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Temperature Actuated Capillary Valve for Loop Heat Pipe System

  • US 20150345872A1
  • Filed: 08/10/2015
  • Published: 12/03/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2012
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for controlling the flow of vapor-phase working fluid through a temperature-actuated capillary flow valve into a condenser in a two-phase heat transfer system having a working fluid with a liquid-phase and a vapor-phase, comprising:

  • providing the temperature-actuated capillary flow valve having an inlet port, an outlet port, a housing extending between the inlet port and the outlet port, the housing defining a flow passage, and a porous wick material within the housing and extending across the flow passage;

    introducing the vapor-phase working fluid into the inlet port of the capillary flow valve; and

    controlling flow of the vapor-phase working fluid through the capillary flow valve by heating the housing to evaporate liquid-phase working fluid from the wick and allow the vapor-phase working fluid to pass from the inlet port through the wick to the outlet port, or by removing the heat source to allow the vapor-phase working fluid in the wick to condense and prevent flow of the vapor-phase working fluid from the inlet port through the wick to the outlet port.

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