A transfer-of-mass system for increasing rotational energy output thereof includes a sealed container having a central axis and an outer wall radially spaced apart from the central axis. A liquid partially fills the container. A motor causes the container to rotate about its central axis at a speed of rotation such that the liquid is acted upon by centrifugal forces to move it to the container's outer wall. Energy is applied to the liquid to cause at least a portion of the liquid at the container's outer wall to move towards the container's central axis wherein the container rotates faster than the speed of rotation caused by the motor.

A device, and method of operating the device, are disclosed. The device includes: a heat spreader having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the heat spreader including at least one oscillating heat pipe arranged between the first side and the second side, at least one of the at least one oscillating heat pipe including a plurality of interconnected channels including a working fluid; at least one optoelectronic component coupled to the first side of the heat spreader; and at least one thermoelectric cooler, wherein a cold side of the at least one thermoelectric cooler is coupled to the second side of the heat spreader. The heat spreader may include one or more heat exchange features.

The invention relates to an air conditioning device having at least one heat pipe (100), in particular a thermosiphon, having at least one electro- or magnetocaloric material (4) under at least temporary influence of an electrical and/or magnet field, and having a heat transfer oriented from one first end to another second end of the heat pipe. A plurality of these heat pipes, having electro- or magnetocaloric materials integrated or arranged therein, are preferably contained, connected in series in a cascade-like manner and optionally connected to one another via heat exchangers or switchable heat flow regulators.

Embodiments of a hybrid fan and active heat pumping system are disclosed. In some embodiments, the hybrid fan and active heat pumping system comprises a fan assembly and an active heat pumping system comprises a heat pump. The active heat pumping system is integrated with the fan assembly and is operable to actively cool or heat air as the air passes through the fan assembly. In some embodiments, the heat pump comprised in the active heat pumping system is a solid-state heat pump, a vapor compression heat pump, or a Stirling Cycle heat pump.

Embodiments of a hybrid fan and active heat pumping system are disclosed. In some embodiments, the hybrid fan and active heat pumping system comprises a fan assembly and an active heat pumping system comprises a heat pump. The active heat pumping system is integrated with the fan assembly and is operable to actively cool or heat air as the air passes through the fan assembly. In some embodiments, the heat pump comprised in the active heat pumping system is a solid-state heat pump, a vapor compression heat pump, or a Stirling Cycle heat pump.

A cooling assembly to transfer heat away from an apparatus. The cooling assembly includes a heat sink and heat pipes that are connected to and that extend outward from the heat sink. The heat pipes include a first section that extends outward from the heat sink and that is shaped to be inserted into the apparatus, and a second section that is embedded within the heat sink. An actuation mechanism is configured to move the heat sink and the heat pipes in a first direction to contact the heat pipes with the apparatus and in an opposing second direction to remove the heat pipes from contact with the apparatus. A cooling system includes one or more apparatuses, heat sinks, and heat pipes.

An apparatus includes a structure configured to receive thermal energy and to reject the thermal energy into an external environment. The structure includes a lid and a body. The structure also includes (i) multiple inline and interconnected thermomechanical regions and (ii) one or more oscillating heat pipes embedded in at least some of the thermomechanical regions. Different portions of at least one of the lid and the body form the thermomechanical regions. The one or more oscillating heat pipes are configured to transfer the thermal energy between different ones of the thermomechanical regions. At least one of the thermomechanical regions includes one or more shape-memory materials configured to cause a shape of the structure to change. Each of the one or more oscillating heat pipes includes at least one channel in the structure.

An apparatus includes a structure configured to receive thermal energy and to reject the thermal energy into an external environment. The structure includes a lid and a body. The structure also includes (i) multiple inline and interconnected thermomechanical regions and (ii) one or more oscillating heat pipes embedded in at least some of the thermomechanical regions. Different portions of at least one of the lid and the body form the thermomechanical regions. The one or more oscillating heat pipes are configured to transfer the thermal energy between different ones of the thermomechanical regions. At least one of the thermomechanical regions includes one or more shape-memory materials configured to cause a shape of the structure to change. Each of the one or more oscillating heat pipes includes at least one channel in the structure.

An oscillating heat pipe device can include a body formed to be at least partially flexible, one or more channels within the body and defined by the body, an evaporator portion within the body at a first end of the one or more channels and in fluid communication with the one or more channels, and a condenser portion within the body at a second end of the one or more channels and in fluid communication with the one or more channels. The body can be configured to flex between the evaporator portion and the condenser portion. The device can include a heat transfer fluid trapped within the channels to transfer heat between the evaporator portion and the condenser portion.