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US4838346A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Reusable high-temperature heat pipes and heat pipe panels
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1988-08-29
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Granted: 1989-06-13
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Expires: 2008-08-29
Abstract
Abstract A reusable, durable heat pipe which is capable of operating at temperatures up to about 3000° F. in an oxidizing environment and at temperatures above 3000° F. in an inert or vacuum environment is produced by embedding a refractory metal pipe within a carbon-carbon composite structure. A reusable, durable heat pipe panel is made from an array of refractory-metal pipes spaced from each other, each refractory-metal pipe being embedded within a carbon-carbon composite structure. The reusable, durable, heat-pipe panel is employed to fabricate a hypersonic vehicle leading edge and nose cap.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles J. Camarda
- 👤 Philip O. Ransone
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 13:08
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28D; F28D15/00; F28D15/02; F28D15/0233; F28D15/0275; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S165/00; Y10S165/905
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
45 words
A reusable, durable heat pipe which is capable of operating at temperatures up to about 3,000° F. in an oxidizing environment and at temperatures above 3000° F. in an inert or vacuum environment, which comprises a refractory metal pipe embedded within a carbon-carbon composite structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
45 words
A reusable, durable heat pipe which is capable of operating at temperatures up to about 3,000° F. in an oxidizing environment and at temperatures above 3000° F. in an inert or vacuum environment, which comprises a refractory metal pipe embedded within a carbon-carbon composite structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The reusable, durable heat pipe of claim 1, wherein the refractory metal is selected from the group consisting of: tungsten, rhenium, columbium and molybdenum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
A reusable, durable heat pipe panel which is capable of operating at temperatures up to about 3000° F. in an oxidizing environment and at temperatures above 3000° F. in an inert or vacuum environment, which comprises an array of refractory metal pipes spaced from each other, each refractory metal pipe being embedded within a carbon-carbon composite structure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
A reusable, durable heat pipe panel which is capable of operating at temperatures up to about 3000° F. in an oxidizing environment and at temperatures above 3000° F. in an inert or vacuum environment, which comprises an array of refractory metal pipes spaced from each other, each refractory metal pipe being embedded within a carbon-carbon composite structure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The reusable, durable heat pipe panel of claim 3, wherein the refractory metal is selected from the group consisting of: tungsten, rhenium, columbium and molybdenum.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A hypersonic vehicle nose cap fabricated from the reusable, durable heat pipe panel of claim 4.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A hypersonic vehicle wing leading edge fabricated from the reusable, durable heat pipe panel of claim 4.
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) | 1992-06-12 | 1992-12-12 | 1993-06-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-06-12 | 1996-12-12 | 1997-06-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-06-12 | 2000-12-12 | 2001-06-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |