초록 ▼

Apparatus and method adapted for use with an optionally pre-conditioned air supply that is pressurized, for ramping a component to a temperature setpoint, having a vortex tube, a ventilated mount connected to the vortex tube, a pedestal adapted for thermal connection with the component, and a heat e

Apparatus and method adapted for use with an optionally pre-conditioned air supply that is pressurized, for ramping a component to a temperature setpoint, having a vortex tube, a ventilated mount connected to the vortex tube, a pedestal adapted for thermal connection with the component, and a heat exchanger thermally connected with the pedestal and extending within an inward hollowed and enclosed chamber of the ventilated mount, the chamber having wall thickness and size and having a plurality of smaller apertures, or a single larger aperture, therein, and optionally baffling, so as to be adapted for regulating the airflow through the chamber for effectively ramping the temperature of the component and to maximize noise abatement performance.

대표청구항 ▼

1. Thermal control apparatus adapted for use with a pressurized air supply for ramping a component to a temperature setpoint comprising: a vortex tube having an inlet adapted for connection with the pressurized air supply, a cold air outlet, and a hot air outlet;a ventilated mount comprising an inle

1. Thermal control apparatus adapted for use with a pressurized air supply for ramping a component to a temperature setpoint comprising: a vortex tube having an inlet adapted for connection with the pressurized air supply, a cold air outlet, and a hot air outlet;a ventilated mount comprising an inlet communicating with an inward hollowed chamber having a rim, the inlet of said ventilated mount connected to at least one of the outlets of said vortex tube;heat exchange means comprising a plurality of fins mounted on a base, the fins extending from the base into the inward hollowed chamber of said ventilated mount, the base of said heat exchange means adapted for sealed engagement with the rim of the chamber to form an enclosure for the fins of the heat exchange means, the base of said heat exchange means also making a thermal connection with the component; andmeans adapted to be operatively connected with the pressurized air supply for controlling the output temperature of said vortex tube so as to be adapted for ramping the component to a temperature setpoint. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pedestal having a contact interface for thermally engaging the component, wherein the base of said heat exchange means resides on said pedestal, and wherein the chamber has a plurality of apertures therein for regulating the air flow out of the enclosure and enhancing the temperature of the air to which the fins of said heat exchange means are subjected within the enclosure during operation of said vortex tube. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising means operatively connected with said heat exchange means for enhancing the efficiency of the heat exchange means for controlling the temperature of the component, wherein the rim of the chamber is adapted for engagement with the base of said heat exchange means to form an enclosure comprising the chamber and the base of said heat exchange means, the enclosure being closely adjacent said heat exchange means, and wherein the chamber has a plurality of apertures therein for regulating the air flow out of the enclosure and enhancing the temperature of the air to which said heat exchange means is subjected within the enclosure during operation of said vortex tube. 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the inlet of said ventilated mount is in communication with both the cold and hot air outlets of said vortex tube, and further comprising means operatively connected with said vortex tube for controlling either cold air or hot air stream directly passing into said ventilated mount for ramping the temperature within the enclosure to a plurality of setpoints. 5. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising means internal of the chamber of said ventilated mount for directing air flow from the inlet of the ventilated mount to adjacent the base of the heat exchange means, and wherein the apertures in the chamber are spaced a distance from the base of the heat exchange means to encourage air flow from the base of said heat exchange means, traveling along and adjacent the length of the fins of the heat exchange means and exiting the apertures. 6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said means operatively connected with said heat exchange means further comprises a thermoelectric cooler, wherein the base of said heat exchange means resides on and adjacent the thermoelectric cooler, wherein the rim of the chamber is adapted for engagement with the base of said heat exchange means to form an enclosure comprising the chamber and the base of said heat exchange means, the enclosure being closely adjacent said heat exchange means, and wherein the chamber has a plurality of apertures therein for regulating the air flow out of the enclosure and enhancing the temperature of the air to which the heat exchange means is subjected within the enclosure during operation of said vortex tube. 7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said means operatively connected with said heat exchange means comprises a cartridge heater retained within said pedestal for assisting with raising the temperature of the component. 8. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising recording means for recording the component's activity at a particular temperature setpoint. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a temperature sensor retained within said pedestal for transmitting temperature values to said recording means. 10. The thermal control apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an air pre-conditioning subsystem adapted for providing enhanced temperature air to the inlet of said vortex tube. 11. The thermal control apparatus of claim 10, wherein said air pre-conditioning subsystem further comprises: a heat exchanger having a first inlet adapted for receiving pressurized air from the pressurized air supply, a second inlet adapted for selectably receiving part of the outlet air from at least one of the outlets of said vortex tube, said heat exchanger also comprising a first outlet adapted for supplying air to the inlet of said vortex tube adapted for connection with said pressurized air supply and a second outlet for exhaust, wherein said heat exchanger is adapted for at least one of pre-heating and pre-cooling the pressurized air source prior to receipt by said vortex tube. 12. The thermal control apparatus of claim 10, wherein said air pre-conditioning subsystem further comprises: another vortex tube having an inlet adapted for receipt of air through its connection with said pressurized air supply, a cold air outlet, and a hot air outlet; anda heat exchanger having a first regulated inlet adapted for receiving pressurized air from said pressurized air supply, a second inlet adapted for receiving the outlet air from at least one of the outlets of said another vortex tube, said heat exchanger also comprising a first outlet for supplying air to the inlet of said vortex tube adapted for connection with said pressurized air supply and a second outlet adapted for exhaust, wherein said heat exchanger is adapted for at least one of pre-heating and pre-cooling the pressurized air source prior to receipt by said vortex tube. 13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pedestal, wherein the base of said heat exchange means resides on said pedestal, and wherein the chamber of said ventilated mount further comprises an exit aperture therein for regulating the air flow out of the enclosure and enhancing the temperature of the air to which the fins of said heat exchange means are subjected within the enclosure during operation of said vortex tube. 14. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a pedestal, wherein the base of said heat exchange means resides on said pedestal, wherein the chamber of said ventilated mount further comprises an exit aperture therein for regulating the air flow out of the enclosure and enhancing the temperature of the air to which the fins of said heat exchange means are subjected within the enclosure during operation of said vortex tube, and wherein said apparatus further comprises a conduit interconnecting the exit aperture and said air-preconditioning system. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said air pre-conditioning subsystem further comprises: A heat exchanger having a first inlet adapted for receiving pressurized air from said pressurized air supply, a second inlet adapted for selectably receiving part of the outlet air from at least one of the outlets of said vortex tube, said heat exchanger also comprising a first outlet adapted for supplying air to the inlet of said vortex tube adapted for connection with said pressurized air supply and a second outlet for exhaust, wherein said heat exchanger is adapted for at least one of pre-heating and pre-cooling the pressurized air source prior to receipt by said vortex tube. 16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said air pre-conditioning subsystem further comprises a heat exchanger having a first inlet adapted for receiving pressurized air from said pressurized air supply, a second inlet adapted for receiving recovered exhaust air from said ventilated mount, said heat exchanger also comprising a first outlet adapted for supplying air to the inlet of said vortex tube adapted for connection with said pressurized air supply and a second outlet for exhaust, wherein said heat exchanger is adapted for at least one of pre-heating and pre-cooling the pressurized air source prior to receipt by said vortex tube, and wherein said conduit interconnects the exit aperture and the second inlet of said heat exchanger. 17. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a baffle mounted within the chamber of said ventilated mount for directing airflow from the inlet of the ventilated mount to adjacent the base of the heat exchange means, and wherein the exit aperture of the chamber is located opposite the base of the heat exchange means to further encourage air flow from the base of said heat exchange means to travel along and adjacent the length of the fins of the heat exchange means toward the exit aperture.