Thermacore, Inc.

Robert M Shaubach

Peter M Dussinger

George Y Eastman

Donald M Ernst

Nelson J Gernert

Matthew T Buchko

David Bruce Sarraf

Vincent P Roehm

Brian E Shank

A heater which uses the electrolysis of a liquid to produce heat from electricity and transfers the heat from the electrolyte by means of a heat exchanger. One embodiment includes electrodes of nickel and platinum and an electrolyte of potassium carbonate with a heat exchanger immersed in and transferring heat from the electrolyte.

Electrolytic heater

A heat transfer surface structure for cooling high power density surfaces and the method of constructing it. The surface includes a sintered capillary layer with a complex configuration of tunnels within it constructed adjacent to the heated surface which is subject to very high power densities. The tunnel arteries serve to supply evaporable liquid and remove vapor to provide the cooling. A unique method of constructing the tunneled sintered layer is also described.

Tunnel artery wick for high power density surfaces

A vapor block resistant liquid artery structure for heat pipes. A solid tube artery with openings is encased in the sintered material of a heat pipe wick. The openings are limited to that side of the artery which is most remote from the heat source. The liquid in the artery can thus exit the artery through the openings and wet the sintered sheath, but vapor generated at the heat source is unlikely to move around the solid wall of the artery and reverse its direction in order to penetrate the artery through the openings. An alternate embodiment uses finer pore size wick material to resist vapor entry.

Vapor resistant arteries

An improved heat pipe with an external artery. The longitudinal slot in the heat pipe wall which interconnects the heat pipe vapor space with the external artery is completely filled with sintered wick material and the wall of the external artery is also covered with sintered wick material. This added wick structure assures that the external artery will continue to feed liquid to the heat pipe evaporator even if a vapor bubble forms within and would otherwise block the liquid transport function of the external artery.

External artery heat pipe

Capillary grooves in a heat pipe which are specifically constructed to suppress boiling. Conventionally shaped grooves are constructed with highly polished surfaces. The high polish discourages vapor bubbles which otherwise interfere with the liqud transport function of the arteries. A method of constructing the highly polished grooves by vapor deposition onto matching mandrels is also disclosed.

Polished surface capillary grooves

A diaphragm pump for liquids operating by heating and vaporizing a part of the pumped liquid on the motive side of the diaphragm. A center spindle upon which the diaphragm slides is shaped to permit a limited amount of liquid to leak through into the vapor side while also permitting a release of pressure at the top end of the stroke. The spindle is also shaped to permit a suitable pressure buildup during the midportion of the stroke.

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Lititz, PA, United States of America

Robert M Shaubach