The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 24, 2026
Filed:
Sep. 16, 2022
Raytheon Company, Waltham, MA (US);
Andrew J. Pitts, Maynard, MA (US);
James E. Benedict, Chelmsford, MA (US);
Raytheon Company, Arlington, VA (US);
Abstract
An apparatus includes multiple thermal actuator switches configured to control a transfer of thermal energy. The thermal actuator switches are arranged in a stacked configuration. Each switch includes first and second plates and a piston movable between the plates. Each switch also includes 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 thermally contacts the first plate and increases thermal energy transfer between the plates when in one of the first and second positions. The surface of the piston is spaced apart from the first plate and decreases thermal energy transfer between the plates when in another of the first and second positions. Different ones of the switches include different phase change materials that expand or contract at different temperatures.