US3837394A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermal transfer apparatus providing transfer control
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1973-11-09
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Granted: 1974-09-24
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Expires: 1993-11-09
Abstract
Abstract Heat pipe apparatus comprising a heat pipe having a first section having spiral fins extruded on its inner surface and a second section having a smooth bore interior. The pipe is sealed at each end after evacuation of all noncondensable gases and contains a vaporizable liquid as the medium for heat transfer. The second section of the pipe has a U-shaped portion which, when liquid filled, acts as a vapor or liquid trap when suspended vertically to prevent heat transfer in either direction. Since no capillary return of condensate is possible through the smooth bore section of the pipe when the trap is in an open position, unilateral heat transfer toward either end of the pipe is made possible.
Inventors
- 👤 C Roberts
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:27
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28D; F28D15/00; F28D15/02; F28D15/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
Thermal transfer apparatus comprising a heat pipe means having a capillary evaporator section comprising spiral fins formed on the inner surface of a first portion of said pipe means, a condenser section having a substantially smooth inner surface and having a substantially U-shaped bend in said lastmentioned portion, said pipe means being sealed at each end, a vaporizable liquid contained within said pipe means, and means for rotatably supporting said pipe means at a slight inclination from the horizontal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
79 words
Thermal transfer apparatus comprising a heat pipe means having a capillary evaporator section comprising spiral fins formed on the inner surface of a first portion of said pipe means, a condenser section having a substantially smooth inner surface and having a substantially U-shaped bend in said lastmentioned portion, said pipe means being sealed at each end, a vaporizable liquid contained within said pipe means, and means for rotatably supporting said pipe means at a slight inclination from the horizontal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
Thermal transfer apparatus comprising a heat pipe means having an evaporator section including wick means therein, a condenser section having a substantially smooth inner surface and having a substantially ''''U''''-shaped bend formed therein, said pipe means being sealed at each end, and a vaporizable liquid exclusively contained within said pipe means sufficient to fill a cross-section of said bend.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
Thermal transfer apparatus comprising a heat pipe means having an evaporator section including wick means therein, a condenser section having a substantially smooth inner surface and having a substantially ''''U''''-shaped bend formed therein, said pipe means being sealed at each end, and a vaporizable liquid exclusively contained within said pipe means sufficient to fill a cross-section of said bend.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
Thermal transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which said wick means comprises a plurality of spiral fins radially extending on the inner surface of said evaporator section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
Thermal transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 3 in which said heat pipe means is arranged at a slight inclination from the horizontal along its longitudinal axis, said pipe means being mounted to permit rotation of said bend at least 90* between a downwardly position and a substantially horizontal position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
102 words
Thermal transfer apparatus comprising a sealed heat pipe means having an evaporator section including wick means therein, a condenser section having a substantially smooth inner surface, vapor trap means comprising a U-shaped bend formed in said condenser section, a vaporizable liquid exclusively contained within said pipe means sufficient to fill a cross-section of said bend, and means for rotatably mounting said heat pipe means at a slight inclination from said condenser section to said evaporator section, said vapor trap means being in a closed position when rotated substantially downwardly and being in an open position when rotated in either direction substantially horizontally.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
102 words
Thermal transfer apparatus comprising a sealed heat pipe means having an evaporator section including wick means therein, a condenser section having a substantially smooth inner surface, vapor trap means comprising a U-shaped bend formed in said condenser section, a vaporizable liquid exclusively contained within said pipe means sufficient to fill a cross-section of said bend, and means for rotatably mounting said heat pipe means at a slight inclination from said condenser section to said evaporator section, said vapor trap means being in a closed position when rotated substantially downwardly and being in an open position when rotated in either direction substantially horizontally.
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) | 1977-09-23 | 1978-03-25 | 1978-09-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-23 | 1982-03-25 | 1982-09-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-23 | 1986-03-25 | 1986-09-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |