US3735806A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Unidirectional thermal transfer means
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems Corp
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Filing: 1970-12-07
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Granted: 1973-05-29
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Expires: 1990-12-07
Abstract
Abstract A unidirectional thermal transfer panel of cellular construction wherein each cell has an upper end wall that bears an internal capillary structure and an opposing lower end wall that has an inclined surface devoid of capillary structure. Thermal transfer in the same direction as the force of gravity occurs through vaporization of working fluid liquid from the upper capillary structure and condensation of the working fluid vapor on the inclined surface below. A conduit connected between the lowermost point on the inclined surface and the capillary structure above has high liquid capillary flow properties to transfer the working fluid liquid condensate to the capillary structure above in opposition to the force of gravity and high thermal impedance to prevent thermal conduction in that direction.
Inventors
- 👤 M E Kirkpatrick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 05:59
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B1/00; E04B1/62; E04B1/74; E04B1/76; E04B1/78; E04B1/80; E04C; E04C2/00; E04C2/30; E04C2/34; E04C2/36; F; F28; F28D; F28D15/00; F28D15/02; F28D15/0233; F28D15/04; F28D15/046; E04B2001/742; E04B2001/748
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
Unidirectional thermal transfer device, comprising: a pair of vertically spaced, oppositely disposed end walls joined by side walls to form a closed, evacuated chamber; capillary means covering the interior surface of the upper one of said end walls; means forming an inclined surface on the interior of the lower one of said end walls; means forming a conduit of high thermal impedance and high liquid capillary flow extending between said capillary means and the lowermost point on said inclined surface, said conduit comprising a capillary structure that tapers in thickness towards said lowermost point; said inclined surface being otherwise devoid of capillary means; and a working fluid within said chamber in a quantity which is sufficient to saturate said capillary means and conduit without producing an excess thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
Unidirectional thermal transfer device, comprising: a pair of vertically spaced, oppositely disposed end walls joined by side walls to form a closed, evacuated chamber; capillary means covering the interior surface of the upper one of said end walls; means forming an inclined surface on the interior of the lower one of said end walls; means forming a conduit of high thermal impedance and high liquid capillary flow extending between said capillary means and the lowermost point on said inclined surface, said conduit comprising a capillary structure that tapers in thickness towards said lowermost point; said inclined surface being otherwise devoid of capillary means; and a working fluid within said chamber in a quantity which is sufficient to saturate said capillary means and conduit without producing an excess thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
113 words
Unidirectional thermal transfer device, comprising: a pair of vertically spaced, oppositely disposed end walls joined by side walls to form a closed, evacuated chamber; capillary means covering the interior surface of the upper one of said end walls; means forming an inclined surface on the interior of the lower one of said end walls; a capillary structure on at least a portion of said sidewalls and having a thickness that tapers towards the lowermost point on said inclined surface; said inclined surface being otherwise devoid of capillary means; and a working fluid within said chamber in a quantity which is sufficient to saturate said capillary means and conduit without producing an excess thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
113 words
Unidirectional thermal transfer device, comprising: a pair of vertically spaced, oppositely disposed end walls joined by side walls to form a closed, evacuated chamber; capillary means covering the interior surface of the upper one of said end walls; means forming an inclined surface on the interior of the lower one of said end walls; a capillary structure on at least a portion of said sidewalls and having a thickness that tapers towards the lowermost point on said inclined surface; said inclined surface being otherwise devoid of capillary means; and a working fluid within said chamber in a quantity which is sufficient to saturate said capillary means and conduit without producing an excess thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention according to claim 2, wherein said capillary structure covers the entire internal surface of said sidewalls.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
145 words
Unidirectional thermal transfer panel, comprising: first and second flat, parallel, substantially horizontally disposed plates; said plates facing one another, with said first plate spaced vertically above said second plate; wall partitions extending between said plates to form a multiplicity of closed, evacuated cells; in each of said cells: a. capillary means covering the interior surface of said first plate; b. means forming an inclined surface on the interior of said second plate; c. means forming a conduit of high thermal impedance and high capillary flow extending between said capillary means and the lowermost point on said inclined surface, said conduit comprising a capillary structure that tapers in thickness towards said lowermost point; d. said inclined surface being otherwise devoid of capillary means; and e. a working fluid in a quantity which is sufficient to saturate said capillary means and conduit without producing an excess thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
145 words
Unidirectional thermal transfer panel, comprising: first and second flat, parallel, substantially horizontally disposed plates; said plates facing one another, with said first plate spaced vertically above said second plate; wall partitions extending between said plates to form a multiplicity of closed, evacuated cells; in each of said cells: a. capillary means covering the interior surface of said first plate; b. means forming an inclined surface on the interior of said second plate; c. means forming a conduit of high thermal impedance and high capillary flow extending between said capillary means and the lowermost point on said inclined surface, said conduit comprising a capillary structure that tapers in thickness towards said lowermost point; d. said inclined surface being otherwise devoid of capillary means; and e. a working fluid in a quantity which is sufficient to saturate said capillary means and conduit without producing an excess thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention according to claim 4, wherein said wall portions intersect to form hexagonal shaped cells.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
128 words
Unidirectional thermal transfer panel, comprising: first and second flat, parallel, substantially horizontally disposed plates; said plates facing one another, with said first plate spaced vertically above said second plate; wall partitions extending between said plates to form a multiplicity of closed, evacuated cells; in each of said cells: a. capillary means covering the interior surface of said first plate; b. a base member in the shape of a pyramid on the interior of said second plate; c. a capillary structure covering said wall partitions and tapering in thickness towards the peripheral edges of said pyramid; d. said inclined surface being otherwise devoid of capillary means; and e. a working fluid in a quantity which is sufficient to saturate said capillary means and conduit without producing an excess thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
128 words
Unidirectional thermal transfer panel, comprising: first and second flat, parallel, substantially horizontally disposed plates; said plates facing one another, with said first plate spaced vertically above said second plate; wall partitions extending between said plates to form a multiplicity of closed, evacuated cells; in each of said cells: a. capillary means covering the interior surface of said first plate; b. a base member in the shape of a pyramid on the interior of said second plate; c. a capillary structure covering said wall partitions and tapering in thickness towards the peripheral edges of said pyramid; d. said inclined surface being otherwise devoid of capillary means; and e. a working fluid in a quantity which is sufficient to saturate said capillary means and conduit without producing an excess thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention according to claim 4, wherein said wall partitions and said conduit are made of thermal insulation material.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-28 | 1976-11-27 | 1977-05-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-28 | 1980-11-27 | 1981-05-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-28 | 1984-11-27 | 1985-05-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |