A system for heat exchange includes a first condenser that places a first working fluid vapor in proximity to a second working fluid liquid. The two working fluids have respective saturation temperatures that enable the second working fluid to absorb sufficient amounts of heat from the first working fluid vapor to vaporize, while the first working fluid vapor condenses back into a liquid. The second working fluid vapor exits the first condenser via a first conduit and enters a first heat exchanger which places the second working fluid vapor in proximity to a third working fluid. The relative saturation temperatures of the second and third working fluids enables the transfer of sufficient amounts of heat from the second working fluid vapor to cause the second working fluid vapor to condense back into liquid while at least a portion of the third working fluid liquid vaporizes into third working fluid vapor.

A heat exchanger comprises a shell having a first inlet and a first outlet for a first fluid (H) and a second inlet and a second outlet for a second fluid (C), and a screw element. The screw element has a core and first and second nested helical flights mounted to the core. The helical flights define first and second helical fluid passages along the shell. The first fluid passage is in fluid communication with the first inlet and the first outlet and the second fluid passage is in fluid communication with the second inlet and the second outlet. The heat exchanger further comprises a plurality of tubes mounted between adjacent turns of the first and second helical flights and extending across the fluid flow passage formed between the helical flights for conducting the first and or second fluid.

A plate-type heat exchanger, in which plates are stacked on top of each other as a stack and connected to each other in a sealed manner, fluid channels being formed between adjacent plates in each case, the stack of plates being divided into a first stack region and a second stack region, the first stack region forming an evaporator having first fluid channels and second fluid channels, and the second stack region forming an internal heat exchanger having third fluid channels and fourth fluid channels.

An integrated pressure compensating heat exchanger and method of use are provided. The integrated pressure compensating heat exchanger includes an inlet configured to input an internal fluid; a first conductive bellows connected to the inlet, configured to accept the internal fluid from the inlet, configured to transfer heat between the internal fluid and an external fluid, and configured to compensate for a pressure by compressing in length; and an outlet configured to accept the internal fluid from the first conductive bellows and to output the internal fluid.

Methods and system for operating a thermal storage device of a vehicle system are provided. In one example, a method comprises determining a state of charge of the thermal battery based on an accurate estimation of a melting temperature of one or more phase change materials (PCMs) at a specific aggregate pressure inside the thermal storage device. Variation in melting temperature of the PCM may be minimized by reducing pressure variation inside the thermal storage device by regulating a position of one or more pressure relief valves of the thermal storage device.

A phase change cell includes a housing enclosing a phase change chamber that holds a phase change material and a gas pocket. The housing includes a side wall extending between first and second end walls. A capillary is disposed in an interior surface of the side wall. In response to heating of the phase change cell, the capillary is configured to draw the phase change material in a liquid phase towards the periphery of the phase change chamber. A temperature sensor is coupled to the housing in a vicinity of the capillary to measure the phase change temperature. According to another aspect, the housing includes a moveable surface that bounds a portion of the phase change chamber. The phase change temperature of the phase change material changes based on the position of the moveable wall.

A passive two-phase cooling circuit includes a vaporizer and a condenser for a coolant conducted in the cooling circuit. A vaporizer supply line and a vaporizer discharge line are connected to the vaporizer, and a condenser supply line and a condenser discharge line are connected to the condenser. The cooling circuit has a simple and cost-effective structure which reduces or even completely prevents pressure shocks during operation by connecting the vaporizer supply line, the vaporizer discharge line, the condenser supply line and the condenser discharge line to a common damping container. A liquid column forms in the condenser discharge line during the operation of the cooling circuit and the column assumes the function of a liquid-tight seal and of a fluid-dynamic vibration damper.

An integrated pressure compensating heat exchanger and method of use are provided. The integrated pressure compensating heat exchanger includes an inlet configured to input an internal fluid; a first conductive bellows connected to the inlet, configured to accept the internal fluid from the inlet, configured to transfer heat between the internal fluid and an external fluid, and configured to compensate for a pressure by compressing in length; and an outlet configured to accept the internal fluid from the first conductive bellows and to output the internal fluid.

A battery module with one or more battery cells and a heat exchange member placed in thermal communication with the battery cell, and a method of making a heat pipe system from the heat exchange member. The heat exchange member includes a container with a heat transfer fluid disposed therein. In one form, the heat transfer fluid is capable of going through a phase change as a way to absorb at least a portion of heat present in or generated by battery cell. A pressure control device cooperates with the container and heat transfer fluid such that upon attainment of a predetermined thermal event within the battery cell, the pressure control device permits liberation of at least a portion of the heat transfer fluid to an ambient environment, thereby relieving pressure on the container and removing some of the excess heat caused by the thermal event.

An apparatus for protecting negative pressure is provided. The apparatus includes a main flow passage that circulates coolant of a vehicle and includes a section where negative pressure is formed therein. A housing is positioned at the section where the negative pressure of the main flow passage is formed and has a communication aperture that communicates with the main flow passage therein. A negative pressure valve is disposed at the inside of the housing to open or close the communication aperture based on the relationship of an exterior pressure and a valve inside pressure to maintain the valve inside pressure above a predetermined reference value.