Patent US3643734A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3643734A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Anisotropic heat valve
Assignee: Sanders Nuclear Corp
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Filing: 1968-06-17
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Granted: 1972-02-22
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Expires: 1988-06-17
Abstract
Abstract An anisotropic heat valve is provided for use between a heat source and a heat user to regulate flow of heat from the source to the user. A housing overlies an anisotropic member and means are provided for pivoting the anisotropic member to change the thermal conductivity through the member in one direction and thus provide regulation of heat flow through the valve. The valve is particularly useful in conjunction with radioactive isotopic thermal power sources.
Inventors
- 👤 Nicholas H Deschamps
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 19:25
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21H; G21H1/00; G21H1/10; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S165/00; Y10S165/132; Y10S165/133
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A heat valve for use in interconnecting a thermal source and a heat user to regulate flow of heat from said source to said user, said valve comprising, a housing, a homogenous anisotropic member selected from the group consisting of pyrolytic carbon, pyrolytic boron, pyrolytic nickel and pyrolytic silicon, associated with said housing and haviNg heat conductivity in one direction higher than heat conductivity in a second direction, said anisotropic member having an outer surface in direct sliding contact with an inner surface of said housing at least at two opposing side surfaces thereof, the thermal conductivity of said housing being lower in value than the maximum thermal conductivity of said anisotropic member, and means for pivoting said member with respect to said one direction to change the rate of heat flow through said member in said one direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
A heat valve for use in interconnecting a thermal source and a heat user to regulate flow of heat from said source to said user, said valve comprising, a housing, a homogenous anisotropic member selected from the group consisting of pyrolytic carbon, pyrolytic boron, pyrolytic nickel and pyrolytic silicon, associated with said housing and haviNg heat conductivity in one direction higher than heat conductivity in a second direction, said anisotropic member having an outer surface in direct sliding contact with an inner surface of said housing at least at two opposing side surfaces thereof, the thermal conductivity of said housing being lower in value than the maximum thermal conductivity of said anisotropic member, and means for pivoting said member with respect to said one direction to change the rate of heat flow through said member in said one direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A heat valve in accordance with claim 1 wherein said member is pivoted with respect to said housing to regulate heat flow from one side of said housing to an opposing side of said housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A heat valve in accordance with claim 1 wherein one of said two opposing side surfaces is operatively associated with a thermal source and the second of said two opposing side surfaces is operatively associated with a heat user.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A heat valve in accordance with claim 3 wherein said thermal source is a radioisotopic power source having a power rating of at least 0.5 watts per cubic centimeter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A heat valve in accordance with claim 3 wherein said housing defines two opposing surfaces having negligible thermal conductivity from one surface to the other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A heat valve in accordance with claim 1 wherein said anisotropic member is in the form of a cylinder mounted for rotation about its axis in said housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
A heat valve in accordance with claim 6 wherein said housing comprises walls formed of a metal and a heat insulating means is positioned in said walls to block a heat path through said walls between said opposing side surfaces.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A heat valve in accordance with claim 7 wherein a pivotal crank arm is mounted on a shaft positioned on said axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A heat valve in accordance with claim 7 wherein said heat insulating means comprises an air gap defined by said housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A heat valve in accordance with claim 7 wherein said heat insulating means comprises a low thermal conductivity material and said opposing side surfaces are formed by high thermal conductivity metal members.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
A heat valve in accordance with claim 2 wherein said anisotropic member is in the form of a cylinder, said cylinder being mounted for rotation on a shaft, said means for pivoting said member comprising an actuating rod.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A heat valve in accordance with claim 1 wherein said housing defines opposed high thermal conductivity metal surfaces supported by heat insulating means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3021688A
Cited
US3331432A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-02-21 | 1975-08-23 | 1976-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-21 | 1979-08-23 | 1980-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-21 | 1983-08-23 | 1984-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |