Patent US5814748A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4485670A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4485670A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Heat pipe cooled probe
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1981-02-13
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Granted: 1984-12-04
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Expires: 2001-02-13
Abstract
Abstract The basic heat pipe principle is employed to provide a self-contained passively cooled probe that may be placed into a high temperature environment. The probe consists of an evaporator region 13 of a heat pipe 10 and a sensing instrument 17. Heat is absorbed as the working fluid 22 evaporates in the probe. The vapor is transported to the vapor space 14 of the condenser region 15. Heat is dissipated from the condenser region and fins 20 causing condensation of the working fluid, which returns to the probe by gravity and the capillary action of the wick 18. Working fluid, wick and condenser configurations and structure materials can be selected to maintain the probe within an acceptable temperature range.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles J. Camarda
- 👤 Lana M. Couch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:48
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28D; F28D15/00; F28D15/02; F28D15/0233; G; G01; G01K; G01K1/00; G01K1/08; G01K1/12; G12; G12B; G12B15/00; G12B15/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A heat pipe cooled probe comprising: probe means for sensing in a thermally hostile environment; heat pipe means forming a part of said probe means; said heat pipe means including first means for absorbing heat in a high temperature area of the probe and conducting it to an area of lower temperature; said heat pipe means including second means for dissipating heat from the area of lower temperature; and said heat pipe means including capillary artery means for allowing a working fluid to flow directly from said low temperature area to said high temperature area.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
A heat pipe cooled probe comprising: probe means for sensing in a thermally hostile environment; heat pipe means forming a part of said probe means; said heat pipe means including first means for absorbing heat in a high temperature area of the probe and conducting it to an area of lower temperature; said heat pipe means including second means for dissipating heat from the area of lower temperature; and said heat pipe means including capillary artery means for allowing a working fluid to flow directly from said low temperature area to said high temperature area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein said probe means for sensing is an instrument for sensing fluid flow conditions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein said first means is an evaporator region of said heat pipe means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device as in claim 3 wherein said first means for absorbing heat from said probe means includes a working fluid in the evaporator region of said heat pipe means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as in claim 3 wherein said heat pipe means includes wick means for cycling a working fluid contained therein.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein said second means is a condenser region of the heat pipe means including fins to assist in heat dissipation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device as in claim 5 wherein the diameter of the condenser region exceeds that of the evaporator region to increase heat dissipation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein said instrument is a temperature sensing instrument.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device as in claim 8 wherein said temperature sensing instrument is a thermocouple.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
121 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein said heat pipe means includes a housing; said housing having an evaporator region and a condensing region; wick means extending from said evaporator region to said condensing region; working fluid means disposed within said housing; sensing means carried by said evaporator region; capillary artery means for allowing said working fluid to flow directly to said evaporator region; and said sensing means being passively cooled by said working fluid being evaporated and operating as a heat sink in said evaporator region, carrying the heat to the condensing region, condensing to give up heat to said means for dissipating heat, and returning via said wick means and said capillary artery means to complete a continuous cycle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as in claim 10 positioned substantially vertically over the high temperature environment to allow gravity to assist said heat pipe means fluid flow.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as in claim 10 wherein said wick means is of a thickness which will prevent boiling of a working fluid carried therein.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein said instrument is a pressure sensing instrument.
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) | 1987-12-04 | 1988-06-04 | 1988-12-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-12-04 | 1992-06-04 | 1992-12-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-12-04 | 1996-06-04 | 1996-12-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |