Thermal power transfer system using applied potential difference to sustain operating pressure difference

• US 5,066,337 A
• Filed: 08/16/1990
• Issued: 11/19/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration
• Original Assignee: United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration
• Inventors: Fujita, Toshio, Bhandari, Pradeep
• Primary Examiner(s): Hunt, Brooks H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CARROLL, CHRISMAN DION
• Application Number:
  US07/568,130
• Time in Patent Office: 460 Days
• Field of Search: 136/200, 136/202, 136/205, 136/230, 136/236.1, 310/306, 322/2 A, 322/2 R, 429/5, 429/11, 429/50, 429/104, 429/112, 429/120
• US Class Current: 136/202
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/21 Temperature-sensitive devices

Abstract

A thermal power transfer system using a phase change liquid gas fluid in a closed loop configuration has a heat exchanger member connected to a gas conduit for inputting thermal energy into the fluid. The pressure in the gas conduit is higher than a liquid conduit that is connected to a heat exchanger member for outputting thermal energy. A solid electrolyte member acts as a barrier between the gas conduit and the liquid conduit adjacent a solid electrolyte member. The solid electrolyte member has the capacity of transmitting ions of a fluid through the electrolyte member. The ions can be recombined with electrons with the assistance of a porous electrode. An electrical field is applied across the solid electrolyte member to force the ions of the fluid from a lower pressure liquid conduit to the higher pressure gas conduit.

Claims

1. A thermal power transfer system using a phase change liquid-gas fluid in a closed loop configuration, comprising:

a gas conduit;

a liquid conduit;

a heat exchange member for inputting thermal energy into the fluid so that the pressure of the gas conduit is higher than the liquid conduit;

barrier means between the gas conduit and the liquid conduit to maintain a pressure differential while permitting transmission of the fluid through the barrier means, including a solid electrolyte member having the capability of transmitting ions of the fluid through the electrolyte member and a porous electrode operatively positioned relative to the electrolyte member for creating an electrical field across the electrolyte member to drive the ions of the fluid through the solid electrolyte member;

means, attached to the electrode member, for applying an electrical field to force the ions of the fluid from the lower pressure liquid conduit to the higher pressure gas conduit, and

means, connected to the gas conduit and liquid conduit for outputting thermal energy.

2. The thermal power transfer system of claim 1 wherein the fluid is sodium.

3. The thermal power transfer system of claim 1 further including a thermal control valve system to regulate the flow rate of the liquid fluid.

4. The thermal power transfer system of claim 1 wherein the means for applying an electrical field includes means for varying the electrical field to control the flow rate of the liquid fluid.

5. The thermal power transfer system of claim 1 wherein the heat exchange member is adjacent the barrier means.

6. A thermal power transfer system using a phase change liquid-gas sodium fluid in a closed loop configuration, comprising:

a gas conduit;

a liquid conduit;

a heat exchange member for inputting thermal energy into the sodium so that the pressure of the gas conduit is higher than the liquid conduit;

a beta-alumina electrolyte member positioned between the gas conduit and the liquid conduit, adjacent the heat exchange member, to maintain a pressure differential while permitting transmission of the sodium through the barrier means, the electrolyte member having the capability of transmitting sodium ions through the electrolyte member and a porous electrode operatively positioned relative to the electrolyte member for creating an electrical field across the electrolyte member to drive the sodium ions through the solid electrolyte member;

means, attached to the electrode member, for applying an electrical field to force the sodium ions from the lower pressure liquid conduit to the higher pressure gas conduit, and

means, connected to the gas conduit and liquid conduit for outputting thermal energy.