Patent US3989546A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3989546A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermoelectric generator with hinged assembly for fins
Assignee: Intermedics Inc
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Filing: 1974-03-11
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Granted: 1976-11-02
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Expires: 1994-03-11
Abstract
Abstract A cylindrical casing has a central shielded capsule of radioisotope fuel. A plurality of thermonuclear modules are axially arranged with their hot junctions resiliently pressed toward the shield and with their cold junctions adjacent a transition member having fins radiating heat to the environment. For each module, the assembly of transition member and fins is hinged to the casing for swinging to permit access to and removal of such module. A ceramic plate having gold layers on opposite faces prevents diffusion bonding of the hot junction to the shield.
Inventors
- 👤 David L. Purdy
- 👤 Zalman M. Shapiro
- 👤 Thomas F. Hursen
- 👤 Gerould W. Maurer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:56
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21H; G21H1/00; G21H1/10; G21H1/103; H; H10; H10N; H10N10/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
In a generator comprising a casing, a radioactive fuel capsule suspended within said casing, at least one thermoelectric module having both a cold junction and a hot junction, said hot junction absorbing heat from said capsule, the improvement comprising: a cup-shaped fin-transition member adapted normally to be in heat exchange realationship with matching surfaces of the cold junction of the thermoelectric module with which said fintransition member is associated; a plurality of fins connected to opposite faces of said fin transition member; hinging means associating said fin-transition member with said casing whereby said fin-transition member can be swung away from said cold junction whenever access to its thermonuclear module is desired; and means adapted, except during such access to its thermonuclear module, to secure said hinged fin-transition member in said heat exchange relationship with said cold junction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
In a generator comprising a casing, a radioactive fuel capsule suspended within said casing, at least one thermoelectric module having both a cold junction and a hot junction, said hot junction absorbing heat from said capsule, the improvement comprising: a cup-shaped fin-transition member adapted normally to be in heat exchange realationship with matching surfaces of the cold junction of the thermoelectric module with which said fintransition member is associated; a plurality of fins connected to opposite faces of said fin transition member; hinging means associating said fin-transition member with said casing whereby said fin-transition member can be swung away from said cold junction whenever access to its thermonuclear module is desired; and means adapted, except during such access to its thermonuclear module, to secure said hinged fin-transition member in said heat exchange relationship with said cold junction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
82 words
The generator of claim 1 wherein a shield surrounds said capsule, and resilient means urge the hot junction of the thermoelectric module into heat transfer relationship with sad shield and wherein a ceramic sheet which is a thermal conductor and an electrical insulator is interposed between said shield and said hot junction, said ceramic sheet having a coating adapted to prevent diffusion bonding of the thermoelectric module to the shield and to permit removal of a used thermoelectric module from the generator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The module of claim 1 wherein the ceramic sheet is coated with an electrical conductor which does not diffusion-bond to the ceramic sheet under pressure and which can also be ruptured to permit separation of the hot junction from the shield.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The generator of claim 1 wherein the fin-transition member is composed of highly thermally conducting material having a preotective skin of a corrosion-resistant material thereon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The generator of claim 4 wherein the highly-thermally-conducting material is copper.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
The thermoelectric generator of claim 1 wherein the fin-transition member is bowed into cup shape between its ends and the module extends into the bowed portion of said member with the cold junction in heat-interchange relationship with the seat of the bowed portion and fins extending from the member on each side of the module.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
87 words
The thermoelectric generator of claim 1 wherein the fin-transition member is bowed into cup shape between its ends and the module extends into the bowed portion of said member with the cold junction in heat-interchange relationship with the seat of the bowed portion and fins extend along the whole length of the member from the side of the member away from the module and only from the portions of the member on both sides of the bowed portion from the side of the member towards the module.
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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) | 1979-11-02 | 1980-05-03 | 1980-11-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-11-02 | 1984-05-03 | 1984-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-11-02 | 1988-05-03 | 1988-11-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |