Heat pipe thermal switch
US4402358A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 15, 1982 |
| Grant date | Sep 6, 1983 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 15, 2002 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01L2924/0002
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A thermal switch for controlling the dissipation of heat between a body (20), acting as a heat source, and a heat sink (22). The thermal switch is comprised of a flexible bellows (12) defining an expansible vapor chamber for a working fluid located between an evaporation and condensation chamber (16, 14). Inside the bellows (12) is located a coiled retaining spring (54) and four axial metal mesh wicks (46, 48, 50, 52) two of which (46, 48) have their central portions located inside of the spring (54) while the other two (50, 52) have their central portions located between the spring (54) and the side wall of the bellows (12). The wicks are terminated and are attached to the inner surfaces (56, 58) of the outer end walls (60, 62) of evaporation and condensation chambers (14, 16) respectively located adjacent the heat source (20) and heat sink (22). The inner surfaces of the end walls furthermore include grooves (64, 66) to provide flow channels of the working fluid to and from the wick ends. The evaporation and condensation chambers are connected by turnbuckles (30, 31, 32) and tension springs (26, 27, 28) to provide a set point adjustment for setting the gap (24) between an interfa…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.