US5002378A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Light weight cooled mirror
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Co Inc
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Filing: 1990-08-03
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Granted: 1991-03-26
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Expires: 2010-08-03
Abstract
Abstract A lightweight cooled mirror is disclosed in which cooling of the mirror's reflecting surface is provided by a two-phase fluid contained in an enclosed chamber behind the reflecting surface. The chamber includes an evaporator section in contact with the reflecting surface and a condenser section spaced apart from the reflecting section. The fluid is capable of existing in both liquid and gaseous states. When in a liquid state, the fluid can absorb heat from the reflecting surface which transforms the liquid into a gas. The gas is transported away from the reflecting surface to a section in the enclosed chamber where it gives up the absorbed heat by condensation and is converted back into a liquid which is reused to absorb additional heat from the reflecting surface. The liquid is transported back toward the reflecting surface by a wicking action to complete the closed loop fluid flow system.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph M. Colarusso
- 👤 Charles D. Houghton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 06:12
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B7/00; G02B7/18; G02B7/181; G02B7/1815; F; F28; F28D; F28D15/00; F28D15/02; F28D15/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A cooled mirror comprising: a. a facesheet having a front reflecting surface and a rear surface; b. a backsheet spaced apart from said facesheet; c. a foam core in the space between said facesheet and said backsheet, said foam core being comprised of a porous material interspersed with hollow voids, said foam core having a first densified area adjoining the area between said foam core and said facesheet and a second densified area adjoining the area between said foam core and said backsheet, d. a two-phase fluid capable of existing in liquid and gaseous states in said foam core; and e. a retaining ring for enclosing the space between said facesheet and said facesheet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
A cooled mirror comprising: a. a facesheet having a front reflecting surface and a rear surface; b. a backsheet spaced apart from said facesheet; c. a foam core in the space between said facesheet and said backsheet, said foam core being comprised of a porous material interspersed with hollow voids, said foam core having a first densified area adjoining the area between said foam core and said facesheet and a second densified area adjoining the area between said foam core and said backsheet, d. a two-phase fluid capable of existing in liquid and gaseous states in said foam core; and e. a retaining ring for enclosing the space between said facesheet and said facesheet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The cooled mirror of claim 1 wherein said foam core, said facesheet and said backsheet are manufactured from the same material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The cooled mirror of claim 2 wherein said retaining ring is manufactured from the same material as said facesheet and said backsheet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The cooled mirror of claim 1 further including two or more capillary tubes connecting the first densified area of said foam core to the second densified area of said foam core.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
86 words
A cooled mirror comprising: a. a facesheet having a front reflecting surface and a rear surface; b. a backsheet spaced apart from said facesheet; c. a ring for joining said facesheet and said backsheet, said ring forming an enclosed chamber between said facesheet and said backsheet; and d. Porous means occupying the enclosed chamber between said facesheet and said backsheet to permit the movement by wicking action of a fluid capable of existing in a liquid or a gaseous state between said facesheet and said backsheet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
86 words
A cooled mirror comprising: a. a facesheet having a front reflecting surface and a rear surface; b. a backsheet spaced apart from said facesheet; c. a ring for joining said facesheet and said backsheet, said ring forming an enclosed chamber between said facesheet and said backsheet; and d. Porous means occupying the enclosed chamber between said facesheet and said backsheet to permit the movement by wicking action of a fluid capable of existing in a liquid or a gaseous state between said facesheet and said backsheet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The cooled mirror of claim 5 wherein the density of said porous means occupying the enclosed chamber is greater in the vicinity of said facesheet and said backsheet.
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) | 1994-03-25 | 1994-09-24 | 1995-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-03-25 | 1998-09-24 | 1999-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-03-25 | 2002-09-24 | 2003-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |