US3682239A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrokinetic heat pipe
Assignee: MOMTAZ M ABU ROMIA
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Filing: 1971-02-25
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Granted: 1972-08-08
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Expires: 1991-02-25
Abstract
Abstract A heat pipe for transporting a large quantity of heat within a small temperature difference provided with a tube, a wick, and a fluid that can transfer heat. The tube includes an evaporator section at one end and a condenser section at the opposite end thereof. The wick is disposed uniformly against the side walls of the tube and provides a capillary action to transfer the fluid from the condenser section to the evaporator section. Heat at the evaporator section causes the fluid to evaporate, wherein the vapor is then transmitted to the condenser section where the vapor condenses, thus giving up its latent heat, and is again transmitted to the evaporator section by the wick to define a continuous flow within the heat pipe. Electrodes are disposed within the tube, one electrode being disposed adjacent to the evaporator section, and the other electrode being disposed adjacent to the condenser section. When a potential difference is applied to the electrode, an electro-osmotic flow pumping is effected within the pipe, thereby, increasing the maximum heat capability of the heat pipe or overcoming any vapor lock present in the wick. Without the applied potential difference, the heat pipe functions as either an electrokinetic power generator or as a potential generator.
Inventors
- 👤 Momtaz M Abu-Romia
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 13:32
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28D; F28D15/00; F28D15/02; F28D15/025; F28D15/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A heat transfer device comprising a body member, said body member including a first portion for receiving heat from a heat source and a second portion for transferring heat away from said body member, capillary means extending between said first and second portions, said body member being provided with a passage communicating with said first and second portions, a liquid associated with said capillary means, spaced apart electrode means disposed within said body member for cooperation with said capillary means, said electrode means being associated with a potential gradient functioning within said body member, and nonconductive means for isolating said spaced electrode means from one another within said body member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
A heat transfer device comprising a body member, said body member including a first portion for receiving heat from a heat source and a second portion for transferring heat away from said body member, capillary means extending between said first and second portions, said body member being provided with a passage communicating with said first and second portions, a liquid associated with said capillary means, spaced apart electrode means disposed within said body member for cooperation with said capillary means, said electrode means being associated with a potential gradient functioning within said body member, and nonconductive means for isolating said spaced electrode means from one another within said body member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A heat transfer device according to claim 1, wherein said capillary means includes a porous capillary wick disposed uniformly against inside walls of said body member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A heat transfer device according to claim 1, wherein said body member includes a sealed tube, said first portion defining an evaporator section and said second portion defining a condenser section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A heat transfer device according to claim 3, wherein an adiabatic section of said tube is disposed between said evaporator and condenser sections.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A heat transfer device according to claim 3, wherein a heat source is disposed adjacent to said evaporator section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A heat transfer device according to claim 5, wherein said heat source includes a heating unit disposed around said evaporator section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
a heat transfer device according to claim 3, wherein cooling means are disposed adjacent to said condenser section.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A heat transfer device according to claim 7, wherein said cooling means include a condenser cooling unit disposed around said condenser section.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A heat transfer device according to claim 1, wherein said body members are disposed at a predetermined angle between 0* and 180* from vertical position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
A heat transfer device according to claim 1, wherein said electrode means includes a first electrode associated with and disposed adjacent to said first portion, and a second electrode associated with and disposed adjacent to said second portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A heat transfer device according to claim 10, wherein a potential difference is applied to said first and second electrodes to provide said potential gradient to produce electro-osmotic flow pumping.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A heat transfer device according to claim 11, wherein said body member is disposed at 0* with reference to vertical position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
A heat transfer device according to claim 10, wherein said potential gradient produces a potential difference between said first and second electrodes to provide a generator.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
A heat transfer device according to claim 13, wherein a resistance is disposed inseries with said first and second electrodes to effect an electrokinetic power generator.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
A heat transfer device according to claim 13, wherein portions of said first and second electrodes extend outwardly from said body member to effect a potential generator.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of transferring heat from a first point at a higher temperature to a second point at a lower temperature employing a device containing a liquid, said method comprising evaporating the liquid at the first point to form a vapor, condensing the vapor at the second point, returning by capillary action the condenser liquid from the second point to the first point, and applying a potential gradient to the returning condensed liquid.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of transferring heat from a first point at a higher temperature to a second point at a lower temperature employing a device containing a liquid, said method comprising evaporating the liquid at the first point to form a vapor, condensing the vapor at the second point, returning by capillary action the condenser liquid from the second point to the first point, and applying a potential gradient to the returning condensed liquid.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method according to claim 16, wherein a first electrode is disposed adjacent to said first point, a second electrode is disposed adjacent to said second point, and a potential difference is applied to said first and second potential to provide said potential gradient to produce electro-osmotic flow pumping.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 17, wherein a heat source is disposed at said first point to provide said higher temperature, and cooling means are disposed at said second point to provide said lower temperature.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of using a device containing a liquid to transfer heat from a first point at a higher temperature to a second point at a lower temperature for producing a generator, said method comprising evaporating the liquid at the first point to form a vapor, condensing the vapor at the second point, returning by capillary action the condensed liquid from the second point to the first point, and producing a potential gradient associated with the movement of the returning condensed liquid.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of using a device containing a liquid to transfer heat from a first point at a higher temperature to a second point at a lower temperature for producing a generator, said method comprising evaporating the liquid at the first point to form a vapor, condensing the vapor at the second point, returning by capillary action the condensed liquid from the second point to the first point, and producing a potential gradient associated with the movement of the returning condensed liquid.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 19, wherein a first electrode is disposed adjacent to said first point, a second electrode is disposed adjacent to said second point, said potential gradient providing a potential difference between said first and second electrodes to produce said generator.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 20, wherein a resistance is disposed in series with said first and second electrodes to produce an electrokinetic power generator.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 20, wherein said first and second electrodes are extended outwardly from said device to produce a potential generator.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 20, wherein a heat source is disposed at said first point to provide said higher temperature, and cooling means are disposed at said second point to provide said lower temperature.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3417267A
Cited
US3441752A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-08 | 1976-02-07 | 1976-08-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-08 | 1980-02-07 | 1980-08-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-08 | 1984-02-07 | 1984-08-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |