US3661202A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Heat transfer apparatus with improved heat transfer surface
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-05-14
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Granted: 1972-05-09
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Expires: 1991-05-14
Abstract
Abstract A heat transfer device, defined here as a heat link, having a capillary vaporizer adjacent a heat source, transfers heat to a heat sink by vaporization and condensation of a heat transfer fluid within the device. A first passage is provided for conveying vapor from the capillary vaporizer to the heat sink. Another passage which is essentially a continuation of the first passage, conveys condensed liquid from the heat sink to the vaporizer, thus allowing the distance that the liquid must flow through capillary material to be quite short. Contact of the returning liquid with the surface of the vaporizer is assured by providing means for maintaining the temperature of the liquid in the return line at a sufficiently low temperature that any vapor will condense; or, alternatively, by having means for extracting any vapor formed in the returning liquid. In this manner, the heat link operates with high heat flux without any substantial resistance to liquid flow through a long capillary flow path. By thus replacing almost all of the liquid return wick, with its high resistance to fluid flow, of heat pipes with a low flow resistance liquid passage or conduit, the heat flux capacity of the heat link is greatly increased over that of the heat pipe while the quantity of porous material used and the heat link weight are considerably reduced so that a heat link typically has 10 to 1,000 times the heat flux capacity of a heat pipe having the same weight. ''''Boosted'''' embodiments of the heat link employing additional means for circulating the fluid, such as vapor jet pumps, powered at least in part by vapor from the capillary vaporizer, are also described. Some ''''boosted'''' heat links are capable of handling heat fluxes in the multi-megawatt range while having no moving parts except for check valves and the fluid itself.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert David Moore Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 23:21
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28D; F28D15/00; F28D15/02; F28D15/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
268 words
Heat transfer apparatus comprising: a vaporizer of capillary material having a first surface portion in thermal contact with a heat source, a second surface portion, and a third surface portion; a partly condensed fluid, a portion of said fluid being liquid and another portion being vapor, said liquid wetting said vaporizer capillary material; wall means defining a passage extending between the second surface portion of the vaporizer and the third surface portion of the vaporizer with a heat sink region therebetween, whereby fluid traversing the passage is in thermal contact with the heat sink region in said intermediate passage, for preventing vapor from flowing from the third surface portion to the second surface portion of the vaporizer without passing through said heat sink region; the second surface portion of the vaporizer receiving liquid from the portion of the passage extending to it; the third surface portion of the vaporizer comprising a multiplicity of vaporizing surface regions; an said passage further comprising a multiplicity of intermediate branch vapor passages extending between the vaporizing surface regions and the balance of the passage; said vapor being released from vaporizing surface regions into branch vapor passages at a higher pressure than that of the liquid entering the second surface portion; and wherein a sufficient area of the second surface portion is sufficiently close to the first and third surface portions of the vaporizer that the mean distance the liquid flows through capillary material is substantially less than the mean distance the fluid flows through the passage; and wherein a multiplicity of said branch vapor passages are embedded substantially into the capillary material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
268 words
Heat transfer apparatus comprising: a vaporizer of capillary material having a first surface portion in thermal contact with a heat source, a second surface portion, and a third surface portion; a partly condensed fluid, a portion of said fluid being liquid and another portion being vapor, said liquid wetting said vaporizer capillary material; wall means defining a passage extending between the second surface portion of the vaporizer and the third surface portion of the vaporizer with a heat sink region therebetween, whereby fluid traversing the passage is in thermal contact with the heat sink region in said intermediate passage, for preventing vapor from flowing from the third surface portion to the second surface portion of the vaporizer without passing through said heat sink region; the second surface portion of the vaporizer receiving liquid from the portion of the passage extending to it; the third surface portion of the vaporizer comprising a multiplicity of vaporizing surface regions; an said passage further comprising a multiplicity of intermediate branch vapor passages extending between the vaporizing surface regions and the balance of the passage; said vapor being released from vaporizing surface regions into branch vapor passages at a higher pressure than that of the liquid entering the second surface portion; and wherein a sufficient area of the second surface portion is sufficiently close to the first and third surface portions of the vaporizer that the mean distance the liquid flows through capillary material is substantially less than the mean distance the fluid flows through the passage; and wherein a multiplicity of said branch vapor passages are embedded substantially into the capillary material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said vaporizing surface regions are spaced apart by less than 0.1 inch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus 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
266 words
Heat transfer apparatus comprising: a vaporizer of capillary material having a first surface portion in thermal contact with a heat source, a second surface portion, and a third surface portion: a partly condensed fluid, a portion of said fluid being liquid and another portion being vapor, said liquid wetting said vaporizer capillary material; wall means defining a passage extending between the second surface portion of the vaporizer and the third surface portion of the vaporizer with a heat sink region therebetween, whereby fluid traversing the passage is in thermal contact with the heat sink region in said intermediate passage, for preventing vapor from flowing from the third surface portion to the second surface portion of the vaporizer without passing through said heat sink region; the second surface portion of the vaporizer receiving liquid from the portion of thE passage extending to it; the third surface portion of the vaporizer comprising a multiplicity of vaporizing surface regions; and said passage further comprising a multiplicity of intermediate branch vapor passages extending between the vaporizing surface regions and the balance of the passage; said vapor being released from vaporizing surface regions into branch vapor passages at a higher pressure than that of the liquid entering the second surface portion; and wherein a sufficient area of the second surface portion is sufficiently close to the first and third surface portions of the vaporizer that the mean distance the liquid flows through capillary material is substantially less than the mean distance the fluid flows through the passage; and wherein a multiplicity of said branch vapor passages pass through vaporizer capillary material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
266 words
Heat transfer apparatus comprising: a vaporizer of capillary material having a first surface portion in thermal contact with a heat source, a second surface portion, and a third surface portion: a partly condensed fluid, a portion of said fluid being liquid and another portion being vapor, said liquid wetting said vaporizer capillary material; wall means defining a passage extending between the second surface portion of the vaporizer and the third surface portion of the vaporizer with a heat sink region therebetween, whereby fluid traversing the passage is in thermal contact with the heat sink region in said intermediate passage, for preventing vapor from flowing from the third surface portion to the second surface portion of the vaporizer without passing through said heat sink region; the second surface portion of the vaporizer receiving liquid from the portion of thE passage extending to it; the third surface portion of the vaporizer comprising a multiplicity of vaporizing surface regions; and said passage further comprising a multiplicity of intermediate branch vapor passages extending between the vaporizing surface regions and the balance of the passage; said vapor being released from vaporizing surface regions into branch vapor passages at a higher pressure than that of the liquid entering the second surface portion; and wherein a sufficient area of the second surface portion is sufficiently close to the first and third surface portions of the vaporizer that the mean distance the liquid flows through capillary material is substantially less than the mean distance the fluid flows through the passage; and wherein a multiplicity of said branch vapor passages pass through vaporizer capillary material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein the vaporizer comprises a multiplicity of bodies of capillary material separated at least in part by intervening vapor passages.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
258 words
Heat transfer apparatus comprising: a vaporizer of capillary material having a first surface portion in thermal contact with a heat source, a second surface portion, and a third surface portion; a partly condensed fluid, a portion of said fluid being liquid and another portion being vapor, said liquid wetting said vaporizer capillary material; wall means defining a passage extending between the second surface portion of the vaporizer and the third surface portion of the vaporizer with a heat sink region therebetween, whereby fluid traversing the passage is in thermal contact with the heat sink region in said intermediate passage, for preventing vapor from flowing from the third surface portion to the second surface portion of the vaporizer without passing through said heat sink region; the second surface portion of the vaporizer receiving liquid from the portion of the passage extending to it; the third surface portion of the vaporizer comprising a multiplicity of vaporizing surface regions spaced apart less than 0.1 inch; and said passage further comprising a multiplicity of intermediate branch vapor passages extending between the vaporizing surface regions and the balance of the passage; said vapor being released from vaporizing surface regions into branch vapor passages at a higher pressure than that of the liquid entering the second surface portion; and wherein a sufficient area of the second surface portion is sufficiently close to the first and third surface portions of the vaporizer that the mean distance the liquid flows through capillary material is substantially less than the mean distance the fluid flows through the passage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
258 words
Heat transfer apparatus comprising: a vaporizer of capillary material having a first surface portion in thermal contact with a heat source, a second surface portion, and a third surface portion; a partly condensed fluid, a portion of said fluid being liquid and another portion being vapor, said liquid wetting said vaporizer capillary material; wall means defining a passage extending between the second surface portion of the vaporizer and the third surface portion of the vaporizer with a heat sink region therebetween, whereby fluid traversing the passage is in thermal contact with the heat sink region in said intermediate passage, for preventing vapor from flowing from the third surface portion to the second surface portion of the vaporizer without passing through said heat sink region; the second surface portion of the vaporizer receiving liquid from the portion of the passage extending to it; the third surface portion of the vaporizer comprising a multiplicity of vaporizing surface regions spaced apart less than 0.1 inch; and said passage further comprising a multiplicity of intermediate branch vapor passages extending between the vaporizing surface regions and the balance of the passage; said vapor being released from vaporizing surface regions into branch vapor passages at a higher pressure than that of the liquid entering the second surface portion; and wherein a sufficient area of the second surface portion is sufficiently close to the first and third surface portions of the vaporizer that the mean distance the liquid flows through capillary material is substantially less than the mean distance the fluid flows through the passage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein the vaporizer comprises: a first volumetric portion of capillary material relatively nearer the first surface portion and having a relatively higher thermal conductivity; and a second volumetric portion of capillary material relatively further from the first surface portion and having a relatively lower thermal conductivity.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
308 words
Heat transfer apparatus comprising: a vaporizer of capillary material having a first surface portion in thermal contact with a heat source, a second surface portion, and a third surface portion; a partly condensed fluid, a portion of said fluid being liquid and another portion being vapor, said liquid wetting said vaporizer capillary material; wall means defining a passage extending between the second surface portion of the vaporizer and the third surface portion of the vaporizer with a heat sink region therebetween, whereby fluid traversing the passage is in thermal contact with the heat sink region in said intermediate passage, for preventing vapor from flowing from the third surface portion to the second surface portion of the vaporizer without passing through said heat sink region; the second surface portion of the vaporizer receiving liquid from the portion of the passage Extending to it; the third surface portion of the vaporizer comprising a multiplicity of vaporizing surface regions; and said passage further comprising a multiplicity of intermediate branch vapor passages extending between the vaporizing surface regions and the balance of the passage; said vapor being released from vaporizing surface regions into branch vapor passages at a higher pressure than that of the liquid entering the second surface portion; and where a sufficient area of the second surface portion close is sufficiently close the first and third surface portions of the vaporizer that the mean distance the liquid flows through capillary material is substantially less than the mean distance the fluid flows through the passage; and said branch passages further comprising: a first multiplicity of passages spaced relatively more closely together an situated so as to receive vapor from the vaporizing surface regions; and a second multiplicity of passages spaced relatively less closely together and in fluid communication between the first plurality of passages and the undivided portion of the passage.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
308 words
Heat transfer apparatus comprising: a vaporizer of capillary material having a first surface portion in thermal contact with a heat source, a second surface portion, and a third surface portion; a partly condensed fluid, a portion of said fluid being liquid and another portion being vapor, said liquid wetting said vaporizer capillary material; wall means defining a passage extending between the second surface portion of the vaporizer and the third surface portion of the vaporizer with a heat sink region therebetween, whereby fluid traversing the passage is in thermal contact with the heat sink region in said intermediate passage, for preventing vapor from flowing from the third surface portion to the second surface portion of the vaporizer without passing through said heat sink region; the second surface portion of the vaporizer receiving liquid from the portion of the passage Extending to it; the third surface portion of the vaporizer comprising a multiplicity of vaporizing surface regions; and said passage further comprising a multiplicity of intermediate branch vapor passages extending between the vaporizing surface regions and the balance of the passage; said vapor being released from vaporizing surface regions into branch vapor passages at a higher pressure than that of the liquid entering the second surface portion; and where a sufficient area of the second surface portion close is sufficiently close the first and third surface portions of the vaporizer that the mean distance the liquid flows through capillary material is substantially less than the mean distance the fluid flows through the passage; and said branch passages further comprising: a first multiplicity of passages spaced relatively more closely together an situated so as to receive vapor from the vaporizing surface regions; and a second multiplicity of passages spaced relatively less closely together and in fluid communication between the first plurality of passages and the undivided portion of the passage.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
281 words
Heat transfer apparatus comprising: a vaporizer of capillary material having a first surface portion in thermal contact with a heat source, a second surface portion, and a third surface portion, and further comprising a first volumetric portion relatively nearer the first surface portion and having a relatively larger capillary surface to volume ratio delta and a second volumetric portion relatively further from the first surface portion and having a relatively smaller effective surface to volume ratio delta ; a partly condensed fluid, a portion of said fluid being liquid and another portion being vapor, said liquid wetting said vaporizer capillary material; wall means defining a passage extending between the second surface portion of the vaporizer and the third surface portion of the vaporizer with a heat sink region therebetween, whereby fluid traversing the passage is in thermal contact with the heat sink region in said intermediate passage, for preventing vapor from flowing from the third surface portion to the second surface portion of the vaporizer without passing through said heat sink region; the second surface portion of the vaporizer receiving liquid from the portion of the passage extending to it and the third surface portion of the vaporizer releasing vapor into another portion of the passage extending to it, said vapor being released from the third surface portion of the vaporizer at a higher pressure than that of the liquid entering the second surface portion; and wherein a sufficient area of the second surface portion is sufficiently close to the first and third surface portions of the vaporizer that the mean distance the liquid flows through capillary material is substantially less than the mean distance the fluid flows through the passage.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
281 words
Heat transfer apparatus comprising: a vaporizer of capillary material having a first surface portion in thermal contact with a heat source, a second surface portion, and a third surface portion, and further comprising a first volumetric portion relatively nearer the first surface portion and having a relatively larger capillary surface to volume ratio delta and a second volumetric portion relatively further from the first surface portion and having a relatively smaller effective surface to volume ratio delta ; a partly condensed fluid, a portion of said fluid being liquid and another portion being vapor, said liquid wetting said vaporizer capillary material; wall means defining a passage extending between the second surface portion of the vaporizer and the third surface portion of the vaporizer with a heat sink region therebetween, whereby fluid traversing the passage is in thermal contact with the heat sink region in said intermediate passage, for preventing vapor from flowing from the third surface portion to the second surface portion of the vaporizer without passing through said heat sink region; the second surface portion of the vaporizer receiving liquid from the portion of the passage extending to it and the third surface portion of the vaporizer releasing vapor into another portion of the passage extending to it, said vapor being released from the third surface portion of the vaporizer at a higher pressure than that of the liquid entering the second surface portion; and wherein a sufficient area of the second surface portion is sufficiently close to the first and third surface portions of the vaporizer that the mean distance the liquid flows through capillary material is substantially less than the mean distance the fluid flows through the passage.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
53 words
Heat transfer apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said third surface portion of the vaporizer comprises a multiplicity of vaporizing surface regions and wherein the portion of the passage extending to the third surface portion of the vaporizer comprises a multiplicity of intermediate branch vapor passages extending to the vaporizing surface regions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
271 words
Heat transfer apparatus comprising: a vaporizer of capillary material having a first surface portion in thermal contact with a heat source, a second surface portion, and a third surface portion, 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; a partly condensed fluid, a portion of said fluid being liquid and another portion being vapor, said liquid wetting said vaporizer capillary material; wall means defining a passage extending between the second surface portion of the vaporizer And the third surface portion of the vaporizer with a heat sink region therebetween, whereby fluid traversing the passage is in thermal contact with the heat sink region in said intermediate passage, for preventing vapor from flowing from the third surface portion to the second surface portion of the vaporizer without passing through said heat sink region; the second surface portion of the vaporizer receiving liquid from the portion of the passage extending to it and the third surface portion of the vaporizer releasing vapor into another portion of the passage extending to it, said vapor being released from the third surface portion of the vaporizer at a higher pressure than that of the liquid entering the second surface portion; and wherein a sufficient area of the second surface portion is sufficiently close to the first and third surface portions of the vaporizer that the mean distance the liquid flows through capillary material is substantially less than the mean distance the fluid flows through the passage.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
271 words
Heat transfer apparatus comprising: a vaporizer of capillary material having a first surface portion in thermal contact with a heat source, a second surface portion, and a third surface portion, 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; a partly condensed fluid, a portion of said fluid being liquid and another portion being vapor, said liquid wetting said vaporizer capillary material; wall means defining a passage extending between the second surface portion of the vaporizer And the third surface portion of the vaporizer with a heat sink region therebetween, whereby fluid traversing the passage is in thermal contact with the heat sink region in said intermediate passage, for preventing vapor from flowing from the third surface portion to the second surface portion of the vaporizer without passing through said heat sink region; the second surface portion of the vaporizer receiving liquid from the portion of the passage extending to it and the third surface portion of the vaporizer releasing vapor into another portion of the passage extending to it, said vapor being released from the third surface portion of the vaporizer at a higher pressure than that of the liquid entering the second surface portion; and wherein a sufficient area of the second surface portion is sufficiently close to the first and third surface portions of the vaporizer that the mean distance the liquid flows through capillary material is substantially less than the mean distance the fluid flows through the passage.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
53 words
Heat transfer apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said third surface portion of the vaporizer comprises a multiplicity of vaporizing surface regions and wherein the portion of the passage extending to the third surface portion of the vaporizer comprises a multiplicity of intermediate branch vapor passages extending to the vaporizing surface regions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
278 words
Heat transfer apparatus comprising: a vaporizer of capillary material having a first surface portion in thermal contact with a heat source, a second surface portion, and a third surface portion; a partly condensed fluid, a portion of said fluid being liquid and another portion being vapor, said liquid wetting said vaporizer capillary material; wall means defining a passage extending between the second surface portion of the vaporizer and the third surface portion of the vaporizer with a heat sink region therebetween, whereby fluid traversing the passage is in thermal contact with the heat sink region in said intermediate passage, for preventing vapor from flowing from the third surface portion to the second surface portion of the vaporizer without passing through said heat sink region; the second surface portion of the vaporizer receiving liquid from the portion of the passage extending to it and the third surface portion of the vaporizer releasing vapor into another portion of the passage extending to it, said vapor being released from the third surface portion of the vaporizer at a higher pressure than that of the liquid entering the second surface portion; and wherein a sufficient area of the second surface portion is sufficiently close to the first and third surface portions of the vaporizer that the mean distance the liquid flows through capillary material is substantially less than the mean distance the fluid flows through the passage; and means for removing heat from the fluid adjacent the second surface portion of the vaporizer, 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 20
Dependent Claim
278 words
Heat transfer apparatus comprising: a vaporizer of capillary material having a first surface portion in thermal contact with a heat source, a second surface portion, and a third surface portion; a partly condensed fluid, a portion of said fluid being liquid and another portion being vapor, said liquid wetting said vaporizer capillary material; wall means defining a passage extending between the second surface portion of the vaporizer and the third surface portion of the vaporizer with a heat sink region therebetween, whereby fluid traversing the passage is in thermal contact with the heat sink region in said intermediate passage, for preventing vapor from flowing from the third surface portion to the second surface portion of the vaporizer without passing through said heat sink region; the second surface portion of the vaporizer receiving liquid from the portion of the passage extending to it and the third surface portion of the vaporizer releasing vapor into another portion of the passage extending to it, said vapor being released from the third surface portion of the vaporizer at a higher pressure than that of the liquid entering the second surface portion; and wherein a sufficient area of the second surface portion is sufficiently close to the first and third surface portions of the vaporizer that the mean distance the liquid flows through capillary material is substantially less than the mean distance the fluid flows through the passage; and means for removing heat from the fluid adjacent the second surface portion of the vaporizer, 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 21
Dependent Claim
53 words
Heat transfer apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said third surface portion of the vaporizer comprises a multiplicity of vaporizing surface regions and wherein the portion of the passage extending to the third surface portion of the vaporizer comprises a multiplicity of intermediate branch vapor passages extending to the vaporizing surface regions.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
250 words
Heat transfer apparatus comprising: a vaporizer of capillary material having a first surface portion in thermal contact with a heat source, a second surface portion, and a third surface portion; a partly condensed fluid, a portion of said fluid being liquid and another portion being vapor, said liquid wetting said vaporizer capillary material; wall means defining a passage extending between the second surface portion of the vaporizer and the third surface portion of the vaporizer with a heat sink region therebetween, whereby fluid traversing the passage is in thermal contact with the heat sink region in said intermediate passage, for preventing vapor from flowing from the third surface portion to the second surface portion of the vaporizer without passing through said heat sink region; the second surface portion of the vaporizer receiving liquid from the portion of the passage extending to it and the third surface portion of the vaporizer releasing vapor into another portion of the passage extending to it, said vapor being released from the third surface portion of the vaporizer at a higher pressure than that of the liquid entering the second surface portion; and wherein a sufficient area of the second surface portion is sufficiently close to the first and third surface portions of the vaporizer that the mean distance the liquid flows through capillary material is substantially less than the mean distance the fluid flows through the passage; and active means for removing heat from the fluid adjacent the second surface portion of the vaporizer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
250 words
Heat transfer apparatus comprising: a vaporizer of capillary material having a first surface portion in thermal contact with a heat source, a second surface portion, and a third surface portion; a partly condensed fluid, a portion of said fluid being liquid and another portion being vapor, said liquid wetting said vaporizer capillary material; wall means defining a passage extending between the second surface portion of the vaporizer and the third surface portion of the vaporizer with a heat sink region therebetween, whereby fluid traversing the passage is in thermal contact with the heat sink region in said intermediate passage, for preventing vapor from flowing from the third surface portion to the second surface portion of the vaporizer without passing through said heat sink region; the second surface portion of the vaporizer receiving liquid from the portion of the passage extending to it and the third surface portion of the vaporizer releasing vapor into another portion of the passage extending to it, said vapor being released from the third surface portion of the vaporizer at a higher pressure than that of the liquid entering the second surface portion; and wherein a sufficient area of the second surface portion is sufficiently close to the first and third surface portions of the vaporizer that the mean distance the liquid flows through capillary material is substantially less than the mean distance the fluid flows through the passage; and active means for removing heat from the fluid adjacent the second surface portion of the vaporizer.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein the active means for removing heat comprises a heat pipe.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein the active means for removing heat comprises a thermoelectric cooling device.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
53 words
Heat transfer apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said third surface portion of the vaporizer comprises a multiplicity of vaporizing surface regions and wherein the portion of the passage extending to the third surface portion of the vaporizer comprises a multiplicity of intermediate branch vapor passages extending to the vaporizing surface regions.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
273 words
Closed loop heat transfer apparatus comprising: a vaporizer of capillary material having a first surface portion in thermal contact with a heat source, a second surface portion, and a third surface portion; a partly condensed fluid, a portion of said fluid being liquid and another portion being vapor, said liquid wetting said vaporizer capillary material; wall means defining a passage extending between the second surface portion of the vaporizer and the third surface portion of the vaporizer with a heat sink region therebetween, whereby fluid traversing the passage is in thermal contact with the heat sink region in said intermediate passage, for preventing vapor from flowing from the third surface portion to the second surface portion of the vaporizer without passing through said heat sink region; the second surface portion of the vaporizer receiving liquid from the portion of the passage extending to it and the third surface portion of the vaporizer releasing vapor into another portion of the passage extending to it, said vapor being released from the third surface portion of the vaporizer at a higher pressure than that of the liquid entering the second surface portion; and wherein a sufficient area of the second surface portion is sufficiently close to the first and third surface portions of the vaporizer that the mean distance the liquid flows through capillary material is substantially less than the mean distance the fluid flows through the passage; and means for transferring vapor from the region adjacent the second surface portion of the vaporizer to another region within the heat transfer apparatus where at least a portion of the fluid is available for continuing heat transfer.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
273 words
Closed loop heat transfer apparatus comprising: a vaporizer of capillary material having a first surface portion in thermal contact with a heat source, a second surface portion, and a third surface portion; a partly condensed fluid, a portion of said fluid being liquid and another portion being vapor, said liquid wetting said vaporizer capillary material; wall means defining a passage extending between the second surface portion of the vaporizer and the third surface portion of the vaporizer with a heat sink region therebetween, whereby fluid traversing the passage is in thermal contact with the heat sink region in said intermediate passage, for preventing vapor from flowing from the third surface portion to the second surface portion of the vaporizer without passing through said heat sink region; the second surface portion of the vaporizer receiving liquid from the portion of the passage extending to it and the third surface portion of the vaporizer releasing vapor into another portion of the passage extending to it, said vapor being released from the third surface portion of the vaporizer at a higher pressure than that of the liquid entering the second surface portion; and wherein a sufficient area of the second surface portion is sufficiently close to the first and third surface portions of the vaporizer that the mean distance the liquid flows through capillary material is substantially less than the mean distance the fluid flows through the passage; and means for transferring vapor from the region adjacent the second surface portion of the vaporizer to another region within the heat transfer apparatus where at least a portion of the fluid is available for continuing heat transfer.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
53 words
Heat transfer apparatus as defined in claim 19 wherein said third surface portion of the vaporizer comprises a multiplicity of vaporizing surface regions and wherein the portion of the passage extending to the third surface portion of the vaporizer comprises a multiplicity of intermediate branch vapor passages extending to the vaporizing surface regions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3532159A
Cited
US3525670A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-09 | 1975-11-08 | 1976-05-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-09 | 1979-11-08 | 1980-05-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-09 | 1983-11-08 | 1984-05-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |