US4590993A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Heat transfer device for the transport of large conduction flux without net mass transfer
Assignee: University of Florida
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Filing: 1984-10-23
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Granted: 1986-05-27
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Expires: 2004-10-23
Abstract
Abstract A device for the transport of large conduction heat flux between two locations of differing temperature includes a pair of fluid reservoirs for positioning at the respective locations connected by at least one duct, and preferably a plurality of ducts, having walls of a material which conducts heat. A heat transfer fluid, preferably a liquid, and preferably a liquid metal such as mercury, lithium or sodium, fills both reservoirs and the connecting ducts. An oscillatory axial movement or flow of working fluid is established within the ducts, with the extent of fluid movement being less than the duct length. Preferably the oscillatory movement is sinusoidal. Heat is transferred radially between the fluid and the duct walls and thence axially along the ducts. The rate of heat transfer is greatly enhanced by a physical mechanism which may be described as a high time-dependent radial temperature gradient produced by fluid oscillations. During most of each sinusoidal cycle, fluid in the wall-near region has a temperature different from the core of the fluid column, with most of the temperature difference concentrated across a relatively thin boundary layer.
Inventors
- 👤 Ulrich H. Kurzweg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 19:14
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25B; F25B9/00; F25B9/14; F25B9/145; F03; F03G; F03G7/00; F03G7/002; F28; F28D; F28D15/00; F28F; F28F13/00; F28F13/06; F28F13/10; G; G21; G21C; G21C15/00; G21C15/24; G21C15/257; F25B2309/00; F25B2309/14; F25B2309/1413; F25B2309/1417; F25B2309/1419; F25B2309/1426; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A heat transfer device comprising: a pair of fluid reservoirs adapted for positioning at respective locations of differing temperature between which it is desired to transfer heat; at least one duct connecting said fluid reservoirs and having walls of a material which conducts heat; a quantity of heat transfer fluid filling said duct and at least portions of said reservoirs; and means for establishing oscillatory axial movement of working fluid within said duct, the extent of fluid movement within said duct being less than the length of said duct.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
A heat transfer device comprising: a pair of fluid reservoirs adapted for positioning at respective locations of differing temperature between which it is desired to transfer heat; at least one duct connecting said fluid reservoirs and having walls of a material which conducts heat; a quantity of heat transfer fluid filling said duct and at least portions of said reservoirs; and means for establishing oscillatory axial movement of working fluid within said duct, the extent of fluid movement within said duct being less than the length of said duct.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A heat transfer device in accordance with claim 1, which comprises a plurality of ducts connecting said fluid reservoirs and having walls of a material which conducts heat.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A heat transfer device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said fluid is a liquid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A heat transfer device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said fluid is a liquid metal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A heat transfer device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for establishing oscillatory axial movement establishes sinusoidal movement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A heat transfer device in accordance with claim 1, wherein each of said reservoirs includes a heat exchanger for exchanging heat with the heat transfer fluid within the respective reservoir.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A heat transfer device in accordance with claim 2, wherein each of said reservoirs includes a heat exchanger for exchanging heat with the heat transfer fluid within the respective reservoir.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
103 words
A heat transfer device comprising: a pair of fluid reservoirs adapted for positioning at respective locations of differing temperature between which it is desired to transfer heat; at least one duct connecting said fluid reservoirs and having walls of a material which conducts heat; a quantity of heat transfer fluid filling said duct and at least portions of said reservoirs; and an oscillatory displacement device acting on fluid within one of said reservoirs for causing working fluid to alternately move axially in opposite directions within said duct, the extent of fluid movement within said duct being less than the length of said duct.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
103 words
A heat transfer device comprising: a pair of fluid reservoirs adapted for positioning at respective locations of differing temperature between which it is desired to transfer heat; at least one duct connecting said fluid reservoirs and having walls of a material which conducts heat; a quantity of heat transfer fluid filling said duct and at least portions of said reservoirs; and an oscillatory displacement device acting on fluid within one of said reservoirs for causing working fluid to alternately move axially in opposite directions within said duct, the extent of fluid movement within said duct being less than the length of said duct.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A heat transfer device in accordance with claim 8, which comprises a plurality of ducts connecting said fluid reservoirs and having walls of a material which conducts heat.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
A heat transfer device in accordance with claim 9, wherein said fluid is a liquid.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A heat transfer device in accordance with claim 9, wherein said fluid is a liquid.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
A heat transfer device in accordance with claim 8, wherein said oscillating displacement device oscillates sinusoidally.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
A heat transfer device in accordance with claim 9, wherein said oscillating displacement device oscillates sinusoidally.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
A heat transfer device in accordance with claim 8, wherein said fluid is a liquid metal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
A heat transfer device in accordance with claim 9, wherein said fluid is a liquid metal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
A heat transfer device in accordance with claim 15, wherein said heat transfer fluid comprises liquid mercury.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
A heat transfer device in accordance with claim 15, wherein said heat transfer fluid comprises liquid lithium.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
A heat transfer device in accordance with claim 15, wherein said heat transfer fluid comprises liquid sodium.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
A heat transfer device in accordance with claim 8, wherein said tube walls comprise stainless steel.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
A heat transfer device in accordance with claim 9, wherein said tube walls comprise stainless steel.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
A heat transfer device in accordance with claim 8, wherein each of said reservoirs includes a heat exchanger for exchanging heat with the heat transfer fluid within the respective reservoir.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
A heat transfer device in accordance with claim 9, wherein each of said reservoirs includes a heat exchanger for exchanging heat with the heat transfer fluid within the respective reservoir.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
42 words
A heat transfer device in accordance with claim 10, wherein: heat transfer fluid fills substantially all space within said reservoirs and said tube; and which further comprises; a displacement accommodating device acted on by fluid within the other one of said reservoir.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
A heat transfer device in accordance with claim 23, wherein said displacement accommodating device comprises a passive resilient member.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
42 words
A heat transfer device in accordance with claim 11, wherein: heat transfer fluid fills substantially all space within said reservoirs and said tube; and which further comprises: a displacement accommodating device acted on by fluid within the other one of said reservoir.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
A heat transfer device in accordance with claim 25, wherein said displacement accommodating device comprises a passive resilient member.
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) | 1989-05-26 | 1989-11-25 | 1990-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-05-26 | 1993-11-25 | 1994-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-05-26 | 1997-11-25 | 1998-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |