WO1989010520A1 - Supercooled liquid thermal generator and improved triggering device - Google Patents
Supercooled liquid thermal generator and improved triggering device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1989010520A1 WO1989010520A1 PCT/US1988/001327 US8801327W WO8910520A1 WO 1989010520 A1 WO1989010520 A1 WO 1989010520A1 US 8801327 W US8801327 W US 8801327W WO 8910520 A1 WO8910520 A1 WO 8910520A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- spring
- thermal energy
- enclosure
- accordance
- self contained
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
- F28D20/00—Heat storage plants or apparatus in general; Regenerative heat-exchange apparatus not covered by groups F28D17/00 or F28D19/00
- F28D20/02—Heat storage plants or apparatus in general; Regenerative heat-exchange apparatus not covered by groups F28D17/00 or F28D19/00 using latent heat
- F28D20/028—Control arrangements therefor
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D9/00—Crystallisation
- B01D9/005—Selection of auxiliary, e.g. for control of crystallisation nuclei, of crystal growth, of adherence to walls; Arrangements for introduction thereof
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02E60/14—Thermal energy storage
Definitions
- a single, closely packed helical spring constitutes the ideal triggering device for suitable liquids.
- a helical spring by its very shape, having a hollow interior, allows the fluid to thoroughly permeate its structure. When closely packed, the spring presents a continuous line of contact between adjacent turns in which the length of the line of the contact is several times greater than the overall length of the spring. This allows the spring to be relatively small in size.
- a close packed helical spring is ideal for distortion from the side through the wall of an enclosure similar to the actions of breaking a match stick.
- a simple helical spring also exhibits a good degree of mobility within the enclosure so it is less likelihood, even when unprotected, to be triggered unintentionally.
- type 300 series and 400 series stainless steel is an extremely stable material and one which works effectively as a triggering device.
- Beryllium, copper and phosphor bronze springs may be used.
- titanium provides a light, effective spring.
- the spring as a triggering device, it employs two or three springs in parallel relationship with each distorted by pressing the opposite walls of the trigger housing.
- a helical spring is one in which the helical spring is captured within as cylindrical housing made up of two parts which are somewhat flexible. Employing this embodiment is produced by twisting the opposite ends of the housing in opposite directions.
- frusto-conical springs have been used for the resilient purpose in a previous triggering device as shown in Fig. 11 of the Othmer patent 2,220,777, we have found that the helical spring without the rubbing tail of Othmer can be employed as a trigger when the turns are cause to rub against each other upon depression. This eliminates the need for any rubbing tail. Such an embodiment is also effective when enclosed within a trigger housing with means for compressing the spring.
- a closed loop helical spring is positioned to be distorted by expansion about a conical holder to produce triggering.
- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a heat pack employing a triggering device of this invention
- Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the near corner of the heat pack of Fig. 1 with the corner pouch sectioned to show the triggering spring therein;
- Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a trigger housing which may be used to enclose the spring trigger of Figs. 1 and 2;
- Figs. 4 and 5 are diametrical views of the trigger housing of Fig. 3;
- Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view along line 6-6 of Fig. 4;
- Fig. 7 is a top plan view of a three spring embodiment base with the cover removed;
- Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view of a completed assembly of the type shown in Fig. 7 taken along a line corresponding to line 8-8 of Fig. 7;
- FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of this invention.
- Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view of the embodiment of Fig. 9 taken along line 10-10 of Fig. 9;
- Fig. 11 is a vertical diametrical section of the base of a further embodiment of this invention.
- Fig. 12 is a vertical diametrical sectional view of a completed embodiment corresponding to the base of Fig. 11;
- Fig. 13 is a vertical diametrical sectional view of still one further embodiment of this invention in its normal at rest condition.
- Fig. 14 is a similar view of the view of Fig. 13 when actuated.
- a portable heat generating pad generally designated 10 is shown as including an outer flexible plastic cover 11, heat sealed at its edge 12 to provide a flexible pack, in the example given, approximately four inches by four inches by one-half inch in size.
- Other sizes of such pads are possible in varying configurations for various uses as an encircling portion of the body to apply localized heat or any of a large variety of other shapes.
- a simple rectangular pad 10 is sufficient.
- a portion of the cover 11 is broken away to show the interior which is a material 13 such as sodium acetate which exhibits the property of being supercooled at room temperature and the property of conversion upon being triggered from a liquid to a polycrystaline state with heat energy given off during crystalization.
- the cover 11 is preferably of almost any flexible plastic material such as polyethylene provided it is liquid impermeable and undamaged by heating temperatures in the 220 degree F. range.
- a triggering device 15 located in the segregated corner 16.
- the triggering device 15 is actually visible through the cover 11, if it is transparent and when the material 13 is in its liquid state. Whether visible or not, the triggering device 15 may be felt in the corner 16 by placing the thumb and fore finger on top and below the corner
- the triggering device 15 is a closely wound (turns in contact) hollow helical spring. Typical dimensions for a stainless steel spring are 1/8 inch outside diameter, length 1/2 inch, wire size 0.031 with approximately 32 turns per inch. The spring needs to have sufficient stiffness to maintain its shape and sufficiently resilient to allow binding by the application of pressure by the fingers through the cover 11.
- the hollow interior of the spring 15 allows free mobility of the material 13 throughout its interior and is in intimate contact with the individual turns with the possible exception of the line contact between adjacent turns of the spring 15.
- the spring 15 exhibits an ideal shape for triggering since the thumb, being slightly larger than the forefinger, or the thumb opposed to the forefinger and index finger, will allow the spring to be flexed through the exterior cover 11 and produce reliable triggering.
- the trigger housing 20 comprises a snap-on cover 21 and a base 22.
- the snap-on cover 21 includes a plurality of holes 23 allowing the entrance of the medium 13 of Figs. 1 and 2 into the interior.
- Cover 21 includes a boss 24 which is positioned over the trigger spring 15 as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.
- the base 22 includes a pair of bosses 25 and 26 in the bottom wall directed upward toward the spring 15.
- the bosses 24, 25 and 26 are spaced in the order of 0.001 inch from the spring and not in contact with the spring 15 under normal conditions.
- the trigger enclosure 15 and its trigger spring are located in the corner 16 in place of the exposed spring 15 of Figs. 1 and 2 or may be allowed to flow within the interior of the pad 10 where it is visible and reachable for triggering.
- a definite positive pressure applied to opposite sides of the enclosure 20 produces deformation of the spring 15 as illustrated in Fig. 5 and reliable triggering. False triggering cannot occur unless the force is sufficient to actually distort the cover 21 or the base 22 sufficiently for them to in turn distort the spring 15.
- the ends of spring 15 rest in recesses 30 and 31 at opposite sides of the trigger housing so that in its rest state, the spring is restrained within the housing 20 but the housing 20 is free to move about within the pad 10. Since sodium acetate or a comparable supercooled fluid is used, it will have a consistency when supercooled of water or glycerine, the highly mobile trigger housing 20 is unlikely to be triggered inadvertently since it can merely move out of the way of random pressure applied to the pad 10.
- Figs. 7 and 8 is believed to be an example of how to employ a helical spring but in multiple units to be triggered by pressure on all three springs at the same time.
- a trigger housing base 50 having an internal cavity 51 and an elongated boss 52.
- a plurality of recesses for example three recesses 53 at one end and mating recesses 54 on the opposite end, hold opposite ends of three springs 15A, 15B and 15C in side by side' parallel relationship above the boss 52.
- the base 50 in this case can be of rigid material and includes a pair of openings 55 and 56 to allow -li ⁇
- a cover 60 Overlying the base 50, as may be seen in Fig. 8, is a cover 60 likewise having an opening 61 for the entrance of a supercooled liquid and a pair of bosses 62 and 63, each of which are elongated like boss 52 but spaced apart to define a three point pressure applying system when the base 50 and cap 60 are compressed.
- cap 60 includes a side wall or skirt 64 which extends below the bottom of the base 50. Therefore, base 50 rests within a surrounding protective ring. Any pressure applied, for example, from a table top, to the bottom edge of the skirt 64 and one applies pressure to the top of cover 60, triggering will not occur because of the recessed nature of the base 50.
- Figs. 7 and 8 Positive pressure between the upper surface of the cover 60 and the under surface of base 50 is necessary to trigger the springs 15A-C. Since no deflection in the structure is necessary, the embodiment of Figs. 7 and 8 is preferred for applications in which the pad may be subject to rough treatment. Note also that the skirt 64 includes a ring detent or tapered ledge 65 which engages an outer rim 57 of the base 50 to snap lock the base 50 and cover 60 together in assembly.
- Twisting the spring for triggering can be accomplished by employing the assembly of Figs. 9 and 10 wherein the spring 15 is enclosed within a two part trigger enclosure 70 including snap together parts 71 and 72, each of which have openings therethrough to allow the free movement of the supercoolable material into the housing 70. Inadvertent triggering of the spring of 15 of Figs. 9 and 10 is extremely difficult to have occur because of its protection by the housing 70. Assembly is simple with the spring 15 introduced into the housing part 72 with one end extending outward.
- the housing part 71 is then slid over spring 15 and snapped over detent 73 of part 72.
- a mating recess 74 in an a collar 75 provides a snapped fit assembly.
- End holes 76 allow free movement of the supercoolable material 13 of Figs. 1 and 2 into the interior of spring 15.
- helical spring 100 is illustratedin Fig. 11 in a hollow cup-like base 101 with a fluid access opening 102.
- the base includes a skirt wall with a detent ring 103 over which rides a cover 110 of Fig. 12.
