US4314449A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Non-contacting thermal energy transfer assembly
Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp
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Filing: 1980-08-20
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Granted: 1982-02-09
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Expires: 2000-08-20
Abstract
Abstract A thermal conducting path between a relatively movable heat source and a relatively fixed heat sink element, defined as a relatively narrow non-contacting conducting gap between opposing conducting surfaces. In an embodiment where the heat source is gimbal mounted, for movement with respect to two orthogonal axes, its conductive surface has a convex partial spherical shape while the relatively fixed surface of the heat sink element has a concave partial spherical shape. In order to maintain a constant gap, the opposing surfaces have a common spherical center located at the crossover of said orthogonal axes and the spherical radii dimensions differ by the distance of said relatively narrow non-contacting gap therebetween.
Inventors
- 👤 Elias Reisman
- 👤 David S. Goodsell
- 👤 Fred S. Masino
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:55
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41G; F41G7/00; F41G7/20; F41G7/22; F41G7/2273; F41G7/2293; F25; F25B; F25B21/00; F25B21/02; F41G7/2213; F41G7/2253; G; G01; G01J; G01J5/00; G01J5/02; G01J5/06; G01J5/061; G12; G12B; G12B15/00; G12B15/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A radiation detector assembly comprising: a relatively fixed body; a thermoelectric cooler having defined hot and cold conductors; a gimbal assembly attached to said fixed body for mounting said thermoelectric cooler and detector element to provide relative movement about two orthogonal axes; a heat sink mounted within said relatively fixed body; means for transferring heat from said relatively movable hot conductor to said heat sink, which includes: a first low thermal resistivity element mounted on said hot conductor; a second low thermal resistivity element mounted within said body in contact with said heat sink; and a gaseous fluid medium having a low thermal resistivity located between said first and second elements to provide a non-contacting thermal conducting path therebetween.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
A radiation detector assembly comprising: a relatively fixed body; a thermoelectric cooler having defined hot and cold conductors; a gimbal assembly attached to said fixed body for mounting said thermoelectric cooler and detector element to provide relative movement about two orthogonal axes; a heat sink mounted within said relatively fixed body; means for transferring heat from said relatively movable hot conductor to said heat sink, which includes: a first low thermal resistivity element mounted on said hot conductor; a second low thermal resistivity element mounted within said body in contact with said heat sink; and a gaseous fluid medium having a low thermal resistivity located between said first and second elements to provide a non-contacting thermal conducting path therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
An assembly as in claim 1, wherein said medium is air and said first and second elements are separated by a continuously spaced gap of approximately 1 mil. (0.0254 mm).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
An assembly as in claim 1, wherein said medium has a thermal resistivity below 10° C./watt/cm 2 between said first and second elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
An assembly as in claim 1, wherein said first element has a convex partial spherical surface of a first radius having its spherical center located at the intersection of said orthogonal axes, said second element has a concave partial spherical surface of a second radius which is greater than said first radius to define a continuous space therebetween and said gaseous fluid medium occupies said space.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
An assembly as in claim 4, wherein said medium has a thermal resistivity below 10° C./watt/cm 2 in said continuous space.
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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) | 1985-02-08 | 1985-08-10 | 1986-02-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-02-08 | 1989-08-10 | 1990-02-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-02-08 | 1993-08-10 | 1994-02-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |