Method and Apparatus for Cooling a Vehicle Component

Abstract

In certain embodiments, a system for cooling heat-generating components includes an engine cooling system operating to circulate a liquid coolant at a first temperature for the cooling of one or more engine components within the vehicle. A liquid cooler unit may receive the liquid coolant at the first temperature and decrease the temperature of the liquid coolant to a second temperature. A heat-generating component may be coupled to the liquid cooler unit and receive the liquid coolant at the second temperature. Heat generated by the heat-generating component may be transferred to the liquid coolant. A fluid return line may couple the heat-generating component to the engine cooling system. The fluid return line returns the liquid coolant that has received the heat from the heat-generating component to the engine cooling system.

1 . A system for cooling a heat-generating component in a vehicle, comprising:
 an engine cooling system operating to circulate a liquid coolant at a first temperature for the cooling of one or more engine components within the vehicle;   a liquid cooler unit coupled to the engine cooling system, the liquid cooler unit configured to receive the liquid coolant at the first temperature and decrease the temperature of the liquid coolant to a second temperature;   a heat-generating component coupled to the liquid cooler unit, the heat generating component configured to receive the liquid coolant at the second temperature and transfer heat generated by the heat-generating component to the liquid coolant;   a fluid return line coupling the heat-generating component to the engine cooling system, the fluid return line configured to return the liquid coolant that has received the heat from the heat-generating component to the engine cooling system.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid return line comprises:
 a first portion coupling the heat-generating component to the liquid cooler unit, the first portion returning the liquid coolant from the heat-generating component to the liquid cooler unit;   a second portion comprising a conduit formed through the liquid cooler unit, the second portion configured to transfer heat generated by the liquid cooler unit to the liquid coolant as the liquid coolant is transported through the conduit; and   a third portion coupling the liquid cooler unit to the engine cooling system, the third portion returning the liquid coolant from the liquid cooler unit to the engine cooling system.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the engine cooling system is configured to receive the liquid coolant from the heat-generating component at a third temperature, the third temperature greater than the second temperature due to the heat received from the heat-generating component, and   the engine cooling system operates to decrease the temperature of the liquid coolant from the third temperature to return the temperature of the liquid coolant to the first temperature.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid coolant is selected from the group consisting of:
 water;   propylene glycol;   ethylene glycol;   a combination of propylene glycol and ethylene glycol;   a combination of water and propylene glycol;   a combination of water and ethylene glycol; and   a combination of water, propylene glycol, and ethylene glycol.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first temperature is within a range of approximately 55 to 75 degrees Celsius; and   the second temperature is within a range of approximately 20 to 40 degrees Celsius.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid cooler unit comprises:
 at least one thermo electric cooler having a hot surface and a cold surface;   a first coldplate positioned proximate the hot surface, the first coldplate having a first conduit formed therein, the first conduit configured to transport the liquid coolant received from the engine cooling system at the first temperature; and   a second coldplate positioned proximate the cold surface, the second coldplate having a second conduit formed therein, the second conduit configured to transport the liquid coolant that has received the heat from the heat-generating component to the engine cooling system.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the at least one thermo electric cooler operates to generate heat, the heat transferred to the liquid coolant as the liquid coolant is transported through the second conduit while being returned to the engine cooling system.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the heat-generating-component is selected from the group consisting of a sensor, a line replaceable module, a radar, a radio, and a weapon. 
     
     
         9 . A system for cooling a heat-generating component in a vehicle, comprising:
 an engine cooling system operating to circulate a first liquid coolant in a first closed loop;   a component cooling system operating to circulate a second liquid coolant in a second closed loop;   a liquid cooler unit coupled to the engine cooling system and the component cooling system, the liquid cooler unit comprising:
 a first cold plate configured to receive the first liquid coolant at a first temperature; 
 a second cold plate configured to receive the second liquid coolant at a second temperature 
 transfer cold generated by the liquid cooler unit to the first liquid coolant, wherein the transfer of cold from the liquid cooler unit decreases a temperature of the first liquid coolant relative to the first temperature; and 
 transfer heat generated by the liquid cooler unit to the second liquid coolant, wherein the transfer of heat from the liquid cooler unit increases a temperature of the second liquid coolant relative to the second temperature. 
   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the second closed loop comprises:
 a fluid input line coupling the engine cooling system to the liquid cooler unit, the fluid input line providing the second fluid coolant received from the engine cooling system to the liquid cooler unit;   a conduit formed through the liquid cooler unit, wherein the heat is transferred to the second liquid coolant as the second liquid coolant flows through the conduit; and   a fluid return line coupling the liquid cooler unit to the engine cooling system, the fluid return line providing the second fluid coolant that has received heat from the liquid cooler unit to the engine cooling system.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the liquid coolant is selected from the group consisting of:
 water;   propylene glycol;   ethylene glycol;   a combination of propylene glycol and ethylene glycol;   a combination of water and propylene glycol;   a combination of water and ethylene glycol; and   a combination of water, propylene glycol, and ethylene glycol.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the first temperature is within a range of approximately 55 to 75 degrees Celsius; and   the second temperature is within a range of approximately 35 to 55 degrees Celsius.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the liquid cooler unit comprises:
 at least one thermo electric cooler having a hot surface and a cold surface;   a first coldplate positioned proximate the hot surface, the first coldplate having a first conduit formed therein, the first conduit configured to transport the first liquid coolant received from the engine cooling system at the first temperature; and   a second coldplate positioned proximate the cold surface, the second coldplate having a second conduit formed therein, the second conduit configured to transport the second liquid coolant that has received the heat from the heat-generating component.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the at least one thermo electric cooler operates to generate heat, the heat transferred to the first liquid coolant as the first liquid coolant is transported through the first conduit while being returned to the engine cooling system.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the heat-generating-component is selected from the group consisting of a sensor, a line replaceable module, a radar, a radio, and a weapon. 
     
     
         18 . A system for cooling a heat-generating component in a vehicle, comprising:
 an engine cooling system operating to circulate a liquid coolant at a first temperature for the cooling of one or more engine components within the vehicle;   at least one thermo electric cooler having a first surface at a first temperature and a second surface at a second temperature, the first temperature being less than the second temperature;   a first plate positioned proximate the first surface of the at least one thermo electric cooler, the first plate coupled to the engine cooling system to receive the liquid coolant from the engine cooling system, the first plate having a conduit configured to receive a liquid coolant, wherein the temperature of the liquid coolant is decreased as the liquid coolant flows through the conduit of the first plate;   a second plate positioned proximate the second surface of the at least one thermo electric cooler, the second plate coupled to the engine cooling system to return the liquid coolant to the engine cooling system, the second plate having a conduit configured to receive the liquid coolant, wherein the temperature of the liquid coolant is increased as the liquid coolant flows through the conduit of the second plate.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the liquid coolant is selected from the group consisting of:
 water;   propylene glycol;   ethylene glycol;   a combination of propylene glycol and ethylene glycol;   a combination of water and propylene glycol;   a combination of water and ethylene glycol; and   a combination of water, propylene glycol, and ethylene glycol.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein:
 the temperature of the liquid coolant is within a range of approximately 55 to 75 degrees Celsius when the liquid coolant enters the conduit of the first plate; and   the temperature of the liquid coolant is within a range of approximately 20 to 40 degrees Celsius when the liquid coolant exits the conduit of the first plate.