Wedge-based heat switch using temperature activated phase transition material
US10488167B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 30, 2017 |
| Grant date | Nov 26, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 22, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF28F2013/008
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A wedge-based heat switch includes a plurality of wedge segments on a shaft, an energy storage element (e.g., a spring or pressurized cavity) configured to store (and release) energy via compression or expansion of the element along the shaft and a temperature activated phase transition material. A temperature stimulus activates the phase transition material to release the stored energy and move the wedge segments axially along the shaft to expand or contract the plurality of wedge segments. The wedge-based heat switch may be configured as a unidirectional switch, either conductive-to-insulating or insulating-to-conductive, or a bi-directional switch. The specific design of the wedge-based heat switch is informed by such factors as unidirectional or bi-directional, required preloading of a surface, conductance ratio between conducting and insulating states, temperature stimulus, switching speed and form factor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.