Marine Heat Pump

Inventors: Glenn McDonald
Publication No. US 20150354902 A1

Overview: Cooling and thermal issues continue to be problematic as electronic systems which have the greater cooling demands matching the increased power use, component density, and additional instrumentation. Failure to remove sufficient heat reduces component longevity and efficiency in addition to creating undesired drift in instrumentation operation. Oceanographic systems particularly struggle with these issues both in and out of the water which has led to the development of a thermal transfer system adaptable for both cases.

Technology: The heat transfer system is designed to cool enclosed electronics in underwater work vehicles and ocean observation infrastructure in both underwater and surface environments by providing passive thermal transfer between an interior of the electronics system and the surrounding environment. The system includes a liquid-enhanced heat pipe with a highly efficient heating coil adapted to transfer and dissipate hear from the electronics systems.