Extreme thermal energy rejection radiator

Abstract

A vehicle is provided which includes an engine and a radiator. The radiator with circulating coolant fluid includes a plurality of embedded heat pipes each having (a) a body with first and second opposing ends, (b) a wicking material, and (c) a thermal transfer fluid, wherein said body of said heat pipe encloses an interior volume, and wherein said wicking material and said working fluid are disposed in said interior volume of said heat pipe. The first end of the heat pipe extracts heat from the engine, and the second end of the heat pipe transfers heat from the heat pipe to an atmosphere external to the engine. The heat transfer fluid transfers heat from the first end of said heat pipe to the second end of said heat pipe, and the wicking material transfers the heat transfer fluid from the second end of the heat pipe to the first end of the heat pipe.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vehicle, comprising:
 an engine; and   a radiator;   wherein said radiator includes a plurality of embedded heat pipes having (a) a body with first and second opposing ends, (b) a wicking material, and (c) a thermal transfer fluid;   wherein said body of said heat pipe encloses an interior volume;   wherein said wicking material and said working fluid are disposed in said interior volume of said heat pipe;   wherein said first end of said heat pipe extracts heat from said engine;   wherein said second end of said heat pipe transfers heat from said heat pipe to an atmosphere external to said engine;   wherein said thermal transfer fluid transfers heat from said first end of said heat pipe to said second end of said heat pipe; and   wherein said wicking material transfers said heat transfer fluid from said second end of said heat pipe to said first end of said heat pipe.   
     
     
         2 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein said heat transfer fluid undergoes a phase transition from a first phase to a second phase at said first end of said heat pipe. 
     
     
         3 . The vehicle of  claim 2 , wherein said heat transfer fluid undergoes a phase transition from said second phase to said first phase at said second end of said heat pipe. 
     
     
         4 . The vehicle of  claim 3 , wherein said first phase is a liquid phase and said second phase is a gaseous phase. 
     
     
         5 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , further comprising a heat coil, wherein said second end of said heat pipe transfers heat to an atmosphere external to said engine by way of said heat coil. 
     
     
         6 . The vehicle of  claim 5 , wherein said heat coil is in thermal communication with a heat vane. 
     
     
         7 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein said heat transfer fluid comprises an organic liquid. 
     
     
         8 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein said heat transfer fluid comprises acetone. 
     
     
         9 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein said heat transfer fluid has a boiling point of no more than 50° C. 
     
     
         10 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein said engine is an external combustion engine. 
     
     
         11 . The vehicle of  claim 10 , wherein said engine is selected from the group consisting of Stirling Cycle engines and Ericsson Cycle engines. 
     
     
         12 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein said body of said heat pipe comprises aluminum.