US3828845A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Permafrost structural support with internal heat pipe means
Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corp
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Filing: 1973-03-30
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Granted: 1974-08-13
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Expires: 1993-03-30
Abstract
Abstract Structural support assembly for use in arctic and subarctic (permafrost) areas or in any areas where the upper ground layer is subject to a severe annual freeze-thaw cycle, including the cooperative combination of a support structure and a heat pipe element installed in generally frozen soil. The heat pipe is of a suitably complementary configuration and/or disposition with respect to the support structure to provide appropriate stabilization of the surrounding frozen soil. In one embodiment, the heat pipe element is disposed externally of the support structure and, in another embodiment, it is disposed internally of such structure. The external embodiment further includes one version employing a linear (straight) heat pipe element and another version employing an angular (helical) element. The internal embodiment further includes one version wherein a heat pipe is integrally combined with a support structure and another version wherein a heat pipe is cooperatively installed inside a support structure.
Inventors
- 👤 E Waters
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 18:43
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02D; E02D27/00; E02D27/32; E02D27/35; E02D3/00; E02D3/11; E02D3/115; F; F24; F24T; F24T10/00; F24T10/30; F28; F28D; F28D15/00; F28D15/02; F28D15/0233; F24T10/40; F28F; F28F2200/00; F28F2200/005; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
For use in ground areas subject to an annual freeze-thaw cycle, a structural support assembly comprising: a support structure for installation in generally frozen soil, said support structure being made of a good heat conducting material, and including an accommodation space therein; a heat pipe element of a configuration and disposition complementary to said support structure, said heat pipe element including a relatively small amount of working fluid therein, the lower portion of said heat pipe element being installed in said accommodation space, the upper portion of said heat pipe element being adapted to be coupled to heat exchanger means, and the lower portion of said support structure being installed in said frozen soil; and a good heat transfer medium provided in said accommodation space whereby heat from said frozen soil adjacent to said lower portion of said support structure is transferred by said heat transfer medium to said lower portion of said heat pipe element and transported by vaporization of part of said working fluid to said upper portion thereof and diposed of by condensation of said vaporized working fluid in said heat exchanger means to stabilize said frozen soil adjacent to said lower portion of said support structure throughout the year.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
203 words
For use in ground areas subject to an annual freeze-thaw cycle, a structural support assembly comprising: a support structure for installation in generally frozen soil, said support structure being made of a good heat conducting material, and including an accommodation space therein; a heat pipe element of a configuration and disposition complementary to said support structure, said heat pipe element including a relatively small amount of working fluid therein, the lower portion of said heat pipe element being installed in said accommodation space, the upper portion of said heat pipe element being adapted to be coupled to heat exchanger means, and the lower portion of said support structure being installed in said frozen soil; and a good heat transfer medium provided in said accommodation space whereby heat from said frozen soil adjacent to said lower portion of said support structure is transferred by said heat transfer medium to said lower portion of said heat pipe element and transported by vaporization of part of said working fluid to said upper portion thereof and diposed of by condensation of said vaporized working fluid in said heat exchanger means to stabilize said frozen soil adjacent to said lower portion of said support structure throughout the year.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said support structure includes a hollow metallic pile having an internal chamber space for accommodating said lower portion of said heat pipe element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said lower portion of said heat pipe element includes a generally cylindrical tube and at least one longitudinal fin extending laterally therefrom.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said generally cylindrical tube has a largely circular cross section and said longitudinal fin extends radially therefrom.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said heat pipe element includes flow means installed in said lower portion of said heat pipe element for directing and diStributing working fluid condensate return flow therein.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said lower portion of said support structure is closed at its lower end and said heat transfer medium includes a good heat transfer liquid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said lower portion of said support structure is open at its lower end and said heat transfer medium includes a slurry of soil and water.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said lower portion of said heat pipe element includes a generally cylindrical tube and at least one longitudinal fin extending laterally therefrom.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention as defined in claim 8 wherein said hollow metallic pile is closed at its lower end and said heat transfer medium includes a good heat transfer liquid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention as defined in claim 8 wherein said hollow metallic pile is open at its lower end and said heat transfer medium includes a slurry of soil and water.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
320 words
For use in ground areas subject to an annual freeze-thaw cycle, a structural support assembly comprising: a support structure for installation in generally frozen soil, said support structure including a pole-like member made of a heat conducting material and having an accommodation space in at least the lower portion thereof; a heat pipe element including a tubular container having a charge of working fluid therein and a heat exchanger coupled to the upper portion of said container, said working fluid normally existing as a small quantity of liquid in said container with saturated vapor filling the remainder thereof, said heat pipe element being of a configuration and disposition complementary to said support structure, said outer surface of said heat pipe element having an extended heat transfer surface throughout substantially the full length of the lower portion of said tubular container, the lower portions of said container and said pole-like member being normally installed in said frozen soil with said lower portion of said container being indirectly installed in said frozen soil within said accommodation space and said lower portion of said pole-like member being directly installed in said frozen soil, and said lower portion of said container being disposed at least adjacent and generally parallel to a surface in said accommodation space of said lower portion of said pole-like member in heat transfer relationship therewith; and a heat transfer medium provided in said accommodation space whereby heat from said frozen soil adjacent to said lower portion of said support structure is effectively transferred by said heat transfer medium to said lower portion of said tubular container and transported by vaporization of part of said working fluid to said upper portion thereof and disposed of by condensation of said vaporized working fluid in said upper portion of said container coupled to said heat exchanger to stabilize said frozen soil adjacent to said lower portion of said support structure throughout the year.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
320 words
For use in ground areas subject to an annual freeze-thaw cycle, a structural support assembly comprising: a support structure for installation in generally frozen soil, said support structure including a pole-like member made of a heat conducting material and having an accommodation space in at least the lower portion thereof; a heat pipe element including a tubular container having a charge of working fluid therein and a heat exchanger coupled to the upper portion of said container, said working fluid normally existing as a small quantity of liquid in said container with saturated vapor filling the remainder thereof, said heat pipe element being of a configuration and disposition complementary to said support structure, said outer surface of said heat pipe element having an extended heat transfer surface throughout substantially the full length of the lower portion of said tubular container, the lower portions of said container and said pole-like member being normally installed in said frozen soil with said lower portion of said container being indirectly installed in said frozen soil within said accommodation space and said lower portion of said pole-like member being directly installed in said frozen soil, and said lower portion of said container being disposed at least adjacent and generally parallel to a surface in said accommodation space of said lower portion of said pole-like member in heat transfer relationship therewith; and a heat transfer medium provided in said accommodation space whereby heat from said frozen soil adjacent to said lower portion of said support structure is effectively transferred by said heat transfer medium to said lower portion of said tubular container and transported by vaporization of part of said working fluid to said upper portion thereof and disposed of by condensation of said vaporized working fluid in said upper portion of said container coupled to said heat exchanger to stabilize said frozen soil adjacent to said lower portion of said support structure throughout the year.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention as defined in claim 11 wherein said lower portion of said container comprises a generally cylindrical tube and at least one longitudinal fin extending laterally therefrom.
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) | 1977-08-12 | 1978-02-11 | 1978-08-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-12 | 1982-02-11 | 1982-08-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-12 | 1986-02-11 | 1986-08-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |