US3578068A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Temperature responsive passive variable thermal conductance device
Assignee: RTX Corp
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Filing: 1969-06-11
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Granted: 1971-05-11
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Expires: 1989-06-11
Abstract
Abstract Heat conductivity through a device in a given direction is achieved by a pair of relatively rotatable thermal anisotropies having mutual interfacing surfaces of constant area. The overall thermal conductance of the assembly varies with the relative angular position of the elements in response to a temperature responsive element such as a bimetallic spring or a fluid-charged bellows.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel L Elliott
- 👤 Gary D Burr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:01
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28F; F28F13/00; G; G05; G05D; G05D23/00; G05D23/01; F28F2013/005; F28F2013/008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
A temperature-responsive passive variable thermal conductance device comprising: a pair of members defining a heat-conducting path, each of said members having an anisotropic heat transfer characteristic, one of said members surrounded by and rotatably disposed within an area defined by the other of said members, said members having a contiguous proximate interface; and means responsive to temperature for rotating said one member with respect to said other member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
68 words
A temperature-responsive passive variable thermal conductance device comprising: a pair of members defining a heat-conducting path, each of said members having an anisotropic heat transfer characteristic, one of said members surrounded by and rotatably disposed within an area defined by the other of said members, said members having a contiguous proximate interface; and means responsive to temperature for rotating said one member with respect to said other member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
85 words
A temperature-responsive passive variable thermal conductance device comprising: a block having a thermally anisotropic composition and a central bore therethrough; a cylindrical slug having a thermally anisotropic composition rotatably disposed within said block, the outer diameter of said slug being substantially as large as the diameter of said bore, whereby said slug and said block have a continuous interface comprising a small clearance relative to the size of said slug; and means providing relative rotation between the slug and said block in response to temperature.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
85 words
A temperature-responsive passive variable thermal conductance device comprising: a block having a thermally anisotropic composition and a central bore therethrough; a cylindrical slug having a thermally anisotropic composition rotatably disposed within said block, the outer diameter of said slug being substantially as large as the diameter of said bore, whereby said slug and said block have a continuous interface comprising a small clearance relative to the size of said slug; and means providing relative rotation between the slug and said block in response to temperature.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
A variable thermal conductance device comprising: a first thermally anisotropic member; a second thermally anisotropic member disposed for angular rotation with respect to said first member, said members being so configured, oriented and disposed that different angular positions therebetween result solely in differing orientations of the anisotropies thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
A variable thermal conductance device comprising: a first thermally anisotropic member; a second thermally anisotropic member disposed for angular rotation with respect to said first member, said members being so configured, oriented and disposed that different angular positions therebetween result solely in differing orientations of the anisotropies thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device according to claim 3 further comprising: means for rotating one of said members with respect to the other of said members in response to temperatures.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device according to claim 3 further comprising: means for angularly positioning one of said members with respect to the other of said members in response to temperature.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein said temperature responsive means comprises a thermally flexing spiral spring having its proximal end disposed on said slug and its distal end disposed on said block.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said temperature responsive means comprises a fluid-charged bellows having one end connected to said block and the other end connected to said slug.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device aCcording to claim 4 wherein said temperature responsive means comprises a thermally flexing spiral spring having its proximal end disposed on said slug and its distal end disposed on said block.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said temperature responsive means comprises a fluid-charged bellows having one end connected to said block and the other end connected to said slug.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3377941A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-10 | 1974-11-09 | 1975-05-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-10 | 1978-11-09 | 1979-05-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-10 | 1982-11-09 | 1983-05-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |