Patent US4014891A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5000252A
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Thermal energy storage system
Assignee: Wright State University
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Filing: 1990-02-22
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Granted: 1991-03-19
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Expires: 2010-02-22
Abstract
Abstract A thermal management system includes micro heat pipes extending radially outward from a heat sink which surrounds a heat source, rapidly conducting thermal energy away from the heat source, improving significantly the storage of thermal energy in the heat sink, and providing a means for later dissipating thermal energy from the heat sink to an ultimate heat sink over a period of time.
Inventors
- 👤 Amir Faghri
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:08
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28D; F28D20/00; F28D20/02; F28D20/023; F28D15/00; F28D15/02; F28D15/0275; F28D2015/0225; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/14; Y10; Y10S; Y10S165/00; Y10S165/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
46 words
A thermal energy management system comprised of (1) a container having an inner wall and an outer wall, defining a volume therebetween; (2) a heat sink disposed therein; and (3) a plurality of heat pipes disposed in said heat sink extending in a generally outward direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
46 words
A thermal energy management system comprised of (1) a container having an inner wall and an outer wall, defining a volume therebetween; (2) a heat sink disposed therein; and (3) a plurality of heat pipes disposed in said heat sink extending in a generally outward direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A thermal energy management system as recited in claim 1 wherein said container defines a generally annular volume.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A thermal energy management system as recited in claim 1 wherein one or more of said plurality of heat pipes is in contact with said inner wall.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A thermal energy management system as recited in claim 1 wherein one or more of said plurality of heat pipes extend generally radially outward beyond said container.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A thermal energy management system as recited in claim 1 wherein one or more of said plurality of heat pipes are micro heat pipes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A thermal energy management system as recited in claim 1 wherein one or more of said plurality of heat pipes are semi-micro heat pipes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A thermal energy management system as recited in claim 1 wherein one or more of said plurality heat pipes are annular heat pipes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A thermal energy management system as recited in claim 7 wherein said annular heat pipes further comprise an inner core of heat sink material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
A thermal energy management system as recited in claim 1 wherein said heat sink further comprises: a bath of thermally conductive material; and a plurality of shells containing heat sink material immersed in said bath of thermally conductive material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A thermal energy management system as recited in claim 9 wherein said bath of thermally conductive material comprises a sodium potassium bath.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A thermal energy management system as recited in claim 9 wherein said heat sink material comprises a phase-change material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
A thermal energy management system as recited in claim 11 wherein said phase-change material comprises a lithium salt.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
A thermal energy management system as recited in claim 9 wherein said shells are spherical.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A thermal energy management system as recited in claim 9 wherein said shells are cylindrical.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
A thermal energy management system as recited in claim 9 wherein said shells are comprised of a metal material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
A thermal energy management system as recited in claim 1 wherein said container is comprised of metal material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
A thermal energy management system as recited in claim 1 wherein said container is adapted to substantially surround a heat source.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
A thermal energy management system as recited in claim 1 further comprising means for transmitting thermal energy from said system to an ultimate heat sink.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
A thermal energy management system as recited in claim 18 wherein said means for transmitting thermal energy comprises at least one radiator communicating with one or more of said heat pipes.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
A thermal energy management system as recited in claim 19 wherein said radiator comprises a second container enclosing said heat pipes.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
A thermal energy management system as recited in claim 18 wherein said means for transmitting thermal energy comprises at least one radiator in communication with said container.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
68 words
A thermal energy management system comprised of (1) a container having an inner wall and an outer wall, said container adapted for exposure to a heat source; (2) a heat sink contained therein further comprising; (a) a bath of thermally conductive material; (b) a plurality of shells containing phase-change material; and (c) a plurality of heat pipes extending outward through said heat sink away from said heat source.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
68 words
A thermal energy management system comprised of (1) a container having an inner wall and an outer wall, said container adapted for exposure to a heat source; (2) a heat sink contained therein further comprising; (a) a bath of thermally conductive material; (b) a plurality of shells containing phase-change material; and (c) a plurality of heat pipes extending outward through said heat sink away from said heat source.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
A thermal energy management system as recited in claim 22 wherein said volume defined by said container is a generally annular volume.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
A thermal energy management system as recited in claim 22 wherein said plurality of heat pipes extend outward in generally radial orientation.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
A thermal energy management system as recited in claim 22 wherein one or more of said plurality of heat pipes extend outward from said inner wall.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
32 words
A thermal energy management system as recited in claim 22 wherein said one or more of said plurality of heat pipes are annular heat pipes further comprising inner cores of phase-change material.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
A thermal energy management system as recited in claim 22 wherein one or more of said plurality of heat pipes are semi-micro heat pipes.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
25 words
A thermal energy management system as recited in claim 22 wherein said heat pipes are adapted for radiating thermal energy to an ultimate heat sink.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
A thermal energy management system as recited in claim 22 further comprising means for transmitting thermal radiation from said system to an ultimate heat sink.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
76 words
A thermal energy management system comprised of (1) an annular container adapted for exposure to a heat source; (2) a heat sink contained in said annular container further comprised of (a) a bath of thermally conductive material (b) one or more shells containing phase-change material; and (c) one or more heat pipes extending generally radially outward through said annular container, whereby one end of said heat pipe extends beyond the outer wall of said annular container.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
76 words
A thermal energy management system comprised of (1) an annular container adapted for exposure to a heat source; (2) a heat sink contained in said annular container further comprised of (a) a bath of thermally conductive material (b) one or more shells containing phase-change material; and (c) one or more heat pipes extending generally radially outward through said annular container, whereby one end of said heat pipe extends beyond the outer wall of said annular container.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
25 words
A thermal energy management system as recited in claim 30 further comprising means for transmitting thermal energy from said system to an ultimate heat sink.
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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) | 1994-03-18 | 1994-09-17 | 1995-03-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-03-18 | 1998-09-17 | 1999-03-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-03-18 | 2002-09-17 | 2003-03-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |