Pitch-based carbon foam heat sink with phase change material
AssigneeLockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation
InventorsJames W. Klett, Timothy D. Burchell
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A process for producing a carbon foam heat sink is disclosed which obviates the need for conventional oxidative stabilization. The process employs mesophase or isotropic pitch and a simplified process using a single mold. The foam has a relatively uniform distribution of pore sizes and a highly aligned graphic structure in the struts. The foam material can be made into a composite which is useful in high temperature sandwich panels for both thermal and structural applications. The foam is encased and filled with a phase change material to provide a very efficient heat sink device.
Claims55
A process of producing a carbon foam heat sink comprising:
- selecting an appropriate mold shape;
- introducing pitch to an appropriate level in said mold;
- purging air from said mold to form a vacuum;
- heating said pitch to a temperature sufficient to coalesce said pitch into a liquid;
- releasing said vacuum and backfilling an inert fluid at a static pressure up to about 1000 psi;
- heating said pitch to a temperature sufficient to cause gases to evolve and form a carbon foam;
- heating said carbon foam to a temperature sufficient to coke the pitch;
- cooling said carbon foam to room temperature and simultaneously releasing said inert fluid;
- at least partially encasing said carbon foam;
- and
- at least partially filling porous regions of said carbon foam with a phase change material.
A process of producing a carbon foam heat sink comprising:
- selecting an appropriate mold shape and a mold composed of a material that the molten pitch does not wet;
- introducing said pitch to an appropriate level in the mold;
- purging the air from said mold to form a vacuum;
- heating said pitch to a temperature sufficient to coalesce said pitch into a liquid;
- releasing said vacuum and backfilling an inert fluid at a static pressure up to about 1000 psi;
- heating said pitch to a temperature sufficient to coke the pitch;
- and
- cooling said foam to room temperature and simultaneously releasing said inert fluid;
- at least partially encasing said foam;
- and
- at least partially filling porous regions of said foam with a phase change material.
A process of producing a carbon foam heat sink comprising:
- selecting an appropriate mold shape;
- introducing pitch to an appropriate level in said mold;
- purging air from said mold to form a vacuum;
- heating said pitch to a temperature sufficient to coalesce said pitch into a liquid;
- releasing said vacuum and backfilling an inert fluid at a static pressure up to about 1000 psi;
- heating said pitch to a temperature sufficient to cause gases to evolve and form carbon foam;
- heating said carbon foam to a temperature sufficient to coke the pitch;
- cooling said carbon foam to room temperature and simultaneously releasing said inert fluid;
- placing facesheets on the opposite sides of said carbon foam;
- adhering the facesheets to said carbon foam;
- at least partially encasing said carbon foam and facesheets;
- and
- at least partially filling porous regions of said carbon foam with a phase change material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.