Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
A heat transfer surface structure comprising: a heat source surface; a quantity of vaporizable liquid and its vapor; a capillary matrix wet by the liquid and having at least a first surface portion in thermal contact with the heat source surface, a second surface portion in contact with the vaporizable liquid, and a third surface portion from which the principal vaporization of liquid from the capillary matrix takes place, said third surface portion being arranged as a multiplicity of regional areas of vaporization spaced sufficiently closely to each other and to the first surface portion that the volume of the capillary matrix through which the liquid must pass between the second surface portion and the third surface portion remains liquid filled; a multiplicity of vapor passages sufficiently larger than the capillary size of the capillary matrix to be vapor filled, said vapor passages being in vapor communication between the regional areas of vaporization of the third surface portion and a region external to the capillary matrix away from which vapor can flow, and wherein a multiplicity of said vapor passages are embedded substantially into the capillary matrix material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
A heat transfer surface structure comprising: a heat source surface; a quantity of vaporizable liquid and its vapor; a capillary matrix wet by the liquid and having at least a first surface portion in thermal contact with the heat source surface, a second surface portion in contact with the vaporizable liquid, and a third surface portion from which the principal vaporization of liquid from the capillary matrix takes place, said third surface portion being arranged as a multiplicity of regional areas of vaporization spaced sufficiently closely to each other and to the first surface portion that the volume of the capillary matrix through which the liquid must pass between the second surface portion and the third surface portion remains liquid filled; a multiplicity of vapor passages sufficiently larger than the capillary size of the capillary matrix to be vapor filled, said vapor passages being in vapor communication between the regional areas of vaporization of the third surface portion and a region external to the capillary matrix away from which vapor can flow, and wherein a multiplicity of said vapor passages are embedded substantially into the capillary matrix material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said regional areas of vaporization are spaced apart by less than 0.1 inch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A structure as defined in claim 1 wherein the first surface portion is substantially uniformly separated throughout its extent from the second surface portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
176 words
A heat transfer surface structure comprising: a heat source surface; a quantity of vaporizable liquid and its vapor; a capillary matrix wet by the liquid and having at least a first surface portion in thermal contact with the heat source surface, a second surface portion in contact with the vaporizable liquid, and a third surface portion from which the principal vaporization of liquid from the capillary matrix takes place, said third surface portion being arranged as a multiplicity of regional areas of vaporization spaced sufficiently closely to each other and to the first surface portion that the volume of the capillary matrix through which the liquid must pass between the second surface portion and the third surface portion remains liquid filled; a multiplicity of vapor passages sufficiently larger than the capillary size of the capillary matrix to be vapor filled, said vapor passages being in vapor communication from the regional areas of vaporization of the third surface portion through the capillary matrix to a region external to the capillary matrix away from which vapor can flow.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
176 words
A heat transfer surface structure comprising: a heat source surface; a quantity of vaporizable liquid and its vapor; a capillary matrix wet by the liquid and having at least a first surface portion in thermal contact with the heat source surface, a second surface portion in contact with the vaporizable liquid, and a third surface portion from which the principal vaporization of liquid from the capillary matrix takes place, said third surface portion being arranged as a multiplicity of regional areas of vaporization spaced sufficiently closely to each other and to the first surface portion that the volume of the capillary matrix through which the liquid must pass between the second surface portion and the third surface portion remains liquid filled; a multiplicity of vapor passages sufficiently larger than the capillary size of the capillary matrix to be vapor filled, said vapor passages being in vapor communication from the regional areas of vaporization of the third surface portion through the capillary matrix to a region external to the capillary matrix away from which vapor can flow.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A structure as defined in claim 4 wherein said regional areas of vaporization are spaced apart by less than 0.1 inch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A structure as defined in claim 4 wherein the capillary matrix comprises a plurality of bodies of capillary material separated at least in part by intervening vapor passages.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A structure as defined in claim 4 wherein the first surface portion is substantially uniformly separated throughout its extent from the second surface portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
173 words
