US 12,258,948 B2
Phase change material (PCM)-based conductive thermal actuator switches and associated stacked and arrayed systems
Andrew J. Pitts, Maynard, MA (US); and Adam C. Wood, Oro Valley, AZ (US)
Assigned to Raytheon Company, Arlington, VA (US)
Filed by Raytheon Company, Waltham, MA (US)
Filed on Jul. 28, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/361,311.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/375,877, filed on Sep. 16, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0093678 A1, Mar. 21, 2024
Int. Cl. F03G 7/06 (2006.01); F28F 13/00 (2006.01); H01M 10/60 (2014.01); H01L 23/427 (2006.01)
CPC F03G 7/06114 (2021.08) [F28F 13/00 (2013.01); H01M 10/60 (2015.04); F28F 2013/008 (2013.01); H01L 23/4275 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus comprising:
a thermal actuator switch configured to control a transfer of thermal energy through the thermal actuator switch, the thermal actuator switch comprising:
a first plate and a second plate, the first plate separated from the second plate by a thermally-insulative material;
an enclosed internal cavity defined by each of the first plate and the second plate;
a piston at least partially disposed within the internal cavity and movable laterally between the first plate and the second plate, and
a phase change material at least partially disposed within the internal cavity and configured to (i) expand to move a surface of the piston into a first position and (ii) contract to allow the surface of the piston to move into a second position, the surface of the piston thermally contacting the first plate and increasing thermal energy transfer between the first plate and the second plate when in one of the first position and the second position, the surface of the piston spaced apart from the first plate and decreasing thermal energy transfer between the first plate and the second plate when in another of the first position and the second position.