Idea: Bringing Computer Cooling into the Automotive world
In college I used to be a computer nut, I still am but not like I used to. I was into major overclocking and customization of desktop PC's. One way in which to bring CPU temps down really low, I mean to about -22C. The process is known as Phase-Change, it cools the CPU down so far it allows it to reach insane speeds without getting hot. An idea popped in my head and wondered why we couldn't use computer cooling technology on an automobile. I mean it's pretty much a closed loop system in both that transfer heat powered by water pumps, right?
The next step that's less extreme is using what's called a Peltier or TEC module. It doesn't get as cold as staged Phase Change but the modules are no bigger than a CPU processor and you can reach cool-side temps of about 0 -5C (some even down to -60C). Now the colder you go the hotter the other side will be. Since we're not dealing with confined spaces like a computer case, the hot side doesn't even matter that much. The only thing you'd have to worry about is plastic parts close by that could melt.
So, I bring the idea to you all and to some of you computer guru's. How would a TEC cooled coolant reservoir sound? It could get the coolant substantially cooler before going into it's loop (heck it might actually get heated up while it's in the loop) maybe providing more power by keeping the supercharger and engine cool
Best of all is that they are pretty inexpensive, $30 max for a good one. Let me know your ideas, thoughts
Last edited by GatorLCA; May 23, 2008 at 06:19 PM.