US3713288A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Energy converter
Assignee: E A E C
•
Filing: 1970-07-08
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Granted: 1973-01-30
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Expires: 1990-07-08
Abstract
Abstract Thermo-mechanical energy converter which can be used as an artificial heart. The converter comprises a plutonium heat source, a plurality of parallel tubes open at one end to a diaphragm chamber and heated at the other end, an evaporable liquid filling completely the chamber and partially each tube, and a piston in each tube, all pistons being interconnected for synchronizing the evaporation-condensation cycles which are performed at the closed ends of the tubes. This converter produces directly from a temperature difference mechanical oscillation in a closed loop.
Inventors
- 👤 Andel E Van
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 20:18
CPC Classifications
F; F04; F04B; F04B43/00; F04B43/02; F04B43/06; A; A61; A61M; A61M60/00; A61M60/20; A61M60/247; A61M60/253; A61M60/268; A61M60/274; A61M60/40; A61M60/424; A61M60/427; A61M60/438; A61M60/441; F04B43/12; F04B43/14; A61M60/10; A61M60/122; A61M60/126; A61M60/148; A61M60/80; A61M60/855; A61M60/871
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
An energy converter for producing a mechanical oscillation by virtue of a temperature difference and comprising a plurality of parallel tubes each open at one end to a diaphragm chamber and closed at The other end, an evaporable liquid within the chamber and partially filling each tube, means for creating a temperature difference along the tubes such that the closed end of each tube is hotter than the remainder of the tube and sufficient to effect vaporization of the liquid and a plurality of pistons, one in each tube, said pistons fitting loosely in the tubes and being mechanically coupled together for reciprocation in synchronism.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
An energy converter for producing a mechanical oscillation by virtue of a temperature difference and comprising a plurality of parallel tubes each open at one end to a diaphragm chamber and closed at The other end, an evaporable liquid within the chamber and partially filling each tube, means for creating a temperature difference along the tubes such that the closed end of each tube is hotter than the remainder of the tube and sufficient to effect vaporization of the liquid and a plurality of pistons, one in each tube, said pistons fitting loosely in the tubes and being mechanically coupled together for reciprocation in synchronism.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
An energy converter as claimed in claim 1 in which a plutonium-bearing isotope is used as a heat source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
An energy converter as claimed in claim 1 in which the pulse energy energy is used to operate a diaphragm pump.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
An energy converter as claimed in claim 1 when used as an artificial heart.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2241620A
Cited
GB772753A
Cited
US3132472A
Cited
US3379191A
Cited
US3285001A
Cited
US3563028A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-30 | 1976-07-31 | 1977-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-30 | 1980-07-31 | 1981-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-30 | 1984-07-31 | 1985-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |