US4989626A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for and method of controlling the opening and closing of channel for liquid
Assignee: Hitachi Ltd
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Filing: 1989-11-08
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Granted: 1991-02-05
•
Expires: 2009-11-08
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of a channel for a liquid is arranged such that a liquid channel is closed by causing a controller to control one heat absorbing and generating part of a cooling/heating element to execute heat absorption and cooling a heat transmitting element to solidify the liquid in the channel. The apparatus is also arrangement such that the channel is opened first by causing the controller to control the same heat absorbing and generating part to execute heat generation and heating the heat transmitting element to melt the liquid solidified in the channel. A method of controlling the opening and closing of a channel according to the invention includes the steps of: solidifying a liquid in a channel by cooling it from the outside to close the channel; and opening the channel thus closed by melting the liquid solidified in the channel by the application of heat.
Inventors
- 👤 Yusuke Takagi
- 👤 Yoshio Kojima
- 👤 Kenji Mitani
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 06:34
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L55/00; F16L55/10; F16L55/103; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/0318; Y10T137/0391; Y10T137/206; Y10T137/218; Y10T137/2191; Y10T137/2196; Y10T137/6416; Y10T137/6606
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 51
Claim 1
Independent Claim
58 words
A method of controlling the opening and closing of a channel for a liquid, comprising the steps of: cooling said liquid in said channel from the outside of said channel to solidify said liquid, thereby closing said channel; and heating said channel from the outside thereof to melt said liquid solidified in said channel, thereby opening said channel.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
58 words
A method of controlling the opening and closing of a channel for a liquid, comprising the steps of: cooling said liquid in said channel from the outside of said channel to solidify said liquid, thereby closing said channel; and heating said channel from the outside thereof to melt said liquid solidified in said channel, thereby opening said channel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
79 words
A method of controlling the opening and closing of a channel for a liquid according to claim 1, further comprising initially causing said liquid to flow through said channel, initiating the cooling of said liquid in said channel when the flow of liquid is to be stopped thereby solidifying the liquid and then continuing the flow of liquid by heating the channel from the outside to melt the solidified liquid to initiate the flow of liquid within said channel.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
205 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of a channel for a liquid, comprising: heat transmitting means of a good heat conductivity type through which at least one channel for a liquid extends; at least one cooling and heating means having one heat absorbing and generating part secured to said heat transmitting means; heat exchanger means secured to another part of said at least one cooling and heating means; and controlling means for controlling said heat absorbing and generating part of said cooling and heating means to execute heat absorption or heat generation; said apparatus being arranged such that said channel is closed first by causing said controlling means to control said heat absorbing and generating part of said cooling and heating means which is closer to said heat transmitting means to execute said heat absorption and then by cooling said heat transmitting means to solidify said liquid in said channels in said heat transmitting means, and such that said channel is opened first by causing said controlling means to control the same heat absorbing and generating part to execute said heat generation and then by heating said heat transmitting means to melt said liquid solidified in said channels in said heat transmitting means.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
205 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of a channel for a liquid, comprising: heat transmitting means of a good heat conductivity type through which at least one channel for a liquid extends; at least one cooling and heating means having one heat absorbing and generating part secured to said heat transmitting means; heat exchanger means secured to another part of said at least one cooling and heating means; and controlling means for controlling said heat absorbing and generating part of said cooling and heating means to execute heat absorption or heat generation; said apparatus being arranged such that said channel is closed first by causing said controlling means to control said heat absorbing and generating part of said cooling and heating means which is closer to said heat transmitting means to execute said heat absorption and then by cooling said heat transmitting means to solidify said liquid in said channels in said heat transmitting means, and such that said channel is opened first by causing said controlling means to control the same heat absorbing and generating part to execute said heat generation and then by heating said heat transmitting means to melt said liquid solidified in said channels in said heat transmitting means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of a channel for a liquid according to claim 3, wherein said heat transmitting means is made from a single member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of a channel for a liquid according to claim 3, wherein said heat transmitting means is made from a plurality of plate-shaped members in each of which a channel for said liquid is formed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of a channel for a liquid according to claim 3, wherein said heat transmitting means is made from a plurality of plate-shaped members which are secured to each other in a stacked manner, said channel for said liquid being made from a tube which is secured by recesses formed in adjoining flat portions of said respective plate-shaped members.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of a channel for a liquid according to claim 3, wherein at least one part of said channel for said liquid in said heat transmitting means is defined by a bore formed in said heat transmitting means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of a channel for a liquid according to claim 7, wherein said channel for said liquid is made up of said bore formed in said heat transmitting means, tubular pieces securely fitted into respective opposite ends of said bore, and thermally insulating tubes connected to said respective tubular pieces.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of a channel for a liquid according to claim 3, wherein said channel for said liquid in said heat transmitting means is curved.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of a channel for a liquid according to claim 3, wherein said channel for said liquid in said heat transmitting means is bent at at least one part.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of a channel for a liquid according to claim 3, wherein the cross section of said channel for said liquid in said heat transmitting means is partially reduced.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus for controlling opening and closing of a channel for a liquid according to claim 3, wherein said at least one channel in said heat transmitting means is made gradually narrower in the direction of fluid flow of said liquid to form a tapered shape.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of a channel for a liquid according to claim 3, wherein said cooling and heating means is a heat pump.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of a channel for a liquid according to claim 3, wherein said cooling and heating means is a thermoelement.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of a channel for a liquid according to claim 14, wherein said thermoelement is made from a semiconductor device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
63 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of a channel for a liquid according to claim 15, wherein said semiconductor device includes N-type semiconductors and P-type semiconductors which are electrically connected in series and in alternate sequence, each connecting point of said semiconductor device being connected to said heat transmitting means and said heat exchanger means in parallel and in alternate sequence.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of a channel for a liquid according to claim 16, wherein said N-type semiconductor is made from bismuth-tellurium.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of a channel for a liquid according to claim 16, wherein said P-type semiconductor is made from bismuth-antimony.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of a channel for a liquid according to claim 3, wherein an inner surface of said channel for said liquid is covered with a film of PTEF or of gold.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of a channel for a liquid according to claim 4, wherein said channel for said liquid is made from a good heat conductivity type of tubular member which is securely fitted into a bore formed in said heat transmitting means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of a channel for a liquid according to claim 3, wherein said heat transmitting means is made of one of aluminum and aluminum alloy.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of a channel for a liquid according to claim 3, wherein said heat transmitting means is made of one of copper and copper alloy.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of a channel for a liquid according to claim 3, wherein said heat transmitting means is made of a ceramic material.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
204 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of channels for a liquid, comprising: heat transmitting means of a good heat conductivity type through which a plurality of channels extend in the same direction; at least one cooling and heating means having one heat absorbing and generating part secured to said heat transmitting means; heat exchanger means secured to another part of the at least one cooling and heating means spaced from the one heat absorbing and generating part; and controlling means for controlling said heat absorbing and generating part of said cooling and heating means to execute heat absorption or heat generation; said apparatus being arranged such that said channels are closed first by causing said controlling means to control said heat absorbing and generating part of said cooling and heating means which is closer to said heat transmitting means to execute said heat absorption and then by cooling said heat transmitting means to solidify said liquid in said channels in said heat transmitting means, and such that said channels are opened first by causing said controlling means to control the same heat absorbing and generating said heat transmitting means to melt said liquid solidified in said channels in said heat transmitting means.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
204 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of channels for a liquid, comprising: heat transmitting means of a good heat conductivity type through which a plurality of channels extend in the same direction; at least one cooling and heating means having one heat absorbing and generating part secured to said heat transmitting means; heat exchanger means secured to another part of the at least one cooling and heating means spaced from the one heat absorbing and generating part; and controlling means for controlling said heat absorbing and generating part of said cooling and heating means to execute heat absorption or heat generation; said apparatus being arranged such that said channels are closed first by causing said controlling means to control said heat absorbing and generating part of said cooling and heating means which is closer to said heat transmitting means to execute said heat absorption and then by cooling said heat transmitting means to solidify said liquid in said channels in said heat transmitting means, and such that said channels are opened first by causing said controlling means to control the same heat absorbing and generating said heat transmitting means to melt said liquid solidified in said channels in said heat transmitting means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of channels for a liquid according to claim 24, wherein said plurality of channels is arranged in a plurality of parallel rows which rows are arranged in vertical columns.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of channels for a liquid according to claim 24, wherein said heat transmitting means is made from a single member.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of channels for a liquid according to claim 24, wherein said heat transmitting means is made from a plurality of plate-shaped members in each of which said channels for said liquid are formed.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
64 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of channels for a liquid according to claim 24, wherein said heat transmitting means is made from a plurality of plate-shaped members which are secured to each other in a stacked manner, said channels for said liquid being made from tubes which are secured by recesses formed in adjoining flat portions of said respective plate-shaped members.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of channels for a liquid according to claim 26, wherein said channels for said liquid are each made from a good heat conductivity type of tubular member which is securely fitted into a bore formed in said heat transmitting means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of channels for a liquid according to claim 24, wherein said heat transmitting means is made of one of aluminum and aluminum alloy.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of channels for a liquid according to claim 24, wherein said heat transmitting means is made of one of copper and copper alloy.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of channels for a liquid according to claim 24, wherein said heat transmitting means is made of ceramics.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of channels for a liquid according to claim 24, wherein said cooling and heating means is a heat pump.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of channels for a liquid according to claim 24, wherein said cooling and generating means is a thermoelement.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of channels for a liquid according to claim 34, wherein said thermoelement is made from a semiconductor device.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
52 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of channels for a liquid according to claim 35, wherein semiconductors are electrically connected in series and in alternate sequence, each connecting point of said semiconductors being connected to said heat transmitting means and said heat exchanger means in parallel and in alternate sequence.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of channels for a liquid according to claim 36, wherein said semiconductors are made from bismuth-tellurium.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of channels for a liquid according to claim 36, wherein an N-type semiconductor is made from bismuth-antimony, while a P-type semiconductor is made from bismuth-tellurium.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of channels for a liquid according to claim 23, wherein inner surfaces of said channels for said liquid are each covered with a film of PTEF or of gold.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
210 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of a channel for a liquid, comprising: heat transmitting means through which at least one branch channel extends, said branch channel branching from at least one main channel for said liquid; at least one cooling and heating means having one heat absorbing and generating part secured to said heat transmitting means; heat exchanger means secured to another part of said at least one cooling and heating means; and controlling means for controlling said heat absorbing and generating part of said cooling and heating means to execute heat absorption or heat generation; said apparatus being arranged such that said channels are closed first by causing said controlling means to control said heat absorbing and generating part of said cooling and heating means which is closer to said heat transmitting means to execute said heat absorption and then by cooling said heat transmitting means to solidify said liquid in said channels in said heat transmitting means, and such that said channels are opened first by causing said controlling means to control the same heat absorbing and generating part to execute said heat generation and then by heating said heat transmitting means to melt said liquid solidified in said channels in said heat transmitting means.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
210 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of a channel for a liquid, comprising: heat transmitting means through which at least one branch channel extends, said branch channel branching from at least one main channel for said liquid; at least one cooling and heating means having one heat absorbing and generating part secured to said heat transmitting means; heat exchanger means secured to another part of said at least one cooling and heating means; and controlling means for controlling said heat absorbing and generating part of said cooling and heating means to execute heat absorption or heat generation; said apparatus being arranged such that said channels are closed first by causing said controlling means to control said heat absorbing and generating part of said cooling and heating means which is closer to said heat transmitting means to execute said heat absorption and then by cooling said heat transmitting means to solidify said liquid in said channels in said heat transmitting means, and such that said channels are opened first by causing said controlling means to control the same heat absorbing and generating part to execute said heat generation and then by heating said heat transmitting means to melt said liquid solidified in said channels in said heat transmitting means.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of a channel for a liquid according to claim 40, wherein at least one branch channel which branches from each of a plurality of main channels is provided in a common heat transmitting means.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
206 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of a channel for a liquid, comprising: a plurality of heat transmitting means through each of which at least one channel for said liquid extends; at least one cooling and heating means having one heat absorbing and generating part secured to each of said heat transmitting means; common heat exchanger means secured to another part of each of said at least one cooling means; and cooling means for controlling said heat absorbing and generating part of said cooling and heating means to execute heat absorption or heat generation; said apparatus being arranged such that said channel is closed first by causing said controlling means to control said heat absorbing and generating part of said cooling and heating means which is closer to said heat transmitting means to execute said heat absorption and then cooling said heat transmitting means to solidify said liquid in said channel in said heat transmitting means, and such that said channel is opened first by causing said controlling means to control the same heat absorbing and generating part to execute said heat generation and then by heating said heat transmitting means to melt said liquid solidified in said channel in said heat transmitting means.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
206 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of a channel for a liquid, comprising: a plurality of heat transmitting means through each of which at least one channel for said liquid extends; at least one cooling and heating means having one heat absorbing and generating part secured to each of said heat transmitting means; common heat exchanger means secured to another part of each of said at least one cooling means; and cooling means for controlling said heat absorbing and generating part of said cooling and heating means to execute heat absorption or heat generation; said apparatus being arranged such that said channel is closed first by causing said controlling means to control said heat absorbing and generating part of said cooling and heating means which is closer to said heat transmitting means to execute said heat absorption and then cooling said heat transmitting means to solidify said liquid in said channel in said heat transmitting means, and such that said channel is opened first by causing said controlling means to control the same heat absorbing and generating part to execute said heat generation and then by heating said heat transmitting means to melt said liquid solidified in said channel in said heat transmitting means.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of a channel for a liquid according to claim 42, wherein said common heat exchanger means is formed from a tubular path which forms one of a heat pipe and a cooling-medium flow channel.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of a channel for a liquid according to claim 42, wherein said common heat exchanger means is made up of fins.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
206 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of a channel for a liquid, comprising: a plurality of heat transmitting means through each of which a branch channel branching from said channel for said liquid extends; cooling and heating means having one heat absorbing and generating part secured to at least one of said heat transmitting means and another heat absorbing and generating part secured to the remaining heat transmitting means; and controlling means for controlling said heat absorbing and generating part of said cooling and heating means to execute heat absorption or heat generation; said apparatus being arranged such that said channel is closed first by causing said controlling means to control said heat absorbing and generating part of said cooling and heating means which is closer to said heat transmitting means to execute said heat absorption and then by cooling said heat transmitting means to solidify said liquid in said branch channel in said heat transmitting means, said channel being simultaneously opened first by causing said controlling means to control the other heat absorbing and generating part to execute said heat generation and then by heating said other heat transmitting means to melt said liquid solidified in said channel in said heat transmitting means.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
206 words
An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of a channel for a liquid, comprising: a plurality of heat transmitting means through each of which a branch channel branching from said channel for said liquid extends; cooling and heating means having one heat absorbing and generating part secured to at least one of said heat transmitting means and another heat absorbing and generating part secured to the remaining heat transmitting means; and controlling means for controlling said heat absorbing and generating part of said cooling and heating means to execute heat absorption or heat generation; said apparatus being arranged such that said channel is closed first by causing said controlling means to control said heat absorbing and generating part of said cooling and heating means which is closer to said heat transmitting means to execute said heat absorption and then by cooling said heat transmitting means to solidify said liquid in said branch channel in said heat transmitting means, said channel being simultaneously opened first by causing said controlling means to control the other heat absorbing and generating part to execute said heat generation and then by heating said other heat transmitting means to melt said liquid solidified in said channel in said heat transmitting means.
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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) | 1994-02-04 | 1994-08-06 | 1995-02-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-02-04 | 1998-08-06 | 1999-02-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-02-04 | 2002-08-06 | 2003-02-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |