Internally heated heat pipe roller

Claim 1

An internally heated heat pipe for heating the outer surface of the heat pipe substantially uniformly over the length thereof comprising: a. a container comprising a cylindrical side wall and two end walls for providing a closed space, said side wall having inner and outer surfaces, b. an elongated member positioned within said container and extending substantially parallel to the axis of said container, c. a wick structure comprising first, second and third portions, said first wick portion overlying said elongated member, said second wick portion overlying the inner surface of said side wall, said third wick portion extending in a radial direction from said first wick portion to said second wick portion, said first, second and third wick portions being saturated with a heat transer fluid, said heat transfer fluid being vaporized when a predetermined amount of heat is applied thereto, and d. means for applying heat to said heat transfer fluid in an amount sufficient to vaporize said heat transfer fluid, said heat applying means overlying said first wick portion, the heat in said vapor being transferred substantially uniformly to said outer side wall surface along the length thereof.