Abstract A cryogenic heat pipe that may be conveniently stored at normal room temperatures and pressures is disclosed. The cryogenic working fluid is caused to expand into a storage reservoir under these room conditions of temperature and pressure since all cryogenic fluids exceed critical pressure and temperature conditions at room temperatures. To activate the heat pipe from storage conditions, the condenser region must be cooled down to cryogenic temperatures. The cryogenic working fluid vapor in the system forms a condensate in the wick and only superheated gas remains in the reservoir. In one embodiment an adsorption reservoir is employed to reduce the external volume of the unit from that which would be obtained using a purely volumetric reservoir. The adiabatic region of the heat pipe is covered with a multi-foil-vacuum, super-insulation section to minimize ambient temperature effects when the device is activated and operating.
Inventors
👤 Algerd Basiulis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-11-01 00:55
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28D; F28D15/00; F28D15/02; F28D15/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
A cryogenic heat transfer device comprising: an hermetically sealed, evacuated elongated housing; a capillary wick longitudinally disposed within said housing; an expansion reservoir in fluid communication with said elongated housing; an insulation shell, longitudinally disposed about a substantial portion of the outer lateral surface of said elongated housing; said reservoir is a shell-like structure enclosing said insulation shell; and a quantity of cryogenic working fluid disposed within said capillary wick and said expansion reservoir.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
A cryogenic heat transfer device comprising: an hermetically sealed, evacuated elongated housing; a capillary wick longitudinally disposed within said housing; an expansion reservoir in fluid communication with said elongated housing; an insulation shell, longitudinally disposed about a substantial portion of the outer lateral surface of said elongated housing; said reservoir is a shell-like structure enclosing said insulation shell; and a quantity of cryogenic working fluid disposed within said capillary wick and said expansion reservoir.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A cryogenic heat transfer device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said insulation comprises an hermetically sealed evacuated chamber containing foil wrappings.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
A cryogenic heat transfer device comprising: an hermetically sealed, evacuated elongated housing; a capillary wick longitudinally disposed within said housing; an adsorption reservoir in fluid communication with said elongated housing; an insulation shell, longitudinally disposed about a substantial portion of the outer lateral surface of said elongated housing; and a quantity of cryogenic working fluid disposed within said capillary wick and said expansion reservoir.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
A cryogenic heat transfer device comprising: an hermetically sealed, evacuated elongated housing; a capillary wick longitudinally disposed within said housing; an adsorption reservoir in fluid communication with said elongated housing; an insulation shell, longitudinally disposed about a substantial portion of the outer lateral surface of said elongated housing; and a quantity of cryogenic working fluid disposed within said capillary wick and said expansion reservoir.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A cryogenic heat transfer device in accordance with claim 2 wherein said adsorption reservoir is a shell-like structure enclosing said insulation shell.