US3857738A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermoelectric battery spring supported in casing
Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
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Filing: 1972-11-16
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Granted: 1974-12-31
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Expires: 1992-11-16
Abstract
Abstract A thermoelectric battery, suitable for use with cardiac pacemakers, comprises a metal casing enclosing a thermoelectric assembly comprising a heat source, a heat sink and a P and N type thermoelectric unit attached to and extending between the heat source and the heat sink. The assembly is resiliently supported within the casing by a spring so that it can ''''rock'''' relative to the casing in order to reduce the effects of undue acceleration forces applied to the battery.
Inventors
- 👤 M Brown
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 22:56
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21H; G21H1/00; G21H1/10; G21H1/103
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
A thermoelectric battery comprising a casing enclosing a thermoelectric assembly of elongated form comprising a heat source, a heat sink, and a thermoelectric unit attached to and disposed between the heat source and the heat sink, with at least the heat source end of the assembly defining an annular space with the casing, a heat-conducting mass of solid material disposed at the heat sink end of the assembly and attached to the casing, spring means mounted within the casing so as to bias the heat sink into heat-conducting contact with said mass, adjacent surfaces of the heat sink and the mass being formed so as to allow the assembly to move relative to the casing with a rocking motion against the bias of the spring means in the event of lateral acceleration forces being applied to the battery so that such motion will cause the heat source end of the assembly to pivot within the annular space, and resilient stop means for preventing direct contact between said assembly and said casing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
A thermoelectric battery comprising a casing enclosing a thermoelectric assembly of elongated form comprising a heat source, a heat sink, and a thermoelectric unit attached to and disposed between the heat source and the heat sink, with at least the heat source end of the assembly defining an annular space with the casing, a heat-conducting mass of solid material disposed at the heat sink end of the assembly and attached to the casing, spring means mounted within the casing so as to bias the heat sink into heat-conducting contact with said mass, adjacent surfaces of the heat sink and the mass being formed so as to allow the assembly to move relative to the casing with a rocking motion against the bias of the spring means in the event of lateral acceleration forces being applied to the battery so that such motion will cause the heat source end of the assembly to pivot within the annular space, and resilient stop means for preventing direct contact between said assembly and said casing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A battery as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjacent surfaces of the heat sink and mass are, respectively, frustoconical and flat.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A battery as claimed in claim 1, wherein stop means are provided for limiting lengthwise movement of the thermoelectric assembly against the bias of the spring means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A battery as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spring means comprise a compression spring encircling the thermoelectric unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A battery as claimed in claim 1, wherein said casing is of tubular form and said mass is disposed in one end of the casing so as to seal said end.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A battery as claimed in claim 1 furher comprising electrical leads which extend from said thermoelectric unit through said mass and said heat sink to outside the battery.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A battery as claimed in claim 1, whereIn said resilient stop means comprise buffer means attached to the heat source end of the assembly.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3626583A
Cited
US3472702A
Cited
US3615869A
Cited
US3649367A
Cited
US3509620A
Cited
US3510362A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-30 | 1978-07-01 | 1978-12-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-30 | 1982-07-01 | 1982-12-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-30 | 1986-07-01 | 1986-12-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |