Patents by Inventor Donald R. Rummler

Donald R. Rummler has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Method for producing micro heat panels
    Patent number: 5598632
    Abstract: Flat or curved micro heat pipe panels are fabricated by arranging essentially parallel filaments in the shape of the desired panel. The configuration of the filaments corresponds to the desired configuration of the tubes that will constitute the heat pipes. A thermally conductive material is then deposited on and around the filaments to fill in the desired shape of the panel. The filaments are then removed, leaving tubular passageways of the desired configuration and surface texture in the material. The tubes are then filled with a working fluid and sealed. Composite micro heat pipe laminates are formed by layering individual micro heat pipe panels and bonding them to each other to form a single structure. The layering sequence of the micro heat pipe panels can be tailored to transport heat preferentially in specific directions as desired for a particular application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignees: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Texas A&M
    Inventors: Charles J. Camarda, George P. Peterson, Donald R. Rummler
  • Micro heat pipe panels and method for producing same
    Patent number: 5527588
    Abstract: Flat or curved micro heat pipe panels are fabricated by arranging essentially parallel filaments in the shape of the desired panel. The configuration of the filaments corresponds to the desired configuration of the tubes that will constitute the heat pipes. A thermally conductive material is then deposited on and around the filaments to fill in the desired shape of the panel. The filaments are then removed, leaving tubular passageways of the desired configuration and surface texture in the material. The tubes are then filled with a working fluid and sealed. Composite micro heat pipe laminates are formed by layering individual micro heat pipe panels and bonding them to each other to form a single structure. The layering sequence of the micro heat pipe panels can be tailored to transport heat preferentially in specific directions as desired for a particular application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignees: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Texas A&M University
    Inventors: Charles J. Camarda, George P. Peterson, Donald R. Rummler