US3589138A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for transporting thermal energy from a lower to higher temperature level
Assignee: US Philips Corp
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Filing: 1969-06-03
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Granted: 1971-06-29
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Expires: 1989-06-03
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus operating with normal and superfluid 4He at temperatures below the -point of liquid helium, for cooling wherein a first superleak through which passes only superfluid 4He, produces a fountain-pump effect which is applied to a second superleak which provides cooling an object within a second enclosure.
Inventors
- 👤 Adrianus Petrus Severijns
- 👤 Frans Adrianus Staas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 01:07
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25B; F25B9/00; F25B9/12; F25J; F25J2215/00; F25J2215/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
A device for transporting thermal energy from a lower to a higher temperature level, characterized in that both temperature levels lie below the temperature of the lambda -point of helium and the device is operable with a supply of 4He at below the lambda -point thereof, the device comprising a circulation duct including a first superleak having one end in communication with the supply of 4He at a temperature which lies below the lambda point and its remote end in communication with the first space for cooling, said space communicates, through a first duct and a cooler in which thermal energy can be withdrawn from the helium at a temperature which lies below the lambda -point, with a second superleak which at its remote end is bounded by a second space in which thermal energy can be supplied to the helium and with which space a second duct communicates, a heating device being arranged in the second space, with which thermal energy can be supplied to the helium at a temperature which is higher than that which prevails in the cooler during operation, the first and the second duct being proportioned so that during operation the medium therein exceeds its critical speed and Turbulence occurs, the device being thermally insulated.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
210 words
A device for transporting thermal energy from a lower to a higher temperature level, characterized in that both temperature levels lie below the temperature of the lambda -point of helium and the device is operable with a supply of 4He at below the lambda -point thereof, the device comprising a circulation duct including a first superleak having one end in communication with the supply of 4He at a temperature which lies below the lambda point and its remote end in communication with the first space for cooling, said space communicates, through a first duct and a cooler in which thermal energy can be withdrawn from the helium at a temperature which lies below the lambda -point, with a second superleak which at its remote end is bounded by a second space in which thermal energy can be supplied to the helium and with which space a second duct communicates, a heating device being arranged in the second space, with which thermal energy can be supplied to the helium at a temperature which is higher than that which prevails in the cooler during operation, the first and the second duct being proportioned so that during operation the medium therein exceeds its critical speed and Turbulence occurs, the device being thermally insulated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
266 words
Apparatus for producing cold to cool an object, the cold produced in a temperature range where both the high and low temperature levels are below the lambda -point of liquid helium, the device operable with a supply of liquid helium maintained at a temperature below the lambda -point thereof whereby said liquid is formed into a mixture of normal 4He and superfluid 4He, the device comprising: a. a first superleak through which passes only superfluid 4He from said liquid helium supply, b. a first enclosure defining a first space in which said object to be cooled is disposable, and into which said superfluid 4He from the superleak is flowable to transfer cold to said object, and wherein said superfluid 4He then becomes a mixture of normal 4He and superfluid 4He, C. a cooler for receiving said mixture from the first space and the withdrawing thermal energy from said mixture, d. a second superleak through which superfluid 4He is flowable from the cooler, e. a second enclosure defining a second space into which superfluid 4He from the second superleak is flowable, f. heating means in the second space for supplying thermal energy at a temperature higher than that in the cooler, for establishing a temperature differential across said second superleak, and g. a discharge duct from said second space to the liquid helium supply, whereby, the thermal energy supplied in the second space results in a fluid flow of superfluid 4He through the second superleak and a fountain pump effect to flow superfluid 4He through the first superleak to the first space for cooling the object therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
266 words
Apparatus for producing cold to cool an object, the cold produced in a temperature range where both the high and low temperature levels are below the lambda -point of liquid helium, the device operable with a supply of liquid helium maintained at a temperature below the lambda -point thereof whereby said liquid is formed into a mixture of normal 4He and superfluid 4He, the device comprising: a. a first superleak through which passes only superfluid 4He from said liquid helium supply, b. a first enclosure defining a first space in which said object to be cooled is disposable, and into which said superfluid 4He from the superleak is flowable to transfer cold to said object, and wherein said superfluid 4He then becomes a mixture of normal 4He and superfluid 4He, C. a cooler for receiving said mixture from the first space and the withdrawing thermal energy from said mixture, d. a second superleak through which superfluid 4He is flowable from the cooler, e. a second enclosure defining a second space into which superfluid 4He from the second superleak is flowable, f. heating means in the second space for supplying thermal energy at a temperature higher than that in the cooler, for establishing a temperature differential across said second superleak, and g. a discharge duct from said second space to the liquid helium supply, whereby, the thermal energy supplied in the second space results in a fluid flow of superfluid 4He through the second superleak and a fountain pump effect to flow superfluid 4He through the first superleak to the first space for cooling the object therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising a first duct connecting the first space and the cooler wherein said discharge and first ducts have internal dimensions proportioned such that the liquid flow therein will be turbulent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising a vacuum-chamber containing said first and second superleaks, said first and second spaces, said heating means and said cooler means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 further comprising a reservoir of liquid 4He at a temperature below the lambda -point thereof, the vacuum-chamber being immersed in said reservoir liquid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising vacuum pump means for establishing a partial vacuum in said reservoir of liquid 4He.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
201 words
A method of cooling an object with a circulation duct including sequentially a first superleak, a first space in which an object to be cooled is disposable, a cooler, a second superleak, and a second space comprising the steps: a. cooling a mixture of liquid helium into components of normal 4He and superfluid 4He, b. heating the second space and thereby establishing a temperature differential across the second superleak, c. maintaining the temperature differential across said second superleak by cooling said cooler at the remote end of the second superleak, thereby causing superfluid 4He to flow through said second superleak, said flow establishing a fountain pumping effect on liquid in the first superleak, d. flowing only the superfluid 4He through the first superleak and thus separating superfluid 4He from normal 4He, e. flowing the superfluid 4He from the first superleak into a first space, f. cooling an object in said first space by transferring thermal energy from said object to said superfluid 4He, the superfluid 4He by absorbing thermal energy then becoming a mixture with normal 4He, and g. flowing said mixture to a cooler and cooling same, with superfluid 4He from said cooler then being flowed through said second superleak.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
201 words
A method of cooling an object with a circulation duct including sequentially a first superleak, a first space in which an object to be cooled is disposable, a cooler, a second superleak, and a second space comprising the steps: a. cooling a mixture of liquid helium into components of normal 4He and superfluid 4He, b. heating the second space and thereby establishing a temperature differential across the second superleak, c. maintaining the temperature differential across said second superleak by cooling said cooler at the remote end of the second superleak, thereby causing superfluid 4He to flow through said second superleak, said flow establishing a fountain pumping effect on liquid in the first superleak, d. flowing only the superfluid 4He through the first superleak and thus separating superfluid 4He from normal 4He, e. flowing the superfluid 4He from the first superleak into a first space, f. cooling an object in said first space by transferring thermal energy from said object to said superfluid 4He, the superfluid 4He by absorbing thermal energy then becoming a mixture with normal 4He, and g. flowing said mixture to a cooler and cooling same, with superfluid 4He from said cooler then being flowed through said second superleak.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-28 | 1974-12-28 | 1975-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-28 | 1978-12-28 | 1979-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-28 | 1982-12-28 | 1983-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |