US5077637A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solid state directional thermal cable
Assignee: Charles Stark Draper Laboratory Inc
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Filing: 1989-09-25
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Granted: 1991-12-31
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Expires: 2009-09-25
Abstract
Abstract A solid state, directional, thermal cable including a bundle of elongated, flexible, carbon fibers having a high thermal conductivity in at least the longitudinal direction. Couplings at each end of the cable, bind together the fiber bundle and thermally engage the cable with objects having different temperatures, for transferring heat between the objects. The thermal cable may be used with a frame which supports a device to or from which heat is to be transferred. The thermal cable engages with the frame at a first region proximate the device, and with a second region remote from the device for transferring heat between the first and second regions. The heat transfer frame may include a composite material whose constituents have at least two different coefficients of thermal expansion, for establishing the overall coefficient of thermal expansion of the composite material. One of the constituents may have a negative coefficient of thermal expansion, and may be a carbon based material.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard T. Martorana
- 👤 Thomas D. Heimann
- 👤 John Bimshas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 23:31
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K7/00; H05K7/20; H05K7/20536; H05K7/20545; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/901; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A solid state, directional, flexible thermal cable thermally connected to heat producing objects comprising: a bundle of elongated, flexible, carbon fibers each extending the length of said cable and having a high thermal conductivity in at least a longitudinal direction to form a cable; and coupling means at each end of said cable both binding together each of said ends and thermally engaging said fiber bundle with said objects, for transferring heat between said objects.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
A solid state, directional, flexible thermal cable thermally connected to heat producing objects comprising: a bundle of elongated, flexible, carbon fibers each extending the length of said cable and having a high thermal conductivity in at least a longitudinal direction to form a cable; and coupling means at each end of said cable both binding together each of said ends and thermally engaging said fiber bundle with said objects, for transferring heat between said objects.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The thermal cable of claim 1 in which said carbon fibers are graphite.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The thermal cable of claim 1 in which said carbon fibers are diamond.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The thermal cable of claim 1 in which said carbon fibers are thermally anisotropic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The thermal cable of claim 1 further including means fastening said coupling means to each of said objects between which heat is to be transferred.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The thermal cable of claim 1 in which said cable includes more than two ends.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The thermal cable of claim 1 in which said cable includes a flexible protective sheath.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The thermal cable of claim 1 in which said coupling means thermally engages each end portion of said fiber bundle with each of said objects.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The thermal cable of claim 2 in which said coupling means thermally engages each end of said fiber bundle with each of said objects.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
118 words
A heat transfer frame with solid state flexible thermal cable thermally connected to a device comprising: said device to or from which heat is to be transferred; a heat transfer frame thermally engaged with said device, said frame including a first region proximate said device, a second region remote from said device, and a chamber within said frame; a plurality of elongated, flexible, carbon fibers located within the chamber of said frame and including first and second portions; and said first portions engaged with said first region of said frame proximate said device, and said second portions engaged with said second region of said frame remote from said device, for transferring heat between said first and second regions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
118 words
A heat transfer frame with solid state flexible thermal cable thermally connected to a device comprising: said device to or from which heat is to be transferred; a heat transfer frame thermally engaged with said device, said frame including a first region proximate said device, a second region remote from said device, and a chamber within said frame; a plurality of elongated, flexible, carbon fibers located within the chamber of said frame and including first and second portions; and said first portions engaged with said first region of said frame proximate said device, and said second portions engaged with said second region of said frame remote from said device, for transferring heat between said first and second regions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
The heat transfer frame of claim 10 in which interstices between said fibers and chamber are filled with a material having low stiffness and good thermal conductivity to enhance the thermal conductivity to and from said fibers without affecting the coefficient of thermal expansion of the frame.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The heat transfer frame of claim 10 in which said first and second portions of said carbon fibers include a first and a second end portion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The heat transfer frame of claim 10 in which said first portions of said carbon fibers each include a central portion and said second portions each include an end portion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The heat transfer frame of claim 10 in which said carbon fibers include graphite fibers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The heat transfer frame of claim 10 in which said frame includes a second and third region, remote from said device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
The heat transfer frame of claim 10 in which said frame includes a composite material whose constituents have at least two different coefficients of thermal expansion for establishing the overall coefficient of thermal expansion for the composite material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The heat transfer frame of claim 16 in which one of said constituents has a negative coefficient of thermal expansion.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The heat transfer frame of claim 17 in which said constituent with a negative coefficient of thermal expansion, is a carbon based material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The heat transfer frame of claim 18 in which said carbon based material is graphite.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The heat transfer frame of claim 18 in which said carbon based material is diamond.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The heat transfer frame of claim 15 in which said second and third regions are thermally connected to a heat dispersive member.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
170 words
A composite heat transfer frame with solid state flexible thermal cable thermally connected to a device comprising: said device to or from which heat is to be transferred; a composite heat transfer frame thermally engaged with said device, said composite frame including a first region proximate said device, a second region remote from said device, and a chamber within said composite frame; said composite frame including a first constituent having a positive coefficient of thermal expansion and a second constituent having a negative coefficient of thermal expansion, said first and second coefficients of thermal expansion combining to establish the overall coefficient of thermal expansion of said composite frame; a plurality of elongated, flexible, carbon fibers located within the chamber of said composite frame and including said first and second portions; and said first portions engaged with said first region of said frame proximate said device, and said second portions engaged with said second region of said frame remote from said device, for transferring heat between said first and second regions.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
170 words
A composite heat transfer frame with solid state flexible thermal cable thermally connected to a device comprising: said device to or from which heat is to be transferred; a composite heat transfer frame thermally engaged with said device, said composite frame including a first region proximate said device, a second region remote from said device, and a chamber within said composite frame; said composite frame including a first constituent having a positive coefficient of thermal expansion and a second constituent having a negative coefficient of thermal expansion, said first and second coefficients of thermal expansion combining to establish the overall coefficient of thermal expansion of said composite frame; a plurality of elongated, flexible, carbon fibers located within the chamber of said composite frame and including said first and second portions; and said first portions engaged with said first region of said frame proximate said device, and said second portions engaged with said second region of said frame remote from said device, for transferring heat between said first and second regions.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The composite heat transfer frame of claim 22 in which said second constituent is a carbon based 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) | 1994-12-30 | 1995-07-01 | 1995-12-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-12-30 | 1999-07-01 | 1999-12-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-12-30 | 2003-07-01 | 2003-12-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |