US3677337A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Heat transfer apparatus with osmotic pumping
Assignee: United States Department of the Air Force
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Filing: 1970-09-10
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Granted: 1972-07-18
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Expires: 1990-09-10
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for transferring thermal energy from a heat source to a heat sink having a closed space containing a saline solution and an evaporator wherein the heat input evaporates the liquid so that a water vapor moves toward a condenser where heat is rejected to return the water vapor to the liquid phase. The closed space containing the saline solution extends to the region of the condenser and has a water permeable membrane positioned adjacent the condenser. The water is returned to the evaporator by osmotic pumping.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence L Midolo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 13:12
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28D; F28D15/00; F28D15/02; F28D15/04; F28D15/046; F28D15/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
Apparatus for transferring thermal energy from a heat source to a heat sink, comprising: a closed container having a first portion adapted to be positioned adjacent the heat source and a second portion adapted to be positioned adjacent the heat sink; means for dividing said closed container into a first compartment and a second compartment, a liquid solution of predetermined concentration in said first compartment, means, within said container adjacent the first portion, for permitting the flow of solvent vapor evaporated by said heat source to flow into the second compartment; means extending into the second compartment adjacent the second portion of said container for providing a condensing surface for the solvent vapor; and a membrane, permeable only to the solvent, of the solution, positioned adjacent said condensing means and located between the first compartment and the second compartment whereby the condensed solvent is pumped toward the first portion of said closed container by osmotic diffusion pumping.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
Apparatus for transferring thermal energy from a heat source to a heat sink, comprising: a closed container having a first portion adapted to be positioned adjacent the heat source and a second portion adapted to be positioned adjacent the heat sink; means for dividing said closed container into a first compartment and a second compartment, a liquid solution of predetermined concentration in said first compartment, means, within said container adjacent the first portion, for permitting the flow of solvent vapor evaporated by said heat source to flow into the second compartment; means extending into the second compartment adjacent the second portion of said container for providing a condensing surface for the solvent vapor; and a membrane, permeable only to the solvent, of the solution, positioned adjacent said condensing means and located between the first compartment and the second compartment whereby the condensed solvent is pumped toward the first portion of said closed container by osmotic diffusion pumping.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device as recited in claim 1 wherein the solvent is water and the solute in the solution is a water soluable salt selected from the group Na Cl, K Cl, CaCl2, K2CO3, Cs2CO3, CsH CO3, Na2CO3, Na2 B4O7 .10 H2O.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
The device as recited in claim 2 wherein said first and second compartments are concentrically positioned compartments separated by a cylindrical wall member extending to a position adjacent the condensing means; said permeable membrane being annular in shape and closing the space between the wall of the closed container and said wall member positioned adjacent the condensing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
The device as recited in claim 3 including a wicking material positioned in said second compartment at the first portion of said container and having a portion extending into the second compartment; said cylindrical wall having means for closing the end of said first compartment adjacent the heat source except for the portion where the wicking material extends into the first compartment.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device as recited in claim 3 wherein wick material is positioned over the condensing means and contacts the permeable membrane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
73 words
The device as recited in claim 3 including an annular channel surrounding the condensing means with the condensing means and said channel forming one end wall of the container; the side wall of said container and said cylindrical wall member extending into said annular channel and forming an opening adjacent the condensing means; said permeable membrane forming a closure for said opening to thereby provide an osmotic barrier permeable only to said solvent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device as recited in claim 6 including means for providing a greater length of permeable membrane than the circumferential length of said cylinder wall member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
The device as recited in claim 7 wherein the means for providing a greater length of permeable membrane includes means projecting from the side wall and the cylindrical wall member toward said condensing means, for forming substantially sinusoidal shaped edges; said permeable membrane having a substantially sinusoidal shape conforming to the substantially sinusoidal shaped edges.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device as recited in claim 7 wherein wick material is positioned over the condensing means and connects the permeable membrane.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device as recited in claim 2 wherein the solute is Na Cl.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3561525A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-18 | 1976-01-17 | 1976-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-18 | 1980-01-17 | 1980-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-18 | 1984-01-17 | 1984-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |