US4355522A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Passive ice freezing-releasing heat pipe
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1980-09-29
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Granted: 1982-10-26
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Expires: 2000-09-29
Abstract
Abstract A heat pipe device has been developed which permits completely passive ice formation and periodic release of ice without requiring the ambient temperature to rise above the melting point of water. This passive design enables the maximum amount of cooling capacity to be stored in the tank.
Inventors
- 👤 Anthony J. Gorski
- 👤 William W. Schertz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 01:29
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25C; F25C1/00; F28; F28D; F28D15/00; F28D15/02; F28D15/025; F28D15/0266
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A passive ice freezing-release heat pipe assembly comprising a diode heat pipe, a fluid disposed within said heat pipe, heat exchange means coupled to said heat pipe and capable of dissipating heat to the ambient during the freezing cycle of said heat pipe, a fluid proportioner means disposed within said heat pipe for collecting said fluid condensed from the vapor phase formed by said fluid absorbing heat and thereby boiling away during the freezing cycle, a passive on timer means disposed within said heat pipe and for accumulating fluid collected by said fluid proportioner means, a passive off-timer means disposed within said heat pipe and for collecting fluid condensed from the vapor phase and for holding the fluid until the end of the defrost part of the freezing cycle, and a means disposed within said heat pipe and capable of effectuating fluid transfer from said off-timer means to said on-timer means precedent to the defrost part of the freezing cycle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
A passive ice freezing-release heat pipe assembly comprising a diode heat pipe, a fluid disposed within said heat pipe, heat exchange means coupled to said heat pipe and capable of dissipating heat to the ambient during the freezing cycle of said heat pipe, a fluid proportioner means disposed within said heat pipe for collecting said fluid condensed from the vapor phase formed by said fluid absorbing heat and thereby boiling away during the freezing cycle, a passive on timer means disposed within said heat pipe and for accumulating fluid collected by said fluid proportioner means, a passive off-timer means disposed within said heat pipe and for collecting fluid condensed from the vapor phase and for holding the fluid until the end of the defrost part of the freezing cycle, and a means disposed within said heat pipe and capable of effectuating fluid transfer from said off-timer means to said on-timer means precedent to the defrost part of the freezing cycle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said fluid proportioner means is a central stem axially disposed within said heat pipe assembly with a plurality of branches radiating from said stem, said branches positioned to be able to drain working fluid after condensation onto said stem for collection by said on-timer means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device of claim 2, wherein said fluid proportioner means is an angular longitudinal segment of a cone disposed within said heat pipe assembly and capable of collecting working fluid after condensation for said on-timer means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device of claim 3, wherein said passive on-timer means is an on-timer reservoir capable of collecting working fluid taken from said fluid proportioner, said reservoir including a dumping means capable of dumping a pre-set level of working fluid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 4, wherein said fluid dumping means is a siphon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 5, wherein said passive off-timer means is an off-timer reservoir capable of collecting working fluid after condensation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 6, wherein the volume of said off-timer reservoir is less than the volume of said on-timer reservoir.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
The device of claim 7, wherein said means capable of effectuating fluid transfer from said off-timer reservoir to said on-timer reservoir is a collaboration between an internal heat pipe in thermal communication with said off-timer reservoir and said fluid proportioner, which collects said fluid condensed from the vapor phase and delivers said fluid to said on-timer reservoir.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
The device of claim 8, wherein said heat pipe assembly has a freezing assembly means attached externally to the portion of said heat pipe assembly immersed in the water, said freezing assembly means thermal communication with said internal heat pipe which is capable of transferring heat to said freezing assembly means, thereby assisting release of ice attached thereto.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 9, wherein said freezing assembly means are cooling fins.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 10, wherein said heat exchange means is a plurality of cooling fins.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said heat exchange means is a condensation metal sheet assembly.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 12, wherein said heat pipe assembly is a freezing metal sheet assembly.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 13, wherein said freezing metal sheet assembly includes said off-timer reservoir, said heat pipe, and an internal heat pipe.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said fluid proportioner means and said heat exchange means are combined and include a condensation metal sheet assembly, a boil-off vapor collection pipe, a drain pipe, and thermal insulation means between said collection pipe and the ambient.
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) | 1985-10-25 | 1986-04-26 | 1986-10-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-10-25 | 1990-04-26 | 1990-10-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-10-25 | 1994-04-26 | 1994-10-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |