APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING A FLOW OF A HEAT TRANSFER FLUID IN A MICROENVIRONMENT

摘要

A microenvironment system for use with a heat transfer fluid includes a microenvironment structure and a fluid handling apparatus. The microenvironment structure defines a flow passage to receive a flow of the heat transfer fluid therethrough. The fluid handling apparatus is adapted to provide a flow of the heat transfer fluid through the flow passage. The fluid handling apparatus includes a gas driven pump and a supply of a phase change material (PCM). The gas driven pump is operable to force the flow of the heat transfer fluid through the flow passage. The supply of the PCM is convertible from a solid and/or liquid phase to a gas phase to provide a pressurized drive gas. The fluid handling apparatus is configured to drive the gas driven pump using the pressurized drive gas from the supply of the PCM.