A heat transfer surface structure comprising: a heat source surface; a quantity of vaporizable liquid and its vapor; a capillary matrix wet by the liquid and having at least a first surface portion in thermal contact with the heat source surface, a second surface portion in contact with the vaporizable liquid, and a third surface portion from which the principal vaporization of liquid from the capillary matrix takes place, said third surface portion being arranged as a multiplicity of regional areas of vaporization spaced apart less than 0.1 inch and sufficiently close to the first surface portion that the volume of the capillary matrix through which the liquid must pass between the second surface portion and the third surface portion remain liquid filled; and a multiplicity of vapor passages sufficiently larger than the capillary size of the capillary matrix to be vapor filled, said vapor passages being in vapor communication between the regional areas of the third surface portion and a region external to the capillary matrix away from which vapor can flow.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
173 words
A heat transfer surface structure comprising: a heat source surface; a quantity of vaporizable liquid and its vapor; a capillary matrix wet by the liquid and having at least a first surface portion in thermal contact with the heat source surface, a second surface portion in contact with the vaporizable liquid, and a third surface portion from which the principal vaporization of liquid from the capillary matrix takes place, said third surface portion being arranged as a multiplicity of regional areas of vaporization spaced apart less than 0.1 inch and sufficiently close to the first surface portion that the volume of the capillary matrix through which the liquid must pass between the second surface portion and the third surface portion remain liquid filled; and a multiplicity of vapor passages sufficiently larger than the capillary size of the capillary matrix to be vapor filled, said vapor passages being in vapor communication between the regional areas of the third surface portion and a region external to the capillary matrix away from which vapor can flow.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
A structure as defined in claim 8 wherein said capillary matrix comprises: a first volumetric portion relatively nearer the first surface portion and having a relatively higher thermal conductivity; and a second volumetric portion relatively further from the first surface portion and having a relatively lower thermal conductivity.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
202 words
A heat transfer surface structure comprising: a heat source surface; a quantity of vaporizable liquid and its vapor; a capillary matrix wet by the liquid and having at least a first surface portion in thermal contact with the heat source surface, a second surface portion in contact with the vaporizable liquid, and a third surface portion from which the principal vaporization of liquid from the capillary matrix takes place, said third surface portion being arranged as a multiplicity of regional areas of vaporization spaced sufficiently closely to each other and to the first surface portion that the volume of the capillary matrix through which the liquid must pass between the second surface portion and the third surface portion remains liquid filled; a multiplicity of vapor passages sufficiently larger than the capillary size of the capillary matrix to be vapor filled, said vapor passages further comprising: a first multiplicity of passages spaced relatively more closely together and situated for receiving vapor from the regional areas of vaporization; and a second multiplicity of passages spaced relatively less closely together and in vapor communication between the first multiplicity of passages and a region external to the capillary matrix away from which the vapor can flow.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
202 words
A heat transfer surface structure comprising: a heat source surface; a quantity of vaporizable liquid and its vapor; a capillary matrix wet by the liquid and having at least a first surface portion in thermal contact with the heat source surface, a second surface portion in contact with the vaporizable liquid, and a third surface portion from which the principal vaporization of liquid from the capillary matrix takes place, said third surface portion being arranged as a multiplicity of regional areas of vaporization spaced sufficiently closely to each other and to the first surface portion that the volume of the capillary matrix through which the liquid must pass between the second surface portion and the third surface portion remains liquid filled; a multiplicity of vapor passages sufficiently larger than the capillary size of the capillary matrix to be vapor filled, said vapor passages further comprising: a first multiplicity of passages spaced relatively more closely together and situated for receiving vapor from the regional areas of vaporization; and a second multiplicity of passages spaced relatively less closely together and in vapor communication between the first multiplicity of passages and a region external to the capillary matrix away from which the vapor can flow.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A structure as defined in claim 10 wherein said regional areas of vaporization are spaced apart by less than 0.1 inch.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
61 words
A structure as defined in claim 10 wherein the capillary matrix further comprises: a first volumetric portion relatively nearer the first surface portion and having a relatively larger effective capillary surface to volume ratio delta , and a second volumetric portion relatively further from the first surface portion and having a relatively smaller effective capillary surface to volume ratio delta .
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
223 words
A heat transfer surface structure comprising: a heat source surface; a quantity of vaporizable liquid and its vapor; a capillary matrix wet by the liquid and having at least a first surface portion in thermal contact with the heat source surface, a second surface portion in contact with the vaporizable liquid, and a third surface portion from which the principal vaporization of liquid from the capillary matrix takes place, said third surface portion being arranged as a multiplicity of regional areas of vaporization spaced sufficiently closely to each other and to the first surface portion that the volume of the capillary matrix through which the liquid must pass between the second surface portion and the third surface portion remains liquid filled, and further comprising a first volumetric portion relatively nearer the first surface portion and having a relatively larger effective capillary surface to volume ratio delta and a second volumetric portion relatively further from the first surface portion and having a relatively smaller effective capillary surface to volume ratio delta , and a multiplicity of vapor passages sufficiently larger than the capillary size of the capillary matrix to be vapor filled, said vapor passages being in vapor communication between the regional areas of vaporization of the third surface portion and a region external to the capillary matrix away from which vapor can flow.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
223 words
A heat transfer surface structure comprising: a heat source surface; a quantity of vaporizable liquid and its vapor; a capillary matrix wet by the liquid and having at least a first surface portion in thermal contact with the heat source surface, a second surface portion in contact with the vaporizable liquid, and a third surface portion from which the principal vaporization of liquid from the capillary matrix takes place, said third surface portion being arranged as a multiplicity of regional areas of vaporization spaced sufficiently closely to each other and to the first surface portion that the volume of the capillary matrix through which the liquid must pass between the second surface portion and the third surface portion remains liquid filled, and further comprising a first volumetric portion relatively nearer the first surface portion and having a relatively larger effective capillary surface to volume ratio delta and a second volumetric portion relatively further from the first surface portion and having a relatively smaller effective capillary surface to volume ratio delta , and a multiplicity of vapor passages sufficiently larger than the capillary size of the capillary matrix to be vapor filled, said vapor passages being in vapor communication between the regional areas of vaporization of the third surface portion and a region external to the capillary matrix away from which vapor can flow.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
49 words
A structure as defined in claim 13 wherein said capillary matrix further comprises: a first volumetric portion relatively nearer the first surface portion and having a relativelY higher thermal conductivity; and a second volumetric portion relatively further from the first surface portion and having a relatively lower thermal conductivity.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
211 words
A heat transfer surface structure comprising: a heat source surface; a quantity of vaporizable liquid and its vapor; a capillary matrix wet by the liquid and having at least a first surface portion in thermal contact with the heat source surface, a second surface portion in contact with the vaporizable liquid, and a third surface portion from which the principal vaporization of liquid from the capillary matrix takes place, said third surface portion being arranged as a multiplicity of regional areas of vaporization spaced sufficiently closely to each other and to the first surface portion that the volume of the capillary matrix through which the liquid must pass between the second surface portion and the third surface portion remains liquid filled, and further comprising a first volumetric portion relatively nearer the first surface portion having a relatively higher thermal conductivity and a second volumetric portion relatively further from the first surface portion and having a relatively lower thermal conductivity; and a multiplicity of vapor passages sufficiently larger than the capillary size of the capillary matrix to be vapor filled, said vapor passages being in vapor communication between the regional areas of vaporization of the third surface portion and a region external to the capillary matrix away from which vapor can flow.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
211 words
A heat transfer surface structure comprising: a heat source surface; a quantity of vaporizable liquid and its vapor; a capillary matrix wet by the liquid and having at least a first surface portion in thermal contact with the heat source surface, a second surface portion in contact with the vaporizable liquid, and a third surface portion from which the principal vaporization of liquid from the capillary matrix takes place, said third surface portion being arranged as a multiplicity of regional areas of vaporization spaced sufficiently closely to each other and to the first surface portion that the volume of the capillary matrix through which the liquid must pass between the second surface portion and the third surface portion remains liquid filled, and further comprising a first volumetric portion relatively nearer the first surface portion having a relatively higher thermal conductivity and a second volumetric portion relatively further from the first surface portion and having a relatively lower thermal conductivity; and a multiplicity of vapor passages sufficiently larger than the capillary size of the capillary matrix to be vapor filled, said vapor passages being in vapor communication between the regional areas of vaporization of the third surface portion and a region external to the capillary matrix away from which vapor can flow.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
A structure as defined in claim 15 wherein the first surface portion is substantially uniformly separated throughout its extent from the second surface portion.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
201 words
A heat transfer surface structure comprising: a heat source surface; a quantity of vaporizable liquid and its vapor; a capillary matrix wet by the liquid and having at least a first surface portion in thermal contact with the heat source surface, a second surface portion in contact with the vaporizable liquid, and a third surface portion from which the principal vaporization of liquid from the capillary matrix takes place, said third surface portion being arranged as a multiplicity of regional areas of vaporization spaced sufficiently closely to each other and to the first surface portion that the volume of the capillary matrix through which the liquid must pass between the second surface portion and the third surface portion remains liquid filled; a multiplicity of vapor passages sufficiently larger than the capillary size of the capillary matrix to be vapor filled, said vapor passages being in vapor communication between the regional areas of vaporization of the third surface portion and a region external to the capillary matrix away from which vapor can flow; means for thermally insulating the fluid adjacent the second surface portion of the capillary matrix from portions of the external ambient environment having a higher temperature than said fluid.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
201 words
A heat transfer surface structure comprising: a heat source surface; a quantity of vaporizable liquid and its vapor; a capillary matrix wet by the liquid and having at least a first surface portion in thermal contact with the heat source surface, a second surface portion in contact with the vaporizable liquid, and a third surface portion from which the principal vaporization of liquid from the capillary matrix takes place, said third surface portion being arranged as a multiplicity of regional areas of vaporization spaced sufficiently closely to each other and to the first surface portion that the volume of the capillary matrix through which the liquid must pass between the second surface portion and the third surface portion remains liquid filled; a multiplicity of vapor passages sufficiently larger than the capillary size of the capillary matrix to be vapor filled, said vapor passages being in vapor communication between the regional areas of vaporization of the third surface portion and a region external to the capillary matrix away from which vapor can flow; means for thermally insulating the fluid adjacent the second surface portion of the capillary matrix from portions of the external ambient environment having a higher temperature than said fluid.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
217 words
A heat transfer surface structure comprising: a heat source surface; a quantity of vaporizable liquid and its vapor; a capillary matrix wet by the liquid and having at least a first surface portion in thermal contact with the heat source surface, a second surface portion in contact with the vaporizable liquid, and a third surface portion from which the principal vaporization of liquid from the capillary matrix takes place, said third surface portion being arranged as a multiplicity of regional areas of vaporization spaced sufficiently closely to each other and to the first surface portion that the volume of the capillary matrix through which the liquid must pass between the second surface portion and the third surface portion remains liquid filled; a multiplicity of vapor passages sufficiently larger than the capillary size of the capillary matrix to be vapor filled, said vapor passages being in vapor communication between the regional areas of vaporization of the third surface portion anD a region external to the capillary matrix away from which vapor can flow; means for removing heat from the fluid adjacent the second surface portion of the capillary matrix, said means being capable of removing said heat even when, without said means, the region surrounding said fluid would have at least as high a temperature as the fluid.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
217 words
A heat transfer surface structure comprising: a heat source surface; a quantity of vaporizable liquid and its vapor; a capillary matrix wet by the liquid and having at least a first surface portion in thermal contact with the heat source surface, a second surface portion in contact with the vaporizable liquid, and a third surface portion from which the principal vaporization of liquid from the capillary matrix takes place, said third surface portion being arranged as a multiplicity of regional areas of vaporization spaced sufficiently closely to each other and to the first surface portion that the volume of the capillary matrix through which the liquid must pass between the second surface portion and the third surface portion remains liquid filled; a multiplicity of vapor passages sufficiently larger than the capillary size of the capillary matrix to be vapor filled, said vapor passages being in vapor communication between the regional areas of vaporization of the third surface portion anD a region external to the capillary matrix away from which vapor can flow; means for removing heat from the fluid adjacent the second surface portion of the capillary matrix, said means being capable of removing said heat even when, without said means, the region surrounding said fluid would have at least as high a temperature as the fluid.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
189 words
