USPTO Patent Granted for PCM Thermal Actuator Switch

ChangeBridge: Patent Grants - Batteries (H01M)

Published March 24th, 2026

Detected March 26th, 2026

Summary

The USPTO has granted a patent to Raytheon Company for a phase change material (PCM)-based conductive thermal actuator switch. This invention relates to controlling thermal energy transfer using stacked actuator switches with different phase change materials that expand or contract at specific temperatures.

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What changed

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted patent US12586845B2 to Raytheon Company for an apparatus featuring multiple phase change material (PCM)-based conductive thermal actuator switches. These switches are designed to control thermal energy transfer through a stacked configuration, utilizing pistons and PCMs that expand or contract at different temperatures to adjust thermal contact between plates. The patent covers 20 claims and was filed on September 16, 2022.

This patent grant is primarily an intellectual property development and does not impose direct regulatory obligations on companies. However, it signifies a technological advancement in thermal management, particularly relevant for applications requiring precise temperature control, such as in energy storage systems or electronic devices. Companies operating in these sectors, especially those involved in battery technology or thermal regulation systems, may need to be aware of this patented technology to avoid potential infringement and to inform their own R&D strategies.

Source document (simplified)

← USPTO Patent Grants

Phase change material (PCM)-based conductive thermal actuator switch

Grant US12586845B2 Kind: B2 Mar 24, 2026

Assignee

Raytheon Company

Inventors

Andrew J. Pitts, James E. Benedict

Abstract

An apparatus includes multiple thermal actuator switches configured to control a transfer of thermal energy. The thermal actuator switches are arranged in a stacked configuration. Each switch includes first and second plates and a piston movable between the plates. Each switch also includes a phase change material 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 contacts the first plate and increases thermal energy transfer between the plates when in one of the first and second positions. The surface of the piston is spaced apart from the first plate and decreases thermal energy transfer between the plates when in another of the first and second positions. Different ones of the switches include different phase change materials that expand or contract at different temperatures.