Heat pipe loop with pump assistance
First Claim
1. A heat pipe loop comprising:
- a first heat pipe section having a first temperature and having a first plurality of tubes;
a second heat pipe section having a second temperature higher than the first temperature and having a second plurality of tubes;
a vapor line connecting an upper portion of the first heat pipe section with an upper portion of the second heat pipe section;
a liquid line connecting a lower portion of the first heat pipe section with a lower portion of the second heat pipe section;
a pump which pumps liquid from the first heat pipe section to the second heat pipe section through the liquid line; and
a liquid distributor intermediate the pump and the second heat pipe section which sprays the liquid to wet an inside surface of each of the second plurality of tubes.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A heat pipe loop includes a first heat pipe section having a first temperature and a second heat pipe section having a second temperature higher than the first temperature. The first heat pipe section is a condenser and the second heat pipe section is an evaporator. A vapor line connects an upper portion of the first heat pipe section with an upper portion of the second heat pipe section. A liquid line connects a lower portion of the first heat pipe section with a lower portion of the second heat pipe section. In one embodiment, the first heat pipe section is disposed at a first elevation and the second heat pipe section is disposed at a second elevation higher than the first elevation. A pump directs liquid from the first heat pipe section to the second heat pipe section through the liquid line.
34 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A heat pipe loop comprising:
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a first heat pipe section having a first temperature and having a first plurality of tubes;
a second heat pipe section having a second temperature higher than the first temperature and having a second plurality of tubes;
a vapor line connecting an upper portion of the first heat pipe section with an upper portion of the second heat pipe section;
a liquid line connecting a lower portion of the first heat pipe section with a lower portion of the second heat pipe section;
a pump which pumps liquid from the first heat pipe section to the second heat pipe section through the liquid line; and
a liquid distributor intermediate the pump and the second heat pipe section which sprays the liquid to wet an inside surface of each of the second plurality of tubes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
a liquid return line intermediate a lower portion of the second plurality of tubes and an inlet of the pump.
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6. The heat pipe loop of claim 4 in which the liquid distributor comprises a perforated pipe disposed coaxially within the vapor line.
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7. The heat pipe loop of claim 1 in which the liquid distributor sprays the liquid from a lower portion of the second plurality of tubes.
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8. The heat pipe loop of claim 7 in which the liquid distributor comprises a perforated pipe disposed coaxially within the liquid line.
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9. The heat pipe loop of claim 1
in which the first plurality of tubes are disposed substantially vertically; - and
the second plurality of tubes are disposed substantially vertically.
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10. The heat pipe loop of claim 1
in which the first plurality of tubes are disposed substantially horizontally; - and
the second plurality of tubes are disposed substantially horizontally.
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11. The heat pipe loop of claim 1 in which the second temperature is less than about 5°
- F. higher than the first temperature.
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12. A heat pipe loop comprising:
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a first heat pipe section having a first plurality of tubes;
a second heat pipe section having a second plurality of tubes;
a vapor line connecting an upper portion of the first heat pipe section with an upper portion of the second heat pipe section;
a liquid line connecting a lower portion of the first heat pipe section with a lower portion of the second heat pipe section;
a first pump which pumps liquid from one heat pipe section to the other heat pipe section through the liquid line; and
a liquid distributor intermediate the pump and the second heat pipe section which sprays the liquid to wet an inside surface of each of the second plurality of tubes. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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Specification