Vortex tube cooling system and method of using same

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a vortex tube for separating a working fluid into a first working fluid and a second working fluid, the vortex tube comprising: a hot end; a cold end opposed to the hot end; a vortex generator between the hot end and the cold end, the vortex generator configured to receive a working fluid, the vortex generator comprising: a vortex chamber including a bottom wall defining a bore therethrough; and a plurality of channels configured to direct the working fluid into the vortex chamber, wherein one or more of the bottom wall and the plurality of channels are configured to direct the working fluid in a vortex motion to form a first toroidal moving away from the vortex chamber and towards the hot end; and wherein a first working fluid exits the hot end and a second working fluid is turned away from the hot end and flows through the bore to exit the cold end. The present disclosure also relates to use of the vortex tube for panel and spot cooling.

1 .- 85 . (canceled) 
     
     
         86 . A vortex tube for separating a working fluid into a first working fluid and a second working fluid, the vortex tube comprising:
 a hot end;   a cold end opposed to the hot end;   a vortex generator between the hot end and the cold end, the vortex generator configured to receive a working fluid, the vortex generator including a bottom wall defining a bore therethrough and configured to direct the working fluid in a vortex motion to form a first toroidal moving away from the vortex chamber and towards the hot end;   an end plug coupled to the hot end of the vortex tube, the end plug comprising:
 a body, the body comprises a lower portion configured to separate the working fluid into the first working fluid and allow the exit of the first working fluid from the vortex tube through an exit aperture formed between the body and the wall of the vortex tube and into the second working fluid and direct the second working fluid away from the hot end and towards the cold end; 
   wherein the body further comprises cap with an outer perimeter having a contoured surface configured to draw air surrounding the vortex tube for mixing with the first working fluid exiting from the vortex tube and to cling to outer wall of the vortex tube and thereby reducing the temperature of the hot end of the vortex tube.   
     
     
         87 . The vortex tube of  claim 86  where the contoured surface forms an angle of about 45 degrees from the horizontal. 
     
     
         88 . The vortex tube of  claim 86  further comprising a heat sink disposed at the hot end, the heat sink comprising a plurality of spaced apart fins disposed along the wall at the hot end and configured to dissipate thermal energy generated within the interior of the vortex tube away from the wall. 
     
     
         89 . The vortex tube of  claim 88  wherein the plurality of spaced-apart fins extend outwardly about the longitudinal center of the vortex tube. 
     
     
         90 . The vortex tube of  claim 88  wherein each of one the plurality of spaced-apart fins comprises a contoured surface configured to flow the combined air away from the hot end and towards the cold end. 
     
     
         91 . The vortex tube of  claim 90  where the contoured surface is a rounded surface. 
     
     
         92 . The vortex tube of  claim 91  wherein the contoured surface of an end fin adjacent to the end of the hot end defines a second contoured surface that is co-linear with the contoured surface of the cap and is configured to draw air surrounding the vortex tube for mixing with the first working fluid exiting from the vortex tube. 
     
     
         93 . The vortex tube of  claim 86  wherein the interior wall at the hot end defines a plurality of circumferentially disposed slots for channeling the first working fluid between the lower portion and the wall of the vortex tube. 
     
     
         94 . The vortex tube of  claim 93  wherein the plurality of circumferentially disposed slots are sem i-circular. 
     
     
         95 . The vortex tube of  claim 93  wherein the thickness of the interior wall at the hot end along the length of plurality of circumferentially disposed slots is sufficiently thin to promote dissipation of thermal energy. 
     
     
         96 . The vortex tube of  claim 93  wherein the width and/or length of the plurality of circumferentially disposed slots is dimensioned to maximize a rate of flow of the first working fluid while maintaining a sufficient transfer of thermal energy into the wall such that the first working fluid exiting the vortex tube has a reduced thermal energy. 
     
