US3924674A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Heat valve device
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1972-11-07
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Granted: 1975-12-09
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Expires: 1992-11-07
Abstract
Abstract Heat valve devices especially suitable for controlling heat flow from a heat source to a heat sink are disclosed. These devices each include an elongated tubular housing of low thermal conductivity being closed at both ends. A capillary wick lining the inner lateral surface of the housing is adapted to convey a volatile working fluid such as water from one end to the other. A sealed working fluid reservoir adapted to being heated is in fluid communication with the housing.
Inventors
- 👤 Algerd Basiulis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 11:26
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28D; F28D15/00; F28D15/02; F28D15/06; F28D15/0266
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
232 words
A heat switching device having first and second states comprising: a housing of low thermal conductivity having a first heat transfer region and a second heat transfer region, said housing containing a gas during said first state and containing a fluid during said second state; capillary means having a void volume and disposed within said housing for conveying a fluid between said heat transfer regions during said second state; a fluid reservoir for containing a fluid during said first state; means hermetically sealing said fluid reservoir to said housing for providing fluid communication therebetween; a volatile working fluid in said fluid reservoir during said first state and being sufficient to fill the void volume of said capillary means during said second state; a gas reservoir; means hermetically sealing said gas reservoir to said housing for providing fluid communication therebetween; an inert gas being non-condensible in said first and second states being at a predetermined pressure within said gas reservoir and said housing for preventing transfer of heat between said heat transfer regions during said first state and being displaceable from said housing into said gas reservoir by increasing the vapor pressure of said volatile working fluid above said predetermined gas pressure in said second state; and, means coupled to said gas reservoir for varying the inert gas pressure therein and varying the switching point from said first state to said second state.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
232 words
A heat switching device having first and second states comprising: a housing of low thermal conductivity having a first heat transfer region and a second heat transfer region, said housing containing a gas during said first state and containing a fluid during said second state; capillary means having a void volume and disposed within said housing for conveying a fluid between said heat transfer regions during said second state; a fluid reservoir for containing a fluid during said first state; means hermetically sealing said fluid reservoir to said housing for providing fluid communication therebetween; a volatile working fluid in said fluid reservoir during said first state and being sufficient to fill the void volume of said capillary means during said second state; a gas reservoir; means hermetically sealing said gas reservoir to said housing for providing fluid communication therebetween; an inert gas being non-condensible in said first and second states being at a predetermined pressure within said gas reservoir and said housing for preventing transfer of heat between said heat transfer regions during said first state and being displaceable from said housing into said gas reservoir by increasing the vapor pressure of said volatile working fluid above said predetermined gas pressure in said second state; and, means coupled to said gas reservoir for varying the inert gas pressure therein and varying the switching point from said first state to said second state.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
242 words
A heat switching device having first and second states comprising: a housing of low thermal conductivity having a first heat transfer region and a second heat transfer region, said housing containing a gas during said first state and containing a fluid during said second state; capillary means having a void volume and disposed within said housing for conveying a fluid between said heat transfer regions during said second state; a fluid reservoir for containing a fluid during said first state; means hermetically sealing said fluid reservoir to said housing for providing fluid communication therebetween; a volatile working fluid in said fluid reservoir during said first state and being sufficient to fill the void volume of said capillary means during said second state; a gas reservoir; means hermetically sealing said gas reservoir to said housing for providing fluid communication therebetween; an inert gas being non-condensible in said first and second states being at a predetermined pressure within said gas reservoir and said housing for preventing transfer of heat between said heat transfer regions during said first state and being displaceable from said housing into said gas reservoir by increasing the vapor pressure of said volatile working fluid above said predetermined gas pressure in said second state; said first and second states having a predetermined switching point; and, means coupled to said gas reservoir for varying the inert gas pressure therein and varying the swiTching point from said first state to said second state.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
242 words
A heat switching device having first and second states comprising: a housing of low thermal conductivity having a first heat transfer region and a second heat transfer region, said housing containing a gas during said first state and containing a fluid during said second state; capillary means having a void volume and disposed within said housing for conveying a fluid between said heat transfer regions during said second state; a fluid reservoir for containing a fluid during said first state; means hermetically sealing said fluid reservoir to said housing for providing fluid communication therebetween; a volatile working fluid in said fluid reservoir during said first state and being sufficient to fill the void volume of said capillary means during said second state; a gas reservoir; means hermetically sealing said gas reservoir to said housing for providing fluid communication therebetween; an inert gas being non-condensible in said first and second states being at a predetermined pressure within said gas reservoir and said housing for preventing transfer of heat between said heat transfer regions during said first state and being displaceable from said housing into said gas reservoir by increasing the vapor pressure of said volatile working fluid above said predetermined gas pressure in said second state; said first and second states having a predetermined switching point; and, means coupled to said gas reservoir for varying the inert gas pressure therein and varying the swiTching point from said first state to said second state.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
256 words
A heat switching device having first and second states comprising: a housing of low thermal conductivity having a first heat transfer region and a second heat transfer region, said housing containing a gas during said first state and containing a fluid during said second state; means coupled to said first heat transfer region for thermal transfer therebetween; means coupled to said second heat transfer region for thermal transfer therebetween; capillary means having a void volume and disposed within said housing for conveying a fluid between said heat transfer regions during said second state; a fluid reservoir for containing a fluid during said first state; means hermetically sealing said fluid reservoir to said housing for providing fluid communication therebetween; a volatile working fluid in said fluid reservoir during said first state and being sufficient to fill the void volume of said capillary means during said second state; a gas reservoir; means hermetically sealing said gas reservoir to said housing for providing fluid communication therebetween; an inert gas being non-condensible in said first and second states and having a predetermined pressure within said gas reservoir and said housing for preventing transfer of heat between said heat transfer regions during said first state and being displaceable from said housing into said gas reservoir by increasing the vapor pressure of said volatile working fluid above said predetermined gas pressure in said second state; and, means coupled to said gas reservoir for varying the inert gas pressure therein and varying the switching point from said first state to said second state.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
256 words
A heat switching device having first and second states comprising: a housing of low thermal conductivity having a first heat transfer region and a second heat transfer region, said housing containing a gas during said first state and containing a fluid during said second state; means coupled to said first heat transfer region for thermal transfer therebetween; means coupled to said second heat transfer region for thermal transfer therebetween; capillary means having a void volume and disposed within said housing for conveying a fluid between said heat transfer regions during said second state; a fluid reservoir for containing a fluid during said first state; means hermetically sealing said fluid reservoir to said housing for providing fluid communication therebetween; a volatile working fluid in said fluid reservoir during said first state and being sufficient to fill the void volume of said capillary means during said second state; a gas reservoir; means hermetically sealing said gas reservoir to said housing for providing fluid communication therebetween; an inert gas being non-condensible in said first and second states and having a predetermined pressure within said gas reservoir and said housing for preventing transfer of heat between said heat transfer regions during said first state and being displaceable from said housing into said gas reservoir by increasing the vapor pressure of said volatile working fluid above said predetermined gas pressure in said second state; and, means coupled to said gas reservoir for varying the inert gas pressure therein and varying the switching point from said first state to said second state.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-12-08 | 1979-06-09 | 1979-12-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-08 | 1983-06-09 | 1983-12-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-08 | 1987-06-09 | 1987-12-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |