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US 4,848,445 AGranted
Heat transfer apparatus and method
AssigneeAllied-Signal Inc.
InventorAllen D. Harper
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A heat transfer apparatus and method wherein an expansible heat transfer member is disposed between a heat source member removably disposed within a cavity defined by a heat receiver member. The heat receiver is configured as a heat exchanger transferring received heat to an external system for utilization. The heat transfer member both removably couples the heat source and heat receiver mechanically as well as providing a favorable heat conductive path therebetween.
Claims11
Apparatus comprising:
- heat source means for selectively supplying heat energy and defining an axially elongate outwardly disposed cylindrical first heat transfer surface through which said heat energy is delivered;
- heat exchanger means for defining a flow path for a flow of working heat transfer fluid and for receiving said heat energy in heat exchange relation with said flow of working fluid, said heat exchanger means including an axially elongate inwardly disposed cylindrical second heat transfer surface in part defining an axially elongate cylindrical cavity opening axially at one end thereof;
- said heat source means being received axially into said heat exchanger means through said axial opening of said cavity, said heat transfer surfaces defining a radial gap therebetween;
- an elongate cylindrically tubular expansible heat transfer means received in said radial gap between said heat transfer surfaces for in a first contracted condition movably engaging at least one of said heat transfer surfaces to allow relative axial movement between said heat source means and said heat exchanger means, and in a second expanded condition substantially immovably engaging both said heat transfer surfaces to both unite said heat source means and said heat exchanger means and to transfer said heat energy therebetween;
- said expansible heat transfer means further including means for selectively changing the former between said contracted condition and said expanded condition;
- and
- said heat transfer means including a pair of axially elongate cylindrically tubular walls which are axially coextensive and radially spaced apart substantially throughout the axial length thereof to define a radial space therebetween, means adjacent the axial ends of said pair of walls for sealingly uniting the latter to define a void within said heat transfer means, and liquid heat conducting means received in said void.
4 more elements
The method of associating a heat source and a heat receiver both mechanically and in favorable heat transfer relation while providing for ready disassociation thereof;
- said method including the steps of:
- providing said heat source with an axially elongate cylindrical outer heat delivery surface;
- providing said heat receiver with an axially elongate cylindrical cavity movably receiving said cylindrical outer surface and having an inwardly disposed cylindrical heat receiving surface confronting said outer surface but spaced therefrom to define a cylindrical gap;
- providing a tubular sleeve-like expansible heat transfer member in a first contracted position being slidably receivable into said cylindrical gap between said heat source and said heat receiver and closely confronting said heat delivery and heat receiving surfaces;
- reversibly expanding said heat transfer member in said gap to a second expanded radially thickened position intimately engaging both said heat delivery and said heat receiving surfaces to substantially prevent relative movement thereof;
- employing said heat transfer member to transfer heat energy between said heat delivery and heat receiving surfaces;
- contracting said heat transfer member from said second position to said first position, and removing said cylindrical outer surface of said heat source from said cavity;
- and
- said step of providing said heat transfer member further including the steps of providing a pair of elongate flexibly shape-retaining tubular sleeve-like wall members each including respective axial marginal edges at each end thereof, disposing said pair of wall members in axially coextensive radially spaced and coaxial relation to define an axially, radially and circumferentially extending space therebetween, sealingly uniting said pair of wall members at said respective axial marginal edges to define an expansible chamber in said space therebetween, and filling said expansible chamber with a selectively variable volume of substantially incompressible liquid having a comparatively low vapor pressure at selected elevated operating temperatures as well as a high heat transfer conductivity.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.