     
         97 . The vortex tube of any  93  wherein the first working fluid exiting the plurality of circumferentially disposed slots enter into a chamber having outwardly flaring walls for drawing the first working fluid out of the vortex tube. 
     
     
         98 . A vortex tube for separating a working fluid into a first working fluid and a second working fluid, the vortex tube comprising:
 a hot end;   a cold end opposed to the hot end;   a vortex generator between the hot end and the cold end, the vortex generator configured to receive a working fluid, the vortex generator including a bottom wall defining a bore therethrough and configured to direct the working fluid in a vortex motion to form a first toroidal moving away from the vortex chamber and towards the hot end;   and an end plug coupled to the hot end of the vortex tube, the end plug comprising:   a body, the body comprises a lower portion configured to separate the working fluid into the first working fluid and allow the exit of the first working fluid from the vortex tube through an exit aperture formed between the body and the wall of the vortex tube and into the second working fluid and direct the second working fluid away from the hot end and flows through the bore to exit the cold end; wherein the interior wall at the hot end defines a plurality of circumferentially disposed slots for channeling the first working fluid between the lower portion and the wall of the vortex tube.   
     
     
         99 . The vortex tube of  claim 98  wherein the lower portion terminates at a conical tip. 
     
     
         100 . The vortex tube of  claim 99  wherein the conical tip includes a conical angle from about 30 degrees to about 75 degrees for generating a second toroidal motion and causing the second working fluid to move away from the hot end towards the cold end. 
     
     
         101 . The vortex tube of  claim 100  wherein the conical angle is from about 45 degrees to about 60 degrees. 
     
     
         102 . The vortex tube of  claim 100  wherein the second toroidal motion comprises a laminar flow. 
     
     
         103 . The vortex tube of  claim 98  wherein the plurality of circumferentially disposed slots are sem i-circular. 
     
     
         104 . The vortex tube of  claim 98  wherein the thickness of the interior wall at the hot end along the length of plurality of circumferentially disposed slots is thin to promote dissipation of thermal energy. 
     
     
         105 . The vortex tube of  claim 98  wherein the width and/or length of the plurality of circumferentially disposed slots is dimensioned to maximize a rate of flow of the first working fluid while maintaining a sufficient transfer of thermal energy into the wall such that the first working fluid exiting the vortex tube has a reduced thermal energy. 
     
     
         106 . The vortex tube of  claim 98  wherein the first working fluid exiting the plurality of circumferentially disposed slots enters into a chamber having outwardly flaring walls for drawing the first working fluid out of the vortex tube. 
     
     
         107 . The vortex tube of any  claim 98  wherein the body further comprises cap with an outer perimeter having a contoured surface configured to draw air surrounding the vortex tube for mixing with the first working fluid exiting from the vortex tube and to cling to outer wall of the vortex tube and thereby reducing the temperature of the hot end of the vortex tube. 
     
     
         108 . The vortex tube of  claim 107  where the contoured surface forms an angle of about 45 degrees from the horizontal. 
     
     
         109 . The vortex tube of  claim 98  further comprising a heat sink disposed at the hot end, the heat sink comprising a plurality of spaced apart fins disposed along the wall at the hot end and configured to dissipate thermal energy generated within the interior of the vortex tube away from the wall. 
     
     
         110 . The vortex tube of  claim 109  wherein the plurality of spaced-apart fins extend outwardly about the longitudinal center of the vortex tube. 
     
     
         111 . The vortex tube of  claim 109  wherein each of one the plurality of spaced-apart fins comprises a contoured surface configured to flow the combined air away from the hot end and towards the cold end. 
     
     
         112 . The vortex tube of  claim 111  where the contoured surface is a rounded surface. 
     
     
         113 . The vortex tube of  claim 111  wherein the contoured surface of an end fin adjacent to the end of the hot end defines a second contoured surface that is co-linear with the contoured surface of the cap and is configured to draw air surrounding the vortex tube for mixing with the first working fluid exiting from the vortex tube.