Heat pipe working liquid distribution system
First Claim
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1. A heat pipe system comprising:
- an evaporator where a working fluid is evaporated and transmitted away from said evaporator and returned thereto as a condensed liquid, said evaporator having a plurality of hollow fins which communicate with a head space area of said evaporator,a vapor pipe for transporting working fluid vapor from said evaporator,a liquid return pipe for returning condensed working fluid to said evaporator head space,a distribution wick disposed within said head space in commmunication with capillary means lining said fins,duct means within said head space transmitting liquid working fluid returned by said liquid return pipe to said distribution wick whereby said liquid is returned to said hollow fins.
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Abstract
A heat pipe system particularly adapted for use with finned evaporators. In accordance with this invention, a separate liquid working fluid return conduit is provided which communicates with a liquid working fluid distribution means for distributing working fluid uniformly to all of the evaporator fins. Means are also provided in accordance with this invention for storing excess liquid working fluid either as a column of liquid within the liquid return pipe which is developed by a flow restrictor, or by selecting a distribution wick from a material having low capillary pressure which enables it to become saturated with liquid working fluid.
58 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A heat pipe system comprising:
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an evaporator where a working fluid is evaporated and transmitted away from said evaporator and returned thereto as a condensed liquid, said evaporator having a plurality of hollow fins which communicate with a head space area of said evaporator, a vapor pipe for transporting working fluid vapor from said evaporator, a liquid return pipe for returning condensed working fluid to said evaporator head space, a distribution wick disposed within said head space in commmunication with capillary means lining said fins, duct means within said head space transmitting liquid working fluid returned by said liquid return pipe to said distribution wick whereby said liquid is returned to said hollow fins. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A heat pipe system comprising:
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an evaporator where a working fluid is evaporated and transmitted away from said evaporator and returned thereto as a condensed liquid, said evaporator having a plurality of hollow fins which communicate with a head space area of said evaporator, a vapor pipe for transporting working fluid vapor from said evaporator, a liquid return pipe for returning condensed working fluid to said evaporator head space, and means within said head space for distributing liquid working fluid returned by said liquid return pipe among said evaporator fins including a plurality of individual distribution pipes within said head space and a distribution wick disposed within said head space whereby liquid working fluid in said liquid return pipe flows through said distribution pipes and onto said distribution wick, said distribution wick being in contact with a surface wick lining said evaporator fins. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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Specification