US3801446A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Radioisotope fueled heat transfer system
Assignee: United States Atomic Energy Commission
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Filing: 1968-06-05
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Granted: 1974-04-02
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Expires: 1988-06-05
Abstract
Abstract A heat transfer system for supplying a constant temperature to a heat utilization device including a heat transfer pipe having the utilization device mounted intermediate an alpha emitting radioisotope fuel for vaporizing the working fluid of the heat pipe and a heat exchanger for dissipating excess heat from the condenser portion of the heat pipe, means for retaining helium generated by the radioisotope fuel and a passageway for transporting the helium to the interior of the heat pipe to maintain constant the internal pressure and vaporization temperature of the working fluid within the heat pipe as the rate of heat dissipation from the radioisotope decreases.
Inventors
- 👤 F Sparber
- 👤 G Whiting
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 03:02
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21G; G21G4/00; G21G4/04; F; F28; F28D; F28D15/00; F28D15/02; F28D15/04; G21D; G21D7/00; G21D7/04; G21H; G21H1/00; G21H1/10; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
A heat transfer system for use with an alpha emitting radioisotope fuel for supplying a substantially constant temperature to a heat transfer surface adjacent a heat utilization device comprising a heat transfer pipe having a high temperature zone and a low temperature zone, said low temperature zone including a heat dissipating portion and a heat transfer surface intermediate said high temperature zone and the heat dissipating portion, a condensable working fluid disposed within said pipe, capillary means disposed along the inner surface of said pipe between said high temperature and low temperature zones for transporting condensed working fluid from said low temperature zone to said high temperature zone; means adjacent said heat pipe at said high temperature zone for holding an alpha emitting radioisotope fuel for vaporing said working fluid; and means for retaining helium generated by said fuel within said pipe for maintaining said heat transfer surface at a constant temperature as radioisotope fuel decays.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
A heat transfer system for use with an alpha emitting radioisotope fuel for supplying a substantially constant temperature to a heat transfer surface adjacent a heat utilization device comprising a heat transfer pipe having a high temperature zone and a low temperature zone, said low temperature zone including a heat dissipating portion and a heat transfer surface intermediate said high temperature zone and the heat dissipating portion, a condensable working fluid disposed within said pipe, capillary means disposed along the inner surface of said pipe between said high temperature and low temperature zones for transporting condensed working fluid from said low temperature zone to said high temperature zone; means adjacent said heat pipe at said high temperature zone for holding an alpha emitting radioisotope fuel for vaporing said working fluid; and means for retaining helium generated by said fuel within said pipe for maintaining said heat transfer surface at a constant temperature as radioisotope fuel decays.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1 having a radioisotope fuel selected from the group consisting of polonium 210, plutonium 238 and curium 242.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said fuel is of generally annular configuration disposed about a portion of said heat pipe.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said retaining means includes an enclosure disposed about said fuel and separated therefrom by a helium collection chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said system includes means for transmitting said helium from said retaining means to the interior of said pipe.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said transmitting means is a passageway interconnecting said retaining means and the low temperature zone of said heat pipe.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 6 wherein said passageway is disposed centrally of said heat pipe along its longitudinal axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said transmitting means is a filter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 1 having fins projecting from said heat dissipating portion of said pipe for dissipating excess heat generated by said fuel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said utilization device is mounted on said heat transfer surface adjacent said holding means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-04-01 | 1977-10-01 | 1978-04-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-01 | 1981-10-01 | 1982-04-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-01 | 1985-10-01 | 1986-04-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |