(19)
(11) EP 1 601 043 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
11.10.2006 Bulletin 2006/41

(43) Date of publication A2:
30.11.2005 Bulletin 2005/48

(21) Application number: 05253020.1

(22) Date of filing: 17.05.2005
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
H01Q 1/02(2006.01)
F25B 23/00(2006.01)
 H01Q 3/26(2006.01)
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR
Designated Extension States:
AL BA HR LV MK YU

(30) Priority: 25.05.2004 US 853038

(71) Applicant: RAYTHEON COMPANY
Waltham, Massachusetts 02453 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • Weber, Richard M.
    Prosper Texas 75078 (US)
  • Rummel, Kerrin A.
    Texas 75080 (US)
  • Payton, Albert P.
    Texas 75048 (US)
  • McIntire, Gregory Dean
    Princeton, Texas 75047 (US)

(74) Representative: Lawrence, John 
Barker Brettell, 138 Hagley Road, Edgbaston
Birmingham B16 9PW
Birmingham B16 9PW (GB)

   


(54) Method and apparatus for controlling cooling with coolant at a subambient pressure


(57) According to one embodiment of the invention a method for controlling cooling of a heat-generating structure disposed in an environment having an ambient pressure includes providing a fluid coolant and reducing the pressure of the coolant to a subambient pressure at which the coolant has a boiling temperature less than a temperature of the heat-generating structure. The method further includes boiling and vaporizing coolant to absorb heat from the heat-generating structure by bringing the coolant into thermal communication with the heat generating structure. The method also includes measuring a parameter indicative of a pressure of the coolant and adjusting the pressure of the coolant in response to control the cooling of the heat-generating structure.
To be accompanied, when published, by Figure 1 of the drawings.







Search report