A heat transfer surface structure comprising: a heat source surface; a quantity of vaporizable liquid and its vapor; a capillary matrix wet by the liquid and having at least a first surface portion in thermal contact with the heat source surface, a second surface portion in contact with the vaporizable liquid, and a third surface portion from which the principal vaporization of liquid from the capillary matrix takes place, said third surface portion being arranged as a multiplicity of regional areas of vaporization spaced sufficiently closely to each other and to the first surface portion that the volume of the capillary matrix through which the liquid must pass between the second surface portion and the third surface portion remains liquid filled; a multiplicity of vapor passages sufficiently larger than the capillary size of the capillary matrix to be vapor filled, said vapor passages being in vapor communication between the regional areas of vaporization of the third surface portion and a region external to the capillary matrix away from which vapor can flow; active means for removing heat from the fluid adjacent the second surface portion of the capillary matrix.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
189 words
A heat transfer surface structure comprising: a heat source surface; a quantity of vaporizable liquid and its vapor; a capillary matrix wet by the liquid and having at least a first surface portion in thermal contact with the heat source surface, a second surface portion in contact with the vaporizable liquid, and a third surface portion from which the principal vaporization of liquid from the capillary matrix takes place, said third surface portion being arranged as a multiplicity of regional areas of vaporization spaced sufficiently closely to each other and to the first surface portion that the volume of the capillary matrix through which the liquid must pass between the second surface portion and the third surface portion remains liquid filled; a multiplicity of vapor passages sufficiently larger than the capillary size of the capillary matrix to be vapor filled, said vapor passages being in vapor communication between the regional areas of vaporization of the third surface portion and a region external to the capillary matrix away from which vapor can flow; active means for removing heat from the fluid adjacent the second surface portion of the capillary matrix.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
A structure as defined in claim 19 wherein the active means for removing heat comprises a heat pipe.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
A structure as defined in claim 19 wherein the active means for removing heat comprises a thermoelectric cooling device.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
139 words
A heat transfer surface structure comprising: a heat sink surface; a quantity of fluid consisting of a vaporizable liquid and its vapor; a capillary matrix wet by the liquid and having at least a first surface portion in thermal contact with the heat sink surface, a second surface portion through which the fluid is withdrawn from the capillary matrix, and a third surface portion at which the principal condensation of vapor takes place; said third surface portion being arranged as a multiplicity of regional areas of condensation; a multiplicity of vapor passages sufficiently larger than the capillary size of the capillary matrix to be vapor filled; said vapor passages being in vapor communication between the regional areas of condensation of the third surface portion and a region external to the capillary matrix from which the vapor passages receive vapor.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
139 words
A heat transfer surface structure comprising: a heat sink surface; a quantity of fluid consisting of a vaporizable liquid and its vapor; a capillary matrix wet by the liquid and having at least a first surface portion in thermal contact with the heat sink surface, a second surface portion through which the fluid is withdrawn from the capillary matrix, and a third surface portion at which the principal condensation of vapor takes place; said third surface portion being arranged as a multiplicity of regional areas of condensation; a multiplicity of vapor passages sufficiently larger than the capillary size of the capillary matrix to be vapor filled; said vapor passages being in vapor communication between the regional areas of condensation of the third surface portion and a region external to the capillary matrix from which the vapor passages receive vapor.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
A structure as defined in claim 22 wherein a multiplicity of said vapor passages are embedded substantially into the capillary matrix material.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
43 words
A structure as defined in claim 22 wherein a multiplicity of said vapor passages are in vapor communication from the regional areas of condensation through the capillary matrix to the region external to the capillary matrix from which the vapor passages receive vapor.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
A structure as defined in claim 22 wherein said regional areas of condensation are spaced apart by less than 0.1 inch.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
71 words
A structure as defined in claim 22 wherein said vapor passages further comprise: a first multiplicity of passages spaced relatively more closely together and so as to deliver vapor to the regional areas of condensation; and a second multiplicity of passages spaced relatively less closely together and in vapor communication between the first multiplicity of passages and the region external to the capillary matrix from which the vapor passages receive vapor.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
40 words
A structure as defined in claim 22 further comprising means for maintaining the pressure of the liquid in the capillaries of the capillary matrix lower than the pressure of the vapor adjacent the third surface portion of the capillary matrix.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
48 words
A structure as defined in claim 22 wherein said capillary matrix comprises: a first volumetric portion relatively nearer the first surface portion and having a relatively higher thermal conductivity; and a second volumetric portion relatively further from the first surface portion and having a relatively lower thermal conductivity.