Phase change material (PCM)-based conductive thermal actuator switch

A system comprising:

• at least one heat source;
• at least one heat sink;
• and
• multiple thermal actuator switches configured to control a transfer of thermal energy between the at least one heat source and the at least one heat sink, the thermal actuator switches arranged in a stacked configuration, each thermal actuator switch comprising:
• first and second plates;
• a piston movable between the first and second plates;
• and
• a phase change material configured to (i) expand to move a surface of the piston into a first position and (ii) contract to allow the surface of the piston to move into a second position, the surface of the piston configured to thermally contact the first plate and increase thermal energy transfer between the first and second plates, the surface of the piston also configured to be spaced apart from the first plate and decrease thermal energy transfer between the first and second plates;
• wherein different ones of the thermal actuator switches comprise different phase change materials that expand or contract at different temperatures.

A method comprising:

• receiving thermal energy at multiple thermal actuator switches from at least one heat source, the thermal actuator switches arranged in a stacked configuration;
• and
• controlling a transfer of the thermal energy between the at least one heat source and at least one heat sink using the thermal actuator switches;
• wherein each thermal actuator switch comprises:
• first and second plates;
• a piston movable between the first and second plates;
• and
• a phase change material configured to (i) expand to move a surface of the piston into a first position and (ii) contract to allow the surface of the piston to move into a second position, the surface of the piston configured to thermally contact the first plate and increase thermal energy transfer between the first and second plates, the surface of the piston also configured to be spaced apart from the first plate and decrease thermal energy transfer between the first and second plates;
• wherein different ones of the thermal actuator switches comprise different phase change materials that expand or contract at different temperatures.