Abstract: A thermal conducting path between a relatively movable heat source and a relatively fixed heat sink element, defined as a relatively narrow non-contacting conducting gap between opposing conducting surfaces. In an embodiment where the heat source is gimbal mounted, for movement with respect to two orthogonal axes, its conductive surface has a convex partial spherical shape while the relatively fixed surface of the heat sink element has a concave partial spherical shape. In order to maintain a constant gap, the opposing surfaces have a common spherical center located at the crossover of said orthogonal axes and the spherical radii dimensions differ by the distance of said relatively narrow non-contacting gap therebetween.

Abstract: A solid state temperature gradient cooling system in which thermal energy is, under a first condition, carried from a heat source to a heat storage device and under a second condition is carried from the heat source and storage device to a heat dissipator. The change in conditions is responsive to changes in the temperature of the heat dissipator above and below a predetermined value. Bimetallic disc elements are employed, which respond to temperature changes about the predetermined temperature, and snap from a first condition concave/convex surface configuration to a second condition convex/concave configuration. The disc elements are supported about their outer peripheries so that the change in configuration will cause the center of the disc to move along an axis normal to the disc. This movement is used to respectively open and close a low resistance thermal path between the heat dissipator and a first thermal conducting path defined to transmit thermal energy between the heat source and the heat sink.

Abstract: A thermal conducting path between a relatively movable heat source and a relatively fixed heat sink element, defined as a relatively narrow non-contacting conducting gap between opposing conducting surfaces. In an embodiment where the heat source is gimbal mounted, for movement with respect to two orthogonal axes, its conductive surface has a convex partial spherical shape while the relatively fixed surface of the heat sink element has a concave partial spherical shape. In order to maintain a constant gap, the opposing surfaces have a common spherical center located at the crossover of said orthogonal axes and the spherical radii dimensions differ by the distance of said relatively narrow non-contacting gap therebetween.