Gas thermal switch having a movable heat-exchange element

Abstract

The gas thermal switch ( 1 ) comprises: a first terminal ( 9 ) which is intended to be thermally connected to a first component: a second terminal ( 11 ) which is intended to be thermally connected to a second component; a chamber ( 33 ) for receiving a heat-exchange gas; a heat-exchange gas in the chamber ( 33 ); a least a first ( 13 ) and a second ( 15 ) heat-exchange elements which are arranged in the chamber ( 33 ) in order to be able to be thermally connected respectively to the first terminal ( 9 ) and second terminal ( 11 ). At least one of the heat-exchange element ( 15 ) is movable relative to its respective terminal ( 11 ).

1 . Gas thermal switch of the type comprising:
 a first terminal which is intended to be thermally connected to a first component,   a second terminal which is intended to be thermally connected to a second component,   a chamber for receiving a heat-exchange gas,   a heat-exchange gas in the chamber,   at least a first heat-exchange element and a second heat-exchange element which are arranged in the chamber in order to be able to be thermally connected to the first terminal and second terminal, respectively, and to have facing heat-exchange surfaces which are separated by a space which is intended to be filled by the heat-exchange gas present in the chamber in order to exchange heat between the first heat-exchange element and the second heat-exchange element,   
       characterized in that at least one of the heat-exchange elements can be moved relative to its respective terminal. 
     
     
         2 . Switch according to  claim 1 , characterized in that it also comprises a device for introducing the heat-exchange gas into the chamber and removing the heat-exchange gas from the chamber. 
     
     
         3 . Switch according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the movable heat-exchange element can be moved between at least one position for greater heat transfer with the terminal and the element, and a position for lesser heat transfer between the terminal and the element, and in that the switch comprises a device for moving the heat-exchange element. 
     
     
         4 . Switch according to  claim 3 , characterized in that, in its position of greater heat-transfer, the movable heat-exchange element is in contact with its respective terminal. 
     
     
         5 . Switch according to  claim 4 , characterized in that the movable heat-exchange element and the respective terminal thereof have substantially complementary surfaces to position the heat-exchange element relative to the respective terminal thereof. 
     
     
         6 . Switch according to  claim 1 , characterized in that one of the heat-exchange elements is a male element and the other heat-exchange element is a female element for receiving the male element. 
     
     
         7 . Switch according to  claim 6 , characterized in that the movable heat-exchange element is the female element. 
     
     
         8 . Switch according to  claim 7 , characterized in that the movable female heat-exchange element is a tube, one end of which is closed by means of a base. 
     
     
         9 . Switch according to  claim 8 , characterized in that the tube is provided with passages for circulation of the heat-exchange gas in the region of the base and/or in the base. 
     
     
         10 . Switch according to  claim 6 , characterized in that the male heat-exchange element and the female heat-exchange element have substantially complementary shapes. 
     
     
         11 . Switch according to  claim 6 , characterized in that the male heat-exchange element and the female heat-exchange element extend along an axis, and in that the movable heat-exchange element can be moved in translation along the axis. 
     
     
         12 . Switch according to  claim 4 , characterized in that the substantially complementary surfaces converge towards the axis. 
     
     
         13 . Switch according to  claim 12 , characterized in that the surfaces are spherical caps. 
     
     
         14 . Switch according to  claim 3 , characterized in that the movement device comprises a ferromagnetic core which is fixedly joined to the movable heat-exchange element and means for creating a magnetic field in the chamber. 
     
     
         15 . Switch according to  claim 3 , characterized in that the movement device is capable of moving the tube in a controlled manner to at least one intermediate position between the position of greater heat transfer and the position of lesser heat transfer.