Theodore D Swanson

US Patent:

57250499, Mar 10, 1998

Filed:

Oct 31, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/551263

Inventors:

Theodore D. Swanson - Columbia MD
Paul Wren - late of Severna Park MD

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Washington DC

International Classification:

F28D 1500

US Classification:

16510426

Abstract:

A capillary pumped loop for transferring heat from one body part to another body part, the capillary pumped loop comprising a capillary evaporator for vaporizing a liquid refrigerant by absorbing heat from a warm body part, a condenser for turning a vaporized refrigerant into a liquid by transferring heat from the vaporized liquid to a cool body part, a first tube section connecting an output port of the capillary evaporator to an input of the condenser, and a second tube section connecting an output of the condenser to an input port of the capillary evaporator. A wick may be provided within the condenser. A pump may be provided between the second tube section and the input port of the capillary evaporator. Additionally, an esternal heat source or heat sink may be utilized.

US Patent:

48831166, Nov 28, 1989

Filed:

Jan 31, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/304147

Inventors:

Benjamin Seidenberg - Baltimore MD
Theodore D. Swanson - Columbia MD

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Washington DC

International Classification:

F28D 1502

US Classification:

16510426

Abstract:

A wick for use in a capillary loop pump heat pipe. The wick material is an essentially uniformly porous, permeable, open-cell, silicon dioxide/aluminum oxide inorganic ceramic foam having a silica fiber to alumina fiber ratio, by weight, of about 78 to 22, respectively, a density of 6 lbs/ft. sup. 3, and an average pore size of less than 5 microns. A representative material having these characteristics is Lockheed Missiles and Space Company, Inc. HTP 6-22. This material is fully compatible with the FREONs and anhydrous ammonia and allows for the use of these very efficient working fluids, and others, in capillary loops.