Metal hydride storage apparatus

Abstract

The present invention relates to a miniature metal hydride thermal storage apparatus for the cooling of devices to subambient temperatures, the apparatus composed of at least two chambers containing distinct metal hydrides.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A miniature metal hydride thermal storage apparatus, which provides for the cooling of devices to subambient temperatures, the apparatus comprising at least two chambers containing distinct metal hydrides.  
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the devices include laptop computers, cellular phones, other mobile electronics and consumer products.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the subambient temperatures are no lower than −10° C.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the metal hydride is selected from the group consisting of lanthanum nickel metal alloy and magnesium nickel metal alloy.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each chamber contains a distinct metal hydride.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the metal hydride is combined with high conductance metal powders.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said combination promotes heat conduction in the porous structure.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the conducting powders are selected from the group consisting of copper, aluminum and silicon powders.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 8 , wherein hydrogen passages are formed in the metal hydride powder structures by mandrels.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a miniature valve.