THERMAL TRANSFER DEVICE AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS
Embodiments of thermal transfer devices and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a thermal transfer system can include a conduit that has an input portion, an output portion, and a sidewall between the input and output portions. Heat can enter the conduit at the input portion and exit the conduit at the output portion. The thermal transfer system can further include an end cap proximate to a terminus of the conduit. A working fluid can circulate through the conduit utilizing a vaporization-condensation cycle. The thermal transfer device can also include an architectural construct having a plurality of parallel layers of a synthetic matrix characterization of a crystal.
1 . A thermal transfer system, comprising:
a conduit having an input portion, an output portion opposite the input portion, and a sidewall between the input and output portions, wherein heat enters the conduit at the input portion and heat exits the conduit at the output portion, and wherein a working fluid enclosed in the conduit changes from a liquid phase to a vapor phase proximate to the input portion and from the vapor phase to the liquid phase proximate to the output portion;
an end cap proximate to a terminus of the conduit; and
an architectural construct including a plurality of layers oriented generally parallel to one another, wherein individual layers comprise a synthetic matrix characterization of a crystal.
2 . The thermal transfer system of claim 1 wherein the architectural construct comprises at least one of graphene, graphite, and boron nitride.
3 . The thermal transfer system of claim 1 wherein:
the sidewall comprises the architectural construct, the layers being substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the conduit, and the architectural construct being configured to drive the liquid phase from the output portion to the input portion by capillary action; and
the layers are angled toward the conduit proximate to the input and output portions.
4 . The thermal transfer system of claim 1 wherein the sidewall comprises the architectural construct, the layers being approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the conduit.
5 . The thermal transfer system of claim 1 wherein the end cap comprises the architectural construct, and wherein the layers are approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the conduit.
6 . The thermal transfer system of claim 1 wherein the end cap comprises the architectural construct, and wherein the layers are substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the conduit.
7 . The thermal transfer system of claim 1 wherein:
the end cap is proximate to the output portion, the end cap comprising the architectural construct having layers substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the conduit; and
the architectural construct is configured to separate at least one predetermined constituent from the working fluid.
8 . The thermal transfer system of claim 7 wherein a solution enters the conduit at the input portion and the predetermined constituent includes a portion of the solution.
9 . The thermal transfer system of claim 1 wherein:
the end cap is proximate to the input portion, the end cap comprising the architectural construct having layers substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the conduit; and
the architectural construct is configured to prevent at least one predetermined material from entering the conduit via the end cap.
10 . The thermal transfer system of claim 1 wherein the end cap is proximate to the input portion, and wherein the end cap comprises the architectural construct having layers substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the conduit such that the end cap receives radiant heat having a first wavelength between the layers and the architectural construct re-radiates at least a portion of the radiant heat at a second wavelength different from the first wavelength.
11 . The thermal transfer system of claim 1 wherein the end cap is at the input portion and includes the architectural construct, and wherein the system further comprises;
a liquid reservoir proximate in fluid communication with the input portion of the conduit;
a controller operably coupled to the liquid reservoir, wherein the controller regulates flow of the working fluid between the liquid reservoir and the conduit; and
wherein the thermal transfer system includes a first condition and a second condition, the end cap absorbing heat and the liquid accumulator storing the working fluid in the first condition, the liquid reservoir directing the working fluid into the conduit and the working fluid absorbing heat from the end cap in the second condition.
13 . The thermal transfer system of claim 1 wherein:
the architectural construct includes a first architectural construct and a second architectural construct;
the sidewall includes the first architectural construct and the second architectural construct inward of the first architectural construct;
the layers of the first architectural construct are substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the conduit;
the layers of the second architectural construct are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and
the layers of the first architectural construct drive a fluid toward the input portion, the fluid being at least one of the working fluid and an external fluid outside the conduit.
14 . The thermal transfer system of claim 1 wherein the liquid phase returns to the input region by at least one of gravity, capillary action, and centrifugal force.
15 . The thermal transfer system of claim 1 wherein the input portion is installed proximate to at least one of a solar collector, a geothermal formation, and permafrost.
16 . The thermal transfer system of claim 1 wherein the output portion is installed proximate to at least one of an aquifer, a gas hydrate deposit, and a geological surface.
17 . The thermal transfer system of claim 1 wherein the input portion is a first input portion and the system further comprises a second input portion opposite the first input portion, the output portion being between the first and second input portions.
18 . A thermal transfer device, comprising:
a conduit having a vaporization region, a condensation region opposite the vaporization region, and a sidewall wall extending between the vaporization region and the condensation region;
an architectural construct comprising multiple layers of a synthetic matrix characterization of a crystal, individual layers being oriented substantially parallel to one another; and
a working fluid within the conduit, wherein the working fluid includes a liquid phase at the condensation region and a vapor phase at the vaporization region.
19 - 39 . (canceled)
40 . A thermal transfer system, comprising:
a conduit having an input portion, an output portion opposite the input portion, and a sidewall between the input and output portions, wherein heat enters the conduit at the input portion and heat exits the conduit at the output portion;
a thermal accumulator at the input portion;
a reservoir in fluid communication with the input portion; and
a working fluid in the conduit, wherein the working fluid changes from a liquid to a vapor proximate to the input portion and from the vapor to the liquid proximate to the output portion.
41 . The thermal transfer system of claim 40 wherein the thermal accumulator comprises an architectural construct having a plurality of layers substantially parallel to one another and substantially aligned with a heat source, wherein individual parallel layers comprise a synthetic matrix characterization of a crystal.
42 - 53 . (canceled)