Low torque hinged heat transfer joint

• US 5,129,448 A
• Filed: 09/29/1989
• Issued: 07/14/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
• Original Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
• Inventors: Wilson, David E., Holmberg, Arthur Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schwadron, Martin P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Flanigan, Allen J.
• Application Number:
  US07/414,502
• Time in Patent Office: 1,019 Days
• Field of Search: 165/86, 165/185, 16/273, 16/385, 244/75 R, 244/117 A, 244/213, 244/131, 384/907.1
• US Class Current: 165/86
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 11/04 Pivotal connections hinges for doors, windows or wings E05D
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 11/103 frictionally clamped
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2326/47 Cosmonautic vehicles, i.e. bearings adapted for use in outer-space
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 165/135 Movable heat exchanger

Abstract

A heat transfer hinge; a first rotor; a second rotor; a pivot means for pivotally coupling the first rotor to the second rotor, each rotor being free to pivot on a pivot axis passing between the first and second rotor; a means for thermally coupling a thermally conductive flat surface to the first rotor, the flat surface being positioned to be normal to the pivot axis; a means for thermally coupling a thermally conductive flat surface to the second rotor, the flat surface being positioned to be normal to the pivot axis; and, a means for holding the first rotor flat surface against the second rotor flat surface as the first rotor is pivoted on the pivot axis with respect to the second rotor.

Claims

1. A heat transfer hinge comprising:

a first rotor;

a second rotor;

pivot means for pivotally coupling the first rotor to the second rotor, each rotor being free to pivot on a pivot axis passing between the first and second rotor;

means for thermally coupling a thermally conductive flat surface to the first rotor, the flat surface being positioned to be normal to the pivot axis; and

means for thermally coupling a thermally conductive flat surface to the second rotor, the flat surface being positioned to be normal to the pivot axis;

means for holding the first rotor flat surface against the second rotor flat surface as the first rotor is pivoted on the pivot axis with respect to the second rotor;

wherein said pivot means comprises;

a yoke having a left tang and a right tang coupled to the first rotor to form a slot;

a center tang coupled to the second rotor for insertion into the slot; and

a pin supported by the left and right tang in coaxial alignment with the pivot axis, the pin passing through the center tang, the second rotor being pivotally supported by the pin; and

a spring for providing a constant preload force to the pin with respect to the first rotor, the pin extending freely through the yoke and applying the preload force to hold the first rotor flat surface against the second rotor flat surface; and

wherein the spring means further comprises;

a retaining plate coupled to the first rotor, the retaining plate being normal to the pivot axis;

the pin further comprising a collar;

the spring being coaxially positioned on the pin and compressed to apply a force between the retaining plate and the pin collar, the pin being driven to hold the first rotor flat surface against the second rotor flat surface.

2. A heat transfer hinge comprising:

a first rotor;

a second rotor;

pivot means for pivotally coupling the first rotor to the second rotor, each rotor being free to pivot on a pivot axis passing between the first and second rotor;

means for thermally coupling a thermally conductive flat surface to the first rotor, the flat surface being positioned normal to the pivot axis;

means for thermally coupling a thermally conductive flat surface to the second rotor, the flat surface being positioned normal to the pivot axis;

means for holding the first rotor flat surface against the second rotor flat surface as the first rotor is pivoted on the pivot axis with respect to the second rotor;

at least a first finger member coupled to the first rotor, the first finger member extending from the first rotor, the first rotor flat surface being positioned on the first finger member normal to the pivot axis;

at least a second finger member coupled to the second rotor, the second finger member extending from the second rotor, the second rotor flat surface being positioned on the second finger member normal to the pivot axis; and

the first rotor flat surface being positioned against the second rotor flat surface;

a right pressure means for providing a predetermined force referenced to the first rotor, the force being coaxially aligned with the pivot axis to drive the first finger member against the second finger member, the first finger member flat surface being positioned on the first finger member normal to the pivot axis and supported against a corresponding second rotor finger member flat surface;

a last finger member coupled to the first rotor, the last finger member extending from the first rotor, the last finger member having a flat surface positioned on the last finger member normal to the pivot axis and supported against a corresponding second rotor finger member flat surface; and

a left pressure means for providing a predetermined force referenced to the first rotor, the predetermined force being coaxially aligned with the pivot axis to drive the last finger member flat surface against the corresponding second finger member flat surface.

3. A non-load bearing hinged heat transfer mechanism for conducting heat across a pivoting interface having a pivot axis, comprising:

a first rotor having a length substantially parallel to said pivot axis;

a plurality of first rotor fingers, each having a finger foot coupled to said first rotor, and having a finger head, wherein said first rotor fingers are coupled to said first rotor periodically along the length of said first rotor, and each of said first rotor finger heads has a pair of substantially solid thermally conductive surfaces;

a second rotor having a length substantially parallel to said pivot axis; and

a plurality of second rotor fingers, each having a finger foot coupled to said second rotor, and having a finger head, wherein said second rotor fingers are coupled to said second rotor periodically along a length of said second rotor, and each of said second rotor finger heads has a pair of substantially solid thermally conductive surfaces;

wherein the heads of said first rotor fingers and the heads of said second rotor fingers are interleaved so that said thermally conductive surfaces of said finger heads abut one another to thereby define a substantially circular contact areas each having a given diameter, wherein said diameters are substantially greater than the thicknesses of said finger heads, including said thermally conductive surfaces, measured in the direction of said pivot axis.

4. The hinged heat transfer mechanism of claim 3, wherein said thermally conductive surfaces are substantially flat.

5. The hinged heat transfer mechanism of claim 4, wherein said thermally conductive surfaces are substantially perpendicular to said pivot axis.

6. The hinged heat transfer mechanism of claim 5, wherein said thermally conductive surfaces are solid and unperforated.

7. The hinged heat transfer mechanism of claim 6, wherein said thermally conductive surfaces each finger comprise a layer of tungsten carbide and a layer of polycrystalline diamond.

8. The hinged heat transfer mechanism of claim 7, additionally comprising a spring axially aligned with said pivot axis for exerting a predetermined force against one of said rotors for holding said thermally conductive surfaces in contact with one another.

9. A non-load bearing hinged heat transfer mechanism for conducting heat across a pivoting interface having a pivot axis, comprising:

a first rotor having a length substantially parallel to said pivot axis;

a plurality of first rotor fingers, each having a finger foot coupled to said first rotor, and having a finger head, wherein said first rotor fingers are coupled to said first rotor periodically along the length of said first rotor, and each of said first rotor finger heads has a pair of thermally conductive surfaces intersecting said pivot axis;

a second rotor having a length substantially parallel to said pivot axis; and

a plurality of second rotor fingers, each having a finger foot coupled to said second rotor, and having a finger head, wherein said second rotor fingers are coupled to said second rotor periodically along a length of said second rotor, and each of said second rotor finger heads has a pair of thermally conductive surfaces intersecting said pivot axis;

wherein the heads of said first rotor fingers and the heads of said second rotor fingers are interleaved so that said thermally conductive surfaces of said finger heads abut one another to thereby define a substantially circular contact areas each having a given diameter, wherein said diameters are substantially greater than the thicknesses of said finger heads, including said thermally conductive surfaces, measured in the direction of said pivot axis.

10. The hinged heat transfer mechanism of claim 9, wherein said thermally conductive surfaces are solid and unperforated.

11. The hinged heat transfer mechanism of claim 10, wherein said thermally conductive surfaces are substantially perpendicular to said pivot axis.

12. The hinged heat transfer mechanism of claim 11, wherein said thermally conductive surfaces are substantially flat.

13. The hinged heat transfer mechanism of claim 12, wherein said thermally conductive surfaces each finger comprise a layer of tungsten carbide and a layer of polycrystalline diamond.

14. The hinged heat transfer mechanism of claim 13, additionally comprising a spring axially aligned with said pivot axis for exerting a predetermined force against one of said rotors for holding said thermally conductive surfaces in contact with one another.