- the cover 110 includes a boss 111 which rests over or engages the upper turn 100A of the spring 100.
- the turns of spring 100 are normally in contact.
- the application of pressure between the lower surface of the base 101 and the top of the cover 110 forces the boss 111 to engage the spring and distort it outwardly to produce triggering.
- the helical spring 100 has line contact between adjacent turns as is clearly visible in Figs. 11 and 12.
- An effective trigger may also be produced employing a continuous coil close packed helical spring 150 as shown in Figs. 13 and 14.
- a continuous coil close packed helical spring 150 as shown in Figs. 13 and 14.
- Such a spring encircles a f rusto-conical boss 151 in cup 152 which has a plurality of openings 153 to allow the ingress of the supercooled liquid.
- An edge rim 154 includes an inwardly extending lip 155 which holds a snapped in cover 160 in place having a matching conical recess 161 .
- the lower surface 162 of the cover 160 is positioned to engage spring 150 when the cover 160 is depressed to a lower position as shown in Fig. 14.
- the spring 150 is expanded by the surface 162 as it moves downward and triggering occurs.
- the trigger enclosures are preferably inj ection molded plastics such as polyvinyl chloride or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) .
- the close packed helical spring acts as an effective tr igger for supercooled liquid heat generating devices and exhibits a high degree of immunity from false triggering. Additionally, the cost of manufacture as compared with previous tr iggering devices is reduced. Multiple springs may be reduced and the spring may be enclosed within two part preferably plastic housings to allow triggering only by po sitive intended pressure or by twisting.
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- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Crystallography & Structural Chemistry (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Infusion, Injection, And Reservoir Apparatuses (AREA)
- Closures For Containers (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US1988/001327 WO1989010520A1 (en) | 1988-04-22 | 1988-04-22 | Supercooled liquid thermal generator and improved triggering device |
EP19880910263 EP0366731A4 (en) | 1988-04-22 | 1988-04-22 | Supercooled liquid thermal generator and improved triggering device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US1988/001327 WO1989010520A1 (en) | 1988-04-22 | 1988-04-22 | Supercooled liquid thermal generator and improved triggering device |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1989010520A1 true WO1989010520A1 (en) | 1989-11-02 |
Family
ID=22208662
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US1988/001327 WO1989010520A1 (en) | 1988-04-22 | 1988-04-22 | Supercooled liquid thermal generator and improved triggering device |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0366731A4 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1989010520A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2770627A1 (en) | 1997-10-30 | 1999-05-07 | Ali Nicolas Menault | TRIGGER FOR OVERFLOW LIQUID HEATER |
US11060130B2 (en) | 2014-06-11 | 2021-07-13 | Illumina Cambridge Limited | Methods for estimating cluster numbers |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4077390A (en) * | 1976-08-02 | 1978-03-07 | Marc F. Fiedler | Reusable heat pack containing supercooled solution and means for activating same |
US4532110A (en) * | 1983-12-27 | 1985-07-30 | Imants P. Kapralis | Protected trigger to controllably initiate crystallization |
US4572158A (en) * | 1984-09-12 | 1986-02-25 | Topazon Limited | Trigger to activate aqueous salt solution for use in a heat pack and method of making the same |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE149151C (en) * | ||||
US2220777A (en) * | 1939-02-01 | 1940-11-05 | Donald F Othmer | Valveless chemical heater |
GB8521349D0 (en) * | 1985-08-28 | 1985-10-02 | Crewsaver Marine Equip Ltd | Trigger device for heat pack |
-
1988
- 1988-04-22 WO PCT/US1988/001327 patent/WO1989010520A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1988-04-22 EP EP19880910263 patent/EP0366731A4/en not_active Ceased
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4077390A (en) * | 1976-08-02 | 1978-03-07 | Marc F. Fiedler | Reusable heat pack containing supercooled solution and means for activating same |
US4532110A (en) * | 1983-12-27 | 1985-07-30 | Imants P. Kapralis | Protected trigger to controllably initiate crystallization |
US4572158A (en) * | 1984-09-12 | 1986-02-25 | Topazon Limited | Trigger to activate aqueous salt solution for use in a heat pack and method of making the same |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See also references of EP0366731A4 * |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2770627A1 (en) | 1997-10-30 | 1999-05-07 | Ali Nicolas Menault | TRIGGER FOR OVERFLOW LIQUID HEATER |
WO1999023436A1 (en) * | 1997-10-30 | 1999-05-14 | Ali Nicolas Menault | Release switch for supercooled liquid heater |
US11060130B2 (en) | 2014-06-11 | 2021-07-13 | Illumina Cambridge Limited | Methods for estimating cluster numbers |
US11946096B2 (en) | 2014-06-11 | 2024-04-02 | Illumina Cambridge Limited | Methods for estimating cluster numbers |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0366731A1 (en) | 1990-05-09 |
EP0366731A4 (en) | 1990-12-12 |
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