Thermal exchange module that incorporates a phase change material

Abstract

A thermal exchange module includes a thermal exchange path, an inner fin structure extending from the thermal exchange path, a phase change structure surrounding the inner fin structure and containing a phase change material therein, and an outer fin structure that extends outward from the phase change structure. The inner fin structure is in thermal communication with the thermal exchange path and the phase change structure, the phase change structure is in thermal communication with the inner fin structure and the outer fin structure, and the outer fin structure is in thermal communication with a fluid path that is configured to deliver a media therethrough.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A thermal exchange module comprising
 a thermal exchange path;   an inner fin structure extending from the thermal exchange path;   a phase change structure surrounding the inner fin structure and containing a phase change material therein; and   an outer fin structure that extends outward from the phase change structure, wherein
 the inner fin structure is in thermal communication with the thermal exchange path and the phase change structure; 
 the phase change structure is in thermal communication with the inner fin structure and the outer fin structure; and 
 the outer fin structure is in thermal communication with a fluid path that is configured to deliver a media therethrough. 
   
     
     
         2 . The thermal exchange module of  claim 1 , wherein a thermal exchange media is configured to be delivered through the thermal exchange path, wherein heat energy is transferred between the thermal exchange media and the inner fin structure, and wherein a fluid media is configured to be delivered through the outer fin structure to transfer heat energy between the fluid media and the outer fin structure. 
     
     
         3 . The thermal exchange module of  claim 2 , wherein the phase change material places the inner fin structure in thermal communication with the outer fin structure to provide for a transfer of the heat energy between the thermal exchange media and the fluid media via the inner fin structure and the outer fin structure, and wherein the thermal exchange path and the inner fin structure are separate components. 
     
     
         4 . The thermal exchange module of  claim 1 , wherein the thermal exchange path and the inner fin structure are integrally formed as an extruded component. 
     
     
         5 . The thermal exchange module of  claim 4 , wherein the extruded component includes a cover structure that partially separates the inner fin structure from the phase change structure. 
     
     
         6 . The thermal exchange module of  claim 5 , wherein the cover structure is positioned at opposing ends of the extruded component. 
     
     
         7 . The thermal exchange module of  claim 5 , wherein the cover structure separates the inner fin structure from an interior surface of the phase change structure. 
     
     
         8 . The thermal exchange module of  claim 1 , wherein the inner fin structure extends radially outward from a longitudinal axis of the thermal exchange path. 
     
     
         9 . The thermal exchange module of  claim 8 , wherein the outer fin structure is positioned generally perpendicular to fins of the inner fin structure. 
     
     
         10 . The thermal exchange module of  claim 1 , wherein the inner fin structure is defined between the thermal exchange path and the phase change structure. 
     
     
         11 . The thermal exchange module of  claim 1 , wherein the phase change structure is a tube that extends around the inner fin structure and contains the phase change material within an interior surface of the tube. 
     
     
         12 . The thermal exchange module of  claim 1 , wherein the outer fin structure is fixedly attached to an outer surface of the phase change structure. 
     
     
         13 . The thermal exchange module of  claim 1 , wherein the phase change material is paraffin wax. 
     
     
         14 . A thermal exchange structure comprising:
 a plurality of thermal exchange modules that are coupled together by a thermal media conduit, wherein each thermal exchange module of the plurality of thermal exchange modules comprises:
 an extruded thermal exchange path having a central conduit that is coupled with the thermal media conduit and a plurality of fins that radially extend outward from the central conduit; 
 a phase change structure surrounding the extruded thermal exchange path; 
 a phase change material positioned between the extruded thermal exchange path and the phase change structure therein; and 
 an outer fin structure that extends outward from the phase change structure, wherein the phase change material places the extruded thermal exchange path in thermal communication with the outer fin structure. 
   
     
     
         15 . The thermal exchange structure of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of thermal exchange modules are positioned in an array within a fluid path that extends through the outer fin structure for each thermal exchange module of the plurality of thermal exchange modules. 
     
     
         16 . The thermal exchange structure of  claim 15 , wherein the array places the plurality of thermal exchange modules in a staggered configuration. 
     
     
         17 . The thermal exchange structure of  claim 16 , wherein the thermal media conduit cooperates with the central conduit for each thermal exchange module of the plurality of thermal exchange modules to define a continuous path that extends through each thermal exchange module. 
     
     
         18 . The thermal exchange structure of  claim 17 , wherein the continuous path places a thermal exchange media in thermal communication with the plurality of thermal exchange modules, and wherein the plurality of thermal exchange modules are in thermal communication with the fluid path. 
     
     
         19 . A heat exchange system for an appliance, the heat exchange system comprising:
 a refrigerant loop that includes a thermal media conduit that delivers a thermal exchange media through a heat exchange area;   a fluid path that directs a fluid media through the heat exchange area; and   a thermal exchange structure that is disposed within the heat exchange area and places the thermal exchange media within the thermal media conduit in thermal communication with, and physically separated from, the fluid media moving through the fluid path, wherein the thermal exchange structure includes a plurality of thermal exchange modules, each thermal exchange module comprising:
 an extruded thermal exchange path having a central conduit that is in fluid communication with the thermal media conduit, and a plurality of fins that radially extend outward from the central conduit; 
 a phase change structure surrounding the extruded thermal exchange path; 
 a phase change material positioned between, and in thermal communication with, the extruded thermal exchange path and the phase change structure; and 
 an outer fin structure that extends outward from the phase change structure, wherein the phase change material places the extruded thermal exchange path and the thermal exchange media in thermal communication with the outer fin structure and the fluid media moving through the fluid path. 
   
     
     
         20 . The heat exchange system of  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of thermal exchange modules are positioned in a staggered array within the fluid path that extends through the outer fin structure for each thermal exchange module of the plurality of thermal exchange modules.