Patent US4443220A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4011104A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Thermoelectric system
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1973-10-05
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Granted: 1977-03-08
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Expires: 1993-10-05
Abstract
Abstract A system wherein a plurality of thermoelectric modules are thermally connected by heat pipes forming a cascaded structure that is capable of operating effectively and reliably with large temperature gradients, the heat pipes providing relatively low temperature gradient interfaces between the thermoelectric modules and thereby act as stress isolation structures.
Inventors
- 👤 Algerd Basiulis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 23:27
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25B; F25B21/00; F25B21/02; H; H10; H10N; H10N10/00; H10N10/10; H10N10/13; H10N19/00; H10N19/101
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
A thermoelectric system for use in relatively high temperature gradient applications, comprising: a plurality of thermoelectric modules, said modules including a grouping of thermoelectric couples electrically interconnected to cool a first of the modules' two parallel planar surfaces and the dissipate heat from a second planar surface of said module, said first planar surface of each of said modules being adjacent said second planar surface of adjacent modules to provide a serial thermal relationship of said modules; and a separate heat pipe disposed between and thermally coupled to each adjacent pair of said thermoelectric modules, said heat pipe including a sealed tubular housing having a closed evaporator end and an opposite closed end, a volatile working and capillary flow means being disposed within said housing for conveying said working fluid liquid toward said evaporator end thereof, said evaporator end being juxtaposed said second planar surface of said thermoelectric modules, and said thermoelectric modules being electrically interconnected by electrical conductors at least a portion of which are disposed within said sealed tubular housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
A thermoelectric system for use in relatively high temperature gradient applications, comprising: a plurality of thermoelectric modules, said modules including a grouping of thermoelectric couples electrically interconnected to cool a first of the modules' two parallel planar surfaces and the dissipate heat from a second planar surface of said module, said first planar surface of each of said modules being adjacent said second planar surface of adjacent modules to provide a serial thermal relationship of said modules; and a separate heat pipe disposed between and thermally coupled to each adjacent pair of said thermoelectric modules, said heat pipe including a sealed tubular housing having a closed evaporator end and an opposite closed end, a volatile working and capillary flow means being disposed within said housing for conveying said working fluid liquid toward said evaporator end thereof, said evaporator end being juxtaposed said second planar surface of said thermoelectric modules, and said thermoelectric modules being electrically interconnected by electrical conductors at least a portion of which are disposed within said sealed tubular housing.
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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) | 1980-03-07 | 1980-09-06 | 1981-03-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-03-07 | 1984-09-06 | 1985-03-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-03-07 | 1988-09-06 | 1989-03-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |