Licensable Technologies : Engineering : Plasma

Off-Axis Cooling of Rotating Devices Using a Crank-Shaped Heat Pipe

Abstract
A heat pipe designed for rotating machinery requiring cooling at low temperatures (<0oC), specifically superconducting generators or motors.  The heat pipe is more efficient than conventional gas cooling for continuous use at low temperatures.  This design works effectively even when placed off-axis, meaning that it is particularly suited for large generators or motors where co-axial cooling is insufficient.

Application(s)

• Cooling of superconducting generators and motors or other rotating devices needing cooling at low temperatures
• Superconducting motors

Advantages

• Enables very large superconducting generators, reducing cost of electricity

IP Status: Available both Exclusively and Non Exclusively

Reference Number: 296

S Number: DOE reference no.(s): 102,309

Patents & Applications:
United States National Patent Number 7168480 Issued on 01/30/2007

Posted: 10-05-2004

Contact
John Mott
Technology Transfer Division
Los Alamos National Laboratory
P.O. Box 1663, MailStop C334
(505) 665-0883
jmott@lanl.gov