Passive Heat Exchanger Comprising Thermally Conductive Foam

Abstract

This disclosure is directed to devices, systems, and methods associated with a passive heat exchanger using thermally conductive foam. With reference to some systems the thermally conductive foam is positioned between a heat source and a heat dissipater to lower an operating temperature. With reference to other systems the thermally conductive foam is positioned between a component to be heated and a heat source to increase an operating temperature. Some embodiments of the thermally conductive foam are substantially pliable, other embodiments of the thermally conductive foam are substantially rigid, and other embodiments of the thermally conductive foam are initially fluid. Some devices related to the present disclosure include thermally conductive foam having thermally conductive particles within the thermally conductive foam.

1 . A passive heat exchanger system, comprising:
 a heat generating component;   a heat dissipater proximate the heat generating component; and,   a thermally conductive foam conduit, in thermal communication with the heat generating component and the heat dissipater, configured to transfer heat from the heat generating component to the heat dissipater.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a heat sink in thermal communication with the heat dissipater and configured to transfer heat from the heat dissipater. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the thermally conductive foam comprises voids having thermally conductive particles positioned substantially throughout a first side of the thermally conductive foam. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the thermally conductive foam comprises a compound of thermally conductive foam powder, adhesive, and solvent. 
     
     
         5 . A passive heat exchanger system, comprising:
 a street light housing having a first side and a second side;   a generator that produces heat positioned within the street light housing; and,   a thermally conductive foam, in thermal communication with the generator and the first side of the street light housing, configured to transfer heat from the generator to the street light housing.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , further comprising a heat sink in thermal communication with the second side of the street light housing, configured to transfer heat from the street light housing to the atmosphere. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the thermally conductive foam comprises voids having thermally conductive particles positioned substantially throughout a first side of the thermally conductive foam. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the first side of the thermally conductive foam is in thermal communication with the first side of the street light housing. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the thermally conductive foam comprises a compound of thermally conductive foam powder, adhesive, and solvent. 
     
     
         10 . A method for transferring heat with a passive heat exchanger, comprising:
 identifying at least one heat source to be cooled;   placing a first side of a thermally conductive foam in thermal communication with the heat source; and   placing a second side of the thermally conductive foam in thermal communication with a heat dissipater, the thermally conductive foam configured to transfer heat from the heat source to the heat dissipater.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising allowing the thermally conductive foam to transfer heat from the heat source to the heat dissipater. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising positioning a heat sink in thermal communication with the heat dissipater, the heat sink configured to transfer heat from the heat dissipater. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising providing a thermally conductive foam having voids with thermally conductive particles positioned substantially throughout the one side of the thermally conductive foam. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising providing a thermally conductive foam comprising a compound of thermally conductive foam powder, adhesive, and solvent. 
     
     
         15 . A method for transferring heat with a passive heat exchanger, comprising:
 identifying at least one component to be heated;   placing a first side of a thermally conductive foam in thermal communication with the component to be heated; and   placing a second side of the thermally conductive foam in thermal communication with a heat source, the thermally conductive foam conduit configured to transfer heat from the heat source to the component to be heated.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising allowing the thermally conductive foam to transfer heat from the heat source to the component to be heated. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising providing a thermally conductive foam having voids with thermally conductive particles positioned substantially throughout one side of the thermally conductive foam. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising providing a thermally conductive foam comprising a compound of thermally conductive foam powder, adhesive and solvent. 
     
     
         19 . A passive heat exchanger device comprising substantially equal parts of a thermally conductive foam powder, adhesive, and solvent. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein the thermally conductive foam powder is one of a carbon and graphite foam, the adhesive is epoxy, and the solvent is acetone.