A cooling apparatus includes first and second wedges, a solid thermal interface material (TIM) and a flexible force-exerting element. The first wedge has a first flat surface and a first diagonal surface. The first flat surface is configured to dissipate heat from an electronic device. The second wedge has a second flat surface and a second diagonal surface. The second diagonal surface faces the first diagonal surface, and the second flat surface is coupled to a heat sink and configured to dissipate heat thereto. The TIM is disposed between the first and second diagonal surfaces, and is configured to transfer heat between the first and second wedges. The force-exerting element is configured to move the first wedge or the second wedge, so as to slide the first diagonal surface or the second diagonal surface on the TIM and push the second flat surface against the heat sink.

A fluid heat exchanger has an impeller assembly with first and second impeller bodies mated together, each having a substantially circular shape and at least one opening therethrough. Impeller vanes extend axially from the first impeller body and away from the second impeller body. Impeller vanes extend axially from the second impeller body away from the first impeller body. A thermoelectric module is disposed between the first impeller body and the second impeller body. Heat sinks are connected to each side of the thermoelectric module and extend through at least one opening in the first and second impeller bodies, where the impeller vanes are configured to move a fluid through the heat sinks during rotation of the first and second impeller bodies. Electrically-conductive windings disposed in the impeller assembly are configured to deliver induced electric current to the thermoelectric module(s).

A convector includes a rotor having a shaft extending along an axis of rotation, and a plurality of discs offset from one another along the axis of rotation and mechanically coupled to and rotatable with the shaft. The convector also includes a stator having a plurality of plates offset from one another along the axis of the shaft. Each plate of the plurality of plates defines a through-hole configured to receive the shaft and an opening configured to receive a corresponding disc of the plurality of discs. Rotation of the shaft causes each disc to rotate at least partially within the opening defined by the corresponding plate, and relative to the corresponding plate.

A convector includes a rotor having a shaft extending along an axis of rotation, and a plurality of discs offset from one another along the axis of rotation and mechanically coupled to and rotatable with the shaft. The convector also includes a stator having a plurality of plates offset from one another along the axis of the shaft. Each plate of the plurality of plates defines a through-hole configured to receive the shaft and an opening configured to receive a corresponding disc of the plurality of discs. Rotation of the shaft causes each disc to rotate at least partially within the opening defined by the corresponding plate, and relative to the corresponding plate.

A work machine is provided. The work machine may include a power module configured to provide power including a battery and an engine coupled to a folding heat exchange device. The work machine may also include a drive module configured over a track roller frame with one or more motors. The work machine may also include a hydraulic module including one or more devices in a front region and one or more devices in a rear region to cut or rip encountered material.

A work machine is provided. The work machine may include a power module configured to provide power including a battery and an engine coupled to a folding heat exchange device. The work machine may also include a drive module configured over a track roller frame with one or more motors. The work machine may also include a hydraulic module including one or more devices in a front region and one or more devices in a rear region to cut or rip encountered material.

A work machine is provided. The work machines may include a power module configured to provide power including a battery and an engine and configured to a folding heat exchange device. The work machine may also include a drive module configured with one or more motors and positioned over a track roller frame. The work machine may also include a hydraulic module including one or more devices in a front region and one or more devices in a rear region to cut or rip encountered material

Heat pump configurations that provide continuous heat transfer capabilities without any need for electricity. The overall system includes a rotatable hourglass structure situated within a sphere or ovoid container with internal tracks aligned with wheels on the hourglass. With a heat collection component situated on the underside of the container, the rotatable hourglass, being constructed of suitable heat transfer materials, absorb the collected heat in the lower portion of the container, thereby causing the air present therein to expand, forcing a plunger upward from one hourglass chamber to the other. The plunger effectuates operation of a magnetic switch to release the hourglass to rotate and then oscillate from one position to another until the heat collection operation discontinues. With a coolant introduced within the heated chamber (and drawn through pressure differential), heat can be transferred thereto. The heated coolant is then transferred to a reservoir for future utilization.

Heat pump configurations that provide continuous heat transfer capabilities without any need for electricity. The overall system includes a rotatable hourglass structure situated within a sphere or ovoid container with internal tracks aligned with wheels on the hourglass. With a heat collection component situated on the underside of the container, the rotatable hourglass, being constructed of suitable heat transfer materials, absorb the collected heat in the lower portion of the container, thereby causing the air present therein to expand, forcing a plunger upward from one hourglass chamber to the other. The plunger effectuates operation of a magnetic switch to release the hourglass to rotate and then oscillate from one position to another until the heat collection operation discontinues. With a coolant introduced within the heated chamber (and drawn through pressure differential), heat can be transferred thereto. The heated coolant is then transferred to a reservoir for future utilization.

A thermal management system includes a first substrate having a first conductive inner surface. A second substrate has a second conductive inner surface. A connecting structure is attached to the first and second substrates to space apart the first and second inner surfaces defining an insulating space for a single architecture. One or more passively-acting elements are attached to the inner surface of at least one substrate and including a shape memory material such as a shape memory alloy (SMA). The SMA passively reacts to the temperature of the first substrate by thermally contacting or separating from the second inner surface of the second substrate for the control of the conduction of heat energy in either direction.