US4112699A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Heat transfer system using thermally-operated, heat-conducting valves
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1977-05-04
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Granted: 1978-09-12
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Expires: 1997-05-04
Abstract
Abstract A heat transfer system, e.g., refrigeration system or heater, particularlyaluable at cryogenic temperatures which comprises a serial arrangement, in abutting contact and connected to the material or device to be cooled or heated, of a thermal reservoir made of a material having a specific heat capacity, a thermal valve made of a thermally-conductive material whose thermal conductivity increases as its temperature increases, e.g., magnesium, a working material whose temperature is periodically varied, e.g., by magnetic or electric fields, and another valve of a thermal-conductive material whose thermal conductivity decreases as its temperature increases, e.g., NaCl. The magnetic refrigeration or heater units may be ganged to increase the cooling or heating ability.
Inventors
- 👤 George Elbert Hudson, III
- 👤 Arthur E. Clark
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:15
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28F; F28F27/00; F25; F25B; F25B21/00; F25B2321/00; F25B2321/002; F25B2321/0022; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B30/00; Y10; Y10S; Y10S505/00; Y10S505/825; Y10S505/888; Y10S505/891
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A heat transfer system adapted to be coupled in heat transfer relationship between a heat reservoir and an object to be cooled or heated, said heat transfer system comprising the serial arrangement of: a first thermal valve having a thermal conductivity which increases with decreasing temperature; a working substance, the temperature of which may be varied by an external means; a second thermal valve having a thermal conductivity which increases with increasing temperature; and, an external means to vary the temperature of said working substance.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
A heat transfer system adapted to be coupled in heat transfer relationship between a heat reservoir and an object to be cooled or heated, said heat transfer system comprising the serial arrangement of: a first thermal valve having a thermal conductivity which increases with decreasing temperature; a working substance, the temperature of which may be varied by an external means; a second thermal valve having a thermal conductivity which increases with increasing temperature; and, an external means to vary the temperature of said working substance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The heat transfer system of claim 1 wherein said working substance is a magnetocaloric material and said external means is a source of periodically varying magnetic field.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The heat transfer system of claim 2 wherein said magnetocaloric material is a rare earth iron garnet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The heat transfer system of claim 3 wherein said external means is a small moving permanent magnet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The heat transfer system of claim 4 wherein the material of said first valve is sodium chloride and the material of said second valve is magnesium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
97 words
The heat transfer system adapted to be coupled in heat transfer relationship between a heat reservoir and an object to be cooled or heated, said heat transfer system, comprising a plurality of heat transfer units each comprising the serial arrangement of: a supplementary heat reservoir; a first thermal valve having a thermal conductivity which increases with decreasing temperature; a working substance, the temperature of which may be varied by an external means; a second thermal valve having a thermal conductivity which increases with increasing temperature; and, an external means to vary the temperature of said working substance.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
97 words
The heat transfer system adapted to be coupled in heat transfer relationship between a heat reservoir and an object to be cooled or heated, said heat transfer system, comprising a plurality of heat transfer units each comprising the serial arrangement of: a supplementary heat reservoir; a first thermal valve having a thermal conductivity which increases with decreasing temperature; a working substance, the temperature of which may be varied by an external means; a second thermal valve having a thermal conductivity which increases with increasing temperature; and, an external means to vary the temperature of said working substance.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The heat transfer system of claim 6 wherein said working substance is a magnetocaloric material and said external means is a source of periodically varying magnetic field.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The heat transfer system of claim 7 wherein said magnetocaloric material is a rare earth iron garnet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The heat transfer system of claim 8 wherein said external means is a small moving permanent magnet.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The heat transfer system of claim 9 wherein the material of said first valve is sodium chloride and the material of said second valve is magnesium.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-09-11 | 1982-03-13 | 1982-09-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-09-11 | 1986-03-13 | 1986-09-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-09-11 | 1990-03-13 | 1990-09-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |