US4082109A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Heat pipe actuated valve
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1976-09-03
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Granted: 1978-04-04
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Expires: 1996-09-03
Abstract
Abstract A heat pipe extends into the path of flow of a viscous fluid, e.g., polymer, for transferring heat from or to the flowing fluid and thereby for solidifying and stopping flow of the fluid or, conversely, for melting the solidified matter for resumed flow thereof. Control may simply increase or decrease the fluid viscosity for varying the rate of flow.
Inventors
- 👤 Tsu-Hung Sun
- 👤 Algerd Basiulis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 23:59
CPC Classifications
A; A62; A62C; A62C2/00; A62C2/06; F; F28; F28D; F28D15/00; F28D15/02; F28D15/0275; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/0318; Y10T137/0391; Y10T137/6416; Y10T137/6579
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A heat pipe actuated valve comprising: means for defining a flow path for matter which is capable of changing its viscosity; and at least one bidirectional heat pipe thermally coupled to said matter for transferring heat from and to said matter and thereby for changing the viscosity of said matter and its rate of flow through said flow path means and for causing said matter itself to check, permit and regulate its own flow by means of its changed viscosity respectively by shutting, opening and partially obstructing said flow path means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
A heat pipe actuated valve comprising: means for defining a flow path for matter which is capable of changing its viscosity; and at least one bidirectional heat pipe thermally coupled to said matter for transferring heat from and to said matter and thereby for changing the viscosity of said matter and its rate of flow through said flow path means and for causing said matter itself to check, permit and regulate its own flow by means of its changed viscosity respectively by shutting, opening and partially obstructing said flow path means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
114 words
A heat pipe valve comprising: a conduit; matter capable of changing its viscosity for flow through said conduct; and at least one bidirectional heat pipe having first and second end sections, said first end section extending into said conduit and in the path of the flow of the matter for transferring heat from and to the matter and thereby for changing the viscosity of the matter and for causing said matter itself to check, permit and regulate its own flow by means of its changed viscosity respectively by shutting, opening and partially obstructing said conduit, and said second end section extending out of said conduit for transferring heat to and from said first section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
114 words
A heat pipe valve comprising: a conduit; matter capable of changing its viscosity for flow through said conduct; and at least one bidirectional heat pipe having first and second end sections, said first end section extending into said conduit and in the path of the flow of the matter for transferring heat from and to the matter and thereby for changing the viscosity of the matter and for causing said matter itself to check, permit and regulate its own flow by means of its changed viscosity respectively by shutting, opening and partially obstructing said conduit, and said second end section extending out of said conduit for transferring heat to and from said first section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A valve as in claim 2 further including actuating means coupled to said heat pipe second end section for causing heat flow in said bidirectional heat pipe to move towards and away from said heat pipe first end section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A valve as in claim 3 wherein said actuating means comprises heating and cooling apparatus.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
A valve as in claim 4 wherein said cooling apparatus comprises a blower for blowing cooling air past said heat pipe second end section, thereby for inducing heat to be removed from the matter to said heat pipe first end section and thence to said heat pipe second end section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
207 words
A heat pipe actuated valve comprising: means for defining a flow path of matter capable of changing its viscosity; at least one bidirectional heat pipe having a first end section extending in the path of the flow of the matter and a second end section extending out of said flow path means, and for transferring heat from and to the matter and thereby for changing the viscosity of the matter and its rate of flow through said flow path means; and heating and cooling apparatus coupled to said heat pipe second end section for causing heat flow in said bidirectional heat pipe to move towards and away from said heat pipe first end section, said cooling apparatus comprising a blower for blowing cooling air past said heat pipe second end section, thereby for inducing heat to be removed from the matter to said heat pipe first end section and thence to said heat pipe second end section, and said heating apparatus comprising a heater positioned between said blower and said heat pipe second end section for heating the air and for blowing the heated air past said heat pipe second end section, thereby for transferring heat to said heat pipe first end section and to the matter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
207 words
A heat pipe actuated valve comprising: means for defining a flow path of matter capable of changing its viscosity; at least one bidirectional heat pipe having a first end section extending in the path of the flow of the matter and a second end section extending out of said flow path means, and for transferring heat from and to the matter and thereby for changing the viscosity of the matter and its rate of flow through said flow path means; and heating and cooling apparatus coupled to said heat pipe second end section for causing heat flow in said bidirectional heat pipe to move towards and away from said heat pipe first end section, said cooling apparatus comprising a blower for blowing cooling air past said heat pipe second end section, thereby for inducing heat to be removed from the matter to said heat pipe first end section and thence to said heat pipe second end section, and said heating apparatus comprising a heater positioned between said blower and said heat pipe second end section for heating the air and for blowing the heated air past said heat pipe second end section, thereby for transferring heat to said heat pipe first end section and to the matter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A valve as in claim 4 further including fins secured to said heat pipe at said second section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
A valve as in claim 2, wherein said heat pipe first end section comprises a straight element with fins secured to and extending outwardly from said straight element in the path of flow of the matter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A valve as in claim 2 wherein said heat pipe first end section has a spiral coil configuration.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
A valve as in claim 2 wherein said heat pipe first end section has a general doughnut-shaped loop configuration.
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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) | 1981-04-03 | 1981-10-03 | 1982-04-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-04-03 | 1985-10-03 | 1986-04-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-04-03 | 1989-10-03 | 1990-04-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |