High heat flux heat pipe

Claim 2

An improved heat pipe comprising: a closed chamber; a fluid, comprising a liquid and its vapor, in the chamber; capillary material in the chamber for conveying the liquid from where it is formed by vapor condensing in the relatively cooler regions substantially the entire distance to the relatively warmer regions where it is vaporized; a vapor way in the chamber for conveying the vapor at least part of the way from where it is formed to where it condenses; a multiplicity of closely spaced regional areas of vaporization comprising surface portions of the capillary material which receive the heat which enters the chamber by conduction through the capillary material underlying the regional areas of vaporization; and a multiplicity of vapor passages in vapor communication between the regional areas of vaporization and the vapor way, and wherein the multiplicity of vapor passages convey the vapor formed at the multiplicity of regional areas of vaporization at least a part of the way to the vapor way.

Claim 3

An improved heat pipe as defined in claim 1 wherein the multiplicity of regional areas of vaporization are spaced sufficiently closely that the center to center distance therebetween is less than the extent, in the direction normal to the boundary through which heat enters the chamber, of the capillary material between said boundary and the vapor way.

Claim 4

An improved heat pipe as defined in claim 1 further comprising: a second heat pipe adjacent to and in thermal contact with the first heat pipe chamber boundary through which heat enters the first heat pipe chamber, the second heat pipe supplying at least a portion of the heat conducted to the regional areas of vaporization in the first heat pipe chamber.

Claim 5

An improved heat pipe as defined in claim 3 wherein the multiplicity of regional areas of vaporization are spaced sufficiently closely that the center to center distance therebetween is less than the extent, in the direction normal to the boundary through which heat enters the chamber, of the capillary material between said boundary and the vapor way.

Claim 6

An improved heat pipe as defined in claim 1 wherein the multiplicity of vapor passages are embedded substantially into the capillary material.

Claim 7

An improved heat pipe as defined in claim 5 wherein the multiplicity of regional areas of vaporization are spaced sufficiently closely that the center to center distance there-between is less then the extent, in the direction normal to the boundary through which heat enters the chamber, of the capillary material between said boundary and the vapor way.

Claim 8

An improved heat pipe as defined in claim 1 wherein the multiplicity of vapor passages are in vapor communication through the capillary material between the regional areas of vaporization and the vapor way.

Claim 9

An improved heat pipe as defined in claim 7 wherein the multiplicity of regional areas of vaporization are spaced sufficiently closely that the center to center distance there-between is less than the extent, in the direction normal to the boundary through which heat enters the chamber, of the capillary material between said boundary and the vapor way.

Claim 10

An improved heat pipe as defined in claim 1 wherein the multiplicity of vapor passages are spaced apart less than 0.1 inch.

Claim 11

An improved heat pipe as defined in claim 9 wherein the multiplicity of regional areas of vaporization are spaced sufficiently closely that the center to center distance there-between is less than the extent, in the direction normal to the boundary through which heat enters the chamber, of the capillary material between said boundary and the vapor way.

Claim 12

An improved heat pipe as defined in claim 1 wherein the multiplicity of vapor passages comprise: a first multiplicity of passages spaced relatively moRe closely together, and a second multiplicity of passages spaced relatively less closely together, the first multiplicity of passages being in vapor communication between the regional areas of vaporization and the second multiplicity of passages, the second multiplicity of passages being in vapor communication between the first multiplicity of passages and the vapor way.

Claim 13

An improved heat pipe as defined in claim 11 wherein the multiplicity of regional areas of vaporization are spaced sufficiently closely that the center to center distance there-between is less than the extent, in the direction normal to the boundary through which heat enters the chamber, of the capillary material between said boundary and the vapor way.

Claim 14

An improved heat pipe as defined in claim 1 wherein the capillary material comprises a first volumetric portion relatively nearer the surface of the capillary material adjacent the chamber boundary through which heat enters the chamber and having a relatively larger effective capillary surface to volume ratio delta and a second volumetric portion relatively further from the surface of the capillary material adjacent the chamber boundary through which heat enters the chamber and having a relatively smaller effective capillary surface to volume ratio delta .

Claim 15

An improved heat pipe as defined in claim 13 wherein the multiplicity of regional areas of vaporization are spaced sufficiently closely that the center to center distance there-between is less than the extent, in the direction normal to the boundary through which heat enters the chamber, of the capillary material between said boundary and the vapor way.

Claim 16

An improved heat pipe as defined in claim 1 wherein the capillary material comprises a first volumetric portion relatively nearer the surface of the capillary material adjacent the chamber boundary through which heat enters the chamber and having a relatively higher thermal conductivity and a second volumetric portion relatively further from the surface of the capillary material adjacent the chamber boundary through which heat enters the chamber and having a relatively lower thermal conductivity.

Claim 17

An improved heat pipe as defined in claim 15 wherein the multiplicity of regional areas of vaporization are spaced sufficiently closely that the center to center distance there-between is less than the extent, in the direction normal to the boundary through which heat enters the chamber, of the capillary material between said boundary and the vapor way.

Claim 18

An improved heat pipe comprising: a closed chamber; a fluid, comprising a liquid and its vapor, in the chamber; capillary material in the chamber for conveying the liquid from where it is formed by vapor condensing in the relatively cooler regions at least part of the way to the relatively warmer regions where it is vaporized; a vapor way in the chamber for conveying the vapor at least part of the way from where it is formed to where it condenses; a multiplicity of closely spaced regional areas of condensation comprising surface portions of the capillary material whereat heat is released by condensation of the vapor and conducted away through the underlying capillary material to a chamber boundary through which heat exits the chamber; and a multiplicity of vapor passages in vapor communication between the vapor way and the regional areas of condensation, and wherein the multiplicity of vapor passages convey the vapor to be condensed at the multiplicity of regional areas of condensation at least a portion of the way from the vapor way thereto.

Claim 19

An improved heat pipe comprising: a closed chamber; a fluid, comprising a liquid and its vapor, in the chamber; capillary material in the chamber for conveying the liquid from where it is formed by vapor condensing in the relatively cooler regions at least part of the way to the relatively warmer regions where it is vaporized; a vapor way in the chamber for conveying the vapor at least part of the way from where it is formed to where it condenses; a multiplicity of closely spaced regional areas of condensation comprising surface portions of the capillary material whereat heat is released by condensation of the vapor and conducted away through the underlying capillary material to a chamber boundary through which heat exits the chamber; and a multiplicity of vapor passages in vapor communication between the vapor way and the regional areas of condensation, and wherein the multiplicity of vapor passages convey the vapor to be condensed at the multiplicity of regional areas of condensation at least a portion of the way from the vapor way thereto.

Claim 20

An improved heat pipe as defined in claim 17 wherein the multiplicity of regional areas of condensation are spaced sufficiently closely that the center to center distance there-between is less than the extent, in the direction normal to the boundary through which heat exists the chamber, of the capillary material between said boundary and the vapor way.

Claim 21

An improved heat pipe as defined in Claim 17 further comprising: a multiplicity of closely spaced regional areas of vaporization comprising surface portions of the capillary material which receive the heat which enters the chamber by conduction through the capillary material underlying the regional areas of vaporization; a multiplicity of vapor passages in vapor communication between the regional areas of vaporization and the vapor way; and wherein the multiplicity of vapor passages convey the vapor formed at the multiplicity of regional areas of vaporization at least a part of the way to the vapor way.

Claim 22

An improved heat pipe as defined in claim 19 wherein the multiplicity of regional areas of condensation are spaced sufficiently closely that the center to center distance therebetween is less than the extent, in the direction normal to the boundary through which heat exists the chamber, of the capillary material which said boundary and the vapor way.

Claim 23

An improved heat pipe as defined in claim 17 further comprising: a second heat pipe adjacent to, and in thermal contact with, the first heat pipe chamber boundary through which heat exits the first heat pipe chamber, the second heat pipe chamber receiving at least a portion of the heat released at the regional areas of condensation in the first heat pipe chamber.

Claim 24

An improved heat pipe as defined in claim 21 wherein the multiplicity of regional areas of condensation are spaced sufficiently closely that the center to center distance therebetween is less than the extent, in the direction normal to the boundary through which heat exits the chamber, of the capillary material between said boundary and the vapor way.

Claim 25

An improved heat pipe as defined in claim 21 wherein the second heat pipe comprises: a closed chamber; a fluid, comprising a liquid and its vapor in the chamber; capillary material in the chamber for conveying the liquid from where it is formed by vapor condensing in the relatively cooler regions substantially the entire distance to the relatively warmer regions where it is vaporized; a vapor way in the chamber for conveying the vapor at least part of the way from where it is formed to where it condenses; a multiplicity of closely spaced regional areas of vaporization comprising surface portions of the capillary material which receive the heat which enters the chamber by conduction through the capillary material underlying the regional areas of vaporization; and a multiplicity of vapor passages in vapor communication between the regional areas of vaporization and the vapor way, and wherein the multiplicity of vapor passages convey the vapor formed at the multiplicity of regional areas of vaporization at least a part of the way to the vapor way, and wherein the regional areas of vaporization of the second heat pipe receive at least a portion of the heat released at the regional areas of condensation in the first heat pipe chamber.

Claim 26

An improved heat pipe as defined in claim 17 further comprising: additional capillary material in the chamber having a lower effective capillary surface to volume ratio delta than a principal portion of the capillary material, and wherein the amount of fluid in the chamber is such that said additional capillary material is not completely saturated with liquid during normal operation.

Claim 27

An improved heat pipe as defined in claim 24 wherein the multiplicity of regional areas of condensation are spaced sufficiently closely that the center to center distance there-between is less than the extent, in the direction normal to the boundary through which heat exits the chamber, of the capillary material between said boundary and the vapor way.

Claim 28

An improved heat pipe as defined in claim 17 wherein a multiplicity of the vapor passage are embedded substantially into the capillary material.

Claim 29

An improved heat pipe as defined in claim 26 wherein the multiplicity of regional areas of condensation are spaced sufficiently closely that the center to ceNter distance therebetween is less than the extent, in the direction normal to the boundary through which heat exits the chamber, of the capillary material between said boundary and the vapor way.

Claim 30

An improved heat pipe as defined in claim 17 wherein a multiplicity of the vapor passages are in vapor communication through the capillary material between the regional areas of condensation and the vapor way.

Claim 31

An improved heat pipe as defined in claim 28 wherein the multiplicity of regional areas of condensation are spaced sufficiently closely that the center to center distance there-between is less than the extent, in the direction normal to the boundary through which heat exits the chamber, of the capillary material between said boundary and the vapor way.

Claim 32

An improved heat pipe as defined in claim 17 wherein the regional areas of condensation are spaced apart by less than 0.1 inch.

Claim 33

An improved heat pipe as defined in claim 30 wherein the multiplicity of regional areas of condensation are spaced sufficiently closely that the center to center distance there-between is less than the extent, in the direction normal to the boundary through which heat exits the chamber, of the capillary material between said boundary and the vapor way.

Claim 34

An improved heat pipe as defined in claim 17 wherein the vapor passages further comprise: a first multiplicity of passages spaced relatively more closely together, and a second multiplicity of passages spaced relatively less closely together; the first multiplicity of passages being in vapor communication between the regional ares of condensation and the second multiplicity of passages, the second multiplicity of passages being in vapor communication between the first multiplicity of passages and the vapor way.

Claim 35

An improved heat pipe as defined in claim 17 wherein the capillary material further comprises: a first volumetric portion relatively nearer the chamber boundary through which heat exits the chamber and having a relatively larger effective capillary surface to volume ratio delta and a second volumetric portion relatively further from the chamber boundary through which heat exits the chamber and having a relatively smaller effective capillary surface to volume ratio delta .

Claim 36

An improved heat pipe as defined in claim 17 wherein the capillary material further comprises: a first volumetric portion relatively nearer the chamber boundary through which heat exits the chamber and having a relatively higher thermal conductivity and a second volumetric portion relatively further from the chamber boundary through which heat exits the chamber and having a relatively lower thermal conductivity.

Claim 37

An improved heat pipe comprising: a closed chamber; a partition comprising an impermeable wall separating the chamber into two closed subchambers; a fluid, comprising a liquid and its vapor, in each subchamber; capillary material in each subchamber for conveying the liquid from where it is formed by vapor condensing in the relatively cooler regions at least part of the way to the relatively warmer regions where it is vaporized; a vapor way in each subchamber for conveying the vapor at least part of the way from where it is formed to where it condenses; and wherein a first side of the partition comprises: a multiplicity of closely spaced regional areas of condensation comprising surface portions of the capillary material whereat heat is released by condensation of the vapor; a multiplicity of vapor passages in vapor communication between the respective vapor way and the regional areas of condensation; and wherein said multiplicity of vapor passages convey the vapor to be condensed at the multiplicity of regional areas of condensation at least a portion of the way from the vapor thereto; and the second side of the partition comprises: a multiplicity of closely spaced regional areas of vaporization comprising surface portions of the capillary material wherEat heat released by the condensation of the vapor at the regional areas of condensation is conducted therefrom by the capillary material to the impermeable wall of the partition, and whereby the heat is conducted through the partition wall, and conducted from the partition wall through the capillary material to the regional areas of vaporization whereat the heat vaporizes the liquid; a multiplicity of vapor passages in vapor communication between the regional areas of vaporization and the vapor way; and wherein the multiplicity of vapor passages convey the vapor formed at the multiplicity of regional areas of vaporization at least a part of the way to the vapor way.

Claim 38

An improved heat pipe comprising: a closed chamber; a partition comprising an impermeable wall separating the chamber into two closed subchambers; a fluid, comprising a liquid and its vapor, in each subchamber; capillary material in each subchamber for conveying the liquid from where it is formed by vapor condensing in the relatively cooler regions at least part of the way to the relatively warmer regions where it is vaporized; a vapor way in each subchamber for conveying the vapor at least part of the way from where it is formed to where it condenses; and wherein a first side of the partition comprises: a multiplicity of closely spaced regional areas of condensation comprising surface portions of the capillary material whereat heat is released by condensation of the vapor; a multiplicity of vapor passages in vapor communication between the respective vapor way and the regional areas of condensation; and wherein said multiplicity of vapor passages convey the vapor to be condensed at the multiplicity of regional areas of condensation at least a portion of the way from the vapor thereto; and the second side of the partition comprises: a multiplicity of closely spaced regional areas of vaporization comprising surface portions of the capillary material wherEat heat released by the condensation of the vapor at the regional areas of condensation is conducted therefrom by the capillary material to the impermeable wall of the partition, and whereby the heat is conducted through the partition wall, and conducted from the partition wall through the capillary material to the regional areas of vaporization whereat the heat vaporizes the liquid; a multiplicity of vapor passages in vapor communication between the regional areas of vaporization and the vapor way; and wherein the multiplicity of vapor passages convey the vapor formed at the multiplicity of regional areas of vaporization at least a part of the way to the vapor way.

Claim 39

An improved heat pipe as defined in claim 35 wherein the multiplicity of regional areas of vaporization are spaced sufficiently closely that the center to center distance therebetween is less than the extent, in the direction normal the partition wall of the capillary material between the partition wall and the vapor way; and wherein the multiplicity of regional areas of condensation are spaced sufficiently closely that the center to center distance therebetween is less than the extent, in the direction normal to the partition wall, of the capillary material between the partition wall and the vapor way.

Claim 40

A heat pipe comprising: a chamber; a first phase change region adjacent a boundary of the chamber through which heat enters the chamber; a second phase change region adjacent a boundary of the chamber through which heat exits the chamber; a heat transfer fluid, comprising a liquid and its vapor, in the chamber; said fluid transferring heat from the first phase change region to the second phase change region by means of a heat transfer cycle wherein the liquid is vaporized in the first phase change region and the resulting vapor is condensed in the second phase change region from which the resulting liquid returns to the first phase change region; capillary material in the chamber for conveying the heat transfer liquid by capillary forces substantially the entire distance from the second phase change region to the first phase change region; and wherein at least one phase change region further comprises: a multiplicity of regional areas of phase change comprising surface portions of the capillary material and whereat the heat of phase change is conducted through the capillary material between the regional areas of phase change and a chamber boundary; and a multiplicity of vapor passages in direct vapor communication with said regional areas of phase change and in vapor communication with the phase change region wherein the phase change opposite to that occurring in said regional areas of phase change takes place; and wherein the regional areas of phase change are spaced sufficiently closely to each other that the centers of the regional areas of phase change are closer to the centers of their nearest neighbors than to the nearest substantial portion of the phase change region whereat the opposite phase change takes place.

Claim 41

A heat pipe comprising: a chamber; a first phase change region adjacent a boundary of the chamber through which heat enters the chamber; a second phase change region adjacent a boundary of the chamber through which heat exits the chamber; a heat transfer fluid, comprising a liquid and its vapor, in the chamber; said fluid transferring heat from the first phase change region to the second phase change region by means of a heat transfer cycle wherein the liquid is vaporized in the first phase change region and the resulting vapor is condensed in the second phase change region from which the resulting liquid returns to the first phase change region; capillary material in the chamber for conveying the heat transfer liquid by capillary forces substantially the entire distance from the second phase change region to the first phase change region; and wherein at least one phase change region further comprises: a multiplicity of regional areas of phase change comprising surface portions of the capillary material and whereat the heat of phase change is conducted through the capillary material between the regional areas of phase change and a chamber boundary; and a multiplicity of vapor passages in direct vapor communication with said regional areas of phase change and in vapor communication with the phase change region wherein the phase change opposite to that occurring in said regional areas of phase change takes place; and wherein the regional areas of phase change are spaced sufficiently closely to each other that the centers of the regional areas of phase change are closer to the centers of their nearest neighbors than to the nearest substantial portion of the phase change region whereat the opposite phase change takes place.

Claim 42

A heat pipe comprising: a chamber; a first phase change region adjacent a boundary of the chamber through which heat enters the chamber; a second phase change region adjacent a boundary of the chamber through which heat exits the chamber; a heat transfer fluid, comprising a liquid and its vapor, in the chamber; said fluid transferring heat from the first phase change region to the second phase change region by means of a heat transfer cycle wherein the liquid is vaporized in the first phase change region and the resulting vapor is condensed in the second phase change region from which the resulting liquid returns to the first phase change region; capillary material in the chamber for conveying the heat transfer liquid by capillary forces at least a portion of the way from the second phase change region to the first phase change region; and wherein the second phase change region further comprises: a multiplicity of Regional areas of condensation comprising surface portions of the body of capillary material, and wherein the heat of condensation is conducted through the capillary matrix from the regional areas of condensation to the chamber boundary through which heat exists; and a multiplicity of vapor passages in direct vapor communication with said regional areas of phase change and in vapor communication with the first phase change region; and wherein the regional areas of condensation are spaced sufficiently closely to each other that the centers of the regional areas of phase change are closer to the centers of their nearest neighbors than to the nearest substantial portion of the first phase change region.

Claim 43

A heat pipe comprising: a chamber; a first phase change region adjacent a boundary of the chamber through which heat enters the chamber; a second phase change region adjacent a boundary of the chamber through which heat exits the chamber; a heat transfer fluid, comprising a liquid and its vapor, in the chamber; said fluid transferring heat from the first phase change region to the second phase change region by means of a heat transfer cycle wherein the liquid is vaporized in the first phase change region and the resulting vapor is condensed in the second phase change region from which the resulting liquid returns to the first phase change region; capillary material in the chamber for conveying the heat transfer liquid by capillary forces at least a portion of the way from the second phase change region to the first phase change region; and wherein the second phase change region further comprises: a multiplicity of Regional areas of condensation comprising surface portions of the body of capillary material, and wherein the heat of condensation is conducted through the capillary matrix from the regional areas of condensation to the chamber boundary through which heat exists; and a multiplicity of vapor passages in direct vapor communication with said regional areas of phase change and in vapor communication with the first phase change region; and wherein the regional areas of condensation are spaced sufficiently closely to each other that the centers of the regional areas of phase change are closer to the centers of their nearest neighbors than to the nearest substantial portion of the first phase change region.