초록 ▼

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

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 interface plate 18 on the condensation chamber (14) and the heat sink (22).

대표청구항 ▼

A heat pipe thermal switch for the controlled transfer of heat from a body (20) to a heat sink (22) comprising: a bellows (2) defining an expansible vapor chamber for vapor of a working fluid; an evaporation chamber (16) and a condensation chamber (14) for said vapor at opposite ends of the bellows

A heat pipe thermal switch for the controlled transfer of heat from a body (20) to a heat sink (22) comprising: a bellows (2) defining an expansible vapor chamber for vapor of a working fluid; an evaporation chamber (16) and a condensation chamber (14) for said vapor at opposite ends of the bellows (12), said evaporation chamber (16) being thermally coupled to a body (20) and said condensation chamber (14) being alternately in thermal contact and separated from a heat sink (12) across a gap (24) between the vapor chamber and said heat sink upon expansion and contraction of said bellows (12) in response to vaporization of said working fluid upon the coupling of heat thereto from said body (20); set point control means (26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32) for adjusting said gap (24) for a contracted state of said bellows (12); first and second capillary means (46, 48, 50, 52) located inside said bellows (12) for providing fluid coupling of said working fluid between said evaporation and condensation chambers (16, 14); and means (54) for maintaining a spaced separation of said first and second capillary means (46, 48, 50, 52) for preventing liquid communication therebetween and wherein one of said capillary means (50, 52) is in liquid communications with the inside surface of said bellows (12).