Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

Coolant systems, for power sources (e.g. internal combustion engines, fuel cells, and nuclear reactors) or microprocessors for example, are beneficially operated with coolant in a nucleate boiling state, but transitions to damaging film boiling are then possible. The disclosed coolant system includes a sensor, such as a thermocouple or thermistor, that provides a signal representative of fluctuations in the temperature at a heated surface. The signal also includes at least one parameter. A controller processes the signal to determine changes in the parameter of the signal and/or to determine the state of the coolant and can responsively change the coolant flow to avoid undesirable coolant states. For example, coolant flow can be changed by changing the output of a coolant pump. The controller can change coolant flow automatically, or a signal can be provided to an operator that an undesirable coolant state change is imminent or has occurred, thereby allowing operator intervention. The system may also be used with liquids other than coolant.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim