US4785875A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Heat pipe working liquid distribution system
Assignee: STM Power Inc
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Filing: 1987-11-12
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Granted: 1988-11-22
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Expires: 2007-11-12
Abstract
Abstract A heat pipe system particularly adapted for use with finned evaporators. In accordance with this invention, a separate liquid working fluid return conduit is provided which communicates with a liquid working fluid distribution means for distributing working fluid uniformly to all of the evaporator fins. Means are also provided in accordance with this invention for storing excess liquid working fluid either as a column of liquid within the liquid return pipe which is developed by a flow restrictor, or by selecting a distribution wick from a material having low capillary pressure which enables it to become saturated with liquid working fluid.
Inventors
- 👤 Roelf L. Meijer
- 👤 Robert P. Verhey
- 👤 Benjamin Ziph
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:37
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28D; F28D15/00; F28D15/02; F28D15/04; F28D15/046; F28D15/0266; F28D15/0275
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A heat pipe system comprising: an evaporator where a working fluid is evaporated and transmitted away from said evaporator and returned thereto as a condensed liquid, said evaporator having a plurality of hollow fins which communicate with a head space area of said evaporator, a vapor pipe for transporting working fluid vapor from said evaporator, a liquid return pipe for returning condensed working fluid to said evaporator head space, a distribution wick disposed within said head space in commmunication with capillary means lining said fins, duct means within said head space transmitting liquid working fluid returned by said liquid return pipe to said distribution wick whereby said liquid is returned to said hollow fins.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
A heat pipe system comprising: an evaporator where a working fluid is evaporated and transmitted away from said evaporator and returned thereto as a condensed liquid, said evaporator having a plurality of hollow fins which communicate with a head space area of said evaporator, a vapor pipe for transporting working fluid vapor from said evaporator, a liquid return pipe for returning condensed working fluid to said evaporator head space, a distribution wick disposed within said head space in commmunication with capillary means lining said fins, duct means within said head space transmitting liquid working fluid returned by said liquid return pipe to said distribution wick whereby said liquid is returned to said hollow fins.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
a heat pipe system according to claim 1 wherein said means for distributing comprises a distribution wick disposed in said head space for receiving liquid working fluid from said liquid return pipe and contacting said capillary means comprising a surface wick which lines said evaporator fins whereby liquid flowing through said liquid return pipe is absorbed by said distribution wick and transmitted by capillary action to said surface wick.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A heat pipe system according to claim 2 wherein said distribution wick forms at least one hole therethrough enabling vaporized working fluid to be transported from said evaporator fins through said holes and out said vapor pipe.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
A heat pipe system according to claim 2 wherein said distribution wick is a composite article made of at least two wick materials in which a first of said wick material provides a low capillary pressure thus storing significant quantities of said liquid working fluid, and a second portion thereof providing high capillary pressure for distribution of said working fluid to said evaporator fins.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
A heat pipe system according to claim 1 wherein said duct means comprises a plurality of individual distribution pipes within said head space which transport liquid working fluid from said liquid return pipe to a plurality of locations within said evaporator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A heat pipe system according to claim 5 wherein an individual distribution pipe is provided for each of said evaporator fins.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A heat pipe system according to claim 5 wherein the number of distribution pipes is less than the total number of said fins of said evaporator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
A heat pipe system according to claim 1 wherein said distribution means comprises a header pipe communicating with said liquid return pipe and having a plurality of apertures such that liquid within said header pipe is emitted from said apertures and distributed about said evaporator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
A heat pipe system according to claim 8 wherein said distribution means further comprises a distribution wick disposed in said head space and in contact with said surface wick whereby liquid working fluid emitted from said header pipe apertures is absorbed by said distribution wick and transported to said surface wick.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
65 words
A heat pipe system according to claim 1 wherein said duct means comprises plurality of individual distribution pipes within said head space communicating with said distribution wick disposed within said head space whereby liquid working fluid in said liquid return pipe flows through said distribution pipes and onto said distribution wick, said distribution wick being in contact with a surface wick lining said evaporator fins.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A heat pipe system according to claim 1 further comprising excess liquid working fluid storage means for storing excess quantities of said working fluid remote from said evaporator fins.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
A heat pipe system according to claim 11 wherein said storage means comprises a working fluid flow restrictor placed within said liquid return pipe for generating a reservoir of liquid working fluid within said liquid return pipe.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A heat pipe system according to claim 12 wherein said flow restrictor is formed from a plug of mesh material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
143 words
A heat pipe system comprising: an evaporator where a working fluid is evaporated and transmitted away from said evaporator and returned thereto as a condensed liquid, said evaporator having a plurality of hollow fins which communicate with a head space area of said evaporator, a vapor pipe for transporting working fluid vapor from said evaporator, a liquid return pipe for returning condensed working fluid to said evaporator head space, and means within said head space for distributing liquid working fluid returned by said liquid return pipe among said evaporator fins including a plurality of individual distribution pipes within said head space and a distribution wick disposed within said head space whereby liquid working fluid in said liquid return pipe flows through said distribution pipes and onto said distribution wick, said distribution wick being in contact with a surface wick lining said evaporator fins.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
143 words
A heat pipe system comprising: an evaporator where a working fluid is evaporated and transmitted away from said evaporator and returned thereto as a condensed liquid, said evaporator having a plurality of hollow fins which communicate with a head space area of said evaporator, a vapor pipe for transporting working fluid vapor from said evaporator, a liquid return pipe for returning condensed working fluid to said evaporator head space, and means within said head space for distributing liquid working fluid returned by said liquid return pipe among said evaporator fins including a plurality of individual distribution pipes within said head space and a distribution wick disposed within said head space whereby liquid working fluid in said liquid return pipe flows through said distribution pipes and onto said distribution wick, said distribution wick being in contact with a surface wick lining said evaporator fins.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
A heat pipe system according to claim 14 further comprising excess liquid working fluid storage means for storing excess quantities of said working fluid remote from said evaporator fins.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
A heat pipe system according to claim 15 wherein said storage means comprises a working fluid flow restrictor placed within said liquid return pipe for generating a reservoir of liquid working fluid within said liquid return pipe.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A heat pipe system according to claim 16 wherein said flow restrictor is formed for a plug of mesh material.
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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) | 1991-11-22 | 1992-05-23 | 1992-11-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-11-22 | 1996-05-23 | 1996-11-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-11-22 | 2000-05-23 | 2000-11-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |