US3812905A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dynamic barrier for heat pipe
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1972-11-17
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Granted: 1974-05-28
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Expires: 1992-11-17
Abstract
Abstract A heat pipe in which the operating temperature and pressure of the vaporized working fluid is adjustable by means of a dynamic barrier inside the heat pipe. A magnetizable member, in conjunction with a working fluid which is magnetizable, form a hermetic seal, or barrier, at predetermined positions along the length of the heat pipe. The hermetic seal, in the preferred embodiment, is positioned to a point along the heat pipe length whereby the vaporized working fluid is at a desired operating temperature and pressure.
Inventors
- 👤 R Hamerdinger
- 👤 P Dunn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 06:41
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28D; F28D15/00; F28D15/02; F28D15/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
206 words
Apparatus for controlling the operating temperature and pressure of a heat pipe comprising: a heat pipe having an evaporator section and a condenser section, said evaporator section being exposed to a source of heat and said condenser section having a heat radiating surface, a magnetic working fluid which is condensable in said heat pipe and movable upon vaporization by heat from said heat source from the evaporator section towards the condenser whereat the vapor condenses, means in the heat pipe for returning the fluid condensed in said condenser section to said evaporator section, a magnetizable member positioned within the heat pipe, the heat radiating surface of said condenser section being determined by the position of said magnetizable member within said heat pipe, and means for producing a magnetic field adjacent said heat pipe, said magnetic field acting on said magnetizable member, the position of said magnetic field corresponding substantially to the position of said magnetizable member within said heat pipe, a magnetic fluid meniscus being formed at a position corresponding substantially to the position of said magnetic field, the magnetic fluid meniscus forming a barrier to condensate flow in said returning means, said magnetic fluid meniscus and said magnetizable member forming a barrier to vapor flow.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
206 words
Apparatus for controlling the operating temperature and pressure of a heat pipe comprising: a heat pipe having an evaporator section and a condenser section, said evaporator section being exposed to a source of heat and said condenser section having a heat radiating surface, a magnetic working fluid which is condensable in said heat pipe and movable upon vaporization by heat from said heat source from the evaporator section towards the condenser whereat the vapor condenses, means in the heat pipe for returning the fluid condensed in said condenser section to said evaporator section, a magnetizable member positioned within the heat pipe, the heat radiating surface of said condenser section being determined by the position of said magnetizable member within said heat pipe, and means for producing a magnetic field adjacent said heat pipe, said magnetic field acting on said magnetizable member, the position of said magnetic field corresponding substantially to the position of said magnetizable member within said heat pipe, a magnetic fluid meniscus being formed at a position corresponding substantially to the position of said magnetic field, the magnetic fluid meniscus forming a barrier to condensate flow in said returning means, said magnetic fluid meniscus and said magnetizable member forming a barrier to vapor flow.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including means to position said magnetic field to a PREDETERMINED position corresponding to a desired heat pipe operating temperature and pressure, said magnetizable member moving to said predetermined position in response to the movement of said magnetic field.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said magnetic fluid comprises a liquid carrier and magnetic particles suspended therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said liquid carrier comprises water.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said liquid carrier comprises kerosene.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said liquid carrier comprises silicone.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said liquid carrier comprises a fluorocarbon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the magnetic field is of a strength to allow said magnetizable member to be moved by the vapor pressure produced when the magnetic working fluid is vaporized.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the magnetic field is of a strength to inhibit said magnetizable member from being moved by the vapor pressure produced when the magnetic working fluid is vaporized.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
207 words
A method for controlling the operating temperature and pressure of a heat pipe comprising the steps of: providing a magnetic working fluid for utilization in a heat pipe, said heat pipe having an evaporator section and a condenser section, said evaporator section being exposed to a source of heat and said condenser section having a heat radiating surface, said magnetic working fluid being condensable in said heat pipe and movable upon vaporization by heat from said heat source from the evaporator section towards the condenser whereat the vapor condenses, returning the fluid condensed in said condenser section to said evaporator section, positioning a magnetizable member within the heat pipe, the heat radiating surface of said condenser section being determined by the position of said magnetizable member within said heat pipe, and producing a magnetic field which acts on said magnetizable member, the location of said magnetic field corresponding substantially to the position of said magnetizable member within said heat pipe, a magnetic fluid meniscus being formed at a position corresponding substantially to the position of said magnetic field, the magnetic fluid meniscus forming a barrier to condensate flow in said returning means, said magnetic fluid meniscus and said magnetizable member forming a barrier to said vapor flow.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
207 words
A method for controlling the operating temperature and pressure of a heat pipe comprising the steps of: providing a magnetic working fluid for utilization in a heat pipe, said heat pipe having an evaporator section and a condenser section, said evaporator section being exposed to a source of heat and said condenser section having a heat radiating surface, said magnetic working fluid being condensable in said heat pipe and movable upon vaporization by heat from said heat source from the evaporator section towards the condenser whereat the vapor condenses, returning the fluid condensed in said condenser section to said evaporator section, positioning a magnetizable member within the heat pipe, the heat radiating surface of said condenser section being determined by the position of said magnetizable member within said heat pipe, and producing a magnetic field which acts on said magnetizable member, the location of said magnetic field corresponding substantially to the position of said magnetizable member within said heat pipe, a magnetic fluid meniscus being formed at a position corresponding substantially to the position of said magnetic field, the magnetic fluid meniscus forming a barrier to condensate flow in said returning means, said magnetic fluid meniscus and said magnetizable member forming a barrier to said vapor flow.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method as defined in claim 10 further including the step of positioning said magnetic field to a predetermined position corresponding to a desired heat pipe operating temperature and pressure, said magnetizable member moving to said predetermined position in response to the movement of said magnetic field.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as defined in claim 10 wherein said magnetic fluid comprises a liquid carrier and magnetic particles suspended therein.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as defined in claim 10 wherein the magnetic field is of a strength to allow said magnetizable member to be moved by the vapor pressure produced when the magnetic working fluid is vaporized.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as defined in claim 10 wherein the magnetic field is of a strength to inhibit said magnetizable member from being moved by the vapor pressure produced when the magnetic working fluid is vaporized.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-05-27 | 1977-11-26 | 1978-05-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-05-27 | 1981-11-26 | 1982-05-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-05-27 | 1985-11-26 | 1986-05-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |