US4463409A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Attitude independent evaporative cooling system
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1983-03-22
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Granted: 1984-07-31
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Expires: 2003-03-22
Abstract
Abstract An attitude independent, evaporative cooling system used in airborne systems for cooling electronic components. The coolant is water contained within ducts in heat transfer relationship with the electronic components. The ducts are sealed to water passage by porous membranes which permit passage of steam into a manifold which is sealed by a normally closed pressure relief valve. The relief valve is operable at a selected steam pressure which corresponds to the desired maximum operating temperature for the electronic components.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank E. Altoz
- 👤 John J. Chino
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 06:25
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K7/00; H05K7/20; H05K7/20009; H05K7/20536; H05K7/20663; H05K7/20681
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
An attitude independent evaporative cooling system for maintaining electronic components of an airborne radar system, to which the cooling system is thermally coupled, below a predetermined maximum operating temperature comprising; (a) means containing water coolant in intimate heat transfer relationship with the electronic components, which means is sealed to passage of water by a porous membrane which permits steam to pass through the membrane; (b) a solid steam manifold coupled to the water containing means by the porous membrane; (c) a normally closed pressure relief means included in the manifold whereby steam formed by evaporative heating of the water passes through the porous membrane to the steam manifold, and opens the pressure relief means at a predetermined pressure value corresponding to a water temperature at the predetermined maximum operating temperature permitting release of steam from the manifold and lowering the steam pressure in the manifold.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
An attitude independent evaporative cooling system for maintaining electronic components of an airborne radar system, to which the cooling system is thermally coupled, below a predetermined maximum operating temperature comprising; (a) means containing water coolant in intimate heat transfer relationship with the electronic components, which means is sealed to passage of water by a porous membrane which permits steam to pass through the membrane; (b) a solid steam manifold coupled to the water containing means by the porous membrane; (c) a normally closed pressure relief means included in the manifold whereby steam formed by evaporative heating of the water passes through the porous membrane to the steam manifold, and opens the pressure relief means at a predetermined pressure value corresponding to a water temperature at the predetermined maximum operating temperature permitting release of steam from the manifold and lowering the steam pressure in the manifold.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The attitude independent evaporative cooling system set forth in claim 1, wherein the water containing means includes a thermally conductive heat transfer member in intimate heat transfer contact with the electronic components.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The attitude independent evaporative cooling system set forth in claim 1, wherein the electronic components comprise an array of transmit-receive modules of a phased array radar system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The cooling system set forth in claim 1, wherein the normally closed pressure relief means is spring loaded to open when the steam pressure in the manifold corresponds to a predetermined saturation temperature for water which defines the desired maximum operating temperature for the electronic components.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The cooling system set forth in claim 1, wherein the system is adapted for use in a space environment with the quantity of water selected to determine a desired operating time at the predetermined maximum operating temperature.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The cooling system set forth in claim 1, wherein the water containing means comprises a plurality of symmetrically spaced ducts which are connected to a peripheral manifold.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cooling system set forth in claim 1, wherein the porous membrane is a hydrophobic medium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The cooling system set forth in claim 7, wherein the porous membrane has a pore size of approximately 0.2 microns.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The cooling system set forth in claim 1, wherein the volume of the means for containing the water includes sufficient volume to accommodate the expanded volume of ice formed by freezing of the water coolant.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The cooling system set forth in claim 1, wherein selected corrosion inhibitors are added to the water.
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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) | 1987-07-31 | 1988-01-30 | 1988-07-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-07-31 | 1992-01-30 | 1992-07-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-07-31 | 1996-01-30 | 1996-07-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |