . A method of manufacturing a module wherein the module comprises a cell having a lattice mesh structure capable of transferring heat and a heat pipe provided within the lattice mesh structure, the heat pipe having an end configured to receive a connector configured to enable connection with a respective end of a heat pipe of another cell; the method comprising;
 selecting using one or more smart algorithms, parameters related to a structure of the module said parameters comprising a density of said module; and a targeted heat pipe for said module;   producing the module based on said selected parameters by additive manufacturing.